Ukraine launched British-French-made Storm Shadow missiles at targets inside Russia for the first time on Wednesday, following an earlier strike with US-made ATACMS missiles.
Ukraine’s use of UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles to strike Russian territory was confirmed to Reuters by an anonymous official, with British media also reporting the launch. Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov declined to confirm or deny the strike, stating, “We are using all means to defend our country.”
A Russian military blogger posted photos of a Storm Shadow missile fragment on Telegram, claiming that up to 12 missiles were fired in Russia’s Kursk region. The fragment, found in the village of Marino near the Ukrainian border, bore markings identifying it as a Storm Shadow missile.
The UK and France provided Ukraine with long-range Storm Shadow missiles, which have a range of 250 kilometers (155 miles), slightly less than the US-made ATACMS (186 miles).
Meanwhile, several embassies in Kyiv closed Wednesday due to a potential major airstrike threat amid growing tensions between the US and Russia. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov this week revealed that the hotline for de-escalation between the US and Russia is currently inactive. This follows President Biden’s authorization for Ukraine to fire US-made missiles into Russian territory.
Zelensky Responds to Panic over Fake Attack Warning
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed panic in Kyiv following false reports of a large-scale attack on Wednesday. Authorities confirmed that Russia had staged an “information and psychological attack” by spreading a fake warning of a massive attack on Kyiv, purporting to be from Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence. Zelensky urged citizens to stay calm and support the Ukrainian army.
EU Expands Sanctions on Iran over Support for Russian Aggression
The EU imposed new sanctions on Iran, expanding measures in response to its military support for Russia’s war against Ukraine. The decision introduces a prohibition on the export, transfer, supply, or sale from the EU to Iran of components used in the development and production of missiles and UAVs.
The EU is also introducing a transaction ban prohibiting any transaction with ports and locks that are owned, operated or controlled by listed individuals and entities, or are used for the transfer of Iranian UAVs or missiles or related technology and components to Russia. This measure includes the access to facilities of the ports and locks, such as Amirabad and Anzali, and the provision of any services to vessels. These designations include the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) and its director Mohammad Reza Khiabani. The European Council also listed three Russian shipping companies – MG Flot, VTS Broker and Arapax, whose vessels are involved in transporting Iranian-made weapons and ammunition, including UAV components, across the Caspian Sea to resupply Russian troops fighting in Ukraine.
EU and US Continue Support for Ukraine
On the 1,000th day since Russia’s invasion, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reiterated the EU’s commitment to Ukraine, announcing €50 billion in aid until 2027 from the EU, and €50 billion dollars until 2026 from G7 countries and the EU. She also announced an additional €65 million in support of an initiative to buy school meals for Ukrainian children. The EU has provided €122 billion in support so far, including financial, military, and humanitarian assistance. Von der Leyen affirmed Ukraine’s future in the EU, despite ongoing challenges.
In parallel, the US Department of Defense announced a $275 million military aid package for Ukraine, including drones and artillery shells, marking the 70th tranche of US support since August 2021. Further, in a significant policy shift, the US approved sending anti-personnel mines to Ukraine, despite criticism from human rights groups over the indiscriminate nature of the weapons.
Compiled by Ana Dumbadze
