After weeks of debate, requests, and conflicting statements, it has become clear that Ukraine will not receive U.S. Tomahawk missiles in the near term. U.S. President Donald Trump announced that decision.
British military analyst Michael Clarke, speaking to Sky News, commented on the move and answered viewers’ questions. Clarke said Trump is convinced his decision on the Tomahawks is correct but also highlighted Russia’s concern about those missiles.
The threat from the missiles
Clarke explained that Russia fears the range and accuracy of Tomahawk cruise missiles. He noted that if the U.S. supplied Ukraine with a substantial number of Tomahawks (around 200), Kyiv could strike Russian strategic targets — including refineries and military bases — which could change Moscow’s assessment of the war next year. Clarke said that fear of these consequences reportedly prompted Vladimir Putin to contact Trump to try to de-escalate tensions.
Putin’s role
Clarke believes Trump is unlikely to reverse his decision and suspects Trump wants to keep the U.S. out of direct involvement in the conflict. The analyst argues Putin’s actions have significantly shaped U.S. policy toward Ukraine. “Putin’s move was cynical — a trap for Zelensky,” Clarke said, stressing that Russia’s objectives extend beyond Donbas.
Alternatives for Ukraine
Ukraine, however, is not powerless. Clarke pointed out alternatives to Tomahawks, such as the Anglo‑French Storm Shadow/SCALP missiles and domestically produced Flamingo cruise missiles. If Ukraine can scale up Flamingo production, those missiles could perform Tomahawk-like missions. Clarke forecasts that if the conflict continues into next summer, Ukraine could gain a production advantage — though Russia will try to hinder that. Some missile components are already being produced in Europe to protect supply lines from potential Russian strikes.
The wildcard: Flamingo missiles
The Flamingo is a long-range missile developed in Ukraine, designed to hit strategic targets deep inside enemy territory, including military bases and critical infrastructure. It is presented as a Tomahawk alternative with similar mission profiles. Claimed ranges for Flamingo reach up to 3,000 km, potentially allowing strikes against many targets in Russia and occupied areas. Advanced navigation and guidance technology are said to give Flamingo high precision and effectiveness.
From a military perspective, deploying such missiles could significantly affect Russia’s strategic capabilities, putting its forces under pressure and constraining vital logistics and resources. By ramping up Flamingo production, Ukraine could gain leverage for strategic strikes inside Russian territory, increase pressure on Moscow, and force harsher Russian responses.
