Britain refuses to use Storm Shadow missiles to strike Kursk region

The UK government has not given Ukraine permission to use Storm Shadow missiles to strike the Kursk region. Despite President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's efforts to lift restrictions on the use of these munitions, London's position remains unchanged.

This was reported by RBC-Ukraine with reference to The Telegraph.

"There have been no changes," a government source said.

Storm Shadow missiles with a range of about 250 kilometers could allow the Ukrainian army to attack airfields and logistics centers that Russia uses to strengthen its positions in the Kursk region. However, London continues to deny Kyiv permission to use them.

Last month, during a visit to the UK, Zelenskyy lobbied Sir Keir Starmer to support the lifting of the restrictions.

Former British tank commander Hamish de Bretton-Gordon noted that Storm Shadow is capable of hitting "railroad junctions and key roads leading to Kursk, as well as any airfields within a 100-mile radius."

He also added that authorizing the use of these missiles would show the West's determination to support Ukraine.

However, the position on the use of the missiles depends not only on the UK, as Storm Shadow is produced jointly with France. Thus, Paris also has a say in the terms of their use.

In addition, Ukraine has asked the United States to allow the use of long-range Atacms missiles to attack the Kursk region, but has so far been denied.

Author - Dmitriy Levchenko, 13/08/2024