Ukraine seeks Western approval to use long-range missiles against Russia

Ukraine seeks Western approval to use long-range missiles against Russia Ukraine is seeking permission from Western allies to use long-range Storm Shadow missiles to target locations deep inside Russia, in a move that Kyiv believes could push Moscow to negotiate an end to the ongoing conflict.

Senior Ukrainian officials have suggested that a "demonstration attack" using the Anglo-French Storm Shadow missiles could expose vulnerabilities in Russian military sites near Moscow, signalling to the Kremlin that even its capital could be within reach of direct strikes, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

A senior government official in Kyiv emphasized that Russia might only consider negotiations if it perceives a credible threat to major cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg. However, this strategy is seen as highly risky and has not yet garnered the support of the United States.

For months, Ukraine has been lobbying to be allowed to deploy Storm Shadow missiles against targets inside Russia, but these efforts have so far been met with resistance. Despite this, there is a growing belief in Kyiv that a counter-attack using long-range capabilities could be its best chance as Ukrainian forces face challenges on the eastern front.

In a speech on Ukraine's Independence Day, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine's commitment to retaliate against Russia's full-scale invasion, which began "913 days ago" in February 2022. Zelenskyy highlighted the need to respond, particularly to Moscow's use of aerial bombs and ballistic missiles against Ukrainian civilians. "Our enemy will also know what Ukrainian retaliation means," Zelenskyy stated.

"Worthy, symmetrical, and long-range. They will know that, sooner or later, a Ukrainian response will reach any point in the Russian Federation that poses a danger to the life of our state and our people."