British media reports indicate that the United Kingdom has suspended its supply of Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine, reportedly due to concerns about maintaining sufficient stockpiles for its own defense.
The Times reported on November 17, citing defense sources, that London "is reluctant to send more long-range Storm Shadow cruise missiles" to Kyiv because stockpiles have dipped below the minimum levels needed for operational readiness, and military commanders want to retain enough missiles to safeguard Britain's own interests.
Other sources suggested that the UK Ministry of Defense is hesitant to provide more Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine until Western nations ease restrictions on the use of long-range weapons against targets deep inside Russian territory, fearing that their effectiveness may be compromised.
The news comes a week after a senior Ukrainian official expressed disappointment at the UK’s delay in delivering additional Storm Shadow missiles. "Prime Minister Keir Starmer has not yet supplied us with long-range weapons. This is not the same as when Rishi Sunak was prime minister," the official told The Guardian. The UK Ministry of Defense spokesperson declined to comment on stockpile levels, including the number of Storm Shadow missiles in reserve. "The UK remains fully committed to supporting Ukraine, and Prime Minister Starmer has made it clear that his government will stand by Kyiv for as long as it takes," the spokesperson said.
Kyiv is reportedly concerned that a victory by Donald Trump in the U.S. presidential election could reduce military aid from Washington. An unnamed Ukrainian official indicated that the country is keen for Prime Minister Starmer to commit to providing more Storm Shadow cruise missiles.
Pressure is also mounting on the United States regarding whether to allow Ukraine to use Western-supplied long-range weapons against targets inside Russia. On November 17, anonymous U.S. officials stated that President Joe Biden's administration had approved the use of U.S.-supplied long-range weapons by Ukraine to strike deep within Russian territory.
However, Ukraine still awaits U.S. approval to use Storm Shadow/SCALP EG missiles for such purposes, even though these weapons are jointly produced by the UK and France. The Biden administration previously rejected this due to concerns about escalating the conflict with Russia.
Former UK Defense Secretary Grant Shapps has urged Prime Minister Starmer to authorize Ukraine's use of these weapons without waiting for U.S. approval. "There is no need to wait for President Biden, and we should stop pretending that it is necessary. We should act, and the Americans will follow," Shapps said. The Storm Shadow/SCALP EG missile, developed in collaboration between the UK and France, can reach speeds of up to 1,000 km/h and has a range of 250-560 km, depending on the variant. Each missile costs over $3 million.
Ukraine has previously used Storm Shadow missiles to strike areas under Russian control in Crimea and the Donbas region, including Donetsk and Luhansk provinces. Russia claims to have intercepted several Storm Shadow missiles and reportedly recovered parts of some missiles for further analysis.
(According to Times, AFP, AP)
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