Russia Threatens to Target Tomahawk Launch Sites if US Supplies Missiles to Ukraine

A high-ranking Russian official has issued a stark warning, stating that their response would be "tough, ambiguous, measured, and asymmetrical" to potential U.S. Tomahawk missile supplies to Ukraine.

Moscow has clearly articulated its position: Russia will not only intercept Tomahawk cruise missiles but also target their launch sites if the United States proceeds with providing them to Ukraine. Additionally, Russia has indicated it will find ways to retaliate against Washington in a manner designed to inflict damage, according to statements from a senior Russian lawmaker on Wednesday.

U.S. President Donald Trump recently commented that he would need to understand Ukraine's intended use of Tomahawk missiles before authorizing their supply, expressing concern about escalating the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Despite this caution, Trump mentioned he has "sort of made a decision" regarding the matter.

Andrei Kartapolov, who chairs the Russian parliament's defense committee and previously served as deputy defense minister, told state news agency RIA, "We will find ways to hurt those who cause us trouble."

Kartapolov downplayed the potential battlefield impact of Tomahawk missiles, suggesting they would likely be supplied in limited quantities—tens rather than hundreds. He emphasized Russia's familiarity with these weapons, stating, "We know these missiles very well, how they fly, how to shoot them down; we worked with them in Syria, so there is nothing new."

The Russian official warned that consequences would primarily affect those supplying and utilizing the missiles. He also noted that Moscow has not detected any evidence of Ukraine preparing launch sites for Tomahawks—an activity he claimed would be impossible to conceal. Should such preparations materialize, Kartapolov stated that Russia would deploy drones and missiles to destroy any launchers.

In a separate statement, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov urged Washington to evaluate the situation "soberly," characterizing any decision to supply Tomahawks as a serious escalatory move that would fundamentally alter the current dynamics of the conflict.