Russian Hackers Leak Confidential Discussion from Unsecured German Military Call – Sky Bulletin

In a recent security breach, a German military officer unwittingly provided Russian hackers with access to sensitive communications by using an unsecured telephone line during a conference call. Germany’s Defense Minister, Boris Pistorius, stated on Tuesday that the officer connected to the call from a hotel in Singapore without the mandated secure connection.

This incident led to the public leak of a discussion between top German air force personnel about the potential use of Taurus long-range cruise missiles by Ukraine to counter the Russian invasion. The leaked audio has placed the German government in an awkward position and has escalated already rising tensions with Russia.

During a press conference in Berlin, Pistorius revealed that not all involved in the call followed the required secure dial-in procedures. He suggested that the hack was part of broader Russian intelligence activities targeting hotels frequented by military officials.

The officer, who has not been named, was attending the Singapore Air Show and was supposed to utilize a secured line for the call. Instead, it appears he opted for his mobile phone or the hotel’s Wi-Fi network. The minister explained that the Russians likely stumbled upon the call amidst wider cyber espionage efforts.

While Pistorius confirmed that an investigation into the matter is in progress and some disciplinary actions might be considered, he emphasized that severe punishment for the officer is improbable. He expressed a firm stance against letting Russian President Vladimir Putin’s machinations impact the careers of Germany’s dedicated officers.

The 38-minute leaked recording was distributed by Margarita Simonyan, the chief editor of Russian state-funded RT, amid important political contexts, such as the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny and the upcoming presidential elections in Russia. The conversations within the tape highlighted that no decision had been made by Germany to provide the missiles to Ukraine, despite the ongoing conflict.

German authorities, while not denying the tape’s authenticity, echoed Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s statements negating the shipment of Taurus missiles to Ukraine, as Germany tries to avoid direct involvement in the war. Nevertheless, Russia’s Foreign Ministry has issued a warning to Germany concerning the leaked phone call, though it has not provided further details.

The recording disclosed internal discussions on how Taurus missiles could be integrated into Ukraine’s defense but stressed that the German government had not approved the delivery. Gaps in the deployment logistics were also identified, highlighting the need for German support or time-consuming training for Ukrainian personnel.

Pistorius acknowledged the gravity of the leak but emphasized the need to refocus on essential matters, including ongoing support for Ukraine. Germany has been a critical source of military aid for Ukraine, following closely behind the United States, and is preparing to increase its contributions further in the coming year.

Despite the leak’s content being somewhat “manageable” in terms of damage, Pistorius pointed out that it allowed Russia to steer public discussion in Germany, aligning with Putin’s broader strategic objectives.