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Ukraine is no longer prohibited from using long-range weapons on targets within Russia in the ongoing effort to repulse its invasion, one of its key European allies signalled on Monday.
In the past, Ukraine received long-range missiles from the US, UK, Germany, and France, but was only allowed to use them against any Russian forces that were in occupied Ukrainian territory.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz told journalists that the lifting of restrictions – which, he later clarified, was a decision made months ago – will make “the decisive difference in Ukraine’s warfare”.
“A country that can only oppose an attacker on its own territory is not defending itself adequately,” he said.
Following Merz’s comments, Euronews Next takes a look at which weapons Ukraine can now use unrestricted, and how they might impact the course of the war now in its fourth year.
ATACMS
The Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) is a long-range surface-to-surface missile artillery weapon system that strikes targets “well beyond the range of exising Army canons,” according to US manufacturer Lockheed Martin.
The missiles on the system are “all-weather adaptable, stealthy firepower” against targets up to 300 km away.
The missiles are fired either from the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) or MLRS M270 platforms, both produced by Lockheed Martin.
The Russian Defence Ministry confirmed in November 2024 that it had shot down some of the first foreign-made long-range missiles fired directly into their territory, including six US-made Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS).
But it was not the first time Ukraine had fired them. Reports from as far back as October 2023 suggest Ukraine fired ATACMS missiles that reportedly destroyed nine helicopters at Russian bases in the eastern part of the country.
Storm Shadow missiles
The Storm Shadow, or SCALP to the French, is a long-range missile jointly manufactured between France and the UK that weighs 1,300 kg and has a range “in excess” of 250 km.
European multinational manufacturer MBDA said the missile works well for pre-planned attacks against stationary targets, like hardened bunkers or key infrastructure.
The missile is described by MBDA as offering a high-precision strike day or night because it combines GPS, onboard guidance systems, and terrain mapping to find its target.
Once the Storm Shadow missile approaches a target, an infrared device matches an image of the target with stored pictures on its onboard hard drive to make sure the target matches its mission, MBDA said.
The missile’s warhead has a first charge that allows it to penetrate a bunker or clear soil, then after it lets out a fuze to control how the ordnance detonates.
It’s already in service with the UK, French, and Italian militaries, MBDA said.
Taurus missiles
In Germany, much of the conversation has centred on supplying Ukraine with Taurus missiles.
The Taurus KEPD 350, manufactured jointly by Swedish company Saab and MBDA Deutschland, is an “incomparable modular standoff missile” that can land precision strikes on stationary targets like bunkers and high-value targets like large radar stations.
The Taurus flies at low terrain to penetrate thick air defenses and shoot down targets with a 481 kg warhead system called the MEPHISTO.
The air-to-surface missile system has a range of over 500 km and weighs 1400 kg.
Before Germany’s last federal election held in February, Merz, as leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party, had called for the delivery of Taurus missiles to Ukraine.
Merz has now signalled that Ukraine and Germany would produce the “This will be a cooperation on an industrial level, which can take place both in Ukraine and here in Germany,” Merz said.
While restrictions on long-range weapons have been lifted, Merz declined to confirm if Germany would be delivering Taurus missiles to Kyiv or not.