Russia claims Storm Shadows missiles supplied by UK hit industrial sites in Russian-held Ukrainian city

LONG-range missiles supplied by the UK have hit industrial sites in a Russian-held Ukrainian city, it has been claimed.

Ukrainian aircraft ­blitzed a chemical plant and a meat factory in Luhansk with the Storm Shadows, Russia said.

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“Storm Shadow air-to-air missiles supplied to the Kyiv regime by Britain were used for the strike, contrary to London’s statements that these weapons would not be used against civilian targets,” the Russian ministry said.

It also claimed to have downed the Su-24 and MiG-29 which fired them.

On Thursday Britain became the first country to declare it had started supplying Kyiv with long-range missiles.

Defence Minister Ben Wallace said they could be used within Ukrainian territory, implying he had assurances from President Volodymyr Zelensky they would not be fired at targets in Russia.

They will let Ukraine target troops and supply dumps far behind the front lines in preparation for a counter-offensive.

Russia’s defence ministry also claimed it had gained control of a block in the eastern city of Bakhmut following ten months of fighting.

“The units of the Airborne Forces provided support to the assault units and pinned down the enemy on the flanks,” it said.