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Russia Today
a day ago
- Business
- Russia Today
Russia prepared to strike Germany if Taurus missiles are used
Russia could authorize strikes on German territory if Ukraine uses German-supplied Taurus cruise missiles to attack Russian targets, a senior Russian lawmaker has warned. Andrey Kartapolov, chairman of the State Duma Defense Committee and a former deputy defense minister, said the long-range missiles require direct German military involvement to operate—making Berlin a potential participant in any such attack. Speculation about a potential transfer of Taurus missiles to Kiev resurfaced this week after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Ukraine would be allowed to use Western-supplied weapons without range limitations. Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, Merz confirmed that delivering the Taurus system was 'possible,' though he added that Ukrainian forces would require 'several months of training' to use them effectively. In an interview with on Wednesday, Kartapolov said Moscow is 'ready for everything' if Germany proceeds with such a transfer. 'We are prepared to intercept the Taurus missiles, strike the launch sites, the operators, and, if necessary, the locations from which they are delivered,' he warned. The Taurus KEPD 350 missile has a range of over 500 kilometers and is capable of reaching targets deep within Russian territory, including Moscow. Kartapolov emphasized that Ukraine lacks the technical expertise to operate such weapons independently. He claimed that earlier deliveries of long-range systems—including the U.S.-made ATACMS, Britain's Storm Shadow, and France's SCALP—have only been deployed with the assistance of Western military specialists. 'Ukrainian troops can press the launch button—that's not the problem,' he said. 'But they cannot program the targets. That data comes from American and European satellites. If Germany supplies these missiles, German personnel will inevitably be involved on the ground.' The German Defense Ministry announced on Wednesday that it would provide Kiev with an additional €5.2 billion ($5.6 billion) in military aid. Much of the funding, according to the ministry, will support the production of long-range weaponry inside Ukraine. Responding to the development, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused Berlin of crossing a dangerous line. 'Germany's direct involvement in the war is now obvious,' he said, adding that the country 'is sliding down the same slippery slope it already followed a couple of times in the last century—toward its own collapse.'
Russia Today
2 days ago
- Business
- Russia Today
Russia prepared to strike Germany in response to Taurus attacks
Russia could authorize strikes inside Germany if Ukraine receives and attacks it with German Taurus cruise missiles, a senior Russian lawmaker has warned. State Duma Defense Committee chairman Andrey Kartapolov insists that the weapon requires German military assistance to operate. Speculation that Germany could supply Ukraine with Taurus missiles, which can potentially reach Moscow, reemerged earlier this week after Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that Berlin and its partners had allowed Kiev to use Western weapons without any range restrictions. When asked by journalists on Wednesday about possible deliveries of the weapon, Merz replied that they are 'possible,' adding that Ukrainian troops would require 'several months of training' to be able to launch them. Kartapolov told the outlet on Wednesday that Russia is 'ready for everything' and will respond to the possible shipments of Taurus missiles to Kiev. 'We are ready to shoot down the Taurus', and to strike the places from where they would be launched and those who would launch them, and, if necessary, the places from where they would have been delivered,' he warned. The senior lawmaker, who is a former Russian deputy defense minister and holds the rank of colonel-general, stressed that the long-range missiles that had been earlier supplied to Ukraine by the US, UK and France – ATACMS, Storm Shadow and SCALP, respectively – can only be launched by their own specialists. This is because 'the Ukrainian military lacks experts capable of operating such equipment. That is, the Ukrainians can press the 'start' button - it is not a problem, but they cannot input the data,' which comes from American and Western European satellites, he explained. 'If Germany transfers these missiles. Then, naturally, there will be German specialists on the ground' making sure that they can be launched, Kartapolov said. The German Defense Ministry announced on Wednesday that Berlin will give another $5.6 billion in military aid to Kiev, most of which will be used to 'finance the production of long-range weapon systems in Ukraine.' Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reacted to the development by saying that Berlin's 'direct involvement in the war is now obvious.' According to Lavrov, Germany 'is sliding down the same slippery slope it already followed a couple of times in the last century – down toward its own collapse.'
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Russian lawmakers accuse 'Shrek', 'Call of Duty', 'Death Note' and other Western media of "indoctrination"
Russian lawmakers are calling for tighter controls on Western media after accusing films like Shrek, Monsters Inc, and The Grinch, along with video games such as Call of Duty, of having a 'destructive impact' on children. During a roundtable, members of Russia's State Duma criticised a range of popular media, arguing that characters like Shrek no longer serve as ideal role models. 'Characters began to appear who embodied negative traits but were elevated to the status of positive characters,' one presentation slide stated. The discussion also targeted the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 mission 'No Russian,' claiming it promoted negative portrayals of Russia and mocked past national tragedies, including the 2024 Crocus City Hall attack. A quote from the game describing Russian forces killing fleeing civilians was cited as evidence. In addition, Death Note was listed among destructive influences in a presentation slide that displayed the cover of Death Note: Short Stories. Lawmakers extended criticism to video games, fashion, music, and literature they believe undermine national values. Sergei Mironov of the 'A Just Russia' party described the situation as part of a 'hybrid war,' stating, 'If you want to defeat the enemy, raise their children.' His colleague, Yana Lantratova, acknowledged the legal complexity of regulating media but said work is underway to draft legislation promoting 'traditional Russian spiritual values.' As lawmakers push for new regulations, cultural icons like Shrek and Wolverine are unexpectedly drawn into wider debates on media influence.
Metro
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
The bizarre reason Russia wants to ban Shrek and other beloved animations
Shrek is having a 'destructive impact' on children, according to Russian lawmakers. In a roundtable discussion on Monday, several films, toys and games were accused of being vehicles through which Western countries are 'indoctrinating' Russian children. A slideshow was presented by State Duma deputy Yana Lantratova, which showed 'good' Soviet-era children's films and toys in contrast to characters originating from Western countries, with Shrek, the Grinch and Monsters Inc. mentioned. 'They don't seem bad, but they have both physical and personality flaws,' said Lantratova of Western characters including ogre Shrek, according to a report from the Moscow Times. 'Gradually, with the infiltration of Western culture, characters began to appear who embodied negative traits but were elevated to the status of positive characters,' the outlet report one slide read, continuing: 'The image of the purely positive character began to fade.' Sergei Mironov, leader of political party A Just Russia, accused the West of waging a 'hybrid war' via childrens' entertainment, citing the adage: 'If you want to defeat the enemy, raise their children.' 'Unfortunately, [Western countries] are very actively engaged in indoctrinating our children,' he said, as per the outlet. Lantratova, also a member of the minority political party, said unclear laws were stopping authorities from blocking Western-made children's content. More Trending This comes after Russia passed a bill banning content – which it labelled 'propaganda' – promoting child-free ideologies, as Vladimir Putin attempts to encourage women to have children to counteract the country's dwindling birthrate. Content violating this rule may face fines up to 400,000 rubles (£3,724) for individuals and up to 5 million rubles ($46,000) for officials and legal entities. In 2023, Russia ruled that the 'international LGBT movement' was an extremist organisation, and passed a law banning so-called 'propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations'. All these laws are part of the Kremlin's push towards what it calls 'traditional' or 'pro-family' values. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: British missiles could soon be used against Putin deep into his own territory MORE: Kremlin says Trump's 'absolutely crazy' jab at Putin was 'emotional overload' MORE: Mum who put out a hit on her 12-year-old daughter was fed up of 'bad behaviour'
Russia Today
3 days ago
- Business
- Russia Today
EU has isolated itself, not Russia
Luxembourg MEP Fernand Kartheiser has argued that the EU's confrontational approach to Russia during the Ukraine conflict has led to its own isolation. The lawmaker made the remarks in an interview with RT released on Tuesday while on a trip to Russia that he was forced to fund personally due to the European Parliament's restrictions. 'Some people in the European Parliament… have an attitude toward Russia that identifies it as a big threat,' Kartheiser said. 'They think that if we put pressure on Russia and isolate it diplomatically, that might help to find solutions in the context of the conflict in Ukraine… it is not the discussion that we should have.' Kartheiser noted that the entire EU approach toward the Ukraine conflict and Russia has been counterproductive. 'What we have now internationally is that basically everybody talks to Russia. We even have the US coming back and having high-level contacts… the anti-Russia stance is diminishing,' he stated. 'So this policy of isolation of Russia basically has failed. The only ones who are isolated in a way are the EU itself.' The lawmaker's visit to Moscow at the invitation of the Russian State Duma aimed to discuss bilateral relations and the situation in Ukraine. The visit, however, drew criticism from hawkish EU lawmakers. The European Conservatives and Reformists group threatened to expel Kartheiser, claiming he had 'crossed a red line.' The MEP called the threat 'a regrettable part of the picture' and lamented that some EU lawmakers remain opposed to re-engaging with Moscow. 'The discussion that we should have is what kind of relationship do we want with Russia in the future? We have to open the dialogue again. That is most important,' he said, adding that there are politicians whose opinions towards Russia are shifting, while many ordinary Europeans would also like to see ties MEP emphasized that if the EU 'wants to be taken seriously as an actor in international relations,' it must abandon the anti-Russia policy and 'have some kind of relationship' with the country again. 'If we, Western Europeans, are expected to take a larger responsibility for our own security, one way to assure this is by negotiating an agreement with Russia, ensuring at the same time our security as Western Europeans and guaranteeing the security of Russia's western border. So, negotiation and diplomacy before rearmament and arms race,' he concluded.
