Suspected Eavesdropping Incident - Disaster for the Bundeswehr?
Date: 02.03.2024 12:56 PM
Straight talk on possible "Taurus" operations in Ukraine: There is hardly any doubt about the authenticity of the alleged Russian recording of an Air Force conversation. Chancellor Scholz referred to it as a "very serious matter."
By Georg Schwarte, ARD Berlin
The presumed authentic recording lasts 38 minutes. The Ministry of Defense officially stated, in response to inquiries from the ARD Capital Studio, that it is reviewing the facts and neither confirming nor denying the authenticity or content of the internet conference published by Russian propaganda channels. However, for WDR investigative reporter Florian Flade, there is hardly any doubt that the conversation, in which Air Force Chief Ingo Gerhartz also participated and openly discussed sensitive information, is genuine. While it is not yet possible to confirm this for the entire recording, "the way these Bundeswehr officials are talking there - that speaks strongly for its authenticity. Even with AI methods, it's currently not possible to replicate."
Spoken very openly about "Taurus" deployment
In the conversation, apparently held on February 19th, the discussion revolves around preparing a briefing for Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) regarding the feasibility of deploying "Taurus" cruise missiles in Ukraine. The four high-ranking military officials speak very openly, for example, about the feasibility of a targeted destruction of the Kerch Bridge from Crimea to the Russian mainland and other details.
The chairman of the parliamentary control committee, Konstantin von Notz (Green Party), describes it as a "highly problematic situation, should the story prove to be true." Flade puts it differently: "This incident is indeed serious. From a security policy standpoint, one could almost say it's a disaster." The recording achieves several things that "play into Moscow's hands."
If the recording is authentic, it would expose the security structure of the Bundeswehr as amateurish during sensitive discussions. Furthermore, the Air Force officers in this case contradict the Chancellor's statement, who recently refused a "Taurus" delivery to Ukraine because otherwise German soldiers would have to be present on site.
NATO Partner probably "not very happy"
But the military also revealed other highly sensitive information in the recording. According to Flade, some NATO partners such as Great Britain, the USA, or France, are likely "not very happy about what they hear there: that personnel from their militaries are already present in Ukraine."
The Ministry of Defense continues to remain silent and is investigating the case.
Chancellor Scholz on the alleged eavesdropping incident:
"What is reported there is a very serious matter. And that's why it will be clarified very carefully, very intensively, and very quickly now - and that is also necessary."
Are there more publications to come?
CDU defense politician Roderich Kiesewetter, in any case, wrote to the ARD Capital Studio, espionage is part of the Russian toolbox of hybrid warfare. He assumes that further conversations have been intercepted and could be released at a favorable moment for Russia.
The consequences that the Bundeswehr will draw from the alleged espionage case are unclear. The chairwoman of the Defense Committee, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann (FDP), told the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland that our naivety must finally come to an end. Cyber attacks, espionage, and disinformation have already increased massively: "We urgently need to increase our security and counter-espionage measures because we are obviously vulnerable in this area."
Klartext zu möglichen "Taurus"-Einsätzen in der Ukraine: An der Echtheit des mutmaßlichen russischen Mitschnitts eines Luftwaffen-Gesprächs gibt es kaum Zweifel. Kanzler Scholz sprach von einer "sehr ernsten Angelegenheit". Von G. Schwarte.
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