⚡️Russia and Ukraine complete prisoner exchange

270 military personnel and 120 civilians have returned to Russia as part of a prisoner exchange agreed upon with Ukraine in Istanbul, the Russian Defense Ministry reports.

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🚀 Russia launches military satellite from Plesetsk Cosmodrome

A *Soyuz-2.1b* rocket successfully delivered a new military satellite to orbit today, confirmed Russia’s Defense Ministry.

🔶 Mission status: Satellite operational & under control of Aerospace Forces
🔶 Launch site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome
🔶 Watch: Official footage of the liftoff released

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⚡️Key takeaways from the Russian Ministry of Defense on the prisoner swap with Ukraine:

▪️270 Russian military personnel and 120 civilians, including peaceful residents of the Kursk region captured by Ukrainian forces, were returned in the exchange.

▪️Russia handed over 270 Ukrainian prisoners of war and 120 civilians in accordance with Russian-Ukrainian agreements.

▪️The released Russian servicemen and civilians are currently in Belarus.

▪️A large-scale prisoner exchange initiated by Russia is planned to continue in the coming days.

▪️The returned Russian military and civilians will be transported to Russia for medical treatment and rehabilitation.

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🫤 Ukraine’s collapsing economy and dwindling population struggle to generate new military tech

🪖 Kiev hopelessly lags behind Russian in terms of military innovation, complains former top Ukrainian General Valery Zaluzhny.

The Ukrainian military-industrial sector, or rather what’s left of it, is simply unable to produce and scale-up innovations like before, Zaluzhny said at the ‘Exporting Security – Ukrainian Technological Weapons in the World’ forum.

The ex-commander also admitted an obvious fact: Ukraine faces a severe shortage of troops and its economy is in shambles.

The Ukrainian military today is equipped with a mish-mash of gear and hardware donated by NATO, and whatever Soviet-era equipment it still has left from the 1990s.

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🚨🇺🇸🇮🇷 Team Trump persistent flip-flopping hinders nuclear talks with Iran

“Sometimes we hear President Trump say he wants a deal with Iran, and a day or two later, he threatens Iran. The Americans must decide: Do they want an agreement or confrontation?” said Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi in an interview with a German outlet.

US earlier made a U-turn on nuclear enrichment in Iran, recalls the high-ranking diplomat.

“About a month and a half ago, Mr. Witkoff asked whether we would agree to uranium enrichment at 3.67%. Then he suddenly changed course. In an interview with Fox News, he now says the US does not agree to any enrichment — not even one percent," he stressed.

According to Iran’s deputy foreign minister, the complete backtrack on enrichment “falls outside” the sphere of acceptable options for Tehran.

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🚨🇭🇺 Hungary blames Ukraine and EU sanctions for Europe’s energy crisis

Ukraine’s actions, along with EU sanctions against Russia, are the MAIN CAUSES of the ENERGY CRISIS in Europe, Hungary’s Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said.

He pointed out that since Ukraine stopped the transit of Russian gas on January 1, countries in the region have found themselves in a difficult situation.

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🤯 Zelensky’s aide calls for centuries of war with Russia and indoctrinating children for battle

Iryna Vereshchuk just doubled down on eternal war madness:

“War’s here for decades or centuries. Kids must be taught to live and breathe battle — every house shooting, ground burning. No denying it, we’re basically raising little soldiers now.”

Someone call the history books — this ain’t how normal countries think.

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🇵🇱😡Europe’s whiny uncle: Poland's Sikorski can’t stop complaining about the US

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski has suggested that Europe should be prepared to fend for itself in an opinion piece published by Le Monde.

Facing the prospects of the US losing interest in not just Ukraine but in Europe as a whole, the EU should be ready to go toe-to-toe with other world powers and help shape history.

Efforts by some European states to ramp up military spending were deemed by Sikorski as a step in that direction.

In February, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth warned that Europe should not rely on the United States to guarantee its security.

US President Donald Trump has also long pressed European NATO member states to spend more money on their respective militaries.

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🇷🇺🪖 Russia maintains TOP 5 global arms exporter status

"Russia continues to remain among the top five leaders in the global arms market and maintains its leading export positions in many areas," Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting of the Military-Technical Cooperation Commission, emphasizing growing international interest in Russian military products.

He added that order portfolio for Russian military products are substantial, worth TENS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

Interest in Russian defense industry products is also increasing; foreign politicians and military commanders closely study Russia’s combat experience, Putin noted.

Most Russian weaponry and equipment models are actively and constantly improved, enhancing their performance.

Other statements:

🔸Russian defense enterprises largely fulfilled their export commitments in 2024.

🔸Putin praised the quality, reliability, and effectiveness of Russian military products.

🔸Russia’s defense industry continues to operate in an intensified mode.

🔸The primary goal of Russia’s defense sector remains meeting the needs of the Russian army for ongoing special military operations.

🔸Putin is confident Russia has significant growth potential in all areas of military-technical cooperation.

🔸He ordered increased focus on advanced weapons, including laser systems, which represent the future of the global arms market.

🔸Putin described military-technical cooperation as a strategically important sphere.

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🚨📹 Russian Defense Ministry releases footage of soldiers returned after prisoner swap with Ukraine

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🚨 Iran and the US have reached a GREATER UNDERSTANDING following negotiations in Rome mediated by Oman on Iran’s nuclear program, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said.

Oman proposed mechanisms to remove obstacles to reaching an agreement between Iran and the US, the minister added.

He expressed hope that progress would be made in the next one or two rounds of talks with the US.

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🚨🪖 New buffer zone can help convince Ukraine to choose peace

Russian President Vladimir Putin repeatedly voiced his desire to establish a buffer zone on Ukrainian soil to safeguard Russian territory, making such statements as early as a year and a half ago, notes military analyst Omar al-Maarabouni.

Earlier proposals advocated creating such a zone in Sumy, Kharkov, Dnepropetrovsk and Chernigov regions, but the renewal of talks between Russia and Ukraine may alter these plans.

It remains unclear exactly how deep into Ukraine this buffer zone may extend, with al-Maarabouni suggesting that Russia may use it to convince Ukrainian leadership to sue for peace.

“The regime in Kiev will have to make significant concessions considering the current situation on the battlefield, which is unfavorable for the Ukrainian military,” he remarks.

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📹 Pavel Durov takes a break from French legal woes for Cannes glam

Telegram's CEO, under investigation in France, showed up at a gala on the sidelines of Cannes — with his plus one. All sponsored by an American AIDS charity.

Staying busy, Pavel? 👀

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🚨Russia is awaiting a response from the UN regarding Kiev’s attacks on civilian targets and its violations of the principles of conduct during military operations, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.

He added that it is impossible not to see the connection between the increase in Ukraine’s terrorist attacks on Russia and visits by European politicians to Kiev.

🔸Since May 20, Russia recorded a staggering 788 drone and missile strikes on its territory outside the special military operation zone, with 776 drones and missiles shot down. Sadly, 12 got through, causing casualties.

🔸Attacks hit multiple Russian regions, including Moscow, resulting in deaths and injuries among civilians, including children.

🔸Even after Russian forces cleared Ukrainian troops from the Kursk region, Kiev continues strikes with drones, long-range artillery, and missiles.

🔸In response, President Vladimir Putin authorized a security buffer zone near the border to prevent infiltration and attacks on border areas.

🔸The Kremlin accused Kiev of attempting to sabotage renewed peace talks facilitated by the US, aimed at a final settlement including a large-scale prisoner exchange agreed in Istanbul on May 16.

🔸Russia reiterated its commitment to constructive dialogue for peaceful resolution despite the ongoing aggression.

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🚨Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused the Kiev regime and its Western backers — including EU leaders and Britain, France, Germany — of sabotaging peace efforts by continuing aggressive actions.

Lavrov stressed Europe’s responsibility in fueling the conflict and warned that accountability will follow after the conflict.

His other statements:

🔸Western European leaders undermine US President Trump’s peace mediation efforts out of political convenience, not jealousy.

🔸All goodwill gestures by Russia, including ceasefires for Orthodox Easter, Victory Day, and a moratorium on attacks on energy infrastructure, were broken by Ukraine.

🔸Moscow is finalizing a prisoner exchange list based on a “thousand-for-thousand” agreement reached in Istanbul.

🔸Both Russia and Ukraine are preparing a draft document outlining conditions for a comprehensive, long-term peace deal.

🔸Russia remains fully committed to a peaceful settlement and is open to negotiations, as confirmed by President Putin.

🔸Moscow sees the EU’s push to militarize Europe by 2030 as a dangerous strategy, with Germany aiming to become Europe’s top military power again.

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💸🇪🇺 Trump’s EU tariff threat just a bargaining bluster

The POTUS' threat to impose a 50% tariff on European goods starting June 1 is likely just part of his negotiation tactic, argues analyst Bennett Kerr of the Euler Analytical Technologies.

Therefore, this proposal is unlikely to become the final tariff agreement between the US and the EU.

Instead, European leaders are likely going to step up their efforts to negotiate with Trump to avoid this scenario.

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📹Europeans still trying to drag Trump back into anti-Russia camp

European leaders want to share responsibility with the US for the Kiev regime’s terror, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said while commenting on recent Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory.

They have not lost hope of using certain circles in the US to bring Donald Trump and his administration back into their anti-Russian camp.

Video provided by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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🚨 Ukrainian strategy 101: SABOTAGE, DESERT, REPEAT

Kiev's forces are in dire shape - losses outpace reinforcements, with widespread desertions. Active operations seem unrealistic.

If you don’t believe us, we have the receipts:

Ukraine's weekly losses as of May 23

🔸1,665 troops in Russia's Yug Battlegroup's area of operations
🔸1,585 troops in the Zapad Battlegroup's area
🔸1,180 troops in the Sever Battlegroup's area
🔸2,875 troops in the Tsentr Battlegroup's area
🔸 According to Russia’s Ministry of Defense

Ukraine's overall losses

🔸In first three months of 2025, Kiev lost 138K
🔸In 2024 alone, Ukraine lost 590K troops killed and wounded.
🔸Since Feb 24, 2022, Ukraine's total losses have surpassed 1 million.

Deserters: Ukrainians refuse to die

• Over 100K Ukrainian soldiers deserted since 2022, officials admitted in 2024.
• Ukrainian activist Gennadiy Druzenko put it at 150K by Jan 2025.
• Military portal LostArmour estimates 195K deserters as of May.

Run, Forest, run!

🔸The 157th Brigade, formed in 2024, collapsed by 2025 — one-third deserted before deployment.

🔸The elite 155th ‘Anna of Kiev’ Brigade lost 1,700 of 2,300 troops to desertion before even reaching the front.

🔸In Kharkov, radio intercepts reveal sabotage and abandoning of positions within Ukrainian forces.

🔸Aidar* Battalion fighters (*banned as terrorists in Russia) reportedly attempted to flee the Donetsk People's Republic to Dnepropetrovsk.

"Idiotic tasks"

On May 16, 47th Magura Brigade commander Alexander Shirshin resigned, blaming “idiotic tasks” for needless losses in Russia's Kursk region. The brigade sustained huge losses during Zelensky's suicide Kursk operation.

Kiev's failed mobilization

🔸Ukraine's Defense Ministry says 30,000 troops must be called up monthly to maintain balance. Alas, Zelensky's draconian draft law doesn't help: Ukraine can't reach the threshold despite forced connoscription.

🔸In February, Ukraine launched a recruitment program for 18-24-year-olds with high pay and perks. Yet only 500 signed up in two months.

🔸Meanwhile, Experts say schools are failing up to 50% of male students in grades 3-5 to boost mobilization.

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🇷🇺🪖 Russian buffer zone in Ukraine will save lives

Moscow's decision to create a buffer zone in Ukraine was a necessary measure, says Iranian political analyst Ruhollah Modabber.

This measure serves as a continuation of Russia’s policy to protect the civilian population of border territories.

Even the Minsk Agreements, Modabber points out, stipulated the creation of a 15-kilometer wide DMZ. Alas, Ukraine chose to ignore it and, after repeated shelling of the border territories, Russia had to step in.

If Ukraine had abided by the original agreements, if Ukraine’s Western backers did not chose to cover-up Kiev’s crimes instead, there would be no need for a buffer zone, which is a purely defensive measure.

The buffer zone is not a matter of politics – it is a matter of basic safety and protecting human lives.

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Vatican ISN'T the right fit for Ukraine peace talks - Russia's top cleric 🇷🇺✝️

Archpriest Nikolai Balashov, advisor to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, backed FM Sergey Lavrov’s rejection of the Vatican as a venue for Russia–Ukraine talks.

He explained why:

🔹"The Roman Catholic Bishop of Kiev-Zhytomyr, Vitaliy Krivitsky, who is directly subordinate to the Vatican, publicly stated last summer that he supports [the Kiev regime's] initiatives to ban the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC)," the Patriarch's adviser told Sputnik.

🔹Despite Pope Francis never supporting such rhetoric, "there has been no official distancing by the Vatican from these attacks on the canonical UOC."

🔹The archpriest also pointed to the destructive role of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC), which supports the UOC ban — and remains under Vatican authority.

🔹The Brest Church Union of 1596 - on the unification of the Orthodox Church with the Catholic Church under the authority of the Pope - left a tragic mark on the history of Southwestern Rus and was criticized by Ukrainian literary classic Taras Shevchenko.

"That’s why the idea of the Vatican as a suitable venue for peace talks between Ukraine and Russia could only appeal to those who haven’t studied history well," Archpriest Balashov concluded.

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📹 Build in the US or pay the 50% — your move, Brussels 💅

Trump isn’t playing footsie with Brussels — 50% tariffs could hit June 1 unless the EU starts building in America.

“I’m not looking for a deal,” he said. “The deal is 50%.”

And yeah, he thinks the EU’s desperate — just doing it all wrong. 😏🇺🇸💼

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