Taurus missiles could have increased Ukraine's defense capability – Air Force spox

Taurus long-range missiles could have strengthened Ukraine's defense capabilities significantly.

Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yurii Ihnat said this on national television, Ukrinform reports.

"Of course, the Taurus missile is another cruise missile that would greatly enhance our capabilities. This missile has slightly more powerful tactical and technical characteristics than its French and English analogs," Ihnat said.

He said that the decision on the provision of these missiles would be extremely useful for Ukraine.

In late May 2023, Ukraine asked the German government to provide Taurus cruise missiles with a range of 500 kilometers. A respective came amid the decision made by the UK and France to supply Ukraine with Storm Shadow and SCALP missiles. On July 26, Marcus Faber, an MP with Germany's Free Democratic Party, which is part of the governing coalition, also called for the government to send Taurus missiles to Ukraine. Later, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stated that, as before, he was not ready to supply cruise missiles to Ukraine. On August 7, Andreas Schwarz, a member of the Bundestag from Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democratic Party, called for the Taurus to be provided to Ukraine.