Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has warned that Moscow could target British military installations and equipment in response to Ukrainian strikes carried out with British-supplied weapons.
Speaking at a briefing in Moscow, Ms Zakharova said Britain was “one step away” from being considered legally complicit by Russia in what she described as attacks on Russian civilians. She warned of “inevitable catastrophic consequences” unless London changed its policy.
Her remarks referred to Ukraine’s use of British-French Storm Shadow/SCALP cruise missiles against targets inside Russia and areas of eastern Ukraine that Moscow claims as its territory.
“We have repeatedly warned that any British military installations and equipment in Ukraine and beyond its borders could be targeted in response to Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory carried out using British weapons,” she said.
Ms Zakharova urged the British government to abandon what she called its “hostile, aggressive line”, warning that continued support for Ukraine could push the conflict to “an entirely new level”.
Britain’s Ministry of Defence, however, said London remained “shoulder to shoulder” with Ukraine and was committed to supplying Kyiv with the equipment required to defend itself against President Vladimir Putin’s invasion.
“Russia should be in no doubt about the resolve of this Government to stand against Russian aggression, in Ukraine and against the UK and our allies,” a ministry spokesperson told Reuters.
Western analysts said the unusually strong warning reflected Moscow’s anger over Britain’s decision, announced on Monday, to give Ukraine access to classified technology to enable it to produce Storm Shadow cruise missiles domestically. The weapons are capable of striking targets deep inside Russian territory.
The Kremlin accused Britain of deliberately “adding fuel to the fire” following the announcement.
US President Donald Trump on Thursday said Russian President Vladimir Putin would not attack Nato territory, dismissing reports that Washington was concerned about a possible Russian move against Europe.
Trump’s comments came two days after CIA Director John Ratcliffe travelled to Moscow for unannounced talks, which US media reports said included a warning to Russia against attacking the Nato alliance.
“I’ve had good talks with him. He’s not going to be attacking a Nato territory,” Trump told reporters at the Oval Office when asked whether Putin had agreed not to attack Nato.
Asked about reports that Mr Ratcliffe had delivered such a warning, Trump declined to comment directly but said, “They’re not going to attack.”
The US president also played down the need for additional measures against Russia over its trade with Iran, after his administration announced an “economic D-Day” against Tehran if it refused to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
“So far, I think Russia’s behaved quite well, having to do with the Strait of Hormuz,” he said.
Ms Zakharova also criticised France, saying both Paris and London were “playing with fire” by providing sensitive missile technology to Ukraine and warning that the move could have unpredictable consequences.
France has already approved licensing for the production of the European missile technology.
Ms Zakharova also criticised British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, accusing him of pursuing what she described as a dangerous course towards escalation over Ukraine.
Her warning came a day after Russia accused Ukraine of using British-made Storm Shadow missiles to strike a shopping centre in the Russian-controlled city of Donetsk, allegedly wounding civilians, including children.
Ukraine did not immediately comment on the allegation, while Reuters said it could not independently verify the reported attack. Both Russia and Ukraine deny deliberately targeting civilians. Thousands of civilians have been killed since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
