Russian military expert Igor Korotchenko, editor-in-chief of the National Defense magazine, pointed out in an interview with TASS what many specialists, both in and out of Russia, have already noted: The Ukrainian military cannot employ the Taurus without direct German involvement. “Taurus is a complex weapon system, and only highly trained professionals can operate it effectively in combat. If these missiles are transferred to Ukrainian armed forces, they will not be able to use them properly,” he explained.
He elaborated that only experienced specialists—adept at target selection, devising optimal destruction strategies, navigating digital terrain maps, setting precise flight altitudes based on terrain features, and inputting critical data into the missile—are capable of handling such sophisticated weaponry. “Training someone to operate Taurus in this manner takes years, not months or weeks,” Korotchenko stressed.
Considering this, he suggested that if Taurus missiles launched from Ukrainian territory target Russia, it would likely be conducted by regular Bundeswehr personnel—German military personnel acting under German command—rather than by Ukrainian servicemen. Korotchenko warned that such actions could be viewed by Moscow as Germany’s engagement in the conflict.
TASS concludes its coverage: “Korotchenko sees only one outcome of this development—a retaliatory strike.”
