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President Joe Biden has authorised Ukraine to use weapons supplied by the US to strike targets further into Russia.
The decision, which follows months of lobbying by Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, to try to get Western allies to approve the use of their weapons for strikes deep into Russia, could encourage the UK to follow suit.
The new policy follows a series of attacks by Russian forces on Ukrainian cities including Poltava and Kharkiv, and major attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
The UK government has supplied long-range missiles to Ukraine but has been reluctant to give permission for their use in strikes against Russian territory, partly because the Storm Shadow missiles use US navigation data.
Amid reports that the UK will follow in the footsteps of the US, a Cabinet minister has said that the UK is giving “full backing” to Ukraine. On Sunday Keir Starmer said that Ukraine is at the top of his agenda on his way to the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, which begins on Monday.
What are the weapons the UK has supplied to Ukraine, what exactly do they do and can the UK do more?
I am deeply grateful to all our partners who support us with air defense systems and missiles. This is a truly global effort. Every time Russia carries out such attacks, it underscores how critical it is that partners don’t leave systems like Patriot and others sitting idle in… pic.twitter.com/4VZu4JpzxG
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) November 17, 2024
What weapons has the UK sent to Ukraine?
According to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, by August 2024 UK had supplied Ukraine with $9.4bn (around £7.4bn) worth of weapons and equipment, making it the third largest donor behind the US and Germany.
House of Commons records show that the UK has supplied tanks, air defence systems and long-range precision strike missiles to the country since 2022, as well as delivering a training programme that 45,000 Ukrainian personnel have completed so far.
NLAW and Javelin anti-tank missiles, Starstreak anti-air missiles and Storm Shadow missiles are being provided to Ukraine. In April, then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the largest package of UK military assistance to Ukraine since the Russian invasion began. The package includes ammunition, more than 1,600 strike and air defence missiles, more than 400 vehicles and 60 boats.
Since coming into power, the Labour government has pledged to step up the UK’s support for Ukraine and has pledged the donation of ammunition, 90 anti-armour missiles and 650 lightweight multi-role missiles.
What do these weapons do?
NLAWs and Javelins are shoulder-mounted missile systems designed to destroy tanks on the battlefield but have some important differences.
Made by the Swedish company Saab, NLAWs have a range of up to 600 metres but weigh only 12.5 kilograms. The missile can destroy “any main battle tank in just one shot by striking it from above”, according to the British Army.
Unlike the NLAW, which uses a simple sight to aim, the Javelin uses a heat-seeking system to guide itself on to the target. It has a longer range than the NLAW, at up to 2,500 metres.
Starstreak is an anti-air missile and travels at more than three times the speed of sound. It can be shoulder-mounted, attached to a vehicle or fired from a ground launcher. It is designed to target very high performance, low-flying aircraft.
The UK has trained the Ukrainian military to use this system; however, the Ministry of Defence has said it will not disclose where such training is taking place.
Storm Shadow missiles are cruise missiles that can hit a precise target up to 155 miles away. Up until now, Ukraine’s use of the Anglo-French missile has only been permitted within its own territory, despite their ability to strike Russia. Storm Shadows are so powerful that they can damage bunkers, airfields and ammunition stores.
Will the UK send troops to Ukraine?
North Korea has sent thousands of troops to Russia to support its war against Ukraine but no countries have sent soldiers to support Ukraine – although many Nato countries have sent military and humanitarian aid. Despite the UK’s significant aid donations to Ukraine, in February 2022, when the Russian invasion began, then Minister for the Armed Forces James Heappey said there would be no active role for British or Nato soldiers in the country.
“All honourable members in this House must be clear that British and Nato troops should not – must not – play an active role in Ukraine. We must all be clear what the risks of miscalculation could be and how existential the situation could quickly become if people do miscalculate and things escalate unnecessarily,” Heappey said.
However, the former prime minister Boris Johnson recently told GB News that British troops may have to be deployed to the country if incoming US president Donald Trump cuts US funding to the country.
Last month, Ministry of Defence sources confirmed to the Independent that discussions are being held about whether or not to send British soldiers to the country to train Ukrainian troops before they are sent to the frontline. Currently, a small number of British medical personnel are in the country to deliver training and mentoring to Ukrainian armed forces.
