The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Missiles ‘are best chance to end brutality’
Ukrainians will have the “best chance to defend themselves” after the UK’s donation of Storm Shadow cruise missiles, the defence secretary said yesterday.
Ben Wallace confirmed that he and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had agreed to authorise the donation after continued Russian attacks on Ukraine.
He told the House of Commons: “Today I can confirm that the UK is donating Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine.
“Storm Shadow is a longrange, conventional-only, precision-strike capability. It complements the longrange systems already gifted, including Himars and Harpoon missiles, as well as Ukraine’s own Neptune cruise missile.”
He added: “The donation of these weapons systems gives Ukraine the best chance to defend themselves against Russia’s continued brutality, especially the deliberate targeting of Ukrainian civilian infrastructure, which is against international law.”
Manufacturer MBDA says the Storm Shadow missile has a range in excess of 150 miles.
Mr Wallace did not say how many missiles would be provided but said it is “currently enough to satisfy the Ukrainian demand”.
He also said the United States “have been incredibly supporting of the United Kingdom’s decision to do so”. Mr Wallace stressed “this is a calibrated and proportionate response to Russia’s escalations”.
He noted MPs should recognise that Storm Shadow missiles “are not even in the same league” as some of the long-range weapons Russia has used.
Labour welcomed the announcement. Shadow defence secretary John Healey said: “We are united in our determination to help in the defence of Ukraine... we welcome this vital new military support as the Ukrainians prepare for their expected counter-offensive.”
Foreign Affairs Committee chairwoman Alicia Kearns urged Mr Wallace to lobby the chancellor to establish an “economic Ramstein of G7 Treasury ministers or allied nations” to increase the financial pressure on Russia.
Mr Wallace said: “It’s a good idea.”
Addressing calls to provide jets to Ukraine, Mr Wallace said: “We offered... to the Ukrainians training on Typhoons. I recently received a letter turning that off as a request.”