Following extensive speculation this morning, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has just confirmed reports surrounding Britains decision to send long-range missiles to Ukraine, APA reports citing Sky News.
"Today, I can confirm that the UK is donating Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine. Storm Shadow is a long-range conventional-only precision strike capability," Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said.
"It complements the long-range systems already gifted, including HIMARS and Harpoon missiles, as well as Ukraine's own Neptune Cruise missile and longer-range missions elsewhere gifted," Ben Wallace noted.
Moscow has previously warned against Kyiv's allies providing long-range weaponry, saying it would cross a "red line".
Storm Shadow missiles have an operational range of over 350 miles.
***13:47
Britain has supplied Ukraine with 'Storm Shadow' long-range cruise missiles, a Western official said on Thursday, APA reports citing CNN.
CNN first reported the decision, citing multiple senior Western officials. It said Britain had received assurances from the Ukrainian government that these missiles would be used only within Ukrainian sovereign territory and not inside Russia.
Britain's defence minister Ben Wallace and the foreign minister James Cleverly have been in the United States for talks on supporting Ukraine in recent weeks.
The Ministry of Defence in London declined to comment.
Storm Shadow, manufactured by European missile maker MBDA, is an air-launched long range missile, designed for attacks against high value targets such as hardened bunkers and key infrastructure, according to the company's website.
They have a range of more than 250 kilometers (155.34 miles), according to the manufacturer.
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