https://bulgarianmilitary.com/2024/11/20/uk-supplied-storm-shadow-is-reported-to-have-hit-putins-bunker/

UK-supplied Storm Shadow is reported to have hit Putin’s bunker

By Boyko Nikolov On Nov 20, 2024

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Ukraine may have used British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles to target a Russian presidential facility in the Kursk region today, according to emerging reports. The missiles, which have a reputation for precision and long-range capability, are said to have struck a building with an underground command center where key Russian and possibly North Korean military officials were stationed.

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Early indications, including debris found at the site, suggest that the missiles used were indeed the British-made Storm Shadows, rather than their French counterparts, the SCALP missiles.

A Western official confirmed that this marks the first time Ukraine has used Storm Shadow missiles to strike deep into Russian territory, a move that follows the U.S. granting Ukraine access to long-range ATACMS missiles just days earlier. According to Russian reports, as many as 12 missiles were launched into the Kursk region on Wednesday, hitting the target with devastating precision.

Clash Report, citing local sources, revealed that the target was likely a high-security facility, believed to house the command post of Russian forces in the region. The structure is reportedly a sunken bunker used by the Russian leadership, with claims that it also serves as a base of operations for North Korean commanders. This underground facility, located near the village of Marino, has long been rumored to host vital military operations for both nations.

Earlier, Bulgarian Military.com had reported that missile fragments, marked with the “Storm Shadow” insignia, were found near the village of Marino, situated on the E38 highway in Kursk. A photograph shared on social media by Clash Report confirmed the discovery, with a piece of debris clearly stamped with the Storm Shadow name. This evidence supports the claims that Ukraine is now actively using these sophisticated weapons to target critical Russian infrastructure on their home soil.

Storm Shadow missiles, which were originally granted to Ukraine for use within its own borders, are a formidable weapon, capable of evading modern air defense systems. With a range of up to 250 miles, these missiles are designed to strike deep behind enemy lines with pinpoint accuracy. The UK’s consent to deploy Storm Shadows against Russian targets signifies a major shift in the scope of Ukraine’s counteroffensive, allowing Kyiv to reach high-value, well-protected assets that were previously out of range.

A Ukrainian defense expert, writing for the publication Defence Express, noted that the scale of the attack on the Kursk facility suggests the presence of high-ranking Russian commanders, including generals from both Russia and North Korea. The publication highlighted that the large number of missiles used—several reportedly fired during the same operation—further suggests a significant military target was at the heart of the strike.

Ukraine’s use of Storm Shadow missiles in Russian territory is significant not only for its precision but also because of the political ramifications. British defense officials have long been cautious about the use of such advanced weaponry, and this marks a notable escalation in the conflict.

The UK’s approval for their use inside Ukraine’s borders was granted earlier this year, but using them against targets in Russia signals a new phase in the ongoing war, following the example set by the U.S. when it greenlit the use of ATACMS missiles against Russian positions.

Unconfirmed images shared on social media show local residents in the Kursk region encountering pieces of the missile, including one where a local is seen holding a sizable chunk of the missile with the “Storm Shadow” inscription clearly visible. These images, though not officially verified, add weight to the growing body of evidence that Storm Shadows were indeed employed in the strike.

The Storm Shadow missile system, priced at £800,000 per unit, utilizes advanced GPS guidance to navigate through complex environments and deliver its payload with deadly precision. Capable of speeds up to 600 mph, these missiles are a nightmare for any defending forces, making them an invaluable asset for Ukraine as it continues to push against Russian positions.

While the UK government has refrained from commenting on the specifics of the attack or any operational details, it is clear that Ukraine has stepped up its use of long-range precision strikes, underscoring the growing international support for its efforts against Russia. As Kyiv receives more advanced weaponry and the war continues to escalate, it remains to be seen how Moscow will respond to these increasingly aggressive tactics within its own borders.

The Storm Shadow missile, a cutting-edge weapon system developed by MBDA, is a long-range, air-launched cruise missile designed for precision strikes against heavily defended targets. With a length of approximately 5.1 meters and a wingspan of about 3 meters, the missile is compact yet capable of delivering a heavy punch.

It weighs around 1,300 kilograms, with a payload capacity of about 450 kilograms for its warhead. The missile’s aerodynamic design, which includes retractable wings, allows it to maintain a low radar cross-section while traveling at subsonic speeds, making it highly effective against modern air defense systems.

Powered by a microturbo TRI 60-30 turbojet engine, the Storm Shadow is capable of flying at speeds of up to 600 miles per hour [about Mach 0.8]. Its propulsion system allows it to travel long distances, covering an operational range of up to 250 kilometers [155 miles] depending on flight conditions and the altitude at which it is launched.

The missile can be launched from a variety of aircraft, including the UK’s Tornado GR4, the French Mirage 2000D, and the Rafale, as well as the Eurofighter Typhoon, which has recently integrated the Storm Shadow as part of its strike capabilities. Its versatility in terms of launch platforms gives it significant operational flexibility.

One of the key features of the Storm Shadow is its sophisticated guidance and targeting system. The missile is equipped with a combination of inertial navigation, GPS, and terrain contour matching [TERCOM], which enables it to navigate with high precision in a variety of environments.

The onboard imaging infrared [IIR] seeker allows for terminal guidance, ensuring that it can strike stationary or moving targets with exceptional accuracy. This multi-mode guidance system gives the Storm Shadow the ability to hit targets that are well-protected by air defenses, even in adverse weather conditions or GPS-denied environments.

The Storm Shadow’s warhead is a key aspect of its lethality. Typically, the missile is armed with a 450-kilogram broach-shaped warhead, designed to penetrate hardened structures such as bunkers or command centers.

The warhead’s unique design allows it to penetrate deep into the target before detonating, making it particularly effective against reinforced military facilities, radar installations, and critical infrastructure. The missile’s ability to target both hardened and soft targets makes it a highly versatile weapon in modern warfare.

The missile’s operational range and capabilities make it an ideal asset for long-range strike missions. Its ability to strike deep behind enemy lines allows it to target high-value strategic assets, from military command centers to industrial facilities. This makes it a valuable tool for countries like Ukraine, which has used the Storm Shadow to strike deep into Russian territory, highlighting its ability to circumvent air defense systems and deliver precise, devastating blows against well-protected targets.

As the Storm Shadow continues to be deployed by various air forces, it remains a key component in the arsenal of nations seeking to extend their reach and precision in modern conflict.

Reports from BulgarianMilitary.com have raised concerns over recent movements within Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, with satellite imagery confirming that a significant portion of the fleet has departed Novorossiysk. The timing of this relocation has prompted speculation that the decision was influenced by the growing threat posed by Ukraine’s newly authorized long-range strike capabilities, specifically the British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles and U.S.-provided ATACMS.

The notion is that the Russian naval command, likely aware of Ukraine’s increasing ability to target high-value assets deep within Russian-held territory, chose to reposition its assets to safer waters. With Storm Shadows now in Ukrainian hands, capable of reaching well beyond the frontlines, and ATACMS missiles offering even longer-range precision strikes, the Russian naval presence in Novorossiysk—an important strategic hub for Moscow’s Black Sea operations—was becoming increasingly vulnerable to direct attack.

The departure of these naval assets from Novorossiysk suggests a proactive strategy to minimize the risk of losing critical assets to Ukrainian missile strikes. Both the Storm Shadow and ATACMS missiles have proven highly effective at penetrating modern air defense systems and striking heavily fortified positions, making Russia’s naval forces in the Black Sea an increasingly tempting target.

As Ukraine continues to push the boundaries of its strike capabilities, the displacement of Russia’s fleet reflects the escalating risks posed to Russian military infrastructure and highlights the growing significance of long-range missile systems in modern warfare.

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American and European officials have offered the current U.S. President Joseph Biden to provide Ukraine with nuclear weapons that  Kyiv could use as an instant and powerful deterrent.

This is stated in the material of the American publication The New York Times.

According to the NYT, a number of officials in the U.S. and European countries are discussing deterrence as a possible security guarantee for Ukraine.

As part of this, Ukraine could accumulate a powerful arsenal of conventional weapons, sufficient to launch a retaliatory strike if russia decides to violate the ceasefire.

 

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