"Playing with fire": Russia threatens Britain and France
Moscow reacts sharply to the expansion of military aid to Kyiv and warns London and Paris of the consequences. Britain is expected to assist Ukraine in the domestic production of long-range Storm Shadow missiles. At the same time, Russia reported a drone attack on the nuclear complex in Zaporizhzhia.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova issued a warning today, Thursday, to Britain and France following their decision to provide Ukraine with access to sensitive missile technology. Zakharova accused both countries of "playing with fire" and warned that the move could have unforeseen consequences for London and Paris.
The warning follows a pledge by the leaders of Britain and France on Monday to increase military support for Ukraine. During a meeting of allies marking Ukraine's Independence Day, the countries committed to expanding Kyiv's access to classified technologies and accelerating the supply of missiles intended for the country's air defense.
According to a British statement, London will allow Ukraine access to classified technology to help it begin domestic production of long-range Storm Shadow cruise missiles. These missiles are capable of hitting targets deep within territory, and Ukraine has already used them during the war against Russian targets.
France, for its part, has already consented to grant a license for the use of the technology for the European missile program. This move could expand Ukraine's ability to produce long-range weapons independently and reduce its dependence on direct supplies from Western countries.
Russia: Ukraine attacked a facility at the Zaporizhzhia power plant
Meanwhile, earlier this morning, the management of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, operating on behalf of the Russian authorities, announced that Ukraine had attacked a spent nuclear fuel storage facility on the station's grounds using an unmanned aerial vehicle.
According to the Russian announcement, the attack did not cause significant damage, and no change in radiation levels was reported. However, the station's management warned that attacks against facilities of this type could endanger nuclear and radiation safety in the area.
The Zaporizhzhia power plant, the largest of its kind in Europe, has been under Russian control since the first weeks of the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Throughout the war, Moscow and Kyiv have accused each other of attacks and military activity that endanger the site and its surroundings.
