In a significant security breach, Germany unintentionally exposed British military secrets to Russia during a video call about missile logistics. This breach is considered one of the most serious since the Cold War era.
Military secrets to Russia during a video call about missile logistics. This breach is considered one of the most serious since the Cold War era.
During the 38-minute call, Luftwaffe Air Force Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz, other officers, and a general discussed the delivery process of Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine. Shockingly, the recording of this call found its way onto Russian state television, revealing sensitive information about the movements of British troops.
The leak has sparked concerns among NATO allies regarding the security implications of the disclosed information. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has condemned the breach, expressing worries about its potential to destabilize the NATO alliance.
Pistorius also hopes that Russian President Putin will fail in using this incident to disrupt NATO’s stability. The call captured Gerhartz discussing the British’s delivery methods, including the transportation of missiles in Ridgeback armoured vehicles.
Moreover, Gerhartz divulged France’s delivery approach, which involves using Audi Q7s to transport their version of the Storm Shadow missiles. Another participant in the call discussed training Ukrainian troops in Germany and suggested that the UK should take over the appropriate course of action.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has labelled the leak as a “grave” matter requiring a thorough investigation. This revelation comes mere days after Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for the Kremlin, accused Britain of direct involvement in the conflict in Ukraine.
Western allies, including the UK, have supported Ukraine by providing significant military assistance, amounting to £7.1 billion, despite these tensions. The leak of British military secrets during the missile discussion underscores the pressing need for stringent security measures to prevent such breaches in the future.
