Britain 'directly involved' in Ukraine war, Russian ambassador tells Sky News

The ambassador says there has been "deliberate cheating of us" as he'd received multiple assurances the Storm Shadows would only be used inside Ukrainian territory.

'UK directly involved in war' - Russian ambassador

 Britain is now "directly involved" in the Ukraine war after its Storm Shadow missiles were used to strike targets inside Russia, according to Moscow's ambassador.

Speaking to Sky News' Mark Austin, Andrei Kelin also warned the West to carefully consider the lower bar Russia has established for using nuclear weapons.

It comes after Western allies green-lit Ukraine's use of long-range missiles to strike inside Russia this week, following months of requests.

British Storm Shadow missiles were fired into Russia just days after President Biden authorised the same policy shift.

Russia's President Putin responded on Thursday by saying Russia had tested a new intermediate-range missile in a strike on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro.

He warned it could also be used against military facilities of countries that allow Kyiv to use their own missiles.

"We believe that we have the right to use our weapons against military facilities of the countries that allow to use their weapons against our facilities," Mr Putin said.

"And in case of escalation of aggressive actions, we will respond resolutely in a mirror way."

The Russian ambassador told Sky News that Britain allowing Ukraine to use its missiles over the border had dragged the UK into the conflict.

"Absolutely, Britain and UK is now directly involved in this war, because this firing cannot happen without NATO staff, British staff as well," said Mr Kelin.

He added: "The US administration, support by France and the UK, has made a deliberate decision to make these strikes, which seriously escalates the situation, and it can bring a collision between the nuclear powers."

Mr Kelin called it "deliberate cheating of us" - claiming he had received multiple assurances the Storm Shadows would only be used inside Ukrainian territory.