Russia has warned that British military installations and equipment in Ukraine and other locations could be targeted if Ukraine continues using British-supplied long-range missiles to strike targets inside Russian territory.
The warning was issued on Thursday by Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova during a briefing in Moscow, as tensions between Moscow, Kyiv and Western countries continue to escalate.
Zakharova accused Britain of moving closer to becoming directly involved in what Russia described as attacks against Russian civilians. She warned that continued British military support for Ukraine could have serious consequences and risk pushing the conflict into a new phase.
She said Russia had repeatedly warned that British military facilities and equipment in Ukraine and beyond could become targets in response to attacks carried out with British weapons.
Russia Warns Britain Over Storm Shadow Missiles
The latest warning followed Britain’s decision to give Ukraine access to classified technology that could enable Kyiv to begin producing Storm Shadow cruise missiles domestically.
Storm Shadow, developed jointly by Britain and France, is a long-range weapon capable of striking targets deep behind the front lines.
The Kremlin accused Britain of further escalating the conflict, arguing that the transfer of sensitive missile technology would provide Ukraine with greater capacity to attack targets inside Russia.
France has also approved arrangements connected to the missile technology, prompting Moscow to accuse both London and Paris of taking dangerous steps.
Zakharova warned that Britain and France were taking risks by supplying sensitive military technology to Ukraine.
Britain Reaffirms Support for Ukraine
Britain’s Ministry of Defence rejected Russia’s position and reaffirmed London’s commitment to supporting Ukraine.
A ministry spokesperson said Britain remained firmly behind Ukraine and would continue providing the equipment Kyiv needs to defend itself against Russia’s invasion.
The British government also warned Moscow against underestimating its determination to resist Russian aggression against Ukraine and protect Britain and its allies.
The exchange highlights the growing tensions between Russia and Western governments over the supply of advanced weapons to Ukraine.
Trump Says Russia Will Not Attack NATO
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said Russian President Vladimir Putin would not attack NATO territory.
Trump made the remarks after reports that CIA Director John Ratcliffe had travelled to Moscow for talks, reportedly amid concerns about a possible Russian confrontation with the NATO alliance.
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Asked whether Putin had agreed not to attack NATO territory, Trump said he believed Russia would not launch such an attack.
The US president declined to discuss details of Ratcliffe’s reported discussions in Moscow but maintained that Russia would not attack NATO.
Russia Accuses Ukraine of Donetsk Attack
Moscow’s latest warning came a day after Russia accused Ukraine of using British-made Storm Shadow missiles in an attack on a shopping centre in Donetsk, a Russian-controlled city in eastern Ukraine.
Russian authorities said the attack injured civilians, including children.
Ukraine had not immediately commented on the allegation, while the reported details could not be independently verified.
Both Russia and Ukraine have repeatedly denied deliberately targeting civilians during the conflict, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The latest developments have raised fresh concerns about the possibility of further escalation as Western military support for Ukraine expands and Kyiv gains access to increasingly sophisticated long-range weapons.
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