UK signals go-ahead for Storm Shadows strikes inside Russia I Ukraine: The Latest, Podcast

Day 878.

Today, off the back of the Blenheim summit we assess the breaking news that Britain has granted the use of Storm Shadows on Russian soil. Plus, we consider a new report as to why the Ukrainian counter-offensive failed, and the significance of a British soldier fighting for Moscow.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Aliona Hlivco (Political Scientist. Managing Director at Henry Jackson Society). @aliona_hlivco on X.

Daniel Hardaker (Freelance Journalist). @danielhardaker4 on X.

Hamish De Bretton-Gordon (Former British Army Tank Commander). @HamishDBG on X

Articles Referenced:

War with China is closer than we think (Aliona Hlivco in The Telegraph)

Putin is leading Russia into a demographic catastrophe (Francis Dearnley in The Telegraph)

Preliminary Lessons from Ukraine’s Offensive Operations, 2022–23 (RUSI)

From the front line of the battle to save Kharkiv (Svitlana Morenets in The Spectator)

Russia’s vast stocks of Soviet-era weaponry are running out (The Economist)

Englishman fighting in Ukraine says Kremlin recruiting English speakers (Daniel Hardaker in The Telegraph)

Ursula Von der Leyen wins second term as EC president with European ‘air shield’ pledge (The Telegraph)

[paulbeesley]

I have been in Kharkiv, since before the May assault and permission to use American weapons came only after the Ukrainians had been forced to expend resources checking the Russians.
The long period of notice of the assault (at least four weeks, ) and the general view that it could not seriously endanger the city, meant that it was only ever a ruse to draw Ukrainians away from the eastern front - a more desirable and potentially profitable area
In this, (largely due to a refusal to allow the use on Russian, soil, of American, precision weapons, ) they were successful.
Again and again in this war, western aid has come, but only after it was needed.

[Gopferteckel]

I don’t recall Iran placing restrictions on Shahid drones or North Korea on artillery shells. But somehow the UK is crossing another red line.

[casard]

The U.K.'s support for Ukraine has, and is, strongly inspirational. Take notice Allies. Slava Heroiam Ukraini, Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦 from Canada 🇨🇦 Stay strong, keep smart.

[alasdairmcgregor]

i love the show - thanks for putting it on guys x

[richardmulcahy]

Such clear incisive commentary from Ms. Hlivco, truly stellar, thoughtful work of the first order.

[robertgoldbornatyout]

Aliona is such an amazing wise good woman. good report thanks

[Poon-nyjx]

Great again, thanks for your hard work.

[andym]

The American GOP, at the direction of Donald Trump, fought hard to delay arms to Ukraine.

[shermoore]

It would be, I think, a good idea to publish the text of the Budapest Memorandum and other treaties/agreements, showing dates and signees. People seem to be unaware of how often (always) Russia violates the agreements it signs. Can anyone criticise Zelensky for saying that we cannot trust agreements that Russia signs? (Look at Georgia, too, who gave up 20% of its territory in exchange for the end of the Russian military invasion and independence.)

[evilaquaman]

Nice to hear Daniel Hardaker again on the pod

[jimheath]

Never ever rely on someone else for your safety. All talk.

[larrywirsig]

I beg to differ..Trump is NOT sure to win..

[billirwin]

I wonder how those in the US wanting Ukraine to cede territory to end the conflict would feel if it was their territory. Imagine if Putin had decided to declare the original sale of Alaska illegal and invaded Alaska to take it back.

[jdogdarkness]

I swear to god, the Telegraph has told us "UK approves of stormshadow/long range missiles inside Russia" at least 5 times, everytime they were wrong. So dont take this claim for granted.

[dsamh]

I mean maybe the UK just doesnt care about London anymore?

[patrickwickett]

This is amongst the best of modern media coverage

[michaelc]

As always, Hamish adds a lot of interesting commentary and perspective. Just wish he was more regularly featured.

[letsroll]

We need countries like Spain, France, Austria, Luxemburg and others to get serious about defending Democracy. They need to increase their defense spending to 4% of GDP.

[mickmorrow]

Why do we not see or hear from Rosenberg on BBC any more? ... I hope he is OK!

[SeemoreDunkan]

Whatever.. We've been hearing this EXACT line for months