Key statements by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov at a briefing:

▪️Commenting on Biden's accusing Russia of xenophobia, Peskov said that the statement distorts reality.

▪️The United States continues to openly put pressure on countries that cooperate with Russia, but this cannot affect bilateral relations.

▪️ Accusations against Russia of using chemical weapons are unfounded and Russia remains committed to its obligations.

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Modular version of the Buk-M3 to improve Russia's air defense

The modular variant of the Buk-M3 air defense system can significantly increase the level of protection of Russian skies from Ukrainian attacks, analysts of the Center for Aerospace Defense wrote in the article for the magazine National Defense.

Ukraine uses long-range weapons to target Russian stationary objects - industrial buildings or urban infrastructure. Taking this into account, the developer of the Buk family of air defense systems has implemented the idea of modular construction of a medium-range air defense system.

The complex does not require specialized chassis - a step that significantly reduces its cost. At the same time, the adaptations allow to improve the reconnaissance and firing capabilities, as well as to upgrade the ammunition of the air defense system.

"The modular version of the Buk-M3 air defense system is capable of significantly increasing the level of air defense and repulsing existing and future threats of terrorist attacks from the air," the article reads.

Analysts add that the modular Buk-M3 as a "highly effective medium-range air defense system" will make short work of all tactical and cruise missiles supplied by the West, including the hyped ATACMS, Storm Shadow and Taurus.

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❗️The Russian military has completely liberated the settlement of Berdychy, the Russian Defense Ministry announced.

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Russian Su-25 fighter jet crews disrupted the rotation of Ukrainian units and destroyed hangars with UAF equipment.

The attack was carried out using unguided aircraft missiles at specified coordinates.

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Police use stun grenades as they break up the encampment at the University of California, Los Angeles.

"We're not scared!" demonstrators shout in response.

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Protesters demand that the Armenian leader resign near the Government House in the country’s capital

The rally, organized by representatives of Vahagn Chakhalyan's “Kamk” (The Will) initiative, also calls to put an end to Armenia’s policy of concessions and not transferring the territories in Tavush to Azerbaijan.

On April 19, Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed on the demarcation of part of the border, according to which four villages that had been under Armenian control since the early 1990s will be passed over to Azerbaijan's administration.

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❗️Ukraine lost up to 270 soldiers due to the successful combat operations of the Russian Battlegroup Yug.

🇷🇺🪖 More statements from the daily briefing of the Russian Defense Ministry on the progress of the special military operation in Ukraine:

🔺 The Russian Battlegroup Zapad destroyed more than 150 troops, five Ukrainian brigades in the Kharkov region, and repulsed five counterattacks;

🔺 Two Ukrainian Armed Forces’ brigades were defeated, Ukraine lost up to 100 soldiers due to the successful combat operations of the Russian Battlegroup Vostok;

🔺 Four Ukrainian brigades were destroyed by the units of the Russian Dnepr Battlegroup;

🔺 Russian air defenses shot down 25 drones, two guided bombs, and three MLRS shells;

🔺 The Russian Armed Forces destroyed two US-made HIMARS MLRS combat vehicles, a missile production workshop and a warehouse of the Ukrainian rocket and artillery weapons.

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At least 167 people were detained on Wednesday and Thursday at educational institutions in the United States during protests in support of Palestine, Fox News has reported.

This brings the total number of people detained at such rallies in the last two weeks to nearly two thousand.

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💥 Russian FPV drone crews made over 40 strikes on Ukrainian positions in the DPR region, the Russian MoD reports

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▪️The United States is the most powerful driving force of space militarization and the biggest threat to space security, the Chinese Foreign Ministry told Sputnik.

▪️They also said that the US openly defines outer space as a combat zone, provoking confrontation between countries.

▪️China calls on the United States to stop spreading false statements and building weapons in space, the Chinese Foreign Ministry added.

Earlier, John Plumb, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Outer Space Policy, accused Russia and China of developing and deploying anti-space weapons. In this regard, China has refused further consultations with the United States on nuclear arms control since the last negotiations in November last year.

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Are you sure, Joe? Biden berates Japan, China, and Russia for being ‘xenophobic’

Biden has blamed America’s ally Japan for being reluctant to welcome migrants, something that he argued also pertains to China and Russia.

“You know, one of the reasons our economy is growing is because of you and many others. Why? Because we welcome immigrants. The reason - think about it - why is China stalling so bad economically? Why is Japan having trouble? Why is Russia, why is anyone? Because they’re xenophobic, they don’t want immigrants,” Biden said during a campaign fundraising event in Washington.

Nearly 7.3 million migrants have crossed the US' southern border illegally since the 46th president took office in 2021, a flow that shows no signs of abating.

When it comes to Japan, the number of foreigners residing in this East Asian country soared to a record high of 3.4 million in December 2023, a 10-percent increase compared to 2022.

Russian President Putin, for his part, recalled in March 2024 that his country remains “a multi-ethnic and multi-confessional country,” as he urged respect for “our brothers” - representatives of other faiths - living in Russia.

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Why does US want South Korea in AUKUS?

South Korea may soon follow Japan and participate in AUKUS’ Pillar II advanced capability projects, to include quantum computing, hypersonic, artificial intelligence, and undersea capabilities, among others.

Here’s why South Korea is critical to US efforts to maintain its hegemony in Asia:

▪️The Biden administration hopes to capitalize on South Korea’s robust semiconductor industry. As AI-equipped warships, fighter jets and other weapons increase, South Korea’s mass production of next-generation chips is important for the US military’s supply chains.

▪️South Korea is emerging as a major arms supplier, going so far as to send howitzers and ammunition in support of NATO’s proxy war in Ukraine.

▪️Due to its strategic location and capabilities, US can use South Korea to threaten China and North Korea. South Korea already hosts more than 28,000 US troops and the intermediate-range THAAD missile defense system.

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The language ombudsman of Ukraine stated the need to move to the "offensive Ukrainization" of the country.

Before that, in his opinion, Ukrainization was "gentle". The ombudsman did not specify what the transition would be.

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