STORY: Ukrainian soldiers fighting near Pokrovsk said on Wednesday (October 15) that Tomahawk missiles could shift the ongoing war with Russia in Kyiv's favour.

While firing shells towards Russian military at the most intense frontline section near the embattled industrial city of Pokrovsk, soldiers of Ukraine's 152th brigade heard what they suspected was a Russian FPV drone over their position.

After staying silent for a while to not be spotted by the drone, the soldiers carried on firing NATO artillery 155mm calibre projectiles from their ancient M-114 howitzer, first deployed by U.S. troops during World War Two.

The 29-year-old commander of the howitzer unit, Roman Kostiuk, said U.S. made Tomahawk cruise missiles "could fundamentally change the course of war for the better."

The Tomahawk Land Attack Missile is typically launched from sea to attack targets in deep-strike missions.

The precision-guided Tomahawk cruise missile can strike targets from 1,000 miles (1,600 km) away, even in heavily defended airspace.

Last month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy asked the United States to sell Tomahawks to European nations that would send them to Ukraine in an effort to push back against Russian invaders.

Commander Kostiuk added that he was confident that Ukraine's military leadership would only use Tomahawks against high-value targets.

U.S. President Donald Trump denied Ukraine's requests for use of long-range missiles in the past but has grown frustrated at Russian President Vladimir Putin's refusal to reach a peace deal.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

Tomahawk missiles could shift war in Ukraine's favour, say troops near Pokrovsk

VIDEO SHOWS: UKRAINIAN SOLDIERS FIRING U.S.-SUPPLIED M114 HOWITZER NEAR POKROVSK / SOUNDBITES FROM SOLDIERS ON HOWITZER AND ON HOW TOMAHAWK MISSILES COULD CHANGE WAR / SOLDIERS AT POSITION / SOLDIERS UNLOADING SHELL DELIVERY AT NIGHT

EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: Reuters footage was reviewed by the Ukrainian military as part of the reporting trip. No footage was removed.

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: NEAR POKROVSK, DONETSK REGION (OCTOBER 15, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. U.S.-SUPPLIED M-114 HOWITZER FIRING

2. SOLDIER CLEARING HOWITZER

3. SOLDIERS CARRYING AND RELOADING SHELL

4. HOWITZER FIRING

5. SOLDIERS RELOADING SHELL

6. HOWITZER COMMANDER, ROMAN KOSTIUK, 29 YEARS OLD, ADJUSTING FIRING ANGLE AT HOWITZER, SAYING (Ukrainian): "An FPV drone is flying somewhere over us."

7. OTHER SOLDIER NOT MOVING / AUDIO OF DRONE FLYING NEARBY

8. HOWITZER FIRING

9. VARIOUS OF SOLDIERS NEARBY HOWITZER, INLCUDING KOSTIUK

10. EMPTY HOWITZER BARREL

11. (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) 29-YEAR-OLD ROMAN KOSTIUK, HOWITZER COMMANDER, SAYING:

"There is no way out. We need to defend our motherland and our homes. We cannot complain about this howitzer as it is not bad, however, it is a bit difficult to manage. A lot of things need to be done by strength, but we can work with it."

12. VARIOUS OF SOLDIER RELOADING BULLETS INSIDE DUGOUT

13. (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) 29-YEAR-OLD ROMAN KOSTIUK, HOWITZER COMMANDER, SAYING:

"If we are given Tomahawks, the most important thing for us is to find the right use for them. I think Tomahawks are quite a serious weapon, and I believe they could fundamentally change the course of war for the better."

14. SOLDIER WITH MOUSE IN TRENCH BEHIND PROTECTIVE PLASTIC COVER

15. VARIOUS OF SOLDIER FIXING FIRST-AID KIT

16. (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) 29-YEAR-OLD ROMAN KOSTIUK, HOWITZER COMMANDER, SAYING:

"If they find the right application for them (Tomahawks), I think it will change a lot. If used towards the right targets, I think a lot can change. I mean, if used on some small-scale targets, then (no)... But the main thing is that our command does everything right and launches them how they should. I don't see any mistakes on their (command's) part, they don't use misuse foreign weapons. So I think that the war would change quite significantly... in our favour, for the better."

17. RIFLES

18. SOLDIERS TAKING REST IN DUGOUT

19. VARIOUS OF KOSTIUK LOADING AMMUNITION

20. SOLDIER TAKING RIFLE, LEAVING

NEAR POKROVSK, DONETSK REGION (OCTOBER 14, 2025) (Reuters - Access all) (NIGHT SHOTS)

21. VARIOUS OF SOLDIERS RECEIVING SHELL DELIVERY AT NIGHT

22. VARIOUS OF SOLDIER WITH SHELLS AT POSITION