Keir Starmer has offered his most explicit indication yet that the UK may authorise the use of its Storm Shadow missiles by Ukraine to strike Russian territory. Speaking at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, the Prime Minister highlighted the importance of providing Kyiv with the resources necessary to secure victory in its conflict with Russia. This follows reports of Ukraine employing long-range U.S. missiles against Russian targets for the first time, an action that has prompted heightened tensions with Moscow.
Marking the 1,000th day since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Starmer emphasised the critical need to put Ukraine in the “strongest possible position” to achieve success. He stated,
“The quickest way to end this conflict is for Russia to cease, and that is the quickest, most simple and just way of ending this.”
A Deliberate Silence on Missile Authorisation
Despite the clear rhetoric, Starmer has yet to confirm whether he will permit the use of Britain’s Storm Shadow missiles beyond Ukraine’s internationally recognised borders, including Crimea. Thus far, their deployment has been restricted to Ukrainian territory. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has long lobbied for expanded access to these Franco-British weapons, which rely partly on U.S. technology for targeting.
Pressure on the UK to make a decision has intensified after U.S. President Joe Biden approved the use of ATACMS ballistic missiles by Ukraine against targets inside Russia. Overnight, Ukraine reportedly utilised these missiles to strike a military facility in Russia, marking the first such attack since Biden’s authorisation. According to Russian state media outlet Tass, the attack caused minor damage and a small fire at the site.
Escalating Russian Rhetoric
In response to the U.S. decision, Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a strong warning, amending Russia’s nuclear doctrine to justify a potential nuclear response to any conventional attack on Russian soil supported by a nuclear power. This latest development has raised the stakes for Western allies deliberating over their support for deeper Ukrainian strikes.
Starmer condemned the Kremlin’s “irresponsible rhetoric” surrounding nuclear escalation during a press conference at the G20 summit. He stated that operational decisions, such as the potential deployment of British missiles, require careful deliberation to avoid unintended consequences. “Going into operational matters would have only one winner: Putin,” he said, maintaining a cautious tone on the issue.
Broader Implications for Western Support
The UK’s potential authorisation of Storm Shadow missiles for strikes inside Russia would mark a significant shift in the scope of Western military aid to Ukraine. Until now, the provision of long-range weaponry has been tempered by concerns over provoking direct confrontation with Moscow.
Starmer’s remarks suggest that his government may be moving closer to aligning with the U.S. position on expanding military support. “Ukraine must have what it needs for as long as it needs,” he reiterated, reflecting a growing consensus among Western leaders that decisive support is necessary to expedite an end to the conflict.
