Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov has announced that the Storm Shadow cruise missiles supplied by the UK have successfully hit all of their Russian targets so far.
The missiles, delivered earlier this month, are expected to provide long-range strike capability to Kyiv’s forces in support of their planned spring offensive.
“Out of the total number of Storm Shadow launches that have already taken place, all 100% hit the targets set by the General Staff,” Reznikov told a local television station.
British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said the weapon system gives Ukraine the “best chance” to defend itself against Moscow’s continued “brutality.”
He also stated that the Storm Shadow would allow the war-torn nation to push back invading Russian forces.
‘Crossing a Red Line’
Moscow views the UK decision to send Storm Shadow cruise missiles to Ukraine as an “extremely hostile” move.
London reportedly crossed a Russian red line when it became the first country to provide Kyiv with long-range weapons capable of penetrating deep into Russian territory.
Jointly developed by the UK and France, the air-launched Storm Shadow can hit targets more than 250 kilometers (155 miles) away.
It is capable of precisely engaging enemy assets in adverse weather day or night.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had repeatedly asked the US and its allies for long-range weapons, but Washington refused to heed the call to prevent a serious escalation of the conflict.
Contradicting Reports
Reznikov’s announcement comes amid reports that Russian forces intercepted two Storm Shadow missiles last week.
However, the time and place of the interceptions were not disclosed.
A spokesman for the Donetsk People’s Republic defense and security forces also claimed that Moscow’s air defenses are becoming more effective in destroying the long-range weapons.
“The air defense systems are increasingly successful in countering the British missiles. Every day the number of Storm Shadows destroyed in the sky grows,” the spokesperson told the state-run TASS news agency.