Kyiv wants to launch Anglo-French Storm Shadow missiles at Russia’s heartlands as ‘demonstration’ attacks

Ukraine wants permission from the west to use long-range Storm Shadow missiles to destroy targets deep inside Russia, believing this could force Moscow into negotiating an end to the fighting.

Senior figures in Kyiv have suggested that using the Anglo-French weapons in a “demonstration attack” will show the Kremlin that military sites near the capital itself could be vulnerable to direct strikes.

The thinking, according to a senior government official, is that Russia will consider negotiating only if it believes Ukraine had the ability “to threaten Moscow and St Petersburg”. This is a high-risk strategy, however, and does not so far have the support of the US.

Ukraine has been lobbying for months to be allowed to use Storm Shadow against targets inside Russia, but with little success. Nevertheless, as its army struggles on the eastern front, there is a growing belief that its best hope lies in counter-attack.

  • @Olgratin_MagmatoeEnglish
    2•22 days ago

    Yeah thanks for the cordial discussion.

    Of course. It’s always nice to have a polite discussion. It’s hard to have them, especially in an election year.

    And again, I agree with everything you said.

    where instead they should be explaining to their out-of-touch aunts and uncles

    I agree, though the individual strategy there is very case by case basis. I know for me, personally, my parents wouldn’t change their mind ever. I could show them gorey picture after gorey picture sandwiched with mass graves, and they’d be unphased.

    It’s a tough situation when your family is so stubborn.