Russia accuses Ukraine of using British-supplied missiles to attack Luhansk

Specifically, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman General Igor Konashenkov said that the Ukrainian air force attacked two civilian businesses in the city of Luhansk with Storm Shadow missiles, adding that the attack caused casualties, including six children.

Ukraine uses missiles provided by photo to attack Luhansk photo 1 — A building destroyed by a Ukrainian missile strike in Luhansk, Ukraine on May 12, 2023. Photo: LPR

The UK on Thursday became the first country to begin supplying Kiev with long-range cruise missiles, as Ukraine prepares a major counter-offensive in its conflict with Russia.

British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said the missiles could be used inside Ukraine, implying he had received assurances from Kiev that they would only be deployed in Russian-occupied areas, not used to strike targets inside Russia.

The Russian Defense Ministry said missiles hit a polymer factory and a meat processing plant on Friday in Luhansk, one of four regions that Russia annexed from Ukraine late last year – along with Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.

"Storm Shadow air-to-air missiles supplied by the UK to the Kiev regime were used for the attack, contrary to London's statements that these weapons would not be used against civilian targets," General Konashenkov said.

Ukraine uses missiles provided by photos to attack Luhansk photo 2 — Storm Shadow is an air-launched missile. Pictured is an RAF Tornado GR4 carrying a Storm Shadow missile. Photo: WK

Russian air force fighters shot down both the Su-24 that carried out the attack and the MiG-29 fighter that supported the attack, Mr. Konashenkov added.

In its latest news, the Russian Defense Ministry also said that Russian forces had taken control of another area east of the town of Bakhmut, where fierce fighting has been taking place for the past 10 months, with many losses on both sides.

“Airborne units supported the attacking units and pinned down the enemy on both flanks,” the statement said. The Wagner private military group is currently the main Russian “attack unit” in Bakhmut.

Bui Huy (according to TASS, Reuters)

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