Russian Senior Official Warns: If Ukraine Uses "Taurus" Missiles, Russia May Strike Germany Directly

A senior Russian official has warned that if Ukraine uses German-supplied "Taurus" missiles to attack targets inside Russia, Russian forces will directly target German territory. Germany has signed a $5.7 billion military-industrial agreement to support Ukraine in producing long-range weapons, and Chancellor Scholz said that delivering "Taurus" missiles is possible. Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov criticized Germany’s growing involvement in the war, calling for Berlin to pull back from the brink.

German Chancellor Scholz recently stated that Western countries no longer restrict the range of weapons provided to Ukraine, drawing significant attention. According to "Russia Today" (RT) on the 29th, Russian State Duma Defense Committee Chairman and former Deputy Defense Minister Andrei Kartapolov warned that if Ukraine uses the German "Taurus" missiles to strike deep into Russian territory, Russia is ready to directly target Germany.

Speaking to the Russian media outlet Life.ru on the 28th, Kartapolov said, "We are fully prepared. We will intercept the 'Taurus' missiles, strike their launch sites and operators, and, if necessary, target their point of origin—Germany."

The "Taurus" cruise missile has a range of up to 500 kilometers, enough to hit deep Russian targets including Moscow. However, Kartapolov noted that Ukraine lacks the technical capability to operate such precision weapons independently and must rely on Western military experts. He said, "They (Ukrainian troops) can push the launch button, but they can’t input the target data. These data come from American and European satellites. If Germany supplies these missiles, German ground personnel will inevitably be involved."

On the 26th, Scholz told German media that there are no longer any limits on the range of weapons supplied to Ukraine. Although he didn’t specifically mention the "Taurus" missile, his previous support for sending them suggests this might be paving the way for such a delivery.

Scholz’s comments have sparked controversy within Germany. Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Christian Lindner clarified that “there is no new agreement beyond previous aid commitments.” German government officials also told Reuters that Scholz’s statement “does not reflect a new policy—the government has never set range restrictions for weapons support.”

On the 28th, Scholz announced at a joint press conference in Berlin with Ukrainian President Zelensky that Germany will fund Ukraine’s domestic production of long-range weapons as part of a new defense industry partnership. The German Defense Ministry later confirmed that Berlin and Kyiv have signed a $5.7 billion agreement to produce and deliver large quantities of long-range weapon systems, with initial batches potentially ready within weeks. While it’s unclear whether Germany will provide "Taurus" missiles, Scholz said deliveries are “possible,” although Ukrainian troops would need several months of training to use them effectively.

In response to these developments, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov on the 28th accused Germany of crossing a line. “Germany’s direct involvement in this war is now obvious,” he said. Lavrov warned that Germany is on a “destructive slide” reminiscent of last century’s tragic history, urging responsible German politicians to stop “this madness.”

Key Takeaways and Analysis
✅ Escalation Risk:
Russia’s explicit threat to target Germany if Ukraine uses "Taurus" missiles suggests greater military pressure on both Ukraine and Germany.
✅ Germany-Ukraine Defense Cooperation Deepens:
The $5.7 billion defense deal underscores Germany’s increasingly active role in supporting Ukraine militarily.
✅ Western Policy Divergence:
Scholz’s aggressive stance contrasts with more cautious voices within Germany’s government, revealing internal divisions.
✅ Russian Strategy:
Russia’s claims about “Western experts controlling” Ukrainian weapon systems serve as a justification for broader retaliatory threats and diplomatic pressure on Berlin.