What are Storm Shadow missiles and why are they crucial for Ukraine?

The United Kingdom has recently supplied long-range Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine, following a request from Kyiv to bolster its defense against the ongoing Russian invasion. These missiles are crucial for Ukraine as they seek to enhance their military capabilities. Currently, Ukraine is limited to using these missiles only on targets within its own borders, but there is a growing urgency for the restrictions to be lifted so that they can strike targets inside Russia. This need arises from the daily bombardments that Ukrainian cities and military positions face from Russian forces, which launch missiles and glide bombs from bases located deep within Russia. Ukrainian officials argue that being unable to target these launch sites puts them at a significant disadvantage, akin to fighting a war with one arm tied behind their back. The Storm Shadow missile, known as Scalp in France, is a sophisticated Anglo-French cruise missile with a maximum range of approximately 250 kilometers, or 155 miles. It is designed to be launched from aircraft, flying at low altitudes to evade detection before descending to strike its target with a high-explosive warhead. This missile is particularly effective against fortified structures and ammunition depots, which are critical to Russia's military operations in Ukraine. However, the cost of each missile is nearly one million dollars, which necessitates careful planning and coordination in their deployment. Ukraine has successfully utilized these missiles to strike key Russian military installations, including the naval headquarters in Sevastopol, significantly impacting Russian naval operations in the Black Sea. Military analysts, such as Justin Crump, emphasize the effectiveness of Storm Shadow missiles in targeting well-defended positions in occupied territories. The ongoing conflict has prompted Kyiv to advocate for the use of these missiles against Russian airbases, which are responsible for launching attacks that have severely affected Ukrainian military efforts. The situation is dire, as Ukrainian cities are subjected to relentless attacks, with emergency services working tirelessly to extinguish fires caused by Russian shelling. While Ukraine has developed its own long-range drone program, which has occasionally caught Russian forces off guard, these drones have limitations in payload capacity and are often intercepted. Therefore, Ukraine argues that to effectively counter Russian air strikes, it requires long-range missiles like Storm Shadow, as well as comparable systems such as the American Atacms, which boasts an even greater range of 300 kilometers. The hesitation from Western nations to allow Ukraine to use these missiles against targets in Russia stems from concerns about escalation. The United States, in particular, fears that permitting Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory could provoke a severe response from President Vladimir Putin, potentially leading to a broader conflict. The White House has been cautious in its approach, aiming to provide support to Ukraine without becoming directly involved in a war with Russia, which could escalate to a catastrophic nuclear exchange. Despite these concerns, the US has allowed Ukraine to use Western-supplied missiles against targets in Crimea and the four regions that Russia illegally annexed in 2022. While Moscow considers these regions part of its territory, the international community, including the US, does not recognize these claims. The potential impact of Storm Shadow missiles on the conflict remains uncertain. Some experts believe that the prolonged request from Kyiv to use long-range missiles inside Russia may have allowed Moscow to take precautions, moving critical military assets further from the border. However, military analysts like Justin Crump suggest that while Russian air defenses have adapted to counter the Storm Shadow threat within Ukraine, the vastness of Russian territory presents new challenges for their defense systems. The introduction of Storm Shadow missiles could complicate Russian military logistics and command structures, making it more difficult for them to respond effectively. Matthew Savill, a director at the Rusi think tank, posits that lifting restrictions on Storm Shadow could unlock the use of other missile systems, such as Atacms, and create dilemmas for Russia regarding the positioning of its air defenses. Ultimately, while Storm Shadow missiles may provide some advantages to Ukraine, experts caution that they are unlikely to dramatically alter the course of the war.