The Guardian reported that Ukrainian authorities are planning to use a British-French Storm Shadow long-range missile in a demonstration attack to prove to the Kremlin that military targets near Russia's capital Moscow could be vulnerable to direct attacks.
A senior Ukrainian official said Russia could only consider negotiations if it sees a real threat to Moscow and St.Petersburg. However, this strategy is highly risky and is not currently supported by the US.
Ukraine has been campaigning in the hallway for months to be allowed to use Storm Shadow against targets inside Russia, but has been unsuccessful. However, as the Ukrainian army struggles on the eastern front, there is growing confidence that Kiev's best hope is counterattacks, The Guardian quoted the Ukrainian official as saying.
In his National Day speech, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he would respond commensurately to Russia for missile attacks on civilian areas.
According to The Guardian, Kiev believes that proving the Ukrainian military's ability to strike deep into Russian territory could force the Kremlin to reassess its strategy.
Storm Shadow missiles are mainly developed by the UK-France and manufactured by the European joint venture MBDA. However, because some components of the missile were supplied by the US, the White House also had to agree to let Ukraine use it in Russia. However, Washington has so far refused to do so because it is concerned the conflict will escalate, The Guardian wrote.
US officials told Politico that they believe the Storm Shadow missile and other long-range systems may lack accuracy at long range. Russian fighter jets, which have been bombed in frontline areas of Ukraine, are mostly stationed outside the missile's range.
Moscow is located about 482 km from the northern border of Ukraine. The Storm Shadow missile has a range of about 305 km, while both the UK and France have domestic versions with double range.
Politico noted that the US does not want to endanger its security. Allowing Ukrainian forces to strike deep into Russian territory could undermine any possibility of re-establishing relations between Washington and Moscow.
The Pentagon has previously said Ukraine has the right to attack Russian territory but only in border areas that are being shelled by Russia and within limited range.
In the past month, the US has not allowed Ukrainian forces to use Storm Shadow missiles to attack Russian territory.
