PUTIN WARNS OF HEIGHTENED ESCALATION IF US PROVIDES LONG-RANGE MISSILES TO UKRAINE . (PHOTO).

 Putin warns of heightened escalation if US provides long-range missiles to Ukraine 

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned Thursday that supplying long-range missiles to Ukraine would mark a “completely new stage of escalation” in tensions between Moscow and Washington. Speaking at a forum in Sochi, the Black Sea resort, Putin said U.S. Tomahawk cruise missiles pose a threat to Russia but would not drastically alter the battlefield.

“Can Tomahawks harm us? They can. But we will shoot them down and improve our air defense system,” Putin said. He added that deploying Tomahawks without direct American military involvement would constitute a “qualitatively new, completely new stage of escalation” between Russia and the U.S. The comments follow reports that the U.S. plans to provide Ukraine with intelligence on long-range energy infrastructure targets inside Russia, signaling a major shift in American support for Kyiv. Tomahawk cruise missiles, which have a range of at least 1,500 miles, would greatly enhance Ukraine’s strike capabilities against Russian targets.

Putin also responded to former President Trump’s recent description of Russia as a “paper tiger,” asserting that Russian forces maintain the strategic initiative in Ukraine. He questioned NATO’s strength if Russia, which he said is advancing confidently, is considered a “paper tiger.” The Russian president’s remarks come amid economic strains at home, with Moscow preparing tax increases to support its war-focused economy after more than three and a half years of conflict.

In Europe, EU leaders backed plans for a so-called drone wall along the eastern flank to protect against Russian airspace incursions. While defense firms have welcomed the idea, the European Commission has yet to finalize funding or operational details. Putin said the Kremlin is monitoring what he described as the “growing militarization of Europe” and may take countermeasures. Several EU and NATO countries, including Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, Romania, Germany, Denmark, and Norway, have recently reported unidentified drones or aircraft entering their airspace, causing disruptions. Russia has denied involvement in these incidents, calling the accusations “unfounded.”