Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned that Moscow could view direct British military involvement in Ukrainian strikes against Russia as participation in the war….reports Asian Lite News Desk
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned Britain that Moscow could regard direct British military involvement in Ukrainian strikes against Russian territory as participation in the war, escalating tensions between the two countries over London’s support for Kyiv.
Lavrov said Russia would consider the reported involvement of British missile forces in attacks against Russia as direct participation in the conflict, warning that such involvement could have consequences for Britain.
“Likewise, we have every right to regard the openly proclaimed direct involvement of British missile forces in strikes against the Russian Federation as participation in the war,” Lavrov said in response to a question from the Vesti news programme in Moscow on Tuesday, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.
“With all the consequences that entail,” he added.
Lavrov also criticised Britain’s continued backing of Ukraine, saying: “I feel sorry for Britain if it intends to stand with Ukraine to the bitter end.”
The comments followed renewed tensions over reports that British-made drones have been used by Ukrainian forces in strikes on Russian territory.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has rejected Moscow’s warnings and reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to supporting Ukraine. Burnham said Britain would continue to provide its “full and unwavering support” to Kyiv despite the threats from Russia.
“This is the UK doing what it has long said it would do, which is to support Ukraine 100 per cent against this illegal war led by Vladimir Putin,” Burnham said.
“We are providing support so that Ukraine can defend itself,” he added, saying Britain was not a “fair-weather” friend and would stand by Ukraine in Ukraine’s “hour of need”.
The Russian Embassy in London had earlier warned that Britain would “pay” after reports that UK-made drones were used in Ukrainian strikes against targets on Russian territory. The embassy accused Westminster of “deliberately opting for an escalation of the Ukraine crisis” and described Britain as an “accomplice and co-perpetrator” in Ukrainian attacks.
The dispute comes as Ukraine has intensified its long-range strikes against Russian energy infrastructure and logistics facilities in recent months.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said over the weekend that Ukrainian forces had struck an oil facility in Ust-Luga, near the Estonian border, as well as Russia’s Progress rocket and space centre.
The latest exchange of warnings comes amid continued fighting and deadly Russian strikes across Ukraine.
On Tuesday, Russian missile strikes on the village of Pechenihy in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region killed at least 10 people and injured 18 others, according to local authorities.
Oleh Syniehubov, head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration, said the attack also damaged 10 houses, cars and shops. He said Russian forces had used two Banderol cruise missiles in the strikes.
The developments underline the growing risks of further escalation as both sides continue to carry out attacks deep inside each other’s territory, while Western countries, including Britain, maintain military and political support for Ukraine.
The Kremlin has repeatedly warned Western countries against deeper involvement in the conflict, while Ukraine’s allies have maintained that their support is aimed at helping Kyiv defend itself against Russia’s invasion.
