Russia warns Britain of military strikes over Storm Shadow missiles

Russia has warned Britain that it could target British military facilities and equipment inside and outside Ukraine if Kyiv uses British

MOSCOW: Russia has warned Britain that it could target British military facilities and equipment inside and outside Ukraine if Kyiv uses British-made long-range cruise missiles to strike targets deep inside Russian territory.

The warning was issued by Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova during a press briefing in Moscow. According to foreign media reports, the statement is being viewed as one of Moscow’s strongest warnings yet to Britain over its military support for Ukraine.

Zakharova accused Britain of coming “one step away” from becoming legally involved in what she described as terrorism against Russian civilians. She warned that Britain could face serious and potentially devastating consequences if it did not change its approach to the conflict.

“We have repeatedly warned that in response to Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory using British weapons, any British military facilities and equipment located in Ukraine and beyond its borders could be targeted,” Zakharova said.

She urged British leaders to reconsider their policy towards the war and take immediate action to avoid further escalation.

“Our advice is for the British leadership to carefully reassess the situation and immediately, decisively and unambiguously abandon its hostile and aggressive policy,” she said, warning that the current approach could push the conflict into an entirely new and dangerous phase.

The latest warning comes amid growing tensions over Britain’s military assistance to Ukraine, particularly the use and potential production of Storm Shadow cruise missiles.

Just one day earlier, Russia had accused Ukraine of launching British-made Storm Shadow missiles at a shopping centre in the Russian-controlled city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine. Moscow said the attack injured several civilians, including children.

The allegations have added to concerns over the potential expansion of the conflict and the possibility of direct confrontation between Russia and countries supporting Ukraine.

Storm Shadow is a long-range cruise missile jointly developed by Britain and France. The weapon has been supplied to Ukraine as part of Western military assistance and has been used by Kyiv against Russian military targets.

The issue gained further attention after British Prime Minister Andy Burnham reportedly announced on Monday that Britain would provide Ukraine with access to classified technology that could enable the country to begin producing Storm Shadow missiles domestically.

Such a move could significantly expand Ukraine’s ability to manufacture long-range weapons and potentially reduce its reliance on direct supplies from Western partners.

Russia has consistently opposed the supply of increasingly sophisticated Western weapons to Ukraine, arguing that such assistance escalates the conflict and increases the risk of direct confrontation between Moscow and Western countries.

Britain, along with other Western allies, has maintained that its military support is intended to help Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression.

The latest Russian statement comes as both sides continue to exchange accusations over attacks on civilian areas and military infrastructure. The use of long-range weapons remains one of the most sensitive issues in the conflict because strikes deep inside territory controlled by Russia could trigger a stronger military response.

While it remains unclear whether Moscow would carry out the threat against British military targets, Zakharova’s remarks underline the increasingly confrontational relationship between Russia and Britain.

The warning also highlights the wider risks surrounding the transfer, production and use of long-range missiles as the war continues, with concerns that further escalation could broaden the conflict beyond Ukraine’s borders.