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Drone War Intensifies Across Region as Merz Rules Out Taurus Missiles

Merz’s stance signals a shift toward backing Ukraine’s own long‑range production.

Overview

  • Both sides reported large drone swarms, with Ukraine citing 948 incoming Russian drones and Russia claiming it shot down 389 Ukrainian drones, showing a rapid escalation in remote strikes.
  • Russian attacks in Ukraine killed one person in Odesa, cut power for about 150,000 customers in Chernihiv, and injured people in Lviv where a UNESCO‑listed church was hit, according to local officials.
  • Cross‑border effects grew as a Ukrainian strike set off a fire at Russia’s Ust‑Luga oil port and Lithuanian authorities said a Ukrainian drone crashed on their territory after likely being misdirected by Russian electronic warfare.
  • European policy shifted as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Ukraine no longer needs Taurus cruise missiles and Hungary’s Viktor Orbán announced a gradual halt to gas deliveries to Ukraine until Druzhba pipeline oil flows resume.
  • German federal prosecutors reported arrests in Spain and North Rhine‑Westphalia of two suspects accused of spying for a Russian service on a person supplying drones and parts to Ukraine.