On Thursday, tensions escalated as Russia issued a stark warning to the United Kingdom, threatening to target British military sites both within Ukraine and beyond. This warning follows concerns that Kyiv might launch British-supplied long-range cruise missiles to attack Russian territory, according to various reports.
The announcement came the day after Moscow asserted that Ukraine had struck a shopping center in the Russian-occupied region of Donetsk. The attack, allegedly using British-made Storm Shadow missiles, reportedly caused injuries to civilians, including children. This accusation has further strained the already tense relations.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, speaking on Thursday, delivered a stern message: Britain is on the brink of being deemed legally involved in acts she labeled as terrorism targeting civilians. She warned that continuing on this path could lead to dire repercussions, describing the potential fallout as “catastrophic.” This report was highlighted by Reuters.
The declaration from Zakharova was accompanied by the public presence of the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson at the annual press conference held by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on January 14, 2025, in Moscow. (Evgenia Novozhenina/Reuters)
Zakharova reiterated at a Moscow briefing, “We have consistently warned that any British military facilities and their equipment, whether located in Ukraine or elsewhere, may become targets. This would be in direct response to Ukrainian attacks on Russian regions facilitated by British arms.”
She urged British leaders to “immediately, in the most resolute and unequivocal manner, abandon the hostile, aggressive line” to prevent the conflict from escalating to an “entirely new level.”
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham visited Ukraine Aug. 24 for Independence Day, when he announced that a defense contractor could release classified information about British components used in the long-range SCALP cruise missile as Ukraine and France seek to establish assembly lines in Ukraine, according to the U.K. government.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham visited Ukraine Aug. 24 for Independence Day, when he announced that a defense contractor could release classified information about British components used in the long-range cruise missiles. (Getty Images )
The SCALP missile, the French version of Britain’s Storm Shadow, can strike targets more than 155 miles away.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the U.K. was “participating in the war” and “pouring fuel on the fire.”
A spokesperson for Britain’s Ministry of Defense told Reuters London stood “shoulder to shoulder” with Ukraine and was committed to providing the equipment that Kyiv needed “to defend itself against (President Vladimir) Putin’s illegal invasion.”
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“Russia should be in no doubt about the resolve of this government to stand against Russian aggression in Ukraine and against the U.K. and our allies,” the spokesperson said.
Russia also warned Britain Aug. 17 that it would pay a “price” after The Times reported Aug. 15 that British-made drones supplied to Ukraine were used to strike military and industrial targets inside Russia for the very first time. (Getty Images)
During his Kyiv visit, Burnham also hit back at Moscow, condemning Russia’s “outrageous threats” and asserting that Britain’s support for Ukraine would not waver.
Russia also warned Britain Aug. 17 that it would pay a “price” after The Times reported Aug. 15 that British-made drones supplied to Ukraine were used to strike military and industrial targets inside Russia for the very first time.
Britain’s Ministry of Defense did not confirm whether British drones had been used in the strikes.
Zakharova made the remarks as President Donald Trump downplayed concerns about a broader war, telling Axios in a phone interview Thursday he was not concerned Russia would attack a NATO member.
Footage shows the launch of Ukraine’s homegrown long-range “Flamingo” cruise missiles during a strike on Russian military infrastructure. (East2West)
Sergei Naryshkin, head of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, known as the SVR, confirmed Thursday that he met with CIA Director John Ratcliffe in Moscow earlier this week, Reuters reported.
Naryshkin characterized the meeting as routine, saying they discussed issues within the scope of their intelligence services, according to Reuters.
Trump similarly described Ratcliffe’s trip as “semi-routine,” according to Axios.
News Media has reached out to 10 Downing Street for comment.