British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace confirmed on Thursday that Ukraine’s armed forces have used the Storm Shadow missiles provided by London, which have a range of more than 155 miles.
“All I can confirm is it has been used successfully, that is the information I received from the Ukrainians, and I’m pleased it is helping them to defend their country,” Wallace told CNN.
The Russian Defense Ministry said on May 14 that Ukraine had used Storm Shadow missiles in an attack on the eastern Donbas city of Luhansk and said civilian targets were hit. Russia later claimed that its forces shot down several Storm Shadows.
The Storm Shadows can be fired by Ukraine’s Soviet fighter jets and have a significantly longer range than the munitions the US has provided for the HIMARS rocket systems. Providing such long-range munitions brings a major risk of escalation as they could be used to target Russian territory.
Wallace signaled the UK wouldn’t oppose Ukraine using the Storm Shadows in attacks on Crimea, which Russia has controlled since 2014, but Ukraine and its allies don’t consider Russian territory. “It’s their sovereign soil,” Wallace said when asked about a Ukrainian attempt to retake Crimea.
“It’s a bit like you asking me if the US were choosing to take back parts of Texas from an enemy that had invaded it,” Wallace added. “Britain isn’t going to stand in the way of that.”
While Ukraine’s Western backers approve of attacks on Crimea, they could be just as escalatory as attacks on the Russian mainland. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has previously acknowledged that the peninsula was a “red line” for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Crimea is an absolute. It secures their access to the Black Sea-Mediterranean-Suez.
Crimea is an historical part of Mother Russia. I do not believe the Russians will allow anyone to steal it.
For 400 years, I believe.
LOL how will they take Crimea? The idea is delusional.
“Britain Confirms Ukraine Has Used Storm Shadow Missiles”
More blood on the hands of the UK as Ukraine attacks civilians.
The majority of the British may take that as an honor. That’s a country that celebrates destroying other countries’ dams. You may not find a more insane warmongering population anywhere else. …Well, maybe with the exception of our population? …What’s that? …Okay, chill. I said “maybe?” (Sarcasm alert)
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/20/us/airstrike-us-isis-dam.html
When our secretary of defense, er I mean state, says Crimea is a red line for Russia, you know it’s a red line for Russia.
If Putin hadn’t invaded Ukraine Russia would have gotten away with illegally annexing Crimea. Now the Ukrainians are really pissed off. I hope the Ukrainians agree to a plebiscite. But after all the Ukraine has suffered, they may not want to conceded Crimea. Putin made this mess. Now the Russians and Ukrainians have to live with it. Expanding NATO, possibly losing Crimea and starting a permanent war that won’t end until Russia withdraws from Ukraine. Like watching a slow motion train wreck.
Russia won’t lose Ukraine. Not even a possibility regardless how “pissed off” the Ukrainians are. Unless, of course, you want a real war.
‘Russia won’t lose Ukraine”
Wow, that came from the heart.
Yeah Don, you caught me. I didn’t me “in” Ukraine now did I?
Apparently the government of the British Royal elite doesn’t read the papers, as everyone already knew this.
Also wondering what sort of juvenile makes up these nerdy names for military crap.
“It’s a bit like you asking me if the US were choosing to take back parts of Texas from an enemy that had invaded it,” Wallace added. “Britain isn’t going to stand in the way of that.”
Like Britain doesn’t stand in the way of the US taking back parts of Syria. Oh wait, that’s right, Syria is on the other side of the world and isn’t part of the US. Silly me. Plus, using Texas as an example must have completely escaped this guy.
Little boys and their toys,,,sad. One day Russia is going to say “Game on” to U.K and the USA as the nukes take out some of their cities, reality time.
Crimea IS Russian mainland.
Notice how they are not reporting how many Storm Shadows the Russians have shot down (hint – pretty much all of them). More overrated western military junk.
I have always wondered why the decision by Yanukovych to sign a trade deal with Russia instead of the EU would trigger an effort by the US to engineer a coup against him. Did Hillary/Obama/Biden do that to further US interests? Or were we asked to do it by somebody who desperately needed the EU agreement to win?
Also, I’ve wondered why England and Poland seem uniquely determined to create scenarios that would push NATO into direct contact with Russian forces.
The rest of Europe would do well to put these two countries on a leash. It is not sane for the rest of Europe to allow the US, the UK, and Poland to expand the crisis beyond the borders of Ukraine.
I have always wondered why the decision by Yanukovych to sign a trade deal with Russia instead of the EU would trigger an effort by the US to engineer a coup against him. Did Hillary/Obama/Biden do that to further US interests? Or were we asked to do it by somebody who desperately needed the EU agreement to win?
Also, I’ve wondered why England and Poland seem uniquely determined to create scenarios that would push NATO into direct contact with Russian forces.
The rest of Europe would do well to put these two countries on a leash. It is not sane for the rest of Europe to allow the US, the UK, and Poland to expand the crisis beyond the borders of Ukraine.