Moscow's economy is projected to expand by 3.2% this year, surpassing growth rates in the US, UK, France, and Germany, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) notes.
Despite ongoing Western sanctions, Russia's economic growth is being propelled by the stability of its oil exports and substantial government spending, which has "remained high".
Additionally, the IMF anticipates that despite Western sanctions, Russia's growth in 2025 will exceed expectations, reaching higher than the initially predicted 1.8%.
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At the start of April, about a week ago, Peter Talos, a German mercenary in Ukraine, announced along his social networks that he would officially act as a trainer for the Azov* brigade. However, there is no information that Talos has actually been discharged from the Bundeswehr, nor is he on indefinite leave, Sputnik has discovered.
*Azov battalion is a terrorist organization outlawed in Russia.
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Check out #AfroVerdict's latest podcast to find out all the dirty details of Chevron's deceitful hiring policies in Nigeria.
https://news.1rj.ru/str/sputnik_africa/16665
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🇳🇬🛢🇺🇸 US petroleum giant Chevron seems to disregard the very agreements it signs with the host regions wherein it operates. #AfroVerdict host joins two representatives of the Itsekeri people to understand how neocolonialist tendencies surface yet again, as…
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Sputnik International
Russia has created multi-purpose transport robots designed, in particular, to evacuate the wounded from the battlefield, this and other promising developments were presented to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, the Ministry of Defense reported. Subscribe…
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Russian fire support robot to get machine gun boost, says top brass
Russian Defense Minister Shoigu has ordered an upgrade to the fire support robot by attaching a machine gun, with the intention of utilizing it in storming Ukrainian positions within the special military operation zone.
The Russian defense chief inspected the progress on robotic complexes and advanced weapons systems. During the audit, over 30 promising models of weapons and military equipment were presented to the minister.
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Russian Defense Minister Shoigu has ordered an upgrade to the fire support robot by attaching a machine gun, with the intention of utilizing it in storming Ukrainian positions within the special military operation zone.
“Sergei Shoigu has ordered the upgrade of the multi-purpose robotized fire support complex … with additional machine guns so that it can be used in storm operations,” the statement says.
The Russian defense chief inspected the progress on robotic complexes and advanced weapons systems. During the audit, over 30 promising models of weapons and military equipment were presented to the minister.
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Ukraine hunting for mercenary recruits from South Korea
(Part 1)
The Kiev regime's efforts to recruit mercenaries in South Korea have not been very successful, according to materials obtained by Sputnik.
Since April 10, there have been messages circulating in South Korean online communities encouraging individuals to join Ukrainian militant groups. These messages specified that candidates should have some physical training and be between the ages of 20 and 35.
The messages included a video showcasing an unnamed Ukrainian militant group and provided a contact for interested candidates to send their applications to. Symbols and names featured in the video allowed Sputnik to identify the related Ukrainian Telegram channel. The same ad was later translated into Korean and published in South Korean communities.
Earlier, Zelensky and Valery Zaluzhny mentioned the indicated Ukrainian militant group and wore its symbols. Analysts associate it with the nationalist Azov* battalion.
However, many South Korean netizens remained skeptical, assuming that the requirements for newcomers are lowered due to the high Ukrainian death toll and that Kiev regime is searching for cannon fodder whose “job is to die after hiring.” Some wrote that South Korea's involvement in the Ukrainian conflict had already undermined the Korean peninsula’s security, and urged Ukrainians to "not fool around" and "give up as soon as possible."
In March, the same South Korean resource had a post about the "foreign volunteers" recruitment into the "International Legion" by the intelligence directorate of Ukrainian Defense Ministry of Defense.
*Terrorist organization banned in Russia.
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(Part 1)
The Kiev regime's efforts to recruit mercenaries in South Korea have not been very successful, according to materials obtained by Sputnik.
Since April 10, there have been messages circulating in South Korean online communities encouraging individuals to join Ukrainian militant groups. These messages specified that candidates should have some physical training and be between the ages of 20 and 35.
The messages included a video showcasing an unnamed Ukrainian militant group and provided a contact for interested candidates to send their applications to. Symbols and names featured in the video allowed Sputnik to identify the related Ukrainian Telegram channel. The same ad was later translated into Korean and published in South Korean communities.
Earlier, Zelensky and Valery Zaluzhny mentioned the indicated Ukrainian militant group and wore its symbols. Analysts associate it with the nationalist Azov* battalion.
However, many South Korean netizens remained skeptical, assuming that the requirements for newcomers are lowered due to the high Ukrainian death toll and that Kiev regime is searching for cannon fodder whose “job is to die after hiring.” Some wrote that South Korea's involvement in the Ukrainian conflict had already undermined the Korean peninsula’s security, and urged Ukrainians to "not fool around" and "give up as soon as possible."
In March, the same South Korean resource had a post about the "foreign volunteers" recruitment into the "International Legion" by the intelligence directorate of Ukrainian Defense Ministry of Defense.
*Terrorist organization banned in Russia.
Subscribe to @SputnikInt
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Sputnik International
Ukraine hunting for mercenary recruits from South Korea (Part 1) The Kiev regime's efforts to recruit mercenaries in South Korea have not been very successful, according to materials obtained by Sputnik. Since April 10, there have been messages circulating…
How many South Korean mercs remain in Ukraine? (Part 2)
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, 15 South Korean mercs have arrived in the special military operation zone, with five of them ending up eliminated.
It is unknown whether South Korean mercenaries are still in Ukraine. In March 2022, the South Korean Foreign Ministry reported that nine of its citizens went to fight on Kiev's side.
Those who returned to South Korea found themselves in trouble with the law at home, since Seoul prohibited its nationals from travelling to the conflict zone. Rhee Keun (also known as Lee Geun), a former member of naval special forces and a popular blogger, was hit with suspended sentences for such a move.
Another soldier, Kim Jae-kyung, returned to South Korea this March after fighting in Ukraine’s International Legion. His fate and those of other fellow citizens who went to Ukraine have not been divulged. The South Korean Foreign Ministry has never confirmed the deaths of its citizens, saying only that it was verifying the information.
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According to the Russian Defense Ministry, 15 South Korean mercs have arrived in the special military operation zone, with five of them ending up eliminated.
It is unknown whether South Korean mercenaries are still in Ukraine. In March 2022, the South Korean Foreign Ministry reported that nine of its citizens went to fight on Kiev's side.
Those who returned to South Korea found themselves in trouble with the law at home, since Seoul prohibited its nationals from travelling to the conflict zone. Rhee Keun (also known as Lee Geun), a former member of naval special forces and a popular blogger, was hit with suspended sentences for such a move.
Another soldier, Kim Jae-kyung, returned to South Korea this March after fighting in Ukraine’s International Legion. His fate and those of other fellow citizens who went to Ukraine have not been divulged. The South Korean Foreign Ministry has never confirmed the deaths of its citizens, saying only that it was verifying the information.
Subscribe to @SputnikInt
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Russian seaborne crude exports at record-high despite sanctions
In the week leading to April 14, the volume of Russian seaborne crude exports soared to its highest level in 11 months, according to Bloomberg News.
A total of 36 tankers loaded 27.6 million barrels of Russian crude in the week to April 14, an increase of 3.9 million barrels from the previous week, and the highest weekly total since May 2023.
The increased volume and higher Urals crude prices boosted Moscow’s oil earnings as the gross value of crude exports rose from $1.82 billion the previous week to $2.15 billion in the week to April. The four-week average income posted an increase of $170 million to $1.92 billion per week.
The telling figures fly in the face of the Biden administration’s claims that sanctions against Russia - particularly those over crude exports - are working.
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In the week leading to April 14, the volume of Russian seaborne crude exports soared to its highest level in 11 months, according to Bloomberg News.
A total of 36 tankers loaded 27.6 million barrels of Russian crude in the week to April 14, an increase of 3.9 million barrels from the previous week, and the highest weekly total since May 2023.
The increased volume and higher Urals crude prices boosted Moscow’s oil earnings as the gross value of crude exports rose from $1.82 billion the previous week to $2.15 billion in the week to April. The four-week average income posted an increase of $170 million to $1.92 billion per week.
The telling figures fly in the face of the Biden administration’s claims that sanctions against Russia - particularly those over crude exports - are working.
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Pepe Escobar: Iran's 'New Equation' extends far beyond West Asia
What has apparently become clear in the aftermath of Iran's strikes is the fact that Israel's defensive capabilities performed rather underwhelmingly amid the much-anticipated attack.
In addition to the show of force, Iran has also pushed Israel to "furiously deplete its stock of interceptors and spend at least $1.35 billion".
The analyst stresses that last week's events have added to the list of Israel's strategic failures on several fronts, including the Gaza crisis, the Lebanon hostilities, the plummeting economy, and the country's declining importance on the global stage.
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"A Holy of the Holies was shattered in the Holy Land as Iran staged a quite measured, heavily choreographed response to the Israeli terror attack against its consulate/ambassador residence in Damascus, a de facto evisceration of the Vienna Convention on diplomatic immunity," veteran geopolitical analyst Pepe Escobar says in his op-ed for Sputnik.
What has apparently become clear in the aftermath of Iran's strikes is the fact that Israel's defensive capabilities performed rather underwhelmingly amid the much-anticipated attack.
"At least 9 ballistic missiles penetrated the dense Israeli defense network and hit the Nevatim and Ramon bases. Israel is absolutely mum on the fate of its Golan Heights intel installation – hit by cruise missiles," he points out.
In addition to the show of force, Iran has also pushed Israel to "furiously deplete its stock of interceptors and spend at least $1.35 billion".
The analyst stresses that last week's events have added to the list of Israel's strategic failures on several fronts, including the Gaza crisis, the Lebanon hostilities, the plummeting economy, and the country's declining importance on the global stage.
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The US House of Representatives released three separate bills to help Israel, Ukraine and its allies in the Indo-Pacific region.
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Sputnik International
The US House of Representatives released three separate bills to help Israel, Ukraine and its allies in the Indo-Pacific region. Subscribe to @SputnikInt
Washington's Ukraine aid bill provides $60.84 billion in assistance, including $23.2 billion to replenish US weapons stocks, according to the House Committee.
The Ukraine aid bill instructs the US President to provide Kiev with ATACMS missiles, according to the text of the bill.
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The Ukraine aid bill instructs the US President to provide Kiev with ATACMS missiles, according to the text of the bill.
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High-intensity conflict turns Russian military robots into indispensable tool
The robotization of the Russian Armed Forces is going full throttle, capitalizing on new experience gained by the nation's military during encounters with Ukrainian and foreign military forces, NATO-grade weapons and uncrewed vehicles.
Sputnik has delved into how Russia’s robotic systems are changing the battlefield.
▪️The Marker, a combat version of the advanced robotic complex, is designed to detect, prioritize, and strike German and US-made main battle tanks. In February 2023, four Marker military robots were deployed in Donbass
▪️The Sosna-N (or Pine Tree) sounds an alarm signal upon detecting an enemy sniper at a distance of up to 2.5 km, pinpointing the shooter's location and disrupting their aim by utilizing laser radiation.
▪️The Cherepakha (or Turtle), is a wheeled drone that moves alongside infantry units while carrying cargo weighing up to 500 kg. It operates silently and does not emit any noticeable heat signature.
▪️The Stalker robot is designed to clear mines buried up to 30 centimeters deep, ensuring the safe progression of Russian units and armored vehicles. Equipped with cameras, it provides operators located up to 1 km away with a comprehensive view of the battlefield.
▪️The Scorpion is a small demining robot capable of maneuvering under vehicles while its rotating camera scans for explosives. With retractable manipulators, it can disarm anti-personnel tripwires and transport up to 25 kilograms of explosives in a specialized cart for controlled detonations.
▪️The Uran family consists of three robotic systems based on a common platform, each with its own distinct capabilities. The Uran-6 is specialized in mine clearance, the heavily armed Uran-9 is used for assault purposes, and the Uran-14 serves as a firefighting unit.
Subscribe to @SputnikInt
The robotization of the Russian Armed Forces is going full throttle, capitalizing on new experience gained by the nation's military during encounters with Ukrainian and foreign military forces, NATO-grade weapons and uncrewed vehicles.
Sputnik has delved into how Russia’s robotic systems are changing the battlefield.
▪️The Marker, a combat version of the advanced robotic complex, is designed to detect, prioritize, and strike German and US-made main battle tanks. In February 2023, four Marker military robots were deployed in Donbass
▪️The Sosna-N (or Pine Tree) sounds an alarm signal upon detecting an enemy sniper at a distance of up to 2.5 km, pinpointing the shooter's location and disrupting their aim by utilizing laser radiation.
▪️The Cherepakha (or Turtle), is a wheeled drone that moves alongside infantry units while carrying cargo weighing up to 500 kg. It operates silently and does not emit any noticeable heat signature.
▪️The Stalker robot is designed to clear mines buried up to 30 centimeters deep, ensuring the safe progression of Russian units and armored vehicles. Equipped with cameras, it provides operators located up to 1 km away with a comprehensive view of the battlefield.
▪️The Scorpion is a small demining robot capable of maneuvering under vehicles while its rotating camera scans for explosives. With retractable manipulators, it can disarm anti-personnel tripwires and transport up to 25 kilograms of explosives in a specialized cart for controlled detonations.
▪️The Uran family consists of three robotic systems based on a common platform, each with its own distinct capabilities. The Uran-6 is specialized in mine clearance, the heavily armed Uran-9 is used for assault purposes, and the Uran-14 serves as a firefighting unit.
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Radioactive threat looms as Ukraine attacks Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant
The Zaporozhye NPP is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe located on the left bank of the Dnepr River.
It came under the control of Russian forces in Mar 2022 and has since been relentlessly shelled by Ukrainian forces, raising global fears of a nuclear catastrophe.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) experts have been working at the Zaporozhye nuclear station since 1 Sep 2022, following IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi's first visit to the plant.
Despite the acute threat of radiation spreading across Europe, the Ukrainian forces have enveloped the facility in a new wave of amplified attacks in recent days.
Explore Sputnik's infographic to learn more about the potential radioactive threat arising from Ukraine's attacks.
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The Zaporozhye NPP is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe located on the left bank of the Dnepr River.
It came under the control of Russian forces in Mar 2022 and has since been relentlessly shelled by Ukrainian forces, raising global fears of a nuclear catastrophe.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) experts have been working at the Zaporozhye nuclear station since 1 Sep 2022, following IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi's first visit to the plant.
Despite the acute threat of radiation spreading across Europe, the Ukrainian forces have enveloped the facility in a new wave of amplified attacks in recent days.
Explore Sputnik's infographic to learn more about the potential radioactive threat arising from Ukraine's attacks.
Subscribe to @SputnikInt
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