RUSSIA has accused the UK of “deliberately escalating” the war in Ukraine after British-made drones were used to strike targets for the first time.
Built by two separate British companies, the aircraft have been deployed deep in mainland Russia, destroying refineries and warehouses of online retailer Wildberries.
Smoke billows from the Wildberries warehouses following a Ukrainian drone attack in Koledino, Moscow Region, on August 16, 2026 Credit: Reuters
Among the British drones deployed by Ukraine is the Nyan Credit: © Jerome Starkey 2025
A statement from the Russian Embassy to the UK said the reports show “London is deliberately opting for an escalation of the Ukraine crisis, while hypocritically professing a desire for peace”.
“London’s actions will inevitably carry consequences for which it will have to answer,” it added.
Sign up for The Jattvibe newsletter
Thank you!
“The deeper its involvement in the conflict and the greater its support for Kyiv’s terrorist machinery, the higher the price it will pay.”
While the deployment of UK tech, like the Storm Shadow cruise missiles, in the war is nothing new, it is the first time that the use of drones has been reported on.
FEMME FATALE?
Russia names ‘assassin who blew up Ukraine sub commander after his defection’
PUTIN PARDON
Marine jailed in Russia released after fears ‘torture left him close to death’
Multiple sources in the Ukrainian Army cited by The Times confirmed that this has been happening over the past six months.
Targets included refineries in Volgograd, southwest Russia, and Yaroslavl, near Moscow.
Reacting to Russia’s threat, Britain reaffirmed that it stands “shoulder to shoulder” with Ukraine.
“We are committed to providing the equipment Ukraine needs to defend itself against Putin’s illegal invasion,” a statement from the Ministry of Defence said.
The aftermath of the attack in Koledino on August 16, 2026 Credit: Reuters
Putin pictured during a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, on August 17, 2026 Credit: AP
“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.”
Among the UK drones is the Nyan One Way Effector, a jet-powered attack drone developed by Callen-Lenz, part of BAE Systems’ FalconWorks division.
The aircraft boasts a 2.9-metre wingspan and a maximum takeoff weight exceeding 75 kilograms.
The system is also operated by the British Army.
Ukraine is also using drones manufactured by another British firm whose identity has not been revealed.
“Russia has been very effective at keeping the West nervous about hitting it too hard,” a senior defence source told The Times.
“These attacks mean the UK is effectively signalling to Russia and our allies that we’re not [nervous] any more.”
Russia’s ultra-nationalist Tsargrad news site cited one defence expert who said that use of British attack drones against Russia was “an open secret”.
Another explained that so long as Britain was not actually sending troops, this was simply business as usual.
In April, the MoD announced it would supply Ukraine with tens of thousands of drones, including long-range strike devices – its biggest ever package.
“This includes over 150,000 drones this year, cutting-edge Stone Cloak devices that hinder Russian air defences and innovative low-cost cruise missiles,” it said.
