Britain, it seems, intends to send long-range missiles to Kyiv, which the Biden administration has so far refused to send them and which can hit targets at a distance of 300 kilometers, reports Washington Postwhich refers to an acquisition notice published on May 2 by the UK-led International Fund for Ukraine.

The call for responses from companies that can supply munitions with a range of up to 300km was included in an announcement last week by the International Fund for Ukraine – a group of countries that includes the UK, Norway, the Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden – set to send weapons to Kyiv , writes The Guardian.

Responses to messages were required within three days.

No final decision has been made, according to a British official who declined to confirm the type of missile, timing or number of weapons being considered. But the announcement is an important step for the UK to supply such munitions, and the required characteristics and capabilities match those of the Storm Shadow cruise missiles.

Ukraine has long asked Western countries for longer-range missiles, arguing that such weapons could turn the tide of the war by allowing its forces to target Russian command centers, supply lines, ammunition and fuel depots in Crimea and Russian-controlled territory in eastern Ukraine. . As Kyiv prepares to launch a major counteroffensive, the ability to strike far behind the front lines will help pave the way for a ground offensive with tanks and infantry.

Storm Shadows can be installed on Soviet aircraft of Ukraine and can reach the territory of Russia. Kyiv has long sought such an opportunity and is trying to dispel fears of Western escalation by promising to refrain from using the donated weapons during attacks on Russian territory.

“If we could strike at a distance of up to 300 kilometers, the Russian army would not be able to provide protection and would have to lose,” Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov told the European Union earlier this year. “Ukraine is ready to provide any guarantees that your weapons will not be used for strikes on the territory of Russia.”

Moscow has accused Kyiv of adapting drones for long-range use in sporadic attacks inside Russia. Kyiv has not claimed responsibility for any of the attacks, but has claimed the right to strike Russian targets on its territory.

The UK Ministry of Defense has asked companies to get in touch if they can supply missiles that can be launched from land, sea or air, with payloads ranging from 20kg to 490kg.

The ad included other claims, including “low probability of interception,” “mission planning capability,” and “air defense penetration techniques to increase the probability of a successful strike.” The message states that the companies that responded will be contacted from June 5.

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