Firing such missiles would be impossible without involvement of Berlin's military, the Foreign Ministry has noted

Moscow would consider any strikes by Kiev on Russian targets using German-supplied Taurus missiles as direct participation by Berlin in the Ukraine conflict, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has warned.

Her comments come after incoming German chancellor Friedrich Merz indicated that he would be open to supplying Kiev with long-range Taurus cruise missiles. The weapon has a 500km strike range, meaning they could be used to attack targets deep inside Russian territory.

Germany's current acting chancellor Olaf Scholz has repeatedly refused Kiev's requests for the missiles, citing fears of an escalation of the conflict.

Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, Zakharova said that even if the missiles would be transferred to Ukraine, they would still be controlled by Germany, meaning that Berlin would be directly participating in the conflict.

"Since live firing these cruise missiles is impossible without the direct assistance of Bundeswehr servicemen, a strike on any Russian facilities, critical transport infrastructure... all this will be regarded as direct German participation in military operations," Zakharova said.

Earlier this week, in an interview with German media, Merz stated that he could supply Taurus missiles to Kiev and avoid direct intervention in the conflict itself. Ukraine's forces should use the missiles to destroy the most "important land connection between Russia and Crimea," Merz suggested, apparently referring to the Crimean Bridge.

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In response, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev branded the incoming chancellor a Nazi trying to follow in the footsteps of his father who had served in Hitler's Wehrmacht. "Think twice, Nazi," Medvedev wrote on X.

Russia's ambassador to Germany, Sergey Nechaev, has also warned that while the delivery of Taurus missiles to Ukraine would not alter the battlefield situation, they could lead to an escalation of the conflict and provoke Moscow to take retaliatory measures.

Throughout the Ukraine conflict, Moscow has repeatedly condemned Western military aid shipments to Ukraine, claimed that they only lead to more bloodshed, and hinder any peace process.