Anger at German blunder over UK troops in Ukraine

British defence officials have told German counterparts they are ‘disappointed’ over a video call intercepted by russia claiming UK special Forces are operating in Ukraine.

A conversation involving German air force chief ingo Gerhartz and senior officers was recorded by Kremlin spies and broadcast in an apparent russian bid to sow division among western nations.

Publicly, both the Ministry of Defence and Downing street were last night playing down the incident. But the Mail has been

‘Gives rise to all sorts of rumours’

told the matter has been raised privately between governments.

however, the two countries remain closely aligned over the conflict in Ukraine and it will not damage relations between Britain and Germany.

Germany’s chancellor Olaf scholz, who is opposed to providing Ukraine with much-needed long-range rockets, has admitted the security breach was ‘very serious’. Officials are understood to have expressed regret over the blunder involving Major General Gerhartz, right.

Mr scholz has previously referred to the

requirement for German troops to deploy to the war zone as a reason for not supplying such munitions. Downing street declined to comment on whether UK troops had been sent to Ukraine to help the country’s forces use storm shadow missiles.

Officially, the only British soldiers in Ukraine are providing diplomatic protection and medical training. the UK Government does not discuss the role of the sAs and other units.

security sources have told the Mail the German officers believed the software on their laptop computers was encrypted. however, the system apparently contained

an outdated component. in the 38-minute call, Major General Gerhartz says: ‘No one knows why the federal chancellor is blocking the dispatch of the [taurus] missiles – this gives rise to all sorts of outlandish rumours.

‘if it is a question of doing mission planning, i know how the English do it, they have a few people on the ground.’