🇺🇸 Milley laughed off Zaluzhny's demand to transfer F-16 fighters to Ukraine - Washington Post

The incident occurred during a telephone conversation between former head of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley and Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Valery Zaluzhny after the leak of classified Pentagon documents in April 2023.

Zaluzhny assured him that the leak would be useful to Ukraine, a senior Ukrainian official said. “How so?” Milley asked. “It doesn’t say we have F-16s there, so send us some of those ASAP,” Zaluzhny said. Milley laughed in response, the source said.

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💰 Due to the rise in world gold prices, Russian reserves of this metal reached a record 151.9 billion dollars, according to data from Russia’s Central Bank.

The value of Russia's investments in gold increased by 2.2% in November, which was the highest level in modern history. The previous high was $148.7 billion in October.

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📹 Russian Grad MLRS crews at night destroyed the positions of Ukrainian forces in the Krasny Liman direction in the special military op zone.

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👋 Dear subscribers! Don't forget to join our exclusive stream with Dimitri Simes Jr. from Sputnik International as well as Simeon Boikov (@AussieCossack) right after Vladimir Putin's Q&A session. We'll discuss the main highlights of the event with the Russian president, sum up the political results of the year, and more!

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📻 Tune in from the US to Radio Sputnik at 105.5FM, 1390AM (Washington DC) and 104.7FM, 102.9FM, 1140АМ (Kansas City)

🇷🇺🪖 Key points of Russian MoD briefing on progress of special military op in Ukraine:

▪️ Ukrainian warehouses of missile and artillery weapons were destroyed in the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions;

▪️ In the Kupyansk direction, five attacks by Ukrainian forces were repelled at Sinkovka, Kiev’s total losses amounted to 45 military personnel, a tank, and two armored vehicles;

▪️ In the Krasny Liman direction, an attack by a Ukrainian assault group in the Yampolovka area was repelled; enemy losses amounted to up to 180 military personnel;

▪️ In the South Donetsk direction, a blow was struck on enemy positions in the Novomikhailovka area, enemy losses amounted to up to 90 troops killed and wounded;

▪️ In the Donetsk direction, six attacks were repelled and Kiev lost up to 265 military personnel, while during a counter-battery fight, two Akatsiya self-propelled guns, three Msta-B howitzers, and a D-30 gun were hit;

▪️ In the Zaporozhye direction, a blow was struck against Ukrainian manpower and equipment in the Rabotino area, with enemy losses amounting to up to 45 military personnel;

▪️ In the Kherson direction, enemy losses amounted to up to 40 military personnel.

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🛫 The United Kingdom, Italy and Japan have inked an international agreement within the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) military program to develop a cutting-edge stealth fighter with supersonic capability that is expected to come into operation by 2035, the UK Defense Ministry said on Thursday.

The supersonic stealth jet will be equipped with "a powerful radar" able to provide 10,000 times more data than current systems and deliver "a battle-winning advantage," the statement read.

Earlier, the Russian state corporation Rostec announced that Russia has completed scientific work on creating a test stand for testing the new generation PAK DA (Perspective Aviation Complex of Long-Range Aviation) bomber. The new bomber is being developed by Tupolev. It is expected to enter service in 2027.

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📹 Footage from the hall where Vladimir Putin's Annual Presser and Q&A Session will take place in 30 minutes

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⚡ Vladimir Putin's marathon news conference has started!

Follow the live here or on our website

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❗️ The existence of Russia without sovereignty is impossible, Vladimir Putin emphasizes

❗️ "The primary objective is to bolster Russia's sovereignty, fortify border security, and safeguard the rights and freedoms of [our] citizens," the president remarked.

The Russian economy is strong enough to move forward, Putin said, adding that the financial and economic system of Russia is stable.

❗️"The growth of the Russian economy is expected to be 3.5%; this is a good indicator. The decline of last year is being recouped," Putin stated.

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❗️Sustainable development of the Russian Federation is guaranteed for the medium term, Putin said

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❗️ Russia's unemployment rate at 2.9% already, first time ever - Vladimir Putin

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❗️ Peace will come about, once Russia achieves its goals in the special operation, Putin said

Denazification in Ukraine is still on the agenda, Putin said, adding that since Ukraine does not want to agree on demilitarizing the country, Russia is using other measures.

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The West gave Kiev everything it promised, but we have already destroyed 747 tanks and 2,300 armored vehicles since the beginning of Kiev’s counteroffensive, Putin stated.

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❗️ The existence of Russia without sovereignty is impossible, Vladimir Putin emphasizes

Putin: Ukraine today no longer produces almost any weapons; everything is brought to them “for free,” but this freebie is ending.

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❗️ Peace will come about, once Russia achieves its goals in the special military operation, Putin said