NATO is working out a scenario of armed confrontation with Russia during ongoing exercises in Europe that increase tensions, said Nikolai Patrushev, secretary of the Russian Security Council.

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A terrorist attack was prevented in Russia's Karelia Republic in the north west of the country.

A citizen of Belarus from the nationalist Kastus Kalinovsky Regiment planned to blow up an administrative building in the Olonets town, the Russian Federal Security Service reported.

The man was recruited by the Ukrainian special services and opened fire on intelligence officers during his arrest. There are no casualties among the representatives of the security agencies and the civilian population.

A bomb made on the basis of a British-made explosive and an American detonator, as well as a pistol and cartridges, were seized from the terrorist.

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The military intelligence of Ukraine reported that mercenaries from more than 50 countries of the world are fighting in the Ukrainian troops.

The Russian Defense Ministry has repeatedly stated that the Kiev regime is using foreign mercenaries as "cannon fodder" and that the Russian military will continue to eliminate them throughout Ukraine.

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Easy way to get benefits: Spanish soldiers change gender

41 men in Spain's North African autonomous city of Ceuta have already changed their gender on official documents from male to female in order to gain certain privileges: higher pay and better sleeping quarters, thanks to Spain's "trans law" aimed at helping transgender people.

"On the outside I feel like a heterosexual man, but inside I am a lesbian," Army Corporal Roberto Perdigones told the Spanish newspaper El Español.

Perdigones said that after changing his gender on his documents, he received a 15 percent pay raise.

Imagine what they get on International Women's Day...

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Miracles don't happen: an icon saved the life of a Russian fighter

Russian soldier with callsign "13th" has been hit, however an icon saved him from a shrapnel wound.

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💐 "Sergei Kuzugetovich [Shoigu], this is not for you": Putin jokes, congratulating female Russian pilots on International Women's Day.

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"They are hiding behind the backs of civilians": CNN was unexpectedly told the truth about the Russian-Ukrainian conflict

An American journalist talked to civilians in the city of Chasov Yar, who said that the Ukrainian Armed Forces were approaching houses and using civilians as human shields. Another person admitted that his relatives live in Russia.

The reporter came to the conclusion that that the people living in the town are “ok that Russia comes”.

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❗️Russian air defenses shot down six HIMARS rockets and an AASM Hammer guided aerial bomb during the day

🇷🇺🪖 Other statements from the Russian Defense Ministry briefing on the progress of the special military operation in Ukraine:

▪️ In the DPR, Ukrainian losses amounted to 200 soldiers, three tanks and four ammunition depots that were destroyed. In the southern DPR, Ukrainian forces lost up to 160 soldiers during the day;

▪️In the Avdeyevka area, Russian troops repelled four attacks by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the enemy lost up to 390 soldiers;

▪️In the Kherson region, Russian forces destroyed an ammunition depot of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

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Which 2023 event was the most vivid and memorable for Vladimir Putin?

At a meeting with female pilots of the Krasnodar Higher Military Aviation School, the Russian president explained that for him, that the most significant things happened on the battlefield in the special operation zone.

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Germany’s intention to revive military connoscription ‘might result in new arms race in Europe’

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius’ consideration of reintroducing compulsory military service in his country is a clear sign that rearmament is taking place in Europe, Mikael Valtersson, former officer of Swedish Armed Forces, told Sputnik.

Such a process “might result in a new arms race and increased confrontations in Europe,” Valtersson warned.

“With connoscription, the entire society becomes much more militarized, since a large part of the population has military experience,” he added.

By significantly enlarging its military, Germany will inevitably gain greater “influence in European security and politics”. Additionally, he emphasized that with a military that includes connoscription, Germany's ability to potentially supplant the US as the primary conventional defender in Europe will become even stronger.

He was echoed by Stefan Keuter, German politician for the Alternative for Germany, who told Sputnik that if strengthened, the European “axis of the alliance” could lessen its dependence on the United States. The AfD politician emphasized the importance of remaining prepared for defense, expressing uncertainty about future developments in Washington. Keuter appeared to allude to Donald Trump's comments about not defending NATO countries that fail to meet spending requirements.

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What does the Biden administration want to do with the 2025 defense budget?

With the clock ticking for the Biden administration’s March 11 unveiling of the US defense budget for the fiscal year (FY) 2025, some details on the matter have already emerged. The budget reportedly includes the following:

▪️The White House will request a 1% increase in defense spending to $849.8 billion, about $10 billion less than Washington had forecast;

▪️The Department of Defense (DoD) will reduce orders for fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets and much-delayed Virginia-class submarines;

▪️The Pentagon earlier included a request for 83 new F-35s in the FY2025 defense budget, but the number would now be reduced to only 70, saving $1.6 billion;

▪️The US Navy’s request for Virginia-class submarines will be cut from two to one;

▪️Procurement spending for the USS Wisconsin, the second Columbia-class submarine, is expected to stand at $9.6 billion for the FY2025, up from $5.8 billion in procurement requested for this year;

▪️The Biden administration will request that Congress approve $167.5 billion for procurement of weapons systems and $143.2 billion for research and development;

▪️The figures are out of sync with last year’s projections that Washington would seek $175.3 billion for procurement and $145 billion for R&D;

▪️Additionally, the White House considers tapping about $200 million in Pentagon funding to support Ukraine as the 60$ billion support package remains stalled in Congress.

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The protocol on Sweden's accession to NATO has entered into force, the US Department of State announced.

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💥 Round the clock: Russian paratroopers eliminate Ukrainian soldiers near Seversk, the DPR

Grad MLRS crews defeat the enemy on a daily basis, supporting the advance of Russian infantry units and preventing Ukrainian troops from rotating in forward positions.

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Moldova is planning to arrest the head of the autonomous region of Gagauzia, Evgenia Gutsul, after her return from Russia, according to opposition politician Ilan Shor.

"We have insider information that they are preparing to arrest Yevgenia Gutsul right at the airport," Shor said.

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