UA
  • News
  • Popular
  • Search
  • Apps
download white apps
Download

Tomahawks could be game-changer for Ukraine — will Kyiv get them?

global.espreso.tv
Fri, 18 Jul 2025 17:45:00 +0300
Tomahawks could be game-changer for Ukraine — will Kyiv get them?
Tomahawks could change the course of the war against Russia, according to Ukrainian military and political observer Oleksandr Kovalenko. In his analysis for OBOZ.UA, he explains what makes these missiles unique and whether Ukraine has a realistic chance of acquiring them.Recently, Western media reported that former U.S. President Donald Trump supposedly offered to supply Ukraine with Tomahawk cruise missiles to ramp up pressure on Moscow. Trump later denied this claim, but knowing the 45th president’s unpredictable nature, what he says today might change tomorrow. So, the expert suggest to take a closer look at how realistic it is for Ukraine to use these missiles and why they would be so valuable.What are Tomahawks?The Tomahawk is the U.S. military’s primary subsonic long-range cruise missile. Developed between 1971 and 1980, it entered service in 1983. Since then, it has undergone continuous upgrades to meet evolving military needs.There are at least eight known Tomahawk variants, differing in warhead types (high-explosive, cluster, nuclear), launch methods, and mission profiles (tactical-strategic, anti-ship), as well as technical specs.However, all share similar baseline capabilities: a flight range of 1,250 to 2,500 kilometers; a cruising speed around 880 km/h; and warheads ranging from a 340–450 kg high-explosive payload to cluster munitions containing 166 submunitions.How Ukraine would benefit from TomahawksCurrently, Ukraine lacks missiles capable of striking deep into Russia’s rear areas to hit military and industrial targets 1,500 to 2,000 kilometers or farther away. While Ukraine operates some long-range strike drones, their warheads are generally small—around 50 kg of explosives. The Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense tried to boost drone payloads by adding aviation bombs (about 100 kg), but this still falls short for large-scale destruction.Imagine, though, Tomahawks carrying 450 kg warheads—launched in volleys of three or four or more. The chances for Russian industrial targets to survive would be minimal.Another vulnerability of drones is their relatively slow speed. Tomahawks, flying low and terrain-hugging, can bypass older generations of Russian air defenses almost effortlessly. Given Russia’s air defenses are already strained and battered by Ukrainian drone strikes, Tomahawks would be highly effective.With these missiles, Ukraine could target major Russian military-industrial complexes deep inside Russia, such as the Shahed-136 production facility in Alabuga (about 1,300 km from the Ukrainian border) and the “Kupol” plant in Izhevsk. Tomahawks equipped with cluster warheads could also regularly strike Russian military airfields like Savasleyka, home to MiG-31Ks equipped with the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal missile.What are Ukraine’s chances of getting Tomahawks?Tomahawks are the U.S. military’s primary subsonic long-range tactical and strategic cruise missile, with ranges up to 2,500 km. Despite these impressive specs, Ukraine faces export restrictions on missile range capped at 300 km.Even previous missile deliveries to Ukraine, like Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG and ATACMS, with real ranges exceeding 500 km, were supplied in export-limited versions with 300 km maximum range. It’s unlikely Ukraine will receive an exception for Tomahawks when it hasn’t happened before.Moreover, official restrictions on strikes deep inside Russia remain. Despite talk in 2024 about lifting limits on strikes inside Russia, Ukraine hasn’t carried out strikes on places like Voronezh or Tula. So the restrictions still stand.Another challenge: Tomahawks are primarily sea-launched missiles, fired from submarines or surface ships. If Ukraine were to receive Tomahawks, it would likely also require receiving a submarine (like an Ohio-class) or a missile destroyer (like an Arleigh Burke-class)—a highly unlikely scenario.However, there’s a twist: The U.S. has been developing a land-based launcher for Tomahawks called Typhon. Currently, only two experimental batteries exist, each with four launchers. These are test units still undergoing trials and not yet in full production. So it’s questionable whether Ukraine could be supplied even with a limited number of these land-based launchers.If deployed in a secure area like Transcarpathia, Typhon launchers could still hit targets as far as Tatarstan or Arkhangelsk. But would U.S. and NATO partners risk providing such a capability? Probably only if Donald Trump “really loses its temper,” to put it lightly.Interestingly, recent reports say Germany’s Bundeswehr has requested to purchase Typhon systems from the U.S.—coinciding with statements that NATO countries will now buy weapons for Ukraine directly from the U.S., and rumors about Ukraine possibly receiving Tomahawks.So, is there still a 1% chance?ConclusionTomahawks would be incredibly useful to Ukraine, potentially shifting the battlefield balance and countering Russia’s superior deep-strike capabilities.Yet despite the critical need, delivery of Tomahawks to Ukraine seems unlikely. Bureaucratic hurdles, export restrictions, political considerations, and the complexities of deploying these systems stand in the way.For now, Ukraine can only watch these obstacles unfold—rather than count on bold and timely decisions to supply this game-changing weapon.The only means for launching Tomahawk missiles that Ukraine could use if it were to receive such weapons is the Typhon launch system. 
Read in full

Latest news

Ruscists attacked Khmelnytskyi region: 20 houses damaged. PHOTOS
Ruscists attacked Khmelnytskyi region: 20 houses damaged. PHOTOS
The night attack partially damaged private residential buildings in the Kamianets-Podilskyi district of Khmelnytskyi region.
censor.net
Mon, 21 Jul 2025 09:51:00 +0300
Ukraine imposes sanctions against five people for subversive information campaigns, incl Korolevska, Balashov, Latynina
Ukraine imposes sanctions against five people for subversive information campaigns, incl Korolevska, Balashov, Latynina
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has put into effect the decision of the National Security and Defense Council to impose personal sanctions against five people three citizens of Ukraine an...
en.interfax.com.ua
Mon, 21 Jul 2025 09:47:44 +0300
Consequences of combined attack by Russian Federation on Kyiv: one man killed, six people injured, including 15-year-old girl. PHOTOS
Consequences of combined attack by Russian Federation on Kyiv: one man killed, six people injured, including 15-year-old girl. PHOTOS
On the night of July , the Russian military attacked the capital with missiles and UAVs. As of a.m., a man was reported killed and six people were injured, including a -year-old girl.
censor.net
Mon, 21 Jul 2025 09:46:00 +0300
Ukraine, Russia may hold new round of talks in Istanbul this week - media
Ukraine, Russia may hold new round of talks in Istanbul this week - media
ndependent Trkereports this, citing diplomatic sources.The Russian and Ukrainian delegations are expected to meet in Istanbul this week. It was stated that the meetings may take place on Wedne...
global.espreso.tv
Mon, 21 Jul 2025 09:40:00 +0300
US plans to impose tariffs on three countries that buy Russian oil - Senator Graham
US plans to impose tariffs on three countries that buy Russian oil - Senator Graham
US President Donald Trump is going to impose tariffs on countries that buy Russian oil - China, Brazil and India.
censor.net
Mon, 21 Jul 2025 09:32:00 +0300
20 private houses damaged in Kamianets-Podilsky during Sunday night attack
20 private houses damaged in Kamianets-Podilsky during Sunday night attack
In the Kamianets-Podilskyi district of Khmelnytsky region, private houses were damaged due to a night attack by Russia, head of the regions military administration Serhiy Tiurin has said.
en.interfax.com.ua
Mon, 21 Jul 2025 09:25:38 +0300
SSU and Prosecutor General’s Office conduct investigative actions against NABU employees without court orders - Bureau’s press centre
SSU and Prosecutor General’s Office conduct investigative actions against NABU employees without court orders - Bureau’s press centre
On July , NABU employees are undergoing investigative actions by the SSU and the Prosecutor Generals Office without court orders.
censor.net
Mon, 21 Jul 2025 09:21:00 +0300
Total combat losses of Russian Federation since beginning of war are about 1,043,160 people (+1170 per day), 11,037 tanks, 30,637 artillery systems, 23,028 armoured combat vehicles. INFOGRAPHICS
Total combat losses of Russian Federation since beginning of war are about 1,043,160 people (+1170 per day), 11,037 tanks, 30,637 artillery systems, 23,028 armoured combat vehicles. INFOGRAPHICS
The Ukrainian Defence Forces have killed ,, Russian invaders since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.
censor.net
Mon, 21 Jul 2025 09:10:00 +0300
Metro Lukyanivska operational
Metro Lukyanivska operational
The Lukyanivska metro station is already open for passengers, although it is impossible to enter station, reports the Kyiv Metro.
en.interfax.com.ua
Mon, 21 Jul 2025 09:08:18 +0300
Russia massively attacked Kyiv with drones and missiles — there is a death and injuries
Russia massively attacked Kyiv with drones and missiles — there is a death and injuries
Russia attacked Kyiv with drones and missilesA man died in Solomyanskyi district. In Darnytskyi district, five people, aged to , received shrapnel wounds. Among them is a -year-old girl. In ...
news.online.ua
Mon, 21 Jul 2025 09:07:00 +0300
додати ще новини more news

Top news

Condoleezza Rice announced a turning point in Russia's war against Ukraine
Condoleezza Rice announced a turning point in Russia's war against Ukraine
Watch: Ukraine has hit Moscow and the Moscow region
Ukrainian intelligence learned about Putin's secret decision
2,000 drones at the same time. General Freuding warned about Russia's plans
Faint Signs of Life Appear in Effort to Halt Ukraine War
Zelenskyy and Syrskyi discussed long-range strikes: Russian logistics should suffer significantly
Putin ‘open to peace’ despite intensifying bombardment of Ukraine
Defense forces hit 7 areas of concentration of the Russian army at once
Ukrainian troops destroy rare Russian electronic warfare system KOP-2 – video
Europe's go-to APC heads to Ukraine: What Latvia’s Patria 6x6 transfer signals
  • About us
  • Contacts
  • Rules of use
  • Apps