Russia threatens to strike British military targets over Storm Shadow use

Key Points:

• Russia threatened to target British military sites both inside and outside Ukraine if Kyiv uses British long-range cruise missiles against deep Russian targets, following accusations of a Ukrainian strike on a shopping center in Donetsk with British Storm Shadow missiles.
• Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova warned Britain it was close to legal complicity in what Russia calls civilian-targeted terrorism and urged a halt to its support for Ukraine to avoid catastrophic escalation.
• British Prime Minister Andy Burnham visited Ukraine on Independence Day, reaffirming UK support and announcing potential classified disclosures about British components in long-range SCALP missiles to aid Ukrainian production.
• The Kremlin accused the UK of actively participating in the war and escalating tensions, while the British Ministry of Defense emphasized its commitment to helping Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression.
• Amid heightened tensions, Russia's intelligence chief met with CIA Director John Ratcliffe in Moscow for routine discussions, and former US President Donald Trump downplayed fears of a wider conflict involving NATO.