‘Farewell Liam’ and ‘UK defies Putin’

The Times describes Ukraine’s first use of British-made Storm Shadow missiles on targets inside Russia as a “marked intensification” of Britain’s involvement in the conflict. The front page of the newspaper has a grainy photo showing a command post in the Kursk region being hit. It claims the move – and the use of US ATACMS missiles – shows Moscow “that Ukraine’s Western allies remain determined to provide Kiev with the systems necessary to defend the country”.

“UK defies Putin” is the heading for i. In an analysis piece, it suggests that the use of the missiles is “a bold, dangerous blow – intended to break the backbone of Russia’s operations inside Ukraine”. It cites Vladimir Putin’s recent threat to retaliate with nuclear weapons if Russian sovereignty was threatened by weapons supplied by the West. But it suggests that the prospect of Donald Trump returning to the White House may have convinced governments that Moscow would be less likely to launch weapons of mass destruction.

The Daily Telegraph is concerned that the Storm Shadow missile attacks have come as the British military faces “£500m of cuts”. Its leader claims plans to phase out the army’s primary drone system – along with several naval ships and older RAF helicopters – are “madness” at a time of heightened global tensions.

The Mail agrees and suggests in its opinion column that the move – announced yesterday by Defense Secretary John Healey – will “leave a gaping hole in Britain’s ability to project power when we are at the forefront of a global battle for freedom”.

There is a picture on the front of Financial Times of a Chinese bulk carrier being closely monitored by a Danish military patrol vessel, days after two fiber optic data cables in the Baltic Sea were cut. The paper says dispatch data suggests the Yi Peng Three were in the area when the cables were damaged. Swedish police state that they are also interested in the ship. China says it always requires its vessels to comply with relevant laws and regulations.

This is reported by The Guardian Labor MP Diane Abbott has teamed up with Conservative Sir Edward Leigh to express concern about the Assisted Dying Bill. There is to be a free vote in the Commons on the measure – which would allow terminally ill people to end their lives in certain circumstances – a week on Friday. But Abbott and Sir Edward, the mother and father of the House, claim there has been insufficient scrutiny of the bill. They want the Danish Parliament to focus instead on better health and care services.

Several covers focus on pop star Liam Payne’s funeral. The sun has pictures of his former One Direction bandmates and his ex-partner Cheryl at the ceremony. The headline is: “All for one”. The mirror‘s is simply: “Goodbye Liam”.