Ukraine-Russia war live: Biden ‘may let UK Storm Shadow missiles strike Russia’ as Kursk counterattack begins
But US set to bar Kyiv from deploying its longest-range missiles to strike deep into territory across border
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The United States may let Ukraine fire British and French missiles into Russia – but not its own longer-range weapons, according to two sources reportedly familiar with talks between Kyiv, the UK and the US.
President Biden is set to give Ukraine’s President Zelensky the go-ahead to use Storm Shadow missiles and their French equivalent, Scalp missiles, to strike deeper into mainland Russia, the sources said.
But the US would bar Ukrainian troops from deploying its longest-range missiles across the border.
Earlier, US secretary of state Antony Blinken hinted that a decision had already been made in private.
Kyiv’s repeated appeals for the West’s authorisation to use long-range weapons took on added urgency after Russia’s latest reported acquisition of ballistic missiles from Iran, but Western leaders have so far balked at Ukraine’s request, fearing that, if granted, it could escalate the war.
The Kremlin says that letting Ukraine use Western weaponry would trigger a reaction by Moscow, the Tass state news agency reported.
Russian forces are now fighting back against Ukraine’s incursion in Kursk, more than a month after Kyiv’s troops stunned Vladimir Putin and seized a large swathe of the Russian region.
Lammy and Blinken joint visit to Kyiv amid fears over Iran-Russia missile deal
Biden suggests US could soon allow Ukraine to use long-range missiles to target deep inside Russia
The new underground hospital saving lives near the frontline in eastern Ukraine
The Ukrainian doctors forced to perform surgery without anaesthetic
What is the Storm Shadow cruise missile? The British weapon banned from use in Russia by Ukrainian troops
David Lammy slams Russian ‘imperialism'
UK foreign secretary David Lammy has slammed Russian “imperialism” and “fascism” as he warned the liberty of Ukraine, Europe and the West were at stake.
It comes after Britain pledged to provide a further £600 million of support for Ukraine as he visited Kyiv with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
The British government said it would provide £242 million of funding, including for humanitarian needs, and £484 million in loan guarantees for World Bank lending to Ukraine before the end of the year.
Russia starts counterattack on Kyiv’s forces in Kursk
Russian forces have started to counterattack along Kursk’s western edge and have reportedly taken back several settlements in the past 48 hours, a US-based think tank said.
“The size, scale, and potential prospects of the 11 September Russian counterattacks in Kursk Oblast are unclear and the situation remains fluid as of this report. It is premature to draw conclusions about Russia’s new counterattacks and ISW will continue following the situation,” the Institute for the Study of War said.
Several Russian military bloggers claimed that Russian forces launched the mechanised counterattack from the north near Korenevo and that Russian forces quickly advanced into Snagost, the ISW said.
It cited available visuals and said Russian forces are “operating in company-sized units and may be using elements of more combat-experienced units to conduct counterattacks”.
Kyiv’s forces, in response, are fighting back and have initiated new attacks in the west of Snagost, the Washington-based think-tank said in its latest assessment last night.
No breakthrough on US missile strikes inside Russia
Top diplomats from the US and Britain visiting Kyiv could not clear the use of long-range Western missile strikes inside Russia.
“Among other things, we discussed long-range fires, but a number of other things as well. And as I said at the outset, I’m going to take that discussion back to Washington to brief the president on what I heard,” US secretary of state Antony Blinken told reporters.
Volodymyr Zelensky has been pleading with Kyiv’s allies for months to let Ukraine fire Western missiles including long-range US ATACMS and British Storm Shadows deep into Russian territory to limit Moscow’s ability to launch attacks.
“We are listening carefully and, of course, we are having discussions on a range of issues, including the military equipment that Ukraine needs to win,” Lammy told a news conference alongside Blinken and Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha.
The British foreign minister suggested those discussions could continue for a few more weeks, a remark that will disappoint Ukrainians hoping the West would quickly discard fears of escalation.
What is the Storm Shadow cruise missile? The British weapon banned from use in Russia by Ukrainian troops
The US appears poised to lift restrictions on long-range missiles being used by Ukraine to target deep inside Russia, which would free up British-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles to also be used.
High-level talks are taking place over the issue, which Ukraine says is crucial for defending against Russia’s invasion. US secretary of state Antony Blinken, UK foreign secretary David Lammy and president Volodymyr Zelensky are due to discuss the issue at a meeting in Kyiv on Wednesday, with Mr Blinken saying the war has entered a “critical moment”.
Until now the Storm Shadow missiles have been limited to Russian targets operating inside Ukraine, as well as in occupied Crimea. The missiles were likely used in the largest Ukrainian attack on the headquarters of Russia’s Black Sea fleet last year at Sevastopol.
Here’s more about the Storm Shadow cruise missile:
What is the Storm Shadow cruise missile banned from use in Russia by Ukraine?
The missile carries a range of around 155 miles and is designed to evade detection despite flying low after being launched
Biden suggests US could soon allow Ukraine to use long-range missiles to target deep inside Russia
Biden hints US may allow Ukraine to hit Russia with long-range weapons
US president says his administration ‘working that out now’
Voices: Why Xi secretly hates and fears Russia – and may be about to betray Putin
The bear and the dragon can never be friends. That is a lesson Xi Jinping heard at a young age. And it explains why the Chinese leader’s “no limits” partnership with Vladimir Putin may turn into a limitless liability – for the Kremlin.
While researching a new biography of Xi, I came across a startling declassified US document. It reveals that the man who was Xi’s mentor in his first job, at the heart of China’s military, was fiercely anti-Russian. Never trust Moscow, he told his staff.
Today, it all looks fine. The two autocrats have boasted of their alliance for more than two years now. It’s clear that Putin gave his “friend” a tip that he was about to invade Ukraine in February 2022. Since then, Xi has stood alongside him, talking peace but sending Russia weapons technology in exchange for oil and gas.
Read the full article by Michael Sheridan, longtime foreign correspondent and diplomatic editor of The Independent:
Why Xi secretly hates and fears Russia – and may be about to betray Putin
Both men want the democracies to fall into chaos and disarray. They see the international order led by the West as presumptuous, weak and ripe for overthrow. But behind the mutual professions of esteem lie deep fissures of history, race and power, writes China expert Michael Sheridan
Watch: Trump refuses to say whether he wants Ukraine to win war against Russia
Training Ukrainian troops ‘constrains’ British army’s own training, watchdog warns
Training Ukrainian troops ‘constrains’ British army’s own training, watchdog warns
Ministry of Defence defends courses as some Ukrainians criticise training
Ukraine’s attack on Russia started as a triumph – but could turn into a catastrophic strategic mistake
Ukraine’s attack on Russia started as a triumph – but could yet turn into a tragedy
The daring attack on Russia’s Kursk region may have renewed hopes that the tide could finally be turning, but Mark Galeotti argues that there’s a huge difference between besting poorly trained forces and being able to keep a firm grip on occupied land
The Ukrainian doctors forced to perform surgery without anaesthetic
Putin’s relentless airstrikes push Ukrainian doctors to their limit
Working 22-hour shifts with shortages of basic medical equipment and anaesthesia, Ukrainian doctors tell Arpan Rai they are operating in a permanent state of crisis
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