The Russian statement asserts that Western-made equipment was used in recent drone attacks on facilities inside Russia. No verifiable evidence on the manufacture or supply route of the airframes was presented alongside it.

London has maintained that its assistance to Ukraine complies with international law. Burnham said the support is defensive in character and that there are no plans to reduce it. Specific items and timings are not normally disclosed.

Drone supply chains have changed the character of the front. Components pass through several countries before assembly, so the question of national origin is not simple, and the effect of sanctions and export controls is hard to judge. That is the backdrop to the exchange.

European governments issued individual comments but no joint response.

What follows depends on whether the "consequences" Moscow mentions take diplomatic or other form. No specific measures have been announced.