Ukrainian missile strikes highlight regional tensions

In one of the recordings from Ukraine's occupied territory, Storm Shadow/SCALP missiles are seen flying towards the Kursk region of the Russian Federation, notably over a pasture. According to a post on the @Osinttechnical account on X (formerly Twitter), the missiles were directed at a Russian-North Korean post in the Kursk region.

The potential for Ukrainian forces to use missiles like Storm Shadow or ATACMS against targets on Russian soil emerged in the latter half of November 2024. Although this may appear as a significant shift in warfare, experts suggest that the approval given by Ukraine's allies does not alter the strategic situation on the front lines.

"Permission to use ATACMS or Storm Shadow missiles on Russian territory absolutely does not change the operational situation on the front. The range of ATACMS missiles is a maximum of 190 miles, and Ukrainians are already attacking Russian territory using drones over distances exceeding 620 miles. It's really more of a political issue rather than a military one," said Polish Commander (retired) Wiesław Goździewicz in an interview with Wirtualna Polska Tech.

Storm Shadow missiles belong to the "fire and forget" category, meaning they are programmed before launch and cannot be controlled afterward. They are low-detectability weapons with a range of 190 to 310 miles, depending on the version. The missiles operate at altitudes between 130 and 490 feet, with an accuracy margin estimated at 3 to 10 feet.

These missiles weigh 1.3 tonnes, with 450 kg of this weight being the BROACH (Bomb Royal Ordnance Augmented Charge) warhead. The remainder comprises mainly the turbojet engine alongside the necessary fuel supply, allowing them to achieve speeds between 0.8 and 0.9 Mach.

The uniqueness of these missiles also lies in their advanced guidance system. They utilise not only traditional inertial and satellite navigation but are also equipped with a fourth-generation infrared sensor (IIR). This sensor allows for the detection of the thermal signature of the target or surroundings and the tracking of the terrain profile, which is compared with a pre-loaded map. This capability ensures accurate navigation even in scenarios of attempted interference.

A challenge in deploying Storm Shadow missiles during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine is the limited number of carriers. The missiles have so far been integrated only with Su-24 aircraft, and estimates suggest Ukraine possesses only four of these planes.