In the recorded conversation of an employee of the German armed forces, there is talk, among other things, about the arms aid to be delivered to Ukraine.
In Germany, an investigation into a very serious information leak in the country’s armed forces will be started, says the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
The leak relates to a taped confidential conversation between two employees of the German armed forces about the war in Ukraine, possible arms aid to Ukraine and German Taurus missiles. The conversation, lasting more than half an hour, has been published in the Russian media, reports the news agency, among others Bloomberg.
According to the AFP news agency, the discussion also talks about missile strikes on tactically significant targets, such as the Kerch Strait bridge, which connects the Russian-occupied Crimean peninsula with Russia. The discussion also mentions the use of missiles supplied to Ukraine by France and Britain.
According to Scholz, who is visiting Rome, Italy, the leak of the conversation is a very serious matter, which is why it is being investigated very quickly and carefully.
The audio tape is believed to be authentic
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke in Turkey on Saturday, where he said the tape showed that Ukraine and its backers want to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia on the battlefield.
Spokesman of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maria Zakharova in turn demanded from Germany a thorough explanation of the recorded conversation.
– Attempts to slip from answering questions will be interpreted as a sign of your guilt, Zaharova said.
German politicians have demanded stricter measures for the internal communication of the armed forces. According to the opposition, there is a risk that other secret conversations have been recorded.
German newspaper For Der Spiegel the experts who spoke believe that the tape is authentic. According to Der Spiegel, the video conference where the discussion was recorded was not held on the armed forces’ own encrypted communication channel.
Ukraine craves German missiles
Ukraine has long hoped for Taurus missiles from Germany, which can fly up to 500 kilometers away from their target. Chancellor Scholz has so far refused to send the missiles, because according to him it could incite a conflict.
Britain and France have delivered their own missiles to Ukraine, with a range of up to 250 kilometers. However, according to Scholz, Germany cannot do the same.
– This (Taurus) is a very long-range weapon, and Germany cannot do what Britain and France do, said Scholz last week.
Britain has denied that it had a direct influence on how missiles are used in Ukraine.