UK supports Ukraine's employment of long-range missiles within Russia, reports say
According to a report by The Telegraph, London endorses Ukraine’s utilization of Storm Shadow missiles for carrying out strikes on Russian territory. Read the full article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
According to a report by The Telegraph, the UK supports Ukraine's use of Storm Shadow missiles to target deep within Russia, but is keeping this endorsement under wraps to avoid upsetting the US. Although Ukraine has been granted permission by the UK to deploy these missiles in Crimea and other regions it claims, there remains a prohibition against using them on internationally recognized Russian soil. The push by Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky for fewer restrictions on these weapons, particularly the British-made missiles capable of evading radar and reaching targets nearly 190 miles away, comes during ongoing conflict in the Kursk Region.
The Telegraph additionally noted the collaborative nature of the Storm Shadow missile production involving not just the UK, but also France and the US. This factor complicates unilateral decisions by London regarding the missile's use. French President Emmanuel Macron has indicated his approval for Ukraine to strike Russian locations launching attacks, a stance not mirrored by the hesitant US, with an administration official expressing concerns over potential escalations dragging American forces into the confrontation.
It was further mentioned that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has not yet approached Washington to discuss potential uses of the missiles by Ukraine within Russian territory due to concerns over sparking a diplomatic conflict, despite previously stating that Ukraine could freely utilize UK-provided armaments. At a recent briefing, Starmer opted not to delve into the missile discussion, preferring a more collaborative discussion with allies prior to any decision.
A senior military source mentioned in The Telegraph underlined the greater apprehension of the US about escalation compared to the UK, noting the potential consequences and burdens the US would face. On the other hand, the Russian government has vocally reproached Western nations for their military support to Ukraine and cautioned against consequences of strikes within Russia itself. Russian President Vladimir Putin has characterized such attacks as tantamount to direct Western engagement in the conflict.
At a press conference, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov criticized the discussions on the use of long-range missiles against Russia, labeling them deceptive efforts to appear cautious about escalation while actually pursuing the opposite.
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
The Telegraph additionally noted the collaborative nature of the Storm Shadow missile production involving not just the UK, but also France and the US. This factor complicates unilateral decisions by London regarding the missile's use. French President Emmanuel Macron has indicated his approval for Ukraine to strike Russian locations launching attacks, a stance not mirrored by the hesitant US, with an administration official expressing concerns over potential escalations dragging American forces into the confrontation.
It was further mentioned that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has not yet approached Washington to discuss potential uses of the missiles by Ukraine within Russian territory due to concerns over sparking a diplomatic conflict, despite previously stating that Ukraine could freely utilize UK-provided armaments. At a recent briefing, Starmer opted not to delve into the missile discussion, preferring a more collaborative discussion with allies prior to any decision.
A senior military source mentioned in The Telegraph underlined the greater apprehension of the US about escalation compared to the UK, noting the potential consequences and burdens the US would face. On the other hand, the Russian government has vocally reproached Western nations for their military support to Ukraine and cautioned against consequences of strikes within Russia itself. Russian President Vladimir Putin has characterized such attacks as tantamount to direct Western engagement in the conflict.
At a press conference, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov criticized the discussions on the use of long-range missiles against Russia, labeling them deceptive efforts to appear cautious about escalation while actually pursuing the opposite.
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
