A closer look at Irbis, the new Russian mobile radar system deployed in the Ukrainian conflict

Russian forces operating in the Ukrainian conflict zone started employing a new radar system that makes it a lot harder for Kiev troops to garner the element of surprise.

So, what is known about the new mobile radar system?

▪️Irbis is a new mobile radar station that has a range of about 150 kilometers and can quickly detect all kinds of ground and airborne threats.

▪️The radar can be used to locate enemy artillery, rocket launchers and mortars, as well as UAVs, FPV drones and aircraft, thus making Irbis a potent instrument of both air defense and counterbattery operations.

▪️Irbis’ high mobility, coupled with the fact that it needs little time to deploy or to pack up and move out, makes the radar system a difficult target for the enemy.

▪️To further increase Irbis’ survivability, it is typically escorted by a team of soldiers equipped with anti-drone weaponry and electronic warfare gear.

▪️Irbis’ crew is also housed in a special armored compartment that protects them from shrapnel.

▪️Russia's Defense Ministry also revealed that Irbis has already been used several times to thwart Ukrainian attacks against civilians by detecting incoming rockets and promptly relaying the data to air defense units.

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A ‘bridge’ too far: NATO bosses mull how to better dangle membership carrot before Ukraine’s nose

Mere days before the launch of the NATO summit in Washington DC, the bloc’s leadership apparently strives to keep up Ukraine’s hope of one day joining the bloc, even if the odds of Kiev being granted membership are slim.

With the summit slated to kick off on July 9, NATO bosses are trying to work out the wording of their promises to Ukraine, with news website Euractiv claiming that “negotiations on the draft declaration text are expected to remain ongoing until the very last minute.”

Specifically, NATO officials push the so-called “bridge to NATO” narrative that entails Ukraine receiving tangible benefits, like training for its armed forces and military aid, that mark Kiev’s metaphorical road to the membership in the bloc.

At the same time, some of the NATO members want to force Ukraine to undergo certain domestic reforms before it is allowed into the bloc, amid debates whether to portray Kiev’s journey into NATO’s fold as irreversible.

Basically, the media outlet notes - citing several NATO diplomats familiar with the matter - that bloc officials are trying to figure out “how to link the words ‘bridge’, ‘irreversibility’, and ‘reforms’,” i.e. wrap all of the aforementioned components in one preferably non-contradictory package.

One senior European diplomat, however, told Euractiv: “It’s nice that we’re getting into the business of building bridges, the question is how strong or stable are they?”

“It makes a difference whether the bridge is made of paper, wood or steel and certainly it makes a difference whether it’s short or rather long-distance,” the diplomat added.

“The thing about the bridge is that we don’t know how long it is,” another NATO diplomat reportedly remarked.

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❗️A coalition of left-wing parties is leading the elections in France, with the right-wing National Rally coming third, French media reported, citing exit polls.

Macron's coalition is in second place and could receive from 150 to 175 seats in parliament according to the preliminary results of the second round of elections in France, media reported.

None of the party coalitions in France has an absolute majority in parliament according to preliminary election results, media reported.

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📹 At the headquarters of the Socialist Party of France, part of the coalition of left forces, the preliminary election results were greeted with applause.

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Thousands of Israeli activists gathered outside the General Federation of Workers building in central Tel Aviv demanding the immediate release of hostages from the Gaza Strip and early elections.

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▪️A coalition of left-wing parties is leading the elections in France, with the right-wing National Rally coming third

▪️A ‘bridge’ too far: NATO bosses mull how to better dangle membership carrot before Ukraine’s nose

▪️Ukrainian missiles would not have flown - including to Sevastopol - without the direct involvement of the United States in guidance, Russian FM Sergey Lavrov has said

▪️Republika Srpska may declare independence from Bosnia and Herzegovina

▪️Hundreds of protesters in Israel have been blocking interchanges and highways across the country

▪️The world’s biggest coast guard vessel: What’s known about China's CCG-5901 ‘monster’ ship

▪️A closer look at Irbis, the new Russian mobile radar system deployed in the Ukrainian conflict

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Results of French parliamentary elections "inexplicable" and "extremely unexpected" - a European lawmaker from National Rally told Sputnik.

National Rally makes historic breakthrough in French parliamentary elections, doubling number of lawmakers, party leader Bardella said.

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Left-wing coalition leading in France's elections and ready to form government to implement program, according to it's leader Melenchon.

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French President Emmanuel Macron decided not to address the nation on Sunday after the second round of parliamentary elections, media reported.

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French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said he will file for resignation on Monday, July 8, but will serve until a new cabinet is formed.

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Ukraine’s top military commander may be given the boot less than six months after his appointment

Mere months after replacing Gen. Valery Zaluzhny as commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, Gen. Oleksandr Syrsky may soon be ousted himself amid a recent string of humiliations suffered by Ukrainian troops at the hands of Russian military.

As Ukrainian forces struggle and fail to stop Russia’s advance on multiple fronts, it appears that Volodymyr Zelensky wants to “get rid of Syrsky and replace him with God knows who,” former CIA analyst Larry Johnson said during an interview on YouTube podcast Dialogue Works.

Such a move won’t actually matter, Johnson says, pointing out that Syrsky is “not a magician” who could conjure out of thin air “new brigades of soldiers that are trained and ready to go to combat” – something that Ukraine currently has in very short supply.

That said, Syrsky himself is not some kind of peerless commander, with Johnson noting that the Ukrainian general “made some bad tactical decisions” such as not building adequate defensive lines before Russian troops went on the offensive this year.

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Supporters of left-wing forces in France's parliamentary elections gather in the Place de la Republique in Paris to celebrate the victory, media reported.

Video from social media

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Opposition leader Marine Le Pen, commenting on the results of the French elections, said the victory of the right-wing party National Rally, which was thwarted this time, "is only postponed".

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