The editor-in-chief of RT and MIA Rossiya Segodnya, Margarita Simonyan, published a transcript of a conversation between several representatives of the German armed forces who discussed the prospects of supplying Taurus missiles to Ukraine and Kyiv’s plans to use these weapons to strike the Crimean Bridge.

A full transcript of the relevant content is posted on Simonyan’s page on the VKontakte social network.

The conversation took place on February 19, 2024 between the head of the operations and exercises department of the Bundeswehr Air Force Command Frank Graefe, the Bundeswehr BBC Inspector Ingo Gerhartz and two employees of the air operations center of the Bundeswehr Space Command.

One of the central topics of the recorded part of the conversation was the possibility of supplying Ukraine with Taurus cruise missiles with a range of 500 km and the prospect of using them to strike the Crimean Bridge.

Let us note that to date, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has not made a decision regarding the transfer of this type of weapons to Ukraine.

The day before, German media cited statements by Scholz, according to which the Chancellor opposes the supply of Taurus to Ukraine out of fear that Kyiv will use this weapon to strike Moscow.

At the same time, in the recording, BBC Bundeswehr inspector Gerhartz admits that the Ukrainian side still intends to attack the crossing.

“We all know that they want to destroy the bridge, what this ultimately means, how they are protecting it - not only because it has important military-strategic, but also political significance,” the transcript says.

Note that the Crimean Bridge was attacked twice.

In October 2022, a truck exploded at the facility, and in July 2023, the crossing was attacked by unmanned boats.

During the ensuing discussion, one of the participants notes that the bridge design may require a significant amount of weapons.

“We intensively studied this issue and, unfortunately, came to the conclusion that the bridge, due to its size, is similar to a runway.

Therefore, it may not require ten or even 20 missiles,” said an employee of the air operations center of the Bundeswehr Space Command.

Gerhartz responded by suggesting that there was a possibility that this task would be accomplished if the French Dassault Rafale fighter were used.

In the conversation, Bundeswehr representatives also say that if Taurus missiles are supplied to Ukraine, they will be ready for use only in eight months.

As noted by the head of the operations and exercises department of the Bundeswehr Air Force Command, Graefe, if these deadlines are shortened, “erroneous use may occur, a missile may fall on a kindergarten, and again there will be civilian casualties.”

Representatives of the German armed forces also mention possible volumes of missile supplies to Kyiv.

In particular, the option of two trenches of 50 missiles each is being considered.

Among other things, Bundeswehr officials urge caution to avoid claims of direct German involvement in the conflict in Ukraine.

“We need to make sure that from the very beginning there is no language that makes us a party to the conflict,” says Graefe.

In addition to this, the military personnel call it known that in Ukraine “there are many people in civilian clothes who speak with an American accent.”

A representative of the German Ministry of Defense refused to comment on RT’s request regarding the publication of a conversation between high-ranking Bundeswehr military personnel.

“Thank you for your request.

Please understand that we do not usually comment on media reports and their content,” the German military department said.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov commented on the publication.

Speaking at the Antalya Diplomatic Forum, the minister said that the current situation “on the one hand is amazing, but on the other hand it’s not.”

“I don’t know what to call it, but the face of our NATO colleagues is completely covered in fluff.

I don’t know how they will explain themselves to their population,” the minister said.

  • Sergei Lavrov - on the publication of a recording of a conversation between high-ranking German officers

Earlier, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, also commented on the conversation between Bundeswehr representatives.

She stated that the hybrid war unleashed by the West against Russia is in full swing.

Later, she announced the Russian side’s demand to provide an explanation.

“Official Berlin is obliged to provide them promptly.

Attempts to avoid answering questions will be considered an admission of guilt,” she said.

In turn, Vice Speaker of the Federation Council Konstantin Kosachev expressed the opinion that the content of the conversation between the German military already indicates Germany’s direct participation in the armed conflict against Russia.

“The scandal with recordings of negotiations between named and very high-ranking Bundeswehr officers already discussing plans for attacks on the Crimean Bridge in a practical manner should have serious consequences,” the vice speaker of the Federation Council wrote in his Telegram channel.

First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Relations with Compatriots Viktor Vodolatsky called the fact of discussing the prospect of an attack on the Crimean Bridge direct aggression.

The deputy emphasized that the bridge is a peaceful artery connecting two subjects of Russia, where there are no military personnel, but only civilians on vacation.

“When Bundeswehr officers discuss how they will hit the Crimean Bridge, this is already a signal for us to bring to the attention of the German leadership through various channels... about those unfriendly actions that could be fraught with danger for Germany itself,” the parliamentarian noted.