'Angela, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to inflict any moral pain to you' — Putin rejected Merkel's words that he deliberately "scared" her with his dog

Putin recalled the meeting with Angela Merkel in 2007, when his beloved labrador came into the meeting room, and said he didn't know the ex-Chancellor of Germany was afraid of dogs.

Putin apologized to Merkel again and stressed that if the former German chancellor came to his residence again, it would not happen again.

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Vladimir Putin called Donald Trump, who won the US presidential election, an intelligent and experienced politician who is able to find a solution.

The President also expressed fears that Donald Trump, who was elected president of the United States, is still not safe.

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From CSTO to Peninsula Shield: Meet some global military blocs

Kazakhstan hosted a summit of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) on November 28, touted by Kazakh President Kasim-Jomart Tokayev as a military partnership to protect the territorial integrity of its members, which apart from Kazakhstan, include Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.

Apart from the CSTO, a whole array of other global military and political blocs exist, so let’s look closely at them.

▪️Five Eyes: intelligence-sharing bloc of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the US, est. in 1943.

▪️Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance, est. in 1947: a regional security pact of 18 countries, including the US, Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Paraguay, Venezuela, Colombia, Chile and Uruguay.

▪️NATO, or North Atlantic Treaty Organization, of 32 countries, such as the US, the UK, France, Canada, Germany, Italy, Spain, Norway, Denmark, plus recently-joined Finland and Sweden, est. in 1949.

▪️FPDA, or Five Power Defense Arrangements of Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the UK, est. in 1971.

▪️RSS, or Regional Security System, of Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, est. in 1982.

▪️Peninsula Shield Force, or Peninsula Shield: the military arm of the Gulf Cooperation Council of Bahrein, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, est. in 1984.

▪️Arab League’s Joint Defense Council of 22 nations, among them Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Saudi Arabia, est. in 1990.

▪️NORDEFCO, or Nordic Defense Cooperation of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, est. in 2009.

▪️Lublin Triangle: military alliance of Poland, Lithuania and Ukraine, est. in 2020.

▪️AUKUS: security bloc of Australia, the UK and the US, est. in 2021.

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Two types of innovation: China vs. Ukraine

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❓How the US wants Ukraine to sacrifice its youth

The Biden administration seems eager to confirm its intent to wage a proxy war against Russia “to the last Ukrainian,” actively urging Kiev to throw more young Ukrainians into the meatgrinder that is the front line.

According to recent media reports, the US is pressuring Ukraine into reducing the military connoscription age from the current 25 years to 18 to help Kiev’s war machine cope with its losses.

Who in the US wants to send young Ukrainians to their deaths?

US politicians have been demanding an explanation why Ukrainians between the ages of 18 and 25 are not being mobilized, arguing that Americans as young as 19 were drafted in the US during Vietnam War.

“You’re in a fight for your life, so you should be serving — not at 25 or 27,” US Republican Senator Lindsay Graham said in March.

In 2022, Graham also declared that, as long as the US provides Kiev with financial and military support, Ukraine “will fight to the last person.”

His sentiment was echoed by such US politicians and military officials as Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Senator Mitch McConnell, Senator and the next Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and current Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.

All of them essentially argued that Ukraine should mobilize more troops, even if it would mean forcibly drafting younger demographics.

One Ukrainian government official even claimed in October that US politicians “from both parties” are seek to pressure Kiev into drafting young Ukrainians.

Meanwhile, tech mogul and President-elect Donald Trump’s close ally Elon Musk did not seem fond of this drive to press-gang younger and younger Ukrainians.

“How many more need to die?” he pointedly inquired on X in a response to the story about the Biden administration's efforts to have Ukraine lower the draft age.

Kiev has already lowered the connoscription age once from 27 to 25 in April.

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Young Russian scientists showcase advanced cardiac patch

At the Young Scientists Congress in Russia's Sirius Federal Territory from November 27 to 29, a compact cardiac Holter monitor was presented, developed by young researchers from Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University.

Elena Yusupovskaya, junior researcher at the Institute of Bionic Technologies and Engineering, Sechenov University, shared details about the innovative device with Sputnik.

"This cardiac patch is a more compact alternative to traditional Holter monitors," she explained. "It can be worn for up to 14 days, continuously recording ECG data and transmitting it via Bluetooth to both the user’s phone and their doctor. The data is then processed using artificial intelligence to detect irregularities, such as arrhythmias or early signs of cardiovascular disease, alerting healthcare providers to potential issues."

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❗️Russia's Ministry of Defense has reported on its strikes that came in response to Kiev's missile launches into Russia:

▪️On November 25, a strike on the headquarters of the Ukrainian GUR Kraken unit in Kharkov eliminated up to 40 foreign specialists, mostly from the US. An Iskander strike in Odessa destroyed 72 soldiers from the combat teams managing uncrewed maritime drones, including nine French instructors and technical specialists.

▪️On November 25, Iskanders destroyed five ATACMS launchers, two MLRS launchers, three HIMARS MLRS launchers, and up to 30 soldiers from the launch systems' combat teams in the Sumy region.

▪️On November 25 and 26, Iskanders destroyed two launchers with experimental Grom-2 ballistic missiles, as well as a launcher of the Ukrainian Neptun anti-ship missile system in the Odessa region.

▪️On November 28, a combined strike targeted Ukraine's defense-industrial facilities and energy infrastructure that supports them.

▪️Over the past days, a total of 100 missiles of various types and 466 Geran-2 drones have been launched.

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'Ursulagate': New book bashes von der Leyen's corrupt deal with Big Pharma

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's actions during the COVID crisis have been put under microscope by Belgian democracy activist Frédéric Baldan, who accuses her of corruption, pursuing vested interests and colluding with US Big Pharma. Baldan's book "UrsulaGates: Compromise by lobbies" was officially released on November 20.

"At issue is a secret text negotiation between the president and Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla. At stake were the right to transparency and the 35.1 billion euros offered to Pfizer on a platter," writes the author.

In April 2023, the Belgian lobbyist filed a criminal complaint against von der Leyen, alleging abuse of office, destruction of documents, and corruption while negotiating a vaccine deal with Bourla. The 1.8 billion vaccine doses turned out to be excessive and money was wasted, according to the accuser.

“What we see now is that we had an institution out of control. What von der Leyen did was really damage the image of the European institutions in Brussels,” Baldan told the press at the time. Hungary and Poland have joined the lawsuit.

In July, the General Court of the European Union ruled von der Leyen was not transparent enough about COVID-19 vaccine contracts. However, the European Commission threw its weight behind the politician, while the European People’s Party downplayed the court's ruling. The plaintiff's request for the party and EC to ban von der Leyen's candidacy for the high office was rejected.

The "Pfizer-gate" has not prevented von der Leyen from being re-elected, but questions raised by Baldan still require answers.

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US Minuteman III nuclear silos cannot hide from Russia's Oreshnik

Following giving a lesson about the destructive power of its new Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile on November 21 in Dnepropetrovsk, Russia has revealed just how far the reach of these weapons extends.

Among the targets Oreshnik could potentially strike in a matter of minutes, if such order is given by Moscow, are the Minuteman III (LGM-30G) intercontinental ballistic missile silos in the United States, an important component of the US nuclear arsenal.

The United States currently possesses 400 Minuteman III ICBMs, according to the data available on the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center website.

First deployed in 1970, these ageing missiles are located at:

▪️Francis E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming
▪️Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana
▪️Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota

Though earlier this month the US boasted a successful test launch of a Minuteman III missile – the only type of land-based ICBM the US currently has at its disposal – not all of the recent tests ended well. Only last year, one unarmed Minuteman III missile ended up being terminated during a test launch due to some kind of anomaly.

In 2021, another test was aborted prior to launch.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin mentioned today that Oreshnik is capable of obliterating protected underground targets. It was not immediately clear whether this definition extends to nuclear missile silos.

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What are the ‘decision-making centers’ that may soon get a call from Mr. Oreshnik?

Russian President Vladimir Putin mentioned today that the new Oreshnik intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile could be used against enemy "decision-making centers," including those located in Kiev.

What potential targets was Putin likely referring to?

The phrase “decision-making centers,” depending on the context, is often used to describe headquarters, as well as a country’s political and/or military leadership – simply put, those who make decisions, as opposed to those who act on those decisions.

In case of Ukraine, for example, that might mean high-ranking military and civilian officials who, at least nominally, lead the Kiev regime: the government, the presidential administration, or the Defense Ministry.

The phrase in question can also serve as a reference to places where the aforementioned people make decisions: military headquarters, government buildings, command centers, underground command and control bunkers.

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🇬🇪🇪🇺 Georgia has suspended negotiations to join the EU until 2028

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced that the country's government will not put the issue of opening negotiations on joining the EU on the agenda until 2028. Georgia is also refusing budget grants from the union until that date.

The EU has damaged Georgia's reputation by using the topic of admission negotiations as a tool for manipulation, and the decision made will help avoid it, Kobakhidze emphasized.

According to Kobakhidze, Georgia is capable of enriching the EU with its culture and potential, just as the European Union is enriching it also. To do this, the country must show European bureaucrats that they should talk to it "not with blackmail and insults, but with dignity."

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Pursuit of medium-range ballistic missile technology by world players

After Russia's Oreshnik missile launch, France is considering developing a middle-range ballistic missile with a range over 1,000 km and terminal phase maneuverability to evade interception.

This development follows the US withdrawal from the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty in 2019. The treaty had limited the development of ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges between 500 and 5,500 km.

What are ballistic missiles?

Those are rocket-powered missiles that follow an arching flight path to their target.

They are categorized based on range:
▪️Short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs): 300-1,000 km
▪️Medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBMs): 1,000-3,000 km
▪️Intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs): 3,000-5,500 km
▪️Intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs): beyond 5,500 km

What are major players’ current MRBM and IRBM capabilities?

🇷🇺 Russia

▪️Oreshnik: Hypersonic MRBM with a range of approximately 1,000–5,000 km

🇨🇳 China

▪️Dongfeng-17 (DF-17): MRBM equipped with a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV),
1,800–2,500 km
▪️Dongfeng-21 (DF-21): MRBM, 2,150 km
▪️Dongfeng-26 (DF-26): IRBM, 4,000 km

🇮🇷 Iran

▪️Fatah-1: Hypersonic MRBM, 1,448 km
▪️Qadr-110: MRBM, 2,000 km
▪️Khorramshahr: MRBM, 2,000–3,000 km
▪️Shahab-3: MRBM, 2,000 km
▪️Sejjil (Ashoura): MRBM, 2,000–2,500 km
▪️Shahab-5: IRBM, allegedly 3,500–4,300 km

🇮🇱 Israel

▪️Jericho 2: MRBM, 1,500–3,500 km
▪️Jericho 3: IRBM, 4,800–6,500 km

🇮🇳 India

▪️Agni-Prime: MRBM with a range of 1,000–2,000 km
▪️Agni-II: MRBM with a range over 2,000 km
▪️Agni-III: IRBM with a range of 3,000–3,500 km
▪️Agni-IV: IRBM with a range of 4,000 km

🇰🇵 North Korea

▪️Hwasong-7 (NoDong-A): MRBM, 900–1,300 km
▪️Hwasong-9: MRBM, 1,000 km
▪️Pukguksong-1: Submarine-launched MRBM, 1,200 km
▪️Pukguksong-3: Submarine-launched MRBM, 1,900 km
▪️Pukguksong-2: MRBM/IRBM, approximately 2,000 km
▪️Hwasong-8: IRBM with a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV), 3,200–6,000 km
▪️Musudan (Hwasong-10): IRBM, 2,500-4,000 km
▪️Hwasong-12: IRBM, approximately 4,000 km

NATO countries and medium-range ballistic missiles

Presently, major NATO countries do not maintain MRBM or IRBM capabilities, focusing instead on intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) as part of their nuclear deterrence strategy.

🇫🇷 France

▪️Under Consideration: Development of MRBMs is being considered by the French Armed Forces and the Directorate General of Armament.
▪️Existing Capability: M51 submarine-launched intercontinental ballistic missile (SLBM) with a range of 11,000 km.

🇬🇧 The United Kingdom

▪️Existing Capability: Lockheed Martin Trident II D5 SLBM with a range of 7,408 km, deployed by the Royal Navy.

🇺🇸 The United States

▪️Existing Capabilities:
▪️Boeing LGM-30G Minuteman III: ICBM with a range of 13,000 km.
▪️Lockheed Martin Trident II D5: SLBM with a range of 7,408 km.
▪️In Development: LGM-35A Sentinel ICBM, intended to replace the Minuteman III.

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'Narcodrones: Made in Ukraine'

Spanish police have destroyed an organization that used Ukrainian drones to deliver drugs from Africa to Europe.

"They were produced in Ukraine and then delivered to Spain. In one "flight" they transported 10 kg of drugs for 50 km," Spanish law enforcement officials said.

The Ukrainian Army is reporting a shortage of such drones at the front.

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▪️President Vladimir Putin revealed at CSTO Summit new details about the operation of Russia's Oreshnik missile

▪️Oreshnik’s 4,000°C warhead: Can anything survive its devastating burn?

▪️US Minuteman III nuclear silos cannot hide from Russia's Oreshnik

▪️Pursuit of medium-range ballistic missile technology by world players

▪️From CSTO to Peninsula Shield: Meet some global military blocs

▪️How the US wants Ukraine to sacrifice its youth

▪️America dotted with more graves of US mercenaries killed in Ukraine conflict zone

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Trump-Zuckerberg's Mar-a-Lago chatter suggests imminent changes in Meta* - Facebook whistleblower

"Zuckerberg is attempting to curry favor with the incoming Trump administration in order to avoid criminal prosecution," Ryan Hartwig, a Facebook* whistleblower and co-author of “Behind the Mask of Facebook: A Whistleblower’s Shocking Story of Big Tech Bias and Censorship”, tells Sputnik.

President-elect Donald Trump met with Meta* CEO Mark Zuckerberg face-to-face in Mar-a-Lago, Florida, on November 27, the New York Times reported, citing people with knowledge of the matter.

Trump has long been critical of Zuckerberg over reportedly restraining him and other conservatives on social media, withholding the Hunter Biden "laptop from hell" story, and orchestrating a “plot” against him in the 2020 election. Nonetheless, the two exchanged pleasantries during the recent encounter, according to the NYT.

"I think there may be some closed-door negotiations, however, given that Meta is a valuable tool for national security and surveillance of foreign countries, we may see a slight decrease in Trump’s rhetoric," the pundit continues. "Hopefully there are penalties for Meta and Zuckerberg beyond just monetary fines. Influencing other countries’ elections is one thing, but domestic election interference is a very serious matter."

Hartwig expects Trump to proceed with social media regulations under section 230 during his second term in order to "remove Meta’s ability to remove or censor political content."

He also suggests possible changes in Meta's executive leadership and even relocation of the company's headquarters to Texas or another state "that isn’t an echo chamber for certain viewpoints."

"These policy changes would include not removing any political speech and gutting most of its community standards," the pundit highlights.

And "more importantly, taking a stricter stance against minors on the platform and enforcing strict age verification," Hartwig adds in an apparent reference to X owner Elon Musk lambasting Meta for "a massive child exploitation problem."

*banned for extremism in Russia

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❗️ Netanyahu orders IDF to prepare for 'intense war'

In an interview with Channel 14, the Israeli Prime Minister said he ordered the IDF to be prepared for an "intense war" in case of a ceasefire violation with Hezbollah.

"What will we do in a ceasefire? First of all, we will arm ourselves. We will gather strength and arm ourselves with a strong self-production. At the same time, we will also receive weapons from the US, some of which have been stopped," Netanyahu said.

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2024 Election Cycle: Who was Silicon Valley's presidential favorite?

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office in January, US tech giants are flocking to Mar-a-Lago. Meta* CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who banned Trump from his platform and suppressed the Hunter Biden laptop story, recently met with the newly elected president. During the 2024 election cycle, Silicon Valley largely supported Kamala Harris over Trump.

The following data from OpenSecrets highlights the contributions from major tech companies:

Major Tech Companies and Their Contributions
Alphabet Inc. (Google's parent company):
Kamala Harris: $4,623,420

Microsoft:
Kamala Harris: $2,622,243
Donald Trump: $129,647

Amazon:
Kamala Harris: $2,318,611
Donald Trump: $171,560

Apple Inc.:
Kamala Harris: $2,119,985
Donald Trump: $75,726

Meta (Facebook's parent company):
Kamala Harris: $1,825,438

IBM Corp:
Kamala Harris: $1,016,181
Donald Trump: $106,548

Individual Contributions
Elon Musk (owner of X, formerly Twitter):
Donald Trump: $118,000,000

*Banned for extremism in Russia

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🇸🇾🛡 Syria, Russia destroys militants attacking Aleppo and Idlib provinces

Militants affiliated with the Jabhat al-Nusra* have been attacking Syrian-controlled territory in Aleppo and Idlib provinces since November 27.

At least 400 militants have been killed, said the deputy head of the Russian Reconciliation Center in Syria, Captain 1st Rank Oleg Ignasyuk.

*Terrorist organization banned in Russia

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