In a significant development, the United Kingdom has officially announced its provision of long-range missiles to Ukraine, fulfilling the latter’s request for enhanced weaponry to counter the invading Russian forces. The Storm Shadow cruise missile, manufactured with a remarkable range exceeding 250km (155 miles), will be supplied to Ukraine, offering a substantial advantage in their defensive capabilities compared to the US-supplied Himars missiles with a range limited to approximately 80km (50 miles).
British Defense Secretary, Ben Wallace, emphasized that these weapons would provide Ukraine with the “best chance” to protect itself. The extended range of the Storm Shadow missiles will enable Ukrainian pilots to maintain a safer distance from the frontlines as they are launched from aircraft. Once deployed, these missiles adopt a low altitude flight pattern to evade enemy radar detection before homing in on their targets using an advanced infra-red seeker.
The announcement came during a session in the House of Commons, with Mr. Wallace revealing the UK’s decision to supply these missiles following persistent pleas from Ukraine for additional Western assistance. According to the Defense Secretary, these missiles will empower Ukraine to push back against Russian forces encroaching upon Ukrainian sovereign territory.
Mr. Wallace disclosed that the UK’s resolution to provide these missiles was prompted by Russia’s relentless targeting of civilian infrastructure within Ukraine. He further revealed that he had previously written to his Russian counterpart, Sergei Shoigu, in December, cautioning that further attacks could result in the UK offering more potent weaponry to Ukraine. Describing the decision as “calibrated and proportionate” in response to Russia’s escalations, Mr. Wallace confirmed that the missiles were either already in possession of Ukraine or en route to their hands. He underscored that the necessity for such measures arose solely due to Russia’s invasion.
The Defense Secretary commended the compatibility of the Storm Shadow missiles with Ukraine’s existing fleet of Soviet-era aircraft, attributing this achievement to the expertise of Ukrainian technicians and scientists. However, he acknowledged that the range of the British-supplied missiles did not measure up to Russia’s own missile systems, some of which boast much greater travel distances.
Earlier this year, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov assured that longer-range missiles would not be employed to target locations within Russian territory. During an EU meeting, he asserted, “If we could strike at a distance of up to 300 kilometers, the Russian army wouldn’t be able to provide defense and will have to lose. Ukraine is ready to provide any guarantees that your weapons will not be involved in attacks on Russian territory.”
In February, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed his willingness to dispatch long-range missiles to Ukraine and initiated a bidding process for their procurement. Mr. Sunak emphasized the importance of assisting Ukraine in shielding its cities from Russian bombings and Iranian drones, declaring the United Kingdom as the first nation to supply Ukraine with these extended-range weapons.
In response to the UK’s decision, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned of an “appropriate” military retaliation if Ukrainian forces utilize the British-supplied Storm Shadow weapons. It is worth noting that the Storm Shadow missile has been employed by both the British and French air forces and has previously seen action in conflicts such as the Gulf, Iraq, and Libya. While the UK-supplied missiles can only be launched from aircraft, their French counterparts possess the capability of being fired from ships and submarines, providing enhanced flexibility in deployment.
