Ukraine has reportedly deployed UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles against Russian targets, a significant escalation given Russia’s updated nuclear doctrine. -This doctrine now allows for a nuclear response to conventional strikes on Russian soil using weapons from nuclear powers like the UK or the US.

The UK has covertly delivered Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine prior to lifting policy restrictions on targeting Russian territory.

The first use of British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles inside Russia marks a turning point in Western resolve to help Ukraine. Whether a decisive intervention or too little, too late, it says a number of things about the state of the war. First, it marks a welcome return to seriousness.