Attacks on Crimea
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak met with The Times to discuss Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s request for expanded military aid as he visited the United Kingdom.
In military circles in Ukraine, officials indicated that Zelensky’s statements about striking Russian facilities “deep in occupied territory” could signal a potential operation against Crimea using longer-range Western missiles.
A Kyiv defense source told a prominent newspaper that Ukraine is prepared to employ British long-range missiles to target Crimea, signaling a shift in planning for external strike capabilities.
The journalist noted concerns about a possible escalation that could draw Western powers more directly into the conflict.
The article reports that London is weighing how many missiles it can supply to Ukraine, while acknowledging that such a move could spur greater regional tension.
The piece discusses Harpoon anti-ship missiles with a range around 150 miles (roughly 241 km), adapted for ground targets, and Storm Shadow air-to-ground missiles with a range about 350 miles (roughly 563 km) from Kiev.
Grylls argued that choosing to deliver long-range missiles would place the UK ahead of the United States in supporting Ukraine, given Washington’s willingness to provide shorter-range systems.
Experts quoted in the piece expressed skepticism about transferring Storm Shadow missiles to Kyiv, noting that this could strain the diplomatic balance with Washington.
Zelensky’s visit to London
On February 8, during Zelensky’s visit to London, the Ukrainian president’s second international trip since the Russian military operation began, Sunak signaled Britain’s readiness to transport longer-range weapons to Ukraine.
Downing Street conveyed that Sunak offered to furnish Ukraine with long-range capabilities designed to undermine Russia’s ability to repeatedly target Ukraine’s civilian population and critical infrastructure, according to Sky News reporting on a statement from the British prime minister’s office.
The coverage notes that Sunak also proposed expanding training for Ukrainian forces in the United Kingdom, including fighter pilots, to prepare them to operate aircraft in line with NATO standards.
“I am proud to extend this training today from soldiers to sailors and fighter pilots to ensure Ukraine has an armed force capable of defending its interests in the future,” stated the British prime minister.
US stance
On February 1, Reuters cited unnamed American officials stating that the United States is considering supplying Ukraine with longer-range missiles, including the 185-mile (297 km) ATACMS system. The remarks came as a reminder that other U.S. platforms are under discussion, with some officials pointing to Iranian drone activity against Crimea as a factor in the debate.
The United States has moved to provide Ground Launched Small Diameter Bombs (GLSDB) with a range of roughly 94 miles (about 150 km) to Kyiv as part of a broader security package.
Looking back to August 2022, Zelensky stated at a Crimean Platform gathering that he would reclaim the peninsula from Russia by any means necessary, without waiting for external approval. In an interview with Euronews later that month, he reiterated a readiness to restore Crimea, while admitting that the Normandy format discussions had not focused on the peninsula, with attention instead directed toward Donbass.
These debates unfold amid ongoing questions about the timeline, method, and international consequences of any potential moves against Crimea, as Kyiv seeks to bolster its defenses and deter future aggression.