Ten people have been killed in a Ukrainian attack on the city of Tokmak in the Zaporozhye region, while two people are missing, the region's governor, Yevgeny Balitsky, said.
On Friday, the Ukrainian Armed Forces opened fire on a residential area in Tokmak, killing eight people, including two children, and injuring 13 others, the governor said. Earlier on Saturday, Balitsky said five more people had been pulled from under the rubble. All were said to have injuries of varying severity.
Two other people remain missing, Balitsky said, adding that rescuers are continuing to search and clear the rubble.
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On Friday, the Ukrainian Armed Forces opened fire on a residential area in Tokmak, killing eight people, including two children, and injuring 13 others, the governor said. Earlier on Saturday, Balitsky said five more people had been pulled from under the rubble. All were said to have injuries of varying severity.
"The number of people killed as a result of the terrorist attack by the Ukrainian Armed Forces on Tokmak has risen to ten. Rescuers have recovered the bodies of an adult and a child from the rubble," the governor said on Telegram.
Two other people remain missing, Balitsky said, adding that rescuers are continuing to search and clear the rubble.
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Which countries have laser weapons?
The UK has announced plans to deploy the new DragonFire laser platform by the year 2027, and may even deliver prototypes of the weapon to Ukraine for use against Russia. Who else has got laser weapons?
Russia
🔺The USSR was a pioneer in laser tech for both civilian and military use.
🔺Created a lineup of experimental laser weapons including the Terra-3 missile defense system, the 1K17 Szhatie ground-based laser combat platform, the Beriev A-60 airborne laser lab, and the Polyus laser-armed orbital weapons platform.
🔺Russia has built the Peresvet air defense and anti-satellite warfare system, which can blind enemy satellites up to 1,500 km away.
United States
🔺Has spent decades working on combat lasers going back to the Project Excalibur missile defense concept.
🔺Notable projects include the Precision Airborne Standoff Directed Energy Weapon program, the Laser Close-In Weapon System, the Area Defense Anti-Munitions fiber laser and the AN/SEQ-3 Laser Weapon System.
China
🔺Created the Silent Hunter fiber-optic laser air defense system and ZM-87 and Py132A dazzlers to blind enemy troops and photo-electric components in laser rangefinders and missile seekers.
🔺China’s ZKZM-500 laser assault rifle can hit targets up to 1 km away, burn and ignite flammable targets.
🔺Last year, Chinese scientists made a breakthrough allowing lasers to operate “infinitely” thanks to a cooling system that eliminates waste heat.
Others
🔺Israel, Iran, Turkiye, Japan, France, Germany, the UK, India and Pakistan also have access to military lasers.
🔺Israeli firms have created the Drone Dome, Light Blade and Iron Beam missile defense system.
🔺Iran has built a laser air defense cannon known as the Sateb.
🔺A notable Indian laser known as the DURGA-2 is in development for use as a combined anti-missile/drone system.
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The UK has announced plans to deploy the new DragonFire laser platform by the year 2027, and may even deliver prototypes of the weapon to Ukraine for use against Russia. Who else has got laser weapons?
Russia
🔺The USSR was a pioneer in laser tech for both civilian and military use.
🔺Created a lineup of experimental laser weapons including the Terra-3 missile defense system, the 1K17 Szhatie ground-based laser combat platform, the Beriev A-60 airborne laser lab, and the Polyus laser-armed orbital weapons platform.
🔺Russia has built the Peresvet air defense and anti-satellite warfare system, which can blind enemy satellites up to 1,500 km away.
United States
🔺Has spent decades working on combat lasers going back to the Project Excalibur missile defense concept.
🔺Notable projects include the Precision Airborne Standoff Directed Energy Weapon program, the Laser Close-In Weapon System, the Area Defense Anti-Munitions fiber laser and the AN/SEQ-3 Laser Weapon System.
China
🔺Created the Silent Hunter fiber-optic laser air defense system and ZM-87 and Py132A dazzlers to blind enemy troops and photo-electric components in laser rangefinders and missile seekers.
🔺China’s ZKZM-500 laser assault rifle can hit targets up to 1 km away, burn and ignite flammable targets.
🔺Last year, Chinese scientists made a breakthrough allowing lasers to operate “infinitely” thanks to a cooling system that eliminates waste heat.
Others
🔺Israel, Iran, Turkiye, Japan, France, Germany, the UK, India and Pakistan also have access to military lasers.
🔺Israeli firms have created the Drone Dome, Light Blade and Iron Beam missile defense system.
🔺Iran has built a laser air defense cannon known as the Sateb.
🔺A notable Indian laser known as the DURGA-2 is in development for use as a combined anti-missile/drone system.
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🇷🇺🇮🇷 Russian FM Lavrov had a telephone conversation with his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amirabdollahian, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
During the conversation, Lavrov again condemned the Israeli strike on the Iranian consulate, noting that any encroachments on diplomatic missions and consulates are unacceptable.
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During the conversation, Lavrov again condemned the Israeli strike on the Iranian consulate, noting that any encroachments on diplomatic missions and consulates are unacceptable.
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Nine people were injured as a result of a Ukrainian missile attack on a plant in Lugansk, the head of the Lugansk People's Republic of Russia Leonid Pasechnik has said.
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“Ukrainian terrorists fired cluster shells from MLRS at Suzemka, the administrative center of the Suzemsky district, Russian Bryansk region,” said the governor of the region.
According to preliminary information, a civilian was slightly injured as a result of the terrorist attack. She received all the necessary medical care. Several residential buildings, outbuildings and a car were partially damaged. Operational and emergency services are working on the site.
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According to preliminary information, a civilian was slightly injured as a result of the terrorist attack. She received all the necessary medical care. Several residential buildings, outbuildings and a car were partially damaged. Operational and emergency services are working on the site.
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📹 D-20 152 mm howitzer crews disrupted the rotation of Ukrainian units near the village of Pervomaiskoye
Every day, Russian artillerymen fire on Ukrainian artillery batteries, destroy defensive structures, suppress command posts, and annihilate Ukrainian firepower, weapons, and military equipment in the area of the Donetsk People's Republic.
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Every day, Russian artillerymen fire on Ukrainian artillery batteries, destroy defensive structures, suppress command posts, and annihilate Ukrainian firepower, weapons, and military equipment in the area of the Donetsk People's Republic.
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Ukraine's air defence system has been overwhelmed by focused waves of Russian strikes aimed at power plants, Mikhail Podolyak, adviser to the head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office, admitted after the destruction of an entire station on Thursday, the Guardian reported.
🔺Podolyak said Moscow started using new tactics, attacking power plants with "10 or 12 rockets at a time," bypassing the already-overloaded Patriot anti-missile systems and other air defences.
🔺Ukraine has asked for urgent help from the allies, Podolyak stated, and although Kiev has not yet run out of American Patriot missiles and German Iris-T, there is not enough critical ammunition.
🔺Ukraine said it had destroyed 57 of the 82 missiles and drones launched by Russia in a large-scale attack on Wednesday night, which is relatively small by Kiev's standards.
🔺Zelensky believes that Ukraine needs 25 Patriot anti-missile systems to protect the whole country. Currently, Kiev has at least two, although the exact figure is unknown. Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba was instructed to urgently find 7, and he counted 100 air defense systems belonging to Western countries from which he hopes to receive them.
🔺Podolyak said that the West should understand that Russia is "conducting military operations against the civilian population" and complained about the lack of condemnation from the international community. "The Russians have completely destroyed one of the largest thermal power plants in Europe. But we do not see any UN Security Council resolutions or other similar statements," he said.
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🔺Podolyak said Moscow started using new tactics, attacking power plants with "10 or 12 rockets at a time," bypassing the already-overloaded Patriot anti-missile systems and other air defences.
🔺Ukraine has asked for urgent help from the allies, Podolyak stated, and although Kiev has not yet run out of American Patriot missiles and German Iris-T, there is not enough critical ammunition.
🔺Ukraine said it had destroyed 57 of the 82 missiles and drones launched by Russia in a large-scale attack on Wednesday night, which is relatively small by Kiev's standards.
🔺Zelensky believes that Ukraine needs 25 Patriot anti-missile systems to protect the whole country. Currently, Kiev has at least two, although the exact figure is unknown. Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba was instructed to urgently find 7, and he counted 100 air defense systems belonging to Western countries from which he hopes to receive them.
🔺Podolyak said that the West should understand that Russia is "conducting military operations against the civilian population" and complained about the lack of condemnation from the international community. "The Russians have completely destroyed one of the largest thermal power plants in Europe. But we do not see any UN Security Council resolutions or other similar statements," he said.
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How Ukraine's 'anti-terrorist operation' in Donbass turned into bloodbath against its own people Pt.1
10 years ago today, the Kiev regime that rode to power in Ukraine in the wake of an unconstitutional Western-sponsored coup unleashed the so-called “anti-terrorist operation” (ATO) against the residents of the southeastern Donbass region.
The start of the ATO was announced by acting president Olexandr Turchinov to quell local counter-protests to the Euromaidan coup in Kiev that had toppled legitimately-elected then-president Viktor Yanukovich in February 2014.
What Preceded the ATO?
🔺On April 6, 2014, fledgling militia forces in Lugansk seized the Ukrainian Security Service building in the city, arming themselves with weapons from its large armory. The same day, in neighboring Donetsk, participants of a protest rally took over the building of the regional administration, formally proclaiming the Donetsk People’s Republic.
🔺After residents of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions — who refused to kowtow to the Ukrainian nationalists — held independence referenda and proclaimed the People's Republics of Donetsk and Lugansk, they were branded "terrorists" by Kiev.
10 years ago today, the Kiev regime that rode to power in Ukraine in the wake of an unconstitutional Western-sponsored coup unleashed the so-called “anti-terrorist operation” (ATO) against the residents of the southeastern Donbass region.
The start of the ATO was announced by acting president Olexandr Turchinov to quell local counter-protests to the Euromaidan coup in Kiev that had toppled legitimately-elected then-president Viktor Yanukovich in February 2014.
What Preceded the ATO?
🔺On April 6, 2014, fledgling militia forces in Lugansk seized the Ukrainian Security Service building in the city, arming themselves with weapons from its large armory. The same day, in neighboring Donetsk, participants of a protest rally took over the building of the regional administration, formally proclaiming the Donetsk People’s Republic.
🔺After residents of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions — who refused to kowtow to the Ukrainian nationalists — held independence referenda and proclaimed the People's Republics of Donetsk and Lugansk, they were branded "terrorists" by Kiev.
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Sputnik International
How Ukraine's 'anti-terrorist operation' in Donbass turned into bloodbath against its own people Pt.1 10 years ago today, the Kiev regime that rode to power in Ukraine in the wake of an unconstitutional Western-sponsored coup unleashed the so-called “anti…
How Ukraine's 'anti-terrorist operation' in Donbass turned into bloodbath against its own people Pt.2
Key Events of Donbass War
🔺May 2, 2014, the starting point of the fully-fledged war in Donbass. Ukrainian forces attempted to storm the city of Slavyansk in Donetsk region, but militia members repelled the assault.
🔺On May 2, 2014, around 50 people were bludgeoned to death and burned alive in the Odessa Trade Union House massacre.
🔺On May 6, 2014, the first major confrontation between local militia members and Ukrainian nationalist battalions took place in the Azov Sea coast city of Mariupol.
🔺On May 9, Ukrainian ultra-nationalists and the military killed and persecuted participants celebrating the anniversary of victory over the Nazis in WWII.
🔺On May 26, 2014, the milestone battle for Donetsk began, raging for 242 days and ultimately ending in victory for the Donetsk militias in January 2015.
🔺On June 5, 2014, fighting broke out between Ukrainian security forces and the Donbass militias at Lugansk Airport. On September 1, Ukrainian forces which had held the airport for 146 days blew up its runway and retreated.
The Ukrainian regime shelled Donbass mercilessly, targeting civilian infrastructure. By the time Russia launched its special military operation in order to protect residents of south-eastern Ukraine, the conflict had claimed the lives of about 14,000 people, including 3,500 civilians, UN estimates show.
Key Events of Donbass War
🔺May 2, 2014, the starting point of the fully-fledged war in Donbass. Ukrainian forces attempted to storm the city of Slavyansk in Donetsk region, but militia members repelled the assault.
🔺On May 2, 2014, around 50 people were bludgeoned to death and burned alive in the Odessa Trade Union House massacre.
🔺On May 6, 2014, the first major confrontation between local militia members and Ukrainian nationalist battalions took place in the Azov Sea coast city of Mariupol.
🔺On May 9, Ukrainian ultra-nationalists and the military killed and persecuted participants celebrating the anniversary of victory over the Nazis in WWII.
🔺On May 26, 2014, the milestone battle for Donetsk began, raging for 242 days and ultimately ending in victory for the Donetsk militias in January 2015.
🔺On June 5, 2014, fighting broke out between Ukrainian security forces and the Donbass militias at Lugansk Airport. On September 1, Ukrainian forces which had held the airport for 146 days blew up its runway and retreated.
The Ukrainian regime shelled Donbass mercilessly, targeting civilian infrastructure. By the time Russia launched its special military operation in order to protect residents of south-eastern Ukraine, the conflict had claimed the lives of about 14,000 people, including 3,500 civilians, UN estimates show.
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Sputnik International
How Ukraine's 'anti-terrorist operation' in Donbass turned into bloodbath against its own people Pt.2 Key Events of Donbass War 🔺May 2, 2014, the starting point of the fully-fledged war in Donbass. Ukrainian forces attempted to storm the city of Slavyansk…
How Ukraine's 'anti-terrorist operation' in Donbass turned into bloodbath against its own people Pt.3
Betrayal of the Minsk Accords
On September 5, 2014, the Minsk Protocol, a ceasefire agreement between Kiev and the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, was signed in the Belarusian capital.
🔺The thirteen-point ceasefire and peace deal would have allowed Kiev to restore its control over the regions of Donetsk and Lugansk in exchange for constitutionally-mandated autonomy. However, the process reached a dead end due to Kiev's refusal to implement the political part of the agreements.
🔺Subsequently, both Ukraine's ex-president Petro Poroshenko and former leaders of France and Germany, Francois Hollande and Angela Merkel, openly admitted the accords were a sham. They had been conceived to grant the post-coup government time to rearm while also cobbling together an anti-Russia coalition that has fueled NATO’s ongoing proxy war against Moscow ever since.
The Consequences of the ATO
In February 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized the independence of the-then breakaway People's Republics of Donetsk and Lugansk. The heads of the two republics sought Putin's assistance in repelling "aggression by Ukrainian forces" to avoid casualties among civilians.
Launched days later, Russia's special military operation was designed to put an end to the impunity with which Kiev's junta waged war against its own people.
In September 2022, referenda on the reunification of the DPR, LPR, Kherson and Zaporozhye regions with Russia were held, with the majority of the population voting in favor.
Betrayal of the Minsk Accords
On September 5, 2014, the Minsk Protocol, a ceasefire agreement between Kiev and the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, was signed in the Belarusian capital.
🔺The thirteen-point ceasefire and peace deal would have allowed Kiev to restore its control over the regions of Donetsk and Lugansk in exchange for constitutionally-mandated autonomy. However, the process reached a dead end due to Kiev's refusal to implement the political part of the agreements.
🔺Subsequently, both Ukraine's ex-president Petro Poroshenko and former leaders of France and Germany, Francois Hollande and Angela Merkel, openly admitted the accords were a sham. They had been conceived to grant the post-coup government time to rearm while also cobbling together an anti-Russia coalition that has fueled NATO’s ongoing proxy war against Moscow ever since.
The Consequences of the ATO
In February 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized the independence of the-then breakaway People's Republics of Donetsk and Lugansk. The heads of the two republics sought Putin's assistance in repelling "aggression by Ukrainian forces" to avoid casualties among civilians.
Launched days later, Russia's special military operation was designed to put an end to the impunity with which Kiev's junta waged war against its own people.
In September 2022, referenda on the reunification of the DPR, LPR, Kherson and Zaporozhye regions with Russia were held, with the majority of the population voting in favor.
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Biden cuts short his day off and returns to the White House to consult with the security team on events in the Middle East, the White House Pool says.
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Demonstration against arms supplies to Ukraine took place in Paris
Demonstrators carry a portrait of Putin with the slogan “His army is not stationed throughout Europe,” as well as posters: “Stop this war organized by the United States through Ukraine against Russia!”, “Ukraine: let’s refuse to escalate the war and find a negotiated solution” and “Stop martyrdom of Donbass, stop arms supplies to Ukraine."
Protesters chant: "No, no, no to Macron's war!" "Macron resign!"
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Demonstrators carry a portrait of Putin with the slogan “His army is not stationed throughout Europe,” as well as posters: “Stop this war organized by the United States through Ukraine against Russia!”, “Ukraine: let’s refuse to escalate the war and find a negotiated solution” and “Stop martyrdom of Donbass, stop arms supplies to Ukraine."
Protesters chant: "No, no, no to Macron's war!" "Macron resign!"
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