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German air chief’s secret call about British troops ‘on the ground’ in Ukraine is intercepted by Russia in major breach

GERMANY faces a major security breach after a confidential phone call discussing British military secrets has been intercepted by Russia.

German air chief Ingo Gerhartz was sensationally recorded talking about how British troops are “on the ground” in Ukraine – a move Russia says shows Nato allies are “preparing for war”.

Ingo Gerhartz was sensationally recorded discussing how British troops are 'on the ground' in Ukraine

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Ingo Gerhartz was sensationally recorded discussing how British troops are ‘on the ground’ in UkraineCredit: Getty
Olaf Scholz called the security breach a 'very serious matter'

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Olaf Scholz called the security breach a ‘very serious matter’Credit: Rex

The accidental leaked call also revealed how France and Britain are delivering new powerful Storm Shadow rockets to Ukraine.

One conversation even detailed how the long-range weapons being sent could be used to destroy the Kerch Bridge that connects mainland Russia to the Crimean peninsula.

Gerhartz was caught chatting to air force officers and a general via a WebEx platform in the terrible mishap.

The 38-minute call was blasted across Russian state television by an executive, say The Telegraph.

After listening to the recording, the Kremlin doubled down on their views that Nato allies are poising a serious threat of war against them.

Gerhartz revealed that British troops were “on the ground” and even mentions Britain’s exact system currently in place to deliver weapons to the Ukrainian frontlines.

In the recording, he can be heard talking about his country delivering German Taurus missiles to the troops before spilling British secrets.

He said: “If we’re asked about delivery methods. I know how the British do this.

“They always transport them in Ridgeback armoured vehicles. They have several people on the ground.”

Then the Lieutenant General spoke about how France also send missiles east to Ukraine.

The French deliver their Storm Shadow style missiles, better known as Scalp, in the back of flashy Audi Q7s.

The commercial SUV’s cost a whopping £67,000.

It is a very serious matter and that is why it is now being investigated very carefully, very intensively and very quickly

Olaf Scholz German chancellor

A second voice can also be heard in the recording thought to be Brigadier General Frank Graefe.

He can be clearly heard chatting about how Ukrainian soldiers are trained up on German soil.

Before somewhat controversially blurting out that once they’ve been trained in Germany the “right course of action” would be for Britain to “take over”.

Before adding: “Just imagine the uproar if the media were to find out.”

Olaf Scholz, the German chancellor, labelled the leak “very serious” and has demanded a thorough investigation.

Saying: “It is a very serious matter and that is why it is now being investigated very carefully, very intensively and very quickly.”

As Conservative MP Bob Seely scolded Germany calling them “incredibly complacent” as former defence minister Alec Shelbrooke described the leak as an “amateur blunder”.

German opposition politician Roderich Kiesewetter says the leak was probably caused by a Russian intelligence agent who joined the call.

A spokesman told Bild an “insufficiently secure means of communication was used”.

The chat with multiple senior Luftwaffe officers was done over their mobile phones meaning it would’ve been simple to connect to it for an outside individual.

One participant on the chat can even be heard talking about taking the conversation over to WhatsApp.

This has caused even more fears over a potential further security breach.

The German defence ministry confirmed the call as an authentic recording.

It marks one of the most serious security breaches in Germany since the Cold War.

PREPARING FOR WAR

The conversation then moved on to Taurus cruise missiles and the potential devastation they could cause in Russia.

Officers debated whether the missiles could reach the Kerch bridge between the Russia’s mainland and the battlefields in the Crimea peninsula.

Our age-old rivals – the Germans – have again turned into our sworn enemies

Dmitry Medvedevdeputy head of Russia’s Security Council

Russia’s Dmitry Medvedev claimed this proved Germany was “preparing for war against Russia”.

The deputy head of Russia’s Security Council said on Telegram: “Our age-old rivals – the Germans – have again turned into our sworn enemies.”

“Look, with what thoroughness and in such detail the [Germans] discuss striking our territory with long-range missiles, choose targets to hit and discuss how to inflict the maximum harm to our motherland and our people.”

Boris Pistorius, the German defence minister, spoke out about the leaked recording saying Vladimir Putin was using the call to “destabilise” Germany.

Pistorius also detailed how the evil tyrant was attempting to cause rifts within the allies through an “information war”.

Dmitry Medvedev claimed this proved Germany was 'preparing for war against Russia'

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Dmitry Medvedev claimed this proved Germany was ‘preparing for war against Russia’Credit: AP
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said Putin was using the call to 'destabilise' Germany.

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German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said Putin was using the call to ‘destabilise’ Germany.Credit: Getty

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