The Tomahawk cruise missile has been in the U.S. military's inventory since the 1980s. While slow by missile standards, the cruise missile flies around 100 feet (about 30 meters) off the ground, making it harder to detect by defense systems. The missile also boasts an impressive range of around 1,000 miles and precision guidance systems that make it the go-to weapon for striking targets that are deep inland or in hostile territory. President Donald Trump has hinted that he might give Tomahawks to Ukraine, which could make a key difference for Kyiv in its war with Moscow. While the United States launched Tomahawk missiles almost exclusively from ships or submarines, Ukraine doesn't possess a Navy with ships capable of carrying the 20-foot-long missile.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russian forces have launched powerful glide bombs and drones against Kharkiv and hit a hospital. Officials said that the attack on Ukraine's second-largest city wounded seven people and forced the evacuation of 50 patients at the hospital. Zelenskyy said Tuesday that the main targets were energy facilities. The assault is part of Russia's ongoing campaign to disable Ukraine's power supply. Zelenskyy is set to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Friday to seek more American military support including air defense systems. Trump has warned Moscow he may send Tomahawk cruise missiles for use by Ukraine. That could escalate tensions but also push Moscow toward negotiations.
A surprise Ukrainian drone attack that targeted Russian air bases hosting nuclear-capable strategic bombers was unprecedented in its scope and sophistication, and dealt a heavy blow to the Russian military. Ukraine said more than 40 bombers — or about a third of its strategic fleet — were damaged or destroyed Sunday. The Russian military said only several planes were damaged. The conflicting claims couldn't be independently verified. But the bold attack demonstrated Ukraine's capability to hit high-value targets anywhere on Russian territory, dealing a humiliating blow to the Kremlin and inflicting significant losses to Moscow's arsenal in the 3-year-old war.
