JOE Biden’s bombshell decision to allow Ukraine to use US-missiles to strike Russia could pave the way for the UK to follow suit with Storm Shadows.
Volodymyr Zelensky has been heaping the pressure on Western allies to blast targets within Russian territory for months.
GettyKeir Starmer and President Volodymyr Zelensky at 10 Downing Street in July[/caption]
Storm Shadow missiles strapped beneath an RAF Tornado
Last night – just two months before he leaves the White House – Biden gave Kyiv his blessing to use US-supplied missiles inside Russia for the first time.
The US President had previously shunned Ukrainian leader Zelensky’s pleas to use long-range weapons to turn the war with Vladimir Putin.
America’s ban lift could now see Sir Keir Starmer also let Zelensky use UK Storm Shadow rockets to hit targets.
Putin warned before any such decision would drag Nato into direct conflict with Russia.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson told Sky News: “The Prime Minister and the Defence Secretary will always keep under review what the Ukrainian government asked of us by way of support.
“We have provided considerable military assistance to the Ukrainian people in their fight against that terrible Russian aggression that we have seen.
“And as we come up to that 1,000 days of the conflict, it’s more stark than ever what the Ukrainian people have had to go through.”
Britain’s bunker-busting Storm Shadow rockets are a nightmare for enemies as they are capable of dodging air defences.
The £800,000 missiles – already being fired within Ukraine – use GPS to precisely hit targets – and can travel at 600mph.
Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge said it was the “right time” for permission to be granted to use the weapons.
He said he welcomed Biden’s “important” decision.
Mr Cartlidge told Sky News: “I hope it is a precursor to the UK granting full autonomy on use of Storm Shadow (missiles).
“Obviously these are complex matters.
“On this we had to move with the Americans, so I welcome the fact that the President has given this steer, and I hope it now leads to the UK doing the same.”
Initial strikes will likely be carried out using the American ATACMS rockets, which have a range of up to 190 miles, sources say.
The outgoing US President’s sudden decision could see long-range missiles used initially in the Kursk region.
Ukrainian troops have launched an incursion into the Russian city – prompting Putin to bolster his defences with soldiers from North Korea.
The first long-range attacks could be launched within the coming days, insiders added.
Biden’s latest move now marks a major US policy shift as he is about to leave office and Trump has pledged to limit American support for Ukraine and end the war as soon as possible.
America’s ban lift marks a major escalation in the war and is “significant in terms of the end game”, according to a former senior Nato official.
But Moscow warned today that the US has taken “a very big step towards the beginning of World War Three” in giving Ukraine the go-ahead.
Putin’s mouthpieces issued apocalyptic warnings – while one Russian official urged Britain and France to act fast and refuse to follow suit.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov referred to Putin’s earlier statements in St Petersburg when he indicated such a move could trigger a world war.
He said: “We have, of course, paid attention to the relevant publications, which [are] without reference to any official sources.
“And here the position of our President, the position of the Russian side, was very clearly and unambiguously formulated by our Head of State in his statement that he made in St Petersburg.
“It says everything very clearly. I simply recommend that you read these words of the President once again.”
Putin previously warned: “This is their direct participation, and this already, of course, significantly changes the very essence, the very nature of the conflict.
“It will mean that Nato countries, the United States, European countries are at war with Russia.”
Donald Trump Jr meanwhile accused Biden of trying to start World War Three after his father – who will take office in just two months – vowed to end the war as soon as possible.
He wrote on X: “The Military Industrial Complex seems to want to make sure they get World War 3 going before my father has a chance to create peace and save lives.”
Russian lawmaker Maria Butina also warned the move risks sparking a wider war.
She told Reuters: “These guys, Biden’s administration, is trying to escalate the situation to the maximum while they still have power and are still in office.
“I have a great hope that (Donald) Trump will overcome this decision if this has been made because they are seriously risking the start of World War Three which is not in anybody’s interest.”
Britain’s Storm Shadow missiles
VLADIMIR Putin’s biggest headache – the war-ship sinking, bunker-busting British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles
The UK began supplying Ukraine with the lethal Anglo-French designed GPS-guided missiles in May 2023.
The roughly £3million air-launched projectiles — which can fly in zig-zags at varying altitude – have been busy dodging Russian air defence systems and blasting targets deep behind enemy lines.
They can travel up to 600mph and strike targets up to 350 miles away.
It means they can hit targets at maximum range in just 35 minutes – travelling nearly half the length of the UK.
Defence analyst Paul Beaver told The Sun: “Storm Shadow is giving Ukraine a very significant advantage — and I don’t believe Russian claims that 50 per cent of them are being stopped.
“They can fly around targets before striking to totally blindside enemy forces.”
Last September, Ukraine used Storm Shadow missiles to blow up Russia’s feared Black Sea fleet headquarters in Sevastopol in occupied-Crimea.
The devastating attack destroyed the entire building and killed at least 34 Russian officers including the fleet’s commander.
In December, the same projectiles were used to sink a Russian warship in Crimea.
More than 30 Russian sailors are thought to have been killed in the attack on the Novocherkassk landing ship.
The missile have also been used to attack the Russian-occupied Ukrainian port cities of Berdiansk and Mariupol.
While the missiles could easily reach targets inside Russia, Ukraine has agreed not to use them against military assets inside the Russian Federation to avoid escalating the war.
But could now be set to change as Starmer could follow Biden’s lead.