Beijing reveals whose ‘provocative actions’ led Chinese jet to buzz US spy plane

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning has accused the United States of escalating tensions in the South China Sea through its "provocative and dangerous" military reconnaissance activities. Mao stated that the frequent surveillance missions conducted by US ships and planes seriously harm China's sovereignty and security. She emphasized that China will take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty and security.

Mao's remarks came after a recent incident where a Chinese J-15 jet intercepted and flew alongside a US Air Force RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft over the South China Sea. The Chinese jet allegedly created wake turbulence, forcing the US aircraft to fly through it. The comments highlight the ongoing tensions between the two countries in the disputed region.

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📹 Russian snipers in combat operations in Maryinka, DPR, one of the main hotspots of the Russia-Ukraine conflict

How do you avoid falling easy prey to the enemy when you’re a sniper?

Watch this video to find out.

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🇷🇺 Rosatom offers 🇮🇳 India small-sized nuclear power plant (SNPP) project

🔋Russia’s nuclear energy corporation plans to submit a preliminary design for such a plant by the end of this year, the company said.

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What to expect at SPIEF 2023 – St. Petersburg International Economic Forum

A unique event in the world of economics and business, the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) will be held from June 14 to 17, 2023.

A vast amount of themes will be taken up by the ever-expanding number of participants attending SPIEF, ranging from how the pivot to a multipolar word presents new formats of international cooperation, to de-dollarization, the future of money, and the global race for supremacy in artificial intelligence (AI).

What is SPIEF and what events will be at SPIEF 2023?

🗣️”It is necessary for the West's overall narrative of this conflict to depict the Kiev regime as the victim here rather than this whole thing being a result of the West-backed putsch that seized power in Kiev in 2014, waging a war on its own people in the east of the country, a war of subjugation for nine years, which Russia finally entered, and the moves by NATO to attempt to bring Ukraine into NATO either legally or de-facto making it a NATO military outpost on Russia's borders”: International relations and security analyst Mark Sleboda comments on the US narrative that Ukraine is a ‘victim’ in the conflict

🎧Listen to more of Sleboda’s analysis in our podcast The Final Countdown

❗️ The US Department of Defense announces 39th package of military assistance to Ukraine

The DoD said that it contains artillery, equipment against armored vehicles, ammunition, and other items worth up to $300 million.

The military aid package includes:

▪️ Additional ammunition for Patriot air defense systems and AIM-7 missiles;

▪️ Avenger air defense systems, as well as Stinger systems;

▪️ Additional ammunition for HIMARS MLRS;

▪️ 155mm and 105mm artillery shells, 105mm tank shells;

▪️ Precision aviation munitions, as well as Zuni missiles;

▪️ AT-4 anti-tank systems and mine clearance equipment;

▪️ More than 30 million cartridges for small arms;

▪️ Spare parts, generators, and other field equipment.

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🗣️”Europe is becoming an economic vassalage of the United States. Look at it, the US drove Russia out of Europe, particularly in the energy, and is supplying Europe with high-cost liquid natural gas and oil. The US has stepped into the vacuum, charging the Europeans more”: Economist, radio show host, and author Jack Rasmus on how Washington interferes in European trade policy to further its geopolitical goals

🎧Listen to more of Rasmus’ analysis in our podcast Political Misfits

✊ In terms of its economic weight and demography, BRICS has emerged as the most influential global organization outside the UN framework.

🇿🇦 South Africa, the current chair of the BRICS grouping, has said that at least 19 countries have expressed an interest to join the BRICS grouping, a testament to its growing global heft.

Ahead of the summit in Cape Town on 1-2 June, Sputnik takes a look at the evolution of BRICS, its growing role in global affairs and its surging popularity among the middle and low-income nations.

TAP TO READ

🔺Unrest in South China Sea: US claims Chinese fighter jet conducted an “unprofessional intercept” of a US spy plane
🔺Debt Ceiling Deal: Why snubbing progressives poses risk to Biden’s team
🔺Venezuela’s President Maduro visits Brazil in blow to the US

The Critical Hour will cover these and more stories! Tune in to Radio Sputnik at 6pm EST|3pm PST|12am CET via the website or app

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

📹 Ka-52 Alligator helicopters deliver missile strike against enemy near Krasny Liman

Reconnaissance attack helicopters have carried out missions to destroy manpower and clusters of light armored vehicles of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

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Russia temporarily bans export of bullets, casings

The Russian government said on Wednesday that export of bullets and casings are banned until December 31, 2023.

According to the government's decree, the ban does not cover export of bullets and casings that are necessary for the Russian military.

"The measure <...> does not apply to goods: <...> exported from the territory of the Russian Federation to support the activities of units of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, other troops, military formations and bodies <...> located in foreign states," the document says.

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Ukrainian shelling of Zaporozhye NPP creates risk of 'nuclear bomb scenario'

International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi has proposed a five-point plan to help ensure safety and security at the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant.

Renowned nuclear expert Chris Busby says Grossi’s concerns about the plant’s safety are fully justified, but that much more needs to be done.

Read the expert analysis on Sputnik’s website

Iranian President Raisi: unilateralism 'on decline in world'

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi met with CICA Secretary General Kairat Sarybay in Tehran, where he reiterated Iran's stance against the destabilizing US military-political course and sanctions. Raisi emphasized that Iran serves as a testament to the ineffectiveness of these measures. He also hailed the increasing international developments that signify the emergence of a new era of multilateralism worldwide. Raisi stated that regional countries and organizations now play a crucial role in shaping the future, as unilateralism is diminishing globally.

During the meeting, Raisi highlighted the potential of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia to enhance interaction among its member states. Iran expressed its readiness to share its experiences in various domains, including the economy, science and technology, and the fight against terrorism and organized crime.

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Fueling Balkan conflict not in West's interest, distracts from Ukraine

Former Yugoslav Foreign Minister Vladislav Jovanovic stated that authorities in Pristina have disregarded US advice to de-escalate tensions in Kosovo, failing to recognize America's global interests. Jovanovic believes that the US prioritizes suppressing Russia and does not currently desire a conflict in the Balkans, as it would divert attention from Ukraine. He suggests that if tensions between Pristina and Washington persist, American support for Kosovo's independence may be reevaluated.

Jovanovic also highlights the desire of the Pristina regime to marginalize the Serbs in Kosovo, but notes that this does not align with the West's interests. He argues that the West is concerned that such actions could shift the international community's focus from Ukraine to the Balkans, which is not desirable at the moment.

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FBI director confirmed the existence of an unclassified document alleging then-Vice President Biden engaged in a criminal bribery scheme with a foreign national: US congressman

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer said Wednesday that during a call with FBI Director Christopher Wray, the latter confirmed the existence of the FD-1023 form alleging then-Vice President Joe Biden engaged in a criminal bribery scheme with a foreign national.

The FD-1023 form is a document tapped by the bureau that both collects and catalogs information provided to agents by confidential human sources.

The FBI has previously indicated that it would not be willing to hand over the requested document as it may compromise the department's confidentiality rules and put sources at risk.

Earlier Wednesday, Comer said that the US House Oversight Committee will take steps to hold Wray in contempt of Congress after the agency refused to provide unclassified records pertaining to an alleged criminal scheme involving then-Vice President Joe Biden.

However, despite the contempt threat, the initiative would only serve as a public reprimand as serious action against the FBI director can only be put forth by US Attorney General Merrick Garland after having been referred by the US Department of Justice.

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The new package of US military assistance to Ukraine immediately after recent drone attacks on Moscow shows Washington's indifference to the crimes of Ukrainian nationalists

"The [US] authorities are again proudly talking about providing financial assistance and another batch of materiel to their crazed Kiev puppets," Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov said.

"And this is right after a series of terrorist attacks by US proteges in Moscow and the Moscow Region. Instead of calling the Zelensky regime to account, Washington is demonstratively showing indifference to the crimes of Banderites."

The Pentagon said in a release on Wednesday the new security assistance package the United States has announced for Ukraine is valued at $300 million.

"The new US 'security package', totaling $300 million, effectively fuels the rotten regime in Kiev," the Russian ambassador said, later noting that Washington's statements that it does not support Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory are not worth a penny.

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❗️The operational headquarters of Russia's Belgorod region denied the information about the alleged breakthrough of the Armed Forces of Ukraine into the region

▪️ The operational headquarters of the Belgorod region reports that the situation in Shebekino, a town located 30 kilometers southeast of Belgorod, is now difficult; shelling is underway and the sound of the military forces engaging each other can be heard.

▪️ Residents have been asked to remain calm, be vigilant and trust only official and trusted sources of information.

▪️ The number wounded in the shelling of the Shebekinsky district in Belgorod region increased to 8, there were no deaths, the governor said.

▪️ Almost 20 buildings were damaged today during the shelling of Shebekino in Belgorod Oblast , emergency services told Sputnik.

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❗️ There was and is no enemy on the territory of Russia's Belgorod region, but there is constant bombardment, the governor of the region said

▪️ The Russian Armed Forces, border guards, Federal Security Service, and National Guard are on the spot, the governor added.

💬 "The lives of civilians, the population is under threat. First of all, in Shebekino and in the surrounding villages. The administration of districts and cities is now engaged in the evacuation of people. Of course, this cannot be done under fire. We need to wait for the end of the shellings, the end of the explosions, the end of the risks of being injured or killed by the shells of the Armed Forces of Ukraine."

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