Russia has warned that the UK will face ‘all ensuing consequences’ after supplying drones for long-range strikes inside Russian territory, accusing Britain of becoming a direct participant in the war. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov made the statement on Russian television, responding to Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s reaffirmation of UK support for Ukraine.
Lavrov’s warning and UK response
Lavrov addressed the issue directly, stating: ‘This only means one thing. The president [Putin] warned of our right to act in any part of the oceans if someone encroaches on our interests, on our property. We have the same right to view the proudly declared direct participation of British missile forces in strikes against Russia as participation in a war, with all the ensuing consequences.’
Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who took office earlier this year, stressed that the UK is fully behind Ukraine. ‘Britain is providing support so that Ukraine can defend itself, and that’s been the British position all the way through this conflict by previous prime ministers, it remains the case with me. We are not fairweather friends,’ Burnham said, according to the report.
Long-range strikes on Russian targets
The warning follows the revelation that new British long-range drones are being supplied to Ukraine and used for strikes deep inside Russia. Early today, Ukrainian long-range strikes reportedly hit a major explosives plant in Dzerzhinsk, approximately 230 miles east of Moscow. The Sverdlov Explosives Plant is one of the largest in Russia and a key supplier to Putin’s military machine. A picture from Astra media reportedly showed a large plume of smoke near the factory, which is already sanctioned by other Western countries.
In addition to the Dzerzhinsk strike, buildings were hit in other Russian cities, including Tula, which hosts multiple defence plants, and Ufa, a major oil capital. An oil refinery in Ufa was struck, sparking a fire as Russia grapples with critical petrol shortages and long queues at fuel stations.
Impact on civilians and Russian concerns
In Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region, two people were killed and ten injured in a Russian guided aerial bomb attack on a residential area, according to the report. The escalating strikes have raised concerns among Russians over the new deep reach of drones and missiles deployed by Ukraine to target strategic targets deep inside the country.
Earlier, the Russian Embassy in London warned that the deeper the UK becomes embroiled in Ukraine, ‘the higher the price it will pay.’ The embassy’s statement echoed Lavrov’s sentiment, emphasizing the potential consequences of continued UK involvement.
