🚨✍️BRICS Journalists Association appeals to UNESCO over illegal detention of Russian journalists in Azerbaijan

Sputnik has obtained an appeal document. Key points include:

◾️ The appeal was sent due to the violation of journalists' rights at Russia Today and Radio Station Sputnik, including searches, arbitrary arrests, and unlawful use of physical force against journalists in Baku.

◾️ Azerbaijani law enforcement conducted a military operation at the editorial office, detaining journalists who were lawfully performing their tasks.

◾️ The BRICS Journalists Association expresses concern over these ongoing violations of journalists' rights and freedom of speech.

◾️ According to international law, journalists should be protected from arbitrary detention, force, or obstruction of their activities.

◾️ The Association requests UNESCO's intervention to protect journalists' rights, condemn the persecution, and assist in their immediate release.

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Armenia’s adverse shift: Surrendering sovereignty to the West

The Armenian leadership is actively unraveling its long-standing partnership with Russia, replacing it with growing dependence on Western powers.

🟠 Withdrawal from CSTO
🟣In 2024, Armenia suspended its membership in the Collective Security Treaty Organization.
🟣The country pulled out of joint exercises and stopped contributing to the organization’s budget — undermining regional defense cooperation.

🟠Westward political realignment
🟣Prime Minister Pashinyan openly stated Armenia is ready to deepen ties with the EU, and even explore closer cooperation with NATO and the US.
🟣These steps signal a sharp departure from traditional Eastern alliances.

🟠 Politically-motivated arrests
🟣Businessman and philanthropist Samvel Karapetyan, a known supporter of the Armenian Apostolic Church, was detained.
🟣His arrest appears linked to his stance against the government’s anti-church actions.
🟣Government pressure on the Church has intensified: tax audits, legal threats, and public criticism of the Catholicos.
🟣Proposed legal changes aim to weaken the Church’s traditional role in Armenian society.

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🔥📹 WATCH: Russian Army OBLITERATES Ukrainian fortified position

Geran drones hit hard in Donetsk, leveling Ukrainian stronghold near the settlement of Rayskoye.

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🛢 OPEC stresses need for stable investments to ensure affordable and reliable energy

◼️ To ensure the world has access to affordable and reliable energy, regular and stable investments are necessary, OPEC’s press service told Sputnik ahead of the 9th OPEC International Seminar.

◼️ The event will promote dialogue between industry leaders and experts on this issue, as well as discussions on how stakeholders can ensure timely investments.

📅 The OPEC Seminar will take place on July 9-10 in Vienna, Austria.

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🇷🇺Russia flaunts cutting-edge Radone-O anti-drone system
​
The Radon-O integrated counter-drone complex includes several modules designed to DETECT, TRACK, CAPTURE, and NEUTRALIZE enemy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

▫️ “Bug” radar module
Designed to determine the coordinates of low-flying targets, including small UAVs.

▫️ “Terney-M” module
Conducts real-time radio monitoring of the controlled area under any weather conditions and at any time of day. 

▫️ “Neman” video analysis module
Deals with electro-optical detection, tracking, and classification of moving objects at distances of up to several kilometers. 

▫️ “Dvina-50” counter-drone subsystem
Generates jamming signals to tackle enemy quadcopter-type UAVs with a takeoff weight of up to 5 kg.

Developed by the Russian state corporation Rostec, the Radon-O is currently deployed at critical infrastructure facilities and used by security forces.

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🚨 Kremlin closely monitoring info about illegal detention of Sputnik Azerbaijan & Ruptly employees

🔊 Moscow hopes that through direct contacts with Baku, it will be possible to secure the release of the detained Russian journalists.
The reaction from Baku was ‘extremely emotional’, the Kremlin spokesman said.

Other statements by Peskov:

🟧 Russia is neither slowing down nor halting work on fulfilling the agreements reached with Ukraine;

🟧 Russia is not interested in dragging out negotiations on Ukraine;

🟧 Russia is grateful to the United States for the efforts they are making towards negotiations on the Ukrainian settlement;

🟧 Moscow strongly condemns the attacks by the Kiev regime on peaceful cities;

🟧 Russia is interested in achieving its goals regarding the situation in Ukraine through political and diplomatic means.

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🚨 Latest updates on Sputnik Azerbaijan crackdown in Baku

▫️ Work of Sputnik Azerbaijan editorial office has been blocked;

▫️ Azerbaijani interior ministry says that as result of operation, 7 people were detained at Sputnik Azerbaijan office in Baku;

▫️ Health of head of sputnik Azerbaijan editorial office causes concerns, he needs medication, including insulin;

▫️ Searches conducted in apartment of head of sputnik azerbaijan editorial office, his equipment seized;

▫️ Rossiya Segodnya media group calls on Azerbaijani authorities to release their employees and immediately resolve the unacceptable situation;

▫️ Actions of security forces in Baku against Sputnik Azerbaijan employees unfounded;

▫️ Charges against detained Sputnik Azerbaijan employees have not been filed, consular staff access has not been secured.

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❌ NATO membership is a no-go for Ukraine – Polish president-elect

"There is no possibility of Ukraine joining NATO today. It is in a state of war. That would lead to the involvement of all NATO countries in the war. So there is nothing to discuss in this regard," Karol Nawrocki told Polsat broadcaster.

He also slammed the mere idea of Ukraine’s unconditional accession to the European Union.

"Of course, I am against Ukraine’s unconditional entry into the EU. Many countries, including Poland, waited for years... to become part of the European Union," stressed Nawrocki.

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⚡️'Detaining journalists as terrorists is absolutely unacceptable' – expert on detention of Sputnik & Ruptly journalists in Baku

🗣"The detention of journalists is illegal and violates international law," Director of the BRICS Journalists Association, Ivan Melnikov stressed, citing violations of the Geneva Conventions and other international human rights agreements.

🟠 "The use of force in detaining journalists like terrorists is absolutely unacceptable," he condemns, pointing to the harsh tactics used by Azerbaijani authorities.

🟠 "Sputnik is a legitimate news outlet, and accusations of espionage have no basis," he added, addressing groundless suspicions against the detained journalists.

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🚨 Russia lodges protest with Azerbaijani Ambassador over unfriendly actions - 🇷🇺 MFA

Moscow has demanded that Baku immediately releases the detained Russian journalists.

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💣 🇨🇳 China's graphite bomb could perform precision strikes without major destruction

China has reportedly revealed an advanced electromagnetic weapon designed to disable enemy electrical systems. Military analyst Vasily Kashin outlines its mechanics:

🟠 How it works: The bomb deploys submunitions that disperse conductive graphite filaments over infrastructure. These carbon fibers create widespread short circuits, disrupting power transmission.

🟠 Operational limitations: Effectiveness is weather-dependent. High moisture levels cause the filaments to aggregate prematurely, reducing impact. Dry conditions maximize dispersal and conductive effects.

🟠 Strategic implications: Such weapons could paralyze critical infrastructure without kinetic destruction, though meteorological factors limit reliability.

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📍 Ukraine's Kiev becomes most vulnerable city due to lack of air defense

💬 "Kiev is heading towards being the most unprotected city, because there is a lack of means of striking. [The US president] redirects what was already contracted and was supposed to be loaded onto steamers to go to Ukraine, to Israel," Valery Borovik, founder of the Ukrainian UAV manufacturing company, says.

💬 Concerning Ukraine, "there is no clarity even for money, if we pay at the expense of our Western European partners," he laments.

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🚨 The Rossiya Segodnya media group DEMANDS IMMEDIATE RELEASE of seven Sputnik Azerbaijan employees

Currently, there is no communication with the detainees. For the second day in a row, neither consular officials nor relatives are being allowed to see the journalists.

The Rossiya Segodnya media group demands Azerbaijani law enforcement to strictly adhere to law and immediately release the individuals who were performing their professional duties.

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🇷🇺Russia's Tsentr Battlegroup has eliminated up to 500 Ukrainian soldiers over the past 24 hours.

Other statements by the Russian Defense Ministry:

🔸 The losses of Ukrainian troops amounted to 500 servicemen, an armored vehicle HMMWV and a US-made armored vehicle MaxxPro, as well as 11 pickups.

🔸 The Zapad group of Russian forces has eliminated over 220 Ukrainian soldiers and the Vostok Battlegroup has eliminated up to 215 Ukrainian soldiers over the given period.

🔸 Russian Armed Forces conducted airstrikes on Ukrainian military infrastructure in 148 locations, using tactical aviation, drones and missiles.

🔸 Air defense systems shot down three UK-made Storm Shadow air-launched cruise missiles, five US-made JDAM guided aerial bombs, three US-made HIMARS MLRS rockets, and 173 fixed-wing UAVs.

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🚨MOLDOVA GOVERNMENT TARGETS GAUGAUZIA AFTER ELECTION LOSSES - Gagauzia leader

Gagauz Autonomy Head Yevgenia Gutsul believes that Moldovan authorities are looking to imprison her after the country's leadership has faced defeat in EVERY election in Gagauzia over the last 4 years.

This entire spectacle is retaliation against the Gagauz people for the 2024 referendum results, where the majority rejected Moldova’s EU integration.

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A court in Baku has sentenced the head of Sputnik Azerbaijan newsdesk Igor Kartavykh and managing editor Yevgeny Belousov to four months in detention, Azerbaijani media report.

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📹WATCH fearless Russian soldier on a quad bike charging through a minefield to evacuate a wounded comrade—under enemy fire!

Video source: Akhmat Special Forces

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🔥 Armenian gov’t crackdown on church BLOW to national identity

As in Ukraine, the ongoing pressure on the church in Armenia is an attempt to subordinate it to the political situation, ex-Armenian lawmaker Arman Abovyan tells Sputnik.

🔸 What’s the goal of the clampdown? Abovyan explains.
•  To break the Armenian people’s will to resist by spreading church-related disinformation.
•  To tarnish the church's image ahead of the 2026 elections in Armenia.

🔸 Who benefits from the current situation?
•  The authorities certainly do as it gives them a chance to get re-elected by discrediting the Church amid the government’s plummeting approval ratings.
•  But this crackdown will only accelerate the decline of the government's popularity.

🔸 What’s behind Karapetyan’s arrest?
•  Philanthropist Samvel Karapetyan is one of the most well-known Armenians in the world, a person with significant resources.
•  Most likely, the authorities see a threat in the presence of such people when trying to implement their plans.
•  The key point is the possession of resources, which the authorities probably see as a threat.

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🚨Putin holds a phone call with Macron - Kremlin

It has been their first phone conversation since 2022.

🔸Putin, in a conversation with Macron, discussed the situation surrounding Ukraine and reminded that the conflict is a direct consequence of the West's policies.

🔸Speaking about the prospects for a peaceful settlement, Putin confirmed the fundamental approaches to potential agreements, which should be comprehensive and long-term, addressing the root causes of the Ukrainian crisis and based on new territorial realities.

🔸Putin noted that Western countries are pursuing a strategy to prolong the hostilities by supplying weapons to the Kiev regime.

🔸 The two presidents also discussed the Iran-Israel confrontation, as well as US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

🔸Putin and Macron noted the responsibility of Russia and France in supporting peace in the Middle East and maintaining the nuclear non-proliferation regime, according to the Kremlin.

🔸The presidents expressed support for resolving the crisis surrounding the Iranian program through political and diplomatic means.

🔸Putin and Macron emphasized the importance of respecting Tehran's legitimate right to peaceful nuclear energy, fulfilling its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, and cooperating with the IAEA.

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🗣Iran’s nuclear program ‘remains LARGELY INTACT’ after US strikes

There are KEY FACTORS casting doubt on the effectiveness of recent US attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities, Russian nuclear expert Alexei Anpilogov tells Sputnik.

Iran’s uranium stockpiles remain large:

• About 3 tons enriched to 2%
• Over 3.5 tons enriched to 5%
• Hundreds of kilograms enriched to 20% and even 60% uranium-235

No signs of radiation leaks or toxic gas releases were reported after the strikes, suggesting the attacks did not reach underground uranium stores.

Satellite images show quick repairs:

• Explosion crater near the Natanz nuclear site filled in within 2 days
• Implies the damage was shallow and repairable
The US bunker-buster bomb (GBU-57) penetrates up to 60 meters only in soft soil.
• Iranian facilities are mostly under hard rock where penetration is limited to 2.5–18 meters — likely too shallow to destroy key targets.

Two likely scenarios:
1. Strikes damaged only surface structures (vent shafts, entrances).
2. Uranium was moved beforehand to secret sites unknown to US intelligence.

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