Britain did not allow Ukraine to use Storm Shadow to strike Russia

Downing Street said that the government's policy has not changed regarding the deployment of long-range missiles, despite comments from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer suggesting that he was easing restrictions on missile use.

The British government allowed Kyiv to launch missiles at targets in Crimea and mainland Ukraine since their supply last year but prohibited using them to strike targets on Russian territory. Officials fear that such a move would escalate the war and potentially draw the UK into conflict with Russia.

Sources confirmed that the missiles have not been used this year and emphasized that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would have to "seek assurances elsewhere" before Ukraine could launch cruise missiles at Russian territory.

They added that these guarantees are not a final decision.

A senior source in the defense department stated that the situation is "more nuanced" than the Ukrainian president suggested. They added that permission to launch a strategic missile into Russian territory would require the signatures of three countries, one of which is the UK. France manufactures Storm Shadow together with the UK.

"It’s not going to happen," the source added when asked if Ukraine would launch Storm Shadow at Russia.

Strikes on Russian territory

Media reports indicate that in early July, officials from the US and Western countries began urging the White House to lift all restrictions on Ukraine's use of American weapons against targets on Russian territory.

Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the UK allowed Ukraine to use Storm Shadow missiles to strike military targets on Russian territory.

Before this, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer hinted that Ukraine could use Storm Shadow missiles to strike Russia.