France, U.K. Authorize Ukraine to Strike Russian Territory Using SCALP Missiles

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France and the United Kingdom have reportedly authorized Ukraine to carry out strikes deep into Russian territory using SCALP and Storm Shadow cruise missiles.

This is according to a report by French publication Le Figaro.

The said approval follows a similar decision by U.S. President Joe Biden, who has reportedly approved Ukraine's use of American long-range ATACMS missiles for operations in Russia. These missiles are expected to target Russian and North Korean troops in western Russia's Kursk oblast to bolster Ukrainian defenses.

The decision to hit targets in Russia using SCALP/ Storm Shadow missiles marks a shift in the use of these weapons, which were previously employed in Ukraine's occupied territories. Key targets included the Rostov-on-Don submarine, the Minsk landing ship, the Askold missile ship, and the Black Sea Fleet headquarters in Sevastopol.

Related news: No Permission Yet for Ukrainian F-16s to Fire 'Storm Shadow' Missile: U.K. Armed Forces Minister

Reports suggest that strikes by SCALP and Storm Shadow missiles could disrupt Russian military capabilities and impose significant losses. Analysts believe the U.S. decision likely influenced France and the U.K. to follow suit after months of deliberation over the deployment of these missiles.

France is also preparing an additional batch of long-range SCALP missiles and Mistral missiles for Ukraine's air defense.

The Franco-British SCALP/Storm Shadow missile is a long-range air-launched cruise missile designed to penetrate air defenses and destroy strategic targets, such as bunkers. With a 5.1-meter length and a warhead weighing 450 kg, these missiles can strike with precision at ranges exceeding 250 km for export versions and up to 560 km for domestic variants used by French and British forces.