JUST IN: PUTIN SUFFERS HUGE BLOW after Ukraine uses ‘British Storm Shadow Missiles’ in Donetsk assault
The assaults could represent a huge blow to Russian leader Vladimir Putina and his war efforts in Ukraine
Putin reeling after Ukraine uses ‘British Storm Shadow Missiles’ - World News - News - Daily Express US
By Will Stewart, John O'Sullivan
02:49 ET, Tue, Sep 9, 2025 Updated: 02:49 ET, Tue, Sep 9, 2025
The strikes could represent a blow to Vladimir Putin, if verified (Image: Getty)
Ukraine reportedly launched British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles against a Russian command hub in occupied Donetsk. The strikes were said to have hit the Topaz military plant and the Donetsk Metallurgical Plant, according to early reports. This comes after Ukrainian troops seized control of a vital Russian checkpoint.
Denis Pushilin, the Kremlin-backed leader of the region, claimed that two people died and 17 others were hurt in the bombardment, which also involved Ukrainian Palyanitsa drones on Donetsk and nearby Makiivka, which will add to the shocking statistics of Russian losses in 2025.
Russian outlets circulated photos of missile fragments, alleging they were Storm Shadows — long-range cruise missiles supplied to Kyiv by Britain and France. Meanwhile, tensions with NATO rose even further after a Russian drone crossed the Polish border after one of the biggest Russian assaults of the war.
he strikes were said to have hit the Topaz military plant and the Donetsk Metallurgical Plant (Image: east2west news)
If verified, it would mark only the second time this year that such weapons have been used, fueling speculation that Ukraine’s supply is dwindling. Further details on destruction and casualties are expected.
The Topaz facility was allegedly being used as a command center for Putin’s 41st Combined Arms Army, while the metallurgical plant was believed to house the 20th Guards Motor Rifle Division. Smoke was filmed billowing over central Donetsk.
Elsewhere, Ukraine struck Sochi, Russia’s prime Black Sea resort and location of Putin’s summer residence, which is currently under renovation. One civilian was killed after drone debris hit his car.
The attack damaged homes and forced the closure of the airport. Krasnodar’s regional governor Veniamin Kondratyev confirmed: “A man died. Drone fragments hit the car he was driving.”
In another operation, Ukrainian military intelligence said it carried out a revenge strike nearly 5,000 miles from the front, targeting a Russian base accused of atrocities in Bucha and Irpin three years ago. Hundreds of civilians were tortured, raped, and killed in those massacres.
“Two explosive devices went off in a car park near the military unit,” said a source. “The explosions occurred at about 9 am [Monday] — exactly at the moment when the Russian army arrived for duty.
“As a result of the explosions, there are dead and wounded among the personnel of the enemy army.”
The target was reportedly Military Unit 6912 of the 748th separate operational battalion of the Russian Guards. Following the blasts, Russian officials allegedly cut mobile internet and rerouted public transport to prevent locals from learning what had happened.
Meanwhile, footage emerged of a hospital in Kostiantynivka reduced to rubble by Russian bombing. Once a city of 60,000, it is now largely destroyed as Moscow’s forces continue their failed bid to seize it. “A huge crater and one block is gone,” said a voice in the video.
“I can't even remember how many lives the doctors saved here. We brought people here from Chasiv Yar, Kostyantynivka, the wounded. Now that's all - it’s closed and was finally destroyed. Kostyantynivka is just….turning into ruins.”
Elsewhere overnight, Russian forces used Shahed drones to hit Zaporizhzhia, injuring a 66-year-old woman. In Kharkiv region’s Kupiansk district, two children were also wounded by an explosion.
At the same time, signs emerged of Russia redeploying forces from the north. The ATESH partisan network released images of two BMP infantry vehicles and a Typhoon-K armored truck being transported by rail towards the frontline.
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