Germany accuses Russia of ‘hybrid attack' after military discussions tapped and leaked to media

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius on Sunday accused Russia of carrying out a “hybrid attack” against the country after senior military officers' discussions were wiretapped and leaked to the media.

“This incident is clearly more than just the interception and publication of a discussion in the air force,” he told reporters on Sunday, in a hurriedly called press conference.

“This is part of an information war that Russian President Putin is waging, there is no doubt about that, it is a hybrid attack for disinformation, it aims at creating divisions, undermining our unity,” he said.

Pistorius promised a thorough investigation into the incident, as well as new measures to combat wiretapping and eavesdropping.

The German government has come under immense pressure after confidential discussions of German Air Force officers about the Ukraine war were wiretapped and leaked to Russian media.

In the leaked audio recordings, German Air Force chief Gen. Ingo Gerhartz and senior military officers were discussing the possible delivery of long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine, and their potential use to destroy the Kerch Bridge connecting Crimea to Russia.

In the 38-minute recording, military officers can be heard discussing different scenarios in the event of a German government decision to deliver Taurus missiles to Ukraine, and whether the Ukrainian military could use these weapons without the involvement of the German air force, and its technical and intelligence support.

Their discussions also involved some possible tricks, such as providing Ukraine with satellite pictures, data, and intelligence through third parties to avoid direct involvement in the conflict.

Last week, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reiterated his opposition to supplying Ukraine with long-range Taurus missiles, warning that this could lead to a direct conflict between Russia and NATO.

He underlined that delivering Taurus missiles would necessitate assigning German soldiers for this mission or deploying them in Ukraine.

“I want to say once again that I will not support any decision that results in German soldiers somehow becoming involved in a military operation in connection with Russia's terrible war against Ukraine,” he said.

The Social Democrat politician faces criticism from his coalition partners, as well as the main opposition Christian Democrats, who argue that the chancellor is making a great mistake, and “playing into the hands of” Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Ukraine has repeatedly asked Germany for Taurus cruise missiles, and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said last month that Kyiv needs these weapons “not for an attack on Moscow,” but “to destroy the Russian military infrastructure along the frontline on Ukrainian territory.”

The powerful cruise missiles have a range of more than 500 kilometers (310 miles) and are well known for their success in properly targeting objects, including bridges, or hard and deeply buried targets, such as command bunkers.