The United Kingdom has covertly delivered a new batch of long-range Storm Shadow cruise missiles to Ukraine.
According to a report from Bloomberg, the transfer of military supplies occurred weeks before the recent UK policy change that allows Ukraine to target Russian territory using long-range weapons.
Sources mentioned by the publication indicated that “dozens” of Storm Shadow missiles were provided to Ukraine to help replenish its diminishing stockpile of long-range capabilities. However, the specific timing and quantity of this delivery have not been disclosed due to security concerns.
The first reported use of Storm Shadow missiles against Russian territory occurred on November 20, 2024, when Ukrainian forces targeted the Kursk region. This strike followed the lifting of long-standing restrictions by the US administration, which allowed Kyiv to deploy US-made ATACMS long-range missiles for similar operations.
Interviewed by the BBC on November 23, 2024, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said that Ukraine could also fire French long-range SCALP-EG missiles at Russia for self-defense. In May 2024, French President Emmanuel Macron stated his readiness to allow Ukraine to use French-supplied long-range weapons to strike military targets within Russia.
The Franco-British SCALP-EG/Storm Shadow manufactured by MBDA are stealthy air-launched missiles that can strike targets over 300 kilometers (185 miles) away and have an explosive payload of 450 kilograms designed to destroy hardened targets. Ukrainian forces have adapted Soviet-era Su-24 bombers to use them. Ukraine first received long-range SCALP-EG/Storm Shadow cruise missiles from France and the United Kingdom during the summer of 2023.
Germany still opposed to supply long-range weaponry
While the US, the UK, and France have shifted their policies, Germany remains steadfast in its refusal to supply long-range missiles to Ukraine. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reiterated his opposition during an interview on ZDF Heute.
“I stand by what I have said: precisely because we are the greatest supporter of [Ukraine] in defending itself, there are certain things we do not do,” Scholz stated. “For example, delivering cruise missiles, or accepting that the dangerous weapons we have provided could be used to strike targets deep within Russian territory.”
Scholz argued that Germany’s cautious approach aligns with public sentiment and reflects its responsibility to avoid further escalation of the conflict.
Germany has faced mounting pressure from Kyiv and its allies to provide Taurus missiles. While both the Taurus and the SCALP-EG/Storm Shadow are produced by European missile maker MBDA, the Taurus stands out with its advanced technology for handling its dual explosive charge.
Unlike the timed secondary explosions used by its counterpart, the Taurus employs a sophisticated layer-counting and void-detection system. This capability could enable Ukraine to strike critical infrastructure precisely, such as targeting the pillar of a bridge after penetrating its deck.