The Guardian urged Britain to strengthen Ukraine’s defense independence
Britain is providing Ukraine with classified information about components of the Scalp missile, which The Guardian describes as the French version of the Anglo-French Storm Shadow cruise missile. This is intended to enable such missiles to be assembled in Ukraine. In an editorial, The Guardian called this step part of strengthening Kyiv’s ability to provide for its own defense.
Production and long-range capabilities
The publication noted that Ukraine is already using swarms of drones to strike Russian oil facilities, e-commerce warehouses, and airfields. In the editorial board’s view, domestic production of high-tech weapons gives Kyiv greater freedom of action, as it had previously depended on supplies from allies and their permission to use certain types of weapons.
The authors also recalled that in November 2024, then-US President Joe Biden authorized Ukraine to strike deep inside Russian territory using American weapons. According to the editorial, boundaries previously considered an escalation risk were crossed without a direct war between Russia and NATO.
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Dependence on air defense systems
Ukraine relies heavily on US Patriot systems to intercept ballistic missiles. The Guardian writes about a global shortage of interceptor missiles, which, in the publication’s assessment, has been worsened by the US war with Iran. With support from European partners, Ukraine’s defense industry is developing an anti-ballistic system intended to reduce dependence on Patriot.
At the same time, according to the publication, Ukraine is expanding its own ballistic missile capabilities. The editorial board believes that developing strike and air defense capabilities could reduce Kyiv’s need to turn to Washington for help each time.
Moscow’s political calculation
Russia, the aggressor state, may be counting on a weakening of political support for Kyiv in the West, The Guardian believes. The publication links this risk, in particular, to the rise of far-right forces in Europe, some of which hold pro-Russian views. The editorial board called on Britain and Europe to safeguard material support for Ukraine against possible political changes in the future.
