for the first time, kyiv will receive long-range missiles

The UK will become the first country to supply long-range missiles to Ukraine in response to “the aggression continues” of Russia, announced Thursday, May 11 the British Minister of Defense in Parliament. These cruise missiles have a range of more than 250 kilometers, more than any other weapons supplied to kyiv by Western countries. In particular, they have the ability to reach areas in eastern Ukraine controlled by Russian forces.

“The donation of these weapons systems gives Ukraine the best chance to defend itself against Russia’s continued brutality”, he added. They “will allow Ukraine to repel Russian forces based on the sovereign territory of Ukraine”. The Storm Shadow missile, which is being jointly developed by the UK and France, is launched from the air. It is called SCALP by the French army.

Promised by the United States in early February, long-range GLSDB rockets were also provided, according to Russian claims not denied by kyiv. Ukraine considers these munitions, with a range of up to 150 km, crucial to launch its next counter-offensive and threaten Russian positions far behind the front lines. Volodymyr Zelensky also assured Thursday that his army still needed time to prepare for this highly anticipated counter-offensive.