Andrei Kelin, the Russian ambassador to the UK, was asked if he believed the UK had been dragged into the war after its Storm Shadow missiles were used to strike targets
Russian ambassador declares that UK is ‘directly involved’ in Ukraine war
Russia’s ambassador has issued a chilling warning to Britain, claiming they are now “directly involved” in the Ukraine war after its Storm Shadow missiles were used to strike targets.
Ukraine fired several American-supplied longer-range missiles into Russia on Tuesday after US president Joe Biden gave the green-light for Kyiv to use the weapons. Just days later, British Storm Shadow missiles were fired into Russia by Ukraine after Keir Starmer followed Biden’s policy.
Following the change in policy, Andrei Kelin, the Russian ambassador to the UK, was asked if he believed the UK had been dragged into the war. He said: “Absolutely, Britain and UK is now directly involved in this war, because this firing cannot happen without NATO staff, British staff as well.”
When pressed on the difference between Russia using North Korean troops, Chinese and Iranian technology, and whether they were also involved in the war too, Mr Kelin said there were foreign fighters on the Ukranian side. Speaking to Sky News’ Mark Austin, he said: “On that subject, I can say easily that we have plenty of mercenaries from different countries that are fighting right now on the side of Ukraine. We just have seen in the Kursk area of the Polish unit, which has a special uniform worn by Polish soldiers. So what’s the matter?”
Before this week, the UK had said British anti-tank missiles, military equipment and tanks could be used, but refused to let long-range missiles be used – which was Biden’s policy too. It comes after Ukraine claimed Thursday that Russia launched an intercontinental ballistic missile overnight at one of its cities. If confirmed, it would be the first time Moscow has used such a weapon in the war.
Ukraine did not provide any evidence that an ICBM was used in the attack on the central city of Dnipro, apparently armed with conventional warheads. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a missile used “matches the speed and altitude” of an ICBM. The Kremlin refused to comment on the strike.
The attack comes in a week when tensions have repeatedly soared, as the U.S. eased restrictions on Ukraine’s use of American-made longer-range missiles inside Russia and Russian President Vladimir Putin lowered the threshold for launching nuclear weapons.
The range of an ICBM — which can exceed 5,500 kilometers (3,400 miles) — is beyond what is needed to attack Ukraine. But such missiles are designed to carry atomic warheads, and the use of one, even with a conventional payload, would serve as a chilling reminder of Russia’s nuclear capability. It also appears to send a message to Ukraine’s Western allies that Moscow has the ability to target them.