Conflict analysts at the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, have determined that more than 1,900 Russian military targets are within range of the longer version of the Tomahawk.
Tomahawk missiles, produced by Raytheon (RTX), are subsonic cruise missiles with precise GPS guidance, capable of low-altitude flight, making them hard to detect by radar. Their range—1,000 to 2,500 km depending on the variant—enables strikes on deep enemy targets, such as military bases, logistics hubs, or command centers. In the context of the Ukraine war, this would mean the ability to hit key Russian targets in the European part of the Russian Federation, including Moscow and St. Petersburg. According to analysts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), over 1,900 Russian military targets lie within the range of the longer-range Tomahawk variant, potentially crippling the Kremlin’s offensive capabilities.
Amid intensifying Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested he may supply Ukraine with Tomahawk cruise missiles if Vladimir Putin does not end the invasion. The statement, made during an Air Force One flight to Israel, sparked outrage in Moscow, which warned of a “new level of escalation” and potential nuclear retaliation. Tomahawks, known for their range of up to 2,500 km, could put Moscow within Ukraine’s striking distance, altering the conflict’s dynamics.
NATO experts, including Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, see Tomahawks as a chance to “push Russia back” and strengthen Ukraine’s negotiating position. “It’s a strong signal to Moscow,” Tsahkna said. However, skeptics like Ukrainian analyst Andriy Kovalenko point to challenges: the U.S. produces only 55-90 Tomahawks annually, with each costing around $1.3 million. Ukraine lacks suitable launch platforms (ships, submarines, or ground-based launchers), requiring additional support or adaptation. Still, combined with Ukraine’s drones with over 1,000 km range, like the Flamingo, Tomahawks could become a “strategic turning point.
Trump’s decision is not yet finalized but follows phone calls with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on October 11 and 12. “If this war doesn’t end, I’ll send them Tomahawks,” Trump told reporters, emphasizing that the missiles are an “incredible offensive weapon” Russia “doesn’t need.” The U.S. president stressed he wants clarity on how Ukraine would use them to avoid unnecessary escalation. Zelenskyy, set to visit the White House on Friday, assured that Tomahawks would target only military objectives, not civilians. “That’s the big difference between Ukraine and Russia,” he said in a Fox News interview.
Image source: ISW
