This is a dangerous game to play with Russia, and they’ve made known to the west what can happen when they demonstrated one of their hypersonic weapons with just blanks. And current defensive systems can’t intercept these hypersonic missiles, with the time to target incredibly short. May I point out these are designed to carry nuclear warheads, and if pressed by NATO, Russia could feel their back is against the wall especially if back channel agreements of war are violated. Hopefully this is all posturing for the peace deal and fearmongering populations, as the EU does have plans to exploit their citizens. Also, Russia did say that Germany would be an active combatant if a Taurus missile hits inside Russia.
In a significant escalation of Western military support for Kyiv, Germany, the United States, Britain, and France have officially lifted all restrictions on Ukraine’s use of supplied weapons to strike targets inside Russia, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz claimed on May 26th.
“There are no longer any range restrictions on the weapons supplied to Ukraine—neither from the British, the French, nor from us, nor from the Americans,” Merz declared. “This means Ukraine can now defend itself, including by striking military positions on Russian territory. Until recently, with very few exceptions, it could not do this.”
The decision marks a dramatic shift in NATO’s stance, effectively greenlighting Ukrainian attacks deep into Russian territory using long-range missiles such as ATACMS, Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG, and potentially Germany’s Taurus cruise missiles. While Washington and London had previously allowed limited strikes on Russian border regions, the removal of all restrictions now opens the door for Ukraine to target strategic military sites far beyond the front lines.
Chancellor Merz emphasized that the next step is ensuring Ukraine receives sufficient long-range firepower. “Now we must ensure that Ukraine is equipped with these long-range weapons,” he said. This strongly suggests that Germany may finally approve the transfer of its Taurus cruise missiles, which have been a contentious issue for over a year. If delivered, Ukraine could receive 100-150 Taurus missiles, significantly enhancing its strike capabilities.
Russia’s Warning: NATO “Effectively at War”
The Kremlin has long warned that lifting such restrictions would mean direct NATO involvement in the conflict. Last November, after Ukraine used ATACMS and Storm Shadow missiles to strike Russian soil, President Vladimir Putin stated that Moscow reserves the right to retaliate against military facilities in countries supplying these weapons.
“If they consider it possible to deliver such weapons to the combat zone to strike our territory, why shouldn’t we have the right to do the same?” Putin said at the time. He added that any escalation would be met with “a decisive and mirror response.”
The New York Times previously reported that the Biden administration had quietly permitted Ukraine to use ATACMS missiles against targets in Russia’s Kursk region, under the justification of the alleged “self-defense.” Meanwhile, former EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell confirmed that Ukraine had been authorized to strike up to 300 km inside Russian territory.
What’s Really New?
Despite Merz’s announcement, questions remain about its practical impact. Ukraine has already been using Western-supplied weapons, including HIMARS, Storm Shadow missiles, and glide bombs, to attack Russian territory since early 2024. Strikes on Belgorod, Kursk, Crimea, L/DPR have become routine, with Russian air defenses frequently intercepting incoming missiles.
The key difference now may be the formal removal of political restraints, allowing Ukraine to strike deeper into Russia without fearing Western backlash. If Taurus missiles are indeed delivered, they could enable precision strikes on military bases, logistics hubs, and defense factories and civilian facilities far from the front lines.
The move signals a dangerous new phase in the conflict, where NATO-supplied weapons could be used to strike Moscow’s strategic rear. Russia has repeatedly warned that such actions would force it to expand its own strikes on decision-making centers in Ukraine, potentially including Western political and military advisers.
With Germany now openly endorsing long-range attacks, the war’s dynamics could shift dramatically. If Ukraine begins systematically targeting Russian infrastructure, oil refineries, or command posts, Moscow may respond with even more devastating missile barrages on Ukrainian cities.