Ukrainian saboteurs may have been involved in the destruction of the Togliatti-Odessa ammonia pipeline that was subjected to intense shelling earlier this month, according to classified German defence ministry documents accessed by The Bild.&nbsp;

The report, citing experts from the German defence ministry claims that Ukrainians are sabotaging far beyond the line of contact in order to weaken the Russian forces. The report notes "participation of the Ukrainian side in the destruction of the pipeline [Togliatti-Odessa]" cannot be ruled out. It added that the facility was located in the territory controlled by the armed forces of Ukraine.&nbsp;

<h2>Moscow blamed Kyiv for the attack</h2>

The revelation by the publication matches the version of the Russian authorities who had blamed Ukrainian forces for the destruction job.&nbsp;Russian Defence Ministry spokesman Lieutenant-General Igor Konashenkov claimed the attack on the pipeline&nbsp;was a terrorist act.&nbsp;

“At about 9:00 p.m. Moscow time on June 5, a Ukrainian subversive and reconnaissance group blew up the Togliatti-Odessa ammonia pipeline near the settlement of Masyutovka in the Kharkov Region. Civilians were injured as a result of this terrorist act,” the spokesman said.&nbsp;

"At present ammonia residues are being blown out of the damaged sections of the pipeline from Ukrainian territory. There are no casualties among Russian servicemen," he added.&nbsp;

The destroyed pipeline is the world's largest ammonia pipeline and sustained damage after heavy shelling in a contested part of the country's northeastern Kharkiv region.

Ammonia is a key ingredient used in nitrate fertiliser, of which Russia is a leading producer. However, ammonia&nbsp;is also highly toxic and can cause severe irritation of the lungs, throat, nose and eyes.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/ukraine-accuses-russia-of-halting-black-sea-grain-deal-us-taiwan-trade-deal-599510">WATCH |&nbsp;Ukraine accuses Russia of halting Black sea grain deal | US-Taiwan trade deal</a>

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<h2>Black Sea grain deal could be stalled</h2>

Reports state that the resumption of supplies via the Tolyatti-Odessa pipeline may be key to the renewal of the Black Sea grain export deal which was renewed in May. Moscow has already hinted that it is willing to pull out of the deal as "goodwill cannot be endless".&nbsp;

"Work is ongoing, but to be honest we don't see any particularly positive prospects. Everything that was agreed on regarding us has not been fulfilled. The extension of the grain deal was a goodwill gesture. Russia has repeatedly made such gestures," said&nbsp;Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/goodwill-cannot-be-endless-russia-on-black-sea-grain-deal-extension-604787">Also read |&nbsp;'Goodwill cannot be endless...': Russia on Black Sea grain deal extension</a>

"But unfortunately, in the absence of reciprocity, the lack of desire on the part of the collective West to fulfil part of the agreements concerning Russia, this manifestation of goodwill and political will cannot be endless. That is why our exit from the deal after its expiry is being considered. But there is no decision yet," he added.

(Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of the claims made in the BILD report or those by the Russian authorities)

(With inputs from agencies)

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Ukrainian saboteurs may have been involved in the destruction of the Togliatti-Odessa ammonia pipeline that was subjected to intense shelling earlier this month, according to classified German defence ministry documents accessed by The Bild.

Ukrainian saboteurs may have been involved in the destruction of the Togliatti-Odessa ammonia pipeline that was subjected to intense shelling earlier this month, according to classified German defence ministry documents accessed by The Bild. The report, citing experts from the German defence ministry claims that Ukrainians are sabotaging far beyond the line of contact in order to weaken the Russian forces. The report notes "participation of the Ukrainian side in the destruction of the pipeline [Togliatti-Odessa]" cannot be ruled out. It added that the facility was located in the territory controlled by the armed forces of Ukraine. Moscow blamed Kyiv for the attack The revelation by the publication matches the version of the Russian authorities who had blamed Ukrainian forces for the destruction job. Russian Defence Ministry spokesman Lieutenant-General Igor Konashenkov claimed the attack on the pipeline was a terrorist act. “At about 9:00 p.m. Moscow time on June 5, a Ukrainian subversive and reconnaissance group blew up the Togliatti-Odessa ammonia pipeline near the settlement of Masyutovka in the Kharkov Region. Civilians were injured as a result of this terrorist act,” the spokesman said. "At present ammonia residues are being blown out of the damaged sections of the pipeline from Ukrainian territory. There are no casualties among Russian servicemen," he added. The destroyed pipeline is the world's largest ammonia pipeline and sustained damage after heavy shelling in a contested part of the country's northeastern Kharkiv region. Ammonia is a key ingredient used in nitrate fertiliser, of which Russia is a leading producer. However, ammonia is also highly toxic and can cause severe irritation of the lungs, throat, nose and eyes. WATCH | Ukraine accuses Russia of halting Black sea grain deal | US-Taiwan trade deal × Black Sea grain deal could be stalled Reports state that the resumption of supplies via the Tolyatti-Odessa pipeline may be key to the renewal of the Black Sea grain export deal which was renewed in May. Moscow has already hinted that it is willing to pull out of the deal as "goodwill cannot be endless". "Work is ongoing, but to be honest we don't see any particularly positive prospects. Everything that was agreed on regarding us has not been fulfilled. The extension of the grain deal was a goodwill gesture. Russia has repeatedly made such gestures," said Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. Also read | 'Goodwill cannot be endless...': Russia on Black Sea grain deal extension "But unfortunately, in the absence of reciprocity, the lack of desire on the part of the collective West to fulfil part of the agreements concerning Russia, this manifestation of goodwill and political will cannot be endless. That is why our exit from the deal after its expiry is being considered. But there is no decision yet," he added. (Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of the claims made in the BILD report or those by the Russian authorities) (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Ukrainian saboteurs may have destroyed Togliatti-Odessa ammonia pipeline: Reports

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on Tuesday (June 6) that the process related to India's proposed procurement of six submarines was yet to be completed and that the German industry was at a "good place" in the race for the contract.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on Tuesday (June 6) that the process related to India's proposed procurement of six submarines was yet to be completed and that the German industry was at a "good place" in the race for the contract. Pistorius arrived in New Delhi on Monday for a four-day visit to India, the first by a German defence minister since 2015. After holding wide-ranging talks with Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Pistorious addressed a press conference where he was asked about the submarine deal. "The procedure is not finished yet, but I think the German industry is at a good place in that race," he told reporters. One of the top contenders for the contract is Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS). Submarine project figures in talks between Pistorious, Singh According to a report by the news agency PTI, officials earlier said that India's plan to procure six stealth conventional submarines at a cost of around Rs 43,000 crore figured in the talks between Pistorius and Singh, and the former showed Germany's interest in the project. In June 2021, the Indian Defence Ministry cleared the project to domestically build six conventional submarines for the navy. The submarines would be built under the much-talked-about strategic partnership model that allows domestic defence manufacturers to join hands with leading foreign defence majors to produce high-end military platforms to reduce import dependence. Germany can do more in Indo-Pacific: Pistorious German Defence Minister Pistorious also said on Tuesday that his country could and ought to do more in the Indo-Pacific in a partnership with India given the sense of unpredictability surrounding it. "And we need strategic partners like Indonesia, like India, for example, to make sure that the law of free navigation and the free trading routes will be achievable during the next decade too," Pistorious said during the press conference and pointed out that Europe has a role to play in the Indo-Pacific region. "We have totally agreed about the German and European role in the Indo-Pacific. We agreed that more engagement of Europe and Germany is necessary to play a relevant part in that game — it is not a game, but you know what I mean," he added. The German defence minister also indicated that his country will deploy military assets in the Indo-Pacific next year as well. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

German minister says India’s submarine project yet to be completed, Berlin in race for contract

The United States and Germany are set to bolster their defence partnerships with India through high-level visits by US Secretary of Defence Lloyd J. Austin III and German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, respectively. 
 
Secretary Austin's visit, scheduled for June 4-5, comes as the United States and India seek to enhance their strategic collaboration under the framework of the US-India Major Defence Partnership.

During his stay in New Delhi, Secretary Austin will engage in discussions with Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other prominent leaders.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/exclusive-jaishankar-flags-need-for-adherence-respect-for-constitution-of-the-oceans-unclos-591885">EXCLUSIVE: Jaishankar flags need for adherence to, respect for ‘constitution of the oceans’ UNCLOS</a>

The Pentagon's statement emphasised that this visit presents an opportunity to expedite defence innovation and promote industrial co-operation, further strengthening the operational collaboration between the US and Indian militaries. 
 
Parallel to this visit, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius is scheduled to arrive in India on June 6. While specific details about his visit remain undisclosed, it is believed that the primary focus will be on promoting a submarine deal between the two nations.

This visit underscores Germany's keen interest in deepening its defence co-operation with India, an emerging global power.

WATCH |&nbsp;Indian Ambassador Sibi George speaks to Wion ahead of PM's Japan visit

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The visits by Secretary Austin and Defence Minister Pistorius underscore the increasing global recognition of India's strategic importance and its rising role in maintaining regional stability.

As major economies and democracies, the United States and Germany's initiatives to bolster their defence ties with India demonstrate the shared commitment to advancing security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

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The United States and Germany are set to bolster their defence partnerships with India through high-level visits by US Secretary of Defence Lloyd J. Austin III and German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, respectively.

The United States and Germany are set to bolster their defence partnerships with India through high-level visits by US Secretary of Defence Lloyd J. Austin III and German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, respectively. Secretary Austin's visit, scheduled for June 4-5, comes as the United States and India seek to enhance their strategic collaboration under the framework of the US-India Major Defence Partnership. During his stay in New Delhi, Secretary Austin will engage in discussions with Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other prominent leaders. ALSO READ | EXCLUSIVE: Jaishankar flags need for adherence to, respect for ‘constitution of the oceans’ UNCLOS The Pentagon's statement emphasised that this visit presents an opportunity to expedite defence innovation and promote industrial co-operation, further strengthening the operational collaboration between the US and Indian militaries. Parallel to this visit, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius is scheduled to arrive in India on June 6. While specific details about his visit remain undisclosed, it is believed that the primary focus will be on promoting a submarine deal between the two nations. This visit underscores Germany's keen interest in deepening its defence co-operation with India, an emerging global power. WATCH | Indian Ambassador Sibi George speaks to Wion ahead of PM's Japan visit The visits by Secretary Austin and Defence Minister Pistorius underscore the increasing global recognition of India's strategic importance and its rising role in maintaining regional stability. As major economies and democracies, the United States and Germany's initiatives to bolster their defence ties with India demonstrate the shared commitment to advancing security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

US Defence Secretary Austin and German Defence Minister Pistorius to visit India