Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a new warning over Britain’s military support for Ukraine, warning that British military bases on Ukrainian territory could be considered legitimate targets by Russian forces. But he declined to say if Moscow would attack military-industrial facilities in the UK if weapons were provided from the UK and used on Russian territory, describing any response as a “military secret.”
Putin made comments at a conference in Kyrgyzstan where he addressed the intensifying tension between Russia and Western countries over military assistance to Ukraine. His comments caught the world’s attention because of the increasingly direct warnings made between Moscow and London as war continues.
According to Putin, Russia would not distinguish between Ukrainian and foreign military infrastructure located in Ukraine when judging potential targets. “Any military facilities in Ukraine are our legitimate targets - British ones, any others,” he said.
The Russian president was then asked whether British military-industrial facilities located in the United Kingdom could also be targeted if weapons supplied by Britain were used in attacks against Russian territory. Putin did not say Moscow’s position, but rather gave what seemed to be a vague answer.
“That’s a secret. A military secret,” Putin said.
The statement is not an admission that Russia will attack targets inside Britain. But Putin’s unwillingness to explain Moscow’s possible response has added to fears of a Western-backed strike taking place deep in Russian soil.
The UK has been among Ukraine’s most vocal military supporters since Russia began its full-scale invasion in February 2022. London has supplied Kyiv with weapons and other military assistance such as long-range Storm Shadow cruise missiles, and the training of the country’s military forces that have enabled Ukraine to strike far more than any other nation and is now an integral part of Kyiv’s efforts to attack Russian military infrastructure.
Russia has long criticized Western countries for providing Ukraine with increasingly advanced weapons. Russia's top officials have worried that continuing military support could put Ukraine at risk of a direct clash with Russia and NATO members. Britain, however, has supported Ukraine and has said it has the right to defend itself from Russian attacks by itself.
Russia has also accused Britain of escalating the conflict after arrangements were made to allow Ukraine to have classified technology from the Storm Shadow missile programme. Russia has described Britain’s role in supporting Ukraine as growing confrontational and has warned Western countries to avoid direct involvement in the war.
Putin’s comments come in the midst of Ukrainian attacks on targets inside Russia. Ukraine has increasingly turned to long-range drones to attack military, energy and other key infrastructure. Moscow has conceded that some of these attacks have caused damage, yet the air defence systems of Russia are still able to intercept many of those drones.
Putin also addressed the broader battlefield situation during his visit to Kyrgyzstan, stating that Ukrainian strikes had caused serious damage to Russian forces but maintaining that Russian forces were “continuing to make progress.”
"I have no doubt the enemy will crumble,” Putin said, in a confident assessment of Russia’s position in the conflict. He did not say when he expected Ukraine’s military resistance to collapse.
The comments come as fighting continues to take place in various parts of Ukraine and both sides are still using drones, missiles and long-range strikes. Ukraine has been trying to put pressure on Russian military forces and Russia has continued to press its campaign of offensive operations and attacks on Ukrainian positions and infrastructure.
Putin’s comments will be closely watched in London and other Western capitals because they highlight the risks of the expanding range of weapons given to Ukraine. The Russian leader did not say in advance if he plans to attack Britain, but his description of the Russian response as a “military secret” has raised considerable uncertainty about what Russia might do if British weapons are used in its territory.
The comments also starkly reflect the increasingly complicated relationship between Moscow and London. Britain is a strong supporter of Ukraine’s situation, and Russia sees Western military support as a major factor prolonging the conflict. Long-range weapons are also increasingly involved in the war and the prospect of attacking beyond Ukraine has become one of the most sensitive issues of the larger Russia-West conflict.
For now, Putin’s warning is largely rhetorical, with no indication in his remarks of an imminent Russian attack on British territory. But his refusal to disclose Moscow’s possible response means that tensions around British military support for Ukraine will remain high.
