Russia publishes German army meeting in Ukraine
Germany has acknowledged the reported hack by Russia of a military meeting where officers discussed providing Ukraine with long-range missiles and potential targets. The audio from the video conference was shared on social media by the head of Russia’s state-run RT channel.
During the meeting, the officers explored the possibility of targeting the Kerch Bridge, which connects Russia to the Crimea region, which was annexed illegally.
Russian officials seized on the audio as evidence that their “sworn enemy” was plotting attacks.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany described the apparent leak as “a very serious matter” and announced that it was under thorough investigation.
According to Der Spiegel magazine, the video conference did not take place on a secure internal military network but on the WebEx platform.
The 38-minute audio clip was posted by RT chief Margarita Simonyan, who claimed it showed Germany planning strikes on Crimea.
In the recording, discussions revolved around the potential use of German-made Taurus missiles by Ukrainian forces and their potential impact.
A spokeswoman for the German defense ministry confirmed that a private air force conversation had been intercepted. However, she could not confirm whether the voices on the recording had been manipulated before being made public.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova demanded that Germany provide swift explanations regarding the incident.
“Attempts to avoid answering the questions will be regarded as an admission of guilt,” she said.
Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy head of Russia’s Security Council, said on Telegram: “Our age-old rivals – the Germans – have again turned into our sworn enemies.”
“Look, with what thoroughness and in such detail the (Germans) discuss striking our territory with long-range missiles, choose targets to hit and discuss how to inflict the maximum harm to our motherland and our people,” he said.
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Saturday that the discussion betrayed the “cunning plans” of the German armed forces, which he said had committed “a blatant self-exposure”.
Kyiv wants Germany to provide it with Taurus missiles, which have a range of around 500km (300 miles).
Mr Scholz has so far refused, fearing it would lead to an escalation of the conflict.
France and Britain have supplied Kyiv with Scalp or Storm Shadow missiles, both of which have half the range.
Roderich Kiesewetter, from Germany’s opposition conservatives, warned that further recordings may also be leaked.
“Several other conversations will certainly have been intercepted and may be leaked at a later date for Russia’s benefit,” he told broadcaster ZDF.
It can be assumed “that the conversation was deliberately leaked by Russia at this point with a specific intention”, namely “to prevent Taurus delivery by Germany”, he said.
