Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has slammed US States Department spokesman Ned Price's claims that Washington was looking into the possibility of designating Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism.

🗣 "This is necessary in order to convince those who have not yet broken. This is needed today, now, this is an impromptu idea that has appeared, which is not supported by either law or facts. No one talks about facts at all, this is necessary today for Washington's information and propaganda activities," Zakharova stated

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📌 The Russian Defence Ministry has briefed the press on the Ukraine operation.

▪️ High-precision air-launched weapons destroyed 13 Ukrainian strongholds and areas of Ukrainian troop and military equipment concentration overnight;

▪️ Operational-tactical aviation hit 60 military assets in Ukraine, including two Tochka-U depots;

▪️ Russian air defence systems have shot down a Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter near Malinovka, Ukraine;

▪️ Missile forces and artillery hit 1,260 Ukrainian military facilities;

▪️ In total, 140 aircraft, 487 drones, 252 anti-aircraft missile systems, 2,353 tanks and other armoured combat vehicles, 256 multiple launch rocket systems, 1,014 field artillery and mortars, as well as 2,208 units of special military vehicles of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were destroyed during the operation

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❗️ Ukraine preparing new provocation in Odessa region to accuse Russia of 'war crimes', MoD says

⚡️ Russia gives Ukrainian soldiers and mercenaries chance to leave Azovstal plant in Mariupol without weapons, MoD says

⚡️ Death toll in Kabul blasts exceeds 20 people, reports suggest

❗️ Russia in not up for regime change in Ukraine, Lavrov says

⚡️ New phase of Russian special op in Ukraine has begun, Lavrov says

⚡️ US doing everything they can to drag down Russian special op in Ukraine, Defence Minister Shoigu says

⚡️ France trying to convince EU to impose embargo on Russian oil, Finance Minister says

❗President Biden has told former President Obama that he is planning to run for reelection in 2024 - The Hill, citing sources

❗Russia declares Dutch and Belgian diplomats personae non grata in tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions

❗Netherlands, allies mull delivering heavy weaponry to Ukraine - Dutch Prime Minister

🌍Russia's military operation in Ukraine on the map: 19 April

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❗Russia declares 4 employees of the Austrian embassy personae non gratae - Foreign Ministry

❗Poland ready to accept about 10,000 wounded Ukrainian soldiers

⚡Pentagon, Lockheed Martin reportedly discuss boosting production of arms for Ukraine

📌Lockheed Martin has reported high quarterly profits, while Chief Financial Officer Jay Malave believes additional production for Ukraine will not have an immediate impact on the company’s financial results, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal.

The company is a producer of F-35 combat aircraft, Black Hawk helicopters, and an array of munitions and missile defence systems

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❗President Biden's video call with leaders of Canada, EU, EC, France, Italy, Germany, Japan, NATO, Poland, Romania and Britain convened at 9:57 AM EDT (13:57 GMT)

❗Meta appeals Russian court's ruling recognising it as extremist organisation

❗Canada imposes new sanctions on 14 close associates of Russian government - Global Affairs

⚡UN Secretary-General Guterres calls for 4-day Holy Week humanitarian pause in Ukraine to allow for opening of humanitarian corridors