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This was not intended for the public: internally and very openly, senior officers of the German Air Force discussed the theoretical possibilities of using German Taurus cruise missiles by Ukraine. A recording of the conversation is now being published in Russia. Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks of a “very serious matter”. In response to a question from the German news agency dpa about possible damage to foreign policy, he said on Saturday: “That is why this is now being clarified very carefully, very intensively and very quickly. That is also necessary.”
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Is the recording authentic?
The German Ministry of Defense assumes that the conversation was intercepted. “According to our assessment, a conversation within the air force was intercepted. “We cannot say for certain at this time whether any changes have been made to the recorded or written version circulating on social media,” a spokeswoman said.
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What is the conversation about?
An informal conversation can be heard on the audio at the beginning. One of those involved explains that he is currently in Singapore. He is enthusiastic about the view from the hotel room. ‘Maybe I’ll send you a photo later. That’s really fantastic.” But it quickly becomes more serious: it is a preparatory conversation between the officers for a briefing for Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, probably in February. The head of the air force, Inspector Ingo Gerhartz, is part of the group of four. The topic is how Ukraine could use German Taurus cruise missiles in the war against Russia – if Chancellor Scholz reconsiders his rejection of supplying the weapons.
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Which questions are specifically addressed in the conversation?
One question is whether Taurus cruise missiles would theoretically be technically capable of destroying the Russian-built bridge to Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula, which was annexed in violation of international law. Another point is whether Ukraine could carry out the shelling without the participation of the Bundeswehr, for example when programming targets. It discusses how long the training of Ukrainians at Taurus could take, how Germany could approach it and how the training could be shortened. However, the recording also shows that there is no political green light for the delivery of the cruise missiles.
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What is fundamental about the Taurus debate?
In May 2023, the Ukrainian government requested the delivery of cruise missiles to hit Russian supply lines in occupied territory behind the front. Scholz decided in October not to send the Taurus missiles to Ukraine for the time being. In recent days he has reiterated his no and explained his reasons in detail. Essentially it is about the risk that Germany could become involved in the war. “German soldiers should not be associated at any point or place with the goals this system achieves,” Scholz said. Parts of our own traffic light coalition, as well as Union politicians, favor a Taurus ruling and criticize Scholz for saying no.
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Why is the publication of the conversation explosive?
Some of it concerns militarily sensitive information. One of those involved – probably air force inspector Gerhartz – explains that he could imagine that fifty missiles would be delivered in a first tranche and then another fifty missiles – but that would not change the war. But: ultimately these are just mind games to show politicians options.
There is also talk of the British having “a few people on the ground” in connection with the use of their Storm Shadow cruise missiles supplied to Ukraine. Chancellor Scholz’s words a few days ago were interpreted in a similar way. “What the British and French do in terms of target control and guidance of target control cannot be done in Germany,” Scholz said. The British subsequently declared that Ukraine’s use of Storm Shadow and the target selection process were a matter for the Ukrainians.
The publication of the conversation is also explosive because it exposes a clear security hole. How did Russia become involved? Was there a targeted eavesdropping operation? Does the fact that one of the participants stayed in a hotel in Singapore play a role? According to dpa information, the participants are using the Webex platform for their meeting. CDU defense expert Roderich Kiesewetter expects further publications from Russia after the leak. “Several other conversations will certainly have been intercepted and possibly leaked at a later date for the benefit of Russia,” he told ZDF.
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What does Russia want to do by publishing the conversation?
Above all, Russia wants to show that Germany – contrary to what the federal government has claimed – has long been a party to the war and is deeply involved in the conflict. The conversation proves the “planning of hostilities against Russia, including the destruction of civilian infrastructure,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova complained. “We demand an explanation from Germany.”
Zakharova’s influential friend Margarita Simonjan made the recording public. The editor-in-chief of the Russian propaganda channel RT first announced the recording as a sensation on Friday morning, then published a Russian text version and hours later the audio file with the German original sound on the Internet for everyone to watch. to belong. Simonyan is considered a confidant of Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin, who himself worked as an intelligence officer in the GDR and also temporarily headed Russia’s domestic secret service FSB.
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Why does Ukraine want to destroy the Crimean Bridge?
The images of an explosion and fire in the autumn of 2022 on the Crimean Bridge and new heavy destruction in the summer of 2023 after an attack went around the world. Ukraine claimed responsibility for the attacks and repeatedly stated that it would destroy the 19-kilometer-long bridge, with a section for trains and a section for cars, as soon as the opportunity arose. The Taurus cruise missiles that Kiev is asking for are seen here as correspondingly powerful – although according to the published content of the conversation, one hit alone would probably not be enough.
Kiev justified the plans by saying the structure is important for supplying Russian troops during the invasion of southern Ukraine. This supply route must be destroyed. However, Russia is also increasingly supplying its troops through the occupied territories in eastern Ukraine. Even before the war, Ukraine had criticized the bridge, which was partially opened in 2018 and 2019, as illegal and a violation of international law.
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What significance does the bridge have for Russia – and what consequences would its destruction have?
For Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin, the bridge between Russia and the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea, which was annexed in 2014, is an object close to his heart. The multi-billion dollar company represents a strong economic link between Crimea and Russia. Millions of tourists come to the holiday island by train and car. Freight transport is also important for supplying the people there. This is also why Russia talks about civilian infrastructure, the destruction of which amounts to a war crime from Moscow’s perspective.
The bridge is also used by the Moscow Ministry of Defense and therefore, from Kiev’s perspective, it is a military object that can be destroyed. Russia has so far carried out heavy retaliatory strikes against Ukraine after each attack on the Crimean Bridge. The nuclear power has always threatened to defend Crimea with all available means.
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What consequences can be drawn from the publication of the recording?
There is great concern among all parties that security-relevant communication channels are not adequately protected. It is expected that committees in the Bundestag will deal with the issue from March 11. The question also arises whether there is a general problem. The FDP defense politician Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann called for better precautions against espionage. She told the editorial network Germany (RND) that espionage was “part of Russia’s hybrid warfare toolbox.”
German contingent leader for NATO airspace surveillance in the Baltic states, Swen Jacob, told dpa: “Especially here in the Baltic states, where the Russians are so close, we have to assume that we are being listened to. We also know that we are being heard.” The soldiers on site are prepared for this; Stricter technical measures have also been taken to prevent eavesdropping. “In our opinion, we have already done the maximum we could do. But it also shows that the Russians are listening.” (SDA)
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
