Chancellor Friedrich Merz just announced that Germany was removing range restrictions on Ukraine. This means that Kyiv can now use German-made missiles to strike deep inside Russia.
While in the opposition, Merz had promised to send Taurus missiles to Ukraine if voted to power. But, he has not made any arms deal public, possibly because of Europe’s “strategic ambiguity” approach. If he does send Taurus missiles to Ukraine, it could change the course of the war.
So far, Ukraine has been using two Western long-range missiles. The American ATACMS, and the Franco-British Storm Shadow missiles. ATACMS stands for Army Tactical Missile System. It is a tactical ballistic missile, with a 215 KG warhead, and a range of about 300 kilometres. The Storm Shadow, known as the SCALP missile in France, is an air-launched cruise missile. It can carry a 450 KG warhead, and has a range of about 250 kilometres.
Ukraine has been using these two missiles since 2023. But initially, Kyiv wasn't allowed to use them to strike inside Russian territory. That changed in November 2024, when the US, the UK and France gave Kyiv permission to strike targets inside Russian territory. Kyiv jumped at the chance, attacking an ammunition depot in Russia’s Bryansk region on November 19. The attack sparked outrage in Russia.
On November 19, the day of the first ATACMS strike, Putin approved changes to Russia’s nuclear doctrine. The amended doctrine allows Moscow to retaliate against a conventional attack with a nuclear response. Because, according to Putin, an assault by a non-nuclear state, that’s backed by nuclear powers, would be considered a joint assault on Russia.
It was a threat to the West. And it seemed to have successfully spooked one Western nation in particular, Germany. Former Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, refused to send Taurus missiles to Ukraine. But Scholz was shown the door earlier this month.
Scholz’s successor, Merz, doesn’t seem as reluctant to unleash the Taurus. What makes the Taurus stand out is its range. Taurus missiles could allow Ukraine to strike as far as Moscow. And all the military facilities on the way. Bringing the Taurus to the battlefield will undoubtedly be considered a major escalation.
For the past few months, Donald Trump had been forcing Western nations to dial down the anti-Russia rhetoric, because the US President wanted a quick ceasefire deal. Trump consistently praised Putin, and even publicly undermined Volodymyr Zelenskyy. But Trump seems to have changed his mind this week.
This weekend, Russia launched its largest drone offensive against Ukraine. Reports say over 900 drones were launched from Saturday through Monday. Moscow even aimed ballistic and cruise missiles directly at Kyiv. Even Trump thought that Russia was going overboard. Trump went on to say Putin had gone “absolutely crazy.”
It’s a massive change in stance, and Merz seems to have struck while the iron is hot, paving the way for the Taurus to enter the arena.
