Germany Blames Ukraine War Talks Leak on ‘Individual Error’

Defense News ,Germany , Ukraine :-  In response to the recent audio leak involving senior military personnel discussing the situation in Ukraine, Germany moved to play down the incident on Tuesday, attributing it to an "individual error" and reaffirming the trust of its allies.

The leaked 38-minute recording, posted on Russian social media last Friday, captured discussions among officers regarding the potential use of German-made Taurus missiles by Ukraine. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius acknowledged the gravity of the mistake during a press conference, stating that it should not have occurred.

Preliminary findings from an investigation indicated that the German army's communication systems remained uncompromised. Pistorius clarified that the recording occurred due to an "individual user error" rather than a breach of security.

Despite the incident, Pistorius reached out to allies, assuring them that their trust in Germany remained intact. He acknowledged the inherent risks of wiretapping attacks, emphasizing that no system could offer absolute protection.

The leak exposed discussions about Kyiv's request for Taurus missiles, capable of reaching targets up to 500 kilometers away. Chancellor Olaf Scholz, however, has refrained from approving the deliveries, expressing concerns about potential entanglement in the conflict.

In the leaked conversation, Bundeswehr officers explored various aspects of Taurus missile use, including quantities and potential targets, such as a crucial bridge over the Kerch Strait linking the Russian mainland to Crimea.

The Kremlin seized on the recording, alleging Western involvement in the Ukraine conflict. In response, Berlin accused Russia of attempting to destabilize Germany and its allies by disclosing sensitive discussions.

Pistorius defended the use of the WebEx meeting platform by the German military, asserting its legitimacy with additional security measures. He pointed out that an attendee at the Singapore Airshow had connected via an "unauthorized connection," leading to the interception.

Highlighting the vulnerability of the event to intelligence efforts, Pistorius suggested that Russian intelligence could exploit the gathering of senior military officials from various countries. He characterized the successful interception as a "random hit" within a broader intelligence strategy.

To address the situation, Germany pledged a thorough investigation, including a preliminary disciplinary probe into the meeting's participants. Pistorius clarified that while a probe would be initiated, personal consequences were not currently under consideration.

Refusing to succumb to pressure, Pistorius stated, "I will not sacrifice my best officers to (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's game." He emphasized that the Kremlin's intention was to create divisions within Germany, targeting various political parties and opinions on support for Ukraine.

In a related move, Moscow's justice ministry designated the German Friedrich Ebert Foundation, closely tied to Scholz's Social Democrats, as an undesirable organization in Russia, along with three other German entities.