📹 A Russian Uragan MLRS crew destroys a Ukrainian stronghold in South Donetsk direction

The power of MLRS is sufficient to destroy not only heavy hardware, but also fortified command posts, and even fortifications with concrete walls.

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The United States intends to kill Russia’s Arctic LNG 2 project through sanctions coordinated with the Group of Seven (G7) partners and others, US Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources Geoffrey Pyatt said.

"Our objective is to kill that project, and we are doing that through our sanctions, working with our partners in the Group of Seven and beyond," Pyatt stated during a US Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing.

Earlier this month, the United States sanctioned the Arctic LNG 2, which is the second-largest liquified natural gas production project and is owned by the Russian energy company Novatek.

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Fierce clashes between US forces and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on one side and the Syrian army and its allies on the other have broken out in Deir ez-Zor Governorate in eastern Syria, Lebanese broadcaster reported Thursday, citing a source.

"Fierce clashes between American forces and the SDF on one side and the Syrian army and its allies on the other are underway, and various medium-caliber weapons, heavy artillery and rockets are being used," the source told the broadcaster.

The source added that US forces and SDF units are fighting from east of the Euphrates, while the Syrian army and its allies are engaged in clashes from their positions west of the Euphrates.

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🇷🇺🇰🇿 This morning, Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Kazakhstan for talks, where he was met by his Kazakh counterpart

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GOP presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy: “Ukraine is not a paragon of democracy. This is a country that has banned 11 opposition parties. It has consolidated all media into one state TV media arm. That’s not democratic. It has threatened not to hold elections this year unless the U.S. forks over more money. That is not democratic.”

“It celebrated a Nazi in its ranks — the comedian in cargo pants, a man called Zelensky — doing it in their own ranks. That is not democratic."

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The Houthis showed a video in which they allegedly shoot down an American MQ-9 Reaper UAV over Yemeni territorial waters. A few hours later, the Pentagon confirmed the report.

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An American military base near the Al-Omar oil field east of the Syrian city of Deir ez-Zor came under fire several times last night, an Arab TV channel reported.

According to the channel, at least 15 rockets were fired at the base.

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🇫🇷 France should withdraw from the European Union and give its place to Ukraine, said the leader of the French Patriots party Florian Philippot on social network X.

"The EU has just informed Zelensky that Ukraine can join the union! Negotiations officially begin! Let's leave room for Ukraine and leave as soon as possible!" - the politician suggested.

He called the EU's decision to start accession talks with beggar and corruption-prone Ukraine "colossal madness" that will only make things worse for the EU.

"Let the EU deal with Ukraine on its own and we will leave," Filippo summed up.

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🇺🇸 During the Miami debate, GOP presidential candidates weighed in on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict:

▪️ Ron DeSantis stressed Israel should “finish the job once and for all with these butchers, Hamas,” adding that he was “sick of hearing other people blame Israel for defending itself.”

▪️ He was echoed by Nikki Haley, who said that Israel must wipe out the Palestinian militant group and that “The only thing we should be doing is supporting them in eliminating Hamas.”

▪️Chris Christie insisted the US “would have to work with Israel to degrade Hamas and ensure “something like this can’t happen to kill 1,400 individuals again.”

▪️ Senator Tim Scott demanded to "cut off the head of the snake" [Iran], and Israel should "wipe Hamas off the face of the Earth" - the US will support him.

▪️ Vivek Ramaswamy said: “What I would tell Bibi is that Israel has the right and the responsibility to defend itself.”

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What about Ukraine?

▪️ Commenting on possibly sending American troops to Kiev, DeSantis said he would rather "send troops to our southern border."

▪️ Ramaswamy slammed Ukraine as corrupt, adding, “To frame this as some kind of battle of good versus evil: Don’t buy it. Ukraine is not a paragon of democracy.”

▪️ Scott noted the lack of accountability on US weapons sent to Kiev.

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🇵🇸🇮🇱 Latest updates on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict:

▪️ Now is not the time to discuss the future of the Gaza Strip and how it will be governed - today we need a ceasefire, said Russia's Permanent Representative to the UN Vassily Nebenzia.

▪️ The escalation of the conflict has caused public anger against the US, the State Department admitted.

▪️ The IDF claimed to have destroyed 130 Hamas tunnel shafts since the start of the war, as Israel continues to "expand" its ground operation in Gaza.

▪️ The US has taken "additional measures to communicate directly with Iran" that it does not seek to escalate the conflict in the Middle East amid the conflict, a senior US defense official said.

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Watch LIVE: Putin Meets with Kazakh President Tokayev

Follow the live on Sputnik website

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👀 Biden was scheduled to speak at the American Possibilities interactive exhibit at the White House. But... something went wrong.

Instead, Biden suddenly walked backstage and the broadcast was abruptly interrupted.

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