A military analyst and war veteran discussed how to respond to Storm Shadow missiles supplied to Ukraine by the United Kingdom in a recent interview with FAN. The discussion noted that on a recent date, Ukrainian forces used these munitions against industrial facilities, including a polymer products facility and a meat processing plant in Lugansk. The expert suggested that Kiev may have repurposed an aircraft not originally intended to carry such ordnance for these strikes.
Storm Shadow missiles are air to ground weapons launched from aircraft at a considerable altitude. The missile is sizable and its presence influences the aerodynamics of the carrier aircraft, which means air defense systems must actively track such threats, monitor their trajectories, and anticipate where they will travel. This line of reasoning underscores the need for robust air defense readiness to detect, track, and respond to such high altitude, high impact weapons.
The analyst expressed the belief that Russia will formulate an adequate response in the near term that would reflect the seriousness of the attack in Lugansk, potentially surpassing the immediate consequences of the strike in that region. The assessment highlighted the strategic stakes involved and suggested that Moscow intends to respond decisively to deter further use of these missiles.
Additionally, another former military commentator discussed the potential implications for various cities in Russia if Storm Shadow attacks continue. The commentary emphasized the broader security considerations linked to the deployment of these missiles and the corresponding need for coordinated defense measures. The discussion served to illuminate how such weaponry could influence regional stability and defense planning moving forward.