Diplomatic clash over drone supplies

Russia has accused the UK of "deliberately opting for an escalation of the Ukraine crisis" following reports that British-made drones were used in strikes on targets inside Russia. In a statement, the Russian Embassy to the UK wrote that the UK is "acting as an accomplice and co-perpetrator of the bloody crimes and terrorist attacks." The embassy added that "London's actions will inevitably carry consequences for which it will have to answer," warning that the deeper its involvement in the conflict, "the higher the price it will pay."

In response, a spokesperson for the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) told BBC News that Britain stood "shoulder to shoulder" with Ukraine. "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," the spokesperson said, adding that the UK was "committed to providing the equipment Ukraine needs to defend itself against Putin's illegal invasion."

The drones in question, built by two separate British companies, have been used inside Russia in targeting military and industrial sites, including refineries and warehouses of the online retailer Wildberries. Ukraine has repeatedly targeted the company, often described as Russia's version of Amazon, and claims that seven out of ten of the largest Wildberries logistics centres have been "disabled." A military source confirmed to the BBC that UK drones had been used in the attacks, which are said to have caused more than £35bn in economic damage.

Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has also said that drones using UK components and configurations were used to attack Russian territory, including a fuel depot in the Kamensky District of the Rostov Region.

Russian media threats and nuclear rhetoric

Alongside the diplomatic exchanges, Russian state media has urged President Vladimir Putin to use a nuclear torpedo reportedly capable of causing a tsunami on Britain. The threat came in the context of the UK's ongoing support for Ukraine, which has included supplying drones. Vladimir Solovyov, a state TV presenter, said: "Give the British three days to learn to breathe underwater, then hit them with Poseidon."

During his radio show Full Contact, Solovyov also suggested targeting British drone manufacturing facilities, saying: "The British are openly saying that these are their drones; then why are we yet to destroy factories in Britain? ... England, why are we yet to carry out the strikes against the factories that produce the drones for the strikes against our territory?"

Attention has focused on Swindon, which has quickly forged a reputation as one of the main production hubs for drones in the UK, with nine companies either already established or having signed agreements to set up drone-making operations. These include The Uncrewed Systems Centre at Panattoni Park, described as Europe's largest drone testing facility, which opened earlier this month. Defence Minister Alistair Carns said the town had previously been at the forefront of "groundbreaking technology" with the Spitfire and could now lead in autonomous vehicles.

The Ministry of Defence has announced plans to supply Ukraine with tens of thousands of drones, including long-range strike systems, as part of its biggest-ever package of drone support. The government said it would provide more than 150,000 drones during the year.

The Poseidon is a nuclear-capable torpedo designed to be carried by the Khabarovsk submarine, which has begun sea trials in the White Sea. The submarine, measuring 443 feet in length, is configured with two large compartments for the Poseidon vehicles, which are estimated to weigh between 61 and 121 US tons each. As reported by The Telegraph, the torpedo is capable of creating a tsunami on an enemy's coastline. Russia has plans to acquire at least 30 Poseidon torpedoes and four submarines to carry them.

UK targets and political responses

A leaked map, shared by former Russian deputy prime minister Dmitry Rogozin, highlights 23 potential targets in the UK, including military and industrial hubs. The map lists specific UK targets including Glasgow, Belfast, Barrow-in-Furness, and others, with associated companies. Rogozin shared the map in the wake of comments made by Britain's former defence secretary, Ben Wallace, who urged the West to "make Crimea uninhabitable and unviable from a Russian point of view." Rogozin replied to Wallace's comments, quoting Wallace as saying "We must help Ukraine acquire long-range capabilities to make Crimea uninhabitable. We need to strangle Crimea."

Separately, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham arrived in Ukraine on his first foreign trip to show support for the country. He laid a wreath and flowers at the graves of Ukrainian soldiers at the National Military Cemetery, as part of events marking the country's independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. "Russia should be in no doubt of our resolve," Burnham said. "We will not back down until there is a just and lasting peace."

Background

Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and currently controls approximately a fifth of Ukrainian territory.