U.S. Expands Intelligence Support for Ukraine Amid Russian Warning

The Trump administration approved expanded U.S. intelligence-sharing to support Ukraine’s long-range strikes inside Russia.

The United States has escalated its military support for Ukraine by authorizing the provision of real-time intelligence to guide missile strikes deep inside Russian territory. The Wall Street Journal reported that President Donald Trump recently approved the step, which would allow U.S. intelligence agencies and the Pentagon to assist Kyiv in targeting Russia’s energy infrastructure, including oil refineries, pipelines, and power stations.

European Allies Welcome the Decision

European officials welcomed Washington’s move. Germany, which has invested around $350 million to help Ukraine expand its weapons manufacturing capacity, emphasized the importance of deep-strike capabilities. Brig. Gen. Joachim Kaschke, overseeing Berlin’s military aid, explained: “Ukraine needs assistance in three key areas: air defenses, holding the front line, and striking deep into Russia. When Ukrainian defenders face a numerically superior adversary, they have to take the fight beyond the front lines. You have to cut off the supply lines to hold the front line—that is the military logic behind it.”

Kremlin Response: “Not a Novelty” but a Warning

Moscow has reacted cautiously but firmly. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed the notion that U.S. intelligence support is new, saying, “This is not a novelty.”

However, he warned that Russia is closely studying the possible delivery of Tomahawks to Kyiv. “These are media reports. Although, as practice shows, they are not baseless. The United States of America provides Ukraine with intelligence on a continuous, online basis. This is not a novelty. One can only speculate, so to speak, about the exact nature of the intelligence.

But that intelligence sharing is happening, or rather not sharing but the delivery and use of the entire NATO and US infrastructure for collecting and transmitting intelligence to Ukraine is happening, is obvious,” Peskov said.

He added that Russia would respond “properly” if such weapon transfers occur.

Trump’s Shift in Ukraine Policy

While Washington has long aided Ukraine’s drone and missile operations with limited data, this decision represents the first time the U.S. will directly support long-range missile strikes inside Russia. The expanded cooperation comes as Trump’s attempts to push for a negotiated cease-fire with President Vladimir Putin have faltered. His earlier strategy of offering Moscow economic incentives to halt its 3½-year war in Ukraine has yielded no progress.

Trump himself has sharpened his rhetoric on Russia’s battlefield failures. Speaking at the United Nations, he criticized Moscow’s lack of gains: “Everyone thought Russia would win this war in three days, but it didn’t work out that way. It was supposed to be just a quick little skirmish. It’s not making Russia look good.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has pressed for advanced U.S. weaponry, including Tomahawk cruise missiles with a range of 1,500 miles. Vice President JD Vance confirmed on Fox News that Washington is actively considering the request.

Balancing Escalation and Restraint

The Trump administration has previously restricted Ukraine’s use of the most powerful U.S.-supplied weapons. Deliveries of Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), with a range of about 190 miles, were halted after a Pentagon review process vetoed Kyiv’s requests to launch them into Russia. The new intelligence-sharing initiative marks a shift toward more aggressive support, even as officials debate whether to send Tomahawks, Barracudas, or other long-range missiles.

For Ukraine, the combination of precise U.S. intelligence and advanced weaponry could significantly increase the damage to Russia’s energy sector while tying up Russian air defenses across a wider territory. For Moscow, however, the expanded U.S. role raises the risk of deeper confrontation.