US To Provide Ukraine Intel For Long Range Strikes, Tomahawk Missiles Discussed

President Trump is making it increasingly clear that he will no longer tolerate disrespectful behavior from Russian President Putin. Although sympathetic to Putin's authoritarian governing style, Trump believes the US is more powerful and that Putin owes him a greater degree of public respect. 

US intelligence guidance for Ukrainian drones and missiles will be very helpful for targeting. The provision of US Tomahawks to Ukraine could be conflict altering. The Kremlin is making threatening statements regarding these changes, but they merely emphasize the degree to which the Russians fear these developments. JL

Brendan Cole reports in Newsweek:

The U.S. will provide intelligence to Ukraine for long range strikes inside Russia. President Trump is allowing the Pentagon and intelligence agencies to help Kyiv attack sites that generate revenue for Putin's war. The US also said it was weighing providing Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, which could be part of a new commitment by the Trump administration to help Kyiv. Ukraine's strikes deep inside Russia on oil facilities have caused gasoline shortages across the country

The U.S. will provide intelligence to Ukraine for long-range missile strikes inside Russia targeting its energy infrastructure, it has been reported. 

Citing unnamed officials, The Wall Street Journal said that President Donald Trump had allowed the Pentagon and intelligence agencies to help Kyiv attack the sites that generate revenue for Vladimir Putin’s war machine. 

Newsweek has contacted the White House and the Kremlin for comment. 

Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN headquarters on September 23, 2025 in ... |

 

Why It Matters 

The United States has been sharing intelligence with Kyiv for a long time but the Wall Street Journal report, carried by other outlets, suggests that Washington wants to make it easier for Kyiv to hit energy sites that are integral to Russia’s economy.  

The U.S. has said it was weighing up providing Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, which could be part of a new commitment by the Trump administration to help Kyiv. Ukraine's strikes deep inside Russia on oil facilities have caused gasoline shortages across the country that pose a political problem for Putin. 

What To Know 

U.S. officials cited by the WSJ said Washington may provide Ukraine with intelligence to target refineries, pipelines, power stations and other infrastructure far from its borders and ask NATO allies to provide similar support. Reuters confirmed the report, citing two unnamed U.S. officials.

 

This approval for additional intelligence to Ukraine preceded Trump’s post on Truth Social last week saying that Ukraine could retake all its land occupied by Russia, according to the paper.

Vice President JD Vance said Washington was considering a Ukrainian request to obtain Tomahawks, which have a range of 1,550 miles, therefore putting most of European Russia easily within range—a prospect that has rattled Kremlin propagandists on Russian state TV. 

It comes amid reports that Ukrainian missile and drone attacks on Russian infrastructure had disrupted nearly 40 percent of the country’s oil refining capacity, as motorists across the country face gasoline shortages.   

Since August, Ukraine has targeted at least 16 of Russia's 38 oil refineries, the Financial Times reported, and Russian diesel exports are at their lowest level since 2020.

 

Lines at gas stations are annoying motorists, but the fuel shortages also pose a problem for Russia’s military and agricultural sectors, Berlin-based energy analyst Thomas O’Donnell told Newsweek. 

This is because as well as affecting Russia’s ability to produce war materials, military vehicles are heavily reliant on diesel and the regions near the front line are among the areas most affected by the shortages. 

Also, Ukraine's first major drone campaign two years ago caused a diesel shortage in Russia which hurt farmers harvesting their crops, a problem that becomes more marked in the coming weeks, with a knock-on effect on grain exports, O’Donnell added. 

What People Are Saying 

An unnamed U.S. official told the Wall Street Journal: “We are awaiting written guidance from the White House before sharing the necessary intelligence.” 

 

Republican Representative Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania on X: “Peace through strength means giving Ukraine the tools to win. Providing intelligence for long-range strikes is a critical game-changer that will help Ukraine defend its sovereignty, end Putin’s bloody war, and secure freedom’s victory over tyranny.” 

What Happens Next 

Kyiv will be eagerly awaiting confirmation of U.S. provision of Tomahawk missiles and if Washington provides the intelligence for long-range strikes, Ukraine will likely to continue its attacks on Russian energy infrastructure if no ceasefire is forthcoming,