Ukraine's confidential plea for Tomahawks revealed amid tensions
The classified section of Ukraine's Victory Plan included – as reported by American media – Ukraine's request for long-range weapons. "It was confidential information," commented President Zelensky.
Alongside the five public points of Ukraine's Victory Plan, President Zelensky also presented three confidential annexes. Among them was the intention to attack targets deep within Russia with the help of long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles, which Ukraine was seeking to acquire.
These weapons were to be used if Russia did not agree to a ceasefire and the commencement of peace talks. The American administration's response was unequivocal: there is no question of providing Tomahawks to Ukraine.
Commenting on these reports, President Zelensky noted that the request for Tomahawks was confidential and the information about it is being made public in a situation where – according to the President of Ukraine – "a lot of countries began to support the victory plan." He did not withhold his criticism regarding the disclosure of secret information.
UGM-109/RGM-109 Tomahawk missile
The UGM-109/RGM-109 Tomahawk missiles that Ukraine requested are a unique weapon in the American arsenal. Although they entered service in 1983, they have undergone numerous upgrades and modifications over the decades. They were developed in both land and sea versions, also as carriers of nuclear warheads, as anti-ship missiles, or designed to destroy energy infrastructure.
However, most versions of the Tomahawk have been phased out over time (including under the implementation of the INF disarmament treaty). Currently, the naval variant, Tomahawk Block V, remains in service, replacing version Block IV, and is intended for conventional strikes on land targets.
The missile is used in two variants: UGM-109 Tomahawk is designated for submarines (Los Angeles, Seawolf, Virginia classes, and converted Ohio class submarines), and RGM-109 Tomahawk is for surface ships – currently equipped are Arleigh Burke-class destroyers and Ticonderoga-class cruisers.
UGM-109/RGM-109 Tomahawk – technical data
The Tomahawk cruise missile is 6 metres long, weighs 1,600 kilograms (with 450 kilograms attributed to the warhead), and offers a range exceeding 1,600 kilometres (exact data is classified). During flight, the Tomahawk travels at subsonic speed at a very low altitude – 30-50 metres – taking terrain into account, making it difficult to detect.
The two-way data link allows for target changes for the launched missile and also enables the attacking missile to transmit images, among other things, allowing for verification of the targeted object.
Despite nearly 40 years of service, Tomahawks are continually being developed – including work on a missile variant with stealth features and a jet engine propulsion, which could result in a hypersonic version of the Tomahawk.
The only user of the missile outside the United States is the United Kingdom, which has Tomahawks carried by submarines. In 2024, Australia also received approval to purchase this weapon. Both Ukraine and previously Israel were denied delivery of Tomahawk missiles.
