The Russian ambassador to the UK has claimed Britain is now “directly” involved” in the war in Ukraine – illegally launched by Moscow in February 2022 – following reports of UK-made Storm Shadow missiles being fired into Russia.

The chilling warning was issued by Andrei Kelin on Thursday, hours after Ukraine claimed Russia had fired an intercontinental ballistic missile against Kyiv.

Speaking about the use of Storm Shadow missiles against the Russian region of Kursk, partially occupied by Ukraine since August, Mr Kelin was asked whether the move had dragged the UK into the war.

He told Sky News‘ Mark Austin: “Absolutely, Britain and UK is now directly involved in this war, because this firing cannot happen without NATO staff, British staff as well.”

The Russian ambassador also claimed that Ukraine was using mercenaries from different countries. Russia is known to have reinforced its troops with North Korean soldiers.

The claim came after Mr Kelin was asked whether North Korea, Iran and China, who are believed to have provided Moscow with military equipment, were also involved in the war.

Reports of Ukraine firing Storm Shadow missiles into Russia, which haven’t been confirmed by Downing Street, came just days after it emerged that US President Joe Biden had green-lit the use for Ukraine of ATACMS against Vladimir Putin‘s territory.

Asked if he could confirm reports UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles had been fired into Russia by Ukraine, Sir Keir Starmer‘s spokesman said on November 21: “It is still the case that we are not going to comment on operational matters that will only serve President Putin.”

Earlier today, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commented on the unconfirmed reports of a Russian ICBM being fired into Ukraine.

He explained the attack had the “characteristics” of an ICBM and announced an investigation to confirm the type of missile used.