Russian propagandists, spearheaded by Margarita Simonyan, editor-in-chief of RT, have been accused of exacerbating divisions in Germany by leaking a 38-minute intercepted Webex conversation involving Bundeswehr officials. The conversation, which occurred on February 19, allegedly discussed Germany’s support for Ukraine, particularly regarding the supply of Taurus cruise missiles. The leak, published on Telegram, suggests that the German air force head, Lt. Gen. Ingo Gerhartz, discussed preparations to provide Taurus missiles to Ukraine and support their use by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s opposition to the missile supply, fearing escalation, has created rifts within the German government.
The intercepted conversation raises significant concerns about the security of military communications, as it reportedly took place on Webex, a consumer-grade web conferencing software, rather than a secured military system. While the authenticity of the leaked content remains uncertain, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius labels it a hybrid disinformation attack, emphasizing its role in fostering division and undermining unity within the government. The leak could have broader implications for Germany’s stance on Ukraine and its internal political dynamics, exposing vulnerabilities in the nation’s communication infrastructure.
