Russian troops have evacuated a captured Leopard 2 tank, Russian media reported. Reportedly, fighters from the Russian Battlegroup Tsentr carried out an entire operation to evacuate the combat vehicle. To move the German tank, the soldiers had to “tear the tracks apart with an explosion.”

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The head of Gagauzia, Yevgenia Gutsul, explained during a congress of Moldovan politicians in Moscow, why the policies pursued by the current Moldovan president, Sandu, are lawless.

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Ukrainian Lawmaker Calls New Aid Package Gift to US Military-Industrial Complex

The $61 billion in new assistance which passed through the House of Representatives is just a drop in the bucket compared to Kiev’s fiscal needs, and the majority of the funds will go to the US military-industrial complex, Ukrainian parliamentarian Oleksandr Dubinsky said.

“Most of the funds will go to the American military-industrial complex through the Pentagon. This is a lobbying law sponsoring the US military-industrial complex, which can supply weapons to Ukraine on credit through the US Defense Department. That is, they receive financial incentives for a guaranteed market,” Dubinsky wrote in a social media post.

Regarding the money promised for the stabilization of the budget, yes, Kiev will receive it – in the amount of $7.8 billion. But it cannot be spent on pensions and social benefits, and is reserved for the salaries of bureaucrats and public sector employees, Dubinsky pointed out.

“The overall budget deficit remains colossal, and even when these funds are taken into account, stands at about $20 billion, the impact of which will become apparent from the second half of the year on,” he wrote.

Dubinsky characterized the $61 billion US package as “crumbs from the master’s table,” and the “result of a long political game (which cost us lives, territory and infrastructure),” in which Ukraine has been made to work “in the interests of specific political and lobbying groups in the United States.”

In addition, “since further aid packages seem to be unlikely, interest in this Ukrainian government from the American establishment has been exhausted,” he concluded.

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🇮🇱🇵🇸 Israel will increase its military and political pressure on Hamas in the coming days, Netanyahu has said, promising "painful strikes."

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Goodbye, EU! Moldova's destiny lies in collaboration with Russia and CIS nations, opposition politician believes

Ilan Shor, leader of the Moldovan opposition 'Shor' party, stressed the importance of Moldova's future trajectory.

"As I've stated repeatedly, Moldova's destiny lies in collaboration with the Russian Federation and all CIS countries," he told Sputnik.

"We must engage on all fronts — economic, political, and ideological,” Shor said. “Together, there's much we can achieve. I'm confident we will. I believe Moldova will thrive."

When asked about European politicians' role in Moldova's current economic and political situation, Shor bid them farewell, leaving with a simple "Goodbye."

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Moldovan party leader criticizes government's handling of gas policies

Leader of the Chance party, Alexey Lungu, emphasized the shifting priorities of Moldovan citizens in response to recent changes in language policies.

Lungu stated that, "Language issues have always been manipulated by politicians to sow discord among people," highlighting the concern among citizens for addressing social problems like poverty and economic challenges rather than language politics.

Lungu stressed the need for tangible actions over rhetoric, citing examples of his party's work in various regions. He emphasized the importance of unity to tackle pressing issues efficiently, especially considering Moldova's status as the poorest country in Europe, marked by high gas prices and significant youth emigration.

Lungu also criticized recent claims by the Moldovan foreign minister regarding the country's gas policies, asserting, "We all know that Moldova still relies heavily on Russian gas, despite what officials claim."

He urged leaders to prioritize the well-being of Moldovan citizens by ensuring access to affordable resources, echoing the sentiment that a prosperous life in Europe hinges on access to cheap energy.

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The US could resume military supplies to Ukraine by the end of next week, which will include ATACMS missiles, the head of the Senate Intelligence Committee said.

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The head of Moldova's Gagauz autonomous region Evgeniya Gutsul on Gagauz Autonomy's role and Moldova's course

On the potential integration of Moldova and Romania into a single state, Gutsul told Sputnik that "10 years ago, in a Gagauz referendum, we voted that if Moldova loses its independence and unites with Romania, we reserve the right to self-determination."

She highlighted the linguistic and cultural differences of the Gagauz people and expressed a desire for continued friendship with Russia.

When asked about the impact of Moldova's current political course, Gutsul urged European politicians to visit Gagauzia directly, stating, "Instead of just listening to reports from the authorities of the Republic of Moldova, it would be better if they came to Gagauzia, listened directly to our authorities."

She underlined the region's desire for peace and prosperity, emphasizing unity and cooperation between Gagauz and Moldovan people.

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🇮🇱 Israeli war cabinet minister Benny Gantz asked US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to reconsider the reported plan to sanction the IDF’s Netzah Yehuda Battalion, his office says in a readout of the conversation.

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US was shocked at 'worst-case scenario' scale of Iran’s retaliatory strike on Israel

The Biden administration was shocked at the scale of Iran’s retaliatory missile and drone barrage against Israel on April 13, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The level of Tehran’s first direct attack on Israel "matched worst-case scenarios," US officials were cited as admitting.

“This was on the high end, I think, of what we were anticipating,” one unnamed senior official said.

As President Joe Biden and his national security team huddled in the White House Situation Room that day, they reportedly feared the allied-bolstered defenses would not be sufficient to repel the assault. There had never before been an attempt to intercept so many drones, cruise and ballistic missiles at once, the report underscored.

Throughout the Iranian attack, the US, UK, France, and Jordan joined Israel in shooting down incoming drones and missiles, with Tel Aviv’s anti-missile systems reinforced by anti-missile and counter-drone deployments carried out ahead of the anticipated operation.

“The results of the defenses were unclear until all was said and done,” a senior Biden administration official was cited as saying.

In retaliation for Tel Aviv's unprovoked April 1 attack on the Iranian Embassy compound in Damascus, Syria, Iran launched a massive drone and missile attack against Israel on April 13, assisted by Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthis. Over 300 projectiles were fired at Israeli territory from Iran, with Tehran claiming the strike "hit designated targets." Israel's military has claimed that 99% of the projectiles were intercepted.

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The underground shared footage with Sputnik of the recent attack on the Southern Port in Odessa.

"Yesterday Russia struck the southern port in Odessa; the video was sent by a member of the resistance," Sergey Lebedev, coordinator of the Nikolaev underground, told Sputnik, referring to his colleagues.

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🔺Rep. Gosar to Sputnik: Congress ‘seems to want to help every country except America’

🔺Ukrainian Lawmaker Calls New Aid Package Gift to US Military-Industrial Complex

🔺The head of Moldova's Gagauz autonomous region Evgeniya Gutsul on Gagauz Autonomy's role and Moldova's course

🔺Israel will increase its military and political pressure on Hamas in the coming days, Netanyahu has said, promising "painful strikes"

🔺The US could resume military supplies to Ukraine by the end of next week, which will include ATACMS missiles, the head of the Senate Intelligence Committee said

🔺The leaders of the opposition parties of Moldova officially signed a document on unification into the "Pobeda" (Victory) political bloc

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NATO chief Stoltenberg admits delay of US aid to Ukraine had consequences

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg claimed that the new Ukraine aid package did not come too late, although admitting that the delay had left consequences.

"It is not too late but, of course, the delay has had real consequences. The Ukrainians are now for months being outgunned by roughly one to five, one to ten, depending on what part of the frontline you talk about," he told MSNBC.

Stoltenberg complained that Russia had much more ammunition, while the Ukrainians had been forced to ration theirs. The Ukrainian military has also been struggling to strike down missiles and drones because it lacks ammunition for air defense systems, he added.

The US House of Representatives passed a $61-billion bill on Ukraine-related aid on Saturday. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he hoped the upper house of Congress would have a vote on it as soon as Tuesday before it is sent to the president's desk.

The package provides $23.3 billion to replenish US weapon stocks and $13.8 billion to procure advanced weapons. It also includes a measure to provide Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to Ukraine.

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A US military base located outside the northeastern Syrian city of Al Hasakah came under a drone and rocket attack on Sunday night, a source in the know told Sputnik.

"The strikes at the American base at the Kharab al-Jir airport in the Al Hasakah suburns in northeastern Syria were launched using a drone and four rockets," the source said.

Media reported on Sunday that at least five rockets were fired toward the base from the Iraqi town of Zummar, just across the border from the Al Hasakah governorate.

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🇪🇺 🇷🇺 The West's focus on the military-industrial complex often prioritizes war over peace, says African expert

The idea of pushing war narratives is very central to the West's orientation in terms of a robust system of governance, Professor Emmanuel Remi Aiyede, a political science expert from the University of Ibadan in Nigeria, told Sputnik Africa, commenting on Russia's Sergey Lavrov's recent remarks about NATO's false narratives that Russia is planning to attack Europe.

"I think, first and foremost, the global system, especially as led by the West, is likely built around the military-industrial complex, and that's why peace all over the world is not necessarily the first objective of the West in international relations," Aiyede said.

He contended that the sanctions imposed on Moscow in connection with the conflict in Ukraine have had a boomerang effect, negatively affecting both Russia and Western countries, as well as other countries around the world, including in Africa.

"Our interest [in Africa] is global peace, our interest is collaboration with any part of the world that promises our own prosperity and success, economically and technologically," he said.

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