German Ministry of Defense confirms Taurus wiretapping scandal
"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," a spokeswoman for the Ministry of Defense stated.
The head of the Russian state broadcaster RT, Margarita Simonyan, published an audio recording of the approximately 30-minute conversation on Friday.
The exchange documented in the audio file is about the possible use of German "Taurus" cruise missiles by Ukrainian armed forces and its possible effects. Among other things, there is talk of whether the bridge that connects the Crimean peninsula with the Russian mainland could also be hit.
Air Force Inspector Ingo Gerhartz, among others, took part in the conversation. It is said to have served as preparation for a briefing for Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.
The reports are raising concerns among parliamentarians.
How was Russia able to obtain the recording of an internal conversation between Bundeswehr officers?
“The Federal Office for the Military Counterintelligence Service (BAMAD) has initiated all necessary measures,” a spokeswoman for the ministry informed.
The process is explosive: Russian media reported on the allegedly intercepted air force communications, and propaganda channels published a recording.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz's refusal to deliver "Taurus" to Ukraine is discussed.
"Because nobody really knows why the Chancellor is blocking this, the most bizarre rumors naturally arise," ZDF quotes Air Force Inspector Ingo Gerhartz, who can apparently be heard in the recording.
