BY OSABUOHIEN VIVIAN ROSE
Ukraine fired UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles at targets for the first time into Russia.
The nation was previously restricted to using the long-range missiles within its own borders.
Reports of the strikes come after Ukraine was given permission from Washington to fire US-supplied missiles at Russian territory.
The government has refused commenting on the reports for operational reasons, but officials confirmed Defence Secretary John Healey spoke to his Ukrainian counterpart Tuesday night.
Ministers are likely to exercise caution in their response to the reports due to concerns over Russia’s reaction, as well as to ensure the move is not to be seen as being led by the United kingdom.
In the Commons earlier, Healey said: “Ukraine’s action on the battlefield speaks for itself.”
Ukraine’s Defence Minister Rustem Umerov has also declined to confirm that his country has used the Storm Shadow missiles within Russian territory, but said it was “using all the means to defend our country”.
Matthew Miller, the US State Department’s spokesman, did not comment on the use of the UK-supplied missile or whether the US was providing navigational assistance for their use.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly called on Kyiv’s western allies to permit the use of long-range missiles against targets inside Russia, saying it is the only way to end the war.
Storm Shadow is considered an ideal weapon for penetrating hardened bunkers and ammunition stores, such as those used by Russia in its war against Ukraine.
Previously, the US and UK had not given permission, with suggestions this was related to not wanting to escalate the war.
Over the weekend, US President Joe Biden had permitted Ukraine to use the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) supplied by the US to strike Russia.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday reacted to the news, which came via briefings from US officials, saying “such things are not announced, missiles speak for themselves”.
The ATACMS was later used by Ukraine to target the Bryansk region, which borders Ukraine on Tuesday.
The US has also approved sending landmines to Ukraine, in an attempt to slow down Russian troops.
Speaking at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Tuesday, UK Prime Minister Sir Starmer assured Ukraine has what “is needed for as long as needed.”
About the storm shadow missile
Storm Shadow is an Anglo-French cruise missile with a maximum range of around 250km (155 miles). The French call it Scalp.
It is launched from aircraft then flies at close to the speed of sound, hugging the terrain, before dropping down and detonating its high explosive warhead.
