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.

Subscribe to @SputnikInt

📹 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)

Subscribe to @SputnikInt

❗️ 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.

Subscribe to @SputnikInt

🇳🇪📹 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

Subscribe to @sputnik_africa

🔸 Sputnik Africa | TikTok | Odysee | Twitter 🔸

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.

Subscribe to @SputnikInt

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.

Subscribe to @SputnikInt

🇷🇺🇨🇳 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.

Subscribe to @SputnikInt

🌍 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!

Subscribe to @sputnik_africa

🔸 Sputnik Africa | TikTok | Odysee | Twitter 🔸

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!

Subscribe to @sputniknewsindia

🇩🇰 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.

Subscribe to @SputnikInt

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.

Subscribe to @SputnikInt

Scott Ritter: For NATO and Ukraine, Reality Bites

Sputnik's columnist Scott Ritter reveals the reasons why Ukraine will never be able to join NATO, quoting from the film Reality Bites. The author also describes the current state of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, noting that the stuffing of the Ukrainian military with weapons did not bring results.

Check out his full article on Sputnik's website

🇩🇪 Scholz says Germany reluctant to drag NATO into conflict as Ukraine awaits Taurus missiles

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz argued on Sunday that his government was not rushing to approve Taurus missile deliveries to Ukraine because it feared dragging NATO into a war with Russia.

🗣 "What we do not want is for the war between Russia and Ukraine... to evolve into a war between Russia and NATO," he said during an open-doors event in Berlin in response to a question about why Berlin was delaying the decision.

Scholz told a German broadcaster in an interview last week that his government was assessing the possibility of granting Ukraine's wish. Talks are underway about whether the weapon could be modified to make it impossible for Ukraine to strike inside Russia.

Subscribe to @SputnikInt

Is it a good idea to invest in gold?

Is gold merely a relic of the past or does it still hold a crucial place in modern investment portfolios? As we navigate the complexities of 2023, Sputnik delves into the allure of investing in this precious metal. Debates often revolve around the notion that gold has become an old-fashioned asset, no longer retaining the monetary attributes it once possessed.

Sputnik expounds on the immense value of investing in this precious metal and will further reveal other pertinent aspects.

Subscribe to @SputnikInt

🇮🇳 🤿 Meet Delhi's Daredevil Divers Risking Their Lives to Save Drowning People

🗯 "This year, the Delhi flood turned out to be catastrophic, something which the city has never faced, pushing our divers to work tirelessly day in, day out for 10 days without returning their home," Harish Kumar, the in-charge of the Delhi Boat Club, says.

🎖Kumar added that the 20 self-taught divers of his team had managed to rescue 2,600 people, 940 cows, and 450 dogs from floods after the Yamuna River this monsoon season.

The 20 self-taught divers of the Delhi Boat Club can fish bodies out of the water when it is 40 to 50 feet deep without wearing a diving suit or oxygen support.

👉 Read full story on Sputnik India!

🇱🇾 Libyan Central Bank announces reunification after years of division

The bank issued a statement saying that Saddek Omar ElKaber, the governor of the Tripoli-based branch in the west, and his eastern-based deputy, Maree Muftah Raheel, had made a breakthrough at a meeting attended by officials from both branches.

"Both the Governor and his Deputy have announced that the Central Bank of Libya has returned as a unified sovereign institution, and have reaffirmed that they will both continue to make efforts to address the issues that had arose from the division," it read.

Subscribe to @SputnikInt

🤔 “Who is the real threat to world peace?”

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian counted US military bases

Subscribe to @SputnikInt