Russia warns Britain of 'consequences' for supplying drones to Ukraine


An FP-2 middle strike drone flies after being launched by Servicemen of the 20th Separate K-2 Unmanned Systems Brigade of the Unmanned Systems Forces, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv region, Ukraine August 16, 2026. REUTERS/Sofiia Gatilova

LONDON, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Russia ⁠warned Britain on Tuesday it would face consequences ⁠for supplying drones to Ukraine which are used to ‌attack targets on Russian territory.

Russia's embassy in London was responding to a report in the Times newspaper on Saturday which said British-made drones had ​been used for long-range strikes against ⁠Russia for the first ⁠time.

"London's actions will inevitably carry consequences for which it will have ⁠to ‌answer," the embassy said in a statement posted on its Telegram channel.

"The deeper its involvement in ⁠the conflict and the greater its support for ​Kiev's terrorist machinery, ‌the higher the price it will pay."

Ukraine has been ⁠using deep-strike ​drones to hit oil refineries and logistics facilities.

Britain's Ministry of Defence did not confirm whether British drones had been used.

In June, ⁠Britain said it would provide 150,000 ​drones to Ukraine by the end of 2026 as part of a £752 million ($996 million) funding package.

Asked about the Russian embassy comments, ⁠a defence ministry spokesperson said: "Britain stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine and we are committed to providing the equipment Ukraine needs to defend itself against Putin's illegal invasion."

Since the start ​of Russia's war against Ukraine in ⁠2022, Moscow has repeatedly warned Britain and other Western allies ​that their support for Kyiv, including ‌the supply of equipment, could provoke ​retaliatory measures and increase the risk of a broader confrontation.

(Reporting by William James, editing by Elizabeth Piper)

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