❗️Latest statements by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov:

▪️ There is a ‘huge vacuum’ in the strategic stability area, an international security agreement needed;

▪️ Russia will not feel direct consequences of the denunciation of the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, it was already a non-working mechanism;

▪️ Moscow counts on preserving momentum when it comes to implementation of joint projects with Turkiye after reelection of Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

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📹 Key takeaways from Russian FM Sergey Lavrov's meetings to Nairobi:

▪️Russia and Kenya ready to cooperate in energy, finance, education, telecommunications, agriculture and other areas
▪️Moscow supports broader representation of African nations at the UN Security Council
▪️Russia values Kenya's and other African nations' peacekeeping efforts on the continent and beyond
▪️Lavrov praised the friendly atmosphere at the Nairobi talks.

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❗️Lavrov: West is ready to 'support genocide' against Russians

During his visit to Kenya, Russian FM Sergey Lavrov responded to a question from Sputnik’s correspondent concerning the African peace initiative for the Ukraine crisis:

💬 "Regarding the African initiative, as they have publicly stated more than once, perhaps Washington and London cannot accept anything other than the so-called Zelensky peace formula, which they have been pushing in all G7, NATO and EU documents and demanding that everyone adhere to it. Let me remind you that this formula means the pullout of Russian troops and Russia's withdrawal from all territories - Crimea, the Donbass and the other new territories - the Zaporozhye and Kherson Regions. After that, a tribunal against Russia, and against the Russian leadership. And then, payment of so-called reparations. And only after all this, will Ukraine graciously agree to sign a peace treaty.

“Considering that two or three years ago, Zelensky said that if someone among Ukrainian citizens feels that they are Russians, then for the sake of their children’s and grandchildren’s future, go and leave for Russia.” Given what Mr. Danilov and Mr. Podolyak said, namely, that after the return of Crimea and the eastern territories of Ukraine, they will obliterate everything Russian there, up to and including the physical destruction of Russian citizens. This position by the West and its commitment exclusively to this barbaric, bestial formula of Zelensky means that they are ready to support genocide. There is nothing more for me to add here."

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🇮🇱 IDF announces successful test of Iron Dome defense system for naval operations

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❗️Russian MoD briefing on the progress of the special military operation in Ukraine:

▪️In the Kupyansk direction, Russian forces destroyed up to 65 Ukrainian troops, as well as one D-20 and a D-30 howitzer. The actions of two Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance groups were thwarted;

▪️In the Krasny Liman direction, Russian forces neutralized up to 55 Ukrainian personnel, one D-20 howitzer, and one Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer;

▪️In the Donetsk direction, Ukrainian losses amounted to more than 145 troops, two armored combat vehicles, and one D-30 howitzer, one US-made AN/TPQ-50 counter-mortar radar, and two ammunition depots;

▪️In the South Donetsk and Zaporozhye directions, Russian forces destroyed over 140 Ukrainian troops, two D-30 howitzers, and one ammunition depot;

▪️In the Kherson direction, Russian troops neutralized up to 20 Ukrainian soldiers two Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer, one D-30 howitzer, and a hangar with weapons and military equipment was hit;

▪️A command and observation post and weapons depot were hit in the Donetsk People's Republic;

▪️Russian air defenses shot down three Storm Shadow cruise missiles, 13 HIMARS missiles, and 14 unmanned aerial vehicles in the LPR, DPR, Kharkov, and Zaporozhye regions.

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📹 Russian forces crush Ukrainian troops in Avdeevka direction

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OSCE observers believe Turkish voters had opportunity to choose between real alternatives

"The second round of Turkiye’s presidential election was well run and gave voters the opportunity to choose between real political alternatives, but was characterized by increasingly inflammatory and discriminatory language during the campaign period.

Media bias and ongoing restrictions to freedom of expression created an unlevel playing field, and contributed to an unjustified advantage of the incumbent, international observers said in a statement today," the OSCE's statement said.

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📹 AK-12 assault rifle gets upgrade after Donbass combat experience

The first batch of AK-12 assault rifles was delivered to Russian troops back in 2019, but following feedback from servicemen in the special military op, the model received an upgrade. The new model was revealed at a presentation by Kalashnikov Group at a rifle center near Moscow.

Kalashnikov Concern President Alan Lushnikov says the new model is suitable for the special forces in terms of convenience and ability to use various add-ons and optics, despite the fact that the AK-12 remains a “staple” weapon in the Russian Army.

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How an anti-drone gun works (video by Russian MoD)

Russia's airborne troops are actively using anti-drone guns during the special military operation in Ukraine. The guns make it possible to “turn off” quadcopter-type UAVs used by Ukrainian forces at a distance of up to two kilometers, which reduces the enemy’s ability to reconnoiter the frontline and adjust their fire.

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Danish Parliament to consider civil proposal to legalize euthanasia

The Danish Medical Association (DADL) opposes the initiative, saying that the government should increase investment in palliative care, the report said.

"There are many reasons for this: we do not think that suffering should be managed by killing people; we are afraid of the slippery slope we see in countries where euthanasia has been brought in; and we think one should invest in proper end-of-life palliative care," Klaus Klausen, chairman of the association's ethics committee, was quoted as saying by the media outlet.

The proposal was put forward by a health worker who met patients who wanted to be allowed to die. It will be considered for the first time by the parliament. In 2018, the initiative received 8,386 signatures, and in 2019 - 1,409 signatures.

So far in Europe, euthanasia is allowed in Switzerland, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.

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🗣️”McCarthy, when he initially threw out his proposals in February, he called for a $75 billion cut in defense spending. But now we got a 3% increase in defense spending. And I think that's kind of like a floor. I think that will be raised certainly as time goes on”: Dr. Jack Rasmus, professor of Economics and Politics at St. Mary's College in California, on another increase in defense spending, not for social needs

🎧Listen to more of Rasmus’ analysis in our podcast The Critical Hour

A video shows a damaged building located near the Zvecan administration

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❗️Dozens of injured civilians and Kosovo forces. An ambulance convoy has set off from the ambulance station on its way to Zvecan, Kosovo.

Video from social media

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