Ukraine launches over 600 drones at Moscow and surrounding areas – Europe live

Russia warns UK of ‘consequences’ over reports Ukraine using British drones in attacks

Moscow has threatened the UK with “consequences” after reports that British drones have been used to strike targets on Russia’s mainland for the first time.

Ukraine used drones made by two UK companies as part of a so-called deep strike campaign, the Sunday Times reported.

Kyiv has stepped up its attacks on Russia this year, with long-range missiles and swarms of drones increasingly targeting military industries and energy facilities.

It has also targeted giant depots for Wildberries – Russia’s largest online retailer – burning billions of pounds worth of merchandise and bringing the war home to the Russian public more than four years into Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Russia’s embassy to the UK said in a statement on Monday that the reports “confirm that London is deliberately opting for an escalation of the Ukraine crisis” and accused Britain of “seeking to contain Russia and inflict maximum damage on it by proxy”.

“London’s actions will inevitably carry consequences for which it will have to answer,” it said.

“The deeper its involvement in the conflict and the greater its support for Kyiv’s terrorist machinery, the higher the price it will pay.”

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said:

“Britain stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine and we are committed to providing the equipment Ukraine needs to defend itself against Putin’s illegal invasion.

Russia should be in no doubt about the resolve of this government to stand against Russian aggression, in Ukraine and against the UK and our allies.”

Morning opening: Ukraine sends over 600 drones at Moscow

Ukraine launched over 600 drones at Moscow and surrounding areas overnight, continuing its massive attacks on targets in Russia after even larger weekend strikes.

Drones are believed to hit a warehouse of Russian e-commerce company Wildberries and other facilities near Moscow, Reuters reported. At least three people were injured in attacks.

But several other Russian-controlled regions, including the occupied Crimea, also reported heavy attacks, with the Crimean peninsular’s power supplier reporting power outages.

Meanwhile, at least 10 people died in a Russian strike on Pechenigy, a village in the Kharkiv region, which Ukraine says hit private houses and shops.

I will bring you more updates during the day.

I will also keep an eye on wildfires across Europe after another difficult day yesterday in Belgium, Greece, and other countries.

It’s Tuesday, 18 August 2026, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.

Good morning.