Russia Institute: Cruise missiles hit Russian headquarters

According to a report by the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Ukraine apparently attacked the Russian headquarters for the Kursk counter-offensive with British cruise missiles on Tuesday night.

According to ISW findings, the Russian-North Korean headquarters in the city of Marjino was "successfully" attacked with Storm Shadow cruise missiles and combat drones.

In its analysis, the think tank referred to footage taken after the alleged attack, which is said to have been aimed at the Barjatinski estate in Marjino. Russia has gathered almost 50,000 soldiers near Kursk, including around 10,000 North Koreans, for a counter-offensive to recapture the territories occupied by Ukrainian troops since the summer.

Following Washington's decision to allow Ukraine to use long-range weapons against targets on Russian territory, there was also speculation about the deployment of similar weapons systems from the UK. The government in London initially refused to comment on this.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov also refused to confirm or deny the possible use of the Storm Shadow weapon system. "We are using all means to defend our country, so we will not reveal any details," he told US broadcaster CNN. "But we are making it clear that we are capable and able to counterattack."

The air-launched Storm Shadow cruise missiles have a range of more than 250 kilometers and can be used for precision attacks on targets such as bunkers and critical infrastructure. They are identical in design to the French Scalp missiles.

SDA