Two British-made Storm Shadow Missiles, 6 HIMARS Rocket and 67 Drones Shot Down, says Russia

Moscow: Russian Defence Ministry said Thursday its air defence systems shot down two British-me Storm Show missiles, six HIMARS rockets and 67 drones.

announcement came in ministry's daily roundup of “special military operation” in Ukraine. It didn't say when or where exactly it happened or what missiles were targeting.

This is not Moscow's first public announcement of downing of Storm Show missiles. Russia earlier reported shooting some down over annexed Crimean Peninsula. 

Meanwhile, Kyiv said that Russia launched an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile at Ukraine for first since conflict began. 

'Russia Has Launched ICBM For First Time Since Conflict Began'

development comes as war has increasingly gained an international dimension, with North Korean troops now arriving to assist Russia on battlefield.

Ukraine also stated that it h fired British-supplied Storm Show missiles deep into Russian territory.

This is first time Ukraine has used se long-range missiles outside its own borders, as UK h only permitted Ukraine to use m on its own soil. Russia h earlier called Ukraine’s attacks with US missiles an act of foreign interference and warned that Russia would respond, considering it start of a “new phase of war.”

'Storm Show' missiles were originally supplied by UK with restrictions on ir use—limited to Ukrainian soil only.  

However, this policy appears to have shifted in response to Russia’s increasing reliance on unconventional strategies, including deployment of North Korean troops in Kursk region to support its military operations. Western officials have strongly criticized Moscow for se tactics.

US Missiles and Escalation  

Just days before British missiles were reportedly fired, Ukraine h used U.S.-me long-range weapons to strike Russian positions in Kursk region. se attacks followed President Joe Biden's decision to approve Ukraine’s use of ATACMS system. While se U.S.-approved strikes were limited to Kursk region, y underscored evolving nature of conflict.