Intelligence experts fear leaks about the German military are just the “tip of the iceberg” and they warn that NATO’s secrets could be compromised.
August Hanning, Berlin’s former intelligence chief, told German Tabloid Bild:
“The leak could have been just the tip of the iceberg. Normally, successful wiretapping operations are not made public in order not to harm the source.”
An intelligence expert said the Russians could have bugged even more than a 38-minute conversation between high-ranking German military officials.
Bundestag member and CDU foreign policy expert Roderich Kiesewetter supports his words:
“It is very likely that other members of the German government and ministries have also been bugged, including the chancellor and his inner circle. The publication of these materials is only a matter of time and the right opportunity. It will happen as soon as Russia deems it appropriate. Moscow has long regarded us as adversaries in the war.”
The German government vehemently rejected allegations that Russia’s leak of a conversation by high-ranking German military officers was an indication that Berlin was preparing for war against Russia yesterday.
British intelligence expert Neil Barnett believes that Moscow, by publishing the tapes, is seeking to influence public opinion in Germany and “pit allies in the West against each other.”
The 38-minute recording shows military officers discussing in German how long-range Taurus cruise missiles could be used by Kyiv against Russia.
While German authorities have not questioned the authenticity of the recording, Scholz said a week ago that supplying these weapons to Ukraine was not an option – and that he did not want Germany to be drawn directly into the war.
The Russian Foreign Ministry, however, threatened Germany on Monday with “dire consequences” over the leak. It did not elaborate on the details. Foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said:
“If nothing is done, and the German people do not stop this, then there will be dire consequences first and foremost for Germany itself.”
However, now that the leaked information is known, “we can be sure that Olaf Scholz will definitely not supply the Taurus to Ukraine,” said military expert Carlo Masala, who also spoke to Bild.
Germany was labelled “unreliable” yesterday after Russia intercepted a conversation between Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz and senior Luftwaffe officers. During the conversation, it was confirmed that British personnel were in Ukraine and details of the deployment of Storm Shadow missiles in the country were discussed.
Scholz confirmed that the footage shown by Moscow’s state broadcaster was genuine and described the security breach as “very serious”. Downing Street insists it is up to Berlin to investigate the breach, and it called again on Scholz to send long-range missiles to Kyiv.
