Budapest Post

Cum Deo pro Patria et Libertate
Budapest, Europe and world news

UK gives cruise missiles to Ukraine; Kyiv delays counteroffensive as it waits for more weapons

UK gives cruise missiles to Ukraine; Kyiv delays counteroffensive as it waits for more weapons

The British government announced Thursday it was giving long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine to help drive out Russia’s occupying forces, just as Kyiv delayed a possible counteroffensive more than 14 months after the Kremlin’s full-scale invasion as it awaits the delivery of more Western weapons.
UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace told lawmakers in the House of Commons that Britain is donating Storm Shadow missiles, a conventionally-armed deep-strike weapon with a range of more than 250 kilometers.

That means it can hit targets deep behind the front line, including in Russia-occupied Crimea. UK media reported that Ukraine has pledged not to use the missiles to attack Russia itself.

Wallace said the missiles “are now going into or are in the country itself.”

Ben Hodges, a former US Army Europe Commanding General, tweeted: ““Well done UK!”

He added: “This will give Ukraine capability to make Crimea untenable for Russian forces” and would force a Russian rethink of where to position its Black Sea fleet.

The British move gives another boost to the Ukrainian military after it received other advanced Western weapons including tanks and long-range precision artillery.

The announcement came shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his country’s military needs more time to prepare an anticipated counteroffensive aimed at pushing back Russian occupying forces and opening a new chapter in the war more than 14 months after the Kremlin’s full-scale invasion.

Zelensky said in an interview broadcast Thursday by the BBC that it would be “unacceptable” to launch the assault now because too many lives would be lost.

“With (what we have) we can go forward and be successful,” Zelensky said in the interview, according to the BBC.

“But we’d lose a lot of people. I think that’s unacceptable,” he was quoted as saying. The interview was reportedly carried out in Kyiv with public service broadcasters who are members of Eurovision News, including the BBC.

“So we need to wait. We still need a bit more time,” Zelensky was quoted as saying.

A Ukrainian fightback against Russia’s invasion has been expected for weeks. Ukraine is receiving Western training as well as advanced weapons for its troops as it gears up for an expected assault.

While a counterpunch is possible as the weather in Ukraine improves, there has been no word on when it might happen. Zelensky’s remarks could be a red herring to keep the Russians guessing, and ammunition supply difficulties faced by both sides have added more uncertainty.

A claim by the Ukrainian military on Wednesday that it had advanced up to two kilometers around the hotly contested eastern city of Bakhmut brought speculation that the counteroffensive was already underway.
AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Controversial Release Culminates in Severe Budapest Collision: The Freeing of a Convicted Human Trafficker
Rising Concerns: The Impact of Synthetic Chemicals on Global Child Health
Massive Cyberattack Disrupts Slovakia's Land Registry System
Elon Musk Praises German Far-Right Figure Alice Weidel in Controversial Live Discussion
Italian Mayor Strives to Halt Sale of Historic Neapolitan Islet
Unprecedented Sanctions Levied on Hungarian Handball Team After On-Field Protest
Raging Wildfires Devastate Los Angeles Region
Tragedy Strikes Montenegro as Shooting Toll Rises to Thirteen
Police Investigation Intensifies Around Hungarian Musician Delhusa Gjon
Hollywood at a Standstill: Wildfires Bring Film Industry to a Halt
Pentagon Issues Stark Warning Amid Escalating U.S.-Russia Tensions
Elon Musk's Global Political Maneuvering Causes Ripples Across Europe
Elon Musk Engages European Leaders in a War of Words
Toxic Strychnine Envelopes Sent to Belgian Prime Minister Unveiled
Elon Musk Sparks Debate with Praise for Germany's Far-Right AfD Leader on Social Media
California Wildfires Set to Become Costliest in U.S. History
Financial Woes Force SCM Gloria Buzău to Withdraw from Romanian Handball Championship
A Nation Mourns: The State Funeral of Former President Jimmy Carter
A Farewell to Jimmy Carter: A Nation Bids Goodbye to a Former President
Unprecedented Sanctions on Mosonmagyaróvári Players for On-field Protest
Hollywood Stars Flee as Wildfires Rage in Los Angeles
Raging Wildfires in Los Angeles: A Heartwarming Tale Amidst Tragedy
Ravaging Flames: The Human Stories Behind the California Wildfires
Wildfires Threaten LeBron James' $23 Million Mansion in Los Angeles
Teenager Fatally Stabbed at Bedford Bus Station
Tragedy Strikes in Bedford: Teenager Fatally Stabbed at Bus Station
Devastating Wildfires Scorch Los Angeles: Paris Hilton's Home Reduced to Ashes
Tragic Incident in Hungary: Sixty-Year-Old Man Confesses to Killing Wife
Tragic Incident in Fót: Man Arrested for the Murder of His Wife
Released Human Trafficker Crashes into Family Car in Buda
Delhusa Gjon: Police Investigation Intensifies Amid Alleged Misconduct
Water Shortages Hamper Efforts as Los Angeles Wildfire Claims More Lives
Santa Ana Winds Fuel Ferocious Wildfires in Los Angeles
Desert Winds Ignite Vast Wildfires Across Los Angeles
Devastating Wildfires Ravage Los Angeles: Smoke Chokes and Homes Turn to Ash
Mass Layoffs Announced at Budapest's Marketing Firm amid Budget Cuts
Honoring a Legacy: Jimmy Carter's State Funeral Unites Past and Present Leaders
Former Presidents Reunite at Jimmy Carter's State Funeral
Pentagon Issues Dire Warning on Russia Amid Heightened Global Tensions
Legal and Political Challenges Surrounding Donald Trump Intensify
Hungarian Minister Sanctioned: A Surprise Move by the United States
Raging Wildfires in Los Angeles Claim Prominent Hollywood Homes
Elon Musk's Increasing Influence on European Politics Sparks Controversy
Formerly Convicted Human Trafficker Involved in Serious Accident in Budapest
Meta's Policy Shift Mirrors Trump's Views, Claims Whistleblower Frances Haugen
Frances Haugen Criticizes Meta's Shift in Content Moderation under Trump's Influence
Elon Musk Fuels Tensions with European Leaders Amidst Digital Regulation Clashes
Russian Glide Bomb Assault on Zaporizhzhia Claims 13 Lives
Armenia Proposes EU Membership Bid Amidst Geopolitical Rift
Armenia Signals Intent to Join the European Union
×