VERIFIED 1-2 Mar 2024 · Leak No. 028

Bundeswehr 'Taurus' call recording

Verified: Documented in primary records or confirmed by reputable inquiry/reporting.

Affected: Germany, Russia

Leaker or group, as reported: Published by the head of Russian state broadcaster RT; how the recording was obtained was not established

An audio recording of German Air Force officers discussing the war in Ukraine, including whether Taurus cruise missiles could destroy a bridge, was published on Telegram by RT's chief. The German Defense Ministry confirmed the recording was genuine.

Confirmed

The ministry confirmed the recording's authenticity but said it could not rule out edits (DW, Tagesschau). Chancellor Scholz called it a very serious matter and promised a fast investigation.

Claimed, disputed or not established

Possible edits are not excluded by the ministry. How the call was intercepted was under investigation at the time of the reports.

Reported impact

A political row in Germany over the missile debate and the security of military communications.

Sources (opened in a new tab)

DW: Germany confirms leak of Bundeswehr Ukraine war talks ↗https://www.dw.com/en/germany-confirms-leak-of-bundeswehr-ukraine-war-talks/a-68424687
Tagesschau: Bundeswehr eavesdropping case ↗https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/bundeswehr-abhoerfall-100.html

Connected

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