Ukraine’s Strategic Missile Strikes: Su-24 Launches Storm Shadows Against Russian Targets

U.S. Authorizes Ukraine to Strike Inside Russia

On Monday, The New York Times reported that U.S. President Joe Biden has allowed Ukraine to use American-made long-range missiles against targets in Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded, stating that the missiles would “speak for themselves.”

Shortly after this announcement, a Ukrainian military battery launched eight Army Tactical Missile System rockets at a Russian ammunition depot in Karachev, Bryansk Oblast, about 60 miles from the Ukraine-Russia border. The strike set the arsenal ablaze and marked a potential shift to concentrated attacks on Russian forces and supply lines in Kursk Oblast.

Following the U.S. lead, the United Kingdom and France also gave Ukraine the green light to use their munitions against Russia. Early Wednesday, Ukrainian bombers fired 10 Storm Shadow cruise missiles at a location in Maryino, Kursk, just 25 miles from the border.

The intent behind the massive missile launch is unclear, though it suggests a significant target. The Storm Shadow missile, designed specifically to penetrate tough defenses, typically weighs 2,900 pounds and carries an 880-pound warhead adept at destroying hardened structures.

Reports suggest that the Ukrainian strike aimed at a command post overseeing Russian and North Korean troops in the area. A Russian blogger noted the attack on the command center appeared to be an execution of the defenseless. The strike was likely executed by up to five Ukrainian Su-24 bombers, modified to carry Storm Shadows and similar munitions.

These missile launches represent the main mission of the Ukrainian air force’s 7th Tactical Aviation Brigade. This brigade has transitioned from using unguided bombs to Western high-precision weapons since the conflict escalated in February 2022. Ukrainian correspondent Yuri Ignat remarked on the brigade’s focus on “serious strategic tasks.”

Using cruise missiles allows Ukrainian forces to strike from a safe distance, but the missions remain perilous. Pilots often target objectives while dodging incoming enemy missiles. Despite the risks, the strikes are deemed crucial. Ukraine continues to develop various precision munitions to hit fortified targets effectively. The British Storm Shadow missiles are vital in reaching buried command structures.