🤔 Ukraine appears to be running out of options in a counteroffensive that officials originally framed as a crucial operation for Kiev, an American daily newspaper says

The failure of Ukraine to show success on the battlefield has raised fears that the conflict has "reached a stalemate" and international support may weaken, the newspaper believes.

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📹 The Russian Army continues to complete all the targets of the special military op using Grad multiple rocket launchers (0:14) (0:24) to hit Ukrainian positions

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The US reportedly faces the problem of restocking its arsenal of artillery munitions and building new production lines with more than two million 155mm shells already sent to Ukraine

The problem is complicated by the fact that the US no longer produces TNT, which is needed to make shells, according to unnamed sources quoted by an American newspaper.

The Pentagon is now collaborating with its allies and partners to increase TNT supplies, “potentially including from Japan.”

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🌘 Luna-25 station, Russia's first lunar mission in its post-Soviet space history, switched to an off-design orbit, collided with the Moon and ceased to exist, according to preliminary calculations, Russia's state space corporation Roscosmos said

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💬 "A great decision for the defense industry, but a disaster for Ukraine and humanity. Why not negotiate"

Supplies of F-16 fighter jets to Kiev pose a threat both to Ukraine and humanity, US presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said

He also noted that these supplies will not stop the "collapse" of the Ukrainian armed forces.

On Friday, a US official confirmed to Sputnik that the US government approved sending F-16 fighter jets from Denmark and the Netherlands to Ukraine as soon as Ukrainian pilots complete training how to operate the aircraft.

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🇳🇪 Niger will return to civilian rule within three years, coup leader Abdourahmane Tchiani says

Tchiani said on state TV that the guidelines for the transition would be determined within 30 days during a dialogue to be organized by the coup leadership. The various political parties will present their vision of the transition, the leader stressed.

The general also noted that the military has no intention of retaining power and that the new military government in Niger is ready for any dialog, "provided the interests of the people of Niger are taken into account"

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American officials secretly admit that they have likely "missed a window" for peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, the US press reported

Military and intelligence officials in Washington are quite skeptical about reaching a positive outcome for Ukraine and the CIA and Pentagon knew from the very beginning that the counteroffensive attempt was likely doomed, according to the media outlet. Yet Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken rejected the idea of negotiations, fueling Kiev's ambitions.

The Kremlin has repeatedly stressed that it is open to negotiations, provided that the "new territorial reality" is recognized. Moscow added that the peace talks should be held with Kiev's Western backers, who are the ones really in charge of current Ukrainian politics.

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📹 Russian FPV drone operators destroy armored vehicles of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Zaporozhye region with direct hits (0:05) (0:10) (0:15)

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

▪️ In the Kupyansk area, Russian forces repelled six attacks by Ukrainian troops. Ukrainian losses amounted to 60 soldiers;

▪️ In the Zaporozhye region, the Russian Army repelled eight attacks by Ukrainian troops. Ukrainian losses amounted to 135 soldiers. The activities of four Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance groups were stopped;

▪️ In the Krasny Liman area, Russian forces repelled three attacks. Ukrainian losses amounted to 70 soldiers;

▪️ In South Donetsk, the Russian Army destroyed more than 130 Ukrainian soldiers;

▪️ In the DPR, Russian forces took out the Ukrainian field ammunition depots near Konstantinovka and Ivano-Daryevka;

▪️ In the Donetsk region, Russian forces repelled six attacks by Ukrainian troops. Ukrainian losses amounted to 280 soldiers;

▪️ Russian air defense systems intercepted three HIMARS MLRS missiles, a HARM missile, and shot down 23 drones.

Tensions are mounting between officials in Washington and Kiev over Ukraine's strategy in the counteroffensive, the Western media reported 

US officials reportedly urged Ukraine to stop avoiding risks and make full use of its forces in the south. Washington also advised Kiev against concentrating its main forces in the eastern direction, but Ukraine instead sent its best units there, the newspaper said.

The report added that US officials are privately preparing for a war of attrition in Ukraine, which may last into 2024, while they continue to publicly reiterate support for Kiev's counteroffensive.

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🇳🇪📹 Thousands of people are participating in demonstrations in Niamey, the capital of Niger, in support for the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP), established by military authorities.

The demonstrators chant anti-French slogans, with some of them waving Nigerien and Russian flags

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Can Russian video games break into the BRICS market?

The video game market in Russia has experienced remarkable growth in recent years, establishing itself as one of the most promising and dynamic sectors in the country's entertainment industry. However, the government seeks new ways to deepen its reach in international markets.

Sputnik provides insight into the Russian gaming industry and other related details that highlight the economic significance of this market and its prospects.

Check out this Sputnik's article

Hi, friends! A special New Rules episode dedicated to the upcoming BRICS Summit is on its way ⏳

Dimitri Simes Jr. and our guest will talk about the New World Order, whether BRICS can put an end to neocolonialism in Africa, how the BRICS Bank provides endless opportunities for greater trade and investment integration for numerous countries, and even more…

In the meantime, you can check out our previous episodes:

💥 Dr. Paul Craig Roberts "The End of US Dollar Hegemony?"
💥 Tom Luongo "Ukraine Hawks Run Into Economic Reality"
💥 Judge Andrew Napolitano "Can Trump Strike Ukraine Peace Deal?"

🔊 Tune in to Radio Sputnik at 105.5FM, 104.7FM, 102.9FM, 1390AM, 1140AM

🇪🇨 Ecuador to vote Sunday in snap general election marred by campaign violence

Ecuadorians will go to the polls on Sunday to elect a new president and parliament as the South American nation continues to reel from the brutal assassination of a presidential candidate.

Troops will ensure security at polling places under the state of emergency, which President Lasso announced last week following the killing of Fernando Villavicencio, a top presidential candidate from the conservative Construye Movement.

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Wildfire on Spain's Tenerife spreads to over 20,700 acres

A forest fire raging on the largest of Spain's Canary Islands, Tenerife, has consumed 8,398 hectares (20,751 acres) of land, the Canary Islands government said on Sunday, adding that evacuations orders were issued in 11 municipalities.

"The forest fire is spreading in 10 municipalities, although evacuations are being carried out in 11, its area stands at 8,398 hectares in a perimeter of 70 kilometers [43 miles]," the government said in a statement.

The wildfire prompted the evacuation of 12,279 people, the statement added. On Saturday, the Canary Islands Rescue Service said that preliminary estimates suggest the number of evacuees could exceed 26,000.

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🇷🇺🇨🇳 Russia supplied 4.46 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) worth $2.98 billion to China over January-July 2023, up 62.7% compared to the same period last year, according to data released by China's General Administration of Customs on Sunday.

In January-July 2022, China purchased 2.74 tonnes of LNG from Russia, while, in the whole year, Beijing imported 6.485 million tonnes from Russia for $6.732 billion.

Russian pipeline gas supplies to China increased in January-July 2023 by almost 100% (98.98%) and amounted to $3.942 billion. The Chinese customs does not publish data on the volume of supplies, but only financial information.

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🌍 Forthcoming BRICS Summit 'is already a success', experts say

The world's attention will focus on the 15th BRICS Summit, which is to kick off in South Africa in Johannesburg on Tuesday. The event will bring together the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, along with many other participants from outside the bloc.

Just before the summit, Sputnik Africa decided to discuss the expectations from it with leading experts.

👉 Read the full article!

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Key takeaways from Russia's Army-2023 forum

The international military-technical forum Army-2023 wrapped up in Kubinka outside Moscow on Sunday, after the seven-day event was attended by tens of thousands of visitors and saw the signing of hefty defense contracts. The Army-2023 forum, which was held in the Moscow region on August 14-20, saw several major events that took place under its aegis.

What are the main results of the forum?

Check out the event’s official media partner Sputnik to find out.

🇮🇳 🇷🇺 First International Buddhist Forum in Ulan-Ude: Uniting Cultures

The capital of Russia's Buryat Republic, Ulan-Ude, hosted the momentous First International Buddhist Forum from August 17 to 19. The theme of the forum, "Traditional Buddhism and Modern Challenges," resonated across borders, attracting delegates from 13 different nations.

🌐 Diverse representations were evident, with foreign Buddhists hailing from countries like Sri Lanka, Bhutan, India, China, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

Minds from across the globe convened to delve into the depths of Buddhism's essence and confront the contemporary challenges it faces.

📹 Watch our video to learn more!

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🇩🇰 The Danish Ministry of Defense will transfer F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, but on the condition that the Ukrainian pilots undergo training, the necessary permits will be obtained, and the country will prepare the infrastructure for the use of aircraft

Earlier, Zelensky said that the Netherlands had agreed to transfer 42 American fighter jets. However, the Dutch prime minister later denied this information to Reuters. Amsterdam has only 42 F-16s, how many of them it is ready to provide to Kiev is still unknown.

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At least 7 people dead after bus with FC Corinthians fans Overturns in Brazil, reports say

A bus carrying fans of Brazil's Corinthians football club overturned on a local highway, killing at least seven people, Brazilian media reported on Sunday.

Seven people died on the spot, while 10 people were trapped under the overturned bus, the report said. Emergency services already arrived at the scene. One of the victims who sustained several fractures was transported to a hospital by helicopter.

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