Russia ramps up the rhetoric over Moldova, saying West wants to control it; Kremlin slams German military leak – Sports Dimond

A war of words has erupted between Russia and Germany over a leaked audio recording purportedly of German military officials discussing weaponry for Ukraine, and potential Russian targets.

The Kremlin claimed Monday that the recording showed that the German military department “is substantively and specifically discussing plans for strikes on Russian territory,” Russia Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov told reporters Monday.

Reacting to the leak, Germany’s Defense Minister Boris Pistorius on Sunday accused Russia of conducting an “information war” against Berlin to create divisions within the country.

Pistorius said Sunday that the leak — an embarrassment for Berlin that raised questions over basic military security protocol — was “part of an information war that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin is waging.”

During the call, German officers were heard discussing the possible delivery of long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine, possible strike targets such as the Crimean bridge, as well as stating that British troops were “on the ground” in Ukraine.

NATO soldiers take part in a training exercise

Soldiers from various NATO countries on Monday took part in an instalment of NATO’s Steadfast Defender 2024 military training exercise.

The months-long exercise is the largest since the Cold War and will take place in various countries across Europe and cover domains including sea, air, cyber, land and space, NATO said in a statement in January.