Ukraine-Russia war latest: Germany at risk of violent conflict with Putin as war enters ‘new, more dangerous’ phase

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Germany is at “danger ‌of becoming embroiled in a violent conflict with Russia” as Moscow intensifies an increasingly aggressive “shadow war” against European democracies, the head of the country’s foreign intelligence service has warned.

Martin Jaeger, head of Germany’s Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND), said the confrontation with Russia had entered a “new, more dangerous dimension”, as he addressed lawmakers at the annual public hearing of Germany’s intelligence chiefs on Monday.

“No other country currently poses such a direct, comprehensive and concrete threat to Germany,” Jaeger said.

“We did not seek this confrontation. Russia is forcing it upon us and sees us as a main adversary, because we refuse to accept its revisionist, expansionist policies and its war of aggression against Ukraine.”

Meanwhile, the Kremlin has threatened that Ukraine will “pay the price” after Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv would continue striking Russian oil refineries.

It came as German chancellor Friedrich Merz announced a further €1bn in military aid to Ukraine during a visit to Kyiv in a show of support for president Volodymyr Zelensky.

The military package includes long-range strike weapons, combat drones and satellite technology, "so that Ukraine can also target Russian launch pads," Merz said at a news conference.

A Ukrainian drone attack killed one person and injured another six in the Moscow region surrounding the Russian capital, governor Andrei Vorobyov said on Telegram on Tuesday.

Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin ‌said earlier ‌that Russia downed most of ⁠the 650 drones launched towards the capital overnight, of which 105 ‌drones were ​downed ‌close to ⁠the city ⁠itself.

Ukraine has shifted to using AI-enabled robot guns to intercept and take down Russian drones, said the country’s air force on Monday.

“Robotic turrets are now being installed on bridges” to respond to Russia’s newer jet-powered drones, said air force spokesperson Yuri Ignat.

“There have already been shoot-downs" of the drones, he said, including Russia's bigger and faster model.

The technology uses “optical vision and artificial intelligence to eliminate the human factor and deliver strikes,” Ignat told AFP.

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Ukraine has sent 650 drones towards the Moscow region overnight, Sergei Sobyanin, mayor of the Russian capital city, said on Telegram on Tuesday, adding that 105 drones were downed close to the city.

India is involved “beyond advocacy” in finding an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, foreign minister S Jaishankar said, after both Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky hailed plans proposed by Delhi.

Speaking at the Munich Security Conference in Delhi, Mr Jaishankar said India had held talks with both Moscow and Kyiv in recent months, discussing proposals ranging from protecting Black Sea shipping to halting attacks on energy infrastructure.

India has maintained a neutral stance on the war. It has called for a halt to fighting but has seemed reluctant to directly criticise Russia because of close defence and bilateral ties.

Prime minister Narendra Modi urged Mr Putin to end the war as recently as August, when they met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Kyrgyzstan.

Mr Jaishankar said India was now engaged in conversations with Russia as well as Ukraine about practical steps towards reducing hostilities.

A civilian ship carrying corn across the Black Sea was the target of a deadly Russian drone attack, Volodymyr Zelensky has said.

We reported earlier that two people died after a fire broke out on a sinking vessel outside Romania’s territorial waters on Monday.

Another 11 crew members were rescued.

The Ukrainian president said the vessel was owned by Turkey and Azerbaijani and Indian citizens were on board.

“As of now, unfortunately, we know that the ship’s captain was killed,” he said.

President Zelensky described the attack as “a horrific strike by two Russian drones on a civilian vessel” in neutral waters.

“Ukraine has repeatedly proposed concrete steps to de-escalate the situation and ensure security in the Black Sea.

“There have also been relevant proposals from third countries. But Russia consistently chooses terror and sinking civilian vessels instead of normal maritime navigation.

“Pressure is needed to restore global food security. And everyone who is genuinely interested in this must help.”

Volodymyr Zelensky has hailed 15 “important agreements” with Germany that are worth more than €8.5bn and “will strengthen both countries”.

The Ukrainian president said the deals mostly covered security cooperation, weapons production and procurement, as well as a deal to expand their joint counter-drone efforts.

“We will work to the fullest extent to strengthen air defence and increase production in Germany of Patriot missiles,” he wrote on X.

“During this war, Germany has been helping us. And now Ukraine is placing defence and other orders that will provide business for companies in Germany. This will be a significant contribution.”

Important agreements between Ukraine and Germany that will strengthen both countries and our industries. Fifteen agreements, deals worth €8.5 billion. Areas of drone defense – interceptors and small missiles, radars, UGVs, and artillery. We will work to the fullest extent to strengthen air defense and increase production in Germany of Patriot missiles. FREYJA. Support for the energy sector. During this war, Germany has been helping us. And now Ukraine is placing defense and other orders that will provide business for companies in Germany. This will be a significant contribution. Thank you, @bundeskanzler, for the visit. Thank you, Germany, for your support.

Ukraine said that its long-range strikes have neutralised more than half of Russia's oil refining capacity, hampering Moscow's ability to supply its forces during its 4 1/2-year-old invasion.

The defence ministry said Sunday that recent strikes on refineries in cities including Moscow, Yaroslavl, Ust-Luga, Perm, Saratov and Syzran had put 51% of Russia’s oil refining capacity out of action. The claim could not be independently verified.

Both Moscow and Kyiv have intensified their aerial assaults as progress along the 1,200-kilometer (750-mile) front line has largely ground to a halt.