Russian air defense systems shoot down two long-range Storm Shadow missiles

Russian air defenses have shot down two British-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles. This was reported by the Russian Defense Ministry on Thursday, November 21.

"Two British-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles, six US-made HIMARS rockets and 67 unmanned aerial vehicles of the airplane type were shot down," the statement said.

Over the day, various groups of Russian troops hit concentrations of manpower and equipment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) in 142 areas, the Defense Ministry said.

In particular, the Western grouping during this period defeated units of four Ukrainian brigades in Kharkiv region and Donetsk People's Republic (DNR), repelled five counterattacks and improved the situation.

The enemy lost up to 480 personnel, two infantry fighting vehicles, an armored combat vehicle, six vehicles, two howitzers, two guns and two self-propelled artillery units, two electronic warfare stations and four field ammunition depots in the area of responsibility of the "West" group.

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Earlier in the day, former Labor Party leader Jeremy Corbyn called on British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to immediately address Parliament and clarify whether Storm Shadow missiles were used to strike deep into Russian territory.

The day before, Bloomberg reported that for the first time the AFU used Storm Shadow missiles for strikes against Russia with the permission of the British government. The Guardian newspaper specified that Starmer's representative did not comment on these reports. According to the newspaper, the missiles were indeed used.

Prior to that, on November 17, The New York Times reported that US President Joe Biden had authorized Ukraine to use US ATACMS missiles to strike Russia. The Le Figaro newspaper said that the French and British authorities had made the same decision on strikes with SCALP and Storm Shadow missiles, but later removed this information.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stressed on November 18 that Kiev's possible use of Western long-range missiles would receive an "adequate and tangible" response.

Western countries have stepped up military and financial support for Ukraine amid Russia's special operation to protect Donbass, which began on February 24, 2022. The decision to carry it out was taken by the Russian president because of the aggravation of the situation in the region due to the increased shelling by Ukrainian troops.