Russia Leaks Secret German Military Meeting On Ukraine
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
BERLIN/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz pledged Saturday to investigate a Russian leak of a secret German military meeting where officers discussed giving wartorn Ukraine long-range missiles – and possible targets.
The German military confirmed the talks were bugged but couldn’t rule out that the recording published on social media by Russia’s state-run RT broadcaster had been edited.
However, the head of RT, Margarita Simonyan, said the audio recording she distributed was between German officers, including the chief of the Air Force, Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz.
In the recording of a video conference, military leaders could be heard discussing how missiles could hit the Kerch Bridge, which links Russia to the Crimea peninsula annexed by Moscow.
Russian politicians said the audio proved that its “sworn enemy” was planning attacks, despite reported reluctance by Scholz to provide missiles to Ukraine.
Germany’s Defense Ministry on Saturday confirmed the authenticity of the confidential discussion between high-ranking Bundeswehr officers about the war in Ukraine. “According to our assessment, a conversation in the Air Force division was intercepted. We are currently unable to say for certain whether changes were made to the recorded or transcribed version circulating on social media,” the ministry said.
Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova demanded that Germany “promptly” provide explanations. “Attempts to avoid answering the questions will be regarded as an admission of guilt,” she added.
AGE-OLD RIVAL
Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy head of Russia’s Security Council, said on social media outlet Telegram: “Our age-old rivals – the Germans – have again turned into our sworn enemies.”
He added, “Look, with what thoroughness and in such detail the (Germans) discuss striking our territory with long-range missiles, choose targets to hit, and discuss how to inflict the maximum harm to our motherland and our people.”
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Saturday that the discussion betrayed the “cunning plans” of the German armed forces, which he said had committed “a blatant self-exposure.”
Kyiv wants Germany to provide it with Taurus missiles, which have a range of around 500km (300 miles).
Scholtz has been reluctant to deliver them amid fears they could target sites inside Russia, which could further escalate the conflict.
He has come under criticism for suggesting that British and French troops are in Ukraine to assist Ukrainian forces with launching British and French-made missile systems.
The controversy comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that growing NATO involvement in Ukraine made the Western countries vulnerable to a nuclear attack.
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