UK denies approval for Ukraine to use Storm Shadow missiles in Kursk offensive

The UK government has not authorized Ukraine to use Storm Shadow missiles as part of its offensive in Kursk.

“There has been no change,” a government source stated, Caliber.Az reports citing the foreign media.

Earlier, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer informed the Ukrainian president that British missiles could be used for defensive strikes against targets within Russia.

The announcement came as the new British prime minister met with President Zelenskyy at the NATO summit in Washington, DC. Mr. Starmer emphasized that the military aid would be used "in accordance with international humanitarian law."

"It is for defensive purposes, but it is up to Ukraine to decide how to deploy it for those defensive purposes. I won't get into specifics about targeting, as that would be inappropriate, but that is the position," Starmer added.

The Kursk region was subjected to a massive attack from Ukraine on August 6. The Defence Ministry reported that Ukrainian forces attempted to breach the border using tanks and armoured vehicles. Four more drones were shot down over the region. Acting Governor of the Kursk region, Alexei Smirnov, stated that he had a phone conversation with the president during the night, briefing him on the situation in the region.

Deputy Director of the Information Policy Department at the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations Artyom Sharov has announced that more than 76,000 people were evacuated from the border areas of the Kursk region to safe locations.

“The primary focus of the operational headquarters is relocating residents from these areas to safe locations. Since the beginning of this operation, over 76,000 people have been temporarily relocated to safe locations. Some have found accommodation with relatives and friends, while others have been placed in temporary accommodation centres. Currently, 60 temporary accommodation centres have been set up, housing over 4,400 individuals,” Sharov stated.

He noted that 26 temporary accommodation centres have been established directly within the Kursk region. Additionally, temporary shelters are operational in Oryol, Moscow, Tula, Voronezh, Lipetsk, Kaluga, and Tver.