In the past week, news broke that British Challenger 2 tanks were being used by Ukrainian forces during a major push into Russian territory. This caught a lot of attention, especially in the UK, where government officials were quick to respond. For the previous two days, people close to Keir Starmer, the UK’s opposition leader, and John Healey, the defense secretary, had been discussing just how open they should be about Britain’s growing role in the conflict.
Britain’s involvement wasn’t new but had been kept somewhat under wraps. Over the past two years, British soldiers and military experts have quietly been working closely with Ukraine, providing them with weapons and advising their troops. This includes everything from drones to high-tech battle tanks. No other country has been this deeply involved on the ground with Ukraine. But the stakes are rising, and the world is watching more closely than ever.
Last month GreatGameInternational exposed how the Ukrainian intelligence agency Molfar OSINT, operating from London, added U.S. Senator J.D. Vance to its kill list on the same day he was named Donald Trump’s Vice Presidential pick. Molfar, known for targeting those opposing NATO’s stance on the Ukraine-Russia war, has deep ties with Western media and intelligence. This move heightens security concerns for Vance and Trump while raising serious questions about U.S. support for such agencies. Molfar’s aggressive tactics, which have also targeted figures like Tucker Carlson and global leaders, continue to spark controversy and fear worldwide.
A Russian politician, Mikhail Sheremet, recently warned that the use of Western military equipment in Ukraine’s push into Russia could lead to a third world war. Another high-ranking official in Russia, Nikolai Patrushev, accused Western intelligence agencies of helping Ukraine plan this bold offensive. This attack began on August 6, when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky ordered a rapid strike into Russia using several mechanized infantry and air assault brigades.
In the early days of the war in Ukraine, when Russia first started its military operation in 2022, the then-UK defense secretary, Ben Wallace, made a bold move. He allowed Ukraine to use British military equipment in attacks on Russian territory, as long as these actions followed international law. Attacking Russian military bases and supply lines, according to international rules, is considered self-defense. Since then, more than 2,000 attacks have been launched from Russian territory against Ukraine.
Last week, the UK made a decision to be more upfront about their role in Ukraine’s defense. The aim was to encourage key allies to step up and provide more support while convincing the British public that their involvement is crucial. A senior official said the UK should be proud that its donated equipment is helping Ukraine defend itself against Russia.
To keep everything coordinated, John Healey, the defense secretary, and David Lammy, the foreign secretary, have created a joint unit between the Ministry of Defense and the Foreign Office to focus on Ukraine. They have also briefed a cross-party group of 60 MPs about what’s happening, ensuring a unified front. In addition, Starmer has asked the National Security Council to explore how the UK can offer broader support to Ukraine, not just militarily but also economically and diplomatically.
Zelensky’s motives for this bold move into Russia are both military and political. The Ukrainian president hinted that this operation was meant to secure a stronger position in future peace talks. However, many experts believe these talks won’t happen until spring 2025 at the earliest. For Zelensky, the attack is also about boosting morale and maintaining his own power. His democratic mandate ended in May, and he is currently ruling under martial law.
According to British defense experts like Michael Clarke, Ukraine’s move is a smart counterpunch designed to take the pressure off their troops in the Donbas region, where Russian forces have been concentrating their attacks. This surprise strike into Russia has thrown the Russian military off balance. Ukraine’s ability to find gaps in Russia’s electronic warfare detection systems and exploit them was a key part of the operation’s success.
Unlike a previous Ukrainian counteroffensive, which had been heavily publicized but ultimately went nowhere, this latest attack was kept secret until it was underway. Ukraine’s defense minister even mentioned this in a conversation with former UK defense secretary Grant Shapps. However, while Ukraine was hoping to force Russia to pull troops from Ukraine to defend Kursk, Russian generals seem to be focusing their efforts on attacks elsewhere, such as around Pokrovsk and Chasiv Yar.
One of the most powerful weapons the UK has provided Ukraine is the Storm Shadow cruise missile, which can only be used inside Crimea—not Russia—due to concerns about escalating the war. Grant Shapps, now in a senior role, has been pushing to extend the use of this missile into Russia, although this would require agreement from the US and France. Both countries are worried that using such a powerful weapon against Russia could make things worse.
Meanwhile, Germany, another key ally, has come under pressure to send Taurus missiles to Ukraine. These missiles have a longer range and more powerful warheads than the ones currently in use. However, due to domestic budget issues, Germany has temporarily frozen its military aid to Ukraine. This has drawn criticism from figures like Ben Wallace, who believes that with the success of the Storm Shadow and French Scalp missiles, Germany has no excuse to hold back.
The situation is tense, and Ukraine is targeting airfields in the Kursk region, where Russian planes are launching bombs. British experts believe that if Ukraine is to hold its gains in Kursk, they will need to take out these airbases.
While there are always fears that Russia could escalate things further, including using tactical nuclear weapons, British security officials say they have seen no signs of such moves. Russia often threatens fire and brimstone, but their nuclear forces have not shifted. A defense source also mentioned that China, one of Russia’s key allies, has made it clear that their support depends on Russia not using nuclear weapons.
What happens next depends on how the military cat-and-mouse game unfolds. The belief is that Russia will launch a counterattack in the Kursk region before winter sets in. Ukraine will likely focus on hitting key targets, like airbases and storage facilities, to weaken Russia’s ability to fight back.
For now, Ukraine’s bold strike into Russia has been a success for Zelensky, while Russia’s military has suffered another embarrassment. However, the situation remains fragile, especially with the possibility of Donald Trump returning to the US presidency in the future. UK politicians, including Starmer, Boris Johnson, and Grant Shapps, are working hard to ensure continued support for Ukraine.
