◼️ Watch Iskander-M take part in second stage of the non-strategic nuclear forces exercises

◼️ Georgian authorities are reportedly preparing to restore diplomatic relations with Russia

◼️ US lawmakers appear rattled by arrival of Russian warships in the Caribbean

◼️ Hamas rejects Joe Biden-proposed deal on freeing hostages

◼️ Fighter for a fee: Which countries punish mercenaries? Sputnik explains.

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Cheap Sellout: Ukraine to sell state property amid military spending shortfall

The Ukrainian government is planning to auction off some 20 state-owned companies in a bid to boost Ukraine's budget, which is "short $5 billion this year for military spending," the New York Times reports.

According to the newspaper, Ukraine has more than 3,000 state-controlled companies, of which only 15% are profitable. Since the country "did not currently have enough weapons," businessmen are calling for privatization and the sale of assets.

The authorities plan to sell $100 million worth of assets this year, but Ukrainian officials and experts acknowledge that given the risks posed by the conflict, assets are likely to be sold at lower prices.

"The state is in desperate need of money," said Michael Lukashenko, a representative of a law firm that has advised companies on privatization. "If we don't sell now and raise money, soon there will be nothing to sell."

Past privatization efforts have often been ill-conceived, economists say, leaving large assets in the hands of oligarchs. Businessmen complain that state-owned enterprises are a "breeding ground for corruption and other illegal activities.

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❗️Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting Tuesday evening with Defense Minister Andrey Belousov, Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov and district commanders, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reported.

The participants of the meeting briefed the president on the progress of the special operation and plans for future military actions.

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❗️Russia's Foreign Ministry sees no point in commenting on the stuffing replicated by opposition resources, speaking to Sputnik about reports on the possible restoration of diplomatic relations with Georgia.

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❗️Participation in NATO actions outside the Alliance should be voluntary, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban told NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

Stoltenberg confirmed this and said he accepted Hungary's decision not to participate in the Alliance's mission to coordinate assistance to Ukraine.

"I have asked the Secretary General to clarify that all NATO military actions outside the territory of the alliance, in accordance with NATO rules and traditions, can only be voluntary. This was confirmed at today's talks, Hungary received the necessary guarantees," Orban said at a press conference with Stoltenberg.

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🇷🇺Putin congratulated Russians on National Day, noting that citizens celebrate this holiday with respect for their country.

"Russians today are united by patriotism and responsibility for the fate of the motherland," the Russian president said.

He added that all of Russia supports its heroes [of the special military operation].

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BRICS Bridge: Sustainable payment system ‘outside the sanctions’ field’

The Russian Finance Ministry has announced plans to launch the BRICS Bridge platform, designed to conduct cross-border payments between the member states, which currently include Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia.

◾️ According to the ministry, the initiative aims to increase the speed and accessibility of financial transactions, as well as ensuring sustainable payments “outside the sanctions’ field.”

◾️ The platform’s main idea is to use digital financial assets (DFA) issued by the central banks of the BRICS members.

◾️ These assets are supposed to be linked to the member states’ national currencies, which will allow the sides to make payments almost instantly with minimal costs.

◾️ Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov explained that the focus would be put on using modern technological solutions to simplify and improve payments-related procedures rather than creating a single payment instrument for BRICS countries.

◾️ The platform, which will be compatible with traditional real-time payment systems, is still being hammered out, with the Finance Ministry stressing that the project will be implemented on a stage-by-stage basis.

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

▪️Ukrainian losses amounted to more than 500 soldiers in one day due to the actions of the Zapad Battlegroup;

▪️Units of the Sever Batllegroup defeated five brigades of Ukranian forces and the defense, including in Liptsy, Tikhiy, and Volchansk in the Kharkov region;

▪️Ukrainian losses amounted to 600 soldiers in the zone of responsibility of the Yug Battlegroup in one day, five ammunition depots were destroyed;

▪️Units of the Tsentr Battlegroup improved their tactical situation in their area of responsibility. Ukrainian losses amounted to 350 soldiers;

▪️Units of the Vostok Battlegroup occupied more advantageous positions, Ukrainian forces in their area of responsibility lost up to 115 soldiers;

▪️Russian air defenses shot down nine ATACMS operational-tactical missiles, two Hammer guided bombs, and 61 drones in one day.

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