**Ukraine’s Long-Range Missile Wish: What Are Tomahawks and Why Does Ukraine Want Them?**
The recent news about the United States considering supplying Ukraine with Tomahawk cruise missiles has sent shockwaves through the global community. But what exactly are these powerful missiles, and why does Ukraine want them so badly?
**What is a Tomahawk Missile?**
A Tomahawk missile is a subsonic, long-range cruise missile designed for precision strikes against land targets. It can fly at low altitudes and conduct evasive maneuvers to minimize the risk of being intercepted. The latest version of the missile can even be reprogrammed mid-flight and can loiter over a target before striking.
**Why Does Ukraine Want Tomahawks?**
Ukraine wants Tomahawks because they would significantly upgrade its arsenal, especially in terms of long-range strike capabilities. With a range of 1,600 to 2,500 kilometers, Tomahawks would allow Ukraine to deliver a much heavier payload against targets compared to what it’s using now.
**What Could Ukraine Hit with Tomahawks?**
The Tomahawk’s range would open up great swathes of Russia to Ukrainian long-range missile strikes. Moscow and St. Petersburg are likely to be high on the target list, as well as Russian airbases from which mass missile attacks against Ukrainian cities are launched.
**The Difficulties**
However, Ukraine currently lacks the naval infrastructure required for sea-based Tomahawk launches, and deploying a ground-launched version would also be logistically demanding. Vadym Skibitskyi, the deputy head of Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, said that Tomahawks “are not easy to use” due to these constraints.
**Alternatives**
As discussions around long-range Western weapons continue, other systems may be more feasible for Ukraine in the near term. The Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) and Germany’s new long-range missiles could be viable alternatives for Ukraine.
In conclusion, Tomahawk cruise missiles are powerful and accurate tools that would significantly upgrade Ukraine’s arsenal. However, their deployment is not without challenges, and alternative solutions may be more feasible in the near term. As the situation on the ground continues to evolve, it will be essential to monitor developments closely and consider all available options for supporting Ukraine.
**Read More**
To learn more about Tomahawk missiles and why Ukraine wants them, please visit the Kyiv Independent website at [kyivindependent.com](http://kyivindependent.com).
