Sturgeon appears to back UK gifted missiles striking Russia

Nicola Sturgeon, former First Minister of Scotland, has hinted at her support for allowing Ukraine to use British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles to strike targets within Russia.

During a parliamentary debate, Sturgeon made it clear that stronger, more decisive actions are needed to ensure Ukraine’s victory in its war against Russian aggression.

While stopping short of a full endorsement, her remarks suggest that she favours giving Ukraine greater flexibility in its military response.

Ukraine has already been using these long-range cruise missiles, supplied by the UK, to strike Russian forces within its own territory. The question now, however, is whether Ukraine should be permitted to target positions inside Russia itself—a move that some fear could escalate the war further.

Sturgeon acknowledged the complexity of the issue, stating that using Storm Shadow missiles in this way would require “careful consideration of the possible consequences.” Yet her broader message was clear: Ukraine must be fully supported in its fight for survival, and the stakes are too high for half measures.

“Those consequences would be felt most of all by the people of that country, but the hard fact is that we would all pay a price.”

These words suggest that Sturgeon sees the potential risks of inaction as greater than the risks of escalation. She framed Ukraine’s struggle as a fight not only for its own survival but for the security of Europe and democratic values across the continent.

Reflecting on the international community’s failure to act swiftly when Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, Sturgeon said, “Ten years ago, when Putin’s assault on Ukraine started with the annexation of Crimea, the world did not act. The hard lesson from that time—that appeasement of brutal narcissists such as Vladimir Putin emboldens them—needs to be learned. Decisions that will help Ukraine to decisively win this war, for the sake of us all, need to be taken, and they need to be taken quickly.” 

By referencing this past failure, Sturgeon implied that allowing Russia to act with impunity, then or now, would only encourage more aggression. Her remarks suggest that she believes Britain, and the West, must be prepared to take stronger measures to help Ukraine secure a decisive victory.

Although Sturgeon was careful to call for thoughtful deliberation, her call for action was unmistakable amid the current back and forth between the UK and the US as to whether or not to allow Ukraine to use the British-supplied missiles against Russia directly.

“Decisions that will help Ukraine to decisively win this war, for the sake of us all, need to be taken, and they need to be taken quickly,” she said, urging her fellow parliamentarians to send a strong message of support.

Sturgeon’s speech leaves little doubt that she favours giving Ukraine more military latitude, even if that means striking targets inside Russia with British cruise missiles. Her comments about “deeds more than words” and the danger of repeating past mistakes strongly suggest that she believes the West should step up its level of support.

The UK government has so far refrained from publicly endorsing the use of Storm Shadow missiles against Russian territory, but as Ukraine’s needs evolve, Sturgeon’s remarks add pressure to rethink that stance.