The Air Force of Ukraine showed the footage of the launch of Franco-British Storm Shadow / Scalp-EG long-range air-launched cruise missiles for the first time. The video was published on the official website of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The Ukrainian military was armed with Storm Shadow missiles a year and a half ago but this is the first footage of their launch. The Ukrainian Air Force first received the British missiles, then the French supplied the Ukrainians with their Scalp-EG missiles.
The Ukrainian military did not comment on the date of the filmed strikes. They most likely targeted the Crimean Peninsula, as Western patrons have banned Ukrainian forces from using their missiles to strike the Russian mainland regions.
Two missiles were launched by Su-24M tactical bomber of the Air Force of Ukraine. Previously it was suggested that the upgraded Ukrainian aircraft could lift three or even up to six missiles, deploying them on the wings and on the fuselage.
Presumably, the Soviet Su-24M tactical bomber became the first upgraded aircraft that united the Soviet and Western technologies. The Ukrainian Air Force lost most of Su-24M bombers during the years of war. As a result, the Ukrainian military was forced to upgrade Su-24MR reconnaissance aircraft into carriers of WEstern cruise missiles.
In their turn, the Russian air defense forces gained a great experience of destroying Franco-British missiles. The ongoing strikes with expensive missiles result in less and less damage to Russian rear facilities. The Russian military also gained precious trophies of intercepted Western missiles and studied them, increasing the efficiency of its air defense.
