All about the Storm Shadow cruise missile that Ukraine could potentially use to attack Russia

New Delhi:

Ukraine plans to change its war strategy and use long-range cruise missiles aimed deep into Russian territory. Kyiv has so far used its missiles only on its own territory, which the Russian military has penetrated.

According to recent reports, Britain, a key NATO member, has authorized Ukraine to use Storm Shadow cruise missiles against Russian territory, a move that could shift Moscow's red lines in the conflict.

Russia, with the support of its NATO allies, expects a change in strategy from Ukraine and stated earlier this month that the West's escalation of the war in Ukraine had made it necessary for Moscow to revise its nuclear doctrine.

Britain has reportedly given Ukraine the green light to use Storm Shadow cruise missiles to attack Russian territory.

This new development comes at a time when the war between Russia and Ukraine has significantly escalated. Russia has increased its missile attacks, while Ukraine has responded with an increase in drone attacks.

So far, there are restrictions on the use of modern Western weapons against targets on Russian territory. However, this is likely to change with the publication of corresponding clearances by Great Britain.

Ukraine already has the Storm Shadow missile, but uses it exclusively within its territory to combat Russian forces.

The Storm Shadow missile

Storm Shadow is a long-range, hard-to-detect, air-launched cruise missile. It was developed jointly by the UK and France and has a range of around 500 km. It has already been installed on Ukrainian combat aircraft, including Russian-built Su-24 bombers – a legacy from when Ukraine was part of the former Soviet Union.

Storm Shadow is a long-range, hard-to-detect, air-launched cruise missile.

The Storm Shadow missile was developed in 1994 and manufactured by Matra and British Aerospace. It is now manufactured by MBDA Systems. “Storm Shadow” is the British name of the weapon; in France it is called SCALP-EG.

The Storm Shadow missile has a range of around 500 km and can attack areas deep inside Russia. (Image credit: Posted on X by @TopLeadEU)

How the export of such long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine could be approved is still unclear, as the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), of which the UK is a founding member, restricts the export of missiles with a range of more than 300 km and a payload of 500 kg. Although the Storm Shadow missile has a warhead of less than 500 kg, it violates MTCR regulations in terms of its over-range capability.

However, the MTCR is an informal political agreement between member states and its rules are not always binding.

THE IMPACT

If Ukraine is given the green light to use cruise missiles to attack Russian territory, the Russian response could be massive. The international fear is that Moscow could seriously consider using nuclear weapons in such a scenario.

The British name of the weapon is “Storm Shadow”, in France it is called SCALP-EG.

The Kremlin blamed “collective actions by the West” in Ukraine for Russia’s revision of its nuclear doctrine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said earlier this month.

Without disclosing what changes to Russia's nuclear doctrine will be, Moscow has stated that certain changes in policy are necessary regarding the circumstances for the use of its nuclear weapons.

President Vladimir Putin enacted the current nuclear doctrine four years ago. According to it, Russia can use nuclear weapons if it is subjected to a nuclear attack or if a conventional attack threatens the existence of the state.

An update of the Russian nuclear doctrine is now necessary “against the background of the challenges and threats posed by the countries of the so-called collective West,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

“Moscow believes that Ukraine could attack deep inside Russia with long-range missiles and other weapons from the United States and its NATO allies,” Peskov said, adding: “Ukraine will obviously do that, and we are taking that into account.”

INDIA'S ATTEMPT FOR PEACE

Meanwhile, India is trying to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is currently in Moscow for a summit of national security advisors. He met with Vladimir Putin on Thursday and is said to have a peace plan from Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his luggage.

Prime Minister Modi visited Russia in July and Ukraine last month. He was warmly received by both Putin and Zelensky and is considered one of the very few world leaders to have close ties with both leaders.

It is not yet known whether such a peace plan will be accepted by Russia, but India, which has friendly relations with both countries, has offered to do its part to end the war.