BERLIN: Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz has pledged a full investigation after a recording of confidential army talks on the Ukraine war was leaked and circulated on Russian social media, causing significant embarrassment for Berlin.
The leak involves a 38-minute audio recording posted by Margarita Simonyan, head of Russia’s state-backed RT channel, allegedly showing German army officers discussing potential strikes on Crimea in a February 19 videoconference. The recording includes discussions on the possible use of German-made Taurus missiles by Ukrainian forces and their potential impact, as well as the use of missiles provided by France and Britain.
The leak has prompted calls for explanations from Germany and raised concerns about the security of sensitive military discussions. German Defense Minister spokesperson confirmed that the conversation was believed to have been interrupted and stated that an investigation is underway to determine if changes were made to the recorded or transcribed version circulating on social media.
Leak Audio About Ukraine War Talks
Chancellor Scholz, currently visiting Rome, emphasized the seriousness of the matter and assured that the investigation would be conducted swiftly and thoroughly.
The leak has also sparked reactions from Russian officials, with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov suggesting that it shows Ukraine’s intention to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova demanded immediate explanations from Germany, warning that failure to provide answers would be seen as an admission of guilt.
The acquisition of German Taurus missiles by Ukraine has been a contentious issue, with Scholz expressing reluctance to supply them due to concerns about escalating the conflict. However, the leak has underscored the significance of military support for Ukraine in its struggle against Russia’s invasion.
