British government denies Ukraine permission to use Storm Shadow missiles

The British government did not grant permission for Ukraine to use Storm Shadow missiles in the Kursk offensive, as reported by The Telegraph. The Ukrainians intended to use these missiles to attack airports and logistical centers deep within Russia. With a range of about 155 miles, these weapons could weaken Russia's ability to reinforce its positions in Kursk.

According to The Telegraph, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged the United Kingdom to allow missile strikes deep into Russian territory, arguing that a cross-border attack by his army could potentially remove Vladimir Putin from power. However, the British disagreed with letting the Ukrainian army use the Storm Shadow missiles. The Telegraph also mentioned that Kyiv approached Washington for permission to use ATACMS missiles, but this request was also denied.

The British daily points out that the decision regarding the use of Storm Shadow missiles isn't solely up to the British government, as these missiles are manufactured in France, meaning Paris also has a say in the conditions governing their use. The Ukrainians hoped that with these missiles, they could target airports far from the front line or logistical points deep within Russia.

Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG missiles are conventional, long-range tactical cruise missiles carried by aircraft and produced by the European defense consortium MBDA. They weigh 2,866 pounds, 992 pounds of which are warhead weight, and are over 16 feet long. The Storm Shadow uses a Turbomeca Microturbo TRI 60-30 turbojet engine with a thrust of 1,214 lbs, enabling the missile to travel at 621 mph. Its range is estimated at over 155 miles.

Storm Shadow missiles are equipped with GPS guidance systems and terrain tracking capabilities. They are also designed for low flight, making them effective at evading obstacles and making it difficult to shoot down. These missiles excel in precise attacks on air bases, important communication hubs, and port facilities.