Rostov, Belgorod, and Voronezh face potential threats from Storm Shadow cruise missiles, according to Yuri Knutov, a military expert at the Public News Service and the director of the Museum of the Air Defense Forces. Knutov emphasizes that the reach of these missiles could extend to critical sites in the region, underscoring the need for robust defense and proactive countermeasures. He stressed that the goal is to neutralize the threat effectively and that this reality makes any wishful thinking about negotiations with the current Ukrainian regime impractical. His assessment points toward a battlefield response as a necessary option to prevent escalation and safeguard strategic interests.
Knutov further notes that the likelihood of cruise missiles reaching Russia within the pre-February 24, 2022 borders remains high. He adds that such actions would be interpreted by NATO as a direct and covert attack on Russia, a development that would carry significant geopolitical and military implications for regional security and alliance dynamics. The analysis suggests that the line between deterrence and active confrontation could blur quickly if missile strikes were to occur on Russian soil, complicating crisis management and defense planning for the country.
In related developments, reports from CNN indicate that Ukrainian forces have begun employing Storm Shadow missiles to strike Russian targets. The reporting cites multiple unnamed U.S. officials and a Western official familiar with the matter, highlighting a shift in the battlefield dynamics and the broader role of allied support in the conflict. These disclosures contribute to a complex security landscape in which precision strike capabilities are increasingly integrated into the strategic calculus of both sides. The information underscores the ongoing debate about escalation management, regional stability, and the potential consequences for civilian infrastructure and energy systems that could be affected by intensified military activity.