Russian forces were attacked in the occupied Ukrainian city of Luhansk on the morning of Monday, May 15, 2023 in a suspected attack using British Storm Shadow long-range missiles.
The target was a former aviation school believed to house a contingent of Vladimir Putin’s troops.
Two explosions rang out at the makeshift barracks, with videos of the aftermath of the strike showing the building ablaze and thick plumes of smoke billowing into the sky.
But what exactly are Storm Shadow missiles? How many Storm Shadow missiles does the UK have? How much does a Storm Shadow missile cost?
Here’s everything you need to know about the British-owned long-range missiles.
Britain has sent a shipment of Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine, allowing Kiev’s forces to reach deeper into Russian-held territory
What Are Storm Shadow Missiles?
The Storm Shadow missile was first developed in 1994, but was actually used by the French Ministry of Defense before being used by Britain as well, with the French ordering 500 missiles in 1998.
The missile weighs about 1,300 kg (2,900 lb), with a 450 kg (990 lb) conventional warhead.
It has a maximum body diameter of 48 centimeters (19 in) and a wingspan of three meters (120 in).
The missiles first saw operational use by British forces during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, where they were tested by the Royal Air Force’s 617 Squadron.
Also known as SCALP-EG missiles, they were used during the NATO intervention of the 2011 Libyan civil war.
Saudi Arabia also received Storm Shadows from the British government as part of their involvement in the conflict in Yemen.
How many Storm Shadow missiles does the UK have?
Recently, Storm Shadow missiles have been recognized for their use by Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia.
Delivery of the missiles to Ukraine was confirmed in May 2023 by the UK government – which has an estimated 700 to 1,000 Storm Shadows. This means that Ukraine is the only country publicly supplied with these missiles by the UK.
The Storm Shadow missiles, accurate to more than 150 miles, enable Ukrainian troops to get deeper into Russian-held territory than before. Pictured: a Eurofighter jet carrying two Storm Shadow missiles
The Storm Shadow missiles, accurate to more than 150 miles, enable Ukrainian troops to get deeper into Russian-held territory than before.
As a result, these missiles will play a key role in the country’s long-awaited counter-offensive against its occupiers.
This is because Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will push for more support for Kiev when he attends the G7 meeting in Japan and the Council of Europe in Reykjavik.
The prime minister vowed to send a “message of solidarity” as Ukraine tries to kick out Putin’s invading forces, saying it is in “all of our interests” that Zelensky succeed.
The talks came after the UK became the first country to deliver long-range precision missiles to Ukraine.
How much does a Storm Shadow missile cost?
A Storm Shadow missile costs about £2.54 million (US$3.19 million) each.
As a result of the attacks on Monday, May 15, 2023, Russian Member of Parliament Viktor Vodolatsky suffered minor injuries.
In its daily briefing, the Russian Defense Ministry responded to the attacks by claiming that its forces succeeded in downing a Storm Shadow missile.
Pro-Putin Russian MP Viktor Vodolatsky, 65, suffered minor injuries in the strikes
Volodymyr Zelensky traveled to the UK that same day to conduct “substantive negotiations” with the prime minister at his country residence in Checkers.
Zelensky has already held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron following a summit in Aachen where EU Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz all attended.
Speaking to other MPs about the UK’s decision to send the long-range missiles to Ukraine, Defense Secretary Ben Wallace stated: ‘The use of Storm Shadow will enable Ukraine to push back Russian forces based on Ukrainian sovereign territory are located’.
“Russia must recognize that only their actions led to the delivery of such systems.”