UK to allow Ukraine to strike Russia with Storm Shadow missiles, The Guardian reports

The UK officials have decided to permit Ukraine to use Storm Shadow cruise missiles against targets in Russia, reports The Guardian, citing sources in the British government.

“Although it is not expected to be publicly announced on Friday when [UK Prime Minister Keir] Starmer meets [US President] Biden in Washington DC,” the journalists add.

London reportedly considers a public announcement of the use of long-range missiles against Russia “unnecessarily provocative.” At the same time, sources noted that the joint visit of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy to Kyiv on September 11 would not have taken place without a positive decision regarding Storm Shadow.

“It is also likely there will still be restrictions around Ukraine’s use of the missiles, which have a range of at least 190 miles (approximately 305 kilometers – ed.), to avoid reckless or unnecessary attacks,” the journalists add.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said US President Joe Biden is scheduled to meet with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on September 13. The two will discuss allowing Ukrainian forces to strike deeper into Russia.