Archive · 18 Aug 2026
Russia Warns UK It Will Face Consequences Over Drone Supplies
Russia is very angry with Britain.
A newspaper said that drones made by British companies were used to attack targets inside Russia.
Russia says Britain helped Ukraine do this.
Russia's embassy in London warned that Britain would have to 'pay a price' for helping.
Russia called Britain an 'accomplice' in the attacks.
One of the drone companies is part of a big defence company called BAE Systems.
The other company was kept secret for safety reasons.
Britain said it will keep helping Ukraine defend itself against Russia's invasion.
Britain has given Ukraine about 25 billion pounds since the war started in February 2022.
Ukraine has been sending very large waves of drones, including hundreds near Moscow, and people on both sides have been hurt.
Russia's embassy in London warned Britain it would face 'consequences' and 'the higher the price it will pay' the deeper its involvement in the conflict grows.
Reports in The Times and The Sunday Times said drones built by two British companies, one a BAE Systems subsidiary, were used by Ukraine against military and industrial targets inside Russia.
Russia accused Britain of being 'an accomplice and co-perpetrator' of 'bloody crimes and terrorist attacks' and of deliberately escalating the Ukraine crisis.
The UK Ministry of Defence said Britain stands 'shoulder to shoulder' with Ukraine and remains committed to providing equipment for its defense against Putin's illegal invasion.
The warning followed waves of Ukrainian drone attacks, including about 822 drones launched on Saturday night (600 aimed at Moscow) and roughly 620 toward the Moscow region in the latest overnight strikes.
- Who
- Russia (via its embassy in London and Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova), Britain (UK Ministry of Defence), Ukraine, and two British drone companies
- What
- Russia warned Britain it would face 'consequences' and 'pay a price' over reports that UK-made drones were used in strikes deep inside Russian territory
- When
- This week — reports differ on the day, with one article saying Monday and the Reuters report, dated Aug. 18, saying Tuesday
- Where
- Russia (including a fuel depot in the Kamensky District of the Rostov Region and areas around Moscow), Britain (London), and Ukraine
- Why
- Because reports said British-made drones supplied to Ukraine were used for long-range strikes on military and industrial targets inside Russian territory
Russia's Position
UK and Ukraine's Position
UK-made drones used in strikes on Russia
Russia's Position
Britain is an 'accomplice and co-perpetrator' of 'bloody crimes and terrorist attacks,' deliberately opting for escalation; the deeper its involvement, the higher the price it will pay.
UK and Ukraine's Position
Britain stands 'shoulder to shoulder' with Ukraine and is committed to providing the equipment Ukraine needs to defend itself against Putin's illegal invasion.
Scale and aim of long-range drone strikes
Russia's Position
Russia calls the large drone waves, including about 822 drones on Saturday night with hundreds aimed at Moscow, 'massive' attacks that wounded and killed people in Russia.
UK and Ukraine's Position
Ukraine is using deep-strike drones to hit military and industrial targets such as oil refineries, logistics facilities and Wildberries warehouses, saying seven of ten of the retailer's largest logistics centres have been disabled.
- Russia's warning
- Britain will face 'consequences' and 'the higher the price it will pay' the deeper its involvement grows
- Report source
- The Times (per Reuters) and The Sunday Times
- British companies involved
- Two; one a BAE Systems subsidiary, the second unidentified for security reasons
- Russia's accusation
- Britain an 'accomplice and co-perpetrator' of 'bloody crimes and terrorist attacks'
- UK support to Ukraine
- Around 25 billion pounds ($33 billion), including 16 billion pounds in military aid
- June drone pledge
- 150,000 drones to Ukraine by end of 2026 under a £752 million ($996 million) funding package
- Large drone waves
- About 822 drones launched Saturday night (600 aimed at Moscow); about 620 toward the Moscow region in the latest overnight strikes
- Reported economic damage
- More than £35 billion, per a military source cited by the BBC
