Canadian wildfires increase health risks in the United States
Almost 100 million people in 18 US states are living and working under poor air quality and unhealthy conditions brought on by the smoke produced by more than 400 hundred wildfires that have been burning in Canada for the last few weeks, several news outlets said on Tuesday.
Canadian officials said that the fires have extended from British Columbia on Canada’s West Coast to Nova Scotia, almost 2,900 miles east.
US states and cities issued air quality alerts and officials warn residents to stay indoors or take other precautions.
According to reports, Canada’s Minister of Emergency Preparedness, Bill Blair, told reporters last week that throughout the month of May, wildfires had burned about 2.7 million hectares, or about 6.7 million acres of forests in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario and the Northwest Territories.
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Almost 100 million people in 18 US states are living and working under poor air quality and unhealthy conditions brought on by the smoke produced by more than 400 hundred wildfires that have been burning in Canada for the last few weeks, several news outlets said on Tuesday.
Canadian officials said that the fires have extended from British Columbia on Canada’s West Coast to Nova Scotia, almost 2,900 miles east.
US states and cities issued air quality alerts and officials warn residents to stay indoors or take other precautions.
According to reports, Canada’s Minister of Emergency Preparedness, Bill Blair, told reporters last week that throughout the month of May, wildfires had burned about 2.7 million hectares, or about 6.7 million acres of forests in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario and the Northwest Territories.
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The disinformation campaign by American media about the destruction of the Kakhovka HPP is another desperate attempt to whitewash the Kiev regime
Russian Ambassador to Washington Anatoly Antonov pointed out that there is an ongoing targeted disinformation campaign in local media over the attack on the Kakhovka HPP, with many insinuations that Russia allegedly undermined the vital infrastructure facility, while administration officials have framed their rhetoric as if Russia is in any case responsible for all incidents that occur during the conflict in Ukraine.
"This approach does not stand up to scrutiny. This is another desperate attempt to 'whitewash' the Kiev regime, which has been deliberately shelling the station for many months," Antonov stated. "We have witnessed yet another gross violation of international humanitarian law by Ukraine. A terrorist attack that led to an ecological disaster, large-scale flooding of settlements and farmland, endangered the functioning of the North Crimean Canal. Experts have yet to deal with the imminent consequences on the cooling circuit of the Zaporozhye NPP as a result of this tragedy."
"Washington patrons never criticize Kiev. All actions of the regime are approved, and any blows that Russians suffer from are encouraged," Antonov said. "This is an example of an ill-conceived, flawed position that has already caused serious upheavals in the world. But, apparently, this is not enough for the US, and the terrorist acts of Ukraine will receive further support."
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Russian Ambassador to Washington Anatoly Antonov pointed out that there is an ongoing targeted disinformation campaign in local media over the attack on the Kakhovka HPP, with many insinuations that Russia allegedly undermined the vital infrastructure facility, while administration officials have framed their rhetoric as if Russia is in any case responsible for all incidents that occur during the conflict in Ukraine.
"This approach does not stand up to scrutiny. This is another desperate attempt to 'whitewash' the Kiev regime, which has been deliberately shelling the station for many months," Antonov stated. "We have witnessed yet another gross violation of international humanitarian law by Ukraine. A terrorist attack that led to an ecological disaster, large-scale flooding of settlements and farmland, endangered the functioning of the North Crimean Canal. Experts have yet to deal with the imminent consequences on the cooling circuit of the Zaporozhye NPP as a result of this tragedy."
"Washington patrons never criticize Kiev. All actions of the regime are approved, and any blows that Russians suffer from are encouraged," Antonov said. "This is an example of an ill-conceived, flawed position that has already caused serious upheavals in the world. But, apparently, this is not enough for the US, and the terrorist acts of Ukraine will receive further support."
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Russia's IT giant Yandex has launched unmanned taxis in Moscow in test mode
"Yandex has launched a robotaxi in Moscow, a car-ordering service controlled by artificial intelligence. Robotaxis operate in test mode in the Yasenevo District every day from 7 am to 1 am," the company said in a statement.
Users will be able to order the robotaxi in the Yandex Go taxi app. There are currently about 40 pick-up and drop-off points in the district.
Initially, the self-driving car can only be ordered by those who have pre-registered for the service. The taxi will take only one adult passenger and each trip will cost 100 rubles ($1.22).
"According to the current legislation, there is always a test driver in the car to ensure the safety of the trip," Yandex added.
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"Yandex has launched a robotaxi in Moscow, a car-ordering service controlled by artificial intelligence. Robotaxis operate in test mode in the Yasenevo District every day from 7 am to 1 am," the company said in a statement.
Users will be able to order the robotaxi in the Yandex Go taxi app. There are currently about 40 pick-up and drop-off points in the district.
Initially, the self-driving car can only be ordered by those who have pre-registered for the service. The taxi will take only one adult passenger and each trip will cost 100 rubles ($1.22).
"According to the current legislation, there is always a test driver in the car to ensure the safety of the trip," Yandex added.
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Former NATO Secretary General Anders Rasmussen said that a group of NATO countries might take individual actions and deploy troops in Ukraine
"If NATO cannot agree on a clear path forward for Ukraine, there is a clear possibility that some countries individually might take action. We know that Poland is very engaged in providing concrete assistance to Ukraine. And I wouldn’t exclude the possibility that Poland would engage even stronger in this context on a national basis and be followed by the Baltic states, maybe including the possibility of troops on the ground ... I think the Poles would seriously consider going in and assemble a coalition of the willing if Ukraine doesn’t get anything in Vilnius," the UK media quoted Rasmussen as saying.
Rasmussen said security guarantees need to cover intelligence sharing, joint Ukraine training, NATO interoperability, enhanced ammunition production and arms supply.
The ex-NATO official also said that "some NATO allies might be in favour of the security guarantees to actually avoid a real discussion on Ukraine’s membership aspirations," adding that "they hope that by providing security guarantees, they can avoid this question."
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"If NATO cannot agree on a clear path forward for Ukraine, there is a clear possibility that some countries individually might take action. We know that Poland is very engaged in providing concrete assistance to Ukraine. And I wouldn’t exclude the possibility that Poland would engage even stronger in this context on a national basis and be followed by the Baltic states, maybe including the possibility of troops on the ground ... I think the Poles would seriously consider going in and assemble a coalition of the willing if Ukraine doesn’t get anything in Vilnius," the UK media quoted Rasmussen as saying.
Rasmussen said security guarantees need to cover intelligence sharing, joint Ukraine training, NATO interoperability, enhanced ammunition production and arms supply.
The ex-NATO official also said that "some NATO allies might be in favour of the security guarantees to actually avoid a real discussion on Ukraine’s membership aspirations," adding that "they hope that by providing security guarantees, they can avoid this question."
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Former US Vice President Mike Pence: "I have no interest of pardoning those who vandalized our Capitol"
Former US Vice President Mike Pence shut down any assertion that he would issue pardons to individuals who participated in the 2021 Capitol riot, telling voters during a town hall event that the option was not on the table.
While Pence used the appearance to note he was running in the 2024 election cycle because he believes America is in trouble, one of the more key takeaways from the event saw Pence blast Trump's actions on January 6.
Pence underscored that he would always side with the Constitution if elected president.
"I have no interest or no intention of pardoning those that assaulted police officers or vandalized our Capitol. They need to be answerable to the law," said Pence. "I said that those that failed to do that [to leave the Capitol] should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and I continue to believe that today."
He emphasized that the US "cannot ever allow what happened on January 6 to happen again in the heart of our democracy."
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Former US Vice President Mike Pence shut down any assertion that he would issue pardons to individuals who participated in the 2021 Capitol riot, telling voters during a town hall event that the option was not on the table.
While Pence used the appearance to note he was running in the 2024 election cycle because he believes America is in trouble, one of the more key takeaways from the event saw Pence blast Trump's actions on January 6.
Pence underscored that he would always side with the Constitution if elected president.
"I have no interest or no intention of pardoning those that assaulted police officers or vandalized our Capitol. They need to be answerable to the law," said Pence. "I said that those that failed to do that [to leave the Capitol] should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and I continue to believe that today."
He emphasized that the US "cannot ever allow what happened on January 6 to happen again in the heart of our democracy."
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The Pentagon has not discovered any information to support claims that secret programs exist that are in possession of extraterrestrial material
Earlier this week, media reported that former US National Reconnaissance Office representative to the government’s unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) task force David Grusch filed a complaint alleging that disclosures on the recovery of non-human objects were illegally withheld from Congress.
"To date, AARO [All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office] has not discovered any verifiable information to substantiate claims that any programs regarding the possession or reverse-engineering of extraterrestrial materials have existed in the past or exist currently," Defense Department spokesperson Sue Gough said in a statement.
The AARO will follow the data and its investigation wherever it leads, Gough said, adding that any former or current government employee or contractor who believes they have information relevant to the historical review is welcome to aid the program, Gough added.
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Earlier this week, media reported that former US National Reconnaissance Office representative to the government’s unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) task force David Grusch filed a complaint alleging that disclosures on the recovery of non-human objects were illegally withheld from Congress.
"To date, AARO [All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office] has not discovered any verifiable information to substantiate claims that any programs regarding the possession or reverse-engineering of extraterrestrial materials have existed in the past or exist currently," Defense Department spokesperson Sue Gough said in a statement.
The AARO will follow the data and its investigation wherever it leads, Gough said, adding that any former or current government employee or contractor who believes they have information relevant to the historical review is welcome to aid the program, Gough added.
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❗️ Ukrainian Armed Forces are trying to advance in the Zaporozhye region. So far, all their attempts to break through the defenses have ended in failure and huge losses, Vladimir Rogov, a senior official of the Zaporozhye regional administration, told Sputnik
According to Rogov, the enemy sent its maximum military forces and equipment to this sector of the front.
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According to Rogov, the enemy sent its maximum military forces and equipment to this sector of the front.
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📹 Four armored fighting vehicles of the enemy wiped out in DPR
The Ka-52 ground-attack and reconnaissance helicopters eliminate armored vehicles and militants of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the DPR.
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The Ka-52 ground-attack and reconnaissance helicopters eliminate armored vehicles and militants of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the DPR.
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❗️ The acting head of Russia's Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) Denis Pushilin said in an interview with Sputnik that the situation in the recently liberated city of Bakhmut, also known as Artemovsk, was difficult because of constant shelling by Ukrainian troops. But he added that it was under control.
▪️He said the city was being shelled by artillery guns, mortars and drones.
▪️Pushilin said Ukraine's claims that it had retained a presence in Bakhmut were false.
▪️DPR’s leader added that after the restoration of Artemovsk, an official referendum on the name of the city could be held, but even now there is an understanding that local residents support the option which has now been approved.
▪️He also said that Ukrainian troops today need to be moved at least 500km from the administrative borders of the new regions and a new frontier could pass along the Dnepr, but it is necessary to liberate the entire territory of Ukraine.
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▪️He said the city was being shelled by artillery guns, mortars and drones.
▪️Pushilin said Ukraine's claims that it had retained a presence in Bakhmut were false.
▪️DPR’s leader added that after the restoration of Artemovsk, an official referendum on the name of the city could be held, but even now there is an understanding that local residents support the option which has now been approved.
▪️He also said that Ukrainian troops today need to be moved at least 500km from the administrative borders of the new regions and a new frontier could pass along the Dnepr, but it is necessary to liberate the entire territory of Ukraine.
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❗️ Five people died after the sabotage at the Kakhovka HPP and 41 were hospitalized, local authorities said
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🎥 In this week’s episode of the New Rules podcast, host Dimitri Simes Jr. speaks with economist Michael Hudson about the Biden administration's 'class war' against working Americans, why US reindustrialization efforts are unlikely to succeed, the real purpose of sanctions, and de-dollarization.
"The United States calculated two years ago that it cannot compete with Eurasia. It's losing. It knows that it's lost the long term fight for not only dominance, but also the long term fight to be a major player," Michael Hudson said. "So [Washington] says, 'What can we do?' We know that we cannot compete with Eurasia, with China, Russia, Iran and the rest. But the one thing we can do is to lock in American prosperity by making Western Europe and the English-speaking countries, Australia and New Zealand, completely dependent on us."
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"The United States calculated two years ago that it cannot compete with Eurasia. It's losing. It knows that it's lost the long term fight for not only dominance, but also the long term fight to be a major player," Michael Hudson said. "So [Washington] says, 'What can we do?' We know that we cannot compete with Eurasia, with China, Russia, Iran and the rest. But the one thing we can do is to lock in American prosperity by making Western Europe and the English-speaking countries, Australia and New Zealand, completely dependent on us."
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📹 MLRS "Grad" crews of the Russian Armed Forces used the method of "fire combing" in the zone of the special military operation, which enabled it to inflict significant damage on the enemy
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The US, Japan, and Taiwan are planning to begin sharing real-time data from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV)
Washington is purportedly determined to boost military coordination between its allies under the pretext that if China were to attack Taiwan, such a scenario would call for building a “common operational picture” using reconnaissance drones’ capability.
Four MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones – a maritime version of the American Reaper UAV - are to be delivered to Taipei by the US defense contractor General Atomics Aeronautical Systems sometime in 2025, sources were cited as saying. The drones, which can be configured with cross-domain capabilities for a broad range of maritime surveillance operations, are touted as successful in locating, tracking, and targeting enemy ships and radars. The UAVs, once they arrive in Taiwan, would be allowed to integrate into the system deployed by the US military and the Japanese Self-Defense Force in the region. Accordingly, reconnaissance information gathered simultaneously by the drones would be available to all the partners of the system.
Taiwan’s military would then be taught how to operate the new drone system, in conjunction with US and Japanese counterparts, added the report.
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Washington is purportedly determined to boost military coordination between its allies under the pretext that if China were to attack Taiwan, such a scenario would call for building a “common operational picture” using reconnaissance drones’ capability.
Four MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones – a maritime version of the American Reaper UAV - are to be delivered to Taipei by the US defense contractor General Atomics Aeronautical Systems sometime in 2025, sources were cited as saying. The drones, which can be configured with cross-domain capabilities for a broad range of maritime surveillance operations, are touted as successful in locating, tracking, and targeting enemy ships and radars. The UAVs, once they arrive in Taiwan, would be allowed to integrate into the system deployed by the US military and the Japanese Self-Defense Force in the region. Accordingly, reconnaissance information gathered simultaneously by the drones would be available to all the partners of the system.
Taiwan’s military would then be taught how to operate the new drone system, in conjunction with US and Japanese counterparts, added the report.
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📹 Russia's military, using a Lancet-3 kamikaze drone, destroyed the radar station of the IRIS-T anti-aircraft missile system supplied to Kiev by NATO countries
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📹 Footage showing the combat work of Russia's mobile anti-tank units
▪️These mobile groups have made an important contribution to repelling recent attacks by Ukrainian troops.
▪️High cross-country ability and great maneuverability of these units allow them to be moved along the frontline quickly so that they can get into a position advantageous for a shot.
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▪️These mobile groups have made an important contribution to repelling recent attacks by Ukrainian troops.
▪️High cross-country ability and great maneuverability of these units allow them to be moved along the frontline quickly so that they can get into a position advantageous for a shot.
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Catch our Fault Lines show, where we provide updates and analysis on all the most vital stories! Here's our lineup for today:
🔺To kick things off, we'll be focusing on reports of the US knowing in advance about the Nord Stream attack
🔺Next, we’ll speak about the ballooning trade deficit
🔺Finally, we’ll delve into the latest on Ukraine
More trending stories coming your way! Watch the live broadcast on Rumble or 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
🔺To kick things off, we'll be focusing on reports of the US knowing in advance about the Nord Stream attack
🔺Next, we’ll speak about the ballooning trade deficit
🔺Finally, we’ll delve into the latest on Ukraine
More trending stories coming your way! Watch the live broadcast on Rumble or 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
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The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will continue inspections of the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) until the situation around it stabilizes
"The Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant is on the front line. And we are in charge of an important effort to try to prevent a nuclear accident... I believe that, as the head of the IAEA, I should not be simply talking about it [securing the ZNPP], but going there assessing for myself what is going on, talking to the current management there, talking to the operators there, talking to everybody, having an assessment," Director General Rafael Grossi said.
Grossi underscored that he will focus on the consequences of the attack on the Kakhovka dam during his upcoming visit to the Zaporozhye NPP, adding, "basically this is the reason [for the visit]."
The Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant, Europe's largest, uses water from the Kakhovka reservoir for cooling purposes. The Kakhovka dam suffered heavy damage in an attack on Tuesday morning, causing an uncontrollable outflow of water to towns downstream. If the cooling capability of the NPP is affected, possible risks include a meltdown, damage to the reactors themselves, radiological consequences, etc.
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"The Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant is on the front line. And we are in charge of an important effort to try to prevent a nuclear accident... I believe that, as the head of the IAEA, I should not be simply talking about it [securing the ZNPP], but going there assessing for myself what is going on, talking to the current management there, talking to the operators there, talking to everybody, having an assessment," Director General Rafael Grossi said.
Grossi underscored that he will focus on the consequences of the attack on the Kakhovka dam during his upcoming visit to the Zaporozhye NPP, adding, "basically this is the reason [for the visit]."
The Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant, Europe's largest, uses water from the Kakhovka reservoir for cooling purposes. The Kakhovka dam suffered heavy damage in an attack on Tuesday morning, causing an uncontrollable outflow of water to towns downstream. If the cooling capability of the NPP is affected, possible risks include a meltdown, damage to the reactors themselves, radiological consequences, etc.
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📹 The Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopter has fired non-guided bombs to engage the enemy
Video courtesy of Russian MoD.
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Video courtesy of Russian MoD.
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Vladimir Putin is keeping the situation in the Kherson Region under control after the sabotage at the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant
"Putin keeps the situation in the Kherson Region under control after the sabotage and the explosion of the dam. Yesterday, as you know, he instructed the Ministry of Emergency Situations to strengthen its presence there and provide assistance to people and also actively engage in work to eliminate the consequences of this disaster," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
Putin has not current plans of holding a meeting in the Kherson Region after the sabotage, Peskov added.
Emergency teams are selflessly working in the region to deal with the aftermath of the destruction of Kakhovka HPP, even under the conditions of ongoing shelling, the spokesman underscored.
Kremlin spokesman also commented the recent explosion at the Togliatti-Odessa ammonia pipeline, naming it another issue that complicates the extension of the grain deal.
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"Putin keeps the situation in the Kherson Region under control after the sabotage and the explosion of the dam. Yesterday, as you know, he instructed the Ministry of Emergency Situations to strengthen its presence there and provide assistance to people and also actively engage in work to eliminate the consequences of this disaster," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
Putin has not current plans of holding a meeting in the Kherson Region after the sabotage, Peskov added.
Emergency teams are selflessly working in the region to deal with the aftermath of the destruction of Kakhovka HPP, even under the conditions of ongoing shelling, the spokesman underscored.
Kremlin spokesman also commented the recent explosion at the Togliatti-Odessa ammonia pipeline, naming it another issue that complicates the extension of the grain deal.
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German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall has announced that it was awarded a contract from Norway to deliver nearly 300 advanced TG3 MIL 8×8 military trucks
The contract was signed in Oslo by Gro Jeare, director of the Norwegian Defense Materiel Agency (NDMA), and Michael Wittlinger, chairman of the board of management of Rheinmetall, and is worth over €150 million. This is the largest single order of trucks to date coming from Norway.
Michael Wittlinger of the German arms giant boasting 25,000 workers stressed that "more and more NATO armed forces are opting for our TG and HX vehicles" and emphasized it as an "important step toward greater interoperability and resilience." Rheinmetall's known for making the main gun on the Leopard 2 tank.
The country's chief of defense, Erik Kristoffersen, asked to increase the military allocations by NOK 8 billion every year from 2025 to 2031.
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The contract was signed in Oslo by Gro Jeare, director of the Norwegian Defense Materiel Agency (NDMA), and Michael Wittlinger, chairman of the board of management of Rheinmetall, and is worth over €150 million. This is the largest single order of trucks to date coming from Norway.
Michael Wittlinger of the German arms giant boasting 25,000 workers stressed that "more and more NATO armed forces are opting for our TG and HX vehicles" and emphasized it as an "important step toward greater interoperability and resilience." Rheinmetall's known for making the main gun on the Leopard 2 tank.
The country's chief of defense, Erik Kristoffersen, asked to increase the military allocations by NOK 8 billion every year from 2025 to 2031.
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❗️Russian Defense Minister Shoigu: Today at 1:30 am in the Zaporozhye direction, Ukrainian forces attempted to break through the defense with up to 1,500 personnel and 150 units of armored vehicles.
The Ukrainian military was promptly detected and a preemptive strike was carried out by artillery, aviation, and anti-tank means.
The Ukrainian military was promptly detected and a preemptive strike was carried out by artillery, aviation, and anti-tank means.
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