Frontlines in Ukraine often move only slowly – but that does not mean the war is being fiercely fought day by day. Often this takes the form not of territory taken, but of exchanges of fire either over the frontlines or, critically, against operationally or strategic targets behind the lines.For nearly a year, Ukraine relied primarily on HIMARS and M270 to counterbalance Russia’s advantage in longer ranged weapon systems, but successive Russian defensive adaptations (including pushing targets out beyond GMLRS range) mean that these systems are not always viable answers to Ukraine’s pressing military needs. The arrival of British Storm Shadow missiles presents a step change in Ukraine’s long range capabilities. Today I look at how that aspect of the war has evolved, the significance of the Storm Shadow system, and how Ukraine’s allies are steadily building its ability to fight at Operational ranges using this and other systems. In that context it becomes clear that Storm Shadow is not a war winner or ‘game changer’ but that it does represent a major step forward in capability for Ukraine.