UK Government has not given Ukraine approval to use Storm Shadow missiles as part of its Kursk offensive

Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, a former British tank commander, said Storm Shadow missiles would be able to strike “rail heads and key roads coming into Kursk, plus any airfields within 100 miles”.

“Putin is rattled and this would show the West is fully committed to Ukraine, which has not been apparent hitherto,” he added.

The position on how Storm Shadow missiles are used is not just the UK Government’s to make, since the missile is manufactured with France, meaning Paris also has a say on conditions.

Kyiv has also asked Washington for permission to use its Atacms long-range missile during the Kursk offensive, but that has so far also been refused.

Putin appeared frustrated as he addressed his top brass in a publicly broadcast meeting in the Kremlin.

He said he had instructed defence officials and diplomats to “present a list of necessary actions on our part to obtain permission from our partners to use long-range weapons to defend our territory”.

The Telegraph understands that the UK Government has not given Ukraine approval to use Storm Shadow missiles as part of its Kursk offensive.

“There has been no change,” a government source said.