U.S. intelligence shift aids Ukraine strikes on Russia
The US Navy guided missile cruiser USS Monterey launches a Tomahawk cruise missile. (Photo: U.S. Navy/Lt. j.g Matthew Daniels via REUTERS)
The Trump administration is authorizing intelligence agencies to share data that will help Ukraine more precisely locate Russian air defenses and plot strike routes for long-range drones and missiles, the Financial Times reported on Oct. 3.
Such support would also aid in using new long-range weapons Washington may allow NATO allies to buy and transfer to Ukraine, though no final decision has been announced. President Donald Trump has already ordered relevant agencies to prepare the intelligence handover, sources told the FT.
Trump remains opposed to direct U.S. taxpayer funding for Ukraine and prefers NATO allies purchase American weapons for Kyiv.
The Wall Street Journal previously reported that the White House, under Trump, decided informally to share intelligence for missile strikes on Russian energy facilities deep inside the country. The decision came shortly before Trump's emotional Truth Social post last week expressing frustration with Putin and stating he views Kyiv as "positioned to fight and reclaim all of Ukraine in its original borders," the FT's sources said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed discussing Tomahawk cruise missile supplies with Trump — one of Kyiv's most sought-after requests since the full-scale invasion. Those missiles can hit targets up to 2,500 kilometers away, vastly expanding Ukraine's potential reach into Russia.
Trump aides doubt a limited number of Tomahawks or isolated deep strikes would sway Putin, but U.S. officials believe it would let Ukraine hit Russian targets more effectively.
"I don't think a limited number of Tomahawk missiles or single strikes deep in Russian territory will change Putin's mind," one official told the FT.
Ukraine's Presidential Office declined to comment on intelligence sharing but confirmed ongoing talks with Washington on Tomahawks. Zelenskyy described a recent meeting with Trump as "very good, very productive dialogue" on further U.S. support, including the missile request.
"We'll see. It will depend on the [Trump] decision," he said at the European Political Community summit in Copenhagen on Thursday, Oct. 2. "It's important."
The Wall Street Journal reported on Oct. 2, citing U.S. officials, that the United States will provide Ukraine intelligence for missile strikes on energy facilities deep in Russia.
The Telegraph reported on Sept. 23 that Zelenskyy requested Tomahawk missiles from Trump during a closed UN General Assembly meeting.
In a Sept. 25 Axios Show interview, Zelenskyy said Kremlin officials should know their nearest shelters, as Ukraine's forces plan to use long-range weapons if supplied by the United States.
In that interview, Zelenskyy said Trump supported Ukraine's retaliatory strikes on Russian energy and military sites.
Axios reported on Sept. 26 that Tomahawk missiles are the only U.S. weapons system Trump has refused to sell to NATO countries for Ukraine.
Reuters reported Oct. 2 that sending Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine is unlikely due to limited U.S. stockpiles, mostly reserved for the Navy. However, Kyiv could get shorter-range missiles, and supplies via European allies are under consideration.
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