A Ukrainian military source has informed Sky News that Ukrainian aircraft launched British-French cruise missiles at Russian forces attempting to make headway toward a critical city in eastern Ukraine.
The source provided drone video that allegedly depicts strikes on what he referred to as “two command centers of substantial troop formations cautiously approaching Pokrovsk”.
Information regarding potential Russian military casualties was not immediately available.
The assault occurred at 11 am on Friday in the town of Avdiivka, which fell to Russian control in February.
The source indicated that Russian military leadership had been reinforcing troops, weaponry, and resources into the occupied regions of Donetsk as part of their strategy targeting the crucial logistics hub of Pokrovsk.
“The Ukrainian Armed Forces deployed Storm Shadow/Scalp missiles, provided by Western nations,” the source stated.
Storm Shadow is the designation used by Britain for the UK-French manufactured missile, while the French refer to it as Scalp.
Traveling just under the speed of sound, it serves as an effective weapon against well-fortified structures.
Ukraine has been advocating for the UK and other allies to permit its military to utilize longer-range missiles such as Storm Shadow against targets within Russia, rather than limiting their deployment within Ukraine.
The UK seems to be inclined to agree but is awaiting a consensus from the US.
US President Joe Biden has yet to authorize this approach amidst cautionary messages from Russia that Moscow would perceive such an action as direct involvement by NATO nations in the conflict.
Vladimir Putin has insinuated that this could potentially warrant a nuclear response.
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The UK, US, and other allies have criticized the Russian president as a bully and have cautioned against restricting their support to Ukraine due to his threats.
Putin’s forces capture two significant towns in Donetsk
Russian troops have been pushing towards Pokrovsk while the eastern front remains the site of the fiercest combat in the war, with Moscow’s forces seizing numerous towns and villages within the Donetsk region in recent weeks.
This advancement continued this week when Russian forces took control of Vuhledar and Verkhnokamianske.
Vuhledar, approximately 50 miles from Pokrovsk, was a Ukrainian bastion where soldiers had resisted a Russian assault for more than two years.
Its capture enables Russia to enhance the security of its own supply routes and provides them with a more advantageous position for attacks on Ukrainian forces and their supply lines.
This, alongside Verkhnokamianske, marks another victory for Russia and brings them one step closer to Pokrovsk.