What Did Mertz Mean By That?
- 27.05.2025, 11:36
New targets on the territory of the Russian Federation may be under missile attack.
Germany, France, Britain and the United States have lifted Ukraine's restrictions on the depth of use of weapons they have transferred, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said." "Until recently, with rare exceptions, it [Ukraine] could not do so. Now it can use, long-range weapons to attack military targets in the [Russian] rear." He spoke after Trump's high-profile statements about Putin "losing his mind".
"We Can Explain" answers questions about Western weapons and related restrictions:
What were these restrictions?
Before the summer of 2024, Western countries prohibited the Ukrainian Armed Forces from using their weapons to strike generally recognized Russian territory. After the invasion of Kharkiv Oblast began in May, the US lifted the ban for GMLRS missiles (160 km range), but left it in place for the long-range ATACMS (300 km). It was lifted for them in November (without an official announcement) - but the missiles could be used only in the combat zone in Kursk Oblast. Similar approvals (also unofficially) were given by London and Paris for Storm Shadow and SCALP missiles.
What will Germany itself hand over?
Merz refused to answer the question of whether Germany would supply Ukraine with long-range TAURUS cruise missiles (range up to 500 km). Scholz refused to transfer them to Ukraine, Merz during the election campaign supported the deliveries with some reservations, but after becoming chancellor, changed his mind. In addition, Berlin decided to classify information about arms deliveries to Ukraine altogether.
What did Merz mean?
It is not entirely clear from the chancellor's words whether he is talking about a new lifting of restrictions (e.g., permission to hit all Russian regions, not just Kursk) - or something that was allowed back in the fall of 2024 (in which case Merz's statement is probably just a media threat). Leaders of other countries have not yet spoken on this topic.
What does the lifting of all restrictions mean for the parties?
American ATACMS, French SCALP and British Storm Shadow (the latter two models have a slightly shorter range, about 250 kilometers) will reach major Russian cities: Bryansk, Orel, Kursk, Voronezh, Rostov-on-Don (see map). Their targets could be any military facilities in these areas, primarily ammunition and fuel depots and military airfields.
How will Moscow react?"
Peskov said the Europeans' decisions "go against our aspirations to reach a political settlement. Putin was speaking after the initial strikes on Russian territory, and Moscow responded by striking a new medium-range Oreshnik missile - but the results remained unclear.