German General Confirms 500km-Range Weapon Supply to Ukraine

A senior German commander, Major General Christian Freudig, has confirmed that Germany is preparing to supply Ukraine with long-range weapons, including Taurus-type systems, capable of striking targets up to 500 kilometers deep into Russian territory. This announcement comes amidst an evolving policy debate in Berlin regarding military aid to Kyiv.

General Freudig, head of Germany's Ukraine military situational center, stated, "We need weapons systems that can reach deep into Russian territory, that can attack depots, command facilities, airfields, and aircraft." He added that Germany is "prepared to provide such weapons systems," noting the success of recent Ukrainian operations. This development follows a German-financed agreement signed between Ukrainian industry and the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense.

The Taurus KEPD 350 is a German-Swedish air-to-ground cruise missile known for its precision and ability to penetrate hardened targets like bunkers. Ukraine has long requested these missiles, viewing them as a potential "game-changer" due to their superior range compared to other Western-supplied long-range weapons like the UK's Storm Shadow/Scalp (250km) and the US's ATACMS (300km).

Germany's stance on providing long-range weapons has been a subject of intense internal debate. Former Chancellor Olaf Scholz had previously resisted supplying Taurus missiles, citing concerns about direct German involvement in the conflict. However, under the new Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who took office in May, there has been a shift. Merz recently indicated that Western allies, including Germany, have lifted range restrictions on weapons supplied to Ukraine, allowing strikes on military targets within Russia.

This policy adjustment has drawn strong reactions. While Ukrainian officials and some analysts welcome the move, Russia has warned that such decisions are "quite dangerous" and would be seen as an escalation, hindering peace efforts. The Kremlin has previously stated that supplying Taurus missiles would constitute Germany's "direct" involvement in the war. Despite these warnings, Germany continues to be Ukraine's second-largest bilateral supporter after the United States, providing substantial military and financial aid. The decision to no longer publicly disclose details of military aid shipments is also aimed at denying Russia real-time intelligence.