UK's secret missile aid boosts Ukrainian defense strategy
The UK government has delivered dozens of Storm Shadow cruise missiles to Ukraine, according to individuals familiar with the matter. Bloomberg reported that this was the first delivery of its kind during Prime Minister Keir Starmer's tenure, who has committed to continuing support for Ukraine.
Sources told Bloomberg that the deliveries, which had not been publicly announced, occurred a few weeks ago and were commissioned after Ukraine began depleting its stockpile of these long-range missiles.
British missile salvo on the Kursk region
The missiles were sent before the recent decision by the US and the UK to allow Ukraine to use long-range weapons against targets in Russia. Sources declined to provide the exact delivery date or the detailed number of missiles, citing the need to maintain operational security.
"We do not comment on operational detail, to do so would only benefit Russian President Vladimir Putin," the Ministry of Defense replied to questions, adding that the UK’s support for Ukraine is "ironclad."
Ukrainian use of Storm Shadow
Ukrainian forces used the British Storm Shadow missiles against targets in Russia for the first time last week, a day after using American Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) on military facilities in the western Bryansk region.
A missile salvo was launched at the village of Maryino in the Kursk region of Russia. The target was an estate managed by Putin's administration. As reported by the Defense Express portal, the attacked building houses an underground command post that North Korean soldiers could have occupied.
The decisions by London and Washington to permit attacks, which Kyiv had long sought, were made in response to the Kremlin engaging North Korean soldiers in battles against Ukraine.
Strengthening Ukraine's position
"The move has also been seen as a way for outgoing President Joe Biden and allies to strengthen Ukraine’s hand in any negotiations with Moscow, which are possible next year as President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to end the war quickly," writes Bloomberg.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, speaking at the G20 summit in Brazil on November 20, stated that his government "is doubling down its support for Ukraine" but refused to provide details.
Storm Shadow is an air-launched, precision-guided missile with a range exceeding 155 miles.
The UK government does not disclose on an ongoing basis how many Storm Shadow missiles were transferred to Ukraine during the war. However, Ukraine previously used them against Russian forces in the Black Sea. The Ministry of Defense last confirmed a delivery of these missiles in April, when Rishi Sunak was prime minister.
