Russia warns of strikes on UK military targets over missile use in Ukraine

Russia issued a stark warning on Thursday, threatening to strike British military targets both within and outside Ukraine. This escalation comes as a direct response to Ukraine's use of British-supplied long-range cruise missiles in attacks on Russian territory.

Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for Russia's Foreign Ministry, stated that Britain is now "one step away" from being legally complicit in "terrorism against Russian civilians." She warned of "inevitable catastrophic consequences" if London does not alter its course. Zakharova specifically referenced the use of Storm Shadow/SCALP missiles, a joint French-British weapon, by Ukraine against targets within Russia and in eastern Ukraine, which Russia considers its own territory.

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We have repeatedly warned that any British military facilities and equipment in Ukraine and beyond its borders could be targeted in response to Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory carried out with the use of British weapons.

"We have repeatedly warned that any British military facilities and equipment in Ukraine and beyond its borders could be targeted in response to Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory carried out with the use of British weapons," Zakharova said. She urged the British leadership to "carefully analyze the situation again and immediately, in the most decisive and unambiguous way, abandon the hostile, aggressive policy that can only... create the risk of the conflict escalating to a completely new level."

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You are choosing the most dangerous path.

A spokesperson for the British Ministry of Defence asserted that London stands "shoulder to shoulder" with Ukraine, committed to providing Kyiv with the necessary equipment to defend itself against Russia's "illegal invasion." The spokesperson added, "Russia should have no doubt about this government's determination to counter Russian aggression, in Ukraine and against the United Kingdom and our allies."

Western analysts suggest Moscow's strong warning reflects anger over Britain's recent decision to grant Kyiv access to draft technology for producing its own Storm Shadow missiles. Russia's Kremlin had previously accused Britain of systematically "adding fuel to the fire" following this announcement. France, which also licenses technology for the European missile, was also implicitly threatened, with Zakharova suggesting both France and Britain are "playing with fire" by supplying sensitive missile technology to Ukraine, potentially leading to unpredictable consequences.

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Russia should have no doubt about this government's determination to counter Russian aggression, in Ukraine and against the United Kingdom and our allies.