Russia threatens UK with "consequences" for supplying drones to Ukraine
Russia has accused the UK of "deliberately opting for escalation" following media reports that British-made drones have been used in strikes on targets inside Russia.
Source: a statement by the Embassy of the Russian Federation to the United Kingdom, as reported by European Pravda
Details: The embassy said reports that Ukraine is using British-made drones to strike Russian territory "confirm that London is deliberately opting for an escalation of the Ukraine crisis, while hypocritically professing a desire for peace".
"London's actions will inevitably carry consequences for which it will have to answer. The deeper its involvement in the conflict and the greater its support for Kyiv's terrorist machinery, the higher the price it will pay," the statement went on.
In response, a UK Defence Ministry spokesperson told the BBC that Britain stands "shoulder to shoulder" with Ukraine.
"Russia should be in no doubt about the resolve of this government to stand against Russian aggression, in Ukraine and against the UK and our allies," they stressed.
The spokesperson said the UK is "committed to providing the equipment Ukraine needs to defend itself against [Russian leader Vladimir] Putin's illegal invasion".
Previously: The BBC previously reported that British-made drones had been used for the first time to strike targets inside Russia. The drones were reportedly used in large-scale attacks on military and industrial facilities, including oil refineries and Wildberries warehouses.
Background:
- At the end of July, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and new UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham held their first meeting aboard an aircraft carrier stationed at a British naval base in Portsmouth.
- Burnham also announced that London would provide Ukraine with technology to protect Ukrainian drones.
- In early August, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office announced an expansion of sanctions against Russia, adding 19 more entities to its sanctions list.
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