Ukraine uses British drones for long-range strikes deep inside Russia

Ukraine has for the first time used unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) manufactured by two British companies in strikes against targets deep inside Russian Federation territory.

According to a report by The Times newspaper, which cited sources within the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the attacks in question were carried out over the past six months.

The newspaper claimed that facilities in the cities of Volgograd and Yaroslavl were among the targets hit.

According to details reported in the story, a heavy British T-150 drone manufactured by Malloy Aeronautics was used in the Kherson region in April.

In long-range attacks, the jet-powered Nyan drone, developed by BAE Systems subsidiary Callen-Lenz, and UAVs produced by an unnamed second British company were deployed.

Military analysts suggested that Russia might launch retaliatory strikes against British manufacturers due to the support provided to Kyiv. However, the newspaper noted that the likelihood of a direct military confrontation with NATO remains low.

Former British Defence Minister Dan Jarvis stated in June that London would deliver at least 150,000 drones, along with 350 anti-aircraft missiles and radar systems, to Kyiv by the end of the year.

The Telegraph newspaper reported that the total value of the drones was calculated at £500 million, with British authorities intending to cover this cost using frozen Russian assets. The UK also provides Storm Shadow cruise missiles to Ukraine.

The Moscow administration, which argues that military aid prolongs the conflict, condemns the support given to Kyiv. Russia’s Ambassador to London, Andrey Kelin, stated that the United Kingdom is “more deeply involved” in the conflict in Ukraine than any other NATO member.

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that responses to Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory would be many times stronger.

In April, the Russian Ministry of Defence published a list of production facilities in several Western countries that it claimed were supplying drones and spare parts to Ukraine.

Two factories operating on UK territory were included on the list. In its statement, the ministry noted that the decision by various countries to increase the production and delivery of UAVs to Ukraine “creates the threat of a rapid escalation of the military-political situation across the entire European continent”.

Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of Russia, described the facility list as Russia’s “list of potential targets”.

In his assessment, Medvedev stated: “When the strikes become reality depends on what happens next. Sleep tight, dear partners.”