Why the odds of Germany giving Taurus missiles to Ukraine do not seem very high
The current situation with Taurus missile production in Germany, which has been suspended but could be resumed if a contract comes along, makes it unlikely that Berlin will supply these weapons to Ukraine, says Mikael Valtersson, a former officer of the Swedish Armed Forces and chief of staff of the Sweden Democrats political party.
Many subcontractors involved in the missile’s productions have since moved to other pursuits, he explains, convincing them to focus on Taurus manufacturing would entail convincing them that “investments will be repaid and profits assured.”
However, the relatively high cost of Taurus missiles makes it unlikely that there would be many orders for them, save for the procurement order to replace the missiles that would be sent to Ukraine, which makes the latter's development rather unlikely, argues Valtersson.
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The current situation with Taurus missile production in Germany, which has been suspended but could be resumed if a contract comes along, makes it unlikely that Berlin will supply these weapons to Ukraine, says Mikael Valtersson, a former officer of the Swedish Armed Forces and chief of staff of the Sweden Democrats political party.
Many subcontractors involved in the missile’s productions have since moved to other pursuits, he explains, convincing them to focus on Taurus manufacturing would entail convincing them that “investments will be repaid and profits assured.”
“This demands substantial long-term orders. The same goes for Taurus which has to hire and train skilled workers and probably has to sign long term contracts with subcontractors and other suppliers,” he continues.
However, the relatively high cost of Taurus missiles makes it unlikely that there would be many orders for them, save for the procurement order to replace the missiles that would be sent to Ukraine, which makes the latter's development rather unlikely, argues Valtersson.
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Russia strongly condemns Israeli airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, considers attacks on diplomatic facilities unacceptable, the Foreign Ministry said.
Russia believes that any aggressive actions of Israeli are "are totally unacceptable and must be stopped," the ministry added.
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"We strongly condemn this attack on the Iranian consular mission in Syria. We consider any attacks on diplomatic and consular facilities … to be completely unacceptable," the ministry said in a statement.
Russia believes that any aggressive actions of Israeli are "are totally unacceptable and must be stopped," the ministry added.
"We urge the Israeli leadership to abandon the practice of provocative acts of force on the territory of Syria and other neighboring countries, which can lead to extremely dangerous consequences throughout the region," the statement read.
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Russian air defense destroyed two Ukrainian drones over the territory of the Belgorod region, the Russian Defense Ministry said
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The main points from Nikolai Patrushev, Secretary of the Russian Security Council, interview with Russian newspaper Argumenty i Fakty:
◾️ NATO does not shy away from using terrorist organizations in its own interests;
◾️ NATO is a de facto party to the Ukrainian conflict:
◾️ The statement by the head of NATO's military committee about readiness for a conflict with Russia is in line with the alliance's entire policy;
◾️ European countries have become NATO's economic and political backstop, obediently fulfilling all the alliance's military plans;
◾️ NATO's plans include preserving Ukraine or a part of it as an all-controlled anti-Russian territory;
◾️ NATO actively participates in organizing shelling of Russian territories by Ukrainian neo-Nazis;
◾️ NATO is systematically strengthening its military potential along Russia's borders from the Barents Sea to the Black Sea;
◾️ There is irrefutable evidence that Kiev, at the behest of the USA and NATO, after February 2014 thought to solve the issue of then Ukraine's eastern regions in an extremely harsh manner.
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“The North Atlantic Alliance is de facto a party of the Ukrainian conflict and is actively involved in organizing shelling of Russian territories by neo-Nazis. Within its framework, collective decisions are made on new supplies of weapons with an increase in their technical and long-range capabilities," Patrushev said;
"NATO instructors are training mercenaries and saboteurs on the territory of several countries for their participation in anti-Russian operations," Patrushev stated;
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Iran has the right to take action as a response to today’s Israeli attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, the Iranian Mission to the UN said.
In addition, the statement called the airstrike on its consulate “a huge violation of international law” and a terrorist attack, asking to convene a UN Security Council meeting.
Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian called on the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to take urgent action against Israel after the attack on the consulate in Damascus
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“The aggressor Zionist regime bears full responsibility for its consequences and the Islamic Republic of Iran reserves its legitimate and inherent right under international law and the UN Charter to take a decisive response to such reprehensible acts,” the statement said.
In addition, the statement called the airstrike on its consulate “a huge violation of international law” and a terrorist attack, asking to convene a UN Security Council meeting.
Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian called on the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to take urgent action against Israel after the attack on the consulate in Damascus
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North Korea has launched a ballistic missile towards the Sea of Japan, South Korean news agency Yonhap reported, citing the South Korean military.
The missile flew about 650 km at a maximum flight altitude of 100 km, the Japanese Coast Guard reported with reference to the country's Ministry of Defense.
The missile flew about 650 km at a maximum flight altitude of 100 km, the Japanese Coast Guard reported with reference to the country's Ministry of Defense.
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Sputnik International
Iran has the right to take action as a response to today’s Israeli attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, the Iranian Mission to the UN said. “The aggressor Zionist regime bears full responsibility for its consequences and the Islamic Republic of Iran…
Washington must answer for Israeli strike on Iranian consulate in Syria, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said
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Netanyahu’s ‘personal agenda’ is not hostages
The ultimate goal of Israel is to “quietize” the “Palestinian issue” so that it can move on to normalizing relations with the Arab world.
“The Arab peoples do not want to normalize with Israel in any way,” Halper explained. “But the governments… are very interested in normalizing with Israel,” noting that Saudi Arabia had made progress towards that before the October 7 Hamas attack. Unfortunately, Halper does not believe there is a just solution for the Palestinians that Israel will accept.
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“[Netanyahu] has a personal agenda because the longer the war goes on, there won’t be elections. He’s very unpopular. He’s being tried, he has three different trials going on, and he can delay, delay, delay everything as long as the war goes on,” Israeli-American anthropologist and anti-war activist Jeff Halper told Sputnik’s Fault Lines.
The ultimate goal of Israel is to “quietize” the “Palestinian issue” so that it can move on to normalizing relations with the Arab world.
“The Arab peoples do not want to normalize with Israel in any way,” Halper explained. “But the governments… are very interested in normalizing with Israel,” noting that Saudi Arabia had made progress towards that before the October 7 Hamas attack. Unfortunately, Halper does not believe there is a just solution for the Palestinians that Israel will accept.
“You can’t really have a just solution to the Palestinian issue because that means the end of Israel,” Halper began. “So how do we impose an apartheid regime, but sweeten it enough in terms of power for the Palestinian Authority collaborators?”
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US reportedly weighs selling Israel F-15s, JDAM bombs, air-to-air missiles
The US is mulling selling F-15 fighter jets, air-to-air missiles, and precision bombs to Israel as the US ally continues bombing Gaza and is preparing a ground operation in refugee-flooded Rafah, Politico reported on Monday, citing a congressional aide and a person familiar with the discussions.
The Biden administration has already notified some relevant congressional committees about its intention to sell the weapons to Israel, but the sale has not been yet formally approved and it could take years to deliver them, the report added.
This decision, if taken, could make other countries question the sincerity of the Biden administration's concern for the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and once again emphasize the US' role in the Middle East escalation.
Russian president Vladimir Putin previously noted that the US discredit in every possible way those countries that insist on an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, on stopping the bloodshed, and are ready to make a real contribution to the settlement of the crisis.
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The US is mulling selling F-15 fighter jets, air-to-air missiles, and precision bombs to Israel as the US ally continues bombing Gaza and is preparing a ground operation in refugee-flooded Rafah, Politico reported on Monday, citing a congressional aide and a person familiar with the discussions.
The two countries are discussing a sale of up to 50 new F-15 fighter jets, 30 AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles, and a number of Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) kits also known as 500lbs (230 kg) precision bombs, the report said.
The Biden administration has already notified some relevant congressional committees about its intention to sell the weapons to Israel, but the sale has not been yet formally approved and it could take years to deliver them, the report added.
This decision, if taken, could make other countries question the sincerity of the Biden administration's concern for the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and once again emphasize the US' role in the Middle East escalation.
Russian president Vladimir Putin previously noted that the US discredit in every possible way those countries that insist on an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, on stopping the bloodshed, and are ready to make a real contribution to the settlement of the crisis.
"They [the US] do not need lasting peace in the Holy Land, they need permanent chaos in the Middle East," Putin said.
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❗️Russia has called for a UN Security Council meeting in response to Israel's airstrike on an Iranian consulate in Syria. It will be held on April 2, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
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US state of California court rejected Hunter Biden’s request to drop tax evasion charges against him.
In December, prosecutors charged US President Joe Biden’s son with nine criminal charges for allegedly spending money on an "extravagant lifestyle" instead of paying federal taxes. Hunter engaged in a four-year scheme to avoid at least $1.4 million in taxes, prosecutors added.
He also faces tax and firearms charges in the state of Delaware.
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In December, prosecutors charged US President Joe Biden’s son with nine criminal charges for allegedly spending money on an "extravagant lifestyle" instead of paying federal taxes. Hunter engaged in a four-year scheme to avoid at least $1.4 million in taxes, prosecutors added.
He also faces tax and firearms charges in the state of Delaware.
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As the situation becomes more desperate for Ukraine, it is only a matter of time before NATO troops start operating “openly” in the country, security and international relations analyst Mark Sleboda told Sputnik’s Fault Lines on Monday. He also predicted that Ukraine will resort to more terror attacks as its troops are forced to step back.
“Eventually, I'm positive we are going to see NATO member state troops openly–under flag–on Ukrainian soil. I think it’s just a matter of time.”
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“I think as their desperation grows and Russia’s advances on the battlefield come faster, with more casualties on the Kiev regime side and far fewer casualties on the Russian side,” Sleboda explained. “They will grow more desperate and more panicked and they will continue to do more, shall we say, unconventional, dirty things like terror attacks.”
“Eventually, I'm positive we are going to see NATO member state troops openly–under flag–on Ukrainian soil. I think it’s just a matter of time.”
“[Head of Security Service of Ukraine] Vasyl Malyuk, he admitted, he flat out spoke on Ukrainian TV that yes, we, we did this, we did this… basically everything except for Crocus, they’re basically admitting now. The unwilling suicide bombing attack on the Kerch bridge to Crimea as well,” Sleboda explained. “They admitted to all of these, and these are acts of terrorism, of state terrorism.”
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❗️Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), together with the Federal Customs Service, has blocked the smuggling channel for the delivery of explosives from Ukraine to Russia via EU countries, the agency said.
The FSB said it had managed to stop the smuggling of explosives hidden in church icons from Ukraine to Russia via the territory of several European countries.
One person "involved in committing the crime has been detained," the FSB said.
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The FSB said it had managed to stop the smuggling of explosives hidden in church icons from Ukraine to Russia via the territory of several European countries.
One person "involved in committing the crime has been detained," the FSB said.
"All organizers and accomplices of the crime, including foreign citizens, will be put on the wanted list and prosecuted in accordance with Russian legislation," the statement read.
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📹Russian T72 tanks in conjunction with an Orlan-30 drone hit a concentration of Ukrainian infantry trying to launch a counterattack in Avdeyevka.
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Sputnik International
❗️Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), together with the Federal Customs Service, has blocked the smuggling channel for the delivery of explosives from Ukraine to Russia via EU countries, the agency said. The FSB said it had managed to stop the smuggling…
Russia's Federal Security Service released a video revealing the interception of a smuggling route for explosives from Ukraine.
Hexogen was found hidden in icons seized in Russia's Pskov region. The amount discovered is capable of demolishing a five-story building, as per the video.
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Hexogen was found hidden in icons seized in Russia's Pskov region. The amount discovered is capable of demolishing a five-story building, as per the video.
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🔸Russia strongly condemns Israeli airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, calls for UNSC meeting
🔸US reportedly weighs selling Israel F-15s, JDAM bombs, air-to-air missiles
🔸Hidden in church icons: FSB blocks smuggling channel of explosives from Ukraine to Russia via EU
🔸‘A matter of time’: security analyst weighs in on NATO troops’ boots on the ground in Ukraine
🔸What’s the likelihood of Germany providing Taurus missiles to Ukraine?
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🔸US reportedly weighs selling Israel F-15s, JDAM bombs, air-to-air missiles
🔸Hidden in church icons: FSB blocks smuggling channel of explosives from Ukraine to Russia via EU
🔸‘A matter of time’: security analyst weighs in on NATO troops’ boots on the ground in Ukraine
🔸What’s the likelihood of Germany providing Taurus missiles to Ukraine?
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The propaganda and disinformation campaign in Bucha was Kiev's response to Russia's goodwill gesture of withdrawing troops from the Kiev and Chernigov regions and was aimed at disrupting the dialogue between the parties and introducing anti-Russian sanctions, said Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry.
Immediately after the start of Moscow's special military operation in February 2022, Russia took control of the territory of the Kiev region, including Bucha, a small city northeast of Kiev. After the Russian military withdrew from the region, Ukrainian authorities accused Russia of numerous killings of civilians in Bucha and the surrounding areas.
Moscow has denied its role in the killing of civilians, insisting that the footage of the murdered locals is nothing more than a staged provocation on the part of Ukraine. The Russian Defense Ministry has repeatedly stated that Russian troops do not attack civilian targets. Strikes are carried out on military infrastructure facilities, places where military personnel and representatives of the military leadership gather.
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Immediately after the start of Moscow's special military operation in February 2022, Russia took control of the territory of the Kiev region, including Bucha, a small city northeast of Kiev. After the Russian military withdrew from the region, Ukrainian authorities accused Russia of numerous killings of civilians in Bucha and the surrounding areas.
Moscow has denied its role in the killing of civilians, insisting that the footage of the murdered locals is nothing more than a staged provocation on the part of Ukraine. The Russian Defense Ministry has repeatedly stated that Russian troops do not attack civilian targets. Strikes are carried out on military infrastructure facilities, places where military personnel and representatives of the military leadership gather.
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❗️Three drones attacked various objects on the territory of the Russian Republic of Tatarstan, a representative of the emergencies services told Sputnik.
▪️Six people were injured in a drone attack on the Alabuga special economic zone, the authorities said. The health of the victims is not in danger, three of them have been hospitalized.
▪️The drone attack in Tatarstan was carried out on enterprises in the cities of Yelabuga and Nizhnekamsk, the technological process was not disrupted, the authorities said.
▪️Two drones have hit a dormitory in the special economic zone "Alabuga" in the Russian Republic of Tatarstan, leaving six people injured, the special economic zone said.
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▪️Six people were injured in a drone attack on the Alabuga special economic zone, the authorities said. The health of the victims is not in danger, three of them have been hospitalized.
▪️The drone attack in Tatarstan was carried out on enterprises in the cities of Yelabuga and Nizhnekamsk, the technological process was not disrupted, the authorities said.
▪️Two drones have hit a dormitory in the special economic zone "Alabuga" in the Russian Republic of Tatarstan, leaving six people injured, the special economic zone said.
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