On Wednesday, Ukraine launched a series of British Storm Shadow cruise missiles into Russian territory, marking the latest instance of Western weaponry being utilized against Russian targets, following the previous day’s deployment of U.S. ATACMS missiles.

These strikes were extensively covered by Russian war correspondents on Telegram and were corroborated by an official who requested anonymity. Moscow has indicated that the use of Western arms to target areas deep within Russia would represent a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict.

Kyiv asserts that it requires the ability to strike Russian rear bases that facilitate Moscow’s invasion, which has now reached its thousandth day.

Reports from Russian war correspondents on Telegram included video footage that purportedly captured the sounds of missiles impacting in the Kursk region. At least 14 powerful explosions were audible, most preceded by a sharp whistling sound indicative of incoming missiles. The footage, recorded in a residential area, depicted black smoke billowing in the distance.

The pro-Russian Telegram channel, Two Majors, claimed that Ukraine had launched as many as 12 Storm Shadows into the Kursk region, sharing images that clearly displayed fragments of the missiles labeled Storm Shadow.

A representative for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer indicated that his office would refrain from commenting on reports or operational issues.

Previously, the UK permitted Ukraine to utilize Storm Shadows within its own territory. The Ukrainian government has been urging its Western allies for authorization to deploy such weapons to target locations deep within Russia. This week, they received approval from U.S. President Joe Biden to use ATACMS, just two months before he leaves office.

President-elect Donald Trump, who will succeed Biden, has stated his intention to end the conflict, although he has not specified how this will be achieved. Both sides in the conflict interpret this as a potential move towards peace negotiations, which have not occurred since the early stages of the war, and are seeking to strengthen their positions ahead of any talks.

The Storm Shadows possess a range exceeding 250 km (155 miles), enabling Ukraine to strike targets much deeper within Russia than previously possible.

Kyiv asserts that Moscow, which launched its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has exploited restrictions on weapon usage, particularly in conducting aerial assaults on Ukrainian cities with heavy guided munitions.

Western nations have expressed concern over the recent arrival of more than 10,000 North Korean troops to support Russia, viewing this as an escalation that warrants a response.

The recent deployment of U.S. ATACMS on Tuesday, targeting a Russian munitions depot in the Bryansk region, elicited a strong response from Moscow, which announced a revision to its nuclear strategy aimed at lowering the threshold for nuclear engagement. In contrast, Washington has stated that it sees no necessity to modify its own nuclear stance and accused Moscow of engaging in reckless rhetoric.

Military experts have indicated that while these longer-range missiles may not provide Ukraine with a decisive advantage in the conflict, they could enhance its strategic position, particularly in the ongoing struggle for a small area within Russia’s Kursk region that was captured in August.

US EMBASSY CLOSED

Amid heightened tensions surrounding the missile usage, the United States closed its embassy in Kyiv on Wednesday morning “out of an abundance of caution” due to what it described as the threat of a significant air assault.

Later, an air raid siren in the early afternoon caused alarm in the capital. Ukraine’s military intelligence agency later clarified that the threat was unfounded and accused Russia of attempting to instill panic by disseminating false information about an imminent missile and drone strike.

“The enemy, unable to conquer Ukrainians through force, resorts to intimidation and psychological tactics against society. We urge everyone to remain vigilant and resolute,” it stated.

A U.S. government official noted that the embassy’s closure was “related to ongoing threats of air attacks.” The Italian and Greek embassies also announced their closures, while the French embassy remained operational but advised its citizens to exercise caution. The Kremlin refrained from commenting on the situation.

Russian foreign intelligence chief Sergei Naryshkin stated in an interview released on Wednesday that Moscow would respond to NATO countries that assist Ukraine in conducting long-range missile strikes on Russian soil.

The conflict is currently at a precarious stage, with approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory under Russian control, North Korean forces stationed in Russia’s Kursk region, and uncertainties surrounding the future of Western support, particularly with Trump’s nominees for administration roles expressing skepticism about backing Kyiv.

On Sunday, Russia executed a missile and drone attack on Ukraine’s national power grid, resulting in seven fatalities and raising concerns about the resilience of the already weakened energy infrastructure.