The Russians overheard the secret conversation

News  

 

Germany  

 

German Ministry of Defense confirms Russian wiretapping: "A super disaster"  

 

Matthias Kjellman  

 

Updated 19.21 | Published 16.54  

 

The Crimean Bridge. Photo: AP  

 

A 38-minute long conversation between German officers has been intercepted by Russia. 

 

Among other things, the war in Ukraine and how German missiles can be used to destroy the bridge to Crimea are discussed.  

 

- It is a very serious matter, says German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Saturday. 

 

 A conversation in which a German air force officer spoke openly about sensitive information has been intercepted by Russia. This is confirmed by the German Ministry of Defense for ARD capital studio.  

 

Russian state media have published a recording of an internal meeting with air force officers. 

In the 38-minute long recording, the officer talks, among other things, about the American and British military operating on the ground in Ukraine. He also discusses opportunities to train Ukrainian personnel in Gerrmany in the handling of the Taurus cruise missile.  

 

Another topic mentioned was Ukraine's possible use of German cruise missiles against a bridge connecting the Russian mainland with Crimea. This is stated by several tGerman media.    

 

“Vulnerable in this area”  

 

After an analysis, the recording is judged  to be authentic.

 

- According to our assessment, a call was intercepted in the air force. We currently cannot say with certainty whether changes have been made to the recorded or written version circulating on social media, a spokesman for the Ministry of Defense told ARD Capital Studio. 

 

Vladimir Putin. Photo: Gavriil Grigorov / AP  

 

Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, the FDP politician and chairman of the defense committee, is calling for better precautions against espionage.  

 

- There must be an end to our naivety, she told the editorial network Germany (RND). 

 

She expresses that cyber-attacks, espionage and disinformation have increased enormously.  

 

- We urgently need to increase our security and counter-espionage because we are obviously vulnerable in this area. Germany's counterintelligence system is apparently vulnerable, says Strack-Zimmermann.  

 

"Part of Russia's Hybrid Warfare"  

 

According to Strack-Zimmermann, it is not surprising that calls have been intercepted in this way. She believes that espionage is "part of Russia's toolbox for hybrid warfare".  

 

She assesses that the reason why the Russian media publishes the recording is a way for Russia to discourage Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) from giving the green light to the Taurus cruise missile. 

 

- This incident is quite serious. "Security-wise, this is almost a disaster because several things have been achieved here that play into Moscow's hands," said WDR investigative reporter Florian Flade, who reports on national security. 

 

Olaf Scholz.