Moscow – Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that the supply of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine for long-range strikes inside Russia would obliterate relations between the Kremlin and Washington, reports 24brussels.
Sources indicate that the United States is contemplating direct involvement to bolster Ukraine’s capability to target strategic Russian infrastructure. Last month, US Vice President JD Vance confirmed that Washington is reviewing a request from Ukraine for long-range Tomahawk missiles that could reach deep into Russian territory, including Moscow, although no definitive decision has been made.
US President Donald Trump has expressed his disappointment in Putin for failing to achieve peace in the region, characterizing Russia as a “paper tiger” incapable of overcoming Ukraine. In response, Putin has questioned whether NATO is merely a “paper tiger” for its lack of effectiveness in stopping Russia’s advances.
How could US Tomahawk supplies impact Russia-US relations?
Putin declared that supplying Tomahawk missiles would signify the beginning of a new phase of escalation in relations between Russia and the United States. “This will lead to the destruction of our relations, or at least the positive trends that have emerged in these relations,” he stated in a video aired by Russian state TV reporter Pavel Zarubin.
“This will mean a completely new, qualitatively new stage of escalation, including in relations between Russia and the United States,”
According to Putin, while the Tomahawks would pose a threat, Russia intends to counter them with enhanced air defense systems.
What are Tomahawk missiles, and how far can they reach?
Tomahawk missiles are subsonic, long-range cruise missiles designed primarily for land attack missions. They are utilized predominantly by the US Navy’s surface ships and submarines, and also by the submarines of the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy. These missiles can strike high-value and heavily defended targets with remarkable precision from distances ranging from 1,000 to 1,600 kilometers.
What additional missile capabilities has the US supplied to Ukraine?
Since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the United States has provided Ukraine with an extensive array of missiles and missile technology. This assistance has included HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems) equipped with precision-guided munitions, with several hundred units delivered since their introduction in mid-2022. These systems have been crucial in targeting Russian forces and logistics within occupied regions.
Additionally, the ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System), long-range precision missiles capable of reaching targets beyond 300 kilometers, received approval for deployment to Ukraine as of early 2024.