The German Foreign Minister has issued a stark warning to Vladimir Putin after the Kremlin launched an “absolutely intolerable” cyberattack on Germany.

       Meanwhile, NATO and EU member states have vowed not to let Russia’s “malicious” activity go without response.

       Speaking in Adelaide, Australia, Annalena Baerbock said: “Russian state hackers attacked Germany in cyberspace. We can attribute this attack to the group called APT28, which is steered by the military intelligence service of Russia.”

       Ms Baerbock claimed that the Russian hackers targeted members of the ruling Social Democratic party in Germany last year.

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       She said: “This is absolutely intolerable and unacceptable and will have consequences”.

       The German Interior Ministry: “Cyberattacks targeting political entities, state institutions and critical infrastructure are not only a threat to national security, but also disrupt the democratic processes on which our free society is based.”

       Meanwhile, Russian and US forces are edging towards a major military confrontation, after being made to share the same barracks in Niger.

       US special force units have been based in Niger for some eleven years, carrying out counter-terrorism operations against Islamic jihadis.

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       The soldiers have been operating out of a military camp known as AirBase 101, providing support to the Niger government.

       However, relations between Washington and Niamey soured after army officers toppled President Mohamed Bazoum's regime in July last year, while fears of WW3 continue to escalate.

       The White House condemned the coup, infuriating the new military junta led by General Abdourahamane Tiani.

       In March the US was told to withdraw its troops from the West African country, which has turned to Russia for assistance fighting Islamist insurgents in the south of the country.

       Putin's troops arrived recently in Niger and have been allocated quarters in the same base as the Americans.

       With tensions already running high between Russia and the US over Ukraine, there are genuine fears that the two sides could come to blows.

       US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin tried to play down the risks of a confrontation, saying the situation was under control.