💥 One-way ticket to Kursk: US-made Abrams tank destroyed by Russian drones

Operators of the Crimean paratroopers' UAV unit ferreted out a US-made Abrams tank. With a precise strike from an FPV drone, the operator successfully hit and immobilized the Ukrainian tank. Following a second hit from his comrades, the vehicle was completely destroyed.

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Azerbaijan’s president slams Macron regime for illegally occupying Mayotte & New Caledonia

In a recent interview with Russia’s VGTRK and RIA Novosti, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stated that France unlawfully occupies Mayotte and New Caledonia, emphasizing that Baku "wholeheartedly supports disenfranchised peoples."

Aliyev highlighted the violence in New Caledonia, noting that 13 individuals were killed during the riots, over 100 were injured, and more than 1,000 were arrested. He condemned the French government's actions, stating, "The leaders of the popular protests were taken to France and are being imprisoned. This is the reality of the Macron regime."

In May, Paris accused Baku of supporting proponents of New Caledonian independence. That said, Azerbaijan has, in turn, repeatedly castigated France's meddling in Azeri internal affairs and French weapons supplies to Armenia.

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❗️Russian troops liberated the settlements of Trudovoye and Starye Terny in the Donetsk People's Republic, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

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⚡️For the first time, the Russian Defense Ministry reported the destruction of a Polish Rosomak armored personnel carrier in the area of the special military operation in Ukraine.

🇷🇺🪖More statements from the Russian MoD daily briefing on the special military operation's progress:    

▪️Ukraine lost up to 540 militants in the Russian Zapad Battlegroup's area of responsibility.

▪️Russian air defence systems shot down a HIMARS missile and 43 Ukrainian drones.

▪️Ukraine lost up to 350 servicemen in the Russian Yug Battlegroup's combat zone.

▪️Ukraine lost up to 440 militants in the Russian Tsentr Battlegroup's combat zone.

▪️Ukraine lost up to 160 troops in the Russian Vostok Battlegroup's combat zone.

▪️Ukraine lost up to 120 soldiers in the areas of responsibility of Russia's Battlegroup Dnepr and Sever.

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General Kirillov was serious ‘thorn in NATO’s side’ – Russian Foreign Ministry 

Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov turned out to be a persistent challenge to NATO belligerence, said Russian FM spokeswoman Maria Zakharova commenting on the murder of the head of the Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defense Troops of the Russian Armed Forces.

“He was like a thorn in the side of the NATO-centric hydra, if you will. This is precisely how he prevented them from living in peace. He debunked myths and dismantled the informational and political foundations upon which they based their aggressive actions, particularly against Syria. Just consider how many times the West—specifically the Americans, the British, and the French—attacked Syria and international law in general,” Zakharova said.

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❗️The US withdrew from the ABM, INF treaties, and The Treaty on Open Skies due to its desire to develop new, more destructive types of weapons - General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces.

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🗣More key statements by the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov:

🔸 The Russian Armed Forces accomplished all tasks set by the country's leadership in 2024.

🔸 More than 30 countries provided Ukraine with $350 billion in financial assistance, of which approximately $170 billion was for military aid.

🔸 The Russian Armed Forces hold the initiative and are advancing along the entire front, despite the colossal Western aid to Ukraine. Gerasimov noted that more than 190 settlements have been liberated this year and around 4,500 square kilometers of territory have come under Russian control.

🔸 The rearmament of Russia's ground-based strategic nuclear forces has been fully completed.

🔸 The Russian Armed Forces are systematically working to ensure security in the Arctic, where NATO is increasing its military presence.

🔸 The Russian Navy will receive three Borei-A class strategic nuclear submarines by 2028.

🔸 The formation of the first regiment equipped with the S-500 surface-to-air missile system, capable of strategic missile defense, is nearing completion.

🔸 Due to US sanctions, the Syrian army was unable to conduct regular exercises and had poor combat readiness.

🔸 Risks of the crisis escalating into a regional war persist in the Middle East.

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💬 Ukraine couldn't assassinate General Kirillov without western support – former CIA analyst

Ukraine "absolutely did consult" with Western intelligence before assassinating Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, head of the Radiological, Chemical, and Biological Defense troops, CIA veteran Larry Johnson told Sputnik. He stressed that it was "a sophisticated operation" which needed "support" from the West.

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The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights refused to comment on or condemn the assassination of Russian Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov outside his home in Moscow on Tuesday.

"The killing of military personnel during conflicts does not violate humanitarian law," the UN Human Rights Office told Sputnik.

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📄 How it started: since the beginning of Russia's special military operation, the West has supplied Ukraine with:

▪️more than 6,400 tanks and armored vehicles

▪️over 150 aircraft and helicopters

▪️40,000 drones

Data from Russian General Staff

How it’s going: War trophies now on display!!!!

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21st-Century US expansionism? Trump says Canada could become 51st American state and save on defense

Making Canada the 51st state would significantly reduce costs for Canadians, who would pay less tax thanks to defense savings, US President-elect Donald Trump said on Wednesday.

"No one can answer why we subsidize Canada to the tune of over $100 million a year? Makes no sense!" Trump wrote on social media.

"Many Canadians want Canada to become the 51st State. They would save massively on taxes and military protection. I think it is a great idea. 51st State!!!"

Trump announced in November that on taking office, he would impose 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico if they do not act to stop illegal immigration and drug trafficking into the US.

He also threatened to add a 10% tariff on Chinese goods.

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🛫 Two Russian Tu-95MS strategic missile carriers performed a flight lasting more than 15 hours near the coast of the US state of Alaska, the Ministry of Defense said.

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💥 Japanese startup fails to launch rocket for second time

Japan’s Space One company suffered another setback to its Kairos-2 rocket on Wednesday. A course-control malfunction in the engine of the rocket carrying five satellites, including one from the Taiwan Space Agency, forced technicians to activate the self-destruct three minutes after launch.

The Japanese government is pushing for 30 rocket launches per year and a $52 billion space industry by the early 2030s as part of its ambition to make Japan Asia's space hub.

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What was the purpose of US-run biolabs in Ukraine exposed by General Kirillov?

Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, head of the Radiological, Chemical, and Biological Defense troops, exposed a "massive strategic effort" by the US to operate numerous biological laboratories in Ukraine. That revelation raises awkward questions about Washington’s aims, CIA veteran Larry Johnson told Sputnik.

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🛰🛰🛰🛰 Nobody compares to Putin: World’s only leader who holds live nationwide Q&As!

On December 19, Putin will host his annual Direct Line, a live Q&A session with citizens and a press conference. This event presents a rare opportunity for Russians to pose questions directly to their president. Here’s what makes it unique.

🔸 Russia: A live, nationwide Q&A where Putin addresses questions from citizens across the country. Last year, over 2 million questions were submitted, with more than 1,000 selected for the live broadcast. It is a unique chance for individuals to inquire about a wide range of topics, from personal issues to national concerns. No other world leader offers such direct, real-time interaction on this sort of scale.

🔸 China: Xi Jinping's public communication is primarily top-down, conveyed through the National People's Congress (NPC), the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), and various digital platforms.

🔸 United States: American presidents engage with the public through press conferences, social media, and town halls; however, they do not conduct live, nationwide Q&A sessions similar to those of Putin.

🔸 India: Prime Minister Modi communicates with citizens through his Mann Ki Baat radio program and social media, but these interactions are not a live, real-time Q&A format that Putin employs.

🔸 Brazil: Lula conducts smaller, informal town hall meetings rather than nationwide broadcasts like those of Putin. In contrast, former president Jair Bolsonaro was highly active on Facebook, frequently sharing controversial posts. One of his most infamous incidents involved mocking the wife of French President Macron.

🔸 France: Macron relies on press conferences and social media, but no live, nationwide Q&As like Putin’s "Direct Line".

Interesting facts about Putin's "Direct Line":

▪️Started in 2001: Each session lasts over 3 hours!

▪️Massive Viewership: One of Russia's most-watched TV events.

▪️Interactive: People send in questions via phone, text, and social media.

▪️Wide-Ranging Topics: Putin answers everything from foreign policy to personal questions.

▪️AI Filtering: This year, AI will help select the most interesting questions for the live show.

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📹Putin’s Q&A moments that stole the show

0:00 Putin fights back tears while telling a heartfelt story.

1:23 Putin harks back to 2000 and offers hindsight advice —amazing!

1:54 Putin responds to his "AI double"—you won’t believe it!

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💬 Orban responds to Zelensky's remark that he does not want to see the Hungarian Prime Minister as a mediator:

"It's your responsibility," Hungarian PM said about a ceasefire proposal.

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France's Macron has a finger in every pie - Azerbaijani President on protests in Georgia

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev criticized Western interference in Georgia's affairs, singling out French President Emmanuel Macron during an interview with VGTRK and RIA Novosti on Wednesday.

"It's good that the situation [in Georgia] is already moving towards stability," Aliyev said. "And again, you see, Macron has a finger in every pie. The man can't sit still in his own country; he definitely needs to get into Georgia."

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🗣Ukraine continues to refuse negotiations, and Orban's peace initiative has not changed the situation - Peskov

Other statements by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov:

🔸 The Russian economy, after nearly three years of sanctions, is growing, while Europe's economy stagnates.

🔸 The EU's actions amount to blatant interference in Georgian affairs and shameless pressure - it's off the charts.

🔸 There is no indication of any change in relations between Russia and Europe, which has lost its independence.

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🤡'Stand in a circle, each of you is now gay or lesbian' - Coming out as a school task

Furious dad slams high school in California over an LGBTQ* activist séance.

“I don’t think this assignment should ever be taught to children. It does not do anything other than groom them,” father of a student said.

*banned in Russia as an extremist organization

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