Russia has warned Britain that it is 'too deep' in the Ukraine war - and claims it has proof of a Royal Navy connection behind a huge drone strike in the Black Sea.
Andrei Kelin, Moscow's ambassador to the UK since 2019, made the unproven accusations during a conversation with Sky News in London on Thursday.
Footage taken earlier this week showed a Russian flagship navy vessel being damaged in a large explosion, with a swarm of drones reportedly seen flying in the air and skimming rapidly along the water before striking a fleet in the early hours of the morning.
Mr Klein has now alleged "the participation of British specialists" in "training, preparation and execution" of the strike, and said he had already handed "evidence" of involvement to the UK's ambassador.
The Russian representative went on to claim that the UK risked escalating the conflict by becoming too deeply involved, adding: "It is dangerous because it escalates the situation.
"It can bring us up to the line of I would say no return, return is always possible. But anyway, we should avoid escalation.
"And this is a warning actually that Britain is too deep in this conflict. It means the situation is becoming more and more dangerous."
The UK government has strongly refuted the ambassador's claims, saying they have been made to deflect from the human cost of Russia's invasion.
A spokesperson said: "In recent days, Russia has made a range of allegations against the UK, clearly designed to distract attention from Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine; Russia's losses on the battlefield and its bombing of civilian populations and energy infrastructure without any regard for international law and the loss of innocent life.
"We do not plan to give a running commentary on these allegations; it is no secret that the United Kingdom has taken a public lead in our support to Ukraine - this has been enduring since Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014."
