Ukraine is planning to change its war strategy to include long-range cruise missiles capable of striking targets deep inside Russian territory. Kiev has so far used the missiles on its own territory, where Russian forces have invaded.
Recent reports suggest that the United Kingdom, a key NATO member, has given Ukraine permission to use Storm Shadow cruise missiles to target Russian territories. This could further deepen Moscow’s red lines in the conflict.
Anticipating a change in Ukraine’s strategy with the support of its NATO allies, Russia said earlier this month that the West’s efforts to foment war in Ukraine had made it necessary for Moscow to revise its nuclear doctrine.
Britain has reportedly given Ukraine the go-ahead to use the Storm Shadow cruise missile to target Russian territories.
This new development comes at a time when the war between Russia and Ukraine has intensified. Russia has increased its missile attacks while Ukraine has responded with an increase in drone attacks.
Until now there has been a ban on the use of advanced Western weapons on targets within Russian territory, but this is likely to change after Britain reportedly granted such approval.
Ukraine already has the Storm Shadow missile, but it only uses it to fight Russian forces on its territory.
Storm Shadow Missile
Storm Shadow is a low-observable, long-range air-launched cruise missile. It has been jointly developed by the United Kingdom and France and has a range of about 500 km. It has already been integrated into Ukrainian fighter aircraft, including Russian-made Su-24 bombers – a legacy of the past, when Ukraine was part of the then Soviet Union.
Storm Shadow is a low-observable, long-range air-launched cruise missile.
Developed in 1994 and built by Matra and British Aerospace, the Storm Shadow missile is now manufactured by MBDA Systems. ‘Storm Shadow’ is the British name for the weapon, while in France it is called SCALP-EG.
The Storm Shadow missile has a range of about 500 kilometers and can target deep into Russia. (Photo courtesy: Posted on X by @TopLeadEU)
How such long-range cruise missiles were allowed to be exported to Ukraine is not yet clear as the Missile Technology Control Regime or MTCR, of which Britain is a founding member, prohibits the export of missiles that have a range of more than 300 kilometres and a payload capacity of 500 kg. While the Storm Shadow missile has a warhead weighing less than 500 kg, it violates MTCR rules in terms of exceeding the limit in range.
However, the MTCR is an informal political agreement between member countries and its rules are not always binding.
outcome
If Ukraine gets the green light to use cruise missiles to attack Russian territory, Russia’s response could be massive. There is international concern that Moscow could seriously consider using nuclear weapons in such a situation.
‘Storm Shadow’ is the British name for this weapon, while in France it is called SCALP-EG.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said earlier this month that he blamed “the West’s collective actions” in Ukraine for Russia’s revision of its nuclear doctrine.
Without revealing what changes would be made to Russia’s nuclear doctrine, Moscow has said that some changes are needed in the policy regarding the circumstances of use of nuclear weapons.
President Vladimir Putin introduced the current nuclear doctrine four years ago. According to it, Russia can use nuclear weapons in the event of a nuclear attack or a conventional attack that threatens the country’s existence.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it was now necessary to update Russian nuclear doctrine “against the backdrop of challenges and threats posed by the countries of the so-called collective West.”
Mr Peskov said, “Moscow fears that Ukraine could use long-range missiles and other weapons supplied by the US and its NATO allies to strike deep inside Russian territory.” He added that “Ukraine will certainly do this and we are taking this into account.”
India strives for peace
Meanwhile, India is trying to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine, with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval currently in Moscow for the NSA summit. He met Vladimir Putin on Thursday and has reportedly come up with a peace plan sent by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Prime Minister Modi visited Russia in July and then Ukraine last month. He was warmly welcomed by both Putin and Zelensky and is considered one of the few leaders in the world who has a close relationship with both leaders.
It is not yet known whether such a peace plan would be accepted by Russia, but India, which has friendly relations with both countries, has offered to play its part in helping end the war.
