Russia Threatens Britain Over Long-Range Missiles

RUSSIA has threatened retaliations after Britain agreed to give Ukraine long-range missiles to boost its counter-offensive.

- Mark Reynolds

Hours after Defence Secretary Ben Wallace told MPs in the Commons of the decision to send Storm Shadow, Moscow issued an ominous response.

A Kremlin spokesman said the move would require "an adequate response from our military".

Storm Shadow is a long-range, air-launched cruise missile developed by British Aerospace and a French company, which carries a 1,000lb warhead to a range of up to 350 miles.

By contrast, the US-supplied Himars missiles used by Ukraine have a range of around 50 miles.

Mr Wallace told MPs: "The donation of these weapons systems gives Ukraine the best chance to defend themselves against Russia's continued brutality, especially the deliberate civilian targeting of Ukrainian infrastructure, which is against international law.

"Ukraine has a right to be able to defend itself against this."

Front lines

The weapons will give Ukraine extra reach as it prepares a major push against Russia.