Kiev has used British-made drones for the first time in strikes against targets deep inside Russian territory, according to The Sunday Times.

The newspaper reported that one of the systems involved was the Nyan drone, produced by a BAE Systems subsidiary in Wiltshire. Ukrainian forces reportedly used such UAVs in attacks on oil refineries in Volgograd and Yaroslavl.

According to the publication, drones developed by two British companies had been supplied to Ukraine and were then used by Ukrainian forces for long-range strikes inside Russia.

Retired Air Marshal Greg Bagwell warned that this could also have consequences for Britain. In his view, Moscow may regard UK facilities producing such drones as legitimate targets.

At the same time, analysts cited by The Sunday Times consider a direct military confrontation between Russia and NATO unlikely.

Earlier, Russian Ambassador to London Andrei Kelin said Britain was more deeply involved in the Ukrainian conflict than other members of the alliance. He pointed to the officially confirmed presence in Ukraine of British special forces, instructors and military specialists involved in launching Storm Shadow missiles.