Ukraine has started deploying British-built drones to conduct deep strikes inside Russian territory for the first time, marking a significant escalation in Western involvement in the conflict. Sources in Ukraine’s Armed Forces told the Times that the weapons have been used over the past six months against high-value targets including oil refineries near Moscow.
The British-made weapons include the BAE Systems Nyan, a jet-powered one-way strike drone that was tested by the British Royal Navy, and at least one other unmanned system manufactured by an unnamed company for security reasons. Most deep-strike missions continue to be carried out with Ukrainian-produced drones, but the British systems have achieved significant results, a senior Ukrainian military source said.
Refineries and Border Cities Targeted
Targets hit by the British drones include oil refineries near Moscow, in Yaroslavl, and in Volgograd, according to the Times report. The Nyan drone has also reportedly been used against the Russian city of Belgorod, located near Ukraine’s border. These strikes represent a notable expansion of Ukraine’s targeting radius with allied weaponry.
The development comes as Ukraine has been intensifying its long-range drone campaign throughout 2026. French analyst Clément Molin documented that Ukraine first launched over 1,000 deep-strike drones at Russia in August 2024, then 3,000 in July 2025, and reached 7,000 in March 2026 alone. In March, Ukraine surpassed Russia in the number of long-range drones launched per month for the first time.
Russia Warns of Hybrid Warfare Response
In response to the use of British drones, Russia may increase hybrid warfare operations against the United Kingdom, unnamed sources told the Times. Moscow has already targeted the UK with cyberattacks and espionage operations, a senior British defense source added, suggesting the risk of retaliation is considered credible.
The revelation follows confirmed Ukrainian strikes on Russia’s Savasleyka military airbase, which houses MiG-31 fighter jets capable of launching Kinzhal ballistic missiles, and a key Roscosmos facility in Samara Oblast using domestically produced Flamingo missiles. President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed those strikes on August 15.
Ukraine’s deep-strike campaign has been systematically targeting Russia’s energy export infrastructure, with economists estimating it has knocked out 20 to 40 percent of Russian refining capacity. The campaign aims to cut off revenue streams that fund Moscow’s war effort, though Russia continues to maintain significant military spending.
The use of British drones marks a shift from the provision of defensive weapons to enabling offensive operations deep inside Russia, a step that Western allies have previously been reluctant to take due to escalation risks. The disclosure puts additional pressure on London to publicly address its role in the strikes while managing diplomatic fallout with Moscow.
Sources: The Times; Kyiv Independent; Clément Molin analysis; Militarnyi
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