Recently, President Trump greenlit a strategy to assist Ukraine with intelligence necessary for executing missile strikes on significant energy targets within Russian territory, as reported.
This intelligence-sharing framework empowers the Pentagon and various US intelligence agencies to guide Kyiv in aiming for oil facilities, pipelines, and other crucial infrastructures that generate revenue and resources essential for sustaining Russia’s ongoing military actions against Ukraine, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal released on Wednesday.
Additionally, the Trump administration has encouraged NATO allies in Europe to provide similar intelligence support to Ukraine, as noted by US officials.
While the United States has previously assisted Ukraine with drone and missile operations, this expanded intelligence-sharing plan is significant as it represents the first time the Trump administration has engaged in facilitating long-range strikes targeting inside Russia, according to officials.
Moreover, the administration is contemplating supplying Ukraine with advanced equipment such as Tomahawk and Barracuda cruise missiles, which have the capability to reach targets located over 500 miles away, as stated in the report.
However, officials have indicated that no conclusive decision regarding the provision of long-range missiles to Ukraine has been reached.
During a private meeting last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Trump to purchase Tomahawk missiles for Kyiv, with reports indicating that the president was receptive to the proposal.
Tomahawk missiles boast a maximum range of up to 1,500 miles, effectively bringing Moscow within Ukraine’s striking distance.
The furthest-reaching armaments supplied by the US to Ukraine thus far have been ATACMS, which can travel merely up to 190 miles.
In August, the Trump administration approved the transfer of over 3,000 air-delivered Extended Range Attack Munitions, which are capable of reaching distances up to 280 miles.
This intelligence-sharing initiative, alongside the potential sale of long-range missiles, coincides with Trump’s increasing backing of Ukraine’s military efforts amidst stalled negotiations for peace with Russia.
Last week, Trump described Russia as a “paper tiger”, in light of new US intelligence suggesting that the Kremlin is experiencing economic decline and military setbacks as a result of its actions in Ukraine.
For the first time, the president conveyed his confidence that the Ukrainian forces could “regain all of Ukraine in its original form.”
The White House has not yet responded to The Post’s request for comments.
