Putin must ‘prepare for the worst’ as UK sends long-range 600mph Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine

RUSSIA expressed fear today that British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles could bypass Vladimir Putin’s defences, and lead to new escalation in the war.  A military expert warned that the long-range missiles must be taken seriously, despite Russian air defences having intercepted Storm Shadow in Syria. Russia expressed fears that the Storm Shadow missiles could bypass Vladimir Putin’s defences AFPThe devastating missiles can travel up to 600mph and blast targets up to 350 miles away[/caption] The Storm Shadow missiles strapped beneath the belly of an RAF Tornado Alexei Leonkov said the devastating missile “posed a threat” due to its ability to fly “not in a straight line”. And he claimed it might be deployed from outside Ukraine after UK’s Defence Secretary Ben Wallace confirmed the deployment of the missiles today. Mr Wallace said the long-range missiles will allow Ukraine to further push Vladimir Putin’s forces back into Russia. “The donation of these weapons systems gives Ukraine the best chance to defend themselves against Russia’s continued brutality,” said Mr Wallace. “Ukraine has a right to be able to defend itself.” But rocket and artillery experts in Russia have issued warnings of the potential destruction that these missiles may be able to cause. “Storm Shadow poses a serious threat to our army and the country, as this missile can go around the air defence zone and the actions of long-range radar aircraft,” warned Dr Konstantin Sivkov, deputy president of Russian Academy of Rocket and Artillery Sciences. Military commentator Colonel Yuri Knutov urged the Russian military to locate storages for Storm Shadow in Ukraine – and destroy them before they are used. He predicated they would be deployed by “enemy specialists” with technical expertise who should be destroyed, too. War hawk Colonel Igor Korotchenko,  editor-in-chief of Russia’s National Defence magazine predicated Ukraine would use the missiles to strike Russian cities despite promises not to do so. “Do not  have any illusions – the West is ready to supply Ukraine with everything except nuclear weapons, and Kiev will not keep its promises and will use these missiles to strike Russian cities,” he said. Storm Shadow air-launched cruise missiles can travel up to 600mph and blast targets up to 350 miles away. It means the weapons could hit a targets at maximum range in just 35 minutes – travelling near half the length of the UK. US military officials described the missile as a “a real game-changer from a range perspective”. The missile costs £790,000 and has onboard guidance systems to help seek out enemies. They are designed to hit well-defended static targets like facilities, bunkers and bridges. But Dmitry Belik, an MP for occupied Sevastopol, said Storm Shadow would not be a “miracle weapon” for Ukraine. The Russian army was “strengthening its shield and, of course, is preparing a longer-range response capability”, he said. Mr Wallace also highlighted that it is only due to the actions of Russia that have led to the deployment of the Storm Shadows. And he pointed out the missiles could not compare to the devastating weapons being used by Putin. “These systems are not even in the same league as the Russian AS-24 killjoy hypersonic missile” or “even the Kalibr cruise missile with a range of over 2,000 kilometres”. But despite Russia’s fears over the devastating Storm Shadow missiles – Vadim Kozyulin, of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Diplomatic Academy, said: “How successfully the enemy will be able to use such missiles is not very clear yet. “In principle, the [Ukrainians] can use Storm Shadow to hit military facilities, logistics routes and destroy energy infrastructure,” he added. Kozyulin highlighted that Zelensky’s office has assured Britain that no strikes would be carried out on Russian territory but believes the Ukrainian army will attack Crimea and the new regions of the Russian Federation. He stressed: “Ukraine is indeed being prepared for a counter-attack and strikes on Crimea, and we need to take this seriously.” Yet “we are able to withstand Storm Shadow – our air defence systems are ready for such challenges,” he added. Britain is understood to have received assurances from the Kyiv that these missiles would be used only within Ukraine. They will not be used to hit targets inside Russia – something it is feared could further stoke tension between Putin and the West. East2WestAlexei Leonkov, a military expert, warned that the long-range missiles must be taken seriously[/caption] East2WestKonstantin Sivkov, Deputy President of the Russian Academy of Rocket and Artillery Sciences, said the Storm Shadow missile poses a serious threat to the Russian army[/caption] East2WestMilitary commentator Colonel Yuri Knutov urged the Russian military to locate storages for Storm Shadow in Ukraine – and destroy them before they are used[/caption] East2WestIgor Korotchenko, editor-in-chief of Russia’s National Defence magazine predicated Ukraine would use the missiles to strike Russian cities despite promises not to[/caption] East2WestVadim Kozyulin believes the Ukrainian army will attack Crimea and the new regions of the Russian Federation[/caption]