The German missile that has riled up Russia's Putin and may just trigger a new world war

Time of India

4 hours ago

Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a stark warning to Germany, saying that Berlin would be seen as a direct participant in the
Ukraine conflict
if it decides to send
Taurus cruise missiles
to Kyiv. The warning follows Ukraine's repeated pleas for the long-range weapon, which Germany has so far declined to provide.
Putin said that deploying the Taurus system would require German personnel to aid in targeting through satellite intelligence. If used to strike Russian territory, this would constitute a direct German attack on Russia, he claimed. 'What is this, if not the involvement of the Federal Republic in a direct armed conflict with the Russian Federation?' Putin said, speaking to Russian media executives in St. Petersburg.
Germany's Defence Minister Boris Pistorius had earlier stated that there were no current plans to deliver the Taurus missiles, which have a range of over 300 miles (around 480 kilometers), to Ukraine. But Putin dismissed their strategic value, saying they would not change the war's trajectory and that Russian forces were advancing on all fronts.
Despite the growing tension, Putin signaled openness to dialogue with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. 'We do not refuse any contacts,' he said, adding he was willing to speak if Merz reached out.
However, Putin made it clear that Moscow no longer views Germany as a neutral player in the conflict. 'We consider the Federal Republic, like many other European countries, not a neutral state, but a party supporting Ukraine—and in some cases, perhaps, accomplices,' he said.
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What Makes the Taurus Missile So Dangerous?
Range: Up to 310 miles (500 km)
Speed: Flies at nearly Mach 1
Technology: Equipped with stealth and precision-guidance systems
Payload: Weighs around 1,400 kg, capable of penetrating hardened targets
Targets: Can strike bunkers, command centers, ports, bridges, and ships both at sea and in port
The missile's strategic capabilities—and the political ramifications of its potential deployment—have turned it into a flashpoint that could dangerously escalate global tensions.