Sputnik International
🇷🇺🫡 Russia marks the 31st anniversary of its Armed Forces On May 7, 1992, Russia’s first president Boris Yeltsin issued an executive decree establishing the Russian Armed Forces and assumed control as supreme commander. Huge Sputnik explainer is coming soon…
🇷🇺 The creation of the modern Russian military took place on May 7, 1992, following the collapse of the Soviet Union. The military faced significant challenges in the 1990s, including budget cuts, demoralization, and conflicts across the post-Soviet region.
However, today the Russian military has recovered and has since become one of the top three military powers globally. It has demonstrated its capabilities in conflicts such as the proxy war in Ukraine.
While NATO has numerical advantages in terms of personnel, equipment, and spending, the Russian military remains a formidable force, and the ongoing tensions between Russia and NATO highlight the concerns about their respective military capabilities.
What is its makeup and composition? What does the letter ‘Z’ painted on Russian vehicles in Ukraine mean? How does Russia’s military stack up against NATO?
Sputnik explains
However, today the Russian military has recovered and has since become one of the top three military powers globally. It has demonstrated its capabilities in conflicts such as the proxy war in Ukraine.
While NATO has numerical advantages in terms of personnel, equipment, and spending, the Russian military remains a formidable force, and the ongoing tensions between Russia and NATO highlight the concerns about their respective military capabilities.
What is its makeup and composition? What does the letter ‘Z’ painted on Russian vehicles in Ukraine mean? How does Russia’s military stack up against NATO?
Sputnik explains
👍57❤16
Media is too big
VIEW IN TELEGRAM
🇮🇹🇷🇺 The descendants of Soviet people living in Rome gathered to commemorate their ancestors
Festive events dedicated to Victory in the Second World War are currently ongoing.
This year is no exception. In various cities, people go out onto the streets and flow like rivers with portraits of their relatives who made a significant contribution to the victory in World War II.
The Immortal Regiment is a remarkable tradition that started about 10 years ago. During the event, people carry portraits of relatives who participated in World War II and march through the main streets of cities, honoring their memory.
Subscribe to @SputnikInt
Festive events dedicated to Victory in the Second World War are currently ongoing.
This year is no exception. In various cities, people go out onto the streets and flow like rivers with portraits of their relatives who made a significant contribution to the victory in World War II.
The Immortal Regiment is a remarkable tradition that started about 10 years ago. During the event, people carry portraits of relatives who participated in World War II and march through the main streets of cities, honoring their memory.
Subscribe to @SputnikInt
❤60👍20
US running out of ability to use extraordinary measures to avoid default
"We've been using extraordinary measures for several months now and our ability to do that is running out," US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told ABC News, when asked whether her office still had some extraordinary steps in stock.
Earlier in May, the US Treasury warned of a possible debt default by June 1 without raising the congressional limit.
In April, House Republicans passed a debt ceiling proposal, but the Democrats and Biden rejected it.
Biden is set to negotiate the debt limit with congressional leaders next week.
Subscribe to @SputnikInt
"We've been using extraordinary measures for several months now and our ability to do that is running out," US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told ABC News, when asked whether her office still had some extraordinary steps in stock.
Earlier in May, the US Treasury warned of a possible debt default by June 1 without raising the congressional limit.
In April, House Republicans passed a debt ceiling proposal, but the Democrats and Biden rejected it.
Biden is set to negotiate the debt limit with congressional leaders next week.
Subscribe to @SputnikInt
😁33🔥23💩6👍2🌚2❤1
Switzerland to decide on resale of 25 decommissioned Leopard tanks in near future
In March, Germany sent a request to Switzerland for the purchase of Leopard 2 tanks. However, the Swiss legislation allows the sale of only decommissioned tanks and any sales deal is subject to parliamentary approval.
Later in March, the Commission on Security Policy of the Swiss National Council approved the decommissioning of 25 Leopard 87 tanks, which made their sale to a German manufacturer possible.
"The parliament will certainly make an important decision here. The Federal Council has not yet taken any stance. It will consider this issue in the near future," Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis told a Swiss newspaper.
The foreign minister also said that the government was closely monitoring the parliamentary discussions on the resale of 96 Leopard 2 tanks to Germany, although it had not held discussions on this initiative itself.
Subscribe to @SputnikInt
In March, Germany sent a request to Switzerland for the purchase of Leopard 2 tanks. However, the Swiss legislation allows the sale of only decommissioned tanks and any sales deal is subject to parliamentary approval.
Later in March, the Commission on Security Policy of the Swiss National Council approved the decommissioning of 25 Leopard 87 tanks, which made their sale to a German manufacturer possible.
"The parliament will certainly make an important decision here. The Federal Council has not yet taken any stance. It will consider this issue in the near future," Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis told a Swiss newspaper.
The foreign minister also said that the government was closely monitoring the parliamentary discussions on the resale of 96 Leopard 2 tanks to Germany, although it had not held discussions on this initiative itself.
Subscribe to @SputnikInt
💩44😁7👍4❤1
German gov't plans to refuse states additional money for migrants accommodation
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is scheduled to meet with the heads of the country's states in Berlin on May 10 to discuss refugee issues. Due to the recent influx of migrants to the country, regional governments demand additional funding to accommodate and integrate the people, the report said.
However, the draft document seen by the broadcaster says that the federal government is not ready to allocate more money for these purposes, as Berlin considers the respective spending already very high.
Subscribe to @SputnikInt
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is scheduled to meet with the heads of the country's states in Berlin on May 10 to discuss refugee issues. Due to the recent influx of migrants to the country, regional governments demand additional funding to accommodate and integrate the people, the report said.
However, the draft document seen by the broadcaster says that the federal government is not ready to allocate more money for these purposes, as Berlin considers the respective spending already very high.
Subscribe to @SputnikInt
💩21👍10😁5
This media is not supported in your browser
VIEW IN TELEGRAM
🇹🇷 The President of Turkiye held a huge rally in Istanbul
A week before the presidential elections in Turkiye, the country's president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, held a large gathering, in which 1.7 million people participated.
Subscribe to @SputnikInt
A week before the presidential elections in Turkiye, the country's president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, held a large gathering, in which 1.7 million people participated.
Subscribe to @SputnikInt
❤47👍17🥴4👎3😁1
Ominous omen from 'Oracle of Omaha'? Buffett unloads billions in US stocks, warns of AI 'atom bomb'
92-year-old financier Warren Buffett's hedge fund Berkshire Hathaway is retreating from the US financial market, selling over $13.3 billion in stocks and buying only $2.9 billion worth in the first quarter of 2023.
The fund reported net earnings of $35.5 billion and is holding a portfolio of $328 billion. Buffett expressed concerns about bank failures, the complexity of the banking sector, and the rise of artificial intelligence, comparing it to the atomic bomb.
He called for a resolution of US-China tensions and criticized excessive money printing by the US government. Buffett dismissed digital currencies like Bitcoin as "toys."
Subscribe to @SputnikInt
92-year-old financier Warren Buffett's hedge fund Berkshire Hathaway is retreating from the US financial market, selling over $13.3 billion in stocks and buying only $2.9 billion worth in the first quarter of 2023.
The fund reported net earnings of $35.5 billion and is holding a portfolio of $328 billion. Buffett expressed concerns about bank failures, the complexity of the banking sector, and the rise of artificial intelligence, comparing it to the atomic bomb.
He called for a resolution of US-China tensions and criticized excessive money printing by the US government. Buffett dismissed digital currencies like Bitcoin as "toys."
Subscribe to @SputnikInt
👍24🥴18🔥6🤔2❤1
Forwarded from Sputnik News India
#Sputnik_reminder
📜🖋 India commemorates Rabindranath Tagore on his birthday anniversary
▪️ Rabindranath Tagore (or Thakur) is a Bengali polymath who is known all over the world primarily for his literature works. He is also famous and praised for being the first non-European and the first lyricist to win the Nobel Prize in Literature.
▪️ Rabindranath Tagore, the youngest of 13 surviving children, was born into a family of philosophers, scientists and artists who were at the forefront of the Bengal renaissance. He started writing at the age of eight and was awarded the Nobel Prize for his collection of poems called ‘Gitanjali’.
▪️ He also established the Vishva-Bharati University in West Bengal, which is located in Shantiniketan – the place where Rabindranath Tagore lived.
Subscribe to @sputniknewsindia
📜🖋 India commemorates Rabindranath Tagore on his birthday anniversary
▪️ Rabindranath Tagore (or Thakur) is a Bengali polymath who is known all over the world primarily for his literature works. He is also famous and praised for being the first non-European and the first lyricist to win the Nobel Prize in Literature.
▪️ Rabindranath Tagore, the youngest of 13 surviving children, was born into a family of philosophers, scientists and artists who were at the forefront of the Bengal renaissance. He started writing at the age of eight and was awarded the Nobel Prize for his collection of poems called ‘Gitanjali’.
▪️ He also established the Vishva-Bharati University in West Bengal, which is located in Shantiniketan – the place where Rabindranath Tagore lived.
Subscribe to @sputniknewsindia
❤29👍18🌚1
If China ditches dollar amid 'emerging new trade order,' consequences for US 'could be stark'
“We are for de-risking and diversifying, not looking to decouple,” US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said at the Brookings Institution in late April, in reference to China’s economy.
However, the report underlined that imports of consumer goods by the US plunged 20.6 percent year-on-year in the first three months of this year. If the decline trend continues, it will, in turn, "accelerate the global de-dollarization trend," warned the publication.
Indeed, de-dollarization is becoming a trend, as the world’s reserve currency is fast losing its luster. Moscow has adopted the yuan as a reserve currency, while pledging to use the Chinese means of payment "between Russia and countries of Asia, Africa, and Latin America." China and Brazil recently struck an agreement to carry out trade and financial transactions directly, exchanging yuan for reals.
Subscribe to @SputnikInt
“We are for de-risking and diversifying, not looking to decouple,” US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said at the Brookings Institution in late April, in reference to China’s economy.
However, the report underlined that imports of consumer goods by the US plunged 20.6 percent year-on-year in the first three months of this year. If the decline trend continues, it will, in turn, "accelerate the global de-dollarization trend," warned the publication.
Indeed, de-dollarization is becoming a trend, as the world’s reserve currency is fast losing its luster. Moscow has adopted the yuan as a reserve currency, while pledging to use the Chinese means of payment "between Russia and countries of Asia, Africa, and Latin America." China and Brazil recently struck an agreement to carry out trade and financial transactions directly, exchanging yuan for reals.
Subscribe to @SputnikInt
❤52👍27🤔5
Forwarded from Sputnik Africa
🌍 African Free Trade Area Could Lift up to 50 Mln People Out of Extreme Poverty, IMF Says
▪️Africa’s continent-wide free trade area, if successfully implemented, could accelerate economic growth and enhance living standards at a time of rising geopolitical tensions and climate change, the International Monetary Fund said in its report
▪️According to the IMF, for a trade zone to be successful, it must be supported by a number of reforms, such as large cuts in tariff and nontariff trade barriers among African nations.
💬 "If accompanied by complementary improvements in the trade environment, the median merchandise trade flow between African economies would rise by 53% and with the rest of the world by 15%, raising real GDP per capita in the median country by more than 10%," the IMF predicted. "World Bank estimates of a broadly similar growth scenario suggest that this would help 30–50 million people in Africa emerge from extreme poverty"
👉 READ THE FULL STORY
Subscribe to @sputnik_africa
▪️Africa’s continent-wide free trade area, if successfully implemented, could accelerate economic growth and enhance living standards at a time of rising geopolitical tensions and climate change, the International Monetary Fund said in its report
▪️According to the IMF, for a trade zone to be successful, it must be supported by a number of reforms, such as large cuts in tariff and nontariff trade barriers among African nations.
💬 "If accompanied by complementary improvements in the trade environment, the median merchandise trade flow between African economies would rise by 53% and with the rest of the world by 15%, raising real GDP per capita in the median country by more than 10%," the IMF predicted. "World Bank estimates of a broadly similar growth scenario suggest that this would help 30–50 million people in Africa emerge from extreme poverty"
👉 READ THE FULL STORY
Subscribe to @sputnik_africa
❤23👍8😁4
Russian politician Prilepin says he drove car during blast
"Sasha [Alexander Shubin] was on the right in a passenger seat. I was driving. The explosion happened under his wheel. I lost consciousness for three minutes, came round and crawled up to the broken windshield," Russian politician and writer Zakhar Prilepin said on Telegram.
He added that he had both legs broken in the blast, with one open fracture, as well as other injuries.
Prilepin also specified that two mines had been planted at the scene, but only one had detonated.
On Saturday, Prilepin's car was blown up on a highway in Russia's Nizhny Novgorod Region. His deceased associate Alexander Shubin was killed, while Prilepin was injured.
Subscribe to @SputnikInt
"Sasha [Alexander Shubin] was on the right in a passenger seat. I was driving. The explosion happened under his wheel. I lost consciousness for three minutes, came round and crawled up to the broken windshield," Russian politician and writer Zakhar Prilepin said on Telegram.
He added that he had both legs broken in the blast, with one open fracture, as well as other injuries.
Prilepin also specified that two mines had been planted at the scene, but only one had detonated.
On Saturday, Prilepin's car was blown up on a highway in Russia's Nizhny Novgorod Region. His deceased associate Alexander Shubin was killed, while Prilepin was injured.
Subscribe to @SputnikInt
🤬60👍10
Robert Kennedy Jr, the nephew of the 35th US president John F. Kennedy, said CIA was involved in the 1963 assassination of the head of state
"There is overwhelming evidence that the CIA was involved in his murder. I think it’s beyond a reasonable doubt at this point," the US media quoted him as saying while referencing James Douglas' book, "JFK and the Unspeakable".
According to Kennedy Jr, the US intelligence agency was not only involved in the assassination but also in "the cover-up" of the crime.
Kennedy was shot and killed in Dallas on November 22, 1963. An investigation determined that the assassination was carried out by Lee Harvey Oswald, who acted alone as stated in The Warren Commission Report of 1964.
On the CIA website, the agency calls an article linking the agency to JFK's assassination a "lie."
Subscribe to @SputnikInt
"There is overwhelming evidence that the CIA was involved in his murder. I think it’s beyond a reasonable doubt at this point," the US media quoted him as saying while referencing James Douglas' book, "JFK and the Unspeakable".
According to Kennedy Jr, the US intelligence agency was not only involved in the assassination but also in "the cover-up" of the crime.
Kennedy was shot and killed in Dallas on November 22, 1963. An investigation determined that the assassination was carried out by Lee Harvey Oswald, who acted alone as stated in The Warren Commission Report of 1964.
On the CIA website, the agency calls an article linking the agency to JFK's assassination a "lie."
Subscribe to @SputnikInt
👍59🔥7🤔6👌4
The stabilization of US-China relations should be a priority after Washington disrupted the positive momentum achieved during the meeting between the leaders of the two countries in Bali
"In November of last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden held successful talks on the island of Bali and reached important consensuses. However, since then, a series of misguided actions and statements by the American side have disrupted the hard-won positive momentum in bilateral relations, relations between the countries have again hit the ice," Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang said.
Gang also called on Washington to stop supporting separatist forces in Taiwan. "[The US] should properly approach the Taiwan issue … stop supporting and condoning the separatist forces of 'Taiwan independence'".
The foreign minister also pointed out to Washington the need to respect China's "red lines" and stop violating its sovereignty, security and development interests.
Subscribe to @SputnikInt
"In November of last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden held successful talks on the island of Bali and reached important consensuses. However, since then, a series of misguided actions and statements by the American side have disrupted the hard-won positive momentum in bilateral relations, relations between the countries have again hit the ice," Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang said.
Gang also called on Washington to stop supporting separatist forces in Taiwan. "[The US] should properly approach the Taiwan issue … stop supporting and condoning the separatist forces of 'Taiwan independence'".
The foreign minister also pointed out to Washington the need to respect China's "red lines" and stop violating its sovereignty, security and development interests.
Subscribe to @SputnikInt
👍40🔥6😢1
Forwarded from Sputnik Africa
🇸🇩 Talks between Sudan’s armed forces, RSF to continue in coming days
▪️The talks underway in the Saudi city of Jeddah between the Sudanese regular armed forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) will continue until the conflicting sides agree on a temporary ceasefire, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said.
▪️It was noted that the sides commenced pre-negotiation talks in Jeddah on May 6.
🗣"The talks continued on May 7 and will continue in the coming days in the expectation of reaching an effective short-term ceasefire to facilitate humanitarian assistance," the foreign ministry said on Sunday.
▪️The Saudi foreign ministry specified that the conflicting sides had already started discussing security measures needed to facilitate the delivery of emergency humanitarian assistance to the Sudanese people and the restoration of essential services
Subscribe to @sputnik_africa
▪️The talks underway in the Saudi city of Jeddah between the Sudanese regular armed forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) will continue until the conflicting sides agree on a temporary ceasefire, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said.
▪️It was noted that the sides commenced pre-negotiation talks in Jeddah on May 6.
🗣"The talks continued on May 7 and will continue in the coming days in the expectation of reaching an effective short-term ceasefire to facilitate humanitarian assistance," the foreign ministry said on Sunday.
▪️The Saudi foreign ministry specified that the conflicting sides had already started discussing security measures needed to facilitate the delivery of emergency humanitarian assistance to the Sudanese people and the restoration of essential services
Subscribe to @sputnik_africa
👍28👌2🌚1
Media is too big
VIEW IN TELEGRAM
📹 Footage showing the combat work of the crews of Giatsint-B 152-mm towed guns
Subscribe to @SputnikInt
Subscribe to @SputnikInt
👍39🔥10
Tucker Carlson is preparing for a crackdown on his former network
Fired Fox News host Tucker Carlson is preparing for a crackdown on his former network as he mulls making his next career move, a US media outlet has cited unnamed sources as saying.
The sources claimed that Carlson’s allies at rival news platforms are “coming to him and saying, ‘Do you want me to hit Fox?’,” and that he allegedly answers, "No I want to get this done quiet and clean."
“Now, we're going from peace time to Defcon [defense condition] 1. His [Carlson’s] team is preparing for war. He wants his freedom,” one of the insiders argued.
Another source asserted that the ex-Fox News host “knows where a lot of bodies are buried, and is ready to start drawing a map.”
The US media outlet recalled in this regard that Carlson's contract at Fox News, in which he was paid $20 million a year, expires in January 2025. He is still being paid and therefore is prohibited from joining a rival network or starting his own.
Subscribe to @SputnikInt
Fired Fox News host Tucker Carlson is preparing for a crackdown on his former network as he mulls making his next career move, a US media outlet has cited unnamed sources as saying.
The sources claimed that Carlson’s allies at rival news platforms are “coming to him and saying, ‘Do you want me to hit Fox?’,” and that he allegedly answers, "No I want to get this done quiet and clean."
“Now, we're going from peace time to Defcon [defense condition] 1. His [Carlson’s] team is preparing for war. He wants his freedom,” one of the insiders argued.
Another source asserted that the ex-Fox News host “knows where a lot of bodies are buried, and is ready to start drawing a map.”
The US media outlet recalled in this regard that Carlson's contract at Fox News, in which he was paid $20 million a year, expires in January 2025. He is still being paid and therefore is prohibited from joining a rival network or starting his own.
Subscribe to @SputnikInt
👍48❤5🔥3💩2
Russia welcomes the resumption of Syria’s participation in the work of the League of Arab States
"Moscow welcomes this long-awaited step, which has become a logical result of the process of returning Syria to the ‘Arab family’ that has gained momentum. For our part, in contact with the Arab capitals, we consistently called on them to restore full-fledged relations with Damascus," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement.
She added that the resumption of Syria's participation in the work of the Arab League, of which it is one of the founding states, will help improve the atmosphere in the Middle East region.
Zakharova expressed hope that LAS will support Syria in its post-conflict reconstruction, which is complicated by the illegitimate unilateral sanctions against Damascus.
On Sunday, LAS foreign ministers announced that Syria was returning to the organization.
Subscribe to @SputnikInt
"Moscow welcomes this long-awaited step, which has become a logical result of the process of returning Syria to the ‘Arab family’ that has gained momentum. For our part, in contact with the Arab capitals, we consistently called on them to restore full-fledged relations with Damascus," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement.
She added that the resumption of Syria's participation in the work of the Arab League, of which it is one of the founding states, will help improve the atmosphere in the Middle East region.
Zakharova expressed hope that LAS will support Syria in its post-conflict reconstruction, which is complicated by the illegitimate unilateral sanctions against Damascus.
On Sunday, LAS foreign ministers announced that Syria was returning to the organization.
Subscribe to @SputnikInt
👍64❤11🥴3👌1
Sputnik International
❗️ The person detained in relation to the terrorist attack against Prilepin has turned out to be of Ukrainian origin
❗️ Detainee charged with terrorism for attempted assassination of politician and writer Zakhar Prilepin - Russia's Investigative Committee
👍45
The trade relations between Russia and China are open and fair and do not target any third countries
"Trade and economic relations between Russia and China are fair and transparent, they are not targeting third countries and are not subject to a third-party interference and coercion," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Monday, referring to possible EU sanctions against Chinese firms.
On Sunday, media reported that the European Union might for the first time impose sanctions against Chinese companies, which were allegedly selling military equipment to Russia amid Moscow's ongoing special operation in Ukraine.
The spokesman added that in case the bloc applies sanctions against the Chinese entities, the move could "seriously violate trust and cooperation with China, exacerbate division and confrontation in the world."
Subscribe to @SputnikInt
"Trade and economic relations between Russia and China are fair and transparent, they are not targeting third countries and are not subject to a third-party interference and coercion," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Monday, referring to possible EU sanctions against Chinese firms.
On Sunday, media reported that the European Union might for the first time impose sanctions against Chinese companies, which were allegedly selling military equipment to Russia amid Moscow's ongoing special operation in Ukraine.
The spokesman added that in case the bloc applies sanctions against the Chinese entities, the move could "seriously violate trust and cooperation with China, exacerbate division and confrontation in the world."
Subscribe to @SputnikInt
👍45❤11🌚2🤔1
❗️ Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has commented on the words of the head of intelligence of Ukraine Budanov, who recently called for the killing of Russians: this is a monstrous statement
Russia strongly condemns the words of the head of the Ukrainian military intelligence Budanov; our special services will do everything to protect Russians, said Peskov.
He added that these statements by Budanov confirmed the correctness of Putin's decision to launch the special military operation.
This is direct confirmation that the Kiev regime is not just a sponsor, but also an organizer of terrorist activity, Peskov said.
The Kremlin spokesman added that Moscow would closely monitor the reaction of the countries of the world to these statements by the Kiev regime, including the United States.
Russia strongly condemns the words of the head of the Ukrainian military intelligence Budanov; our special services will do everything to protect Russians, said Peskov.
He added that these statements by Budanov confirmed the correctness of Putin's decision to launch the special military operation.
This is direct confirmation that the Kiev regime is not just a sponsor, but also an organizer of terrorist activity, Peskov said.
The Kremlin spokesman added that Moscow would closely monitor the reaction of the countries of the world to these statements by the Kiev regime, including the United States.
👍60🤬8
Forwarded from Sputnik News India
Russia and India collaborate on new military-tech project
As part of developing hypersonic cruise missile (HCM) capabilities in India, India 🇮🇳 and Russia 🇷🇺 are trying to pursue the BrahMos-2 project, which will be based on Russia's Zircon HCM.
🚀 A Russian hypersonic anti-ship missile is being developed by NPO Mashinostroeniya.
Subscribe to @sputniknewsindia for more defence updates
As part of developing hypersonic cruise missile (HCM) capabilities in India, India 🇮🇳 and Russia 🇷🇺 are trying to pursue the BrahMos-2 project, which will be based on Russia's Zircon HCM.
🚀 A Russian hypersonic anti-ship missile is being developed by NPO Mashinostroeniya.
Subscribe to @sputniknewsindia for more defence updates
❤48👍23👌1