The United Kingdom has secretly delivered dozens of Storm Shadow cruise missiles to Ukraine, Bloomberg reported on November 26.
This marks the first such shipment under Prime Minister Keir Starmer and comes as Kyiv faces a critical shortage of long-range munitions.
Sources revealed that the resupply took place discreetly several weeks ago.
The UK Ministry of Defence declined to comment on operational specifics, stating, “To do so would only benefit Vladimir Putin.” However, the ministry emphasized that Britain’s support for Ukraine remains “ironclad.”
The missiles arrived before London and Washington formally approved Ukraine’s use of long-range munitions against targets inside Russia.
Ukrainian forces have since used Storm Shadows in high-profile strikes, including attacks on Russian military facilities in Bryansk last week. These operations followed the deployment of US-supplied Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS).
Western officials confirmed that Moscow’s deployment of North Korean troops to bolster its forces in Ukraine was a key factor in the decision to allow such strikes.
Strategic Impact
A Storm Shadow missile strike on November 20 reportedly hit a Russian command facility in Mariino, Kursk region, killing an estimated 500 North Korean soldiers and injuring a North Korean general.
At the G20 summit in Brazil on the same day, Prime Minister Starmer reaffirmed the UK’s unwavering support for Ukraine, pledging to “double down” on assistance without revealing specific measures.
Western leaders view these deliveries as a way to bolster Ukraine’s position in potential peace negotiations.
