🇨🇳 While between September 2019 and October 2022, China’s gold reserves remained unchanged, November of last year saw Beijing push to bulk up on bullion. Now China is boosting its gold reserves for a fifth straight month.
So why is China boosting its reserves?
So why is China boosting its reserves?
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Pistorius' Remarks on Ukrainian Attacks on Russia Should Be 'Memorized' - Russian MFA Spokeswoman
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has responded to German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, who recently claimed that Ukraine's attacks on Russia are justified as long as they do not target civilians.
Earlier this week, Pistorius told the German broadcaster that it is "normal" that Ukraine launches limited attacks on the Russian territory as long as no cities and no civilians are targeted.
"Has everyone memorized that? 'Limited strikes are an acceptable tactic.' Boris [Pistorius], you don't forget your statement, either. In any case, I will remind you," Zakharova said on her Telegram channel.
The spokeswoman also wondered if the German Defense Ministry established the perpetrators of the sabotage of Nord Stream pipelines and if the destruction of Germany's critical infrastructure project was also some "acceptable tactic of limited strikes."
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Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has responded to German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, who recently claimed that Ukraine's attacks on Russia are justified as long as they do not target civilians.
Earlier this week, Pistorius told the German broadcaster that it is "normal" that Ukraine launches limited attacks on the Russian territory as long as no cities and no civilians are targeted.
"Has everyone memorized that? 'Limited strikes are an acceptable tactic.' Boris [Pistorius], you don't forget your statement, either. In any case, I will remind you," Zakharova said on her Telegram channel.
The spokeswoman also wondered if the German Defense Ministry established the perpetrators of the sabotage of Nord Stream pipelines and if the destruction of Germany's critical infrastructure project was also some "acceptable tactic of limited strikes."
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Germany Reportedly Plans to Open LNG Terminal Linked to Nord Stream Pipeline Network
Germany plans to open a terminal for liquefied natural gas in the Baltic Sea by 2024 that is linked to the infrastructure from the damaged Nord Stream pipeline network, an American business media reported, citing sources.
The plan to open the terminal was discussed at a closed-door meeting with the participation of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Economy Minister Robert Habeck on Thursday, the report said, citing representatives of four organizations who took part in the meeting as well.
A pipeline connecting the LNG terminal with the main land will feed into the existing pipeline infrastructure in the German city of Lubmin from spring 2024, Habeck said during the meeting.
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Germany plans to open a terminal for liquefied natural gas in the Baltic Sea by 2024 that is linked to the infrastructure from the damaged Nord Stream pipeline network, an American business media reported, citing sources.
The plan to open the terminal was discussed at a closed-door meeting with the participation of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Economy Minister Robert Habeck on Thursday, the report said, citing representatives of four organizations who took part in the meeting as well.
A pipeline connecting the LNG terminal with the main land will feed into the existing pipeline infrastructure in the German city of Lubmin from spring 2024, Habeck said during the meeting.
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Dollar’s Reserve Power Eroded ’Ten Times the Pace Seen in Two Decades’ During 2022 – Report
US sanctions against Russia and other countries are endangering the dollar's dominance as nations seek alternatives, according to US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.
The US dollar's share of global reserves fell to 47% in 2022, down from 55% in 2021 and two-thirds in 2003, with switching to national means of payment cited as a factor.
China is among the challenges to the dollar's dominance, with Malaysia and Russia also seeking alternatives, while Brazil and Argentina have announced plans for a joint currency, and Russia and China are developing a new reserve currency with other BRICS countries.
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US sanctions against Russia and other countries are endangering the dollar's dominance as nations seek alternatives, according to US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.
The US dollar's share of global reserves fell to 47% in 2022, down from 55% in 2021 and two-thirds in 2003, with switching to national means of payment cited as a factor.
China is among the challenges to the dollar's dominance, with Malaysia and Russia also seeking alternatives, while Brazil and Argentina have announced plans for a joint currency, and Russia and China are developing a new reserve currency with other BRICS countries.
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The collective West is keen on projecting their own child abuse and negligence onto others, foreign experts claim, while participating in Rossiya Segodnya's recent conference dedicated to Western crimes against children in war zones across the world.
At what cost do pro-Western regimes come to power? How do African minors in Europe make a living?
At what cost do pro-Western regimes come to power? How do African minors in Europe make a living?
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Finnish President Refrains From Backing Idea to Close Russian Consulate on Aland Islands
Finnish President Sauli Niinisto did not support the idea to close the Russian Consulate in the Finnish city of Mariehamn on the Aland Islands, saying, however, that the country would respond if the mission was involved in the activity incompatible with the diplomatic status.
Last week, the Russian Foreign Ministry told Sputnik that it was aware of the "civil initiative" in Finland calling for the closure of Russia's consulate on the islands, and expressed hope that the Finnish government would fulfill its obligations to ensure the demilitarized status of the islands and Russia's diplomatic presence there.
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Finnish President Sauli Niinisto did not support the idea to close the Russian Consulate in the Finnish city of Mariehamn on the Aland Islands, saying, however, that the country would respond if the mission was involved in the activity incompatible with the diplomatic status.
Last week, the Russian Foreign Ministry told Sputnik that it was aware of the "civil initiative" in Finland calling for the closure of Russia's consulate on the islands, and expressed hope that the Finnish government would fulfill its obligations to ensure the demilitarized status of the islands and Russia's diplomatic presence there.
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Powerful Blast in Night Sky Above Kiev Likely Caused by Meteor, Experts Suggest
A powerful airborne explosion that rocked the Ukrainian capital earlier this week was most likely the product of a meteor burning up in the atmosphere.
The blast occurred late on April 19, only a few days after the start of the April Lyrids meteor shower that occurs annualy around this time of the year.
A Russian military expert named Alexei Leonkov told Sputnik that the exploding object over Kiev was likely a Lyrid meteor, with Borish Shustov, academic director of the Russian Academy of Science’s Institute of Astronomy, seconding his opinion.
The Lyrids meteor shower is going to last from April 14 till April 25 this year, with the shower’s peak being expected to take place during the early hours of April 23, the Moscow Planetarium said in a statement earlier this week.
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A powerful airborne explosion that rocked the Ukrainian capital earlier this week was most likely the product of a meteor burning up in the atmosphere.
The blast occurred late on April 19, only a few days after the start of the April Lyrids meteor shower that occurs annualy around this time of the year.
A Russian military expert named Alexei Leonkov told Sputnik that the exploding object over Kiev was likely a Lyrid meteor, with Borish Shustov, academic director of the Russian Academy of Science’s Institute of Astronomy, seconding his opinion.
The Lyrids meteor shower is going to last from April 14 till April 25 this year, with the shower’s peak being expected to take place during the early hours of April 23, the Moscow Planetarium said in a statement earlier this week.
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Serbia Closely Monitoring Ukraine Conflict to Modernize National Army
The command of the Serbian armed forces and the Serbian government are closely monitoring the course of the conflict in Ukraine and are modernizing Serbia’s army, taking into account the conditions of modern hostilities, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Saturday.
Serbia is holding the Granite 2023 demonstration of its armed forces' military capabilities at the Batajnica military airfield near Belgrade. The event was attended by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who also held a meeting with Vucic earlier in the day.
"We are closely monitoring [the Ukraine conflict], our military intelligence agency and the General Staff inform me daily about the events in Ukraine and about the methods and means which are being used during the conflict ... We have significantly strengthened the units with the help of armored personnel carriers, modernized tanks," Vucic told reporters.
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The command of the Serbian armed forces and the Serbian government are closely monitoring the course of the conflict in Ukraine and are modernizing Serbia’s army, taking into account the conditions of modern hostilities, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Saturday.
Serbia is holding the Granite 2023 demonstration of its armed forces' military capabilities at the Batajnica military airfield near Belgrade. The event was attended by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who also held a meeting with Vucic earlier in the day.
"We are closely monitoring [the Ukraine conflict], our military intelligence agency and the General Staff inform me daily about the events in Ukraine and about the methods and means which are being used during the conflict ... We have significantly strengthened the units with the help of armored personnel carriers, modernized tanks," Vucic told reporters.
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$15 Million Worth of Gold and Valuables Stolen in Heist From Toronto’s Pearson Airport
On Monday, an air cargo container carrying at least $20 million Canadian dollars ($14.8 US million), was stolen from Toronto’s Pearson Airport. Police are not revealing who owned the stolen goods, nor gave details on what the stolen goods are, exactly.
"What I can say is that the container contained a high value shipment," said Peel Regional Police Inspector Stephen Duivesteyn. "It did contain gold, but was not exclusive to gold, and contained other items of monetary value."
The container was described as five or six square feet in size and had arrived and was unloaded at a holding facility early on Monday evening “as per normal procedure,” according to Duivesteyn, before it was removed by “illegal means” from the holding facility.
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On Monday, an air cargo container carrying at least $20 million Canadian dollars ($14.8 US million), was stolen from Toronto’s Pearson Airport. Police are not revealing who owned the stolen goods, nor gave details on what the stolen goods are, exactly.
"What I can say is that the container contained a high value shipment," said Peel Regional Police Inspector Stephen Duivesteyn. "It did contain gold, but was not exclusive to gold, and contained other items of monetary value."
The container was described as five or six square feet in size and had arrived and was unloaded at a holding facility early on Monday evening “as per normal procedure,” according to Duivesteyn, before it was removed by “illegal means” from the holding facility.
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Venezuela's Losses Due to US Sanctions Amount to $232Bln Since 2015
Venezuela has lost $232 billion since 2015 when the United States under the Obama administration imposed sanctions against the South American country, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said.
The US has imposed over 20,000 sanctions against 35 countries and has been "waging economic or military warfare against the entire world," the vice president added. After Washington declared Venezuela a "threat to its national security" in 2015, the West has introduced 929 unilateral sanctions against the Latin American country, with US measures accounting for 60% of all Western sanctions, the high-ranking official also said.
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Venezuela has lost $232 billion since 2015 when the United States under the Obama administration imposed sanctions against the South American country, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said.
The US has imposed over 20,000 sanctions against 35 countries and has been "waging economic or military warfare against the entire world," the vice president added. After Washington declared Venezuela a "threat to its national security" in 2015, the West has introduced 929 unilateral sanctions against the Latin American country, with US measures accounting for 60% of all Western sanctions, the high-ranking official also said.
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Syria Demands That US Stops Supporting Terrorism in the Country
"Syria also demands that the United States stop supporting terrorism and separatist groups and immediately leave the occupied Syrian territories," the Syrian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The statement added that US forces deployed in Syria had continued to smuggle oil out of the country in recent weeks. In this regard, the ministry urged the US administration to pay compensation to the Syrian people.
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"Syria also demands that the United States stop supporting terrorism and separatist groups and immediately leave the occupied Syrian territories," the Syrian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The statement added that US forces deployed in Syria had continued to smuggle oil out of the country in recent weeks. In this regard, the ministry urged the US administration to pay compensation to the Syrian people.
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😢 Noor Jehan, 17-year-old Elephant from Karachi Zoo 🇵🇰, breathes her last
The poor animal died on Thursday. An unfortunate incident left her unable to stand up on her own. In addition, the elephant was suffering from several heath issues, with neglect and poor conditions primarily to be blamed for her poor health.
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The poor animal died on Thursday. An unfortunate incident left her unable to stand up on her own. In addition, the elephant was suffering from several heath issues, with neglect and poor conditions primarily to be blamed for her poor health.
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French Energy Union Threatens to Cut Electricity at Upcoming Cannes Film Festival
The National Federation of Mines and Energy, a French trade union affiliated to the General Confederation of Labour (CGT), has threatened to plunge the Cannes Film Festival and some other major public events into darkness in protest of the controversial pension reform.
"Macron promised 100 days to restore peace, we promise him 100 days of actions and anger. In May, do what you please! The Cannes festival, the Monaco Grand Prix, the Roland-Garros tournament, the Avignon festival could end up in the dark," the union’s statement read, as quoted by a French broadcaster.
The Cannes Film Festival is set to take place from May 16-27.
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The National Federation of Mines and Energy, a French trade union affiliated to the General Confederation of Labour (CGT), has threatened to plunge the Cannes Film Festival and some other major public events into darkness in protest of the controversial pension reform.
"Macron promised 100 days to restore peace, we promise him 100 days of actions and anger. In May, do what you please! The Cannes festival, the Monaco Grand Prix, the Roland-Garros tournament, the Avignon festival could end up in the dark," the union’s statement read, as quoted by a French broadcaster.
The Cannes Film Festival is set to take place from May 16-27.
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🇩🇪 Germany's Verdi Trade Union Calls for Strike at Berlin Airport on Monday
◾ Germany's services sector trade union Verdi has called air security staff working in passenger control at Berlin Brandenburg Airport out for a day-long "warning strike" on April 24 over pay.
🛫 Following the announcement, the Berlin airport cancelled all departures on Monday, adding that arrivals may also be affected by cancellations or flight schedule changes.
◾ The passengers are asked to contact their airline or travel agent for rebooking information and alternative travel options.
💶 The union says it has been in negotiations with the Federal Association of Aviation Security Companies (BDLS) for years extra pay for nighttime, weekend and public holiday shifts, as well as a better collective employment agreement on overtime pay for security and service staff at commercial airports. Despite the strikes, talks with the BDLS have not yet reached a breakthrough, the union says.
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◾ Germany's services sector trade union Verdi has called air security staff working in passenger control at Berlin Brandenburg Airport out for a day-long "warning strike" on April 24 over pay.
🛫 Following the announcement, the Berlin airport cancelled all departures on Monday, adding that arrivals may also be affected by cancellations or flight schedule changes.
◾ The passengers are asked to contact their airline or travel agent for rebooking information and alternative travel options.
💶 The union says it has been in negotiations with the Federal Association of Aviation Security Companies (BDLS) for years extra pay for nighttime, weekend and public holiday shifts, as well as a better collective employment agreement on overtime pay for security and service staff at commercial airports. Despite the strikes, talks with the BDLS have not yet reached a breakthrough, the union says.
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G7 Farm Ministers Recognize Importance of Grain Deal, Support Extension
Agriculture ministers of the G7 countries have recognized the importance of the Black Sea Grain Initiative and expressed strong support for its expansion, implementation and extension in a joint communique issued following a two-day meeting in the Japanese city of Miyazaki.
At the same time, G7 ministers accused Russia of allegedly using food "as a means of destabilization and as tool of geopolitical coercion."
Ukraine and Russia signed a deal brokered by Turkiye and the United Nations last July to unlock shipments of grain, food, and fertilizer via the Black Sea despite hostilities.
Moscow has repeatedly said that most vessels carrying Ukrainian grain do not reach the world's poorest countries and end up in Europe.
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Agriculture ministers of the G7 countries have recognized the importance of the Black Sea Grain Initiative and expressed strong support for its expansion, implementation and extension in a joint communique issued following a two-day meeting in the Japanese city of Miyazaki.
At the same time, G7 ministers accused Russia of allegedly using food "as a means of destabilization and as tool of geopolitical coercion."
Ukraine and Russia signed a deal brokered by Turkiye and the United Nations last July to unlock shipments of grain, food, and fertilizer via the Black Sea despite hostilities.
Moscow has repeatedly said that most vessels carrying Ukrainian grain do not reach the world's poorest countries and end up in Europe.
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EU Foreign Policy Chief Urges European Navies to Patrol Taiwan Strait Amid Tensions
Borrell earlier dubbed Taiwan part of the EU’s “geostrategic belt” to maintain peace, adding that the island is also of importance to the bloc “in economic terms.”
“That’s why I call on European navies to patrol the Taiwan Strait to show Europe’s commitment to freedom of navigation in this absolutely crucial area,” the EU foreign policy chief pointed out.
The comments followed French President Emmanuel Macron last week calling on the EU not to allow itself to be involved into the confrontation between Washington and Beijing over Taiwan, and wondering what interest Brussels would have in adapting the confrontation-minded “American rhythm” on the issue.
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Borrell earlier dubbed Taiwan part of the EU’s “geostrategic belt” to maintain peace, adding that the island is also of importance to the bloc “in economic terms.”
“That’s why I call on European navies to patrol the Taiwan Strait to show Europe’s commitment to freedom of navigation in this absolutely crucial area,” the EU foreign policy chief pointed out.
The comments followed French President Emmanuel Macron last week calling on the EU not to allow itself to be involved into the confrontation between Washington and Beijing over Taiwan, and wondering what interest Brussels would have in adapting the confrontation-minded “American rhythm” on the issue.
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🇦🇷 🇷🇺 Argentine Business Interested in Cooperation With Russia Despite Sanctions
"Russian and Argentine companies are still interested in further cooperation especially since there are strong foundations for that. But there is now a transition period, I would say, which is due to the sanctions against Russia, concerns about secondary sanctions from the US ... a period when the Argentine business is in limbo, not understanding how to build relations [with Russian colleagues]," Russian Ambassador to Buenos Aires Dmitry Feoktistov said.
He added that the work of the Russian-Argentine business council had resumed, uniting businessmen from Argentina seeking to continue working with Russia under new circumstances.
Russia, in turn, could also be interested in various projects in Argentina, including tenders in nuclear energy announced by Buenos Aires, the head of the Russian diplomatic mission highlighted.
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"Russian and Argentine companies are still interested in further cooperation especially since there are strong foundations for that. But there is now a transition period, I would say, which is due to the sanctions against Russia, concerns about secondary sanctions from the US ... a period when the Argentine business is in limbo, not understanding how to build relations [with Russian colleagues]," Russian Ambassador to Buenos Aires Dmitry Feoktistov said.
He added that the work of the Russian-Argentine business council had resumed, uniting businessmen from Argentina seeking to continue working with Russia under new circumstances.
Russia, in turn, could also be interested in various projects in Argentina, including tenders in nuclear energy announced by Buenos Aires, the head of the Russian diplomatic mission highlighted.
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Log in the Eye: Western Crimes Against Children in War Zones Revealed
The collective West is keen on projecting their own child abuse and negligence onto others, foreign experts claim, while participating in Rossiya Segodnya's recent conference dedicated to Western crimes against children in war zones across the world.
"I am an American, I served in the US Army, I participated in the war, and I am ready to talk about the terrible consequences of this US invasion," said US Army Corporal and Iraq War veteran Daniel Bosworth, who was a member of Operation Desert Storm.
"The US military left Afghanistan in a very disorganized manner. And it was decided to withdraw thousands of Afghan children without parents from August to December 2021."
Read full story
The collective West is keen on projecting their own child abuse and negligence onto others, foreign experts claim, while participating in Rossiya Segodnya's recent conference dedicated to Western crimes against children in war zones across the world.
"I am an American, I served in the US Army, I participated in the war, and I am ready to talk about the terrible consequences of this US invasion," said US Army Corporal and Iraq War veteran Daniel Bosworth, who was a member of Operation Desert Storm.
"The US military left Afghanistan in a very disorganized manner. And it was decided to withdraw thousands of Afghan children without parents from August to December 2021."
Read full story
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📹 Combat work of the Russian self-propelled guns 2S-19 Msta-S in the special operation zone (video by Russia's MoD)
Scouts uncovered camouflaged positions and a cluster of armored vehicles of the Ukrainian army and handed over the coordinates for destruction.
An artillery battery of Msta-S self-propelled howitzers struck at the specified coordinates, and as a result, it destroyed the enemy stronghold and infantry fighting vehicles.
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Scouts uncovered camouflaged positions and a cluster of armored vehicles of the Ukrainian army and handed over the coordinates for destruction.
An artillery battery of Msta-S self-propelled howitzers struck at the specified coordinates, and as a result, it destroyed the enemy stronghold and infantry fighting vehicles.
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We are together: Russian surgeon saves hundreds in Donbass
Russian trauma surgeon Boris Gurkin took a two-week vacation from work to save lives in the Donbass conflict zone in early August 2022. In March 2023, he returned to the embattled region.
"I have combat experience and I work in an emergency hospital and I know what problems arise with a large number of wounded and injured," Gurkin told Sputnik.
Read the story of a man who left a peaceful life to save the lives of others
Russian trauma surgeon Boris Gurkin took a two-week vacation from work to save lives in the Donbass conflict zone in early August 2022. In March 2023, he returned to the embattled region.
"I have combat experience and I work in an emergency hospital and I know what problems arise with a large number of wounded and injured," Gurkin told Sputnik.
Read the story of a man who left a peaceful life to save the lives of others
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❗️Russian MoD briefing on the progress of the special military operation in Ukraine:
▪️ In the LPR, the actions of four sabotage and reconnaissance groups of the Ukrainian Armed Forces were stopped. Ukrainian losses amounted to 95 soldiers;
▪️ The Russian Armed Forces destroyed a repair workshop for Ukrainian Strizh drones near Kharkov;
▪️ The losses of the Ukrainian Armed Forces near Krasny Liman per day amounted to over 70 troops;
▪️ Russian aviation defeated enemy reserves in the DPR;
▪️ Russian troops destroyed ammunition depots of the 95th Airborne Assault and 10th Mountain Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the DPR;
▪️ In the DPR, up to 200 Ukrainian soldiers were destroyed in the day;
▪️ A sabotage and reconnaissance group of the Ukrainian Armed Forces was destroyed in the Zaporozhye region;
▪️ The Ukrainian Armed Forces lost more than 130 military personnel in the south of the DPR and the Zaporozhye region in a day.
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▪️ In the LPR, the actions of four sabotage and reconnaissance groups of the Ukrainian Armed Forces were stopped. Ukrainian losses amounted to 95 soldiers;
▪️ The Russian Armed Forces destroyed a repair workshop for Ukrainian Strizh drones near Kharkov;
▪️ The losses of the Ukrainian Armed Forces near Krasny Liman per day amounted to over 70 troops;
▪️ Russian aviation defeated enemy reserves in the DPR;
▪️ Russian troops destroyed ammunition depots of the 95th Airborne Assault and 10th Mountain Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the DPR;
▪️ In the DPR, up to 200 Ukrainian soldiers were destroyed in the day;
▪️ A sabotage and reconnaissance group of the Ukrainian Armed Forces was destroyed in the Zaporozhye region;
▪️ The Ukrainian Armed Forces lost more than 130 military personnel in the south of the DPR and the Zaporozhye region in a day.
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