Britain has refused to allow use of Storm Shadow missiles in Kursk offensive - The Telegraph
Date: 2024-08-13 Author: Кирило Загоруйко Categories: WAR
The UK government has refused to give Ukraine approval to use Storm Shadow missiles as part of its offensive on Kursk, The Telegraph reports, citing a government source.
"No changes have been made," the source told the publication.
During a visit to the UK last month, Zelensky reportedly lobbied Prime Minister Keir Starmer to lift restrictions on the use of Storm Shadow missiles, which have a range of about 250 kilometres.
"Ukraine wants to strike airfields and logistics hubs far behind the front line that Moscow is using to shore up its position in Kursk," The Telegraph writes.
Former British tank commander Hamish de Bretton-Gordon says the Storm Shadow missiles will be able to hit "railway junctions and key roads leading into Kursk, as well as any airfields within a 100-mile radius."
The position on using Storm Shadow missiles is reportedly not just the UK government's, as the missile is made in France, meaning Paris also has a say in the terms.
Kiev has also asked Washington for permission to use the long-range Atacms missile during the offensive, but that has also been denied, the newspaper reports.
"As well as humiliating Putin, Ukraine's advance on Kursk could force Moscow to pull back from Pokrovsk, where Kyiv's forces have taken up a defensive position," The Telegraph analyses.
However, the publication's sources say that the UK's position has not changed: "We are providing military assistance to support Ukraine's clear right to self-defence against Russia's unlawful attacks under international humanitarian law. We have made clear that the equipment provided by the UK is for the defence of Ukraine."
