New UK and U.S. Weapons Target Russia—What Does North Korea Think of These Strategic Strikes?

Ukraine has launched its first attacks on Russian soil using U.S.-made missiles while also employing European cruise missiles supplied by the UK. British and American officials have remained tight-lipped about using their respective weapons systems.

The Telegraph reported on Wednesday that debris from a Storm Shadow missile was discovered in Marino, a village in Russia’s western Kursk region. The BBC independently confirmed the missile’s identity by analyzing fragment images shared on Telegram.

When questioned about the reports in Parliament, UK Defense Secretary John Healey cryptically stated, “Ukraine’s actions on the battlefield speak for themselves,” avoiding direct confirmation of Storm Shadow usage approval.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov declined to comment specifically on Storm Shadow deployment but asserted, “We will utilize all available means to defend our nation.”

The Storm Shadow, known as SCALP in France, is an Anglo-French air-launched cruise missile with a range of approximately 155 miles. While the U.S. and UK have provided long-range missiles like Storm Shadow and ATACMS to Ukraine, their use was initially restricted to border areas to prevent escalation.

U.S. media reported on Sunday that President Joe Biden had authorized Ukraine to strike Russian territory with American-made weapons. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that Ukrainian forces fired six ATACMS missiles at Russia’s western border region on Tuesday. Analysts suggest that the Biden administration’s decision was influenced by concerns over a potential second Trump term and North Korea’s troop deployment to Russia.

Western European nations have tacitly supported the U.S. decision without explicitly endorsing strikes. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the need to bolster support for Ukraine on Monday at the G20 summit, “We cannot allow Vladimir Putin to emerge victorious.”

During a press briefing on Wednesday, U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller refused to comment on whether the U.S. provided targeting information for Storm Shadow launches. He also declined to confirm reports regarding Ukraine’s use of ATACMS missiles, stating that while there is ongoing consultation with Ukrainian officials on a broad array of defensive tactics, he would not ” “speak publicly to the use of another country’s weapons.”