Why is Russia threatening UK with ‘consequences’ over Ukraine drones?

Russia has warned the United Kingdom it could face “consequences” for supplying drones to Ukraine that have been used in long-range attacks inside Russian territory.

“London’s actions will inevitably carry consequences for which ⁠it will have to answer,” the Russian embassy in London said in a statement on Monday. “The deeper its involvement in the conflict and the greater its support for Kiev’s terrorist machinery, the higher the price it will pay.”

“London is deliberately opting for an escalation of the Ukraine crisis, while hypocritically professing a desire for peace,” the embassy wrote on Telegram.

“In doing so, the United Kingdom is acting as an accomplice and co-perpetrator of the bloody crimes and terrorist attacks.”

Former Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Fedorov told the BBC on Tuesday that “consequences” could include the possibility of attacks. He said many military experts advising the Kremlin are convinced that NATO would not respond forcefully if Russia were to hit the UK. “Trump will not allow NATO to answer,” he said.

The threat follows reports that Ukraine has been using long-range drones to hit key Russian targets, including oil refineries and logistics facilities. Drones produced by two British companies have been used in a number of these attacks, according to the findings of an investigation by The Times newspaper in the UK.

On Monday night and into early Tuesday, the mayor of Moscow said Ukraine had launched at least 637 drones in the direction of the Russian capital, of which 197 were shot down by Russian air defences.

Britain’s Ministry of Defence has not confirmed that its drones have been used to attack Russian territory. Since ⁠the start of Russia’s war against Ukraine in 2022, Moscow has repeatedly warned London and Ukraine’s other Western allies that providing long-range weaponry would be seen as an escalation .