The Defence Secretary has signalled the UK will allow Ukraine to use Storm Shadow missiles for defensive strikes against targets in Russia.

Downing Street was forced to clarify earlier this month it had not given Volodymyr Zelensky’s government permission to use the long-range missiles to hit targets inside Russia.

The British Government has previously allowed Kyiv to use Storm Shadows against targets in Crimea and mainland Ukraine.

In an interview with BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, John Healey said the delivery of the missiles “does not preclude” Mr Zelensky from using them to hit targets inside Russia.

“We’re providing weapons to Ukraine for their defence of their sovereign country,” Mr Healey said.

“And that does not preclude them hitting targets in Russia. But that must be done by the Ukrainians, it must be done within the parameters and the bounds of international humanitarian law.”

Asked whether Mr Zelensky can hit where Russian missiles are coming from, the Cabinet minister said “these are complex questions” and insisted he would not “discuss the details of those sorts of things in public”.

“We are continuing very intense discussions with the Ukrainians because we as a country want to do everything we can to support Ukraine’s effort to fight for their freedom.”

Officials have previously expressed that the use of Storm Shadow to hit targets inside Russia could draw the UK into a conflict with Russia.

During the Nato summit, Downing Street said government policy “had not changed” despite Sir Keir Starmer suggesting he was loosening restrictions on how the missiles were used.

Mr Zelensky shared a photograph of himself and Sir Keir captioned: “This morning, I learnt about the permission to use Storm Shadow missiles against military targets in Russian territory.

“Today, we had the opportunity to discuss the practical implementation of this decision.”

But sources said the missile had not been used this year, and stressed Mr Zelensky would need to “seek assurances elsewhere” before missiles could be fired into Russia.

It came as Sir Keir welcomed Mr Zelensky to Downing Street on Friday, as the Ukrainian president became the first foreign leader to address the UK Cabinet in person since Bill Clinton 27 years earlier.

The Prime Minister hailed the visit as a “very special moment” as he told Mr Zelensky that the UK is “united in our Parliament” in supporting Kyiv for as long as possible.

“It’s a very special moment for us to reiterate our support for you and the Ukrainian people in the fight against Russian aggression and to have this opportunity to confirm again our resolve to stand with you, so thank you so much for accepting the invitation,” Sir Keir said.

Mr Zelensky told Sir Keir it was a “privilege” to be invited to No 10 to address the Cabinet. He thanked the UK for showing “unity” with Ukraine and said, “we feel this support”.