No green light for Ukraine's use of storm shadow missiles in Kursk
As The Telegraph has established, the British government has not consented to Ukraine's use of Storm Shadow missiles in the Kursk offensive. The Ukrainians wanted to use these missiles to attack airfields and logistics centres deep within Russia. A weapon with a range of about 155 miles could weaken the Russians' ability to bolster their positions in Kursk.
According to The Telegraph, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky applied pressure on the United Kingdom to permit missile attacks deep into Russian territory, arguing that a cross-border assault by his army could unseat Vladimir Putin. However, the British did not agree to allow the Ukrainian army to use the Storm Shadow missiles in this manner. The report also stated that Kyiv approached Washington with a request for permission to use ATACMS missiles, but this was not positively considered either.
Storm shadow - missiles that could cause significant disruption
The British daily's service points out that "the decision on how to use Storm Shadow missiles does not belong solely to the British government, as the missiles are manufactured in France, meaning that Paris also has a say in the conditions [ed. of their use]". The Ukrainians hoped that with their help, they would be able to attack airports or logistical points deep in Russia, far from the front line.
Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG missiles are conventional, long-range tactical cruise missiles carried by aircraft produced by the European defence company MBDA. They have a mass of 2,866 pounds, of which 992 pounds is the mass of the warhead and a length of over 16 feet. The Storm Shadow uses a Turbomeca Microturbo TRI 60-30 turbojet engine with a thrust of 1,215 pounds-force. Thanks to these, the missile can travel at a speed of 621 mph. Its range is estimated at over 155 miles.
Storm Shadow is equipped with GPS navigation systems and terrain-following capabilities. Additionally, they are adapted for low flight, making them effective at avoiding obstacles and difficult to shoot down. The missiles are effective during precise attacks on air bases, important communication hubs, or port facilities.
