Russia announces German military talks on Ukraine

Germany has admitted that Russia hacked a military meeting where officers discussed long-range missiles and possible targets for Ukraine.

Audio of the video conference was posted on social media by the head of Russia’s state-run RT channel.

Officers are discussing how a missile could hit the Kerch Bridge, which connects Russia to illegally annexed Crimea.

Russian politicians said the audio proves that the “mortal enemy” is planning an attack.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Saturday that the apparent leak was “a very serious matter, which is why it is currently being investigated very carefully, very intensively and very quickly.”

According to Der Spiegel, the video conference was held on the WebEx platform rather than on a secret military network.

The 38-minute audio was posted on Friday by RT chief Margarita Simonyan, who said it was proof that Germany was planning to attack Crimea.

In the recording, a discussion can be heard about the possible use of German-made Taurus missiles by the Ukrainian military and its potential consequences.

A German Defense Ministry spokesperson told AFP news agency that secret air force conversations had been intercepted.

However, he said, “I cannot say for sure” whether the recorded audio had been altered before publication.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova demanded an explanation from Germany “immediately.”

“Any attempt to avoid answering questions will be considered an admission of guilt,” she said.

“Our long-time rivals, the Germans, have once again become our sworn enemies,” Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, said on Telegram.

“Look, how carefully and in detail[the Germans]discussed attacking our territory with long-range missiles, how to choose targets and how to inflict maximum damage on the Motherland and our people. “Is it true?” he said.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Saturday that the discussion betrayed a “cunning plan” by the German military, which had committed a “blatant self-exposure.”

Kiev wants Germany to provide Taurus missiles with a range of about 500 kilometers (300 miles).

Mr. Scholz has so far refused, fearing it would lead to escalation of the conflict.

France and Britain supply Kiev with Scalp or Stormshadow missiles, both of which have half the range.

Roderich Kiesewetter, a member of Germany’s conservative opposition party, warned that further recordings could be leaked.

“Many other conversations have definitely been intercepted and may be leaked at a later date for Russian interests,” he told broadcaster ZDF.

He said the conversation appears to have been “deliberately leaked by Russia at this point with a specific intention”: “to prevent Germany from delivering the Taurus.”