British-made drones have been used by Ukrainian forces to strike targets deep inside Russian territory, including oil refineries and logistics hubs, according to a report citing Ukrainian army sources. The disclosures illustrate a widening military tie between the UK and Kyiv and are likely to further strain relations with Moscow.
Deep strikes and growing military cooperation
Sources told The Times that drones supplied by two British companies have been deployed over the past six months against targets well inside Russia, including facilities in Volgograd, sites near Moscow, and logistic centres. The strikes form part of a broader Ukrainian campaign targeting transport infrastructure and commercial sites, including locations tied to Russia’s largest online retailer, Wildberries.
British involvement, through the supply of uncrewed air systems, points to a deepening of the UK’s role supporting Ukraine’s long-range strike capabilities — a development with potential diplomatic and strategic repercussions given the heightened tensions between London and Moscow.
Equipment identified
One of the models named in the report is the Wiltshire-built Nyan, developed by BAE Systems subsidiary Callen-Lenz and reportedly tested by the Royal Navy. The Nyan was said to have been used in a strike on Belgorod, near the Russian border, according to the account.
| Drone | Wingspan | Range | Operator / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nyan | 2.9 metres | More than 150 miles (241 km) | Built in Wiltshire; developed by Callen-Lenz; tested by Royal Navy |
BAE Systems told The Times: “We deliver a range of capabilities into the UK MoD as part of the UK’s support to the defence of Ukraine.” The company also described the Nyan as a “rapidly developed platform” that has been proven in contested environments.
“Russia has been very effective at keeping the West nervous about hitting it too hard. These attacks mean the UK is effectively signalling to Russia and our allies that we’re not [nervous] any more,”
said a defence source, reflecting how some military figures see the strikes as part of a shift in the West’s approach to supporting Kyiv’s efforts to impose costs on Russia.
Implications and consequences
The use of UK-built drones in operations inside the Russian mainland is likely to complicate the diplomatic environment. It comes amid broader tensions over Russian naval activity near UK waters and public assessments from senior military figures that the UK faces the most serious threat from Russia since the Cold War.
- Deep strikes using foreign-supplied drones could draw sharper Russian criticism of the UK and its allies.
- Further integration of British capabilities into Ukrainian operations may prompt debate in Westminster about the scope and visibility of UK military assistance.
- Operationally, long-range uncrewed systems expand Kyiv’s ability to target strategic infrastructure beyond the immediate frontline.
Details remain limited in the public domain about the full inventory of British systems supplied and the chain of custody. The report attributes the information to Ukrainian army sources and to defence industry material; it did not include an independent confirmation of specific strikes by those systems from UK official channels.
The apparent use of UK-made drones in attacks on Russian soil highlights how technological support is shaping the conflict’s dynamics and raises questions about escalation, accountability and the boundaries of military assistance. As Western states continue to equip Ukraine with more sophisticated weaponry, ministers in London will face scrutiny over the strategic and diplomatic consequences of such transfers.
For now, British industry and anonymous defence sources frame the deliveries as part of a concerted effort to help Ukraine defend itself and to impose costs on Russian military and economic capabilities. Moscow’s response and any policy adjustments in London will be closely watched in the coming days.
