According to internal investigations, an “individual application error” made the Russian interception of the Bundeswehr possible. This is how Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) presented it to representatives of the press. The communication systems are “fundamentally secure” when used correctly.
On Friday, Russia released a recorded conference of four senior officers, including Air Force Chief Ingo Gerhartz. In it they discussed operational scenarios for the German cruise missile Taurusif it were still delivered to Ukraine.
The recording by Russian secret services could have been made because one of the participants in the conversation between high-ranking Bundeswehr officers in Singapore did not follow the secure procedure, says Pistorius. Already at the weekend it was said that Brigadier General Frank Gräfe had connected on his cell phone and thus, unknowingly, enabled espionage. This suspicion now seems to have been confirmed.
According to his own statements, Pistorius assumes that the meeting in Singapore was a “great opportunity” for the Russian secret services. An international air show took place in the country. Personal consequences would not follow at first. They want to react prudently and continue to examine the case. Preliminary disciplinary investigations have been initiated. The Defense Minister does not see any damage to trust in Germany as a NATO partner. He didn’t notice any irritation in conversations with allies.
Don’t “go crazy” with Putin
Russia’s propaganda interprets the recording in such a way that the Bundeswehr members are openly talking about one Taurus-Deployment and the destruction of the Crimean Bridge would be discussed. However, it is clear in the recording that there is no political green light for the delivery of the cruise missiles demanded by Kiev. Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) justified his rejection by saying that Germany could then be drawn into the war. Taurus has a range of 500 kilometers and can therefore also hit targets in Moscow from Ukraine.
Pistorius had already announced an investigation into the espionage case at the weekend, but also warned against “falling for Putin”. It’s about “driving our domestic politics apart.” The Bundestag’s Defense Committee is expected to address the wiretapping affair in a special meeting next Monday.