Defense24 reports that London plans to buy long-range missiles and transfer them to Kyiv.
They intend to acquire missiles with a firing range of 100 to 300 kilometers that can be launched from land, sea, or air.
Funding for arms and equipment is said to come from the International Fund for Relief to Ukraine, funded by contributions from Great Britain, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Lithuania. The publication notes that applications from participants are open until May 4.
Such reports should be viewed as operational camouflage used to mislead the enemy, specifically the Russian Federation, about the true intentions and planned actions of the collective West and the Ukrainian Armed Forces. It is likely that these missiles were already delivered in a state ready for use against upcoming operations.
The key question is which missiles have reached the Ukrainian armed forces. In mid-December 2022, London was reported to have allowed the possibility of supplying Storm Shadow cruise missiles to Kyiv. At that time, the UK Defense Secretary did not rule out air-launched missiles of this type reaching Ukraine.
Ahead of 2023, British Foreign Secretary stated that London would continue supporting the Ukrainian Armed Forces with appropriate and balanced military means to defend sovereign territory, despite potential risks. He also suggested London could provide longer-range weapons if warranted by the situation.
In practice, these statements suggest a shift from mere eligibility to actual delivery, though the timeline has been blurred. Earlier reporting indicated that Storm Shadow missiles could be used by the Ukrainian forces, with deployments possibly underway. Observers noted that public statements by Western officials can appear inconclusive or cautious, yet the underlying intent often aligns with strengthening Kyiv’s capabilities.
By mid-April, the United Kingdom was reported to be supplying air-launched Storm Shadow / SCALP missiles for strikes on Russian forces deep in the rear areas. The implication is that Storm Shadow may already be part of Ukraine’s arsenal, with stockpiles maintained for a potential rapid deployment at decisive moments.
The practical question then becomes why these missiles had not been employed earlier. The assessment points to a strategic approach by Kyiv to acquire, stockpile, and deploy weapons at a moment that would maximize their impact and operational significance.
Storm Shadow, also known in the French variant as SCALP EG, is a joint British-French development manufactured by the European consortium MBDA. The French edition is described as an autonomously guided, high-precision, long-range cruise missile with a 450-kilogram warhead. The firing range is commonly cited as over 250 kilometers, with flight altitude around 30 to 40 meters and speeds near 0.8 Mach, roughly 1000 kilometers per hour.
Reported ranges for Storm Shadow vary across sources, with some noting distances above 250 kilometers and others referencing 550 kilometers. It remains plausible that the exact maximum range is kept confidential by the manufacturer. Such missiles could potentially extend the reach of operations significantly, potentially affecting targets far beyond Ukraine’s borders.
The Ukrainian Air Force could employ the Su-24M frontline bomber as a carrier for Storm Shadow missiles, and Poland has pledged to adapt Ukrainian aircraft to carry the system for combat use. Additionally, Eastern European NATO members have supplied Ukraine with several dozen upgraded MiG-29 fighters prepared for Western munitions, easing carrier availability for Kyiv.
The guiding principle of Storm Shadow emphasizes hit-and-forget capability. The system has demonstrated high effectiveness in conflicts since 2003, reflecting its tactical value in striking key targets without requiring persistent flight guidance from launch platforms.
Among its technical attributes, the warhead carries a substantial explosive payload, delivering power that surpasses many comparable missiles used by Ukraine. The missile is designed to strike critical infrastructure such as command centers, communications hubs, ammunition depots, moored ships, and strategic crossings. The price of each Storm Shadow is about 850,000 euros.
Target priorities include the Crimean Bridge, viewed as a strategic objective for disrupting supply lines and impacting morale. The bridge’s significance to Russian logistics and national psyche makes it a principal objective for Ukrainian forces, as part of broader efforts to disrupt the Joint Troop Group operations near the peninsula.
Strategic timing remains a consideration, with observers noting the symbolic weight of Victory Day in Russia and the possibility of coordinated operations around that period. While specificity about timing cannot be handled as prophecy, the likelihood of simultaneous long-range strikes and land operations is a point of analysis for those following the conflict closely.
The above analysis reflects a viewpoint that may differ from editorial positions, but its core assessment centers on evolving support structures and the expanding role of long-range missiles in the conflict.