Ukraine Urges Britain to Grant Permission for Storm Shadow Missile Strikes Inside Russia

Strategic Insights -

Ukraine's foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, has urged Western allies, including Britain and the US, to take "bold decisions" and grant permission for Ukraine to fire Storm Shadow missiles inside Russia, targeting airfields deep inside Russian territory. The call comes as Ukraine ramps up its calls for the UK to drop restrictions on the long-range weapon, which can dodge enemy radar and precisely hit targets up to 190 miles away. Kyiv has captured over 500 square miles of territory since launching its surprise ground-offensive into Russia's southern Kursk region over three weeks ago.

Key Takeaways:

  • Ukraine's foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, has urged Britain and the US to grant permission for Ukraine to fire Storm Shadow missiles inside Russia, targeting airfields deep inside Russian territory.
  • The UK supports Storm Shadow strikes on Russian soil but will not publicly declare it due to concerns of provoking a row with the US.
  • Emmanuel Macron, France's president, has also expressed support for Storm Shadow strikes, but requires permission from Washington due to the missiles' operation alongside classified US systems.
  • Ukraine has captured over 500 square miles of territory since launching its surprise ground-offensive into Russia's southern Kursk region over three weeks ago.
  • The White House has expressed concerns that allowing Kyiv's forces to use Western weapons to target military targets inside Russia could be seen as escalatory by Moscow.
  • Ukraine's defense minister, Rustem Umerov, and chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, will travel to Washington this week to hand over a list of potential targets for Storm Shadow missile strikes.
  • Ukraine is also asking the US to sanction strikes using American-supplied Atacms ballistic missiles on Russian soil.
  • Onno Eichelsheim, the Netherlands' top general, has stated that Ukraine will be allowed to use Dutch-supplied F-16 fighter jets in cross-border attacks, but US officials only "partly" agree with this position.

Statistics:

  • Ukraine has captured over 500 square miles of territory since launching its surprise ground-offensive into Russia's southern Kursk region over three weeks ago.
  • The Storm Shadow missile has a range of up to 190 miles and can dodge enemy radar.
  • Ukraine has around five Patriot batteries, supplied by the US and Germany, but has asked Romania, the Netherlands, and Spain for additional systems and ammunition.
  • The White House has expressed concerns that allowing Kyiv's forces to use Western weapons to target military targets inside Russia could be seen as escalatory by Moscow.

Sources:

  • The Telegraph
  • Onno Eichelsheim, the Netherlands' top general
  • Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine's foreign minister
  • Emmanuel Macron, France's president
  • Rustem Umerov, Ukraine's defense minister
  • Andriy Yermak, Ukraine's chief of staff
  • The White House