In a Parliamentary exchange, Defence Secretary John Healey addressed pressing questions regarding the use of long-range weaponry by Ukraine, following reports of President Biden lifting restrictions on U.S. missile deployment.
The discussion also highlighted concerns over Russian escalation, including the reported deployment of North Korean troops.
Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, Labour MP for Slough and Chair of the Defence Committee, pressed for clarity on the operational use of UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles:
“I asked the Secretary of State last month whether there was an update on the usage of Storm Shadow missiles by Ukraine. As has been widely reported, yesterday President Biden lifted restrictions on the use of long-range US missiles. Given the continuous bombing of Ukrainian communities by Russia, and given that thousands of North Korean troops are fighting against our ally in our continent, will Ukraine now be allowed to use those Storm Shadow missiles—obviously, within the confines of international law—or do we expect Ukraine to continue fighting and defending itself with one hand tied behind its back while keeping those Storm Shadows in safe storage?”
In response, Healey reiterated the Government’s stance on operational security:
“I say again that I will not compromise operational security and comment on the details of long-range systems today. The Prime Minister has been clear—as I am being to the House—that we must double down on the support to Ukraine, give it the support it needs and do so for as long as it takes. In doing so, we will continue our close co-operation with the US and allies in providing that support to Ukraine.”
Support for Long-Range Capabilities
James Cartlidge, Conservative MP for South Suffolk, endorsed the U.S. decision and expressed his support for extending similar permissions for the use of UK-supplied systems:
“I join the Chair of the Defence Committee, the hon. Member for Slough (Mr Dhesi), in strongly welcoming the decision by the United States to permit Ukraine to use long-range missiles in Kursk. I know the Secretary of State does not want to go into operational detail—I understand that—but I assure him of our support if he follows through in relation to Storm Shadow, as we believe he should. There will be those who talk about escalation, but does he agree that the only escalation that matters here is 10,000 North Korean troops on the ground supporting Russia in its illegal war?”
Healey acknowledged the troubling developments in the conflict, emphasising Russia’s responsibility for escalating hostilities:
“The shadow Secretary of State is right that the one person responsible for escalation in this conflict is President Putin, and the one side that has been escalating in recent months is Russia. In recognising that he has escalated his illegal war against Ukraine by intensifying the use of glide bombs, destroying Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and deploying thousands of North Korean troops into combat positions in Kursk, I am discussing this very serious development with the US Defence Secretary and will be discussing it with the Ukrainian Defence Secretary this evening.”
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You always know that when a politician says ‘let me be clear’, no answer will be forthcoming.
That’s the idea, keep storm shadow use and authorisation shrouded in mystery