Why did Russia threaten UK over Ukraine drone strikes?

Russia has issued a stark warning to the United Kingdom, accusing the country of supplying drones to Ukraine used in military strikes against Moscow.

The warning of dire consequences comes after the Russia’s embassy in London reported that British-made drones have been used by Kyiv for long-range strikes against Russia for the first time.

“London's actions will inevitably carry consequences for which ⁠it will have to answer," the embassy said in ​a statement, adding the Britain is deliberately opting for an escalation of the Ukraine crisis.

“The deeper its involvement ​in the conflict and the greater its support for Kiev's terrorist machinery, the higher the price it will pay,” the statement reads.

In recent months, Ukraine has been using deep-strikes to strike logistics failures and oil refineries. In response to the Russian embassy provocative remarks, a defence ministry spokesperson said, “Britain ⁠stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine and we are committed to providing the equipment ​Ukraine needs to defend itself against Putin's ​illegal invasion.”

"Russia should be in no doubt about the resolve of this government to stand against Russian aggression, in Ukraine and against the UK and our allies," the spokesperson said.

However, the ministry of defence did not confirm whether the country provided drones to Ukraine or not.

In June, Britain asserted to deliver 150,000 drones to Ukraine by the end of 2026 as part of a £752 million ($996 million) funding package.

Since the start of Russia's war against Ukraine in 2022, Moscow has repeatedly warned Britain and other Western allies that their military aid and equipment supplies to Kyiv could trigger retaliatory actions and escalate the threat of a wider conflict.