Officially I think we've allowed the Ukrainians to use them. It's doubtfully that they would be able to do so without UK technical assistance or platform. Russia certainly seems to view it as a UK military action.We’ve launched missiles into Russia?!
‘The UK launched 12 cruise missiles into, actually into Russia’.I suppose it's gone almost unnoticed because things around Russia/Ukraine have been gradually heating up over time, but in the last 24 hours it seems the UK launched 12 cruise (storm shadow) missiles actually into Russia. I'm not debating the rights/wrongs of that (there is a Russia/Ukraine thread for that). What I am wondering is if there should have been some sort of parliamentary recall or debate beforehand? I remember the fiery discussions in parliament before taking action in Iraq and Syria so I wonder why this process was not applicable here?
From what I have read , Ukraine has been using British equipment including Challenger tanks inside the Kursk salient since August. Tanks vs Missiles? Not much difference imo.Yes, I'm surprised the Tories didn't look to score a cheap point tbh. I realise we've probably already got general parliamentary consensus on 'support for Ukraine', but I think launching strikes actually into Russia might have been worth a quick debate first.
I think the difference is the Ukrainians can independently operate the tanks etc so we are in those cases just giving them equipment to do with as they choose. Storm shadow needs to be programmed/targeted by us and probably launched from a UK platform - although from outside Russia. I agree the distinction may be a fine one / semantics but the Russians clearly see it that way.From what I have read , Ukraine has been using British equipment including Challenger tanks inside the Kursk salient since August. Tanks vs Missiles? Not much difference imo.
I'm not sure on the technologies involved. But it's just more sabre rattling from Putin and his gang as far as I'm concerned.I think the difference is the Ukrainians can independently operate the tanks etc so we are in those cases just giving them equipment to do with as they choose. Storm shadow needs to be programmed/targeted by us and probably launched from a UK platform - although from outside Russia. I agree the distinction may be a fine one / semantics but the Russians clearly see it that way.
Good politicians answer that. A lot of words without actually saying anything.
It would have been interesting to immediately ask her the same question re Putin who I think is also the subject of an ICC arrest warrant and see if it generated the same word salad of a non-answer. I suspect not.True. It should be a straightforward yes though. She knows that.
For Russia to come out and say this is just stupid rhetoric. What about Russia using North Korean and Belarusian troops, or Iranian drones? Should Ukraine now declare war on those? Iranian drones for a start have killed many Ukrainian civilians.I think the difference is the Ukrainians can independently operate the tanks etc so we are in those cases just giving them equipment to do with as they choose. Storm shadow needs to be programmed/targeted by us and probably launched from a UK platform - although from outside Russia. I agree the distinction may be a fine one / semantics but the Russians clearly see it that way.