![]() "Ukraine has a right to be able to defend itself against this. "It complements the long-range systems already gifted, including HIMARS and Harpoon missiles, as well as Ukraine's own Neptune Cruise missile and longer-range missions elsewhere gifted. Storm Shadow is a long-range conventional-only precision strike capability," he said. "Today, I can confirm that the UK is donating Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine. The Royal Air Force have deployed Storm Shadow missiles from its fast jets multiple times, including against the Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad and also during the Libya campaign and the 2003 Iraq war.įollowing extensive speculation this morning, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has just confirmed reports surrounding Britain's decision to send long-range missiles to Ukraine. It remains to be seen whether the United States will do similar. Moscow has already said the decision by the UK would require "an adequate response from our military" without specifying what that might be.īritain has clearly calculated this is a risk worth taking. "It can be adapted - or is already adapted - for the Ukraine aircraft available and can be used immediately," the source told me.Īnother question is how Russia might respond. The big question, however, is how the Ukrainian military will deploy the weapon.Ī Ukrainian military source told me that it can be adapted to the Ukrainian air forces' fighter jets. It can punch through some 2 metres of concrete, making it the ideal munition against high-value targets such as command headquarters and weapons depots. ![]() The Storm Shadow cruise missile, with a range of up to 300km, is a high-precision, bunker-busting weapon launched by aircraft with the ability to strike targets at range. The move also means mounting pleas by the Ukrainian military and political leaders for greater capability to defeat Russian positions within Ukraine's territory have been met as the country prepares to launch a new counteroffensive. It sees Britain again breaking down a barrier that other allies such as the United States had declined to overcome out of concern it could be viewed as overly escalatory by the Kremlin. The decision to supply cruise missiles to Ukraine for the first time is a significant move by the UK that will create a new ability to strike deeper than ever before against Russian troops and weapons. By Deborah Haynes, security and defence editor ![]()
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