Here’s how Ukrainians have reacted to the attempted assassination of Slovak PM Robert Fico:
"This is what happens when you believe the Russians and promote them."
"Really, who shoots like that??"
"Russian agents are getting little protection."
"Let's wait for him to die for sure."
"This is what happens when you believe the Russians and promote them."
"Really, who shoots like that??"
"Russian agents are getting little protection."
"Let's wait for him to die for sure."
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Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson announced on May 13 that Stockholm has no plans to send military personnel to Ukraine — but may consider the options proposed by its new NATO allies.
The same day, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said Sweden was ready to allow the deployment of nuclear arms on its territory in the event of war. Stockholm has shifted to openly bellicose rhetoric after nearly 200 years of neutrality formally declared by King Karl XIV John in 1834.
🔺Sweden's neutrality stemmed from its crushing defeats and loss of nearly third of its territory during the Napoleonic wars (1803–1815).
🔺It kept its neutral status during WWI, but joined the League of Nations in 1920 seeking collective security protections.
🔺During WW2, the Swedish government remained neutral but nonetheless granted passage to Nazi German forces, while at the same time sheltering European and Jewish refugees.
🔺After the end of Cold War, Sweden joined NATO’s ‘Partnership for Peace’ in 1994. In 1995 Swedish troops served under the NATO command for the first time.
🔺From 1995 onward, Sweden increased cooperation with NATO and the Baltic states which joined the military bloc in 2004.
🔺Sweden announced its plans to join NATO on 16 May 2022, and was admitted to the bloc on March 20, 2024.
🔺Since February 2022, Sweden has sent 15 military aid packages to Ukraine, ranging from protective gear to Leopard 2 tanks.
🔺Sweden has increased military spending by 28 percent in year 2024 and raised the annual armed forces draft from 5,500 connoscripts to 10,000.
Sweden's quick transition from neutrality to bellicosity raises concerns among the nation's former officials and experts, who warn of the risk of NATO confrontation with nuclear-armed Russia.
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❗️ Footage of the assassination attempt on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico
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"I know Robert Fiсo as a courageous and strong-spirited man," Putin said.
Putin sent a telegram to Slovakia's president in connection with the assassination attempt on Prime Minister Fico, saying he was "outraged to learn" about the incident, calling it a "monstrous crime" that "cannot have any justification"
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Putin sent a telegram to Slovakia's president in connection with the assassination attempt on Prime Minister Fico, saying he was "outraged to learn" about the incident, calling it a "monstrous crime" that "cannot have any justification"
"I very much hope that these qualities will help him to withstand this difficult situation. Please convey to him words of the most sincere support, as well as wishes for a speedy and full recovery," the telegram reads.
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Backbone of Russia’s naval nuclear deterrent: what we know about the Bulava missile
The Bulava submarine-launched missile has been adopted into service by Russia’s military, legendary Russian rocket and missile developer and Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology (MITT) General Designer Yuri Solomonov recently confirmed. This ultra-long-range submarine-launched ballistic missile is a crucial component of Russia’s strategic nuclear deterrent, and the keystone of the Navy’s nuclear capabilities. Here’s what we know about it.
◻️ Range: at least 9,300 km
◻️ Payload: 6-10 nuclear-capable multiple independent reentry vehicles (MIRVs) with an explosive yield of 100-150 kilotons apiece. Alternatively, the missile can carry up to 40 decoys to saturate enemy missile defenses.
◻️ Bulava’s MIRVs accelerate to hypersonic speeds during flight, and are capable of maneuvering, making them next to impossible to intercept.
◻️ Shielded by the Sea: Bulavas are launched from underwater by Borei and Borei-A class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines. The subs operate at secret patrol locations, and are extremely difficult to preemptively attack and destroy in a surprise act of aggression. Each sub carries up to 16 Bulavas.
◻️ The Bulava’s development began in 1998, and was plagued by an array of problems before a much-needed reorganization in 2009, which dramatically improved test results and led to the missile’s trial adoption in 2013. Launches and development continued over the subsequent decade, and by the end of 2022, some 40 Bulava test launches had been carried out to ensure the missile’s reliability and accuracy.
◻️ In November 2023, a Bulava was fired from the Emperor Alexander III missile submarine as part of the vessel’s trials. The test was a resounding success, with the strategic missile – launched from the White Sea off northwestern Russia, hitting its target at the Kura training ground in Kamchatka, thousands of kilometers away in Russia’s Far East.
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The Bulava submarine-launched missile has been adopted into service by Russia’s military, legendary Russian rocket and missile developer and Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology (MITT) General Designer Yuri Solomonov recently confirmed. This ultra-long-range submarine-launched ballistic missile is a crucial component of Russia’s strategic nuclear deterrent, and the keystone of the Navy’s nuclear capabilities. Here’s what we know about it.
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Sputnik International
According to unofficial information, the shooter is a writer, a supporter of the opposition party Progressive Slovakia, Juraj Cintula (born in 1953). His photo were published in social networks.
The Slovak opposition has dissociated itself from Fico's attacker.
Progressive Slovakia said he was not a member of their movement and that they condemned "this disgusting act and are concerned about further escalation of tensions" in society.
Earlier, the gunman who shot the Slovakian prime minister was detained. He is believed to be 71-year-old resident of the town of Levice Juraj Cintula. Local media reported that he was a supporter of the opposition.
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Progressive Slovakia said he was not a member of their movement and that they condemned "this disgusting act and are concerned about further escalation of tensions" in society.
Earlier, the gunman who shot the Slovakian prime minister was detained. He is believed to be 71-year-old resident of the town of Levice Juraj Cintula. Local media reported that he was a supporter of the opposition.
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Here's how the US 'undermines democracy' by slapping extraterritorial sanctions on foreign citizens
On May 14, US Assistant Secretary of State Jim O’Brien declared that Georgian lawmakers could face "financial and travel restrictions" for their actions that, he claimed, undermined democracy through the implementation of the new foreign agents' law.
This piece of legislation aims to limit outside meddling in Georgia’s domestic affairs.
The US has frequently imposed sanctions using the broad justification of "undermining democracy" in recent years:
🔺 In March 2019, the US imposed visa sanctions on Venezuelan officials on the eve of the US-backed botched coup in the country.
🔺 In July 2019, Nigerian citizens allegedly violating election processes were subjected to US visa restrictions.
🔺 In December 2020, Belarusian officials and other individuals and entities were hit with sanctions and visa bans. In August 2022, the list was extended.
🔺 In July 2021, the US slapped travel bans on present and former officials of Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador and their associates, while in July 2023 the list was extended to include Nicaraguan citizens.
🔺 In June 2023, the US sanctioned several "pro-Russia" Moldovan opposition figures and an entity associated with one of them. In February 2024, leader of Moldovan opposition Shor party Marina Tauber was slapped with a ban.
🔺 In June 2023, Ugandan officials individuals "believed to be responsible for undermining the democratic process" were slapped with travel bans.
🔺 In September 2023, US visa restrictions were imposed on Bangladeshi ruling party figures, as well as law enforcement and opposition members.
🔺 In January 2024, the US subjected Myanmar officials, military brass, and companies to sanctions.
Washington unilaterally imposed extraterritorial sanctions on foreign citizens, violating their right to due process and acting as if US law superseded the domestic laws of the aforementioned states.
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On May 14, US Assistant Secretary of State Jim O’Brien declared that Georgian lawmakers could face "financial and travel restrictions" for their actions that, he claimed, undermined democracy through the implementation of the new foreign agents' law.
This piece of legislation aims to limit outside meddling in Georgia’s domestic affairs.
The US has frequently imposed sanctions using the broad justification of "undermining democracy" in recent years:
🔺 In March 2019, the US imposed visa sanctions on Venezuelan officials on the eve of the US-backed botched coup in the country.
🔺 In July 2019, Nigerian citizens allegedly violating election processes were subjected to US visa restrictions.
🔺 In December 2020, Belarusian officials and other individuals and entities were hit with sanctions and visa bans. In August 2022, the list was extended.
🔺 In July 2021, the US slapped travel bans on present and former officials of Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador and their associates, while in July 2023 the list was extended to include Nicaraguan citizens.
🔺 In June 2023, the US sanctioned several "pro-Russia" Moldovan opposition figures and an entity associated with one of them. In February 2024, leader of Moldovan opposition Shor party Marina Tauber was slapped with a ban.
🔺 In June 2023, Ugandan officials individuals "believed to be responsible for undermining the democratic process" were slapped with travel bans.
🔺 In September 2023, US visa restrictions were imposed on Bangladeshi ruling party figures, as well as law enforcement and opposition members.
🔺 In January 2024, the US subjected Myanmar officials, military brass, and companies to sanctions.
Washington unilaterally imposed extraterritorial sanctions on foreign citizens, violating their right to due process and acting as if US law superseded the domestic laws of the aforementioned states.
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"I don't agree with the government's policy." With such words the attacker explained why he shot at Fiсo.
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Who could be behind Slovakia PM Fico's attempted murder?
Big power games could be behind the assassination attempt on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, Serbian-American Journalist Nebojsa Malic believes.
💬 "[Fico] basically reversed the previous government's policy towards Ukraine because the previous government had handed over a whole bunch of weapons," Malic told Sputnik.
For NATO, Slovakia is one of the key conduits for all sorts of military support for Ukraine, Malic explained, adding that losing both Slovakia and Hungary as transit routes of weapons to Ukraine would drastically complicate things for the military bloc.
The attempted killing of Fico evokes memories of Cold War-era Operation Gladio by NATO and the CIA to carry out targeted assassinations and psychological warfare.
💬 "I wouldn't be surprised at all if some Gladio structures persisted," Malic said, adding that the West has a record of eliminating elected officials that oppose its policies.
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Big power games could be behind the assassination attempt on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, Serbian-American Journalist Nebojsa Malic believes.
"[He] has been very critical of the EU and NATO position towards the conflict and has said this needs to be negotiated to stop the fighting, which is essentially the [Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor] Orban position."
For NATO, Slovakia is one of the key conduits for all sorts of military support for Ukraine, Malic explained, adding that losing both Slovakia and Hungary as transit routes of weapons to Ukraine would drastically complicate things for the military bloc.
The attempted killing of Fico evokes memories of Cold War-era Operation Gladio by NATO and the CIA to carry out targeted assassinations and psychological warfare.
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Sputnik International
❗️Fico was shot several times, the prime minister’s guards lifted his body from the ground and took him away in a car, Dennikn reports. According to the media, the police have cordoned off the shooting site and are not letting anyone in; the rest of the country’s…
Slovak prime minister's condition is serious and he is still undergoing surgery, authorities said.
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Trump has accepted two presidential debates with Joe Biden on June 27th on CNN and on September 10th on ABC
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"It is my great honor to accept the CNN Debate against Crooked Joe Biden, the WORST PRESIDENT in the History of the United States and a true Threat to Democracy, on June 27th. Likewise, I accept the ABC News Debate against Crooked Joe on September 10th. Thank you, DJT!" he stated in the post published on Truth Social platform.
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Sputnik International
❗️Fico was shot several times, the prime minister’s guards lifted his body from the ground and took him away in a car, Dennikn reports. According to the media, the police have cordoned off the shooting site and are not letting anyone in; the rest of the country’s…
Slovak President-elect commented on the assassination attempt of the country's PM Robert Fico:
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An assassination attempt on the Prime Minister is a threat to everything that has adorned Slovak democracy so far.
With horror, I received the information that Prime Minister Robert Fico became the target of an assassination attempt after a government meeting in Handlova, and during a meeting with people, he suffered gunshot wounds following the attack.
I am horrified by where the hatred towards another political opinion can lead. We don't have to agree on everything, but there are plenty of ways to express our disagreement democratically and legally.
An assassination attempt on one of the highest constitutional officials is an unprecedented threat to Slovak democracy. If we express different political opinions with guns in the squares, and not in polling stations, we endanger everything we have built together in 31 years of Slovak sovereignty.
I wish the Prime Minister a swift recovery and healing. And I earnestly hope that such senseless and brutal acts become the subject of universal condemnation.
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Sputnik International
Slovak prime minister's condition is serious and he is still undergoing surgery, authorities said.
❗️ Slovak Prime Minister Fico's surgery was successful, his condition is stable and he is conscious, local media reported
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US shoots itself in the foot with new China tariffs
The US tariff hike on China targeting an array of Chinese-made goods is “a jumble of US domestic politics played out on the world stage” ahead of the November election, and Washington should brace for “blowback” that “hits harder than the [tariff] shots fired,” says independent economic consultant Paul Goncharoff.
“Simply stated it is overt protectionism, in breach of not just the rules of the WTO, but unilaterally dismissing the ‘rules-based order’ of the entire world trading system” that the US played a central role in creating, the observer told Sputnik.
Beyond formal retaliation in the form of trade restrictions, Beijing has access to an array of tools to make Washington regret its decision, the analyst believes.
The independent observer takes issue with Washington’s characterization of China’s success in winning global market share of the tariffed goods as being the result of “non-market policies and practices.”
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The US tariff hike on China targeting an array of Chinese-made goods is “a jumble of US domestic politics played out on the world stage” ahead of the November election, and Washington should brace for “blowback” that “hits harder than the [tariff] shots fired,” says independent economic consultant Paul Goncharoff.
“Simply stated it is overt protectionism, in breach of not just the rules of the WTO, but unilaterally dismissing the ‘rules-based order’ of the entire world trading system” that the US played a central role in creating, the observer told Sputnik.
Beyond formal retaliation in the form of trade restrictions, Beijing has access to an array of tools to make Washington regret its decision, the analyst believes.
“The bottom line is that they can and shall increase their focus on the emerging and developing world which numerically is the vast majority of global markets. One just has to carefully look at what and who is included in the Belt and Road Initiative, BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the African continent, MENA, Mercosur, and the competitive advantages China has proven for more than three decades. I do not think that the global West can seriously compete and win the non-G7 trading world,” Goncharoff stressed.
The independent observer takes issue with Washington’s characterization of China’s success in winning global market share of the tariffed goods as being the result of “non-market policies and practices.”
“Remember that China is the world’s low-cost producer of many of these goods that will be tariffed further by the US. Quite simply it is because China’s been investing in these industries for 20+ years, while the United States has been debating issues like solar power, EV transport, batteries, etc. It is no surprise that they can outcompete both the US and Europe – they have planned, invested, and worked very hard for their competitive edge,” Goncharoff said.
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