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.
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Israel planned to strike against Iran on the night of April 16, but decided to postpone the attack, according to Axios.
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US deploys mid-range missiles to Asia-Pacific for first time
The US military has deployed the MRC (Mid-Range Capability) system to Asia-Pacific for the first time, landing it in Luzon, Philippines earlier this week. What is the US trying to achieve?
The MRC is capable of hitting targets 500 – 2000 km away, meaning that its range extends to China’s coastal areas and military bases in the South China Sea with SM-6s and Tomahawks.
Since pulling out of the INF Treaty in 2019, the US has repeatedly floated the possibility of deploying intermediate-range missiles in the Asia-Pacific. Both China and Russia have slammed the move as a blatant threat to their national security.
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The US military has deployed the MRC (Mid-Range Capability) system to Asia-Pacific for the first time, landing it in Luzon, Philippines earlier this week. What is the US trying to achieve?
The MRC is capable of hitting targets 500 – 2000 km away, meaning that its range extends to China’s coastal areas and military bases in the South China Sea with SM-6s and Tomahawks.
Since pulling out of the INF Treaty in 2019, the US has repeatedly floated the possibility of deploying intermediate-range missiles in the Asia-Pacific. Both China and Russia have slammed the move as a blatant threat to their national security.
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Sanctions or de-escalation? How will Biden respond to Iran striking back at Israel
The Biden administration currently seems intent on avoiding an escalation in the Persian Gulf region, said financial and geopolitical analyst Tom Luongo.
Having noted that “oil prices are currently not pricing in escalation, they seem to take the position that this conflict will settle down from here,” Luongo warned that this may be a “dangerous mistake” due to the precarious position the Israeli leadership finds itself in today.
While the US president is trying to “pressure Israel to back down,” he also has to contend with the Israeli lobby in the US Congress that wants a war with Iran and “can put Biden in a real bind if they pass new sanctions legislation for him to sign,” Luongo remarked.
He also pointed out that China “has a massive investment in Iran as it is the terminal point for their Belt and Road Initiative,” and wants to protect said investment.
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The Biden administration currently seems intent on avoiding an escalation in the Persian Gulf region, said financial and geopolitical analyst Tom Luongo.
“No one wants what happens if Israel and Iran go to full-on war. The US is more than capable of making Iran pay dearly for shutting down the Strait of Hormuz, but that is something the Pentagon does not want to have to deal with,” he told Sputnik.
Having noted that “oil prices are currently not pricing in escalation, they seem to take the position that this conflict will settle down from here,” Luongo warned that this may be a “dangerous mistake” due to the precarious position the Israeli leadership finds itself in today.
“Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has no way forward politically but to continue his aggressive stance, otherwise his career, at a minimum, is over,” he explained.
While the US president is trying to “pressure Israel to back down,” he also has to contend with the Israeli lobby in the US Congress that wants a war with Iran and “can put Biden in a real bind if they pass new sanctions legislation for him to sign,” Luongo remarked.
“So, to remain in power I fully expect Biden to apply as much pressure as possible to get through the election while I expect Netanyahu to get the war with Iran he’s wanted his entire life,” the analyst surmised.
He also pointed out that China “has a massive investment in Iran as it is the terminal point for their Belt and Road Initiative,” and wants to protect said investment.
“They will support Iran financially, if need be, but it will be the Russians who give Iran both the military and diplomatic support it needs to get through this as long as the Iranians don’t look like the aggressor at any stage of the conflict,” Luongo concluded.
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▪️High-intensity conflict turns Russian military robots into indispensable tool
▪️Pepe Escobar: Iran's 'New Equation' extends far beyond West Asia
▪️Russian seaborne crude exports at record-high despite sanctions
▪️Ukraine hunting for mercenary recruits from South Korea
▪️EXPOSED: Wehrmacht revisited? German officer trains Azov neo-Nazis
▪️Russia slated to outperform all developed economies in growth, including the US
▪️What do we know about the weapons used in Iran’s counterstrike against Israel?
▪️Israeli Counterattack: decision made, but timing uncertain
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▪️Pepe Escobar: Iran's 'New Equation' extends far beyond West Asia
▪️Russian seaborne crude exports at record-high despite sanctions
▪️Ukraine hunting for mercenary recruits from South Korea
▪️EXPOSED: Wehrmacht revisited? German officer trains Azov neo-Nazis
▪️Russia slated to outperform all developed economies in growth, including the US
▪️What do we know about the weapons used in Iran’s counterstrike against Israel?
▪️Israeli Counterattack: decision made, but timing uncertain
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Last to learn the news — nobody’s told Biden what’s going on in his country
US President Joe Biden failed to respond when asked to comment on the “separate bills for Ukraine and Israel aid” because apparently nobody had informed him yet.
Later, after he was briefed, Biden reportedly supported the aid packages and urged Congress to pass them as soon as possible. He also promised to sign them.
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US President Joe Biden failed to respond when asked to comment on the “separate bills for Ukraine and Israel aid” because apparently nobody had informed him yet.
“I'm getting briefed on it when I get on the plane. That's why I was talking to my staff. I'll tell you that,” the president said before wandering away.
Later, after he was briefed, Biden reportedly supported the aid packages and urged Congress to pass them as soon as possible. He also promised to sign them.
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Biden’s heroic grandfather becomes even more heroic
US President Joe Biden tells yet another tall tale about his grandfather being "shot down in an area where there were a lot of cannibals.”
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US President Joe Biden tells yet another tall tale about his grandfather being "shot down in an area where there were a lot of cannibals.”
“He had volunteered because someone couldn't make it. He got shot down in an area where there were a lot of cannibals in New Guinea at the time. They never recovered his body, but the government went back when I went down there and they checked and found parts of the plane and the light,” Biden told the group of reporters.
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Remarkable honesty from the inimitable BoJo
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson declared that when Russia succeeds in achieving its goals in its special military operation the “hegemony of the West” will end.
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Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson declared that when Russia succeeds in achieving its goals in its special military operation the “hegemony of the West” will end.
"If Ukraine falls it will be a disaster for the West. This will put an end to the hegemony of the West. And we will have no one to blame but ourselves," Johnson bluntly stated.
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Russian air defenses shot down 14 missiles fired by Ukraine from a Vampire multiple launch rocket system over the Belgorod Region, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
No injuries were reported per preliminary information, according to Belgorod Region Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov.
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"On April 17, at about 23:00 Moscow time [08:00 pm GMT], the Kiev regime's attempt to carry out a terrorist attack using an RM-70 Vampire multiple launch rocket system against targets on Russian territory was foiled. Fourteen missiles were destroyed over the Belgorod Region by the air defense forces on duty," the ministry said in a statement.
No injuries were reported per preliminary information, according to Belgorod Region Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov.
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Israel stuck in Catch-22: Damned if it retaliates against Iran and damned if it doesn't
On April 17, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel would make its own decision on how to respond to Iran's retaliatory attack. Despite this, Washington and its allies are urging Tel Aviv to exercise restraint and are vowing to impose sanctions on Tehran.
However, Israeli military and political leaders do not seem to view sanctions as a proportional response to Iran's strike, which tarnished Tel Aviv's image, Lukyanov maintains.
The expert outlined four potential scenarios for Israel's response to the current situation:
▪️ Hybrid warfare and cyber-attacks targeting Iran's infrastructure, energy, water supply systems, state management, and control technologies.
▪️ Limited strikes on Iran's military bases, military enterprises producing missiles and drones, or facilities and research centers connected to nuclear and missile projects.
▪️ Possible use of rogue non-state actors to carry out sabotage attacks inside Iran.
▪️ Potential assassination plots targeting high-profile Iranian officials and leaders.
With the threat of a significant military escalation looming and Israel's economy shrinking by around 20% since the start of the Gaza war, Tel Aviv is still uncertain about how to proceed. Lukyanov emphasized that the longer Israel delays its response, the more it stands to lose, particularly the current war cabinet led by Netanyahu.
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On April 17, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel would make its own decision on how to respond to Iran's retaliatory attack. Despite this, Washington and its allies are urging Tel Aviv to exercise restraint and are vowing to impose sanctions on Tehran.
Grigory Lukyanov, a researcher at the Center for Arabic and Islamic Studies at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), emphasized the significant role of the United States in this situation. He stated, "The United States is not interested in escalating the conflict. Israel's ability to continue the war depends on the US, because it provides ammunition and weapons to Israel."
However, Israeli military and political leaders do not seem to view sanctions as a proportional response to Iran's strike, which tarnished Tel Aviv's image, Lukyanov maintains.
The expert outlined four potential scenarios for Israel's response to the current situation:
▪️ Hybrid warfare and cyber-attacks targeting Iran's infrastructure, energy, water supply systems, state management, and control technologies.
▪️ Limited strikes on Iran's military bases, military enterprises producing missiles and drones, or facilities and research centers connected to nuclear and missile projects.
▪️ Possible use of rogue non-state actors to carry out sabotage attacks inside Iran.
▪️ Potential assassination plots targeting high-profile Iranian officials and leaders.
With the threat of a significant military escalation looming and Israel's economy shrinking by around 20% since the start of the Gaza war, Tel Aviv is still uncertain about how to proceed. Lukyanov emphasized that the longer Israel delays its response, the more it stands to lose, particularly the current war cabinet led by Netanyahu.
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Politico admits the West is losing its proxy war against Russia
“Morale among troops is grim, ground down by relentless bombardment, a lack of advanced weapons, and losses on the battlefield”: the online news site vividly describes the state of Ukraine's army after boasting of its superb capabilities less than a year ago.
Considering Western policy towards Russia, Politico acknowledged the delusions that led Europe into soaring inflation, de-industrialization, and an energy crisis.
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“Morale among troops is grim, ground down by relentless bombardment, a lack of advanced weapons, and losses on the battlefield”: the online news site vividly describes the state of Ukraine's army after boasting of its superb capabilities less than a year ago.
“Ukraine’s military is braced for more losses in the coming months," reported the tabloid outlet, sharing the Ukrainian leadership’s perspective on the situation stemming from the West's derailment of peace negotiations at least twice. "Oleksandr Syrsky, commander-in-chief of the armed forces, has warned that the situation on Ukraine’s eastern front has ‘significantly deteriorated in recent days.’ As Zelensky himself put it elsewhere, ‘We are trying to find some way not to retreat.’”
Considering Western policy towards Russia, Politico acknowledged the delusions that led Europe into soaring inflation, de-industrialization, and an energy crisis.
“The West has placed too much faith in sanctions, believing they’d bring Russia to heel. There’s also been wishful thinking about Russians turning on Putin over casualty figures, or hopes he may be ousted in a Kremlin coup. Instead Russia’s economy has remained resilient,” the news outlet noted, lamenting the crushed dreams of the pro-war uniparty.
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Politico admits the West is losing its proxy war against Russia “Morale among troops is grim, ground down by relentless bombardment, a lack of advanced weapons, and losses on the battlefield”: the online news site vividly describes the state of Ukraine's…
Tesla CEO Elon Musk took notice of online outlet Politico's dueling narratives on Ukraine, published less than a year apart.
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"Easy to predict," the tech magnate responded. "In fact, I did predict it."
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Russian air defenses destroyed three Ukrainian drones over the Rostov Region. Consequences on the ground are being clarified, Governor Vasily Golubev wrote on his Telegram channel.
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Former US President Donald Trump welcomed Polish President Andrzej Duda at Trump Tower in New York.
Meanwhile Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has announced his support for Biden over Trump in the upcoming US presidential election because of the latter's insufficiently pro-Ukraine, anti-Russia stance.
Video from social media.
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Meanwhile Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has announced his support for Biden over Trump in the upcoming US presidential election because of the latter's insufficiently pro-Ukraine, anti-Russia stance.
Video from social media.
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Middle East at the crossroads: Seek peace or risk ‘escalation & possibly World War III’
Holding a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the aftermath of Iran’s counterattack against Israel was a logical move for President Ebrahim Raisi, considering the friendly nature of the ties between Moscow and Tehran, said Dr. Vladimir Morozov, Associate Professor and Vice-Rector at the MGIMO University.
He argued that it was crucial for the Iranian leadership to demonstrate to their people that Iran has powerful allies abroad with whom Tehran can engage in discussions about the current situation.
Morozov also mentioned the upcoming visit to Moscow by the Iranian deputy foreign minister, who will be attending a non-proliferation conference this week. He noted that the West has not provided any evidence to support its allegations against Iran.
Instead of trying to portray Iran as a threat to global security, efforts should be made to involve Iran in discussions on regional security, Morozov suggested.
He also warned that other countries in the Middle East should be aware that they are currently at a critical crossroads. They must either attempt to negotiate and pursue peace, even if it is fragile, or the situation in the region may quickly spiral into “a very serious escalation, up to World War III.”
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Holding a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the aftermath of Iran’s counterattack against Israel was a logical move for President Ebrahim Raisi, considering the friendly nature of the ties between Moscow and Tehran, said Dr. Vladimir Morozov, Associate Professor and Vice-Rector at the MGIMO University.
“I believe Iran regards our country not just as a formal sponsor of the Middle Eastern conflict resolution, but as a country that can influence all sides of the conflict and has a vote in the UN Security Council,” he said.
He argued that it was crucial for the Iranian leadership to demonstrate to their people that Iran has powerful allies abroad with whom Tehran can engage in discussions about the current situation.
Morozov also mentioned the upcoming visit to Moscow by the Iranian deputy foreign minister, who will be attending a non-proliferation conference this week. He noted that the West has not provided any evidence to support its allegations against Iran.
“We all remember the situation with Iraq and how Colin Powell was waving a vial at a UNSC session, accusing Saddam Hussein’s regime of possessing weapons of mass destruction which, as expected, no one found after Iraq was invaded that the regime was toppled,” he recalled. “The same thing has been going over the past few decades with Iran, who is being accused of being poised to build a nuclear bomb in the next two months,” he pointed out.
Instead of trying to portray Iran as a threat to global security, efforts should be made to involve Iran in discussions on regional security, Morozov suggested.
He also warned that other countries in the Middle East should be aware that they are currently at a critical crossroads. They must either attempt to negotiate and pursue peace, even if it is fragile, or the situation in the region may quickly spiral into “a very serious escalation, up to World War III.”
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Russian air defenses shot down 21 air targets over the city of Belgorod and the Belgorod Region, one person was injured, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on Telegram.
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Government surveillance panopticon grows more powerful with attempted TikTok ban, backdoors
The revelation the FBI attempted to pressure Telegram’s founder into creating a “backdoor” portal to the app for police and intelligence agencies has drawn attention to online government surveillance. Commentator James Carey joined Sputnik’s The Critical Hour program to discuss the latest developments in US government agencies’ quest to control the flow of information.
“Doesn't shock me at all,” added host Garland Nixon. “Kind of what I expect from the FBI, all kinds of criminal activity and miscreant activity for the FBI – that's just any given Tuesday for them.” For more than a decade the FBI engaged in an illegal program of disruption, surveillance, and subversion of activist groups known as COINTELPRO.
Cohost Wilmer Leon also noted efforts to discourage the use of 5G routers by Chinese tech company Huawei in the US and Europe. Officials alleged the hardware may contain backdoors for the Chinese government. But revelations about the FBI’s interest in Telegram suggest the problem was perhaps that the Chinese equipment did not contain backdoors.
Former UK cabinet minister Vince Cable once admitted Washington’s allegations of security threats from Chinese technology are unproven, confessing the UK government banned Huawei equipment as a diplomatic favor for the United States.
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The revelation the FBI attempted to pressure Telegram’s founder into creating a “backdoor” portal to the app for police and intelligence agencies has drawn attention to online government surveillance. Commentator James Carey joined Sputnik’s The Critical Hour program to discuss the latest developments in US government agencies’ quest to control the flow of information.
“First of all as a Telegram user I'm glad I stuck with Telegram,” said Carey. “I think that it's pretty plausible… we've seen in cases like the San Bernardino shooting where Apple didn't have a backdoor ready for the US government and they were essentially ready to threaten even Apple, which is a giant American company, over getting a backdoor to encrypted software.”
“Doesn't shock me at all,” added host Garland Nixon. “Kind of what I expect from the FBI, all kinds of criminal activity and miscreant activity for the FBI – that's just any given Tuesday for them.” For more than a decade the FBI engaged in an illegal program of disruption, surveillance, and subversion of activist groups known as COINTELPRO.
Cohost Wilmer Leon also noted efforts to discourage the use of 5G routers by Chinese tech company Huawei in the US and Europe. Officials alleged the hardware may contain backdoors for the Chinese government. But revelations about the FBI’s interest in Telegram suggest the problem was perhaps that the Chinese equipment did not contain backdoors.
Former UK cabinet minister Vince Cable once admitted Washington’s allegations of security threats from Chinese technology are unproven, confessing the UK government banned Huawei equipment as a diplomatic favor for the United States.
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