Russia claims it shot down two British Storm Shadow missiles, and UK confirms support for Ukraine – Firstpost

A day after British media confirmed that Ukraine had launched UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles at targets in Russia’s Kursk region, Russia’s Defense Ministry on Thursday said its air defenses had shot down two of the missiles in the past 24 hours.

According to Russia today The ministry did not say in the report exactly where the UK-supplied ammunition was intercepted when it broke the news during its briefing on Thursday.

On Wednesday BBC Citing sources in the defense department, it was reported that Ukraine launched Storm Shadow missiles at targets in the Kursk region of Russia.

The statement came a day after outgoing US President Joe Biden reportedly authorized Kyiv to use US ATACMS missiles to strike territory that is internationally recognized as part of Russia.

London has not officially confirmed that it has allowed Ukraine to use British missiles against targets in Russia, but BBC reported that Defense Secretary John Healey spoke to his Ukrainian counterpart on Tuesday.

Earlier, Healey told parliament the UK was “doubling down” on its support for Ukraine, noting its success in combat. BBC also highlighted images on Telegram showing what appeared to be fragments of a Storm Shadow missile in the Kursk region of Russia, which experts confirmed matched British missiles, although the time and location could not be verified.

Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told parliament on Thursday that the country “will support Ukraine with what is needed for as long as it is needed.”

“We have constantly stated that we will do everything possible to support Ukraine and put it in the best position before winter. British support for Ukraine is always aimed at self-defense,” The Guardian quotes Starmer.

“This is proportionate, coordinated and flexible, it is a response to Russia’s own actions and is in accordance with international law in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter,” he added.

He said Ukraine has a clear right to self-defense against Russia’s unlawful attacks.

“So, I say again, Russia could withdraw its forces and end this war tomorrow, but until then, we will stand up for what we believe is right for the security of Ukraine and our own security, and we will support Ukraine by necessary as long as it is necessary,” he repeated.

Starmer said he was proud of Parliament for showing unified cross-party support for Ukraine through more than 1,000 days of conflict.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has insisted that NATO partners get permission to launch long-range strikes against Russia, prompting President Vladimir Putin to warn the alliance in September.

Putin said Ukraine could not launch NATO-provided long-range missiles without U.S. help, meaning such attacks would mean outright war between the West and Russia.

Russia’s updated nuclear doctrine, approved this week, argues that an attack on Russia by a non-nuclear state backed by a nuclear power should be considered a joint attack. The doctrine aims to ensure that “a potential aggressor realizes that retaliation will be inevitable” if Russia’s security is threatened.

According to Russia todayOn Tuesday, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, now deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, warned that in response to long-range attacks, “Russia reserves the right to retaliate with weapons of mass destruction against Kyiv and key NATO installations, wherever they may be.” . may be located.”

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called the first ATACMS missile launch into Russia’s Bryansk region on Tuesday “a clear sign that they (the US and its allies) want to escalate” the conflict.

With the participation of agencies