A UK-made Storm Shadow missile, with a range of up to 300 km (186 miles)
Ukraine War, Day 933: Putin Worries About Long-Range Strikes Inside Russia
I joined Times Radio and Poland’s TVP World on Thursday morning to analyze the likelihood that permission will finally be given by Ukraine’s allies for Kyiv’s strikes on targets inside Russia.
Watch Times Radio
Speaking with Rosie Wright, I explain the scenario where the US, having held up the strikes for months, will soon agree that UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles can be used.
The Kremlin’s line to limit international support for Ukraine, especially military support, is “if you do that, we’ll come after you”.
What UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy is doing is setting up a second layer and saying, “Let’s get past the Kremlin’s propaganda and show how the situation has changed.”
Watch TVP World
I take a wider look at the statements of Blinken and Lammy, considering the state of international support for Kyiv and of commitments to the defense of NATO members such as Poland.
The first step will not be that Ukraine can use the US missiles inside Russia. Instead, it will able to use the British Storm Shadows because the Biden Administration has finally changed its position.
“The first step will not be that Ukraine can use the US missiles inside Russia. Instead, it will able to use the British Storm Shadows because the Biden Administration has finally changed its position.”
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What happened to the JASSM? Did the Pentagon say no to the Administration?
[Editor’s Note: Professor Lucas does not agree.]
As for Iran allegedly supplying Russia with ballistic missiles: Has Israel’s attacks on Iranian assets in the region, Israel’s intention to invade Lebanon, and the large-scale US navy presence in the region forced Iran to seek a security partnership with Russia? This appears to be the case. If Iran has supplied Russia with missiles, I think Tehran’s actions have been dictated by expediency. I am sure Professor Lucas agrees.
Iran wanted Russian air defense and jamming equipment, to protect itself from an Israeli (and US) attack. Russia supplied it.
Since Ukraine does not possess the satellite reconnaissance capability to operate the Storm Shadow missiles required for precision targeting, to what degree is NATO involving itself in the conflict? And can the Ukrainians operate such a sophisticated ballistic missiles system with just a few weeks of training? It is highly unlikely.
So, my questions for Professor Lucas:
1. Is the nature of the war changing? If it is,….
2. Is NATO about to engage in direct military conflict with Russia?
3. Does Foreign Secretary Lammy really believe that Storm Shadow attacks on Russian cities will not necessitate a Russian response of any kind on NATO soil?