Attacks on Crimea
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak promise The Times writes that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wants to send more military aid to Ukraine after his visit to the kingdom.
A source in the Ukrainian military circles confirmed that the Ukrainian leader’s words about the destruction of Russian military installations “deep in the occupied territory” hinted at the possibility of an attack on Crimea with the help of British long-range missiles.
“Ukraine is ready to use British long-range missiles for attacks on Crimea,” newspaper columnist George Grylls said, citing a source from Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense.
The journalist fears that in this scenario everything could lead to a “serious escalation” and “West joining the war”.
According to the editorial, the UK government is now debating how many missiles the kingdom can deliver to Ukraine, although London fears the possibility of escalation due to the supply of long-range weapons.
The article says it’s about sending Harpoon anti-ship missiles with a range of 150 miles — about 241 km — that can be adapted to hit ground targets. According to the publication, Storm Shadow aircraft missiles can also be supplied, which hit a target at a distance of 350 miles – about 563 km from Kiev.
Grylls said that if the UK decides to send such long-range missiles, it will go further than Washington in supporting Ukraine as the US agrees to supply shorter-range missiles to Kiev.
The article says experts interviewed by the editors are skeptical of the transfer of Storm Shadow missiles to Kiev, as the kingdom is unlikely to put the United States in an uncomfortable position.
Zelensky’s visit to London
On February 8, during Zelensky’s visit to London (the Ukrainian President’s second overseas trip after the Russian military special operation), Rishi Sunak confirmed that Britain was preparing to transport “longer range weapons” to Ukraine.
“Downing Street said Mr Sunak also offered to provide Ukraine with long-range capabilities to undermine Russia’s ability to continually attack Ukraine’s civilian and critical national infrastructure.” knowledgeable TV channel Sky News referred to a statement from the British Prime Minister’s office.
The article says Sunak also proposes to strengthen the training of Ukrainian troops in the UK, including fighter pilots, to be able to fly warplanes to NATO standards.
“I am proud to extend this training today from soldiers to sailors and fighter pilots to ensure Ukraine has an army that can defend its interests in the future,” the British Prime Minister said.
US rejection
On February 1, Reuters reported, citing two unnamed US officials, that the US plans to hand over to Kiev the 185 mi (297 km) range ATACMS missiles proposed by Michael McCall, chairman of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee. “Iran has drones,” according to him, to use to strike on January 23 in the Crimea.
The United States has decided to supply Boeing Co’s Ground Launched Small Diameter Bombs (GLSDB) with a range of only 94 miles to about 150 km to Kiev.
On August 23, 2022, at a press conference after the results of the Crimean Platform international summit, Zelensky announced that he was ready to “take” Crimea from Russia “at all costs”.
“Ukraine will return the Crimean peninsula from Russia in any way it deems right, and it does not need consultation with other countries for this,” Ukrainian President Reuters quoted.
In an interview with Euronews on August 25, he promised to return to the peninsula. But in the Normandy format, he complained that “no one wants to talk about Crimea” and that all attention is given to resolving the conflict in Donbass.