Ukraine says UK-made Storm Shadow missile strike ‘very successful’ as Russian airstrikes intensify

The Ukrainian military confirmed for the first time the use of British-made Storm Shadow missiles on Russian soil, and senior military sources authorized to brief the media called the attack “very successful.”

The same sources, speaking to the press on condition of anonymity, said that Ukraine’s military needs more long-range missiles, including Storm Shadow and ATACMSand more importantly, they need permission to fire their weapons against any target of their choosing in Russia.

Ukraine is currently limited to only targets in the Kursk region.

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The briefing came the day after the Russian military fired what Vladimir Putin called a new type of ballistic missile in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro.

The sources said they were talking to Britain and the United States about acquiring an air defense system capable of intercepting more advanced types of missiles.

They said they believed such a system existed, despite President Putin saying existing missile defense systems would not be able to intercept the newest types.

North Korean troops march to the battlefield

The official revealed that the 11,000 North Korean troops currently in the Kursk region arrived with seven generals, their own artillery and multiple Grad rocket launchers.

North Korea was previously understood to have sent only infantry to Russia.

These senior military sources also confirmed that North Korean troops are still training, although some have already been integrated into Russian units.

They expect all troops to be on the battlefield in the coming days.

“Russia’s goal has always been Kiev”

In this extensive briefing, these senior military sources say they are very concerned about a noticeable increase in airstrikes on Kiev, so much so that a separate air defense brigade has been created specifically to protect the capital.

The official said: “Russia’s target from the very beginning has always been Kiev.”

In recent weeks, the targeting of Ukrainian cities by Russian missiles and drones has intensified.

And the Ukrainian military has also strengthened air defenses in other major Ukrainian cities, including Sumy and Kharkiv.

:: Stuart Ramsay reports from Ukraine with Dominique van Heerden and Azad Safarov