Summary

The EU says there will be consequences for the organisers of so-called referendums in occupied parts of Ukraine

Pro-Russia leaders in the four occupied regions say the votes show the vast majority of people support the annexation of the areas by Russia

But the referendums have widely been condemned as illegitimate

An eighth round of sanctions on Russia because of an escalation in the war has been proposed by the European Commission

Denmark has said the damage to two undersea gas pipelines that connect Russia to Germany was caused by a carefully planned attack

Ukrainian military commanders on the southern frontline have told the BBC they’re making limited progress in their counter-offensive against Russia’s invasion force

German navy helping with pipeline investigation

Germany’s navy is contributing to the investigation into the Nord Stream gas pipeline leaks, the defence minister says.

Christine Lambrecht said that the situation must be clarified and those responsible must be identified quickly.

“The presumed sabotage of the Baltic Sea pipelines is yet another reminder that we are dependent on critical infrastructure, underwater too,” Lambrecht said in a statement.

Danish Defence Minister Morten Bodskov said that “it can easily take one or two weeks for the area to calm down enough” for an inspection to verify the cause. Two Danish military vessels have been sent to the area.

Seismologists say that measuring stations in neighbouring countries detected two blasts on Monday from the area where the gas leaks subsequently emerged.

Ukraine has accused Russia of being behind what it described as a “terrorist attack” – without giving proof – while Moscow has called such accusations “stupid and “absurd”. (BBC)