⚡️At 11:40 Moscow time, the Russian army launched a high-precision missile strike on a hangar in the industrial port area of Odessa, where preparations were being made for the combat use of unmanned boats of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the Russian Ministry of Defense said.

The target was hit.

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What’s known about Russia’s new Groza.04.K man-portable anti-FPV drone system

The Groza.04.K (lit. ‘Thunderstorm.04.K’) is designed to fight enemy FPV drones – a new class of UAVs used for kamikaze attacks, bombing runs, electronic and optoelectronic reconnaissance, and to serve as decoys to friendly radar and missile systems during enemy attacks.

The complex was created by the Novgorod-based Kvant Research and Production Enterprise - a pioneer of consumer televisions using analog signals, which are used by FPV drones

▪️ Mass production of the Groza.04.K is said to have begun, with Russian defense giant Rostec confirming that “the first batch has already been sent to the troops.”

▪️ The Groza.04.K kit was created in record time: the task to design a portable anti-FPV system was set in August 2023, and the system, which features “unique design solutions,” was built and delivered to the Defense Ministry for trials by the fall.

▪️ Rostec has not provided much information about the defense complex’s capabilities, but has published images of its carrying container, with the toolbox-sized black plastic box a sign that the system is portable enough to be toted around in a vehicle or on foot by a single trooper.

Kvant is a leading Russian developer and manufacturer of ground-based electronic reconnaissance and electronic suppression systems, including the 1L269 mobile jamming module (aka the Krasukha-2, lit. ‘Beauty-2’) and the 1L267 Moskva-1 mobile radio-electronic warfare system.

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📹Participants in the closing ceremony of the World Youth Festival sing the Russian anthem.

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How was the World Youth Festival 2024 going?

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Ray Kilicho from Tanzania during the closing ceremony of the World Youth Festival: youth is cool, and the organizers are great for supporting youth

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Israel goes on massive $8 billion bond sale spree since outbreak of Hamas war

Israel has issued bonds to the tune of $8 billion, in a transaction featuring $2 billion notes maturing in five years, $3 billion bonds due in 10 years, and $3 billion notes due in 30 years, according to sources cited by Bloomberg.

The recent bond issuance is the largest in Israel's history, setting a record for the country's financial sector. It also represents the first offering of Israel's international dollar bonds in the public market since the conflict with Hamas broke out.

The transaction aimed at shoring up badly needed funds was handled by Goldman Sachs Group Inc., BNP Paribas SA, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, and Deutsche Bank AG. It is anticipated that Israel will sell an almost record amount of local and global securities this year.

The ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict has stung Israel’s economy, with Moody’s Investors Service slashing the government’s rating by one level to A2 in February, while keeping Israel's credit outlook "negative."

Israel is expected to run up one of its widest budget deficits this century. According to the Bank of Israel, the conflict may cost Tel Aviv around $70.3 billion by the end of 2025, equivalent to around 13% of GDP.

Madish Parikh from India: I love Russia, come to Russia and you will love it too.

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🇦🇷 Nicolas Reyna from Argentina thanks his mother and encourages others to love family.

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Participants in the closing ceremony of the World Youth Festival sing together with Nicolas Reyna.

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World Youth Festival unites all peoples of the world

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❗️Putin takes part in the World Youth Festival's Closing Ceremony.

Watch the livestream here or follow the link to the Sputnik's website

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The closing ceremony of the festival was also attended by members of the Immortal Regiment.

The “Immortal Regiment” is widely known as a movement that conducts processions in Russia and abroad in memory of the participants and victims of the Great Patriotic War.

Participants and guests paid tribute to those who died in the Second World War