Russia has blamed Britain for a deadly missile strike by Ukraine on a munitions factory in the border city of Bryansk, which reportedly killed seven people. Kyiv claimed responsibility for Tuesday's attack on the Kremniy El plant, one of Russia's most important military factories, stating that British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles were used.
Local authorities reported at least seven civilians killed and 42 injured in what they called a terrorist missile attack. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia would take any British involvement into consideration, noting that the launch of these missiles was impossible without British specialists. Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova alleged the strike was premeditated and directed against civilians.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv struck one of the most important military factories in Bryansk, which produces electronics for Russian missiles. The Kremniy El plant is the second-largest microelectronics manufacturer in Russia, exporting most of its products to the Russian defence department. Ukraine's general staff described the manufacturer as a critically important link in the production chain of Russian high-precision weapons.
Exact casualty figures varied between reports and could not be independently verified. There was no immediate comment from London, though Russia has repeatedly said Ukraine needs Western expertise and data to fire advanced missiles deep into Russia. The UK first confirmed it would supply Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine in May 2023 for use on Russian-occupied territory in Ukraine.
