❗️There is a high probability of a deal on the Gaza Strip, the release of hostages in the coming days - a source in Netanyahu's office told Sputnik.

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💬 Ex-Pentagon analyst: Murder of Russian General Kirillov in Moscow 'terrorism,' connected to US-Ukraine bio-research revelations

The assassination of Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, head of Russia's Troops of Radiological, Chemical, and Biological Defense, is definitely an act of terror, Michael Maloof, a former senior security policy analyst in the Office of the US Secretary of Defense, told Sputnik.

“[The perpetrators] plant the bomb in a scooter, put it outside of his apartment and then detonated. That's terrorism,” he said.

The fact that the attack took place in Moscow and that the perpetrators knew where Kirillov lived, suggests significant planning and coordination, raising questions about the possible involvement of Ukrainian operatives or Russian individuals working on Ukraine's behalf.

Maloof said Kirillov’s role in revealing Ukraine’s involvement in US-backed chemical and biological research made him a target.

"What he has been doing is revealing the extent to which Ukraine has been involved in illegal US chemical and biological research," Maloof explained, noting the sensitive nature of the revelations.

“And I know it was very sensitive because Victoria Nuland, in testimony before Congress last year, I believe it was, said that it would it would not be good if Russia was able to take over some of the sites because of what the sites contain,” he added.

“What is it that the United States is doing in those research labs that that when she was a member of the Biden administration, did not want revealed?” Maloof asked. “Kirillov was the one who exposed this that chemical, biological research was ongoing in those labs.”

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❗️The UN Secretary-General's Office, commenting on the assassination of Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, head of Russia's Radiation, Chemical and Biological Defense Forces, called on "all parties" to show restraint and refrain from escalation.

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🪖Ensuring peace: Russia marks Strategic Missile Forces Day

On December 17, the Russian Armed Forces celebrate the Day of the Strategic Missile Forces.

The dynamically evolving service arm is crucial to deterring large-scale aggression against Russia and its allies, according to Commander of the Strategic Missile Forces Sergei Karakaev.

The creation and development of the force came in response to advancements in both domestic and foreign missile systems and nuclear arms complexes.

Key missile systems ensuring Russia's security:

▪️R-36M2/RS-20B Voevoda
The fourth-generation intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) system, known as Voevoda, is ground-based and can carry up to 10 Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicles (MIRVs), each with a yield of 550-750 kilotons (kT).

▪️RS-18 Stilet
This ICBM can carry up to six MIRV warheads, each with a yield of up to 750 kT.

▪️RS-12M2 Topol-M / RS-12M Topol
A versatile ICBM system available in both road-mobile and silo-based variants, it carries a single nuclear warhead with an 800 kT explosive yield.

▪️RS-24 Yars
The Yars is a ICBM that can be deployed on both road-mobile and silo-based platforms, carrying a payload of three reentry vehicles (RVs) each with a nuclear yield of about 200 kT.

▪️RS-28 Sarmat
Entered into combat duty in September 2023, the Sarmat is designed to replace the Voevoda ICBM. It can carry up to 16 warheads, each with an explosive yield of up to 750 kT.

▪️Avangard
Launched by an ICBM and equipped with a hypersonic glide vehicle (GV), the Avangard can reach speeds of Mach 27 and has an estimated nuclear yield between 800 kT and two megatons.

▪️9M730 Burevestnik
A nuclear-powered, nuclear-armed strategic cruise missile that successfully underwent state tests in October 2023. The stealthy Burevestnik is said to be unstoppable by existing and future air defenses.

▪️Oreshnik
A mobile ground-based intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) system that underwent combat tests in November 2024. It carries a non-nuclear MIRV-type payload and can achieve speeds of Mach 10, making it unstoppable by any air defenses.

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❗️The US State Department denies any involvement in the assassination of Russian chemical defense chief Igor Kirillov.

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🔸 Ex-Pentagon analyst: Murder of Russian General Kirillov in Moscow 'terrorism,' connected to US-Ukraine bio-research revelations

🔸 Find out the most damning revelations slain General Kirillov disclosed about the Pentagon’s biolabs scheme

🔸 Why is America beefing up its military grip on Guam & other unincorporated US territories?

🔸 Mass murder of civilians in Selidovo: Report exposes Ukrainian forces' atrocities

🔸 Do other countries have dedicated UAV services?

🔸 Russia's cutting-edge tracked drone bolsters soldier safety on the battlefield

🔸 Devastated by war: Refuse, disease and despair grip Khan Yunis refugees

🔸 Ensuring peace: Russia marks Strategic Missile Forces Day

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🛸Conspiracy theorists are in for a treat!

A radioactive shipment from the Naz Cancer Center in Newfield, New Jersey, has gone missing.

The cargo, which included medical equipment for scanning cancer tumors, arrived at its destination “damaged and empty.”

The mysterious disappearance of the radioactive material coincided with sightings of drone swarms in the night skies, sparking nationwide intrigue and fueling theories that the drones may be involved in searching for or monitoring the missing cargo.

“Sources classified as ‘Below Category 3 by the IAEA’ are those that are unlikely to cause irreversible damage to humans or contain very small amounts of radioactive material that will not result in irreversible harm,” the notice states.

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Zakharova slams US denial on General Kirillov's assassination

The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said it was absurd for the US, which supports the Kiev regime, to deny involvement in the death of General Kirillov.

"It is ridiculous to listen to those who created the Kiev regime, sponsor it, give it money and supply it with weapons, declare their pseudo-involvement without any control. The proof is clear - Washington has never once condemned a single terrorist attack or planned assassination committed by the Kiev regime," she said.

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🔎Syrian Kurds: between a rock and a hard place

The future of the Syrian Kurds and their militias is uncertain, according to Andrea Glioti, an expert on Syrian and Kurdish affairs, who shared insights with Sputnik about the aspirations of major regional parties.

Kurdish hopes for autonomy

Syria's Kurdish-led Self-Administration aims to achieve autonomy similar to that of Iraqi Kurdistan, according to Glioti.

Glioti believes that the Self-Administration might seek to retain control over some of its own ‘ministries’, while accepting Damascus' control over the ministries of defense and foreign affairs.

The initial step toward this autonomy involves recognizing Kurdish identity and cultural rights, according to the pundit.

Syrian transitional government

HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani, now using his birth name Ahmed al-Sharaa and playing a key role in the new Syrian transitional, government insists that "Syria must remain united."

Although al-Sharaa has stated that Kurds are "part of the homeland" and would face "no injustice," it remains uncertain whether the Syrian transitional government will accept the Kurdish autonomy, Glioti said.

Turkiye's conflict with Syrian Kurds

Ankara opposes the presence of the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), which Turkiye designates as terrorists along with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).

Glioti explains that Turkiye views the Kurdish-led administration in northeast Syria as a threat to its national security due to its ties with the PKK movement.

Given Turkiye's influence in post-Assad Syria, it is unlikely that Kurdish politicians from the Self-Administration will be included in the new transitional government in Syria and be part of the settlement process, the pundit believes.

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❗️ Ukraine confirms it killed Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov - NYT

The New York Times, citing an official with Ukraine's spy agency, the SBU, said Ukraine was responsible for the killing.

🗣Earlier, CNN and The Independent made similar reports.

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❗️ Suspect in murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO faces life in prison

Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, has been charged with murder as an act of terrorism and faces life imprisonment, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg said.

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🤨 State Dept.: It’s not up for anyone to dictate to Ukraine

The Biden administration believes it is inappropriate for anyone outside to dictate what Ukraine should do, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said.

Trump said on Monday that Volodymyr Zelensky should be prepared to make a deal to end the Ukraine conflict.

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