Leaked audio reveals German officials discussing Taurus Missile support for Ukraine.
A leaked audio recording disclosed by Russia has unveiled discussions among German military officers regarding the potential delivery of Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine. The recording, exposed by the state-controlled Russian media Russia Today, captures Bundeswehr officials deliberating on how the air force could technically support Ukraine with Taurus missiles, pending a political decision by Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
TAURUS a versatile, long-range weapon system designed for precise strikes against fortified and high-value targets, both point and area (Picture source: MBDA)
This development comes amid Germany's reluctance to supply Kyiv with these missiles, a stance that has caused division within the German government coalition. In late February, Mr. Scholz expressed his continued reluctance to send Taurus missiles to Ukraine, citing the risk of Germany becoming directly involved in the war. Ukraine has requested these missiles as it faces setbacks on the battlefield after two years of war and as military aid from the United States is stalled in Congress.
Although the authenticity and content of the leaked audio have not been verified, the German Defense Minister on Sunday, February 3, described the leak by Russia of a conversation among senior German officers as part of an "information war." Following the leak, a spokesperson for German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stated that the Military Counterintelligence Service is investigating the possibility that internal air force communications might have been intercepted.
The discussion also touched on potential targets, including the Kerch Bridge, which connects Russia to occupied Crimea, intensifying the debate over Germany's role and potential involvement in the conflict.
Russian officials, seizing the situation for propaganda purposes, have criticized Germany. Dmitry Medvedev, the former Russian president and prime minister, falsely claimed on social media that German generals had planned attacks on Russian territories in Crimea. However, the leaked recording merely shows German military officials considering scenarios in which Ukraine could use the Taurus missiles if supplied by Germany, without any direct indication of German involvement in planning attacks on Russian targets.
In response, the spokesperson for the German Defense Minister indicated that the officers had clearly stated at all times in the recording that "the line of participation in the war (...) would not be crossed."
Furthermore, a British media outlet revealed that the conversation also mentioned methods of missile delivery by the British and the French, raising concerns that Russian intelligence services could use this information to track the delivery of cruise missiles to Kyiv.
