Storm Shadow missiles extend Ukraine’s reach, but Russia is adapting, expert says

Storm Shadow missiles extend Ukraine's reach, but Russia is adapting, expert says

A New Wonder Weapon Falls Short: Ukraine’s Use of the Storm Shadow Missile

Storm Shadow Missile

First it was drones, then HIMARS, and now the Storm Shadow missile. Ukraine has repeatedly turned to these highly touted weapons in the hope of gaining the upper hand against Russia in their ongoing conflict. However, with each new introduction, Russia has quickly adapted, diminishing the effectiveness of these “game-changing” weapons.

The Storm Shadow missile, developed by the UK and France, has been the latest weapon employed by Ukraine with spectacular effect. In June, it damaged the vital Chonhar bridge that connects the Crimean peninsula to southern Ukraine. The missile’s 155-mile range allows Ukrainian jets to launch it while staying outside the reach of Russian air defenses. With a 1,000-pound warhead and stealth features, the Storm Shadow is equipped with multiple guidance systems, including GPS, inertial guidance, and terrain-following radar, making it difficult to detect as it flies just a few hundred feet above the ground [^1^].

Michael Kofman, an expert on the Russian military, describes the Storm Shadow missiles as “effective weapons” and emphasizes their difficult interception, giving Ukraine a “much longer stick” to fight with [^1^]. However, despite its initial success, the Russian military has made adaptations to mitigate the impact of the Storm Shadow missile, just as they did with the HIMARS rockets. The use of electronic warfare and the relocation of logistical sites and headquarters out of HIMARS’ range have limited the effectiveness of these weapons [^2^].

Although there have been reports of successful Storm Shadow strikes, including the killing of a senior Russian commander and an attack on a Russian vehicle repair depot in Crimea, the overall impact on the Russian force has been limited. The adaptations made by the Russian military in response to the introduction of HIMARS in June last year have lessened the effectiveness of long-range weapons like the Storm Shadow missile [^2^].

One limitation Ukraine faces in using the Storm Shadow missile is the limited number of missiles available. Kyiv is likely to have received only a few hundred, making it challenging to target hard-to-find or hard-to-destroy sites [^2^]. Moreover, the aircraft launching these missiles are vulnerable in the highly contested airspace over Ukraine, further complicating their use.

In their counteroffensive last fall, Ukraine’s forces faced logistical challenges as Russia sustained and eventually withdrew its forces using a narrow pipeline, consisting of only one bridge and a ferry system. This raises questions about the potential effectiveness of the next weapon on Ukraine’s wish list – the US-made MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS). With a range of 190 miles, longer than the Storm Shadow’s range, some believe the ATACMS could reshape the conflict. However, history suggests that Russia will adapt to it as well [^2^].

While new long-range weapons could still disrupt the Russian war machine and force the Russian military to alter its operations, the key question remains whether their impact will be limited to the tactical level or if it will be profound enough to tilt the conflict in Ukraine’s favor. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these wonder weapons depends on the ability of Ukraine to adapt and find new strategies that exploit their potential [^2^].

Ukraine’s quest to gain an advantage through advanced weaponry is a constant struggle against a resilient and adaptable opponent. As Russia continues to respond to each new weapon with countermeasures, it highlights the need for Ukraine to embrace a multi-faceted approach. While awe-inspiring in their capabilities, it is clear that these wonder weapons alone will not secure victory for Ukraine. Instead, it will require a combination of military strategies, diplomatic initiatives, and international support to achieve a lasting and positive outcome for the region.

Author: Michael Peck is a defense writer whose work has appeared in Forbes, Defense News, Foreign Policy magazine, and other publications. He holds a master’s in political science.

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British Royal Air Force Tornado GR4 with Storm Shadow missiles
Ukrainian troops firing HIMARS rockets

References: [^1^]: The Storm Shadow cruise missile is the latest highly touted weapon employed by Ukraine [^2^]: Ukraine’s latest wonder missile is highly capable, but likely not a game-changer