Downing Street tight-lipped on whether it will let Ukraine use Storm Shadow in Russia
Downing Street has refused to reveal whether the Government has changed its stance on allowing Ukraine to fire long-range missiles into Russia.
US President Joe Biden has finally given Ukraine permission to use US-supplied Army Tactical Missile System (Atacms) rockets in the Kursk region.
Mr Biden's decision - which was taken after Donald Trump's victory in the recent election - prompted speculation that the UK might follow suit with its Storm Shadow missiles.
But a Number 10 spokeswoman said: "We have been consistent throughout that providing specific details on operational matters would only serve to benefit [Russian President Vladimir] Putin during an ongoing illegal war."
Asked if it was fair to say the UK would work in lockstep with the US, the spokeswoman replied: "It has always been the case we work closely with our allies and engage to ensure that strategically we are providing the support that Ukraine needs.
"We do that in consultation both with Ukraine and with each other as allies."
She would not be drawn into repeating previous statements by Downing Street that "the policy has not changed" on Ukraine's use of Storm Shadow missiles, which have a range in excess of 150 miles.
Downing Street said Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had not spoken to Mr Biden since he gave Ukraine the green light to use Atacms inside Russia.
However, the spokeswoman reiterated the Government wants to put Ukraine in "the strongest possible position" going into the winter as the war approaches its 1,000th day.
She said the UK would provide Ukraine with the support it needs for as long as it needs it.
But she refused to comment on whether this would include allowing Storm Shadows to be fired at targets in Russia.
"Our support in Ukraine is ironclad and will continue on that basis. But as to the specifics of the support that we provide... we won't get into speculation or a commentary on operational discussions," she said.
"It also remains the case that no war was ever won with one single piece of kit."
In the Commons, Defence Secretary John Healey did not reveal if the Government would allow Ukraine to use UK-supplied long-range missiles against targets inside Russian territory.
Mr Healey said: “I will not compromise operations, security and comment on details of long-range systems today.
"The Prime Minister has been clear, as I do to the House today, that we must double down on the support for Ukraine, give Ukraine the support it needs, and do so for as long as it takes.
“And in doing so we will continue our close co-operation with the US and allies in providing that support to Ukraine.”
Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge has called on the Government to approve the use of Storm Shadow inside Russia.
Mr Cartlidge told Sky News it was "the right time" for permission to be granted for the weapons and said the Conservatives had been calling for the move since the summer.
The UK Government had been reluctant to give Ukraine permission on Storm Shadow without a shift in US policy, in part because the missiles use American navigation data.
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