«Enough to collapse Russia’s economy»: Zhdanov stuns on why Ukraine needs Tomahawk missiles

Tomahawk missiles, which the US might supply to Ukraine, could «collapse» Russia’s economy. A hit on the «Yamal Cross"—a nexus in northern Russia where 17 high-pressure gas pipelines converge—would suffice.

This view was expressed to TSN.ua by military expert Oleh Zhdanov.

However, the analyst doubts the US will hand over Tomahawks to Ukraine. In his view, it’s mere «political bargaining» from Trump.

«But on the flip side, if we hypothetically assume they did provide them, I’d say even 20–50 missiles—that figure floats in open sources—20 could snuff out the „Yamal Cross“ in one go. And that would cripple Russia’s entire energy sector,» Oleh Zhdanov states.

The «Yamal Cross» is a critical junction in northern Russia where 17 high-pressure gas pipelines intersect. It’s the strategic core of Russia’s gas network.

«No system in Russia… The S-300 is the most advanced to date. I’m not factoring in the S-400, since I trust the Chinese account that it’s just a prettied-up S-300. They share roughly equivalent specs for downing cruise and ballistic missiles. But the Tomahawk, though a cruise missile, is engineered to evade air defense systems. So, neutralize the „Yamal Cross"—and that’s it. And consider Russia’s energy sector fully disabled. Both gas and oil, by the way. That’s what would happen if 20 missiles hit a single point. Even if only five made it, that would be enough to collapse Russia’s economy, ” Oleh Zhdanov explains.

This very prospect is why the US will never greenlight these missiles for Ukraine, the expert contends:

This, according to the expert, is precisely why the US will never provide these missiles to Ukraine:

«Because that is the main task, I said this at the very start of the war. The first to guard against the collapse of the Russian Federation will be the United States. Everyone fears this collapse.»