Ukraine Seeks Western Approval for Long-Range Missile Strikes on Russia

Ukraine has called on the West to authorise the use of long-range Storm Shadow missiles in a bid to launch strikes deep within Russian territory.

Kyiv believes that such strikes could force Moscow into negotiations and potentially bring an end to the ongoing war. Senior officials in Ukraine argue that a demonstration of their capacity to hit military targets near Russia’s key cities could pressure the Kremlin into reconsidering its stance.

The request marks a bold and risky strategy, hinging on the premise that Moscow might negotiate if it perceives a credible threat to its core heartlands, including Moscow and St Petersburg.

However, this approach has yet to gain significant support from the United States, which remains cautious about the potential for escalation.

Ukraine’s Military Struggles and Counter-Attacks

Ukraine’s desire to utilise the Anglo-French Storm Shadow missiles comes as its military faces intense pressure on the eastern front. Kyiv has repeatedly asked for permission to target Russian infrastructure with these advanced weapons, but progress has been limited.

Despite Ukraine’s army struggling in key battles in the Donbas region, where Russian forces have advanced close to the strategic city of Pokrovsk, officials believe that striking deeper into Russia could alter the dynamic.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy underscored the necessity of retaliation during a speech marking the country’s independence day, which also highlighted Moscow’s continued bombardment of civilian areas. Zelenskiy indicated that Ukraine would respond with attacks that would be “worthy, symmetrical, and long-range,” signalling a readiness to hit targets across Russia if given the chance.

Storm Shadow Missiles: A Controversial Request

The Anglo-French Storm Shadow missiles, jointly developed by MBDA—a European missile developer—have a range of about 190 miles. With some components originating from the United States, Washington’s approval is necessary before they can be deployed inside Russia. Thus far, the US has been hesitant to authorise such strikes, fearing an escalation of hostilities. American officials have also raised concerns about the missiles’ accuracy over long distances.

Despite these reservations, Ukraine is determined to proceed with counter-attacks. Recent operations have included drone strikes inside Russia, targeting both Moscow and military airbases. Ukrainian officials believe that these drone strikes are necessary for limiting the number of attacks from Russian glide bombs.

Strategic Reassessment and Military Pressure

Kyiv’s military leadership believes that demonstrating the ability to strike inside Russia may compel the Kremlin to reassess its strategy. While drone strikes have been launched with some success, many in Ukraine feel that more significant military pressure is required to shift Russia’s calculus. However, there is scepticism regarding the impact that such attacks would have on President Vladimir Putin’s determination to continue the conflict.

John Foreman, a former UK defence attaché to Russia and Ukraine, cautioned against becoming overly focused on long-range missile strikes and urged Ukraine to concentrate on defending its territory, particularly in the Donbas.

Meanwhile, Russian forces remain committed to their strategy of attrition, which Kyiv fears could eventually wear down Ukraine’s defences.

Diplomatic and Military Responses

While the use of Storm Shadow missiles remains a contentious issue, Kyiv continues to assert that its actions are justified in response to Russia’s ongoing aggression. Zelenskiy’s government maintains that Ukraine has a legitimate right to self-defence, a sentiment echoed by the UK government, which has thus far refrained from officially seeking US permission to allow Ukraine to target sites within Russia using the missiles. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has reaffirmed Britain’s commitment to supporting Ukraine “for as long as it takes.”

Meanwhile, on the battlefield, Ukraine has achieved modest territorial gains, with a surprise incursion into Russia’s Kursk province earlier this month. Ukrainian forces have claimed control of 1,250 square kilometres of Russian territory, but their advance has slowed in recent days. At the same time, Ukrainian forces have lost ground in key areas of the Donbas, with Russian troops inching closer to the important transport hub of Pokrovsk.

In addition to military manoeuvres, Russia and Ukraine exchanged more than 100 prisoners of war this week. Among those released were Ukrainian soldiers captured during the early days of the conflict, while Russian soldiers who had been captured during Ukraine’s offensive in the Kursk region were also returned to Russia for medical treatment.

Read also:

Ukrainian Operation in Kursk: A Military Manoeuvre Kept Under Wraps by General Syrskyi

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