Tensions between Russia and the United Kingdom have escalated after Moscow warned that British military targets could become targets for Russian strikes over Britain’s support for Ukraine.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on Thursday that Russia could target British military facilities and equipment inside and outside Ukraine if Ukrainian forces continue using British-supplied weapons to strike Russian territory.
Zakharova accused London of moving closer to becoming directly involved in the conflict, saying Britain was “one step away” from becoming legally complicit in what Moscow described as attacks on Russian civilians.
She also warned Britain and France that they were “playing with fire” by providing sensitive missile technology to Ukraine.
The warning follows Britain’s recent decision to give Ukraine access to technology needed to produce Storm Shadow long-range cruise missiles, weapons capable of striking targets deep inside Russian territory. France has also agreed to license technology for the European missile.
Moscow has repeatedly objected to Western military support for Ukraine, particularly the supply of long-range weapons that can be used against targets inside Russia.
Russia has accused Ukraine of using British-made Storm Shadow missiles in recent attacks. Moscow says that continued use of such weapons could make British military infrastructure a legitimate target for retaliation.
However, the latest statement is a threat, not an announcement that Russia has decided to attack Britain. There is currently no indication that a strike on UK territory has been ordered.
The warning is particularly significant because Britain is a NATO member. Any direct Russian attack on UK territory could carry much broader implications for the alliance and the wider Russia-NATO relationship.
Meanwhile, Russia has continued its large-scale attacks on Ukraine, while Ukraine has stepped up strikes against targets inside Russia.
For now, the UK has maintained its support for Ukraine despite Moscow’s warnings.
The latest threat underscores how the war in Ukraine is increasingly creating direct tensions between Russia and NATO countries, raising concerns that continued escalation could widen the conflict beyond Ukraine’s borders.
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