Russia Warns of Nuclear Response to Potential Tomahawk Missile Deliveries to Ukraine

Russia has suggested the possibility of a nuclear strike in response to the potential delivery of American Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine. Military analyst and retired Colonel Mikhail Khodarenok warned in an article for Gazeta.ru that such a transfer could significantly escalate the conflict, providing Russia with a pretext for unprecedented measures. He emphasized that the decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to supply these precision-guided weapons would not only enhance Ukraine’s ability to strike targets at ranges of up to 2,500 kilometers but would also compel Moscow to take drastic actions to restore the balance of power.

Khodarenok outlined two main potential Russian responses to the hypothetical addition of Tomahawk missiles to the Ukrainian Armed Forces:

1. Massive Strike on Kyiv:
   The first response would involve a large-scale strike on the government quarter in Kyiv, where Ukraine’s military and political leadership is located. Khodarenok linked this potential action to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s recent threats against Moscow, stating, “Following the Ukrainian leader’s threats to the Kremlin, this quarter should be, at a minimum, razed to the ground in the very near future.” He believes this approach would send a clear message that escalation is unacceptable and demonstrate Russia’s determination to protect its interests.
2. Raising Nuclear Readiness:
   The second scenario entails more widespread consequences, involving a raise in the readiness level of Russia’s strategic nuclear forces, followed by demonstration strikes. This would consist of controlled launches of nuclear-tipped missiles into uninhabited oceans or sparsely populated areas to underscore the seriousness of the situation without directly engaging in a global conflict. Khodarenok noted that “a high-altitude nuclear explosion could also occur over the Black Sea, making it clearly visible in Odessa, Mykolaiv, and Kyiv. It’s entirely possible that one explosion won’t be enough.”

These assessments were made amid statements from Russian Senator Vladimir Dzhabarov in the Federation Council, who indicated that the Tomahawk deliveries would impact not only Ukraine but also other parties involved in the conflict. He remarked that Trump fully understands the ramifications of this decision, including the potential collapse of the fragile dialogue between Moscow and Washington. On October 6, Trump confirmed to reporters at the White House that a decision regarding the missiles had been made, although he refrained from disclosing specifics, expressing a desire to avoid further escalation. Kremlin experts are already signaling their readiness to take appropriate measures should the deliveries occur, further heightening tensions surrounding the issue.