What difference would Tomahawk missiles make to Ukraine?published at 13:59 BST
Pavel Aksenov
BBC News Russian
The possibility of the US sending Ukraine long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles is taken seriously in Russia.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Sunday that “the Tomahawk issue is causing us extreme concern.”
Cruise missiles cannot directly impact the front line in Ukraine, as they are used against targets deep in the rear.
Tomahawks can strike targets at the range of 1,600km (995 miles). They fly at low altitude and can adjust their routes. They are very difficult to intercept. This allows the missiles to strike targets with high precision.
The use of such precise and long-range missiles requires accurate intelligence, and the use of Tomahawks by another country would call for a close cooperation with the US.
At the same time, the US likely could not transfer a large number of such missiles to Ukraine.
However, we have already seen how Ukrainian strikes on oil refinery facilities have complicated the economic situation in Russia.
Therefore, even dozens of Tomahawks in Ukraine, in combination with other weapons, would play a significant role in the war.
