Russia has summoned the UK’s chargé d’affaires to protest what it said were increased British supplies of drones and other weapons systems to Ukraine, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
In a statement on Friday, the ministry accused London of pursuing a “confrontational” policy aimed at prolonging and escalating the war, saying it was delaying prospects for a political settlement.
The ministry said British supplies of long-range offensive weapons made London an “accomplice” in what it described as Ukraine’s “bloody atrocities,” calling the alleged actions “terrorism and war crimes.”
It also accused the UK of violating its international obligations through its support for Kiev and warned of risks arising from what it called London’s “destructive” actions.
The ministry dismissed British efforts as futile, claiming Russian forces held the “strategic initiative” on the battlefield in Ukraine.
The ministry said Russia reserved the right to take “necessary retaliatory measures” under its right to self-defence and warned that any British military facilities in Ukraine used to launch strikes against Russian territory would be considered legitimate targets.
It called on London to abandon what it described as an “escalatory policy” and comply with its international obligations.
