Russia prepared to strike Germany if Ukraine uses German-supplied Taurus missiles against Russian targets

06/02/2025 / By Ramon Tomey

Russia warned it may authorize strikes on German territory if Ukraine uses German-supplied Taurus cruise missiles against Russian targets, claiming German personnel involvement would make Berlin a direct participant.
Andrey Kartapolov, a senior Russian lawmaker, stated Russia is prepared to intercept Taurus missiles, target launch sites and strike operators – heightening fears of broader conflict.
Germany’s new Chancellor Friedrich Merz lifted range restrictions on Western weapons for Ukraine and signaled increased support, including plans to help Kyiv produce long-range missiles domestically.
Russia accused Germany of crossing a “dangerous threshold,” with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov invoking historical parallels, while fragile peace talks are set for June 2 in Istanbul.
Ukraine launched large-scale drone attacks, and Russian forces amassed near Sumy, as the war persists with no signs of de-escalation – heightened by Germany’s latest military aid pledge (€5.2 billion).

Russia has threatened to authorize military strikes on German territory if Ukraine uses German-supplied Taurus cruise missiles against Russian targets, escalating tensions in a conflict already teetering on the brink of wider war.

Andrey Kartapolov, chairman of the Defense Committee of the Russian State Duma (the country’s lower house), issued the warning on Wednesday, May 28. The lawmaker argued that Taurus missiles, which boast a 500-kilometer range, require German military personnel to operate. This, he continued, effectively makes Berlin a participant in any Ukrainian strike deep inside Russia.

Kartapolov, a former deputy defense minister, reiterated that Moscow is “ready for everything” if Berlin pushes through with assisting Kyiv with its use of the weapons. “We are prepared to intercept the Taurus missiles, strike the launch sites, the operators and, if necessary, the locations from which they are delivered,” he told Life.ru Wednesday.

The legislator’s warning comes as Germany’s new Chancellor Friedrich Merz signals a dramatic shift in policy by lifting range restrictions on Western weapons sent to Kyiv – raising the specter of direct North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) involvement. Kartapolov’s remarks underscore Russia’s long-standing claim that Western arms shipments to Ukraine blur the line between support and direct combat engagement.

Lavrov: Germany “crossing a dangerous threshold” in ongoing war

The Taurus KEPD 350, capable of reaching Moscow from Ukrainian territory, has been at the center of debate for months. Merz’s predecessor, former German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, hesitated sending the weapons to Kyiv. But following Scholz’s departure, Merz lifted restrictions on the use of the Taurus missiles. (Related: NOT FIT FOR KIDS: Children’s channel in Germany uses crude language in criticizing Chancellor Scholz for not sending missiles to Ukraine.)

While Merz stopped short of confirming an immediate transfer, he told reporters this week that Germany would help Ukraine produce long-range weapons domestically, with the first systems expected within weeks. According to Der Spiegel, the Kyiv-produced missile systems were easier to operate than the Taurus – albeit not as sophisticated.

“We want to talk about production and we will not publicly discuss details,” he said during a Wednesday press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The German Ministry of Defense later announced an additional €5.2 billion ($5.6 billion) in military aid, much of it earmarked for long-range capabilities.

Following the news of additional aid, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused Berlin of crossing a dangerous threshold, invoking historical parallels. “Germany’s direct involvement in the war is now obvious,” he said. Lavrov warned that the country “is sliding down the same slippery slope it already followed a couple of times in the last century – toward its own collapse.”

Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts remain fragile. Lavrov confirmed Russia’s willingness to hold a second round of peace talks in the city of Istanbul in Turkey on June 2. During the conference, Moscow plans to present a memorandum outlining its terms – including demands for Ukrainian neutrality.

But Kyiv remains skeptical, with Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov stating that future talks “must yield results.” Zelensky – who has pushed for a high-profile summit involving himself, Russian PresidPutin, and U.S. President Donald Trump, accused Moscow of stalling.

On the battlefield, the war grinds on. Ukraine reported one of its largest drone offensives yet against Russian targets this week, while Russian forces amass near Sumy in what Zelensky called an attempt to carve out “security buffer zones.”

The conflict, now in its fourth year, shows no signs of abating. But with Germany’s latest move, the risk of further escalation looms larger than ever.

Watch this video about a majority of German opposing the delivery of Taurus missiles to Ukraine.

This video is from the TREASURE OF THE SUN channel on Brighteon.com.