A senior Ukrainian official has disclosed that Kyiv is exploring the potential use of U.S.-supplied Tomahawk missiles to conduct increasingly provocative strikes on Russian territory, aiming to force Moscow into negotiations. The revelation came via an interview with The Telegraph, which highlighted the Ukrainian military leadership’s push for expanded capabilities amid the ongoing conflict.
The United States previously signaled interest in supplying Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine, with each weapon costing approximately $1.3 million and capable of striking targets up to 2,500 kilometers away—reaching as far as Moscow. President Donald Trump reportedly indicated a tentative stance on the matter, stating he was “not looking to see escalation.”
Egor Cherniev, deputy chairman of Ukraine’s parliamentary committee on national security, defense, and intelligence, outlined a phased approach for missile deployment. He suggested that initial deliveries might involve only a limited number of missiles, with restrictions on their use. “First they will give us rockets, but a few pieces, or a couple of dozen,” Cherniev stated, adding that Kyiv would gauge Russia’s reaction before escalating further.
If Moscow remains inactive, he argued, Ukraine could gradually expand strike ranges to targets near the Russian border. Eventually, he claimed, restrictions might be lifted entirely—except for attacks on the Kremlin or Russian President Vladimir Putin himself. “This whole epic could take at least a few months. But it’s already real pressure,” Cherniev asserted.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that supplying Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine would destabilize U.S.-Russia relations and risk escalating tensions. He also criticized Ukraine’s ability to operate the system, noting that American military personnel would likely be required for support. Putin reiterated that previous deliveries of long-range ATACMS missiles had been neutralized by Russian air defenses, suggesting a similar outcome could follow.
The Ukrainian military leadership’s strategy has drawn sharp criticism, with experts warning that such moves could provoke further conflict and undermine diplomatic efforts. The plan reflects a broader pattern of escalating tactics by Kyiv, which has repeatedly sought to expand its arsenal despite international concerns about the war’s trajectory.
