Sir Keir Starmer has indicated a significant policy shift, suggesting that all British Storm Shadow missiles can be used by Ukraine to strike targets inside Russia, a move likely to provoke anger in Moscow.
At a NATO summit in Washington, Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude to the British Prime Minister for lifting the ban on Ukraine using these advanced Western weapons to hit targets across the border. Zelensky argued that striking military targets inside Russia is crucial for Ukraine's defense and for repelling Russian attacks, highlighting this as a key discussion point at the summit.
Previously, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, Britain’s Chief of Defence Staff, had stated that Storm Shadow missiles were to be used only within "Crimea and mainland Ukraine," areas largely occupied by Russia. However, this policy is changing as Western governments are now allowing Kyiv to use their donated munitions for counter-strikes inside Russia to halt its offensive in the Kharkiv border region.
During the summit, Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans mentioned that discussions were focused on extending the range of these weapons and considering whether Kyiv should be permitted to strike Russian aircraft before they launch attacks on Ukrainian territory. Despite these restrictions, Russia's air force continues to drop glide bombs on Ukrainian cities from about 50 miles behind the front lines.
Zelensky, urging Western allies to remove all limitations on donated weapon systems, said, "Imagine how much we can achieve when all limitations are lifted." He added that the ability to destroy Russian military aircraft at their bases would protect Ukrainian cities from Russian glide bombs, urging American leadership to take decisive action.
There is optimism that the deployment of American-made F-16 fighter jets, equipped with Amraam missiles, could significantly limit Russia’s aerial dominance if allowed to engage Russian aircraft near the border. These missiles are reported to have a range of approximately 75 miles, depending on firing conditions.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that F-16s would be operational in Ukraine by this summer, with transfers already in progress. Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof assured Zelensky that there would be no limitations on the use of F-16s donated by the Netherlands, and his defense minister confirmed ongoing discussions within the F-16 coalition to ensure the aircraft's full potential is utilized.
Brekelmans stated, "The discussions now are about the range that those munitions can be used in Russia," and suggested that targeting Russian fighter jets operating from greater distances could be legitimate for Ukraine.
While Britain has pledged its air-launched Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine, the F-16s and their potential capabilities will be a major topic of conversation at the summit.
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