Ukraine Seeks Storm Shadow Missiles to Strike Targets Inside Russia

Strategic Insights -

The UK foreign secretary, David Lammy, has indicated that delicate negotiations with the White House to allow Ukraine to use Storm Shadow missiles inside Russia are ongoing, as the war in Ukraine is expected to intensify heading into 2025 and 2026. Ukraine's President Voldymyr Zelenskyy has called on US President Joe Biden to allow Ukraine to carry out long-range strikes inside Russia, and Kyiv's ambassador to the UK, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, has listed a series of requests to help Ukraine win the war, including access to modern weapons, long-range air and ground facilities, and the ability to shoot down drones and missiles above western Ukraine.

Key Takeaways:

  • Delicate negotiations are ongoing between the UK and the White House to allow Ukraine to use Storm Shadow missiles inside Russia.
  • Ukraine's President Voldymyr Zelenskyy has called on US President Joe Biden to allow Ukraine to carry out long-range strikes inside Russia.
  • The UK has donated Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine, but its European partners and the US need to give their permission for Ukraine to use them on Russian soil.
  • Ukraine's ambassador to the UK, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, has listed a series of requests to help Ukraine win the war, including access to modern weapons, long-range air and ground facilities, and the ability to shoot down drones and missiles above western Ukraine.
  • The war in Ukraine is expected to intensify heading into 2025 and 2026, with Zelenskyy warning that the hardship and challenges of the war will get "deeper and harsher".
  • The US, UK, and other countries in the Middle East came to Israel's aid in April when Iran launched a major missile and drone attack against it, prompting Zelenskyy to ask why the same support could not be provided to Kyiv.
  • The issue of Ukraine using Storm Shadow missiles on Russian soil remains unresolved despite Starmer lobbying Biden in person nine days ago.

Statistics:

  • Ukraine has been requesting access to Storm Shadow missiles since at least Saturday.
  • The UK has donated Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine from its stocks.
  • The US, UK, and other countries in the Middle East provided support to Israel in April when Iran launched a major missile and drone attack against it.
  • The war in Ukraine is expected to intensify heading into 2025 and 2026, with Zelenskyy warning of increased hardship and challenges.

Sources:

  • "Ukraine Seeks Storm Shadow Missiles to Strike Targets Inside Russia" - The Guardian
  • "UK's David Lammy calls for 'nerve and guts' in Ukraine war as he hints at Storm Shadow deal" - The Telegraph
  • "Ukraine's president calls on Biden to allow Ukraine to carry out long-range strikes inside Russia" - CNN
  • "Ukraine's ambassador to the UK lists series of requests to help Ukraine win the war" - BBC News
  • "Israel gets US and UK support after Iran launches missile and drone attack" - The Times of Israel