Britain is supplying "Storm Shadow" cruise missiles to Ukraine. In the war against Russia, the weapon can be a "game changer". Why?
London/Kiev – It's bad news for Russia: Ukraine has set its sights on a machine factory and an oil storage facility in the occupied city of Luhansk. At the time of the attack on Saturday (May 13, 2023), it was 90 kilometers from the front line of the Ukraine war. Out of range of the Himars and Mars II rocket launchers, which the Ukrainian Armed Forces already possess. For the Russian military, it was clear that it had to be "Storm Shadow" cruise missiles.
The "Storm Shadows" were delivered to Ukraine by Great Britain. This was confirmed by British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace last Thursday (11 May 2023). The exact number of marsh flaug bodies is unknown. Back in February, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the delivery of "longer-range weapons" to Ukraine.
"Storm Shadow" as a possible "game changer" in the Ukraine war?
The "Storm Shadow" cruise missiles are part of a series of arms deliveries by Western states to Ukraine during Zelensky's trip to Europe. For a high-ranking U.S. military, however, the weapon is a "game changer," reports the American news channel CNN. He emphasizes the benefits, especially with regard to the planned Ukrainian counteroffensive.
The "Storm Shadow" cruise missiles supplied by the UK can be a "game changer" in the Ukraine war. (Archive photo) © Ben Stansall/AFP
At around 250 kilometres, the cruise missiles have a significantly longer range than the US multiple rocket launcher Himars and the German Mars II rocket launchers that Ukraine has been using so far. This gives the Ukrainian Armed Forces the opportunity to strike at targets far behind the front line. At the same time, they are difficult to identify due to the low flight altitude of 30-40 meters.
The cruise missiles are traveling at a speed of almost 1000 kilometers per hour and can change their target while still in flight. They have a double-charge warhead, so they can first break the armor of their target before the actual charge detonates. The guided missiles are suitable for use against bunkers that are up to nine meters underground.
Ukraine can use "Storm Shadow" to strike at strategic targets of Russia
The weapon is therefore intended for use against fixed strategic targets such as bases, command centers and logistics centers. It can also be used to attack important infrastructure facilities. In this way, Ukraine can disrupt supplies to Russian soldiers on the front line and force Russia to move its central facilities further behind the front line or use resources to protect them against air strikes.
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Specifically, Crimea, annexed by Russia, is also within range of Ukrainian air strikes. This leads to a dilemma for the Russian military, Christian Mölling of the German Council on Foreign Relations told the FAZ. They would now have to protect installations and troop transports against air raids.
Russian soldiers in Crimea become a target of Ukraine thanks to "Storm Shadow"
Ukraine, in turn, could cut off Russian supplies to Crimea by attacking a railway line from Donbass to Crimea. After the damage to the Crimean Bridge, this became the main supply route for Russian soldiers in Crimea.
However, Ukraine should not attack targets in Russia, even if they are within range of the "Storm Shadows". The British Defense Secretary stressed that the long-range weapons would only be used to push back Russian troops in "Ukrainian sovereign territory". According to CNN, Ukraine has promised to do so.
For the West, "Storm Shadow" also offers a low risk, as military analyst and ex-military Sean Bell told Sky News in the UK. They are very useful, but the technology is 25 years old. "If it goes to the Russians, no big secrets will be lost." (ms)
