Leaked Audio Reveals Germany’s Consideration of Sending Missiles to Ukraine: WSJ
In a shocking revelation, leaked audio obtained by Russian spies has exposed Germany’s consideration of providing Ukraine with long-range missiles capable of destroying the key Crimean bridge. The audio, which was later broadcast by the Russian state-controlled news network RT, captured a conversation among top German military officers discussing plans to potentially send these missiles to Ukraine. The authenticity of the audio was confirmed by senior German officials to The Wall Street Journal.
The meeting, held in February, involved Germany’s top air force chief, Gen. Ingo Gerhartz, who gathered his aides to prepare a presentation for the country’s defense minister. The objective was to outline how Germany could deliver the Taurus, a long-range guided missile, to Ukraine and determine the number of missiles required to destroy the Kerch Bridge. The Taurus missiles have been a crucial request from Ukraine to Germany due to their long range of approximately 310 miles and stealth capability that allows them to avoid radar detection.
However, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has been hesitant to provide Ukraine with these weapons, much to the frustration of some officials in his cabinet and the conservative opposition. Scholz expressed concerns about the Taurus being a “very far-reaching weapon” and feared that it could escalate the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. His reluctance has been a major obstacle in fulfilling Ukraine’s request for the missiles.
The leaked audio does not definitively confirm Germany’s intention to send Taurus missiles to Ukraine. In fact, analysts believe that the leak may have further jeopardized any possibility of Ukraine obtaining these weapons. The conversation captured in the audio focused on how Germany could deliver the missiles, the training required for Ukrainian soldiers to operate them, and the quantity of missiles that should be sent.
During the discussion, military officers acknowledged that the Taurus missiles could effectively target and destroy the Crimean bridge, which serves as a crucial supply line for Russia. They estimated that it would take 10 to 20 missiles to evade Russia’s defense system and successfully destroy the infrastructure. Gen. Gerhartz was heard saying in the audio, “There is no real reason to say we can’t do this; it only depends on the political red lines.” However, he also emphasized that Germany should not send more than 100 missiles as it would not significantly contribute to Ukraine’s ground offensive.
The leaked audio has sparked outrage from the Kremlin, with Russia demanding explanations from Germany. Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, stated, “Any attempts to evade answering questions will be viewed as an admission of guilt.” The German defense ministry and the Chancellor’s office have yet to respond to requests for comments on the matter.
The revelation of Germany’s consideration of providing Ukraine with missiles has added a new dimension to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. It highlights the delicate balance between supporting Ukraine’s defense capabilities and avoiding actions that could escalate the situation further. As the world watches closely, the fate of Ukraine’s request for missiles remains uncertain, with the leaked audio potentially complicating any potential agreement between Germany and Ukraine.
