Once considered a transformative weapon in the West’s strategic arsenal, the Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG cruise missile inspired confidence among Western political leaders and military strategists. Many believed it could decisively shift the balance in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, now deep into its third year.
This optimism peaked in November 2024 when Kyiv received unprecedented approval from Britain and the United States to deploy these advanced long-range cruise missiles against strategic targets deep inside Russian territory. This marked a significant escalation in Western support and a direct challenge to Russia’s defensive perimeter.
By March 2025, however, reports on the missile’s use have significantly declined. Once a prominent feature in military assessments, the Storm Shadow now garners little attention.
“The key question now arises: Has Ukraine ceased utilizing the Storm Shadow, or is its role intentionally downplayed?” asked Bulgarian Military, a well-regarded defense analysis website.
According to Bulgarian Military, which cites open-source intelligence, official statements, and expert analyses, multiple factors have contributed to the missile’s declining visibility. Logistical constraints, intensified Russian countermeasures—including sophisticated electronic warfare and reinforced air-defense systems—and shifting geopolitical dynamics have relegated the missile from a strategic game-changer to an understated footnote in the ongoing war.
The first recorded use of Storm Shadow missiles in Ukraine highlighted their formidable capabilities. Attacks on high-value Russian military installations in the strategically sensitive regions of Kursk and Bryansk were confirmed by Ukrainian military sources and geo-located imagery widely shared on platform X in November 2024.
These early operations showcased the missile’s ability to strike far beyond Ukraine’s immediate front lines, compelling Russian forces to bolster their air defense networks in these vulnerable border areas. The initial success reinforced Western confidence in the missile’s efficacy.
However, as December 2024 unfolded, reports of Storm Shadow missile strikes became increasingly scarce. Defense analysts monitoring the conflict via platforms such as X noted a noticeable decline in operational claims. Once frequent weekly reports, often supplemented with drone footage and Russian Telegram channels displaying extensive damage, have become rare. This suggests a tangible shift in the missile’s operational tempo.
On December 15, 2024, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) released an assessment indicating Ukraine’s missile stocks were “nearly exhausted.” The report cited the absence of recent resupply efforts from Britain and France as a major contributing factor.
The United Kingdom, Ukraine’s primary supplier of Storm Shadow missiles, reportedly provided between 100 and 200 units since early 2023, according to defense officials quoted by Reuters. France, a key partner in the missile’s development, contributed a significantly smaller number of its SCALP-EG variant.
The shortage of these missiles stems from inherent production challenges. Each Storm Shadow missile costs over $2 million, reflecting the advanced technology and precision engineering involved. Unlike conventional artillery shells that can be mass-produced, cruise missiles require meticulous manufacturing processes, further constraining supply during wartime.
MBDA, Europe’s leading missile manufacturer, faces additional strain due to global military commitments. Western inventories, already stretched thin across multiple defense theaters, proved inadequate in sustaining Ukraine’s increasing demand for long-range strike capabilities, particularly following the intensification of Kyiv’s deep-strike campaign post-November 2024.
Developed through a tripartite collaboration between the United Kingdom, France, and Italy, the Storm Shadow—known in France as SCALP-EG (Système de Croisière Autonome à Longue Portée – Emploi Général)—was designed in the early 1990s as an air-launched cruise missile (ALCM). Its purpose was to neutralize high-value enemy targets while keeping launch aircraft at safe stand-off distances, well beyond enemy radar and missile defense systems.
Capable of reaching targets up to 560 kilometers (approximately 300 nautical miles) away, the Storm Shadow dramatically enhances the operational reach of fighter jets such as the Tornado, Eurofighter Typhoon, and Rafale. Currently, the missile is in active service with the air forces of the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Measuring 5.10 meters in length and weighing approximately 1.3 tons, the missile is powered by the Turbomeca Microturbo TRI 60-30 turbojet engine. This propulsion system enables swift and precise targeting.
The missile’s navigation system integrates advanced Inertial Navigation Systems (INS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS), and Terrain Reference Navigation. This ensures pinpoint accuracy, even in highly contested environments. Each missile is pre-programmed with detailed targeting data and precise trajectory information, maximizing its effectiveness.
The destructive power of the Storm Shadow is largely attributed to its dual-stage BROACH (Bomb Royal Ordnance Augmented Charge) warhead.
The first stage is specifically designed to breach reinforced targets, clearing a path for the second, larger warhead. This second stage detonates moments later, penetrating deeper into the structure to maximize damage and ensure the complete destruction of fortified enemy positions.
Despite its initial success, the effectiveness of Storm Shadow missiles has been increasingly challenged by Russia’s adaptive defense strategies.
Russia has significantly upgraded its air defense capabilities, deploying advanced S-400 and Pantsir-S1 systems in critical zones. These systems, coupled with enhanced electronic warfare techniques, have reportedly neutralized a growing number of Ukrainian missile strikes.
Additionally, Russian forces have shifted key military assets deeper into the country, reducing their vulnerability to Ukrainian long-range strikes. This logistical adjustment has further limited the impact of Storm Shadow attacks, forcing Ukraine to reassess its strategic priorities.
As Ukraine’s missile stockpile dwindles and Western resupply efforts remain inconsistent, the Storm Shadow’s role in the conflict appears to be diminishing. However, this decline may not signify a complete cessation of its use but rather a tactical pause as Kyiv recalibrates its strategy.
With Western nations increasingly cautious about depleting their own military stockpiles, Ukraine may have to explore alternative strike capabilities, including domestically produced long-range weapons or more cost-effective solutions.
Ultimately, the Storm Shadow’s legacy in the Russia-Ukraine conflict will be defined by its early successes and the strategic shifts that followed. While its prominence may have waned, the missile’s impact on shaping battlefield tactics and compelling Russia to adapt its defenses remains undeniable.
As the conflict progresses, it remains to be seen whether Ukraine will reintroduce the Storm Shadow in a more targeted capacity or whether its once-prominent role will be permanently overshadowed by emerging technological and logistical realities.
