CaliToday (04/10/2025): Russia has issued one of its most severe warnings to date, declaring that any move by the United States or the United Kingdom to supply Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles would be considered a "casus belli" that could drag Washington and London directly into a nuclear conflict.
The stark warning, reported by Reuters and amplified by senior Russian military commentators, comes amid reports that the U.S. is considering providing Ukraine with the intelligence and weaponry needed to conduct strikes deep inside Russian territory. For Moscow, this potential transfer represents a critical "red line," triggering fears of a catastrophic escalation.
At the heart of Russia's concern is the pivotal question of who would launch and control such sophisticated weapons. Russian officials have forcefully argued that Ukraine could not operate these systems independently, implying that any Tomahawk strike would require direct participation from American or British military personnel.
Colonel Igor Korotchenko, editor-in-chief of Russia's National Defence magazine and a prominent military expert, labeled the potential transfer a clear "casus belli"—a Latin term for an act that justifies a declaration of war.
"Such attacks cannot be carried out by Ukraine alone," Korotchenko stated, asserting that the complex targeting and launch sequences would necessitate the involvement of US or UK specialists. "If these missiles are used, it will inevitably draw these nations into the war."
He added a chilling ultimatum, warning that if such a scenario unfolds, Russia would not hesitate to use its "entire arsenal, including nuclear weapons," to defend itself.
The Tomahawk cruise missile is a strategic, subsonic weapon with a formidable range of approximately 1,500 to 2,500 kilometers (930 to 1,550 miles). If fired from Ukrainian territory, it would be capable of striking high-value targets in Moscow and across the majority of Russia's European heartland.
The Kremlin has officially echoed these grave concerns. Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov publicly questioned whether the missiles would be launched solely by Ukrainians or with the direct involvement of US forces, emphasizing that the entire targeting process would be under intense scrutiny by Moscow.
This high-stakes rhetoric coincides with confirmation from the U.S. that it will supply intelligence to Kyiv for targeting Russian energy infrastructure, with the transfer of Tomahawks remaining under active consideration. The situation marks a perilous new phase in the conflict, where the introduction of a single weapon system is being framed by Russia as a potential trigger for a third World War.