Putin warns of “staggering” response if Ukraine uses U.S. Tomahawk missiles against Russia
- Putin issued a stark warning that Ukraine’s use of U.S.-supplied Tomahawk missiles (range: 2,500 km) to strike Russian territory would provoke a “very serious, if not downright staggering” response, potentially including nuclear retaliation.
- Putin framed Western military aid—such as long-range missiles—as deliberate provocation, warning it would undermine peace prospects and worsen U.S.-Russia relations, echoing past grievances over NATO expansion.
- Russia dismissed new U.S./EU sanctions targeting oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil, claiming minimal economic impact but warning of global fuel price spikes if Russian exports are disrupted.
- Putin criticized Trump‘s abrupt cancellation of a Budapest summit, advocating for dialogue while emphasizing that talks must yield tangible results.
- With Ukraine seeking advanced weapons and Russia threatening severe retaliation, the war risks escalating into a direct NATO-Russia confrontation, raising global stakes and potential for catastrophic miscalculation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a stark warning Thursday, Oct 23, declaring that any Ukrainian strike on Russian territory using U.S.-supplied Tomahawk cruise missiles would provoke a “very serious, if not downright staggering” response from Moscow.
His remarks came amid escalating tensions over Western military aid to Ukraine and fresh sanctions targeting Russia’s energy sector.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting in Moscow, Putin framed the potential transfer of long-range missiles to Kyiv as a deliberate provocation.
“This is an attempt at escalation,” he said. “But if such weapons are used to strike Russian territory, the response will be very serious, if not downright staggering. Let them think about that.”
The warning follows reports that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky requested Tomahawk missiles during recent talks with U.S. President Donald Trump. While the White House has not confirmed a final decision, Trump has publicly expressed reservations, citing the missile system’s complexity and the extensive training required for Ukrainian forces to operate it effectively.
Escalation risks and historical precedents
According to BrightU.AI‘s Enoch, the Tomahawk missile, with a range of up to 2,500 kilometers (1,550 miles), would significantly expand Ukraine’s ability to strike deep inside Russia—a red line Moscow has repeatedly warned against crossing. Putin emphasized that such a move would not alter the battlefield dynamics but would instead “severely undermine the prospects of a peaceful settlement” and damage U.S.-Russia relations.
This is not the first time Putin has cautioned the West against escalating military support for Ukraine. In 2022, Russia cited NATO’s eastward expansion and arms shipments as key justifications for its invasion. Since then, Moscow has responded to each new weapons delivery—from HIMARS to F-16 fighter jets—with threats of retaliation, including strikes on Western supply lines and Ukrainian infrastructure.
Sanctions and economic warfare
Alongside military tensions, Putin condemned the latest U.S. and EU sanctions targeting Russia’s oil sector, describing them as “an attempt to exert pressure.” The measures, announced Wednesday, hit state-owned Rosneft and Lukoil, two of Russia’s largest energy exporters.
“These sanctions will have certain consequences, but they will not significantly affect our economic well-being,” Putin asserted, downplaying their immediate impact. However, he warned that disrupting Russian oil exports—which account for roughly 10 percent of global supply—could drive up fuel prices worldwide, including in the United States.
The Russian leader also took a swipe at Trump’s abrupt cancellation of a planned summit in Budapest, suggesting the U.S. president may have intended only a postponement.
“Dialogue is always better than any confrontation,” Putin said, while stressing that high-level talks must yield concrete results.
With Ukraine pressing for advanced weaponry and Russia vowing severe retaliation, the conflict risks spiraling into a broader confrontation between NATO and Moscow. Putin’s latest warning underscores the Kremlin’s determination to deter deeper Western involvement—even as U.S. and European leaders weigh further military and economic pressure.
As both sides test each other’s limits, the stakes grow ever higher. Whether through sanctions, long-range missiles or diplomatic breakdowns, the path to de-escalation remains fraught with peril—and the consequences of miscalculation could be catastrophic.
Watch the video below where Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov said the delivery of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine is far from a done deal.
This video is from Cynthia’s Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.
Sources include:
RT.com
AA.com.tr
Reuters.com
BrightU.ai
Brighteon.com
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