For the first time, the Ukrainian armed forces have used long-range Storm Shadow cruise missiles to strike Russian territory. According to Bloomberg, the strikes targeted military facilities in the Kursk region. A Western official with knowledge of the situation confirmed that the decision to use these missiles was made in response to the North Korean military’s involvement in the war against Ukraine.
According to Russian Telegram channels, 12 missiles struck near the historic building of the Baryatinsky princes’ estate, which now functions as a sanatorium and is under the jurisdiction of the Russian Presidential Administration. Published videos show explosions and extensive damage.
Defence Express analysts suggest that the main target of the strike could have been the headquarters of the Russian troops in the Kursk region. “The only logical explanation for the expenditure of a significant amount of Storm Shadow on this facility is the likely presence of the Russian army command along with North Korean generals,” the analysis says.
Storm Shadow: a new stage in the war
The Storm Shadow is a precision cruise missile with a range of over 250 km, which Ukraine received from the UK. It is designed to hit fortified and strategically important targets. Its use on the territory of the Russian Federation was a new stage in the confrontation, demonstrating Ukraine’s readiness to conduct precision strikes outside its borders.
The decision to use Storm Shadow was prompted by recent reports of DPRK soldiers participating in the war against Ukraine on the side of Russia. This information caused an international outcry, and the United States and its allies increased pressure on Moscow and Pyongyang.
According to analysts, the strike in Kursk region has not only a military but also a symbolic purpose: to demonstrate the vulnerability of Russian infrastructure even in the rear regions.
The Russian side has not yet provided official information on the consequences of the shelling, but according to local sources, the damage is significant. The Kremlin is likely to view these strikes as a challenge that needs to be met, which threatens to further escalate the conflict.
Ukraine’s western partners have so far refrained from making official comments, but the fact that Storm Shadow is being used indicates support for Kyiv’s strategic decisions. At the same time, Russia is likely to continue accusing Western countries of “direct interference” in the conflict, which could lead to a deterioration in diplomatic relations.
