📹 Russia's MoD has published footage showing how Russian Railway Troops operate a special train

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Putin’s Decree on Russia's Retaliatory Steps Over EU’s Oil Price Cap Enters Into Force

Under the decree that will expire on July 1, 2023, Russia bans the supply of oil to countries and legal entities that require compliance with the price cap in contracts. The ban on petroleum products is due to be announced by government ministers later this year.

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❗️Mukesh Ambani overtakes Gautam Adani as the world's richest Indian, according to Forbes real-time billionaire list.

This means the Adani Group chairman is no longer Asia's richest person. But how did Adani manage to lose billions of net worth in such a short time?

Find out in our explainer

🧊 Amazing footage of how Russia’s Lake Baikal looks under ice

After a -50 degree frost, a thaw hit Russia’s Irkutsk region and a large crack formed on the thick ice of Lake Baikal. Let’s take a quick look at what’s going on below the water's surface!

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Swedes' Debts Reach Record Highs Amid Spiking Interest Rates, Inflation

For the first time in history, the total amount of debt has exceeded the symbolic threshold of SEK 100 billion ($9.6 billion).

The majority of the debts are made up of what the authority classifies as "individual cases." These include consumer debts, loan and credit debts to banks and various types of subnoscription debts.

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🗣 Kremlin on US aid to Kiev: Direct path of escalation that will not change course of events

⚡️ Latest statements by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov:

▪️ There are no plans for negotiations between Vladimir Putin and Joe Biden, now the main goal for Russia is its special operation and the fulfillment of the tasks that were designated by the president;

▪️ Housing and infrastructure destroyed in the border regions needs to be restored, and Putin will hold a meeting on this matter;

▪️ Russia considers the commitment to New START very important; now the entire military infrastructure of NATO, including satellites, is working around the clock against Russia and in the interests of Ukraine.

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🇫🇷 Pierre de Gaulle, the grandson of former French statesman Charles de Gaulle, has criticized the French President Emmanuel Macron for reportedly considering sending tanks to Ukraine and not ruling out sending fighter jets as well.

Slamming Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for ”selling” himself and the Ukrainian people to ”the Americans”, de Gaulle said: “The time has come to achieve peace, to bring the Americans to see reason and to come to a lasting and stable peace with Russia.”

Unfortunately, he said, President Macron and many other European leaders have also been blinded by subservience to US interests – a tendency fraught with disaster, in de Gaulle’s view.

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Catch our Fault Lines show where we provide updates and analysis on all the most vital stories! Here's our line-up for Wednesday:

🔺 To kick things off, we’ll be discussing Hunter Biden’s allies setting up a defense fund for their associate, while press obtained the latest details on his relationships with lawyers
🔺 Next, Biden senior telling the same untrue story publicly for the eighth time
🔺 And, another wave of massive strikes hits Europe

Tune in to Radio Sputnik at 7am EST|4am PST|1pm CET via the website or app!

📻 Also in the United States at 105.5FM, 104.7FM, 102.9FM, 1390AM, 1140AM

Former French President Criticizes Macron's 'Brutal' Draft Pension Reform

Former French President Francois Hollande has criticized the draft pension reform proposed by the government of current President Emmanuel Macron, calling it "unfair and brutal" in an interview with a US newspaper published on Wednesday.

"Did the president choose the right time? Given the succession of crises and with elevated inflation, the French want to be reassured. Did the government propose the right reform? I don't think so either — it's seen as unfair and brutal. But now that a parliamentary process has been set into motion, the executive will have to strike a compromise or take the risk of going all the way and raising the level of anger," Hollande told the newspaper.

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Beijing Hopes NATO, Japan Will Stop Inflating 'Chinese Threat' Issue

On Tuesday, during a joint press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Tokyo, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that China's behavior is "a matter of serious concern" for both Japan and the alliance, adding that China is significantly increasing its military forces, including nuclear weapons, "bullying its neighbors and threatening Taiwan."

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📹 🇬🇧 Participants of the largest demonstration in 10 years began a march in the center of London.

▪️ People are demanding higher wages amid record cost of living increases.

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⚡️ Russian MoD’s latest statements on the Ukraine crisis:

▪️ Russian artillery has launched strikes at the personnel and hardware of the Ukrainian Armed Force’s 14th and 92nd mechanized brigades in Kharkov region and in the LPR. Up to 30 Ukrainian personnel, two pickups, and one D-20 howitzer have been eliminated.

▪️ Russia’s Army Aviation and artillery have neutralized Ukrainian troop concentrations from the 80th and 95th airborne assault brigades in the LPR and DPR. The enemy has lost up to 95 personnel, 3 armored fighting vehicles, and 1 motor vehicle.

▪️ The offensive operations have resulted in more advantageous lines and positions, as well as the neutralization of the enemy in the DPR.

▪️ Over 100 Ukrainian troops, one tank, three armored fighting vehicles, 1 Msta-B howitzer, 1 fighting vehicle equipped with a Uragan multiple-launch rocket system (MLRS), and one French-manufactured Caesar self-propelled artillery system have been eliminated.

▪️ Russia’s Army Aviation and artillery have neutralized troops and hardware from Ukraine’s 72nd Mechanized Brigade and 35th Marine Brigade, as well as troops from the 108th and 124th territorial defense brigades in the DPR. The Armed Forces of Ukraine have lost over 60 Ukrainian personnel, a tank, an infantry fighting vehicle, two armored personnel carriers, and three other motor vehicles.

▪️ A Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer, 2 D-30 howitzers, and 1 D-20 howitzer have been destroyed.

▪️ One US-manufactured AN/TPQ-37 counterbattery warfare radar has been destroyed in Zaporozhye region.

▪️ Two motor boats and up to 10 personnel from Ukrainian landing forces have been eliminated in Kherson region.

▪️ Operational-Tactical Aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Armed Forces of Russia have neutralized 88 artillery units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine at firing positions, manpower and military equipment in 131 areas.

▪️ Air defense units have shot down 9 unmanned aerial vehicles over the past 24 hours; 3 rocket-propelled projectiles launched by US-manufactured HIMARS MLRS, have been intercepted.

▪️ Some 381 airplanes, 206 helicopters, 2,996 unmanned aerial vehicles, 402 air defense missile systems, 7,706 tanks and other armored fighting vehicles, 998 fighting vehicles equipped with MLRS, 3,978 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 8,243 special military motor vehicles have been destroyed during the special military operation.

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Which NATO Countries are Ready to Share Their Jets With Ukraine?

Kiev has repeatedly stated that it badly needs US-made F-16 fighter jets as well as attack helicopters. Speculation has been ongoing about whether - after tanks - Ukraine should now expect to receive any military aircraft.

As of now, such speculation does not seem to be contributing to Ukraine’s desire to get what it wants.

US offers Ukraine two combat drones for only $1: what’s the catch?

An American weapons maker, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, is offering the Ukrainian authorities two MQ-9 Reaper combat drones for $1, according to a US newspaper. Actually, the deal would cost Ukraine about $10 million extra in preparation and shipping, and $8 million annually for maintenance and sustenance.

The alleged goal of these supplies is to help Kiev “defend itself as it prepares for an expected Russian offensive” amid Moscow’s ongoing special military operation in Ukraine.

The Russian Foreign Ministry earlier said that NATO countries “play with fire" by supplying weapons to Kiev, and that any convoy of arms for Ukraine will become a legitimate target for Russian forces.

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🇷🇺🛞 The "Yerofey" buggy, developed by enthusiasts from Khabarovsk in Russia's Far East, will soon be deployed as part of the special operation in Ukraine.

The video was shared by Khabarovsk's governor on social media.

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⚡️ Biden lawyer: FBI conducting 'planned search' of Biden's Rehoboth home after classified docs found in other locations.

🇵🇱 Sending F-16 fighters to Ukraine is not on the agenda now as it is a very complicated process, Polish Deputy Defense Minister Marcin Ociepa said on Wednesday.

"As of today, this topic is not on the agenda, if we talk about operational activities and primarily about political decisions," Ociepa told a Polish broadcaster.

The deputy minister stated that sending F-16 jets to Ukraine would not be the same as shipping arms since it would require more complex logistics, infrastructure and training.

"[Training pilots for F-16 jets would take] many months. If we shorten training, then I think it may take six months. But it will be in a very urgent mode. Normally, it will take more time," the official added.

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Iran Alleges Kurds' Role in Drone Strike at Defense Ministry Site, Media Reports

Tehran has evidence that Kurds helped smuggle drone parts and explosives into Iran from Iraq in preparation for last week's attack on a facility of the country's defense ministry, an Iranian news agency reported on Wednesday.

An Iranian news agency reported it had exclusive information that pointed to the role of the Iranian Kurdish opposition based in the autonomous Iraqi region of Kurdistan in the failed drone strike.

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