Bundestag reaches consensus on transfer of long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine

The vital parliamentary factions of the Bundestag reached a consensus regarding transferring long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine.

The head of the permanent delegation of Ukraine to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, MP Yehor Cherniev, reported this, citing sources in the Bundestag.

These missiles range 500 kilometers and can cover all occupied territories, including the southern coast of Crimea.

"For a long time, we worked with German parliamentarians to form a support group, and now, finally, the ice has broken," Cherniev noted.

"We are waiting for an official decision," he added.

A few days ago, the Minister of Defense of Germany, Boris Pistorius, once again stated that there would be no supply of Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine because it is not a "main priority."

But German politicians are gradually changing their point of view regarding the transfer of long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine. Some representatives of the Social Democratic Party of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz have changed their minds regarding the supply of Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine.

Does Ukraine have a chance to get long-range Taurus missiles?

Member of the Bundestag and retired colonel Roderich Kiesewetteriz was among the first to speak about providing Ukraine with long-range Taurus missiles. He believes that Ukraine's partners should go all-in and provide it with everything that can be used on the battlefield, which is permissible under international law.

On May 27, Ukraine turned to Germany with an official request to provide it with long-range Taurus cruise missiles. The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, spoke on this topic with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Background

Taurus is a German analog of the British Storm Shadow missiles, which the Armed Forces of Ukraine have already successfully used. The Taurus cruise missile is launched from a fighter jet and can deliver a 400-kilogram warhead over 500 kilometers. The rocket is considered an effective weapon against protected targets such as command bunkers or ammunition depots.

As for the Storm Shadow's features, the volume is about long-range anti-aircraft missiles with stealth capabilities. Great Britain and France jointly developed them. They are usually launched from the air.

The rockets can hit targets at a distance of up to 290 kilometers and have a warhead of up to 450 kg, which is more powerful than even the American ATACMS.

Great Britain was the first in the world to supply long-range cruise missiles "Storm Shadow" to Ukraine, which gave the country new opportunities for long-range strikes.

At the beginning of August, the German government updated the list of military aid provided to Ukraine.