▪️ In the Zaporozhye region, during the offensive of the Russian Army, more advantageous lines and positions were occupied. Over 60 Ukrainian troops, three tanks, two armored combat vehicles, a car and a D-20 howitzer were destroyed during the day.

▪️ In the Kherson region, an attempt by the enemy to cross over to land sabotage and reconnaissance groups on the left bank of the Dnepr was thwarted by artillery fire. Also, the Ukrainian reserves on the right bank of the Dnepr were hit by air and artillery strikes of the Russian troops. Up to 30 Ukrainian troops, three boats and two infantry fighting vehicles were destroyed.

▪️ Russian aviation, missile forces and artillery defeated 79 Ukrainian artillery units at firing positions, manpower and military equipment in 124 districts.

▪️ Russian aviation in the Donetsk People's Republic shot down a Ukrainian Su-27 aircraft.

▪️ Russian air defense systems shot down a Mi-8 helicopter of the Ukrainian Air Force in the Zaporozhye region. Also, four Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were destroyed per day.

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❗️Latest statements by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz:

▪️ Germany will coordinate the delivery of Leopard tanks to Ukraine;

▪️ Germany will adhere to the principle that escalation between Russia and NATO must be avoided.

⚡️ Germany will not supply combat aircraft or send soldiers to Ukraine "neither now nor in the future," Scholz said.

🇮🇷 Training of the female elite special forces of the Iranian military

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⚡️ The head of the German Defense Ministry said that the Leopard 2 tanks will be delivered to Kiev no earlier than in 3-4 months

📹 Pantsir-S1 air defense missile system crews continue destroying Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (video courtesy of Russia's MoD)

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⚡️Biden to deliver remarks on continued support for Ukraine at 12:00pm Est amid reports that US will send Abrams tanks to Kiev, White House says

Turning Away From Russian Natural Gas Would Be Unwise, Says Austrian Politician

While many European powers sought to curb the import of Russian oil and gas over Moscow’s involvement in the conflict in Ukraine, some politicians in Europe have questioned the wisdom of this move.

In an interview with Sputnik, Austrian politician and former presidential candidate Gerald Grosz pointed out that Austria’s economy has been oriented towards the cheap Russian natural gas for over five decades, and that switching to a different supplier will take years, not to mention a lot of taxpayer money.

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🇷🇺🇨🇫 The Ambassador of Russia to the Central African Republic Aleksandr Bikantov met with the African country’s Prime Minister Felix Moloua on Wednesday, who had returned from Russia

The parties discussed a wide range of issues of mutual interest. In particular, they exchanged views on the prospects for trade and economic cooperation.

The Russian side reaffirmed its readiness to continue to assist the CAR in ensuring peace and security

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⚡️Russia warns Ukraine against using depleted uranium shells

😡 "Leave South America alone!" Netizens blasted US Army Gen. Laura Richardson's speech on Latin American resources

Speaking at the online conversation hosted by the Atlantic Council, Richardson said that the real reason why the United States has interests in Latin America is its resources.

"Why is this region important? (...) you have the lithium triangle, which is necessary for technology nowadays. 60% of the world's lithium is in the lithium triangle: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile."

In the conversation, she referred to Russia as the US' “No. 2 adversary in the region," — behind China — due to the country's relations with Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua.

Another important reason, the military chief added, is the concentration of "the largest oil reserves," including those of "light, sweet crude discovered off Guyana over a year ago."

YT users were outraged by Richardson's statements, saying that "enough you've done supporting coups" and that the US should "get out of Latin America".

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📊Have a look at Sputnik’s infographic showing tank deliveries to Ukraine

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⚡️Biden holds call with Macron, Scholz, Sunak ahead of expected announcement on Abrams tanks for Ukraine

⚡️⚡️ White House confirms sending 31 Abrams tanks to Ukraine

⚡️Biden says Abrams tanks for Ukraine are not offensive threat to Russia

⚡️Biden says US will start training Ukrainian forces on Abrams tanks as soon as possible

🤝Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa may soon explore the possibility of creating their own currency within the framework of BRICS, an informal economic bloc comprised of these countries.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov raised the possibility during a visit to Angola, as he delivered a statement following a meeting with Angolan President Joao Lourenco.

Lavrov explained that the currency is needed given that the mechanisms created and promoted by the West – such as the inviolability of property, the presumption of innocence, fair competition and globalization – can be trampled upon at any time

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