Ukraine has received a shipment of Storm Shadow cruise missiles from the United Kingdom, a significant move that arms the country with extended striking range ahead of a much-awaited retaliation against the Russian forces. This was confirmed by several high-ranking Western officials.
Ben Wallace, the UK's Defense Secretary, verified the missile transfer on Thursday, stating that it was Ukraine's "top opportunity to protect themselves from the ongoing harsh actions of Russia."
The Storm Shadow, a joint UK-France creation, is an airborne long-range cruise missile with stealth capabilities. It boasts a firing range just over 155 miles, falling slightly short of the 185-mile range of the US-made Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), which Ukraine has long desired.
The crucial advantage of the Storm Shadow is its ability to reach far into the territory in Eastern Ukraine under Russian control. The UK has received commitments from the Ukrainian government that these missiles will strictly be used within Ukraine's borders and will not be deployed in Russia. UK authorities consistently publicly recognize Crimea as Ukrainian territory, which they claim was "unlawfully taken over."
A high-ranking US military official referred to the missile as a "significant shift in terms of range," providing Kyiv with a capacity it has sought since the war began. The longest range for US-supplied weapons in Ukraine's arsenal is currently approximately 49 miles.
The missile delivery comes as Ukraine gears up for a counteroffensive aimed at reclaiming territory controlled by the Kremlin in the eastern and southern regions of the country.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky indicated that his country needs a little more time before initiating the counteroffensive, in order to allow additional Western military aid to reach the nation.
Zelensky stated in an interview with European public service broadcasters that "With [what we have] we can go forward and be successful," but added, "we'd lose a lot of people. I think that's unacceptable." He mentioned that Ukraine is still awaiting deliveries of armored vehicles, including tanks.
The UK has previously surpassed the US in its willingness to arm Ukraine. It was the first to pledge modern Western tanks to Ukraine, promising 14 Challenge 2 tanks in January before the US offered M-1 Abrams tanks.
Earlier this year, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hinted that the UK was considering sending long-range weapons to Ukraine, stating at the Munich Security Conference, "We must help Ukraine to shield its cities from Russian bombs and Iranian drones." He asserted that the UK would be the first to provide Ukraine with such weaponry.
The British government also posted a procurement notice via the International Fund for Ukraine earlier this month. The notice invited expressions of interest for purchasing "long-range strike" rockets or missiles by May 4, with prospective suppliers to be contacted afterward.
US officials have consistently pledged their ongoing support for Ukraine, providing tens of billions of dollars' worth of equipment. Nevertheless, Ukraine continues to seek additional aid to overcome the Russian military, including longer-range missiles like the ATACMS.
However, the US has shown restraint over the past year in supplying weapons that could enable Ukraine to strike inside Russian territory. Colin Kahl, Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, stated in August that the US does not believe Ukraine currently needs ATACMS to hit targets that are directly related to the ongoing conflict.
The Storm Shadow missile, produced by European firm MBDA Missile Systems, is a "deep strike weapon" that can operate in all weather conditions, day or night, equipped with an advanced navigation system for accuracy.
According to MBDA's official website, "After launch, the weapon descends to terrain hugging altitude to avoid detection. On approaching the target, its onboard infrared seeker matches the target image with the stored picture to ensure a precision strike and minimal collateral damage."
