Inside arsenal of Brit long-range missiles that may go to Ukraine including 600mph Storm Shadow to blitz occupied Crimea
UKRAINE could use British missiles to strike Crimea despite Vladimir Putin's chilling threat of retaliation.
Rishi Sunak said “nothing is off the table” when it comes to military support for Ukraine after Volodymyr Zelensky pleaded for warplanes this week.
An air raid alert was declared across the entirety of Ukraine this morning after Russia has increased their fighting.
Several explosions were reported in capital city Kyiv as officials reported missile attacks across the country, affecting power supplies.
The latest attacks from Russia have come after Sunak promised to ship more machinery to Ukraine following the Ukrainian leader's visit to the UK.
Authorities are still debating whether to send deadly Harpoon anti-ship missiles or surface-to-air Storm Shadows to arm Ukrainian defenders, who have faced increased fighting as the anniversary of the invasion looms.
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During his visit to London, Zelensky spoke on the missiles the UK may send to Ukrainian forces: "It will allow us to make the evil completely retreat from our country by destroying its airbases deep in the occupied territories."
Ukrainian forces have been training for the threats of a large-scale offensive from Russian troops in the coming week.
A Ukrainian military official has told Foreign Policy that Putin's forces have amassed 1,800 tanks, 3,950 armoured vehicles, 2,700 artillery systems, 810 Soviet-era multiple-rocket-launch systems, 400 fighter jets and 300 helicopters.
President Zelensky said: "Without these [weapons], there would be stagnation which will not bring to anything good.";
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Kyiv has said they are prepared to use such missiles to blast Crimea, a Ukrainian defence source told .
Russia annexed Crimea back in 2014 and Ukraine has repeatedly vowed to reclaim the territory.
During his impassioned speech to British Parliament on Wednesday, Zelensky insisted he wanted to strike "deep in the occupied territories".
Storm Shadow air-launched cruise missiles can travel up to 600mph and can blast targets up to 350 miles away.
The effective missile costs £790,000, and can strategically locate and take out targets quickly.
They are designed to hit well-defended static targets like facilities, bunkers and bridges.
The UK’s Harpoon cruise missiles, meanwhile, have a maximum range of 150 miles – six times further than the most powerful GMLRS rockets supplied by Britain so far.
It comes after Putin vowed a “response” with “military-political consequences” if the UK supplies Ukraine with fighter jets.
Mr Sunak said “nothing is off the table” after the Ukrainian PM invoked the spirit of Winston Churchill in his address.
Volodymyr Zelensky has also said Ukraine intercepted Russian secret services plans to destroy Moldova.
Addressing EU leaders at a summit in Brussels earlier today, the Ukrainian president said he had informed Maia Sandu, the Moldovan president, about the plot.
A furious Russia hit back with a chilling warning, in a statement issued through its UK embassy.
The “military-political consequences” of arming Ukraine “will be on the United Kingdom’s hands”, the Kremlin said.
“Russia will know how to respond to any unfriendly actions by the British side."
Russia also took a swipe at Zelensky, calling him “pompous” and “hypocritical”.
The Ukrainian leader's plea for weapons comes amid mounting concern a renewed Russian offensive is underway.
Ukraine has warned Russia has hundreds of thousands of soldiers, thousands of tanks, and hundreds of warplanes preparing for a new assault.
Putin is believed to be preparing for a massive blitz in the coming weeks to coincide with the first anniversary of the war on February 24.
Ukraine has been monitoring the military build-up as they continue to plea for Western support - including during Zelensky's visit to London.
Zelensky hailed the UK for its support - but warned it may not be enough, and called for modern fighter planes.
The new assault is feared to be "much bigger" than the first wave which stormed across the country towards Kyiv almost exactly one year ago.
"It’s much bigger than what took place in the first wave," the official said.
"They are not paying attention to any casualties or losses. In the next 10 days, we expect a new, huge invasion."
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Ukrainian intelligence has put the figure for the spring offensive at between 300,000 and 500,000 soldiers.
