Russians discuss killing civilians in German intelligence radio intercept

results first mentioned By the German magazine Der Spiegel and confirmed by three people who saw the information, they undermine Russia’s claims that atrocities are committed only after its soldiers leave the occupied areas.

Scenes from the suburb of Bosch, near the Ukrainian capital, have become a symbol of the atrocities of war and poignant calls for sensors into possible war crimes. One person said the radio messages are likely to provide a deeper insight into suspected atrocities in other towns north of Kyiv that have been held by Russian soldiers.

The intelligence official said that Germany had satellite imagery indicating Russia’s involvement in the killing of civilians in Bucha, but that the radio broadcast had not been linked to that location. Two people said the foreign intelligence agency, known as the BND, might be able to match signal information with video clips and satellite imagery to make connections to specific killings.

These people also said wireless traffic indicates that members Wagner Groupa special military unit that has close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin and his allies, played a role in the attacks on civilians. Another person familiar with the intelligence said the involvement may have been by the Wagner Group or another private contractor.

In Bucha, the scope of Russian barbarism began to focus

German intelligence officials on Wednesday briefed members of at least two parliamentary committees on the findings, according to people familiar with the operation.

“The reported atrocities have affected the members of the relevant committees as they have been reported very strongly,” said one person familiar with the intelligence.

Another person said the agency had great confidence in the results, though it wasn’t specific about how it got the radio. The third person said the information contributes to an understanding of situations within the Russian military but is hardly “the ultimate clue as to who shot at whom and at what time.” This person said that the examples discussed by Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service indicated an atmosphere of panic that caused soldiers to “cut corners”.

Russian forces’ reliance on unsecured communication devices, including smartphones and push-to-talk radios, has left their units vulnerable to targeting, and Western defense and intelligence officials. Say.

A spokesman for Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service declined to comment. On Wednesday, government spokesman Stephen Hebestreet cited “credible indications” that Russian forces in Bucha were interrogating prisoners “who were later executed”. He only cites “the visions we have”.