# Why Zelensky Wants Tomahawks And What It Actually Takes to Use Them

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jp2yTDcbyfk
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/Jp2yTDcbyfk
Generated: 2025-10-18T16:32:31.382+00:00

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## Quick Overview

The primary takeaway is that supplying Ukraine with Tomahawk cruise missiles is a strategic military decision that could significantly alter the battlefield dynamics by allowing strikes deep behind Russian lines, but it is complicated by the political risk of escalation with Russia, which currently profits heavily from oil sales despite lower prices.

**Key Points:**
- Tomahawk missiles, long-range subsonic cruise missiles, can be launched from U.S. and NATO ships and submarines, or ground-based systems like the Oshkosh Defense X-MAV.
- The current cost of a barrel of oil is $57.02, which is $5 less than when the speaker last checked, meaning Russia is making less daily revenue from oil exports ($61.2 million/day from 5.1 million barrels exported) compared to earlier.
- The Flamingo missile, mentioned as a comparison, has a warhead of 2,540 lbs, more than double the Tomahawk's 1,000 lbs warhead.
- Giving Ukraine Tomahawks provides deep-strike capability against logistics, command posts, and refineries, potentially forcing Russia to collapse its front lines due to lack of supplies.
- President Trump previously dangled the prospect of giving Ukraine Tomahawks during a meeting with Zelensky to extract concessions, suggesting a political angle to weapon transfers.
- The speaker advocates for providing the missiles to Ukraine, arguing that the military utility outweighs the political risk of Russian escalation, as Russia is already economically strained.

![Screenshot at 0:07: A graphic displays the Tomahawk Cruise Missile launching, illustrating the weapon system being discussed as a crucial element in the military analysis.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Jp2yTDcbyfk/00-00-07.png)

**Context:** The video analyzes the potential impact and implications of supplying Ukraine with U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missiles, contrasting this capability with existing Russian military and economic situations. The discussion frames the decision as a strategic military calculus involving escalation risk versus tactical advantage, referencing past political interactions between President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky regarding such weapon transfers.

## Detailed Analysis

The analyst argues that supplying Ukraine with Tomahawk cruise missiles is a critical military move that offers Ukraine deep-strike capability against Russian logistics, command posts, and energy infrastructure, which could force a collapse of Russian front lines. Tomahawks are primarily naval/submarine launched from Vertical Launch Systems (VLS) housed in sealed canisters, though ground-based mobile launchers like the Oshkosh X-MAV exist, sharing the same canister concept. The analyst notes that the current oil price of $57.02 per barrel means Russia is earning significantly less daily revenue from oil exports compared to earlier periods, making their economy vulnerable. A comparison is drawn to the larger Flamingo missile (2,540 lb warhead vs. Tomahawk's 1,000 lbs). The speaker references a past instance where President Trump used the promise of Tomahawks as leverage during talks with Zelensky. The core argument is that the military benefit (forcing Russia to fight without supplies) outweighs the political risk of escalation, as Russia is already in a weak economic position.

### Tomahawk Missile Overview

- Long-range, subsonic precision strike cruise missile
- Contains either 1,000 lb or 166 submunitions warhead
- Launched from ship VLS or ground-based systems like X-MAV

### Russian Economic Strain

- Current oil price at $57.02/barrel, $5 less than previously
- Russia making $61.2 million/day in revenue from 5.1 million barrels exported, less than before

### Strategic Implications for Ukraine

- Tomahawks enable deep strikes on logistics, command posts, and refineries
- Puts pressure on Russia's ability to sustain the war effort

### Political Context of Transfer

- Speaker recalls Trump dangling Tomahawks to extract concessions from Zelensky at a summit
- The decision involves weighing military gain against escalation risk

### Missile Comparisons

- Flamingo missile warhead is 2,540 lbs, more than double the Tomahawk's 1,000 lbs
- The inherent tactical advantage of the Tomahawk's range remains key

![Screenshot at 0:01: President Trump greeting Ukrainian President Zelensky outside the White House, setting the context of high-level diplomatic interaction.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Jp2yTDcbyfk/00-00-01.png)
![Screenshot at 0:07: Visual confirmation of a Tomahawk Cruise Missile launch, highlighting the weapon system under discussion.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Jp2yTDcbyfk/00-00-07.png)
![Screenshot at 0:27: A Reuters headline referencing Trump's potential meeting with Putin in Budapest regarding Ukraine talks, linking the military aid discussion to high-level diplomacy.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Jp2yTDcbyfk/00-00-27.png)
![Screenshot at 0:45: On-screen graphic displaying key specifications of the Tomahawk Missile: 1,609.3 km range, 917.3 km/h speed, 1,000 lbs warhead.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Jp2yTDcbyfk/00-00-45.png)
![Screenshot at 1:01: Footage labeled 'Tomahawk test footage from the 80's' showing an early test launch of the missile system.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Jp2yTDcbyfk/00-01-01.png)
![Screenshot at 1:31: A Verizon TravelPass text message showing a $12.00 per day charge for international roaming, used as a comparison point for expensive travel data plans versus Saily's rates.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Jp2yTDcbyfk/00-01-31.png)
![Screenshot at 2:28: Archival footage from the 1980s showing a Tomahawk test, emphasizing the missile's long-range capability \(1,000 miles\) and large warhead options.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Jp2yTDcbyfk/00-02-28.png)
![Screenshot at 2:55: Drone footage showing a vehicle on a dirt road being targeted/hit, illustrating the type of deep strike capability Tomahawks provide.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Jp2yTDcbyfk/00-02-55.png)
![Screenshot at 3:39: A graphic showing Russian oil revenue calculations \($61.2 million per day revenue from 5.1 million barrels exported at ~$12 profit per barrel\), illustrating Russia's economic reality.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Jp2yTDcbyfk/00-03-39.png)
![Screenshot at 3:55: Footage of Russian military assets \(pumpjacks\) being operated, contextualizing the oil revenue discussion linked to the war effort.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Jp2yTDcbyfk/00-03-55.png)