Ukraine conflict: UK donating Storm Shadow cruise missiles, defence minister confirms

Seen in its wings-folded stowed configuration, the air-launched Storm Shadow is a long-range cruise missile with a published range ‘in excess' of 250 km. (Janes/Patrick Allen)

The United Kingdom is donating MBDA Storm Shadow cruise missiles to Ukraine, UK Defence Minister Ben Wallace said.

Wallace made the announcement in the House of Commons on 11 May, saying the donation was in line with other long-range weapon systems gifted to Kyiv. He added that the conventional cruise missiles would enable the Ukrainian armed forces to push back Russian forces located in Ukraine.

“In December [2022], I informed the House [of Commons] that I was developing options to respond to Russia's continued aggression in a calibrated and determined manner. Today, I can confirm that the UK is donating Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine. Storm Shadow is a long-range, conventional only, precision strike capability. It complements the long-range systems already gifted, including[High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System] HIMARS and Harpoon missiles, as well as Ukraine's own Neptune cruise missile […],” Wallace said.

“The donation of these weapon 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. Ukraine has a right to defend itself against this and the use of Storm Shadow will allow Ukraine to push back Russian forces based within Ukrainian sovereign territory.”

Wallace did not say how many missiles were being donated, or if their transfer to Ukraine had already begun.

The Storm Shadow is an air-launched cruise missile, with a published range ‘in excess' of 250 km. As noted by Janes Weapons: Air Launched