'Storm Shadow': Why UK sharing classified missile tech with Ukraine has Putin fuming
The UK government is sharing classified technical information regarding Storm Shadow missiles with Ukraine to facilitate local production. This move has drawn sharp criticism from the Kremlin, which views it as an escalation in the ongoing conflict.
Why it matters
This decision marks a significant shift in military support, potentially altering the strategic capabilities of Ukrainian forces and further straining UK-Russia diplomatic relations.
London is set to hand Ukraine classified information on British components used in the Storm Shadow/Scalp long-range missile, a move expected to clear the way for France and Ukraine to pursue local production of the weapon. The Kremlin has condemned the decision, accusing Britain of obstructing efforts towards a peace settlement.British prime minister Andy Burnham arrived in Kyiv on Monday, his first overseas trip since taking office, as Ukraine marked its Independence Day. He was expected to meet president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and co-chair a meeting of the so-called coalition of the willing alongside other international leaders.European council president Antonio Costa, Moldovan president Maia Sandu, Luxembourg prime minister Luc Frieden and Estonian president Alar Karis were also in Kyiv.Burnham was expected to announce that the UK Government had agreed to allow defence company MBDA to release classified information relating to British components used in the Scalp long-range missile, according to his…
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