Russian diplomat caught on live mic evading missile inquiry
During a multi-hour briefing broadcast live, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova received a phone call and was instructed not to comment on reports of an intercontinental ballistic missile attack on Ukraine. She is now explaining the situation, and experts agree that Zakharova delivered a commendable performance.
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Zakharova either forgot or intentionally did not turn off the microphones when she answered the phone. Although she lowered the volume, it wasn't enough to prevent the microphones from picking up the conversation. Journalists present and viewers watching the live broadcast on the Foreign Ministry's website heard the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman receive an order not to comment on the morning attack on Ukraine.
"Masha" was supposed to remain silent. Zakharova's staged performance
- Masha [Maria], ballistic missile strikes on Yuzhmash [defence plant in Dnipro]. The Westerners are talking about it now. Don’t comment at all - Zakharova heard, then shortly after, she started flipping pages and returned to the briefing.
On Thursday, Ukraine's Air Forces reported that in the morning attack on Ukraine, Russia used, among others, an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), launched from Russia's Astrakhan region. Such a missile has the capability to carry nuclear payloads, and its range is up to 6,000 kilometres. The missile landed near the city of Dnipro in the southeastern part of Ukraine.
Caller on a "god-like level"
A representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry told the TASS agency that "the received call was from a specialist." - Before the briefing, there were questions related to conflicting materials on the internet. I consulted experts to see if it was our topic. The response came during the briefing – the Foreign Ministry does not comment on it. So there's no intrigue here - stated Zakharova. When asked by "The Insider" who this expert was, the official replied that the caller was "on a god-like level."
Why would Russia make such a serious political gesture as an ICBM strike and then remain silent about it? According to Marek Budzisz, an analyst at the Strategy&Future think tank, there is not a trace of coincidence in Zakharova's accidentally recorded phone conversation.
- In such matters, there are no accidents. It's a normal part of nuclear strategy – it involves maintaining so-called strategic ambiguity. The aim is for the opponent to remain uncertain of what exactly happened and what the other side is capable of. This enhances the deterrent power - explains the expert, adding: Nuclear issues are such that each party involved in this escalation bidding takes unclear and hard-to-interpret steps. This way, one builds an advantage as an unpredictable entity.
