Editing Storm Shadow (section)

=== Use by Ukraine ===
On 11 May 2023, the United Kingdom announced that it was supplying Storm Shadows to the [[Ukrainian military]] during the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]]. This followed a pledge from the UK in February 2023 to send Ukraine long-range missiles in response to [[Russian strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure (2022–present)|Russian strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure]]. Ukraine has insisted it would not use such weapons on Russian territory. [[Minister of Defence (UK)|UK Defence Minister]] [[Ben Wallace (politician)|Ben Wallace]] emphasised the delivery as a "calibrated, proportionate response to Russia's escalation", noting Russian use of even longer-range munitions including the [[Kh-47M2]] [[hypersonic]] missile, [[3M-54 Kalibr]] cruise missile, and [[Shahed-136]] one-way attack drone.<ref name="gregory">{{cite news |last=Gregory |first=James |date=11 May 2023 |title=UK confirms supply of Storm Shadow long-range missiles in Ukraine |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65558070 |website=BBC News}}</ref><ref>[https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2023/05/11/ukraine-gets-british-long-range-missiles-ahead-of-counteroffensive/ Ukraine gets British long-range missiles ahead of counteroffensive]. ''[[Defense News]]''. 11 May 2023.</ref>

The grant of Storm Shadow missiles is a significant boost to the Ukrainian military, as they are capable of striking targets at much longer ranges than had previously been possible, including command-and-control nodes and logistics points in occupied [[Crimea]] to interrupt Russia's ability to support the frontline.<ref>[https://breakingdefense.com/2023/05/armed-with-storm-shadow-ukraine-could-starve-russian-front-lines-of-logistics-leadership/ Armed with Storm Shadow, Ukraine could 'starve' Russian front lines of logistics, leadership]. ''Breaking Defense''. 16 May 2023.</ref> Shortly after, France announced it would be delivering the SCALP EG, its version of the missile, to Ukraine as well. France said it was not delivering weapons capable of hitting Russian soil.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/ukraine-situation-report-france-sending-scalp-eg-cruise-missiles|title=Ukraine Situation Report: France Sending SCALP-EG Cruise Missiles|first=Howard|last=Altman|date=16 May 2023|website=The Drive}}</ref> The UK on 18 May confirmed Ukraine had already successfully used the Storm Shadow.<ref>[https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/18/politics/ben-wallace-cnn-interview/index.html Ukraine has 'successfully' used UK-provided Storm Shadow missiles against Russia, British Defense Secretary tells CNN]. ''[[CNN]]''. 18 May 2023.</ref> Although no information was publicly disclosed regarding when exactly the French missiles were delivered to Ukraine, Ukraine's ambassador to France, Vadym Omelchenko, confirmed in an interview with LB.ua on 22 August 2023 that all SCALP missiles promised by French president [[Emmanuel Macron]] had been delivered already, likely by the time of the latter's announcement in May. Omelchenko further stated that the first batch of missiles (reported by some outlets to number 50 units) had more than proven its worth and that supplies of SCALP batches by France would continue.<ref>[https://mil.in.ua/en/news/ambassador-france-has-handed-over-all-promised-in-the-first-batch-scalp-missiles-to-ukraine/ Ambassador: France has handed over all promised in the first batch SCALP missiles to Ukraine]. ''MILITARNYI''. 22 August 2023.</ref><ref>[https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2023/08/22/7416650// Ukrainian ambassador in France announces further batches of long-range SCALP missiles]. ''Ukrainska Pravda''. 22 August 2023.</ref> Previously, on 6 August, a few days after the attack on the Chongar Strait railway bridge, the SCALP's operational status in Ukraine had visually been confirmed as were its use in the attack and its successful integration to Ukrainian [[Su-24]] bombers.<ref>[https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/french-scalp-eg-cruise-missiles-officially-in-use-in-ukraine French SCALP-EG Cruise Missiles Officially In Use In Ukraine]. ''The Drive''. 6 August 2023.</ref>

[[File:Su-24M Storm Shadow.jpg|thumb|Ukrainian Air Force Sukhoi Su-24M carrying two Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG cruise missiles]]
Russia claimed Ukraine used Storm Shadow missiles to strike industrial sites in [[Luhansk]] on 13 May 2023, just two days after their delivery had been announced.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-says-ukraine-used-storm-shadow-missiles-britain-attack-luhansk-2023-05-13/ Russia says Ukraine used Storm Shadow missiles from Britain to attack Luhansk]. ''[[Reuters]]''. 13 May 2023.</ref> According to a report by Russian news outlet [[Izvestia]], the cruise missiles are launched from specially modified [[Su-24]] strike aircraft and fly under the cover of [[MiG-29]] and [[Su-27]] fighters equipped with [[AGM-88 HARM]]s. Ukrainian command also uses [[UAV]]s and [[ADM-160 MALD]] decoys to divert Russian air defenses and protect the aircraft and ordnance from being intercepted.<ref>[https://eurasiantimes.com/ukraines-specially-modified-warplane-under-cover-of-mig-29/ Ukraine's 'Specially Modified' Warplane Under Cover Of MiG-29 & Su-27 Pounds Russia With Storm Shadow Missiles; UK Confirms Its Use]. ''The EurAsian Times''. 19 May 2023.</ref> [[List of Ministers of Defense (Ukraine)|Ukraine's Minister of Defense]] [[Oleksii Reznikov]] confirmed the Su-24 as the [[Ukrainian Air Force]]'s Storm Shadow launch platform, tweeting a photo of a Su-24MR with a missile on each of its inboard underwing pylons.<ref>[https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/su-24-fencer-is-ukraines-storm-shadow-missile-carrier Su-24 Fencer Is Ukraine's Storm Shadow Missile Carrier]. ''The Drive''. 24 May 2023.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=25 May 2023|title=Ukraine conflict: Ukraine employing Su-24 to carry Storm Shadow, defence minister reveals|url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/ukraine-conflict-ukraine-employing-su-24-to-carry-storm-shadow-defence-minister-reveals|access-date=|website=[[Janes Information Services]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230526071957/https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/ukraine-conflict-ukraine-employing-su-24-to-carry-storm-shadow-defence-minister-reveals|archive-date=26 May 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> The pylons use an adaptor derived from retired RAF [[Tornado GR4]] aircraft.<ref>{{cite news |title=Retired Tornado parts used to launch Ukrainian Storm Shadows |url=https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/retired-tornado-parts-used-to-launch-ukrainian-storm-shadows/ |access-date=29 September 2023 |work=[[UK Defence Journal]] |date=2 July 2023}}</ref>

Reznikov said at the end of May that the missiles had hit 100% of their targets,<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://news.yahoo.com/storm-shadow-missiles-show-100-180300950.html |title= Storm Shadow missiles show 100% efficiency in Ukraine – Ukraine's Defence Minister |date=29 May 2023|website= Yahoo! News}}</ref><ref>[https://www.forces.net/ukraine/storm-shadow-missiles-have-hit-100-intended-russian-targets-ukraines-mod-says Ukraine says Storm Shadow missiles have hit '100%' of intended Russian targets]. ''[[Forces.net]]''. 30 May 2023.</ref> although [[Ministry of Defence (Russia)|Russia's Defence Ministry]] has claimed to have shot some down.<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 May 2023 |title=Russian forces intercept two British Storm Shadow missiles, defence ministry says |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-forces-intercept-two-british-storm-shadow-missiles-defence-ministry-2023-05-27/ |access-date=29 May 2023}}</ref><ref>[https://www.businessinsider.com/ukraine-storm-shadow-missiles-hit-100-targets-defense-ministry-2023-5 Ukraine's defense ministry says its Storm Shadow long-range missiles have hit 100% of their targets]. ''[[Business Insider]]''. 28 May 2023.</ref>

On 12 June, a strike which involved the Storm Shadow killed Major General [[Sergey Goryachev]] in [[Zaporizhzhia Oblast]]. At the time he was Chief of Staff of the [[35th Combined Arms Army]].<ref>{{cite news |author= Allison Quinn|url= https://finance.yahoo.com/news/russians-mourn-best-general-ukraine-115904638.html |title= Russians Mourn 'Best' General as Ukraine Counteroffensive Gains Ground |date=13 June 2023 |work= Yahoo! News}}</ref> On 22 June, the [[Chonhar Strait|Chonhar road bridge]] connecting Crimea with [[Kherson Oblast]] was struck by a Storm Shadow missile to interrupt Russian logistics.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/06/22/ukraine-zelensky-zaporizhzhia-nuclear-plant/|newspaper=Washington Post|title=Zelensky says Russia is planning to sabotage Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant}}</ref><ref>[https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/ukraine-strikes-key-bridge-to-crimea-hints-at-more-long-range-attacks Ukraine Strikes Key Bridge To Crimea, Hints At More Long-Range Attacks]. ''The Drive/The War Zone''. 22 June 2023.</ref> A largely intact Storm Shadow crashed in Zaporizhzhia in early July. [[TASS]] claimed Russian forces had shot it down and recovered the wreckage to study the missile's design and help develop countermeasures to it.<ref>[https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/crashed-storm-shadow-missile-falls-into-russian-hands Crashed Storm Shadow Missile Falls Into Russian Hands]. ''The Drive/The War Zone''. 5 July 2023.</ref><ref>[https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-says-intact-storm-shadow-missile-studying-parts-ukraine-2023-7 Russia says it's snagged the intact parts of a Storm Shadow missile, and can now study the British-made munition that's been devastating its operations in Ukraine from long range]. ''[[Business Insider]]''. 7 July 2023.</ref>

On 9 July 2023, Storm Shadow/SCALP missile was shot down by Russian air defence and captured later.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 July 2023 |title=Russian troops seize near intact UK Storm Shadow missile |url=https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2023/07/09/russian-troops-seize-near-intact-uk-storm-shadow-missile/ |access-date=29 March 2024 |website=Modern Diplomacy |language=en-US}}</ref>

On 29 July 2023, a Storm Shadow or SCALP missile hit the Chongar Strait railway bridge linking occupied Crimea with the Kherson Oblast, landing between the two tracks on the bridge approach.<ref>[https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/french-scalp-eg-cruise-missiles-officially-in-use-in-ukraine French SCALP-EG Cruise Missiles Officially In Use In Ukraine]. ''The Drive''. 6 August 2023.</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Ukraine Situation Report: Key Crimean Railway Bridge Targeted In Missile Strike |url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/ukraine-situation-report-key-crimean-railway-bridge-targeted-in-missile-strike |date=31 July 2023}}</ref>

On 13 September 2023, Storm Shadow and/or SCALP missiles were used in a strike against the [[Sevastopol]] port,<ref>[https://news.sky.com/story/ukraine-says-bomber-deployed-british-and-french-cruise-missiles-perfectly-in-major-attack-on-russian-navy-12962116 Ukraine says bomber deployed British and French cruise missiles 'perfectly' in major attack on Russian navy]. ''Sky News''. 15 September 2023.</ref><ref>[https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/russian-submarine-shows-massive-damage-after-ukrainian-strike Russian Submarine Shows Massive Damage After Ukrainian Strike]. ''The Drive''. 18 September 2023.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=British cruise missiles were used in significant Ukrainian attack on Russian submarine |url=https://news.sky.com/story/ukraine-strikes-russian-submarine-and-landing-ship-in-audacious-assault-on-crimea-naval-base-12960336 |access-date=13 September 2023 |website=Sky News |language=en}}</ref> seriously damaging the ''[[Russian submarine B-237|Rostov na Donu]]'' submarine and seriously damaging (according to some sources, beyond repair<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 February 2022 |title=Attack On Europe: Documenting Russian Equipment Losses During The Russian Invasion Of Ukraine |url=https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2022/02/attack-on-europe-documenting-equipment.html |access-date=13 September 2023 |website=Oryx}}</ref>) the [[Ropucha-class landing ship|Ropucha-class]] landing ship ''[[Russian landing ship Minsk|Minsk]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Two Russian Navy Black sea ships hit by missiles, one destroyed VIDEO |url=https://www.fleetmon.com/maritime-news/2023/42945/two-russian-navy-black-sea-ships-hit-missiles-one-/ |date=13 September 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=13 September 2023 |title=Ukraine launches missile attack on Crimea |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66793900 |access-date=13 September 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Edwards |first=Tim|date=13 September 2023 |title=Ukrainian missiles strike Russian warships in Crimean naval base |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/13/europe/crimea-missile-attack-ukraine-russia-intl/index.html |access-date=13 September 2023 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref>

On 22 September 2023, at least three Storm Shadow and/or SCALP missiles [[2023 missile strike on the Sevastopol Naval Base|hit]] the [[Black Sea Fleet]] headquarters in Sevastopol.<ref>[https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/black-sea-fleet-headquarters-takes-direct-hit-from-cruise-missile Black Sea Fleet Headquarters Takes Direct Hit From Cruise Missile]. ''The Drive''. 22 September 2023.</ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66887524 Ukraine hits HQ of Russia's symbolic Black Sea navy]. ''BBC''. 22 September 2023.</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Storm Shadow missile 'tears open' Black Sea Fleet HQ in Crimea |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/09/22/british-storm-shadow-strikes-black-sea-fleet-hq-in-crimea |access-date=23 September 2023 |website=Telegraph |date=22 September 2023 |language=en |last1=Barnes |first1=Joe }}</ref> According to the Ukraine military, the missile attack  [[2023 missile strike on the Sevastopol Naval Base|targeted a meeting of the Russian Navy's leadership.]] "After the hit of the headquarters of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, 34 officers were killed, including the commander of the Russian Black Sea Fleet", they said. While no confirmation of [[Viktor Sokolov (naval officer)|Sokolov]]'s alleged death is known, neither has any reliable source depicted him as alive and well since the attack took place. They also claimed that the strike wounded at least 100 other Russian service personnel.<ref name="Rob Picheta 2023 s715">{{cite web | last=Picheta | first=Rob | title=Ukraine claims commander of Russia's Black Sea Fleet was killed in Sevastopol attack | website=CNN | date=25 September 2023 | url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/25/europe/russia-commander-killed-ukraine-attack-intl/index.html | access-date=25 September 2023}}</ref>

On 26 December 2023 it is believed two Storm Shadow and/or SCALP missiles were launched against the Russian occupied port of [[Feodosia]] with the [[Russian landing ship Novocherkassk]] being hit and turned into a burning wreck.<ref>[https://www.rfi.fr/fr/europe/20231227-frappe-ukrainienne-en-mer-noire-la-marine-russe-est-d%C3%A9sormais-sur-la-d%C3%A9fensive Frappe ukrainienne en mer Noire: «La marine russe est désormais sur la défensive»]. ''RFI''. 27 December 2023.</ref><ref>[https://www.meretmarine.com/fr/defense/la-marine-russe-a-perdu-un-batiment-de-debarquement-de-chars-en-mer-noire La marine russe a perdu un bâtiment de débarquement de chars en mer Noire]. ''Mer et Marine''. 27 December 2023.</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Watch: Russian warship sunk in suspected Storm Shadow missile attack |newspaper=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/12/26/russian-warship-destroyed-in-ukrainian-attack-on-crimea/ |date=26 December 2023 |last1=Kilner |first1=James }}</ref>

At a news conference on 28 May 2024, French President Macron said he permitted Ukraine to use SCALP missiles to strike targets inside Russia, a major departure from previous guidelines that restricted the use of foreign-supplied weapons only to occupied territory. This expansion of use is still restricted to neutralisation of military facilities being used for attacks into Ukraine.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/macron-permits-ukraine-to-use-french-missiles-to-strike-inside-russia-within-limits-80fe5908?mod=world_lead_story |title=Macron Allows Ukraine to Use French Missiles to Strike Inside Russia |first= |last= |date=28 May 2024 |access-date=28 May 2024 |url-access=subscription |work=[[Wall Street Journal]] |publisher= }}</ref>

In July 2024, the British Prime Minister [[Keir Starmer]] announced that the British government would allow the defensive use of Storm Shadow missiles on targets inside Russia.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Keir Starmer gives go-ahead for British missiles to be used in strikes against targets inside Russia |url=https://news.sky.com/story/keir-starmer-gives-go-ahead-for-british-missiles-to-be-used-in-strikes-against-targets-inside-russia-13176370 |access-date=11 July 2024 |website=Sky News |language=en}}</ref>

On 25 September 2024, Russian President [[Vladimir Putin]] warned the West that if attacked with conventional weapons Russia would consider a [[Nuclear warfare|nuclear retaliation]],<ref>{{cite news |title=The Unthinkable: What Nuclear War In Europe Would Look Like |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/nuclear-war-europe-russia-ukraine/33137063.html |work=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |date=27 September 2024}}</ref> in an apparent deviation from the [[no first use]] doctrine.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Vladimir Putin warns west he will consider using nuclear weapons |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/sep/25/vladimir-putin-warns-west-nuclear-weapons |work=The Guardian |first= Pjotr |last= Sauer |date= 25 September 2024 |access-date=26 September 2024}}</ref> Putin went on to threaten [[List of states with nuclear weapons|nuclear powers]] that if they supported another country's attack on Russia, then they would be considered participants in such an aggression.<ref>{{cite news |title=Putin's nuclear red line: Does he actually mean it? |url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/defence-and-security/news/putins-nuclear-read-line-does-he-actually-mean-it/ |work=[[Euractiv]] |date=27 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Putin's nuclear threats: empty rhetoric or a shift in battlefield strategy? |url=https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20240927-vladimir-putin-nuclear-weapons-declaration-more-than-an-empty-threat-ukraine-nato-us-war |work=[[France 24]] |date=27 September 2024}}</ref> Experts say Putin's announcement is aimed at dissuading the United States, the United Kingdom and France from allowing Ukraine to use Western-supplied long-range missiles such as the [[ATACMS]] and Storm Shadow in [[Attacks in Russia during the Russian invasion of Ukraine|strikes against Russia]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Putin lowers bar for nuclear strike amid Ukraine attacks: Why it matters |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/9/26/putin-lowers-bar-for-nuclear-strike-amid-ukraine-attacks-why-it-matters |work=Al Jazeera |date=26 September 2024}}</ref>

On 20 November 2024, Ukraine was reported to have fired British Storm Shadow missiles into Russia for the first time.
The use of Storm Shadow missiles comes after Russia launched a counteroffensive in Kursk, which was invaded by Ukrainian troops in August. It also follows the [[Biden administration]]'s decision to give Ukraine the green light to use US-made long-range missiles inside Russia earlier this week. Kyiv first used ATACMS to strike a military facility in [[Bryansk]] early on 19 November.
<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/11/20/russia-ukraine-zelensky-putin-war-latest-news57/ |title=Ukraine fires British Storm Shadow missiles into Russia for first time |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=20 November 2024 |website=telegraph.co.uk |publisher=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |access-date=20 November 2024 |quote=}}</ref>

It was later reported that the 20 November strikes had hit an underground military facility in Maryino, [[Kursk Oblast]], allegedly killing Russian general [[Valery Solodchuk|Lt-Gen Valery Solodchuk]], some other Russian officers, and North Korean troops. Russian authorities did not confirm the losses and there has been no independent verification yet.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stewart |first=Will |last2=Doyle |first2=Liam |date=23 November 2024 |title=Top Putin general and 500 North Korean troops 'killed in UK Storm Shadow strike' |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/breaking-kremlin-general-500-north-34174538 |access-date=23 November 2024 |website=The Mirror |language=en}}</ref><ref>[https://www.globaldefensecorp.com/2024/11/23/ukraines-storm-shadow-missile-strikes-killed-russian-army-general-and-eighteen-officers-in-kursk-region/ Ukraine's Storm Shadow Missile Strikes Killed Russia Army General and Eighteen Officers in Kursk Region], ''Global Defence'', 23 November 2024</ref>