UK to Share Storm Shadow Tech, Help Ukraine Build Long-Range Missiles

At a summit in Kyiv marking Ukraine's Independence Day, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced that Britain will share the technology behind its Storm Shadow cruise missiles with Ukraine. The move is intended to allow Ukraine to manufacture long-range strike capabilities domestically, rather than relying solely on foreign-supplied weapons.

Burnham noted that the UK was the first country to gift long-range weapons to Ukraine in 2023. He confirmed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had formally requested access to the Storm Shadow technology, and that the request had been approved. British and French industry will now collaborate with Ukraine to develop the capability, with Burnham acknowledging French President Emmanuel Macron's support.

In addition to missile production, Burnham called on British industry to support "Project Freya," an initiative aimed at developing a lower-cost alternative to the US-made Patriot systems for intercepting ballistic missiles.

Addressing the broader war effort, Burnham argued that Russia must feel sustained economic and military pressure. He pointed to Russia's record deficit and declining energy revenues despite higher oil prices, and urged allies to intensify coordinated action against Moscow's shadow fleet of oil and LNG tankers. He also encouraged support for the Graham bill in the US Congress, which seeks to increase economic pressure on Russia.

Burnham reiterated that Ukraine will not cede territory and that Russia cannot win on the battlefield. He said negotiations must begin from the current line of contact, and that allies should press Russia for a full and unconditional ceasefire in coordination with the United States.

French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking via video link, stressed the need to accelerate weapons deliveries to Ukraine. He noted that Ukraine's shortage of interceptors and anti-ballistic missile capabilities has direct consequences for civilian lives. Macron also warned that Russia is likely to escalate provocations against NATO countries to deter further support for Ukraine, and called for a robust allied posture.

President Zelenskyy urged partners to provide a "winter package" of air defence, specifically requesting at least 300 Patriot missiles for the coming cold months. "Every missile means lives to be saved," he said. He also called for a fair mechanism to use frozen Russian sovereign assets to fund Ukraine's protection against the ongoing war.