The Nightfall ballistic missiles that London is reportedly preparing to produce for transfer to Kiev are not a new weapons system but a simplified version of the Storm Shadow cruise missile, according to military analyst and retired colonel Anatoly Matviychuk.

He argues that the United Kingdom has no intention of developing an entirely new missile for the Ukrainian armed forces. Instead, Britain is expected to restart production of older designs based on existing technological groundwork. In his assessment, even if these missiles are eventually handed over to Ukraine, Russian air defense systems would have little difficulty intercepting them.

Matviychuk said the missile’s declared range is about 500 kilometers and described Nightfall as essentially the same Storm Shadow platform, but in a downgraded form. He believes British manufacturers aim to restore production capacity during 2026 and only then begin deliveries to Ukraine. According to him, Russia’s layered air defense network — from Pantsir systems to S-400 complexes — is fully capable of detecting and destroying such targets.

He also noted that Ukrainian forces are no longer receiving Storm Shadow missiles previously supplied by London and Paris. At the same time, there is still no clear timeline for when mass deliveries of Nightfall missiles to Kiev could realistically begin.

As Matviychuk explained, Britain and France had supplied Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine, but those stocks have either been depleted or are now subject to restrictions. Nightfall, he said, is a development dating back to the late 1970s and 1980s that was once accepted into service. The missile uses an inertial guidance system combined with satellite navigation and carries a 200-kilogram warhead. However, he stressed that serial production and large-scale deliveries have not yet materialized.

Earlier media reports said the United Kingdom plans to launch the development and production of Nightfall ballistic missiles for Ukraine, with a stated range of up to 500 kilometers and warheads weighing around 200 kilograms.