The UK's decision to send more weapons to Ukraine has prompted a threat from the Kremlin.
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Defence Secretary Ben Wallace confirmed yesterday, 11 May, that the UK will supply Ukraine’s military with Storm Shadow missiles,which cost about £2.2million.
Storm Shadow is a long-range, air-launched cruise missile, which carries a 450kg conventional warhead to a range of up to 200 miles (300km).
Wallace did not disclose the number of missiles being provided to Ukraine, but said they are 'now going into or are in the country itself'.
UK providing weapons to Ukraine
Wallace said in a statement to MPs in the House of Commons:
The donation of these weapons 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 be able to defend itself against this.
He continued that the missiles should be used 'within Ukrainian sovereign territory'. Wallace added:
We simply will not stand back while Russia kills civilians.
Ukraine has long requested long-range missiles, however the US and other countries have not wanted to provide them in case they are used to strike inside Russia, which would lead to escalation.
Read more ⋙ Russia sends stark warning to UK after latest move, says 'bloodshed' would be on 'London's conscience'
Russia threatens the UK
As a result of the decision, Moscow has threatened the UK. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said:
Russia is extremely negative about the supply of Storm Shadow long-range cruise missiles by Britain to Kyiv, an adequate response will be required.
It will demand an appropriate response from our military who will definitely make the decisions that are required in military terms.
It comes as Russian TV host Vladimir Solovyev also threatened the UK with a nuclear strike for agreeing to provide the weapons. He said:
We should... blow something up somewhere. And target our Strategic Missile Forces, first of all targeting Britain. And all those countries that are providing support.
And give an ultimatum: You supply the missiles, we'll bomb. We believe you are at war, so we will destroy you. And that's it!
Read more:
⋙ Russian state TV commentator threatens UK with nuclear strike once again
⋙ UK and the West warned of 'attack' from this country, and it's not Russia: Here's what we know
Sources used:
Sky News: 'Russia threatens 'military response' after UK gives long-range missiles to Ukraine'
Daily Mail: 'Russia threatens Britain with 'an adequate response from our military' after UK agrees to supply Ukraine with Storm Shadow long-range cruise missiles'