A conversation between Luftwaffe officers was intercepted. The Ministry of Defense confirmed this to the ARD capital studio. Experts speak of a “super disaster”.
The recording is 38 minutes long – the Ministry of Defense has now ARD capital studio confirms that there is a wiretapping case. “According to our assessment, a conversation in the Air Force was intercepted. We cannot currently say with certainty whether changes were made to the recorded or written version that is circulating on social media,” said a spokesman for the Ministry of Defense ARD capital studio.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz Scholz (SPD), who had a private audience with the Pope in Rome that morning, expressed concern after the espionage case became known: “What is being reported there is a very serious matter and that is why it is now being done very intensively, very carefully and clarified very quickly. That is also necessary.”
Air force officers in open exchange
The Internet conference of high-ranking air force officers, which was apparently overheard by Russians on February 19, was about the preparation of a 30-minute briefing for Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) on the feasibility of a “Taurus” mission in Ukraine.
The officers openly talk about, among other things, the fact that US and British military personnel are operating on the ground in Ukraine and discuss possibilities of training Ukrainian personnel in Germany for the “Taurus” mission. Another topic is the use of the weapon, for example against the Kerch Bridge, which connects the Russian mainland with Crimea.
“Several things that play into Moscow’s hands”
Defense politicians in Berlin are now demanding comprehensive clarification. The Union politician Florian Hahn demanded that the Chancellor comment on the case in the Defense Committee. The Union defense politician Roderich Kiesewetter wrote to this ARD capital studiohe assumed that further conversations were intercepted and could be made public at a convenient moment for Russia.
Experts speak of a catastrophe for the Bundeswehr. Overall, there is also astonishment at how apparently carelessly the Bundeswehr’s command staff communicate and discuss highly sensitive content on unprotected lines. “This incident is quite serious. In terms of security policy, this is almost a disaster because several things are being achieved here that play into Moscow’s hands,” he says WDR-Investigative reporter Florian Flade. The Bundeswehr’s security structure is exposed as amateurish during sensitive discussions.
Scholz’s “Taurus” position in criticism
In addition, the Air Force officers contradict the Chancellor’s statement, who recently refused to deliver “Taurus” to Ukraine on the grounds that German soldiers would then have to be on site.
But the military also revealed other highly sensitive information in the 38-minute long recording: “Ultimately, you have to say that some of the partner states, the USA, Great Britain and France are probably not very happy to hear that their personnel are in the Ukraine is already present,” said Flade.
It is unclear what consequences the Bundeswehr will draw from the alleged espionage case. The chairwoman of the Defense Committee, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, told the Germany editorial network that our naivety must finally come to an end. Cyber attacks, espionage and disinformation have already increased massively today. “We urgently need to increase our security and counter-espionage because we are obviously vulnerable in this area,” said the FDP politician.