Ukraine has launched British-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles at targets inside Russia, marking a major shift in the ongoing conflict. Multiple Western media outlets reported that Ukraine fired approximately 10-12 Storm Shadow missiles on Wednesday, targeting military facilities in Russia's Kursk region.
This development comes shortly after Ukraine's first use of US-supplied ATACMS missiles against a Russian military site in the Bryansk region. The strikes represent the first time Ukraine has employed Western-provided long-range missiles to hit targets on Russian soil.
The UK government has not officially confirmed the Storm Shadow strikes, with Defense Secretary John Healey declining to provide operational details when questioned in Parliament. However, British government sources indicated that London had authorized Ukraine to use the missiles within Russian territory.
The Storm Shadow, jointly developed by Britain and France, is an air-launched cruise missile with a range of approximately 155 miles. It can carry a 1,000-pound warhead and utilizes low-observable technology to avoid detection while flying at low altitudes.
Previously, Western nations had restricted Ukraine from using provided weapons to strike targets inside Russia. However, recent policy changes by both the US and UK have removed these limitations. The shift follows reports of North Korean troops joining Russian forces near the Ukrainian border - a move NATO considers an escalation of the conflict.
Russia has responded strongly to these developments. President Vladimir Putin recently approved updates to the country's nuclear doctrine, while the Kremlin accused the US of deliberately escalating tensions following the ATACMS strikes.
The removal of restrictions on Western-supplied missiles provides Ukraine with enhanced capability to strike military targets deep within Russian territory. Until now, Ukraine had primarily relied on domestically produced drones and missiles for such long-range operations.
As the conflict passes its 1,000-day mark, these policy changes and new weapons deployments signal an evolving phase in the war, with both sides adapting their strategies and capabilities.