How did Russia get hold of the intercepted Bundeswehr conversation? The CDU politician Kiesewetter says in Report from Berlin, a Russian participant apparently logged into the online meeting – without anyone noticing. He demands consequences.
There is great concern following the publication of a conversation between Bundeswehr Air Force officers in Russian state media. How could the preparation of a briefing for the Minister of Defense on the use of Taurus cruise missiles in Ukraine come to Russia? The CDU defense politician Roderich Kiesewetter assumes that Russia obtained the access data for the meeting, which was held via the provider Webex.
“Unfortunately, there are increasing indications that a Russian participant obviously dialed into Webex and that it was obviously not noticed that there was another dial-in number there,” said the deputy chairman of the Parliamentary Control Committee in the ARD broadcast report from Berlin. Kiesewetter relies on professional sources without further narrowing down the origin of the information. In addition, there are already initial indications of this online, said the CDU politician.
The Military Counterintelligence Service is still investigating – official findings that support Kiesewetter’s statement are not yet available.
Not a safe one Communication platform
The deputy chairman of the Parliamentary Control Committee demanded that it now be clarified how Russia got the dial-in number. “This is an espionage matter where we also have to strengthen our own counterintelligence significantly more.”
The Bundeswehr is the victim and not the perpetrator, emphasized Kiesewetter. Possible consequences for the four Air Force officers would not be a priority. Instead, we now have to look at why it wasn’t checked who took part in the Webex conference. The core question is: “Why is such a sensitive topic being dealt with via Webex at all? Why doesn’t the Federal Office for Information Security have low-threshold access to corresponding protected information and video conferencing systems?”
Germany must expect that Russia has penetrated the security systems much more broadly than previously known, said the defense politician. The Kremlin deliberately published the conversation at this time – shortly after the funeral of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. “And there was also the publication of the biggest financial scandal: a Russian intelligence operation – namely Wirecard and Marsalek,” said the politician. The leaked conversation naturally distracts from the revelation.
Kiesewetter for Committee of Inquiry
In general, the security authorities do not deal with security issues sensitively, explained Kiesewetter. “We need more systems that have hardened protective devices. The Federal Office for Information Security is just as much in demand as the managers who set up such video conferences,” said the CDU politician.
The strategic culture must change. Sensitive communication should only take place via protected networks. “And why that wasn’t the case here – the Ministry of Defense has to clarify that.” He supports the proposal from CSU regional group leader Alexander Dobrindt, who calls for a committee of inquiry. A special investigator who would clarify the overall structure is also conceivable.
Pressure on Taurus issue
In addition to security concerns and demands to investigate espionage, Kiesewetter also called for… Report from Berlin Taurus cruise missiles for Ukraine again. The intercepted conversation showed that a delivery was not impossible and “just had to be well prepared”. “We would like to know why the Chancellor is not taking up the advice of the armed forces here,” said the CDU politician. It is incomprehensible why the Federal Chancellor is ignoring the arguments of the Air Force officers.
In the published conversation, four officers – including Air Force Chief Ingo Gerhartz – discuss operational scenarios for the German cruise missile if it were to be delivered to Ukraine. In it they stated that rapid delivery and rapid deployment would only be possible with the participation of German soldiers – and that “Taurus” training of Ukrainian soldiers for a mission under their own direction would be possible, but would take months.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz justified his rejection of a “Taurus” delivery by saying that Germany could then be drawn into the war.
The complete interview will be broadcast today, from 6 p.m., on the ARD program Report from Berlin.