Ukraine has launched a series of strikes deep inside Russian territory using British-supplied long-range missiles, according to official sources. The attack, which targeted military infrastructure over 200 kilometres from the border, represents a significant escalation in the conflict. Moscow has condemned the strikes as a 'direct provocation' and warned of 'immediate and proportional' retaliation.
The missiles, identified as Storm Shadow cruise missiles provided by the United Kingdom, struck at least three undisclosed locations in Russia's Bryansk and Kursk regions. Ukrainian officials confirmed the operation, stating it was aimed at disrupting Russian logistics and command centres supporting the invasion. 'These strikes are a legitimate act of self-defence,' said a Ukrainian military spokesperson. 'Russia must understand that its territory is no longer a sanctuary for its war machine.'
The United Kingdom has not officially commented on the use of its weapons for strikes inside Russia, but previous statements have indicated that Ukraine is free to use British-supplied arms for defensive purposes, including targets within Russia. The US, which has imposed restrictions on using its long-range ATACMS missiles for cross-border attacks, has reportedly not objected to the UK's policy. A senior NATO official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: 'This is a matter for individual allies to decide. The alliance as a whole does not coordinate or authorise such operations.'
Russian President Vladimir Putin convened an emergency session of the Security Council. In a televised address, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned that 'the use of Western weapons to strike Russian soil will not go unanswered. We reserve the right to target military assets of any nation that facilitates these attacks.' Russian military analysts have suggested retaliatory options could include cyber attacks against British infrastructure, increased strikes on Ukrainian energy grids, or even direct engagements with British aircraft near Russian borders.
The strikes come as Ukraine faces growing pressure on the eastern front, with Russian forces making incremental gains around Avdiivka and Bakhmut. Military experts argue that Ukraine's strategy is to force Russia to divert resources to protect its own territory, thereby relieving pressure on Ukrainian defences. 'This is a calculated risk,' said Dr. James Moriarty, a defence analyst at the Royal United Services Institute. 'Ukraine is betting that the psychological and operational impact of striking Russian soil outweighs the risk of escalation.'
International reactions have been mixed. European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called for restraint, while Poland and the Baltic states expressed support for Ukraine's right to defend itself. China urged both sides to avoid 'actions that could lead to the conflict spinning out of control.' The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres appealed for de-escalation, but acknowledged that 'the dynamics of war are increasingly difficult to contain.'
On the ground, air raid sirens sounded in Moscow and other cities, with Russian air defence systems reportedly intercepting several drones and missiles. The Russian Defence Ministry claimed to have shot down 12 missiles targeting the border regions, but confirmed that three had reached their objectives, causing 'minor damage' to a fuel depot and a communications hub. Satellite imagery analysed by independent groups suggests the damage may be more extensive.
The use of British-supplied missiles inside Russia marks a new phase in the conflict, testing the limits of Western support for Ukraine. NATO members are now grappling with the potential consequences. Should Russia retaliate against British or allied assets, it could trigger Article 5 considerations, though analysts say a measured response is more likely. 'Russia will want to avoid a direct confrontation with NATO at all costs,' said Dr. Helena Vance in a separate briefing. 'But they will need to be seen as credible in their threats. We are in uncharted territory.'
For Ukraine, the operation is a tactical gamble. President Volodymyr Zelensky has long argued that to win the war, his forces must strike where Russia hurts most. 'We are not fighting on our land alone. The war has come home to those who started it,' he said in a statement. However, some Western officials fear that such strikes could lead to a spiralling escalation, dragging NATO closer to direct involvement. The coming days will reveal whether Ukraine's gamble pays off or provokes a response that widens the conflict.
