Russia has warned it will target U.S.-supplied Tomahawk cruise missiles and their launchers if Washington delivers them to Ukraine, according to a senior Russian lawmaker. Andrei Kartapolov, head of the Russian State duma’s Defense Committee, stated on Thursday that Russia views the Tomahawk missiles as a direct escalation by the United States and will respond accordingly.
The threat comes as the Biden administration is reportedly considering a new military aid package for Ukraine that includes the long-range Tomahawk missiles. This potential delivery marks a significant shift in the type of weaponry the U.S. is providing, previously having refrained from sending systems capable of striking targets deep within Russian territory. The move is intended to bolster Ukraine’s ability to strike key military assets as it prepares for a counteroffensive,but risks further escalating tensions with Moscow and widening the conflict.
Kartapolov told Russian state media that the missiles, along with their launch platforms, “will be promptly destroyed” if they are deployed by Ukraine. He further asserted that Russia is well aware of the missiles’ coordinates and characteristics, and is prepared to neutralize the threat.
The U.S. has not yet confirmed the delivery of tomahawk missiles, but officials have indicated that the possibility is under discussion. The potential provision of these weapons underscores the increasing stakes in the ongoing conflict and the growing involvement of external actors.
