Donald Trump has expressed willingness to provide Ukraine with powerful 550mph Tomahawk missiles to aid in their conflict against Russia, just prior to his upcoming meeting with Vladimir Putin.
Before his scheduled meeting with Trump, Volodymyr Zelensky shared details of a phone conversation with the US president during a flight, where they discussed the potential deployment of Tomahawk missiles.
While Ukraine has received considerable support from Western military forces since the conflict with Russia began in 2022, they have been seeking longer-range strike capabilities that could potentially alter the course of the war. Trump has been indicating the possibility of supplying them with these US-manufactured missiles if Russia continues to resist a peaceful resolution three years post their invasion of Ukraine.
On October 12, Zelensky stated, “We see and hear that Russia is concerned that the Americans might provide us with Tomahawks—this pressure could lead to a peaceful resolution.”
Putin has contended that while the missiles do not pose a significant threat to Russia, supplying them would mark a new and more intense phase in US-Russia relations ahead of his meeting with Trump. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov expressed “extreme concern” in Moscow regarding the potential use of these weapons.
Originally developed by the US in the 1970s, Tomahawks are highly precise subsonic cruise missiles powered by jet engines, designed to strike high-value land targets from a considerable distance.
These missiles come in various models and can be launched from different platforms, with the ability to carry various warheads, including nuclear options. Ukrainian military expert Kostiantyn Kryvolap noted, “The Americans initially designed it as a nuclear warhead delivery system with air-launched, land-based, and seaborne variants.”
Initially equipped with nuclear warheads providing a range of up to 2,500 kilometers (1,554 miles), the Tomahawks were later configured with conventional warheads, reducing their ranges. While most versions now have a range of 1,600 kilometers, some variants still retain the 2,500-kilometer range.
Having been utilized by the US in conflicts in Iraq, Libya, and Syria, Tomahawks have proven reliability. With their extended range, these missiles could enable Ukrainian forces to target critical military sites deep within Russia.
Capable of reaching Russian targets from up to 1,600 kilometers away, the Tomahawk, if provided, would be the longest-range US weapon supplied to Ukraine. Military analysts and the Ukrainian president believe that these missiles would offer them the ability to strike key Russian assets well beyond the front lines, such as logistics hubs and arms factories.
Despite emphasizing that the intended use of these missiles is solely against Russian military targets, Zelenskyy clarified, “We have never targeted their civilians. This is a fundamental distinction between Ukraine and Russia. Therefore, when discussing long-range missiles, our focus is solely on military objectives.”
Presently, the quantity of Tomahawks that the US might provide to Ukraine and the associated costs remain uncertain. For instance, the Netherlands pays $12.5 million (£9.4 million) per missile, while Japan pays $4.25 million (£3.2 million) per missile, as reported by DW.
However, the decision is not finalized, as on Thursday, the US president appeared to backtrack on the Tomahawk issue, mentioning in the Oval Office to reporters, “We require Tomahawks for the United States as well. While we possess a substantial number, we also need to preserve them for our nation. I am uncertain about the course of action in this regard.”