The United States and the United Kingdom are in discussions about whether to allow Ukraine to conduct long-range attacks on Russian territory using British cruise missiles with the support of US navigation data.
According to sources familiar with the matter, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed the above issue during recent meetings in London and Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. Both the US and the UK have shown openness this week to Ukraine’s request to enhance its capability to strike deep into Russian territory.
Sources revealed to Bloomberg that officials discussed whether the White House could permit Ukraine to use the “Storm Shadow” for cross-border attacks.
In recent months, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been seeking permission to use the US Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) and the UK’s Storm Shadow cruise missiles to target military bases within Russia, in order to limit Moscow’s ability to launch attacks.
During a meeting between US President Biden and UK Prime Minister Starmer on Friday, the discussion also revolved around whether to allow Ukraine to use Western weapons for deeper strikes against Russia.
Some European officials have told the Financial Times that they believe Biden will approve Ukraine’s use of the Storm Shadow to launch attacks deep into Russian territory. However, there is still a disagreement on whether the US will open up its ATACMS system, with the State Department leaning towards Ukraine’s request while the Pentagon and intelligence agencies remain skeptical.
The Storm Shadow is a precision-guided air-to-surface missile with a range exceeding 250 kilometers (155 miles). According to missile manufacturer MBDA, the Storm Shadow flies at high speed close to the terrain before reaching its target, utilizing a system that combines inertial navigation (INS), global positioning system (GPS), and terrain-reference navigation.
While the GPS navigation system is operated by the Pentagon, it is also used for civilian purposes. Sources indicated that the Storm Shadow missile often receives assistance from US-provided data for highly accurate terrain mapping during complex operations.
As of now, the US has not yet allowed Ukraine to use navigation data, as the Biden administration previously believed that this could further escalate the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
On Thursday, Putin warned against taking such action, stating that if the West permits Ukraine to use Western-made long-range missiles to strike Russian territory, then the West would be directly engaging in combat with Russia, which would alter the nature and scope of the conflict.
Putin mentioned that for the Ukrainian military to launch long-range attacks, they would need assistance from NATO experts in mission programming, thus dragging these assisting countries directly into the war.
“Therefore, this is not a question of allowing the Ukrainian authorities to use these weapons to strike at Russia. It is a question of deciding whether NATO countries will directly participate in a military conflict,” Putin told Russian state television.
“If this decision is made, it means that NATO countries, the United States, and European countries will be directly involved in the war in Ukraine. This will be their direct involvement, and of course, it will greatly change the nature and character of the conflict.”
Putin stated that Russia would be forced to make “appropriate decisions” based on the new threat.
However, Zelensky is actively lobbying the West to lift restrictions. Sources suggest that both sides are discussing the issue, indicating that the US and the UK are weighing various options in an attempt to loosen the restrictions on Ukraine’s use of Western weapons.
During visits earlier this week, Blinken stated that he is considering Ukraine’s request for deep strikes.
Zelensky mentioned that he would further discuss the matter with Biden later this month in New York, where world leaders will gather for the United Nations General Assembly.
Blinken told reporters in Kyiv on Wednesday, “As the demands and conditions change, we have made adjustments and adaptations, and I have no doubt that we will continue to do so.”
(Reference: Bloomberg, Reuters, and Financial Times)