🇺🇦 Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, hit by 🇷🇺 Russian ballistic missiles
15 civilians killed, 5 children among them.
15 civilians killed, 5 children among them.
Germany appproves Franco-German tank project
Germany’s Federal Cartel Office has approved plans by three defense manufacturers — Rheinmetall, KNDS, and Thales — to establish a joint venture in Germany. The antitrust authority stated that “the previous areas of activity of Rheinmetall and KNDS largely complement each other,” making the merger permissible.
The companies will work on developing the next-generation Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) battle tank, with the German and French governments as the sole clients.
The goal of the Franco-German defense program is to replace the current main battle tanks — Germany’s Leopard 2 and France’s Leclerc — with next-generation systems by 2040. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius previously emphasized that this is not about upgrading existing models, but about creating “something entirely new.” He also noted that the use of artificial intelligence technologies will offer a “clear qualitative advantage in terms of capabilities.”
Germany’s Federal Cartel Office has approved plans by three defense manufacturers — Rheinmetall, KNDS, and Thales — to establish a joint venture in Germany. The antitrust authority stated that “the previous areas of activity of Rheinmetall and KNDS largely complement each other,” making the merger permissible.
The companies will work on developing the next-generation Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) battle tank, with the German and French governments as the sole clients.
The goal of the Franco-German defense program is to replace the current main battle tanks — Germany’s Leopard 2 and France’s Leclerc — with next-generation systems by 2040. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius previously emphasized that this is not about upgrading existing models, but about creating “something entirely new.” He also noted that the use of artificial intelligence technologies will offer a “clear qualitative advantage in terms of capabilities.”
Forwarded from Constantine's Notebook
🇫🇷🇵🇸 - French President Emmanuel Macron to visit Egypt near the Gaza Strip on Tuesday to call for a ceasefire.
🇪🇺 Support for a European army grows across Continent, poll suggests
More than half of British, French and German respondents want countries to pool their military might as the US distances itself from Nato.
British, French and German voters support the creation of a European army, an international poll has found.
Sentiment across Europe has hardened in response to President Trump's lukewarm remarks about Nato, the survey of more than 8,000 voters in the UK, US, France and Germany suggests.
In the UK and Germany, 59 per cent of voters favour a European army, according to the poll by Public First and Stonehaven, a consultancy. In France, 50 per cent of adults would like European countries to pool their military strength, compared with 11 per cent who are opposed.
More than half of British, French and German respondents want countries to pool their military might as the US distances itself from Nato.
British, French and German voters support the creation of a European army, an international poll has found.
Sentiment across Europe has hardened in response to President Trump's lukewarm remarks about Nato, the survey of more than 8,000 voters in the UK, US, France and Germany suggests.
In the UK and Germany, 59 per cent of voters favour a European army, according to the poll by Public First and Stonehaven, a consultancy. In France, 50 per cent of adults would like European countries to pool their military strength, compared with 11 per cent who are opposed.
🇨🇫🇷🇺 Thousands Protest Wagner Group in the Central African Republic
Thousands of people took to the streets in the capital of the Central African Republic (CAR) to protest against President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, who intends to run for a third term with the support of the Wagner Group, according to the Associated Press. The demonstration in Bangui was organized by opposition parties opposing Touadéra’s extended stay in power.
“We are here to say no to a third term for Faustin-Archange Touadéra. But more importantly, we want to defend our sovereignty, which has been trampled by Touadéra and Wagner,” said opposition representative Justin Vine. “Wagner has raped and killed without any justice. This is unacceptable. To end their rule, Touadéra must go.”
CAR was one of the first countries where Wagner fighters appeared. They remain active in the country even after the death of Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin. In exchange for their services, Wagner reportedly gains access to natural resource deposits.
Thousands of people took to the streets in the capital of the Central African Republic (CAR) to protest against President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, who intends to run for a third term with the support of the Wagner Group, according to the Associated Press. The demonstration in Bangui was organized by opposition parties opposing Touadéra’s extended stay in power.
“We are here to say no to a third term for Faustin-Archange Touadéra. But more importantly, we want to defend our sovereignty, which has been trampled by Touadéra and Wagner,” said opposition representative Justin Vine. “Wagner has raped and killed without any justice. This is unacceptable. To end their rule, Touadéra must go.”
CAR was one of the first countries where Wagner fighters appeared. They remain active in the country even after the death of Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin. In exchange for their services, Wagner reportedly gains access to natural resource deposits.
Zelensky: Ukraine has information that U.S. is finalizing ceasefire measures
Ukraine has information that the United States is in the final stages of preparing measures aimed at achieving a ceasefire, President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
He emphasized that a full ceasefire must be established first. Only after that would Ukraine be ready to discuss further steps, including negotiations with Russia in any format — provided the talks are substantive.
Source: RIA (RU) / 24tv (UA)
Ukraine has information that the United States is in the final stages of preparing measures aimed at achieving a ceasefire, President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
He emphasized that a full ceasefire must be established first. Only after that would Ukraine be ready to discuss further steps, including negotiations with Russia in any format — provided the talks are substantive.
Source: RIA (RU) / 24tv (UA)
🇵🇱 Poland wants to spend EU post-COVID recovery fund on its army
Poland is seeking approval to use 6.1 billion euros in European Union post-COVID recovery funds for investments to boost security and defence, the Development Funds and Regional Policy minister said on Friday.
The EU's recovery facility provides Poland with nearly 60 billion euros ($63.1 billion) in grants and cheap loans to be spent by 2026.
In recent years, Poland has significantly ramped up its military spending, undertaking one of the most ambitious modernization efforts in Europe. The country has been acquiring advanced weaponry and defense systems to strengthen its armed forces in response to growing security concerns in the region. Among its major moves, Poland has invested in American-made F-35 fighter jets and Abrams tanks, signaling a strategic alignment with NATO standards. It has also partnered closely with South Korea to acquire 1000 K2 Black Panther tanks, hundreds of K9 howitzers, and FA-50 light combat aircraft, reflecting a diversification of suppliers and rapid capability-building.
Poland is also focusing heavily on air and missile defense, acquiring Patriot systems from the U.S. and 500 HIMARS rocket systems, alongside the South Korean Chunmoo launchers. The Polish government has emphasized that these are not just short-term upgrades, but part of a long-term vision to build one of the strongest and most modern armies in Europe. With defense spending projected to reach over 5% of GDP, Poland is positioning itself as a key military power on NATO’s eastern flank.
Apart from the above, Poland is increasing its military personnel head count to 300 thousand of professional soldiers plus about 100 thousand National Guard (WOT).
Sources: Reuters, Defence24 PL, Russia Today, The Guardian.
Poland is seeking approval to use 6.1 billion euros in European Union post-COVID recovery funds for investments to boost security and defence, the Development Funds and Regional Policy minister said on Friday.
The EU's recovery facility provides Poland with nearly 60 billion euros ($63.1 billion) in grants and cheap loans to be spent by 2026.
In recent years, Poland has significantly ramped up its military spending, undertaking one of the most ambitious modernization efforts in Europe. The country has been acquiring advanced weaponry and defense systems to strengthen its armed forces in response to growing security concerns in the region. Among its major moves, Poland has invested in American-made F-35 fighter jets and Abrams tanks, signaling a strategic alignment with NATO standards. It has also partnered closely with South Korea to acquire 1000 K2 Black Panther tanks, hundreds of K9 howitzers, and FA-50 light combat aircraft, reflecting a diversification of suppliers and rapid capability-building.
Poland is also focusing heavily on air and missile defense, acquiring Patriot systems from the U.S. and 500 HIMARS rocket systems, alongside the South Korean Chunmoo launchers. The Polish government has emphasized that these are not just short-term upgrades, but part of a long-term vision to build one of the strongest and most modern armies in Europe. With defense spending projected to reach over 5% of GDP, Poland is positioning itself as a key military power on NATO’s eastern flank.
Apart from the above, Poland is increasing its military personnel head count to 300 thousand of professional soldiers plus about 100 thousand National Guard (WOT).
Sources: Reuters, Defence24 PL, Russia Today, The Guardian.
🇷🇺🇺🇦❗️A high-precision missile strike with high-explosive payload was carried out on a meeting site of Ukrainian Armed Forces commanders and Western instructors at a restaurant in the city of Kryvyi Rih, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense.
The ministry reported that the strike resulted in the loss of up to 85 Ukrainian and foreign military personnel, as well as up to 20 vehicles.
According to Ukrainian sources, including Censor.net, 16 civilians, including 6 children, were killed, and 40 people were wounded.
The ministry reported that the strike resulted in the loss of up to 85 Ukrainian and foreign military personnel, as well as up to 20 vehicles.
According to Ukrainian sources, including Censor.net, 16 civilians, including 6 children, were killed, and 40 people were wounded.
🇧🇪 Man who planned two attacks in Belgium receives three years in prison
On Friday, the Brussels Criminal Court sentenced a 21-year-old man from Opwijk (Flemish Brabant), a far-right extremist, to an effective prison sentence of three years.
The man had incited an attack via the online messaging service Telegram and had made plans to commit a double attack in Belgium. According to the court, the young man has still not distanced himself from his extreme ideology and he still displays a dangerous attitude.
The 21-year-old came to the attention of the intelligence services and subsequently of the court due to his activities on extreme right-wing channels on Telegram. There he showed deep sympathies for three violent right-wing extremists, Anders Breivik, Brenton Tarrant and Dylann Roof. He also encouraged other participants in the chat conversations to commit attacks.
Like Breivik and Tarrant, among others, the young man had written a manifesto in which he called for the creation of a white ethnostate. With that goal in mind, he planned to commit two attacks, one in which he would set fire to a mosque, and a second in which he would use an automatic rifle to kill as many people as possible.
The Federal Public Prosecutor's Office had meanwhile deployed an undercover agent to determine the concrete nature of these intentions. The young man came into contact with this undercover agent when he went looking for small arms and automatic rifles.
When he announced that he wanted to work with other individuals unknown to the authorities, it was decided to intervene and arrest the young man.
According to his lawyers, the young man held extreme right-wing views, but he had never encouraged anyone to commit an attack, nor did he have any plans to do so himself.
Source: The Brussels Times
On Friday, the Brussels Criminal Court sentenced a 21-year-old man from Opwijk (Flemish Brabant), a far-right extremist, to an effective prison sentence of three years.
The man had incited an attack via the online messaging service Telegram and had made plans to commit a double attack in Belgium. According to the court, the young man has still not distanced himself from his extreme ideology and he still displays a dangerous attitude.
The 21-year-old came to the attention of the intelligence services and subsequently of the court due to his activities on extreme right-wing channels on Telegram. There he showed deep sympathies for three violent right-wing extremists, Anders Breivik, Brenton Tarrant and Dylann Roof. He also encouraged other participants in the chat conversations to commit attacks.
Like Breivik and Tarrant, among others, the young man had written a manifesto in which he called for the creation of a white ethnostate. With that goal in mind, he planned to commit two attacks, one in which he would set fire to a mosque, and a second in which he would use an automatic rifle to kill as many people as possible.
The Federal Public Prosecutor's Office had meanwhile deployed an undercover agent to determine the concrete nature of these intentions. The young man came into contact with this undercover agent when he went looking for small arms and automatic rifles.
When he announced that he wanted to work with other individuals unknown to the authorities, it was decided to intervene and arrest the young man.
According to his lawyers, the young man held extreme right-wing views, but he had never encouraged anyone to commit an attack, nor did he have any plans to do so himself.
Source: The Brussels Times
🇺🇸 - Newsom says California ready to talk with global partners amid global challenges.
🇨🇫The initial information about the scale of the opposition rally in the Central African Republic, against Russian Wagner Group and the president of CAR, published by the Associated Press turned out to be incorrect.
Online, footage of objective control appeared, showing that no more than a few hundred people attended the opposition event in Bangui.
Online, footage of objective control appeared, showing that no more than a few hundred people attended the opposition event in Bangui.
🇺🇲 Scott Bessent, the head of the U.S. Treasury, stated that the U.S. could receive between $300 billion and $600 billion a year from customs duties, according to The Wall Street Journal.
This amount assumes a minor change in tariff sizes in the near future, announced this week, but could help cover the costs of tax reductions being considered by Congress, the newspaper writes.
This amount assumes a minor change in tariff sizes in the near future, announced this week, but could help cover the costs of tax reductions being considered by Congress, the newspaper writes.
🇦🇷🇬🇧 Javier Milei wants Falklands back?
‘We hope that the Malvinas people will one day decide to vote with their feet for us’, he proclaimed.
‘That is why we seek to make Argentina such a power that they will prefer to be Argentines and that we will not even need dissuasion or convincing to achieve it.’
The island’s roughly 3,000 residents most recently voted to remain a British overseas territory in a 2013 referendum — a result rejected by then-President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, a left-leaning populist who made Argentina’s claims to Las Malvinas a centerpiece of her foreign policy.
‘We hope that the Malvinas people will one day decide to vote with their feet for us’, he proclaimed.
‘That is why we seek to make Argentina such a power that they will prefer to be Argentines and that we will not even need dissuasion or convincing to achieve it.’
The island’s roughly 3,000 residents most recently voted to remain a British overseas territory in a 2013 referendum — a result rejected by then-President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, a left-leaning populist who made Argentina’s claims to Las Malvinas a centerpiece of her foreign policy.
🇫🇮 Finland introduces a new law: a ban on entry for up to 15 years for foreigners.
President of Finland, Alexander Stubb, has approved amendments to the foreign nationals law that increase the periods of temporary detention and extend the entry ban to up to 15 years. The changes, aimed at enhancing public order and security, will come into effect on May 6.
President Stubb signed the amendments on Friday, which increase the periods for temporary detention in closed centers and establish an entry ban to the country.
Under the new law, citizens who are not residents of the European Union, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland may face entry restrictions to Finland for up to 15 years, a significant increase from the previous maximum of five years.
"The aim of the changes is to expedite the deportation process of those residing in the country illegally, more effectively protect public order and national security, and prepare for new security-threatening situations," stated the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Additionally, the new amendments allow for placing an individual in a closed temporary detention center if there is a likelihood of them evading deportation. The maximum duration of stay in such a center has been increased from one year to one and a half years. If a foreigner poses a security threat or to public order, the detention period can be extended from six months to a year even before a deportation decision is made.
For children, the detention time in the center can be increased from three months to six months if the deportation process of their guardian is delayed due to lack of necessary documents or their refusal to cooperate.
The law also provides for the possibility of imposing an indefinite entry ban. The changes will take effect from May 6.
President of Finland, Alexander Stubb, has approved amendments to the foreign nationals law that increase the periods of temporary detention and extend the entry ban to up to 15 years. The changes, aimed at enhancing public order and security, will come into effect on May 6.
President Stubb signed the amendments on Friday, which increase the periods for temporary detention in closed centers and establish an entry ban to the country.
Under the new law, citizens who are not residents of the European Union, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland may face entry restrictions to Finland for up to 15 years, a significant increase from the previous maximum of five years.
"The aim of the changes is to expedite the deportation process of those residing in the country illegally, more effectively protect public order and national security, and prepare for new security-threatening situations," stated the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Additionally, the new amendments allow for placing an individual in a closed temporary detention center if there is a likelihood of them evading deportation. The maximum duration of stay in such a center has been increased from one year to one and a half years. If a foreigner poses a security threat or to public order, the detention period can be extended from six months to a year even before a deportation decision is made.
For children, the detention time in the center can be increased from three months to six months if the deportation process of their guardian is delayed due to lack of necessary documents or their refusal to cooperate.
The law also provides for the possibility of imposing an indefinite entry ban. The changes will take effect from May 6.
🇷🇺 Igor Strelkov on peace talks and state of the Russian army:
“Expectations of a quick peace,” as I’ve been informed, have had an extremely negative impact on fundraising efforts by our volunteers — including my friends and comrades Yevgeny Skripnik, Vladimir Grubnik, and others.
Meanwhile, NO CEASEFIRE IS EXPECTED — NOR WILL THERE BE ONE. After a brief period of spring thaw, hostilities will intensify even further: during the spring-summer campaign, the question of who will WIN this war will be decided. Unfortunately, the enemy has the strength, resources, and reserves to seriously challenge our army and our country for that noscript.
I forecast a sharp escalation by the enemy in April, May, and June across many sectors. Their attacks will also target “old” Russian regions.
To withstand and prevail, our fighters will need equipment, drones, vehicles, and all other essentials — in quantities that, regrettably, our Ministry of Defense still cannot provide.
I urge all our comrades and volunteers not to rest on their laurels, and all donors — not to become complacent (though their contributions have certainly been honorable and significant).
Only when this war truly ends in our victory will we be able to rest and “wipe the sweat from our brows.” Until then — now is not the time!
On the front lines, right now, things are far from the calm and controlled image often shown on television.
— Fierce battles are raging along the entire front, including in the border areas of Kursk and Belgorod. The enemy is not giving up an inch without a fight — on the contrary, they are attacking and counterattacking wherever they see fit. Fighting has resumed in Toretsk / Dzerzhynsk, Chasiv Yar has not yet been taken, and our offensive toward Pokrovsk / Krasnoarmiysk is severely bogged down. Nowhere have the Ukrainian forces been routed or retreated in disarray — the enemy is fighting with extreme determination and remains convinced of its ultimate victory.
With "demobilization moods" in the army and society — we will not break the enemy, and we will not win. But victory is as essential as air...
/Excerpt from a prison letter by Strelkov/
“Expectations of a quick peace,” as I’ve been informed, have had an extremely negative impact on fundraising efforts by our volunteers — including my friends and comrades Yevgeny Skripnik, Vladimir Grubnik, and others.
Meanwhile, NO CEASEFIRE IS EXPECTED — NOR WILL THERE BE ONE. After a brief period of spring thaw, hostilities will intensify even further: during the spring-summer campaign, the question of who will WIN this war will be decided. Unfortunately, the enemy has the strength, resources, and reserves to seriously challenge our army and our country for that noscript.
I forecast a sharp escalation by the enemy in April, May, and June across many sectors. Their attacks will also target “old” Russian regions.
To withstand and prevail, our fighters will need equipment, drones, vehicles, and all other essentials — in quantities that, regrettably, our Ministry of Defense still cannot provide.
I urge all our comrades and volunteers not to rest on their laurels, and all donors — not to become complacent (though their contributions have certainly been honorable and significant).
Only when this war truly ends in our victory will we be able to rest and “wipe the sweat from our brows.” Until then — now is not the time!
On the front lines, right now, things are far from the calm and controlled image often shown on television.
— Fierce battles are raging along the entire front, including in the border areas of Kursk and Belgorod. The enemy is not giving up an inch without a fight — on the contrary, they are attacking and counterattacking wherever they see fit. Fighting has resumed in Toretsk / Dzerzhynsk, Chasiv Yar has not yet been taken, and our offensive toward Pokrovsk / Krasnoarmiysk is severely bogged down. Nowhere have the Ukrainian forces been routed or retreated in disarray — the enemy is fighting with extreme determination and remains convinced of its ultimate victory.
With "demobilization moods" in the army and society — we will not break the enemy, and we will not win. But victory is as essential as air...
/Excerpt from a prison letter by Strelkov/
Who is Strelkov? 🇷🇺
Igor Strelkov (real name Igor Girkin) is a former Russian military officer, FSB agent, and prominent pro-Russian separatist commander who played a leading role in the war in eastern Ukraine starting in 2014. He became widely known as the self-proclaimed "defense minister" of the so-called Donetsk People's Republic and was heavily involved in the seizure of Sloviansk and other parts of the Donbas region.
Strelkov is also one of the key figures held responsible by international investigators for the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 in 2014, which killed 298 people. In 2022, a Dutch court convicted him in absentia of murder for his role in the tragedy.
Why he is jailed now:
Strelkov was arrested by Russian authorities in July 2023 and later charged with extremism under Russian law. His arrest came after he openly criticized President Vladimir Putin and the Russian military leadership for what he described as incompetence and strategic failures in the war against Ukraine. He had been posting scathing critiques on social media, including calls for more aggressive mobilization and threats that Russia could face collapse if it continued on its current path.
In January 2024, Strelkov was sentenced to 4 years in prison by a Russian court. Many observers view his arrest as part of a broader crackdown on nationalist critics of the Kremlin — individuals who support the war but oppose how it's being managed.
Igor Strelkov (real name Igor Girkin) is a former Russian military officer, FSB agent, and prominent pro-Russian separatist commander who played a leading role in the war in eastern Ukraine starting in 2014. He became widely known as the self-proclaimed "defense minister" of the so-called Donetsk People's Republic and was heavily involved in the seizure of Sloviansk and other parts of the Donbas region.
Strelkov is also one of the key figures held responsible by international investigators for the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 in 2014, which killed 298 people. In 2022, a Dutch court convicted him in absentia of murder for his role in the tragedy.
Why he is jailed now:
Strelkov was arrested by Russian authorities in July 2023 and later charged with extremism under Russian law. His arrest came after he openly criticized President Vladimir Putin and the Russian military leadership for what he described as incompetence and strategic failures in the war against Ukraine. He had been posting scathing critiques on social media, including calls for more aggressive mobilization and threats that Russia could face collapse if it continued on its current path.
In January 2024, Strelkov was sentenced to 4 years in prison by a Russian court. Many observers view his arrest as part of a broader crackdown on nationalist critics of the Kremlin — individuals who support the war but oppose how it's being managed.
🇬🇧 Jaguar Land Rover halts US exports in wake of Trump trade war
Jaguar Land Rover is pausing all shipments to the US, as the carmaker grapples with the impact of Donald Trump’s 25pc tariff on foreign cars.
The move is the clearest example yet of the direct impact on British workers and companies in the wake of a global trade war that has wiped more than $5tn off US stocks in only two days.
The carmaker, which employs 38,000 people in Britain, will pause car shipments from Monday while working out how to adjust to the price hit to its US exports, according to The Times.
The Coventry-based firm sold 430,000 cars in the year to March, with nearly a quarter of its sales generated in the US.
It follows warnings that tens of thousands of jobs in the UK car industry are at risk from Mr Trump’s tariffs.
The US President is so far refusing to walk back on the tariffs, insisting instead that “only the weak will fall”.
Source: The Telegraph (UK)
Jaguar Land Rover is pausing all shipments to the US, as the carmaker grapples with the impact of Donald Trump’s 25pc tariff on foreign cars.
The move is the clearest example yet of the direct impact on British workers and companies in the wake of a global trade war that has wiped more than $5tn off US stocks in only two days.
The carmaker, which employs 38,000 people in Britain, will pause car shipments from Monday while working out how to adjust to the price hit to its US exports, according to The Times.
The Coventry-based firm sold 430,000 cars in the year to March, with nearly a quarter of its sales generated in the US.
It follows warnings that tens of thousands of jobs in the UK car industry are at risk from Mr Trump’s tariffs.
The US President is so far refusing to walk back on the tariffs, insisting instead that “only the weak will fall”.
Source: The Telegraph (UK)
🇷🇺 In Moscow, a muslim stabbed an Orthodox man right on the grounds of a church.
A man named Amir (reports say the name has been changed) entered the grounds of the Spassky Cathedral on Novoslobodskaya Street, where he attacked 56-year-old Ilyas Safiullin and brutally slashed the unfortunate man with a knife. The attacker was immediately apprehended afterward.
It is reported that Ilyas had been a parishioner of this church for many years.
Source: Mnogonacional (Russian immigration watch group)
A man named Amir (reports say the name has been changed) entered the grounds of the Spassky Cathedral on Novoslobodskaya Street, where he attacked 56-year-old Ilyas Safiullin and brutally slashed the unfortunate man with a knife. The attacker was immediately apprehended afterward.
It is reported that Ilyas had been a parishioner of this church for many years.
Source: Mnogonacional (Russian immigration watch group)
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🇸🇾🇮🇱 Israel destroyed another military base previously used by Assad's Syrian Army