Ukrainian army sources told The Times that drones produced by two British companies had been supplied to Ukraine and used in attacks over the past six months.
According to the report, the drones were used against targets deep inside Russia, including oil refineries in Volgograd and near Moscow, as well as logistics hubs.
The reported expansion of long-range drone attacks has also seen transport infrastructure and facilities belonging to Russia’s largest online retailer, Wildberries, targeted, adding to the destruction caused by the continuing war far from the front lines.
The developments are expected to further strain relations between Britain and Moscow amid growing tensions over Russian vessels near British waters and warnings from the UK’s chief of defence staff that Britain faces its highest level of threat from Russia since the Cold War.
“Russia has been very effective at keeping the West nervous about hitting it too hard. These attacks mean the UK is effectively signalling to Russia and our allies that we’re not (nervous) any more,” one defence source told the newspaper.
Among the reported weapons is the Wiltshire-built Nyan drone, developed by BAE Systems subsidiary Callen-Lenz and tested by the Royal Navy.
The report said the drone was used to strike Belgorod near the Russian border.
BAE Systems said on its website that the drone was first tested this summer, has a wingspan of 2.9 metres and can fly more than 150 miles (241km).
“We deliver a range of capabilities into the UK MoD as part of the UK’s support to the defence of Ukraine,” the company confirmed to The Times. “The Nyan uncrewed air system provides a rapidly developed platform proven in meeting emerging threats within highly contested environments.”
Another drone made in British factories and used by Ukrainian forces has a reported range of more than 600 miles (966km), while a catapult launch system allows the drones to be deployed in quick succession, according to the report.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s expanding long-range drone campaign has increasingly brought the consequences of the war deep into Russian territory.
On Sunday, Kiev attacked what was reportedly the country’s largest Wildberries site near Moscow in a major overnight air attack involving more than 800 drones, according to Russian authorities.
The UK has also supplied Kiev with Storm Shadow missiles, although their supply is finite and their range is around 155 miles (250 kilometres).
Earlier this year, former chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed a £752m payment to Ukraine as part of a larger £3.36bn loan earmarked for essential military equipment, including long-range missiles, advanced air defence systems and drones.