The Daily Populous Wednesday October 22nd, 2025 day edition
Authored by news.sky.com and submitted by falconfalcon7

British Storm Shadow cruise missiles penetrated Russian air defences in a "massive" strike by Ukraine against a chemical plant inside Russia that makes gunpowder and explosives, the Ukrainian military has revealed.

The use of the British-supplied weapons will likely trigger new threats and condemnation from the Kremlin.

The UK gave Ukraine permission to use its Storm Shadow missiles inside Russia last year, with the first known strikes happening in November.

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John Healey, the British defence secretary, on Monday said Vladimir Putin regards the UK as his "number one enemy" because of its support for Ukraine.

The Ukrainian attack on Tuesday also comes as US President Donald Trump appeared to shelve a plan to meet his Russian counterpart to discuss a peace deal on Ukraine within the next fortnight - and instead prepares to host Mark Rutte, the head of NATO, in Washington today.

Ukraine's general staff said the target of the strike was a chemical plant in the Russian region of Bryansk, which produces gunpowder, explosives and rocket fuel components used in Russian ammunition and missiles.

"A massive combined missile and airstrike was carried out, including the use of air-launched Storm Shadow missiles, which successfully penetrated the Russian air defence system," it said in a post on social media.

"The outcome of the strike is being assessed."

UK ready to send troops to Ukraine

Image: The UK gave Ukraine permission to use its Storm Shadow missiles inside Russia last year. Pic: PA

Images on social media purport to show flames billowing out of the facility.

The Ukrainian air force, working with the army, navy and other units, carried out the attack.

amapofthecat7 on October 22nd, 2025 at 05:45 UTC »

Good to see my tax money being unceremoniously shoved up Putin's arse. More of that please.

SnooHesitations1020 on October 22nd, 2025 at 02:20 UTC »

Incredible respect for UK - simply based on their unwavering support for Ukraine, and it's valiant struggle to defend its nation, people and democracy from Russia.

kiwisoma on October 21st, 2025 at 23:36 UTC »

Love your work Britain 🇬🇧 keep them coming. This is the only language Putin understands.