The UK has said that it is giving Ukraine the long-range missiles it asked for its defense against Russian soldiers entering the country.
According to the manufacturer, the Storm Shadow cruise missile has a range of more than 250 km (155 miles).
The Himars missiles that Ukraine uses, however, only have a range of about 80 km (50 miles).
According to UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, the weapons will offer Ukraine the “best chance” of defending itself.
Since they are shot from aircraft, Ukrainian pilots will be able to remain further away from the front lines thanks to the longer range.
After taking off, the Storm Shadow descends to a low altitude to avoid being picked up by enemy radar before using an infrared seeker to lock onto its target.
Mr. Wallace made the statement in the House of Commons. The choice was made in response to Ukraine’s persistent requests for more Western armaments.
The missiles, according to Mr. Wallace, “will enable Ukraine to repel Russian forces stationed on Ukrainian sovereign territory.”
He claimed that once Russia “continued down a dark path” by attacking civilian facilities in Ukraine, the UK made the choice.
According to him, Mr. Wallace warned Sergei Shoigu in a letter sent in December that additional strikes might lead to the UK contributing more powerful weapons.