UK-made drones strike targets inside Russia

British-made drones are being used to strike targets in Russia for the first time.

The drones, built by two separate British companies, have been used in mainland Russia in widespread and successful targeting of military and industrial targets, including refineries and warehouses of online retailer Wildberries.

The strikes, first reported by the Sunday Times, external, are said to have caused more than £35bn in economic damage. A well-placed military source confirmed to the BBC the UK drones had been used.

British manufactured Storm Shadow missiles had earlier been used in the conflict, although this new phase is having a far more decisive impact.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has previously said drones using UK components and configurations have been used to attack Russian territory, including a fuel depot in the Kamensky District of the Rostov Region.

In April, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced it would supply Ukraine tens of thousands of drones, including long-range strike devices, in its biggest ever package.

The MoD said its support for Ukraine is “unwavering” and would stand by its ally “until it wins”.

A spokesperson said: “We are committed to providing the equipment Ukraine needs to defend itself against Putin’s illegal invasion.

“This includes over 150,000 drones this year, cutting-edge Stone Cloak devices that hinder Russian air defences and innovative low-cost cruise missiles.”

On Sunday, Moscow’s mayor said about 600 Ukrainian drones were launched towards the city overnight, with roughly a third of the drones being destroyed, and three people were injured.

A warehouse belonging to Russian online retailer Wildberries was hit.

Wildberries, known as Russia’s version of Amazon, has been repeatedly targeted since July.

Kyiv said at the time it was targeting logistics hubs used by Russians to buy military equipment and disrupting supplies to the Russian army.