Ukraine risks 'new level of escalation' over missiles Trump doesn't have?

Russian President Vladimir Putin has cautioned that the delivery of US-made Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine could lead to a “whole new level of escalation”, potentially straining already tense relations between Moscow and Washington.

Addressing a forum in Sochi on Thursday, Putin said the move would have little impact on the battlefield, where Russian forces continue to make gradual gains.

Just hours after President Putin warned that supplying US Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine could trigger a major escalation, Reuters reported that the plan may not be feasible due to existing commitments of the missile inventory to the US Navy and other operational needs.

According to the report, citing a US official, while there is no shortage of Tomahawk missiles — widely used for long-range land-attack missions — the current stock is largely allocated, making it unlikely that they would be sent to Ukraine.

Instead, Washington may consider providing Ukraine with alternative, shorter-range weapons or allowing European allies to purchase other long-range systems and transfer them to Kyiv, added the report.

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In recent weeks, President Donald Trump has notably shifted his stance on the Ukraine conflict. He has suggested that Kyiv is capable of reclaiming all territory seized by Russia and referred to the Russian military as a “paper tiger.”

As part of this evolving approach, the US has now agreed to assist Ukraine in targeting Russian energy infrastructure.

One concrete outcome is the creation of the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) — a financial mechanism developed by the US and its allies to streamline the delivery of both newly manufactured weapons and those drawn from existing US stockpiles, funded by Nato member states.

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Military experts say that if Ukraine were to acquire Tomahawk missiles, it would dramatically enhance its long-range strike capabilities — potentially allowing it to hit critical targets deep within Russian territory, including command centres, airfields, logistics hubs, and military bases.

On Thursday, the Kremlin reiterated that any such move by the US would provoke a dangerous new phase in the conflict, escalating tensions further between Moscow and the West.

According to Pentagon budget data, the US Navy — the primary operator of the Tomahawk — has procured approximately 8,959 missiles since the 1980s, at an average cost of around Rs 10.8 crore ($1.3 million) each.

Production has continued steadily in recent years, with annual outputs ranging from 55 to 90 missiles. The Pentagon plans to acquire 57 more Tomahawks in 2026.

With inputs from agencies