Ukraine attacks 'Valkyrie' Russian ballerina-turned-militia fighter with FPV drones
Overnight, during the offensive operations of the Espanola brigade near Chasov Yar, DPR, dozens of FPV drones attacked the transport of the Espanola assault company, representatives of the brigade told Sputnik. Among those attacked was the company commander, codename "Pitbull", and his deputy "Valkyrie" - a ballerina-turned-militia fighter.
Along with 'Pitbull', who was driving the car, were his deputy 'Valkyrie' and a unit with the call sign 'Dantes' (photo 1). All three suffered minor bruises, but the transport was obliterated with no chance of recovery (photo 2).
As 'Valkyrie' told Sputnik, her comrades who were caught in the confusion are fine (see photo 3). No serious medical intervention was necessary.
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Overnight, during the offensive operations of the Espanola brigade near Chasov Yar, DPR, dozens of FPV drones attacked the transport of the Espanola assault company, representatives of the brigade told Sputnik. Among those attacked was the company commander, codename "Pitbull", and his deputy "Valkyrie" - a ballerina-turned-militia fighter.
"During the offensive operations carried out in this direction by the small mobile groups of Espanola, using a variety of modern means of warfare, one of the main elements of the battle is electronic warfare systems. Such warfare makes it possible to protect the units from the most significant threat for today - UAVs, launched by the enemy, literally in thousands, in a variety of modifications. Therefore, unfortunately, it is impossible to avoid incidents like today at the front," explained the Espanola representative.
"An emergency situation required 'Pitbull' to go outside our electronic warfare work area. The enemy soon attacked his vehicle, a UAZ Patriot pickup, from the air with FPV drones. In a forest belt on a narrow road, Pitbull's car did not have enough speed and maneuverability, and it was not possible to escape the impact; the enemy's attack hit right in the middle of the vehicle. But the good preparation and physical condition of the Espanola fighters allowed them to avoid serious losses," he noted.
Along with 'Pitbull', who was driving the car, were his deputy 'Valkyrie' and a unit with the call sign 'Dantes' (photo 1). All three suffered minor bruises, but the transport was obliterated with no chance of recovery (photo 2).
As 'Valkyrie' told Sputnik, her comrades who were caught in the confusion are fine (see photo 3). No serious medical intervention was necessary.
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Russia is directly challenging the UK at all levels... by sending phishing emails, says former UK defense secretary without providing any evidence.
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"They’re the ones robbing your granny and my parents with phishing emails," Ben Wallace told the Sky News reporter.
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❗️Russia and Ukraine have held face-to-face talks for the first time with the mediation of Qatar to discuss the fate of children caught up in the conflict, said Russia's Children's Ombudswoman Maria Lvova-Belova.
The talks were held in Doha and an agreement was reached that 29 children will move to Ukraine and 19 to Russia, the official said.
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The talks were held in Doha and an agreement was reached that 29 children will move to Ukraine and 19 to Russia, the official said.
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🇰🇵 North Korea will continue to build an overwhelming and strong military force to protect its sovereignty and regional peace, said Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong U, the North's KCNA news agency reported.
US military exercises in the region this year, starting with live-fire drills conducted with the "South Korean puppet military gangsters," are driving the regional security environment into a dangerous turmoil, she added.
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US military exercises in the region this year, starting with live-fire drills conducted with the "South Korean puppet military gangsters," are driving the regional security environment into a dangerous turmoil, she added.
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❗️Units from Russia's Southern Battlegroup repelled seven attacks by Ukrainian troops during which Ukrainian losses amounted to 470 soldiers.
🇷🇺🪖 More statements from the daily briefing of the Russian Defense Ministry on the progress of the special military operation in Ukraine:
▪️The West Battlegroup occupied more advantageous positions and repelled an attack by Ukrainian troops near Novovodyany;
▪️Units of the Center Battlegroup improved their tactical position and repelled seven attacks by Ukrainian troops;
▪️The Southern Battlegroup destroyed three Ukrainian field ammunition depots;
▪️Units of the Eastern Battlegroup repelled an attack by Ukrainian troops in the village of Urozhainy in the DPR area;
▪️Ukrainian losses amounted to 110 soldiers in the area corresponding to the Eastern Battlegroup;
▪️Russian air defenses destroyed 299 Ukrainian drones, nine HIMARS and Alder missiles, as well as six Hammer guided bombs.
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🇷🇺🪖 More statements from the daily briefing of the Russian Defense Ministry on the progress of the special military operation in Ukraine:
▪️The West Battlegroup occupied more advantageous positions and repelled an attack by Ukrainian troops near Novovodyany;
▪️Units of the Center Battlegroup improved their tactical position and repelled seven attacks by Ukrainian troops;
▪️The Southern Battlegroup destroyed three Ukrainian field ammunition depots;
▪️Units of the Eastern Battlegroup repelled an attack by Ukrainian troops in the village of Urozhainy in the DPR area;
▪️Ukrainian losses amounted to 110 soldiers in the area corresponding to the Eastern Battlegroup;
▪️Russian air defenses destroyed 299 Ukrainian drones, nine HIMARS and Alder missiles, as well as six Hammer guided bombs.
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🇨🇳💰Why is China dumping US Treasuries for gold?
China’s holdings of US Treasury bonds plunged by $22.7 billion in February to $775 billion, according to data released by the US Treasury Department last week. This is not an isolated development. Over the past decade, China has dumped 40% of its US Treasury holdings. Here's what you need to know:
▪️China has been divesting itself of US debt for several years, with its investment in the latter hitting a 14-year low in Oct 2023.
▪️China is minimizing its exposure to the US dollar, seeing how US has weaponized the greenback by freezing and now threatening to confiscate the Russian Central Bank's financial assets.
▪️Instead, China is stockpiling gold, a reserve asset with no counterparty risk. Its gold reserve now stands at 2,235 tons, just a 100-ton shy of Russia’s, according to World Gold Council.
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China’s holdings of US Treasury bonds plunged by $22.7 billion in February to $775 billion, according to data released by the US Treasury Department last week. This is not an isolated development. Over the past decade, China has dumped 40% of its US Treasury holdings. Here's what you need to know:
▪️China has been divesting itself of US debt for several years, with its investment in the latter hitting a 14-year low in Oct 2023.
▪️China is minimizing its exposure to the US dollar, seeing how US has weaponized the greenback by freezing and now threatening to confiscate the Russian Central Bank's financial assets.
▪️Instead, China is stockpiling gold, a reserve asset with no counterparty risk. Its gold reserve now stands at 2,235 tons, just a 100-ton shy of Russia’s, according to World Gold Council.
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US Secret Service has started preparing for Trump's imprisonment - media
Since Juan Merchan, the judge in charge of Donald Trump’s trial, does not exclude the possibility of sending the former president to short-term confinement for a violation of a gagging order imposed by the court, the Secret Service held several meetings to plan steps for the corresponding scenario, ABC News reports, citing officials.
However, the service does not yet have a plan in case the ex-president is found guilty.
Trump is currently facing trial for felony charges related to the alteration of business records in an attempt to conceal the repayment of hush money by his former attorney, Michael Cohen, to adult film star Stormy Daniels prior to the 2016 presidential election.
The Secret Service is charged with protecting current and former US presidents (as well as their families), but protecting a former president in jail would be an unprecedented case.
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Since Juan Merchan, the judge in charge of Donald Trump’s trial, does not exclude the possibility of sending the former president to short-term confinement for a violation of a gagging order imposed by the court, the Secret Service held several meetings to plan steps for the corresponding scenario, ABC News reports, citing officials.
However, the service does not yet have a plan in case the ex-president is found guilty.
Trump is currently facing trial for felony charges related to the alteration of business records in an attempt to conceal the repayment of hush money by his former attorney, Michael Cohen, to adult film star Stormy Daniels prior to the 2016 presidential election.
The Secret Service is charged with protecting current and former US presidents (as well as their families), but protecting a former president in jail would be an unprecedented case.
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Russia will have a new universal technical complex for military and socio-economic satellites
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu was informed at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome about the commissioning of a new universal technical complex, which will prepare military and socio-economic satellites for their launch on an Angara rocket.
The creation of infrastructure for satellite launches to all types of orbits in the interests of the Russian Defense Ministry on Angara rockets has been completed at the cosmodrome, Shoigu said during his inspection.
Three more launches of Angara missiles are planned for 2024, the minister announced.
Russia's defense minister added that launch capabilities will double at the cosmodrome after the modernization of the second launch complex for Soyuz space rockets.
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Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu was informed at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome about the commissioning of a new universal technical complex, which will prepare military and socio-economic satellites for their launch on an Angara rocket.
The creation of infrastructure for satellite launches to all types of orbits in the interests of the Russian Defense Ministry on Angara rockets has been completed at the cosmodrome, Shoigu said during his inspection.
Three more launches of Angara missiles are planned for 2024, the minister announced.
Russia's defense minister added that launch capabilities will double at the cosmodrome after the modernization of the second launch complex for Soyuz space rockets.
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Joe Biden says US will begin sending military equipment to Ukraine in the next few hours.
The United States will send Ukraine ammunition for air defense, artillery, missile systems, and armored vehicles, according to the US president.
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The United States will send Ukraine ammunition for air defense, artillery, missile systems, and armored vehicles, according to the US president.
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The United States is allocating $1 billion for humanitarian aid to Gaza, Israel is obliged to ensure its speedy delivery, Biden said.
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Sputnik International
Joe Biden says US will begin sending military equipment to Ukraine in the next few hours. The United States will send Ukraine ammunition for air defense, artillery, missile systems, and armored vehicles, according to the US president. Subscribe to @SputnikInt
New aid for Ukraine includes RIM-7 and AIM-9M missiles, Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, Himars ammunition, and cluster munitions, according to the Pentagon.
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Will Ukraine repay its debt?
The US Senate has approved more than $61 billion in Ukraine assistance, stipulating that the Kiev regime will receive more than $9 billion in the form of a so-called “forgivable loan.”
An array of US legislators made it clear that they doubt Ukraine’s ability to pay back the sum.
🔸 Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville slammed the Ukraine aid bill as "fishy," insisting that the loan "will never be repaid."
🔸 GOP Senator Mitt Romney admitted that the loan would finally serve the same purpose as a grant, adding: “If that gets some people over the line, fine, because ultimately, Ukraine is not going to pay back the loan to the US, it’s going to be a loan that’s forgiven.”
🔸 House lawmaker Ralph Norman from the same party said he would like to know “what you are going to collect.” According to him, “You've got a war-torn country that basically doesn't have an economy. So how do you get paid back?"
🔸 Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., lashed out at Washington’s push to “loaning the money and equipment to Ukraine." Per Massie, “OK, why not loan the aid to Israel and Taiwan as well? Because they actually have the means to pay back the loan, that’s why. It’s a farce."
In February, Donald Trump dwelled on the idea of loaning American money to Ukraine. At first, it was taken as another of Trump’s off-the-cuff comments, but reports show it actually helped to gain more support from the lawmakers and contributed to the final Congress approval of the bill.
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The US Senate has approved more than $61 billion in Ukraine assistance, stipulating that the Kiev regime will receive more than $9 billion in the form of a so-called “forgivable loan.”
An array of US legislators made it clear that they doubt Ukraine’s ability to pay back the sum.
In February, Donald Trump dwelled on the idea of loaning American money to Ukraine. At first, it was taken as another of Trump’s off-the-cuff comments, but reports show it actually helped to gain more support from the lawmakers and contributed to the final Congress approval of the bill.
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TikTok social media platform has called the possible US law banning it “unconstitutional” and said it would defend its rights in court.
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What is Project Maven AI and how is it disappointing US?
Project Maven AI is US Defense Department’s flagship project that uses artificial intelligence to make decisions on the battlefield in lieu of humans.
The technology is being tested in the Ukraine conflict area, with Lt. Gen. Christopher Donahue, Commander of the 18th Airborne Corps, cynically calling Ukraine “our laboratory”.
In theory, the system is supposed to process data from multiple sources, including satellites, drones, and even social media accounts of Russian soldiers, before anticipating, detecting, and destroying enemy targets by generating swarms of GPA-guided missiles with little input from humans.
However, field commanders have complained of the system’s failure in delivering “the picture of the battlefield” to “soldiers in the trenches”, according the New York Times.
In addition, Bloomberg has reported that while soldiers can accurately identify a tank 84% of the time, Project Maven AI is only managing 60%, a figure that tanks to 30% in snowy environments.
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Project Maven AI is US Defense Department’s flagship project that uses artificial intelligence to make decisions on the battlefield in lieu of humans.
The technology is being tested in the Ukraine conflict area, with Lt. Gen. Christopher Donahue, Commander of the 18th Airborne Corps, cynically calling Ukraine “our laboratory”.
In theory, the system is supposed to process data from multiple sources, including satellites, drones, and even social media accounts of Russian soldiers, before anticipating, detecting, and destroying enemy targets by generating swarms of GPA-guided missiles with little input from humans.
However, field commanders have complained of the system’s failure in delivering “the picture of the battlefield” to “soldiers in the trenches”, according the New York Times.
In addition, Bloomberg has reported that while soldiers can accurately identify a tank 84% of the time, Project Maven AI is only managing 60%, a figure that tanks to 30% in snowy environments.
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The United States secretly transferred ATACMS operational-tactical missiles to Ukraine in March. They were used twice against Russian targets, according to Politico.
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Australian police arrested seven teenagers in connection with the Bishop Mari Mari Emanuel stabbing
Aged 15 to 17, the youngsters were part of a network that included a 16-year-old boy accused of stabbing the bishop Emmanuel in a Sydney church on April 15, according to the police.
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Aged 15 to 17, the youngsters were part of a network that included a 16-year-old boy accused of stabbing the bishop Emmanuel in a Sydney church on April 15, according to the police.
“We will allege that these individuals adhered to a religiously motivated, violent extremist ideology,” the police spokesperson told media.
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Fall of Project Maven? How US target recognition system failed miserably in Ukraine
The deficiencies of the American target recognition system known as Project Maven were exposed by the Ukrainian crisis, veteran Russian military observer and defense tech expert Alexei Leonkov told Sputnik.
While the system, designed to use machine learning to identify targets, managed to gauge Russia’s preparations for the special military operation prior to February 24, 2022, it was overwhelmed as soon as fighting began and the ground situation altered quickly, Leonkov explained.
According to Leonkov, last year’s Ukrainian “counteroffensive” laid bare one of Maven’s biggest flaws when it failed to account for a “number of factors” in assessing Russian defenses. That botch turned Ukrainians’ projected victory into a crushingly humiliating defeat.
Maven also failed to anticipate Russian attacks at Avdeyevka, Leonkov said, adding that the city’s loss dealt a big blow to the system’s credibility in Pentagon’s eyes.
Project Maven could probably be effective in “low-intensity local conflicts” where the situation on the battlefield does not change as quickly, Leonkov suggested.
He further noted that even US artificial intelligence experts have warned that modern AI operates within the framework of pre-programmed scenarios and algorithms, rendering it rather useless in real battles shrouded in chaos.
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The deficiencies of the American target recognition system known as Project Maven were exposed by the Ukrainian crisis, veteran Russian military observer and defense tech expert Alexei Leonkov told Sputnik.
While the system, designed to use machine learning to identify targets, managed to gauge Russia’s preparations for the special military operation prior to February 24, 2022, it was overwhelmed as soon as fighting began and the ground situation altered quickly, Leonkov explained.
“Here’s an example. An observation unit – a drone or a satellite – spots a tank. Here’s a question: is it a tank? Is it a real tank? Is it the same tank that was spotted there yesterday, or is it a new tank that arrived there 15 minutes ago?” he asked.
“Basically, when static intelligence data suddenly became dynamic intelligence data, the Maven project faltered, miscalculating the situation on the battlefield.”
According to Leonkov, last year’s Ukrainian “counteroffensive” laid bare one of Maven’s biggest flaws when it failed to account for a “number of factors” in assessing Russian defenses. That botch turned Ukrainians’ projected victory into a crushingly humiliating defeat.
Maven also failed to anticipate Russian attacks at Avdeyevka, Leonkov said, adding that the city’s loss dealt a big blow to the system’s credibility in Pentagon’s eyes.
Project Maven could probably be effective in “low-intensity local conflicts” where the situation on the battlefield does not change as quickly, Leonkov suggested.
He further noted that even US artificial intelligence experts have warned that modern AI operates within the framework of pre-programmed scenarios and algorithms, rendering it rather useless in real battles shrouded in chaos.
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Sputnik International
The United States secretly transferred ATACMS operational-tactical missiles to Ukraine in March. They were used twice against Russian targets, according to Politico. Subscribe to @SputnikInt
The Pentagon confirmed to Sputnik the transfer of ATACMS missiles to Ukraine for use, as stated, “within sovereign Ukrainian territory”.
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Ukraine's Cabinet has banned the issuance of passports to Ukrainians abroad who are liable for military service.
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