Ukrainian forces have used British-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles to strike Russian territory for the first time, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. On Wednesday, Kyiv launched at least 10 of these missiles into Russia's Kursk region. The missiles, which have a range of 155 miles and rely on U.S. guidance technology, have been a priority for Ukraine, but their deployment was previously withheld due to concerns about provoking further conflict. However, recently President Biden had allowed Ukraine to being using U.S and U.K. missiles to strike Russia.

The Storm Shadow missiles struck the Russian-held town of Marino, with videos from the scene documenting explosions and subsequent shock waves. The Storm Shadow has proven effective within Ukraine, destroying critical Russian infrastructure. However, its limited availability may constrain its impact. The U.K., which had a pre-war inventory of about 822 missiles, faces challenges in replenishing stocks amid financial pressures.

Despite the effectiveness of European-supplied weapons like the Storm Shadow, years of underfunding in European defense sectors have left inventories shallow. For instance, the U.K. has not ordered additional Storm Shadows since the war began, partly due to their high cost, exceeding $1 million per unit. This contrasts with the U.S., which has significantly larger cruise missile stockpiles. Europe's limited production capacity and budgetary constraints underscore the challenges of sustaining high-tech weapon supplies to Ukraine as the war continues.

The Storm Shadow, originally used in the Iraq War, combines sophisticated guidance systems that enable it to evade enemy defenses and strike fortified targets with precision. Its ability to penetrate structures and detonate deep inside makes it particularly lethal against military personnel and command centers. While Ukrainian officials laud its performance, the missile's scarcity and the broader challenges of Western military supply chains may limit its role in shifting the dynamics of the conflict.