U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated he might authorize transfer of Tomahawk long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine, representing potentially significant escalation of the war with Russia. While on Air Force One enroute to Israel, Trump was asked whether he would send Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine and responded, “We’ll see… I may.” Trump’s comments came in the wake of his second phone call in the past few weeks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has been lobbying for greater long-range strike capabilities.
Tomahawk missiles have an operational range of 2,500 km (1,500 miles) and a 450 kg warhead, potentially placing Moscow and other strategic Russian targets deep inside Ukraine’s reach. This is considerably greater than other systems with shorter operational ranges such as ATACMS. The Tomahawk cruise missiles would enable Kyiv to strike down deep into Russian logistics locations, command centers and bases.
This action comes as Russian strikes are on the rise, with over 2,000 missiles and drones striking Ukrainian targets in the last three months, with more than 40% targeting energy infrastructure. Moscow cautioned the U.S. against shipping long-range weaponry, dubbing it a “major escalation.” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Tomahawks “won’t change the dynamic,” although analysts indicated that they would stretch Russian air defenses.
Trump suggested that the delivery threat could be used as leverage with Moscow: “Do they want Tomahawks going in their direction? I don’t think so.” If approved, this will be the most advanced U.S. weapons transfer since the beginning of the war in 2022 – and an action that could alter the strategic map of the conflict.
