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Missiles

UK Backs Ukraine's Use of Storm Shadow Missiles But Will Not Publicly Call for Action

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The UK is understood to support the use of Storm Shadow missiles by Ukraine in Russia, but will not publicly call for this move amid concerns it could provoke a row with the US. The Labour Party's leader, Sir Keir Starmer, is taking a consultative approach to negotiations with the US on the issue, with a Whitehall source stating that the UK wants to "have discussions with allies on these sorts of things rather than wanting to push on and do it." The US has privately expressed concerns that the use of Storm Shadow missiles could escalate the conflict and lead to American troops being drawn into the fight.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UK has not made a formal request to the US for Ukraine to use Storm Shadow missiles inside Russia.
  • The US has concerns that the use of Storm Shadow missiles could escalate the conflict and lead to American troops being drawn into the fight.
  • Sir Keir Starmer is taking a consultative approach to negotiations with the US on the issue.
  • The US has privately bemoaned Britain's front-foot approach to giving military equipment to Ukraine, with concerns that the UK is trying to "bounce" them into similar decisions.
  • The UK backtracks its position on providing Ukraine with Western military equipment, citing a desire for "consultative approach" with the US.
  • The US has been more cautious than the UK in providing military equipment to Ukraine, causing tensions between the two nations.
  • A senior military source stated that the US fears escalation more than the UK does, as they have to deal with the consequences.
  • The Ukrainians have focused on a particular weapon group, but the Russians have moved their most critical assets out of range.
  • The UK has asked the US to relent on its position and allow the Storm Shadow missiles to be used inside Russia.

Statistics:

  • Storm Shadow missiles are capable of hitting precise targets up to 190 miles away.
  • Ukrainian engineers have been working on the development of a short-range ballistic missile since 2014.
  • The Sapsan SRBM is designed to hit targets at a range of about 300 miles and be fired from a truck-mounted launcher.
  • The Labour Party's leader, Sir Keir Starmer, stated that the UK will "stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes."

Sources:

  • A White House source told The Telegraph
  • A Whitehall source told The Telegraph
  • A senior military source told The Telegraph
  • Fabian Hoffmann, a missile technology doctoral research fellow at the University of Oslo
  • Sir Keir Starmer
  • A Ukranian president (Volodymyr Zelensky)
  • A Telegraph report

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