Ukraine's secret weapon request: Denied by U.S. amid tensions
The classified section of Ukraine's Victory Plan included, as revealed by American media, Ukraine's request for long-range weapons. "It was confidential information," President Zelensky commented.
Alongside the five public points of Ukraine's Victory Plan, President Zelensky also presented three confidential annexes. These included the intention to attack targets deep within Russia using long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles, which Ukraine sought to acquire.
This weapon was to be used if Russia did not agree to a ceasefire and the commencement of peace talks. The American administration's response was clear: there is no possibility of providing Tomahawks to Ukraine.
Commenting on these reports, President Zelensky noted that the request for Tomahawks was confidential. He added that the information is being leaked at a time when, according to him, "a lot of countries began to support the victory plan." President Zelensky did not hold back 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 unique weapons 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 and as carriers of nuclear warheads and anti-ship missiles, and they were designed to destroy energy infrastructure.
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, which are currently equipped on Arleigh Burke-class destroyers and Ticonderoga-class cruisers.
UGM-109/RGM-109 Tomahawk – technical data
The Tomahawk cruise missile is 21 feet long, weighs 3,500 pounds (with 1,000 pounds attributed to the warhead), and offers a range exceeding 1,000 miles (exact data is classified). During flight, the Tomahawk travels at subsonic speed at a very low altitude of 100-160 feet, taking the terrain into account, making it difficult to detect.
The two-way data link allows for target changes for the launched missile and 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 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.
