UK Supplies Storm Shadow Missiles to Ukraine: Media
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The UK has reportedly provided a number of Storm Shadow cruise missiles to Ukraine, according to senior Western officials cited by CNN.
The missiles, which have a significant range, are seen as a game changer in the conflict. A senior US military official commented on the shipment, stating, "The missile is a real game changer from a range perspective." The news of the delivery was reported on Thursday.
Developed in the 1990s by the UK and France, the Storm Shadow missile is typically launched from the air and has a range of up to 300 kilometers (200 miles). This range is comparable to the US-made ground-launched Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS).
Previous reports, including one from The Washington Post, had indicated that the delivery of the missiles was imminent. The UK's decision to supply the weapons was aimed at encouraging the US to provide similar long-range weapons, but Politico reported that Washington remained unconvinced.
The US is said to be concerned about depleting its stockpile of ATACMS and the potential escalation that could arise if Ukraine were to use the new capability to strike targets on territories recognized as Russian by Western nations.
Leaked, unconfirmed classified Pentagon assessments, shared on a Discord server, suggest that Washington believes such a development could lead to Beijing providing military assistance to Russia.
CNN reported, citing a Western official, that the UK had received assurances from the Ukrainian government that the Storm Shadow missiles would only be used within Ukrainian sovereign territory and not inside Russia. However, Kiev considers Crimea, which voted to become part of Russia in 2014, and the regions of Donetsk and Lugansk, which joined Ukraine in September, to be part of its territory.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky recently stated to Western media that the anticipated counteroffensive against Russia has been delayed due to the military's need for certain equipment, including armored vehicles.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has assessed that the Ukrainians already possess what they need to continue regaining territory from Moscow. The success of the promised operation is considered crucial in the Ukraine conflict, as it may impact foreign support unless Kiev can demonstrate tangible gains on the ground.
