German Defense Minister: Russia intercepted officers

Russia intercepted a 38-minute conversation between German officers.

Weak network connection is suspected to be the cause.

– This was an individual human error, says the German Minister of Defense.

On Saturday, the German Defense Ministry confirmed that a 38-minute conversation between German officers had been intercepted by Russia. But that it was possible depends on the human factor.

At a press meeting between Defense Minister På Jonson (M) and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, he confirmed that the wiretapping was not an attack.

– This was an individual human error, he says.

Connected to hotel wifi

The meeting between the two officers took place in a classified web conversation. One of the meeting members was connected from Singapore. However, at one point he experienced his network connection as poor and connected to either the hotel Wi-Fi or his own mobile network.

The meeting was therefore open and Russia could eavesdrop on the conversation. Among other things, the war in Ukraine and how German missiles can be used to destroy the bridge to Crimea were discussed.

– We have not seen similar cases before. And if we had, it would not have become public. When spies eavesdrop, they usually don’t want to go public. This shows that Putin does not want the information himself. He wants to embarrass us and undermine us, says Boris Pistorius.

“Unpleasant question”

That it happened in Singapore is also not a coincidence, according to Boris Pistorius. Because at that time the Singapore Airshow was going on – an event for the defense industry.

– Such places are common for intelligence gathering, says Boris Pistorius.

Dagens Nyheter’s reporter asks if Germany is an unreliable partner if their defense secrets can be leaked.

– It is an unpleasant question when you have a guest in the room, replies Boris Pistorius.