Olaf Scholz, the German chancellor, has ordered an investigation into how the confidential information was leaked. Photo: Alessandra Benedetti — Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images
Downing Street called the German military intelligence leak a «very serious matter» as it backed the investigation ordered by Olaf Scholz.
Germany accidentally shared British military secrets with Russia, using off-the-shelf video telephony technology to discuss missiles used by Ukraine.
The head of the Luftwaffe told officers that British officers, along with French colleagues, had delivered Storm Shadows to Ukrainian soldiers, and then added that British troops were «on earth,” in comments subsequently reported by Russian state media.
On Sunday, Mr. Scholz, Germany's chancellor, called the leak «very serious» and ordered an investigation into the incident.
When asked about the security breach, one of the worst security breaches in Berlin since the Cold War, officials Rishi Sunak's spokesman told reporters: «Clearly Germany needs to investigate this matter and you have Chancellor Scholz's words on this matter.»
“I think he said that this is clearly a very serious matter and that is why it is now being investigated very carefully. The UK was the first to provide Ukraine with long-range precision strike missiles, and we urge our allies to do the same.
“We have made clear from the outset that the UK will provide Ukraine with the assistance it needs, including lethal support, to defend ourselves and regain our sovereign territory.»
The spokesman declined to say whether there were any plans to restrict intelligence sharing with Germany and said the incident “should be investigated by Germany.”
“More broadly, we have a long-standing and very close defense relationship with Germany, we are the two largest providers of military aid to Ukraine, and we will continue to work together to support Ukraine in its defense against Russia.
“We have previously acknowledged the presence of a small number of British troops in Ukraine to provide security for our diplomatic presence and to support Ukraine's armed forces, including through medical training. But I would not comment further on this.”
Downing Street sources said the language used by Mr Scholz did not confirm the presence of British troops in Ukraine.
Scholz was criticized last week after he said he did not want to send Taurus missiles to Ukraine because he feared they would be used to hit targets in Moscow and potentially drag Germany into the conflict.
This it happened like this. Tobias Ellwood, a Conservative MP and former chairman of the House Defense Select Committee, said the leak was «alarming on several levels.»
Mr Ellwood told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: «At the recent Munich security conference, which was attended by Chancellor Olaf Scholz as well as President Zelensky, who pleaded for weapons systems, the very public disappointment that Germany did not match the UK in sending long-range aircraft, caused public discontent. The missile launch was the second after frustration over delays as the Americans failed to send their $60 billion support package to Congress.
«So this interception and leakage of military planning information is alarming at a number of decibel levels.»
Mr Ellwood questioned why «basic conceptual protocols» were not being followed, adding: «I think it has also highlighted tensions between senior German military officials who want the Taurus retired and the German chancellor who seems to be all more focused on his political survival rather than his political survival. what is best for the continent.
“And the same thing is happening in Germany. You can see the tension that is playing out in the capitals about what we should do next in Ukraine, because the situation seems to be changing unless they get more support.»
On Thursday, Scholz told voters that missiles, which are more advanced than the British Storm Shadows, «if used incorrectly, can reach a specific target somewhere in Moscow.»
He had previously expressed concern about Germany being noticed. as a “Kriegspartei,” or party to the conflict, and stated that Taurus missiles would require a presence on Ukrainian territory. He ruled out this step due to concerns about the possibility of a further escalation of the reaction from Vladimir Putin.
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