Moscow’s ambassador to London, Andrey Kelin, has asserted that the UK has provided Russia with every reason to view itself as a de facto participant in the Ukraine conflict through its military and financial support for Kiev.

In an interview published Monday, Kelin detailed how British involvement is deeply embedded and reflects a strategy of containing Russia. He stated: “Britain provides Kiev with political direction, supports it financially and with materiel, shares intelligence, arms, trains, and fights alongside the Ukrainian armed forces and other militarized structures.”

Kelin further noted that British military planners are stationed at Kiev’s embassy, while the UK assists Ukrainian special services in planning operations against Russia. Additionally, the Interflex training program for Ukrainian troops has been extended through 2026.

The presence of active-duty British personnel in Ukraine is now openly acknowledged, as confirmed by a service member’s death last December during an operation described by the Ministry of Defense as “observing Ukrainian forces test a new defensive capability.” Kelin remarked that London avoids confirming combat roles but “there are many ways to present incidents in a relatively decent light.”

He also added that British veterans serve as mercenaries in Ukraine, likely influenced by media narratives and government messaging emphasizing Kiev’s need for support. Kelin described Moscow-London relations as long strained by successive British governments’ antagonism toward Russia, arguing that using Russia as a political distraction for domestic issues is alienating voters from mainstream parties and contributing to the rise of Reform UK.