LONDON: The United States is preventing Britain from allowing Ukraine to use Storm Shadow missiles against Russia, amid concerns about escalating the conflict between the two countries, according to a report by The Times.
Despite Ukraine’s requests, Western nations, including the US, have restricted Ukraine’s access to long-range weapons such as ATACMS and Storm Shadow missiles to avoid deep strikes into Russia.
This restriction comes as Ukraine has recently launched an incursion into Russia’s Kursk Oblast, gaining control over significant areas in the region.
The Times reports that the UK government sought to ease these restrictions over a month ago but has yet to receive a response from the US. A UK government source indicated that the request is “stuck in the system,” while another source noted that discussions about Storm Shadow with allies are ongoing. A defence official described the situation as part of a “routine US process.”
British officials believe the US is waiting to evaluate the impact of Ukraine’s operation in Kursk Oblast before making a decision.
Meanwhile, a representative of Ukraine’s Defense Committee mentioned that Western restrictions led Ukraine to launch operations within Russian territory.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly requested permission to use American ATACMS and British Storm Shadow missiles for deep strikes into Russia but has been denied each time.
