Wiretapping campaign against German air force officers: “Russian services are playing with fire with this leak” (translation in comments)
by cito
Wiretapping campaign against German air force officers: “Russian services are playing with fire with this leak” (translation in comments)
by cito
9 comments
*Translation:*
**An internal Bundeswehr briefing leaked to Russia is causing a stir: Cyber security expert Thomas Rid advises the troops to improve their communications security – and believes retaliatory action is possible.**
SPIEGEL: Mr. Rid, you have been dealing with intelligence operations from Russia for a long time. What do you think of the publication of the Bundeswehr leaks by Russian agencies?
Rid: It’s almost a classic. We have known for decades that Russian services steal documents or record conversations and then publish them when the opportunity arises in order to show up the West or snub individuals. Such operations took place during the Cold War, and they have also occurred in the context of the Ukraine conflict: for example, ten years ago, a telephone conversation between US diplomat Victoria Nuland and the US ambassador in Kyiv was suddenly leaked, in which she said the phrase “Fuck the EU”.
SPIEGEL: At the time, however, the audio recording still appeared anonymously on YouTube. The Bundeswehr broadcast on the subject of Taurus was published by the state broadcaster RT, whose boss Margarita Simonjan is a central figure in Kremlin propaganda.
Rid: And shortly afterwards, the Russian Foreign Ministry sent messages to X demanding explanations from Germany. Apparently they were not surprised, if not involved in the preparations. I think the whole thing was an intelligence operation using their own media, in which they deliberately did not want to conceal the origin.
SPIEGEL: What is the Russians’ strategic calculation? Was it to snub the Chancellor?
Rid: We know from archive material on comparable actions: The plan behind such operations is to wear down the opponents, to set them against each other, to emphasize lines of conflict and contradictions – in this case between the internal discussions of the Bundeswehr and public statements by the German chancellor . This is the spin that RT and many Russia-friendly broadcasters are trying to put on the matter.
SPIEGEL: The publication seems like a fitting commentary on the controversial domestic political debate about the Taurus deliveries. How many recordings do the Russians still have in stock? Can we expect further leaks?
Rid: Of course, Russian services didn’t just record a conversation here by chance. They are conducting this kind of espionage systematically, have probably intercepted other explosive conversations and stolen secret documents. However, they are playing with fire with this leak. Russian services are facing the strongest intelligence opponent imaginable, namely the Five Eyes alliance of English-speaking intelligence services and NATO. As far as we know, Western penetration of Russian services and institutions is deeper and more extensive than vice versa. Should the West decide to respond in kind, Russian politicians, intelligence services and armed forces could very quickly find themselves with their pants down.
SPIEGEL: Apparently, not even generals in the German armed forces can consult with each other without being bugged. What does that say about IT security in this country?
Rid: I wouldn’t single out Germany in particular; unfortunately, the situation is similar everywhere. During the pandemic, we got into the habit of discussing sensitive matters via video calls. This affects everyone, including employees of authorities, intelligence services and the armed forces. The incident should be an opportunity for the Bundeswehr to review and upgrade its own communication security. And perhaps to use more secure channels for conversations that contain politically sensitive details – even if they are often less convenient.
SPIEGEL: How dangerous is this leak in the midst of the heated geopolitical situation, shortly after the Russian president once again blatantly threatened to use nuclear weapons?
Rid: I don’t think it will cause any lasting damage. That was ultimately not the case when the Nuland phone call was published. But in principle we have to be on our guard, especially if such incidents become more frequent. This time, the material appears to be authentic and unmanipulated. In previous cases, it was usually different, with Russian services repeatedly hiding small, targeted forgeries among genuine documents. In times of generative artificial intelligence, it is becoming easier and easier to put made-up statements into the mouths of participants, even in audio recordings. This can have extremely dangerous consequences. We must therefore not get used to perceiving Russian leaks as credible and authentic.
No lasting damage? A senior German Air Force officer stated Ukraine is running out of men!! If the Russians suspected it the Germans confirmed it!!
Next the Germans stated any advanced weapon, in this case the Taurus missile, given to Ukraine won’t make much difference in the war.
Both are enormously damaging comments
The only way the Germans can save face here , is to give Ukraine these long range missiles.
And blame it in on the FSB for releasing this private conversation between military officers into the media .
Then when they blow up the Kerch bridge with these missiles that makes it it’s the FSBs fault .
In addition to improving security, perhaps Germany and other countries should fill the “airwaves“ with fake meeting “recordings“… So many that Russia has no ability to ascertain which ones if any are real.
Seems short sighted by the Russians to reveal the leak. It wasn’t a great propaganda victory for them or a big embarrassment for Germany, they achieved very little and probably lost a channel for interesting information.
Cyber security experts proposes to Bundeswehr to increase cyber security. Spot on.
If they’re ‘playing with fire’ stop being pu**ies and send more shit in spite of Russia, Scholz. You’ll probably do nothing special as per usual
Sorry, “playing with fire” means what? he says that Russia should watch out because of Five Eyes (Who Germany isn’t even part of) might have juicy intel and will get revenge for Germany? The same Germany whose chancellor just opened his big fat mouth and publicly highlighted Intel that UK and French special forces were helping Ukraine with storm shadow strikes?
Germany needs to sort their shit out and step up to the plate. This fear of escalation just fuels Putin, and will backfire for Germany.
Yes, Russia is playing with fire here; Germany is this close to sending them a strongly worded letter.