UK confirms sending long-range missiles to Ukraine
UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace. Photo via EPA

The United Kingdom is sending Storm Shadow long-range missiles to Ukraine, its defence secretary Ben Wallace confirmed on Thursday.

Speaking before the House of Commons, Mr Wallace announced that Storm Shadows missiles will be provided to Ukraine's military, Sky News reports.

He added that the weapons will give Ukraine "the best chance to defend themselves against Russia's continued brutality, especially the deliberate targeting of Ukrainian civilian infrastructure."

"Ukraine has a right to be able to defend itself against this," Mr Wallace said, adding that the missiles would be for use "within Ukrainian sovereign territory".

CNN was the first to report the transfer of Storm Shadow missiles, which the UK agreed on Ukraine’s promising not to attack Russian territory.

Ukraine’s Air Force is yet to confirm the new capabilities have arrived.

Storm Shadow/SCALP is a French-British air-to-ground cruise missile manufactured by MBDA. Its warhead weighs 450 kg. The missiles are available in several modifications, with a range from 290 km to 560 km. It is not yet known which modification Ukraine has received.

Earlier, Politico reported that the United States would not send Ukraine long-range missiles if the United Kingdom did so.

war in Ukrainemilitary aidBen WallaceStorm Shadow