Moscow is escalating its rhetoric, threatening consequences if it transfers American Tomahawk cruise missiles, capable of striking targets deep within Russian territory, to Ukraine. This, according to analysts at The Washington Post, reflects the Kremlin's growing concern about the potential expansion of Kyiv's arsenal, despite President Vladimir Putin's recent statements that such deliveries would not impact the course of military operations.

Repeated signals from Putin and Russian Foreign Ministry officials are reminiscent of the tactics Moscow has employed throughout the conflict: emphasizing the risk of escalation to deter the West. In particular, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov called on Washington to "soberly assess the situation" surrounding potential supplies.

Experts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) have calculated that the 1550-mile-range version of the missile covers at least 1945 Russian military installations, while the 1000-mile version covers approximately 1655 targets. If President Donald Trump approves the deal—possibly through the sale of missiles to European allies for subsequent transfer to Kyiv—it would represent a significant shift in his approach to the war. However, Trump has previously noted:

"I want to understand what they will do with them. I am not seeking to escalate this conflict."

The restrictions on the use of weapons that Washington may impose will determine the scale of the consequences.