After the missiles ATACMS from the United States, Ukraine fired about a hundred Storm Shadow missiles from the United Kingdom into Russian territory. The United Kingdom had already authorized the use of Storm Shadows, but only on Ukrainian territory.
Ukraine will have used long-range British Storm Shadow missiles on Russian territory for the first time. The information was released by Bloomberg, which cites an anonymous source.
The Storm Shadow are long-range cruise missiles, with capabilities similar to those of the ATACMS missiles, which United States President Joe Biden authorized Ukraine to use on Russian territory.
The United Kingdom had already authorized the use of Storm Shadows, but only on Ukrainian territory. With this attack, it is clear that Keir Starmer’s government has given Ukraine the green light to use long-range missiles.
In recent months, Kiev has been pressing Western partners to allow the use of long-range weapons against Russia, but only now has the call been heeded. Western countries say the arrival of more than in recent weeks, was an escalation that deserved a response.
According to Reuters, images of missiles hitting the Kursk region were published in the Telegram accounts of Russian war correspondents. At least 14 explosions were heard, and a column of black smoke rose from the scene. A pro-Russian channel, also on Telegram, said that the fired up to twelve Storm Shadows in the Kursk region and published photographs of missile pieces with the name Storm Shadow clearly visible.
A spokesman for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the British Government would not provide statements on operational matters.
The Storm Shadows have a range of more than 250 kilometers and give Ukraine the ability to strike targets much deeper into Russia than before. The first use of the ballistic missile of the USA took place this Tuesday. With a range of up to 300 kilometers, it was fired at a Russian arsenal in the Bryansk region.
The United States’ authorization to use long-range weapons against Russian territory drew harsh criticism from Moscow, which announced a tightening of nuclear doctrine with a view to reducing the limit for the use of atomic weapons. Washington said it felt no need to adjust its own nuclear posture and accused Russia of resorting to irresponsible rhetoric.
