German Defense Minister described today, Sunday, Russia's leak of a conversation of senior German army officers as part of the "information war" waged by Russia against the West, and that the goal is to incite discord within Germany.

In the audio recording leaked by official Russian media on Friday, German military officers can be heard discussing support for Ukraine, including the potential use of Taurus missiles.

The audio recording was leaked on the same day the late opposition politician Alexei Navalny was buried after his unexplained death two weeks ago in a penal colony in the Arctic.

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said the timing was not a mere coincidence.

It is part of the information war that Putin is waging. There is absolutely no doubt about that. "It is a hybrid attack aimed at deception. It is about division. It is about undermining our determination."

Pistorius added in a press conference in Berlin: "Based on that, we must respond in an especially balanced way, but no less firmly."

In the 38-minute recording, military officers discuss the issue of how Ukraine can use long-range Taurus missiles. The audio recording was leaked while the debate in Germany was ongoing over whether the missiles would be provided or not.

Pistorius said: "Obviously, this is about undermining our unity."

Ukraine is demanding this aid at a time when it is facing setbacks on the battlefield after two years of war, and amid the suspension of military aid from the United States in Congress.

Earlier this week, Scholz said he is still hesitant to send Taurus missiles to Ukraine, citing the risk of Germany becoming directly involved in the war. His hesitation is a source of friction in his three-party coalition as well as upsetting the conservative opposition in Germany.

But in the alleged audio recording, the German officers discuss the theoretical possibility of using the missiles in Ukraine.

Pistorius said the officers made clear at all times in the recording that "the line of participation in the war... will not be crossed.