Simonyan warns of retaliation if German missiles target Moscow

MOSCOW, May 28, 2025 —

Margarita Simonyan, editor-in-chief of Russian state media outlet RT, issued a stark warning on her Telegram channel, stating that if German troops launch Taurus missiles toward Moscow, Russia would respond by targeting Berlin.

Simonyan wrote, “In Moscow offices, they are discussing that if German troops strike Moscow with German weapons — and permission to use Taurus missiles can only mean this, since Ukrainians cannot operate or program their flight — then we have no choice but to strike Berlin.”

The comments come amid intensifying discussions surrounding Germany’s potential delivery of Taurus long-range missiles to Ukraine. These weapons could significantly extend Ukraine’s reach into Russian-held territory, raising tensions in the ongoing conflict.

Simonyan is a prominent media figure closely aligned with the Kremlin. Her role in disseminating state narratives has led to sanctions from the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Western governments accuse her of spreading disinformation and supporting influence operations abroad.

On the same day as Simonyan’s remarks, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stood alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a press conference in Berlin, where he announced that Germany and Ukraine would sign a memorandum for the procurement of Ukrainian-produced long-range weapons. Merz emphasized that Germany would increase military support to Ukraine but declined to comment on specific systems like the Taurus missiles.

Earlier in May, reports indicated that Germany’s new government plans to limit public disclosures regarding future arms deliveries to Ukraine, aiming for greater operational security in response to evolving wartime dynamics.

Simonyan’s statement underscores the growing risks of escalation as Western military aid to Ukraine becomes more advanced — and as Russia signals its readiness to respond in kind.