“Tomahawks” can give Kyiv long-range strikes: the main potential targets in the rear of the Russian Federation
US President Donald Trump has signaled that the United States may deploy long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine. This would expand the ability to strike military and energy targets deep inside Russia, but it also raises the risks of escalation.
This is reported by The Hill .
Trump said the Tomahawks would be discussed during President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to Washington. He also noted that the United States has “a lot of Tomahawks.”
Experts emphasize that the Tomahawks are designed for low-altitude flight and radar evasion. Depending on the modification, such missiles can have a range of up to 1,600 km, which makes them accessible for hitting deep military installations and Russia’s oil and gas infrastructure.
According to Emile Castelhelmi of the Black Bird Group, potential targets could include command posts, electronic warfare stations, air bases and logistics hubs. He believes that strikes on such facilities could put additional pressure on Moscow.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, as analysts recall, has already stated that if the Tomahawks are received, they will be used only against military targets and not directed against the civilian population. Representatives of Ukrainian analytical groups added that the strikes could affect the launch pads for missile attacks on Ukrainian cities.
Some experts believe that the risks of direct escalation by Russia are overstated, as direct conflict with the United States and NATO is likely to be avoided. At the same time, Stacey Pettyjohn of the Center for a New American Security noted: “Tomahawks will improve Ukraine’s capabilities, but are not a panacea – comprehensive planning and Western support are required for effectiveness.”
Experts also point to technical and operational challenges. The traditional launch of Tomahawks is carried out from ships and submarines, so adaptation for mass ground use is more difficult, although there are practices for ground-based launch solutions. Accurate long-range strikes require high-quality intelligence and careful flight planning, as well as coordination from weapons suppliers.
Mark Cancian of the Center for Strategic and International Studies emphasized that the Tomahawks alone will not tip the balance of power, but they could become a lever to increase pressure on Russia and facilitate diplomatic efforts if the strikes prove painful for its energy infrastructure.
Previously, the US Department of Defense developed a plan to transfer or sell long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine.
Recall that the transfer of Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine, which is currently being considered in Washington, is unlikely to have a significant impact on the course of the war. Even if the decision is approved, it would only involve 20-50 weapons, which is a fairly limited resource.
As reported, US President Donald Trump said that he had practically decided to allow the sale of Tomahawk cruise missiles to NATO countries, which, in turn, could transfer them to Ukraine.
It should be noted that the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported that Vladimir Putin is purposefully sending signals to the Donald Trump administration, trying to prevent the supply of long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. The Kremlin is combining threats to “destroy relations” and downplaying the usefulness of the weapons in order to obtain concessions from the US and maintain a secure rear in the depths of Russia.
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