Eavesdropping recordings apparently leaked by Russia are putting the Ministry of Defense under pressure: it is checking whether Bundeswehr officers were actually being eavesdropped on. The reports are raising concerns among parliamentarians.
How was Russia able to obtain the recording of an internal conversation between Bundeswehr officers? According to corresponding reports about the published recording, the Ministry of Defense is in the process of examining the process and the authenticity of the recording. “The Federal Office for the Military Counterintelligence Service (BAMAD) has initiated all necessary measures,” a spokeswoman for the ministry told the dpa news agency.
The process is explosive: Russian media reported on the allegedly intercepted communications in the air force, and propaganda channels published a recording. In it, officers can be heard discussing the theoretical possibilities of using German “Taurus” missiles – including the question of whether the cruise missiles would theoretically be technically capable of destroying the bridge built by Russia to the Crimean peninsula.
Bundeswehr insiders consider the recording to be authentic
Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s refusal to deliver “Taurus” to Ukraine and the associated challenges are also apparently an issue. Scholz had given detailed reasons for his no to “Taurus” deliveries at the beginning of the week, primarily arguing technically. The use of the “Taurus” cruise missiles by Ukraine would require the participation of German soldiers in targeting, he said. Scholz fears that Germany could be indirectly drawn into the Ukraine war.
“Because no one really knows why the Chancellor is blocking this, the most bizarre rumors arise,” ZDF quotes an Air Force general who can apparently be heard in the recording. He should also express his frustration at having to correct what he believes to be incorrect information about the cruise missiles.
Bundeswehr insiders told ZDF that they believe the recording to be authentic, but cannot verify it.
Concerned reactions
These reports are raising concerns among parliamentarians – especially about the fact that internal discussions will not be published just once. “If this story turns out to be true, it would be a highly problematic process,” said the chairman of the Bundestag’s parliamentary control committee, Konstantin von Notz, to the newspapers of the Germany editorial network.
“The question arises as to whether this is a one-off event or a structural security problem,” added the Green politician. “I expect all background information to be clarified immediately.”
“Several other conversations will certainly have been intercepted and may have been leaked at a later date for the benefit of Russia,” warned CDU defense politician Roderich Kiesewetter on ZDF. It can be assumed “that the conversation was specifically leaked by Russia at this point in time with a specific intention. This can only be to prevent a ‘Taurus’ delivery from Germany.”
Russia demands answers from the Federal Government
The Russian Foreign Ministry demanded a statement from the federal government in response to the reports. “Attempts to avoid answers will be seen as an admission of guilt,” wrote Moscow Foreign Office spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on her Telegram channel. At the same time, Margarita Simonyan, the head of the Russian state broadcaster RT, published an audio recording of the approximately 30-minute conversation. She did not say how Simonjan got the recordings.
Anna Giordano, BR, tagesschau, March 2nd, 2024 6:46 a.m