Image Source: YouTube
Russia has warned that it will shoot down Tomahawk cruise missiles and destroy their launch sites if the United States decides to supply them to Ukraine. The threat, made by a senior Russian lawmaker on Wednesday, underscores the growing tensions between Moscow and Washington over military aid to Kyiv.
Andrei Kartapolov, head of the Russian parliament’s defence committee and a former deputy defence minister, told the RIA state news agency that Russia’s response would be “tough, ambiguous, measured, and asymmetrical.” He said Moscow would “find ways to hurt those who cause us trouble,” suggesting that Russia could retaliate beyond the battlefield.
Kartapolov downplayed the potential battlefield impact of the Tomahawk missiles, saying they would likely be supplied in small numbers — “in tens rather than hundreds.” According to him, the introduction of Tomahawks would not change the overall situation in Ukraine’s favor.
“We know these missiles very well — how they fly, how to shoot them down; we worked with them in Syria, so there is nothing new,” Kartapolov said. “The only problems will be for those who supply them and those who use them; that’s where the problems will be.”
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that he would want to understand what Ukraine plans to do with the Tomahawks before agreeing to provide them. He emphasized that he did not want to escalate the war between Russia and Ukraine but added that he had “sort of made a decision” on the matter.
Trump’s remarks reflect the delicate balancing act Washington faces — supporting Ukraine’s defense while avoiding direct confrontation with Moscow. The White House has not officially confirmed whether a final decision has been made regarding the missile supply.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov also warned Washington against what he called a “serious escalatory step.” He urged the U.S. to assess the situation “soberly,” saying that any decision to send Tomahawks to Ukraine would represent a “qualitative change” in the conflict and could provoke a strong Russian response.
Kartapolov added that Moscow had not yet seen signs that Ukraine was preparing launch sites for Tomahawks. However, he claimed that Kyiv would not be able to hide such preparations if the missiles were delivered. “If and when that happens,” he said, “Russia will use drones and missiles to destroy any launchers.”
The Tomahawk is a long-range, precision-guided cruise missile capable of striking targets more than 1,000 kilometers away. If deployed, it could allow Ukraine to target critical Russian military infrastructure deep behind enemy lines — a significant shift in battlefield capability.
People who want to send Tomahawks to Ukraine say that it would help them hit command posts, airfields, and supplies centres that they can’t reach now. But some people say that giving Ukraine such long-range weapons could make the conflict worse and could lead to Russian retaliation against not only Ukraine but also countries that helped provide or house the weapons.
Military experts say that the Tomahawk could help Ukraine’s strike range, but that it would take time to set up the right training, targeting information, and launch infrastructure in order to use it successfully. Also, Russia’s many air defence systems might make the rocket less useful in real life.
For Moscow, the possible delivery of Tomahawks is more than just a matter of strategy; it shows that the West is ready to cross a line that Russia sees as red. The Kremlin has repeatedly warned that Western-supplied weapons capable of reaching Russian territory would be treated as a direct threat.
The U.S. and its allies now face a strategic dilemma: how to support Ukraine’s military needs without provoking direct confrontation with Russia. Analysts say that any new weapons transfer will be closely watched by both Moscow and Kyiv, as well as European partners wary of further escalation.
For now, Washington remains cautious. Trump’s comments suggest a decision could come soon, but it will likely be accompanied by strict operational guidelines to prevent the missiles from being used to strike targets inside Russia.
Meanwhile, Moscow’s warnings make clear that any move to deliver Tomahawks will not go unanswered. As both sides weigh their options, the Tomahawk debate has become another flashpoint in a war already defined by shifting red lines, escalating rhetoric, and high-stakes diplomacy.
Noah Hawley's new TV show adds something exciting and gripping to the famous sci-fi horror…
Some moments make business owners pause. They look at an empty lot or an old…
In this fast-paced world, more businesses are transforming to online invoicing. Businesspeople now create their…
When we talk about creating a peaceful and positive home, energy becomes the most important…
Thanksgiving is one of the most anticipated holidays of the year, but even the most…
Have you ever been driving along at Chattanooga, perhaps over the ridgecut or along the…