2024-11-20 18:47:00
According to British media reports, Ukraine has fired on Russian territory for the first time with British missiles of the longer-range Storm Shadow type. This was reported by the Bloomberg agency as well as the “Financial Times” and “Guardian”, among others, citing unnamed insider sources. A spokesman for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said his office would not comment on reports or operational matters.
The British Ministry of Defense also did not want to comment on the reports when asked by the dpa. The government in London has always been evasive about the conditions for Ukraine’s Storm Shadow deployment to defend itself against the Russian attackers.
The Telegraph reported that debris from the cruise missile was found in the town of Marjino in Russia’s Kursk region, almost 45 kilometers from the border. The governor of Kursk, Alexei Smirnov, said on the short message service Telegram that two rockets had been fired. But he didn’t give any details.
The Two Majors channel on the short message service Telegram reported on Wednesday that Ukraine had fired up to twelve “Storm Shadow” cruise missiles into the Kursk region. Photos were published in the channel in which parts of the housing and the inscription “Storm Shadow” can be clearly seen.
At least 14 massive explosions can be heard in videos published by Russian war correspondents. The footage, taken in a residential area, shows black smoke rising in the distance. It is said to be the impact of the Storm Shadows.
Only recently, according to media reports, the USA allowed Ukraine to use longer-range US-made missiles against targets in Russia. According to Moscow, Ukraine fired six ATACMS missiles into Russian territory.
Cruise missiles for precision attacks
The British Storm Shadow is an air-launched cruise missile with a range of more than 250 kilometers for precision attacks on targets such as bunkers or critical infrastructure. They are identical in construction to the French Scalp missiles.
Ukraine is defending itself against a war of aggression by Russia for the third year. President Volodymyr Zelensky has long been asking Western partners to be able to use more extensive weapons on Russian territory. The reason given was that this was crucial for the course of the war.
Britain had previously stated that Ukraine could only use Storm Shadow cruise missiles within Ukrainian territory. At the same time, the government in London pushed for the USA to grant permission for the use of such weapons on Russian territory. According to insiders, US President Joe Biden has now approved this for US missiles.
The US release is seen as a response to Moscow’s suspected use of North Korean soldiers. Russia, in turn, sees the US weapons as an escalation and an involvement of the US and other Western states in the war.
US aid of $275 million
The USA is providing Ukraine with additional military equipment to defend against Russia’s war of aggression. The US Department of Defense announced that the package was worth around 275 million US dollars (around 261 million euros). Among other things, it contains ammunition for the Himars-type rocket launcher system, which has a range of around 80 kilometers. Drones and artillery ammunition with calibers of 155 and 105 millimeters and anti-tank weapons would also be delivered.
The USA is Ukraine’s largest arms supplier in its defense against Russia. According to the Pentagon, the US has provided more than $60.4 billion (around €55.7 billion) in military aid to Kiev since the start of the war.
Germany is sending armored vehicles and drones
Germany has sent further military aid to Ukraine in the form of armored vehicles, artillery and drones. These include four more 2000 self-propelled howitzers and seven M109 howitzers, as can be seen from the federal government’s updated list of armaments aid. 41,000 rounds of 155 mm caliber artillery ammunition were also delivered.
The package also includes 47 additional MRAP mine-protected vehicles for transporting infantrymen in the frontline area and eight Caracal airborne vehicles. Ukraine also received two additional Biber bridge-laying tanks, three Wisent mine-clearing tanks and eight Oshkosh heavy-duty semi-trailers. There were also more than 300 reconnaissance drones of various types, more than 100,000 rounds of ammunition for small arms and medical supplies.
In terms of quantity, Germany is the second strongest supporter of Ukraine, behind the USA, which has been resisting a Russian invasion for 1,001 days. However, measured in terms of economic power, the countries in Northern and Eastern Europe give more.
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**How does international military support, like that from the UK and the US, shape Ukraine’s operational capabilities and defense strategy in the ongoing conflict?**
**Interview with Dr. Sarah Thompson, Defense Analyst and International Relations Expert**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us, Dr. Thompson. Recent reports indicate that Ukraine has fired British Storm Shadow missiles into Russian territory for the first time. What significance does this development hold in the context of the ongoing conflict?
**Dr. Thompson:** Thank you for having me. This event marks a critical escalation in the conflict. The deployment of Storm Shadow missiles, which are specifically designed for precision strikes up to 250 kilometers away, enables Ukraine to target critical Russian infrastructure and military assets directly from its own territory. It highlights Ukraine’s growing capabilities and its willingness to engage in cross-border operations, which could change the dynamics of this conflict significantly.
**Editor:** The British government and the Ministry of Defense have refrained from commenting on the operational details. What does this suggest about their stance on the situation?
**Dr. Thompson:** The British government’s reluctance to comment may indicate a desire to maintain strategic ambiguity. By not confirming or denying specifics, they can avoid direct accountability while allowing Ukraine some operational freedom. Historically, the UK has provided military support to Ukraine while emphasizing that such weapons should be used for defensive purposes only, so there is likely a concern about perceptions both domestically and internationally regarding escalation.
**Editor:** Reports from the Kursk region in Russia suggest there were multiple explosions and that debris from the missiles was found. How might this impact Russian military strategies moving forward?
**Dr. Thompson:** This incident could prompt a shift in Russia’s military posture. If they perceive a vulnerability in their defenses, particularly near the border regions, we might see them increasing their military presence or fortifying critical infrastructure. Additionally, this could trigger more aggressive retaliatory measures against Ukrainian positions or widen their operations against Western support channels.
**Editor:** The United States has recently allowed Ukraine to use longer-range missiles, with reports suggesting they also fired ATACMS missiles into Russian territory. How does this international support influence the conflict?
**Dr. Thompson:** The U.S. decision to allow Ukraine to access longer-range missiles signifies a major shift in the West’s approach to supporting Ukraine. It reflects an understanding that Ukraine needs the capability to strike at the very heart of Russian operations to level the playing field. However, this also poses risks, as it can escalate tensions further and provoke a stronger response from Russia, potentially involving more direct confrontations with Western nations.
**Editor:** President Zelensky has long advocated for enhanced weaponry from Western allies. How essential is this support for Ukraine’s defense strategy?
**Dr. Thompson:** It’s absolutely crucial. As the conflict drags on, Ukraine’s need for advanced weaponry becomes increasingly pressing. Enhanced military capabilities not only bolster Ukraine’s morale but also disrupt Russian operational plans. Western support in this form is a vital lifeline, enabling Ukraine to sustain its defensive operations and protect its sovereignty against persistent aggression.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Thompson, for your insights on this critical issue. As developments unfold, the implications of these military actions will undoubtedly continue to resonate on the global stage.
**Dr. Thompson:** Thank you for having me. It’s a fluid situation, and the international community will need to watch closely as it evolves.
