Russia has blamed “British specialists” for helping Ukraine execute a deadly missile strike on a munitions factory.

Kyiv said it had struck one of Russia’s “most important military factories” on Tuesday, known as the Kremniy El plant, using British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles.

The site is the second-largest microelectronics manufacturer in Russia.

According to Russian authorities, at least seven civilians were killed and 42 injured in what it called a “terrorist missile attack”.

The Kremlin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters: “It is obvious that the launch of these missiles was impossible without British specialists.

“We are aware of this, we know it well, and we naturally take it into account.

“In order to prevent such barbaric actions by the Kyiv regime from continuing, the special military operation is being conducted.”

Russia’s foreign ministry also claimed the attack was premeditated.

It said: “Western states bear full responsibility for the consequences of this strike, which resulted in civilian casualties.

“Britain has gone beyond the norms of international law and is ready… to take the conflict to a fundamentally new level.”

But Ukrainians rejected that analysis, saying the strike targeted the facility itself not civilian infrastructure.

A UK official also told Ukrainian outlet, the Kyiv Independent, that Britain’s support for Kyiv reflects the country’s “clear right of self-defence against Russia’s illegal attacks”.

“We are clear that the equipment provided by the UK is intended for the defence of Ukraine. Ukraine has the right of self-defence,” the official said.

They also made it clear they do not “comment on operational details” when asked about Russia’s claim of direct UK involvement in that operation.

The UK has been sending missiles to Ukraine since May 2023 for use against Russia-occupied territories.

The criticism from Russia comes as Vladimir Putin continues to fight his war of attrition over Ukrainian land.

He already holds a fifth of the neighbouring European country but continues to push for more territory, even as the US attempts to negotiate new peace deals – efforts torpedoed by Putin’s refusal to compromise on his maximalist war aims.

Russia has consistently criticised the UK and other Ukrainian allies throughout the four-year war, even falsely blaming Britain for starting the war.

It’s worth remembering there is an international arrest warrant out for Putin himself for the alleged abduction of Ukrainian children.