The political chill between Moscow and London has taken another dramatic turn.
Russia’s powerful security agency, the Federal Security Service (FSB), is now alleging that British intelligence directly orchestrated and supervised a series of Ukrainian drone attacks against several Russian regions earlier this year.
The claim, made by FSB Director Alexander Bortnikov, points to what Moscow calls “Operation Web” — or “Pautina” in Russian — which reportedly unfolded in June 2025.
Moscow Claims British Intelligence Led “Operation Web”
According to Bortnikov, the operation wasn’t a rogue Ukrainian effort but a carefully coordinated mission under the supervision of the UK’s spy agencies.
He claimed the strikes were deliberately timed to coincide with peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul on June 2, alleging that the UK wanted to destabilize the diplomatic process while amplifying the impact through global media.
Bortnikov accused London of going further than coordination, insisting that British operatives ensured the propaganda coverage of the drone strikes, fueling exaggerated reports in Western and Ukrainian outlets.
“The British ensured its propaganda coverage, spreading false reports about enormous damage and claiming it was an exclusively Ukrainian operation,” he said.
Drone Strikes Hit Multiple Russian Regions
According to Russian intelligence, the attacks took place on June 1, targeting several regions across the country — including Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur.
The drones, Moscow says, were launched from Ukrainian trucks and represented one of the largest coordinated assaults on Russian infrastructure in 2025.
The strikes, though largely symbolic, have become a major talking point in Moscow’s accusations of Western involvement in the war — framing it not just as a Russia-Ukraine confrontation, but as a proxy conflict with NATO states.
Kyiv Signals More “Operation Web”-Type Missions Ahead
Ukraine, for its part, has not denied conducting such attacks. In fact, Kyiv appears ready to continue similar missions.
In July 2025, Pavlo Palisa, Deputy Head of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s Office, suggested that more deep strikes on Russian soil could follow.
“Yes, I am sure we will see similar things in the future.
Definitely,” Palisa said, describing the June operation as a “sensitive strike” that highlighted Ukraine’s growing ability to act asymmetrically and at strategic depth.
President Zelensky echoed that stance, explaining that drone assaults deep inside Russia — including across Siberia — were designed to make Moscow “feel losses” and understand that Ukraine could hit far beyond the frontlines.
The UK’s Expanding Military Support for Ukraine
While Russia accuses Britain of direct operational involvement, London continues to frame its role as purely supportive and defensive.
The UK Ministry of Defence revealed that in just six months, over 85,000 drones had been supplied to Ukraine as part of its ongoing aid initiative.
Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed that Britain is now accelerating production by partnering with drone manufacturers, aiming to produce “thousands more drones” to sustain Ukraine’s aerial capabilities.
“The United Kingdom is strengthening its support for Ukraine, providing over 85,000 drones in the last six months and investing in rapid production of thousands of new systems,” Healey said.
According to official figures, more than £600 million has been spent in 2025 alone to bolster Ukraine’s drone technology — a cornerstone of Kyiv’s evolving battlefield strategy.
A Growing War of Accusations Between Moscow and London
These latest FSB claims add yet another layer to the already escalating war of words between Russia and the UK.
Russian officials have long accused Western intelligence services of aiding Ukraine’s covert operations and sabotage efforts inside Russia.
Britain, however, maintains that its involvement strictly follows international law and is intended only to help Ukraine defend itself against aggression.
Analysts note that the fallout from “Operation Web” reflects the increasingly proxy nature of the conflict, with Western intelligence, funding, and military technology playing a pivotal role behind the scenes — even as both sides continue to deny crossing certain lines.
What Comes Next?
As the conflict grinds on, Russia’s accusations and Ukraine’s confidence in future operations suggest that the war is moving deeper into a phase of shadow tactics — drone strikes, intelligence warfare, and psychological operations.
Whether or not Britain truly directed Operation Web, the story highlights one thing clearly: the lines between direct combat and covert coordination are blurring faster than ever.
With both sides investing heavily in drone warfare and propaganda, the skies — and the information space — remain as contested as the frontlines themselves.