“It’s about division”
Pistorius: Kremlin is waging “information war” against Germany
March 3, 2024, 5:35 p.m
The publication of a wiretapped conversation between Bundeswehr officers is raising alarm bells in Berlin. Defense Minister Pistorius speaks of a “hybrid attack” by Russia. The SPD politician is initially ruling out any personal consequences.
Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius sees the Bundeswehr wiretapping affair as part of an “information war” waged by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Nobody believes that the publication of the recording was a coincidence. “It’s a hybrid disinformation attack – it’s about division, it’s about undermining our unity,” Pistorius said in Berlin. “We mustn’t fall for Putin.” That’s why we have to react prudently, “but no less decisively.”
In the next few days he expects information about the investigations by the Military Counterintelligence Service (MAD) into the exact background to the incident, said Pistorius. It should be checked whether IT security regulations have been violated. Only then can you decide on the consequences, including in personnel matters. The officers connected via the Webex platform. Pistorius said he had no knowledge of further leaks or eavesdropping on further phone calls.
On Friday, Russian state television published a recording of a confidential telephone conference between high-ranking Bundeswehr officers on the Internet. In it you can hear Air Force chief Ingo Gerhartz talking to three subordinates about the possible use of German Taurus cruise missiles in Ukraine against the Russian attackers. The recording states that this was intended to prepare a briefing for Pistorius. At the same time as the publication, Russia made serious allegations against Germany.
The Federal Ministry of Defense said on Saturday that it was assumed that a conversation had been intercepted. However, one cannot confirm whether the conversation is 100 percent authentic. There could also be manipulation. On Saturday, Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke of a “very serious matter” and announced that it would be clarified quickly.
Despite criticism, Scholz is also ruling out the delivery of the Taurus weapon system from the ranks of the coalition partners. He justifies his refusal by saying that Germany could be drawn into the Ukraine war, even leading to direct involvement of the German military.