Former British Defense Secretary explains to the government the importance of striking deep into Russia
8 September, 2024 The Storm Shadow missile under the wing of the Ukrainian Su-24M(MR). August 2023. Frame from the video of the Ukrainian Air Force
The former British Defense Secretary urged the government to lift restrictions on using Storm Shadow missiles for Ukraine. In an interview with The Sunday Times, Grant Shapps stated that it is time to stop asking "President Zelensky's brave population to fight with their hands tied behind their backs." "Given the way that Putin is targeting men, women, and children using bombs, often launched from Russia, we must now urgently approve the use of our long-range weapons into Russia," Grant Shapps said.
Shapps noted that the missiles are supposed to hit the source of the Russian attacks. He emphasized that the UK must issue a straightforward warning to Putin: "If you continue to murder men, women, and children with glide bombs launched from Russia, then we will lead the rest of the world to authorize our long-range missiles to take out your launchers, regardless of where they happen to be - even inside Russia."
Grant Shapps. Photo: Ministry of Defense of the United Kingdom
In his opinion, now is the time to remind ourselves that what is happening in Ukraine is not just about Ukraine. "This applies to us as well.
It is about protecting our entire way of life... Putin is wrong about us. Supporting a system with democratic winners and losers is not a weakness.
It is a strength. But we can only sustain it if we stand up for others whose democracy is under threat," Shapps said. He also called on other countries to allow Ukraine to use long-range weapons against targets on the territory of the Russian Federation.
"We should provide permission for our Storm Shadows to be used and invite the French, the Americans, and even our more reticent German partners to join us. With a simple ultimatum to Putin: stop your attacks on Ukraine, or we will support Ukraine's response," the former British Defense Secretary emphasized.
Storm Shadow cruise missile
Previously, the U.S. Secretary of Defense stated that Ukraine has significant capabilities to attack long-range targets.
Russia has moved its aircraft beyond the range of ATACMS, so the US is focusing on helping to defend Ukraine's territory. "Ukraine already has significant capabilities of its own to attack targets beyond the capabilities of ATACMS or Storm Shadow. We know that the Russians have moved their aircraft, which they use to launch bombs, beyond the range of ATACMS missiles.
In the near term, we are focused on helping them be more effective in defending their territory," Austin said.