📹 RUSSIA CAPTURES INTACT UKRAINIAN 'LELEKA' DRONE

Electronic warfare specialists landed the reconnaissance drone undamaged in the Zaporozhye region – another win Russian EW dominance.

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❗️ GERMANY SHIPS 3 PATRIOTS TO UKRAINE — Reports

Berlin is delivering the first batch under Trump's scheme to force Europeans to fund American weapons, according to the Washington Post. Ukraine is seeking a total of 10 of these systems.

Switzerland also plans to divert 5 new Patriot systems to Ukraine, according to the WaPo.

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⚔️ PENTAGON PUSHES BALTICS TO 5% DEFENSE SPENDING

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said he met with his Baltic counterparts to pressure frontline states into unprecedented militarization.

"The momentum behind a stronger and more lethal NATO alliance is high," Hegseth wrote on X.

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🪖❌💸NO PAY, NO HONOR: Ukraine labels returned dead soldiers as DESERTERS

Thousands of fallen Ukrainian soldiers — whose bodies were recently returned by Russia — will be declared as deserters, a source in the pro-Russian resistance told Sputnik.

The move would allow the government to deny compensation to their families, the source added.

➡️In June, Russia returned 6,060 bodies of Ukrainian soldiers, and in exchange, Ukraine handed over 78 bodies of Russian servicemen.

During recent talks in Istanbul, Russia offered to transfer an additional 3,000 bodies of deceased Ukrainian soldiers, though no specific date has been set.

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🚨🗣Russia has never politicized returning children to parents in Ukraine—delegation head

Not all Ukrainians take the issue of returning children seriously, with some using it for political gain, although there are citizens who consider this a matter of vital importance, especially the children's relatives, Russian presidential aide and head of the Russian delegation at talks with Ukraine Vladimir Medinsky said.

"That is precisely why we [Russia] have never politicized this issue," he said.

➡️Earlier, following the second round of talks, the Ukrainian delegation handed over to Russia a list of 339 children allegedly abducted from Ukraine. 

During a press conference following the third round of talks in Istanbul, Medinsky said that numerous children on the Ukrainian list had never been to Russia. In addition, it turned out that 50 names on the list belong to adults. At the same time, some of the children have already been returned to Ukraine, and this work continues.

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🇭🇺🇷🇺Hungary benefits from cooperation with Russia – FM Szijjarto

"We have a very honest relationship based on mutual respect,” Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto told Sputnik. 

He stressed that “this bilateral cooperation with Russia is advantageous for Hungary."

Without Russian energy resources, Hungary would not be able to maintain the lowest utility costs in Europe for its people, according to the diplomat.

Szijjarto also touted his “good” professional relationship with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, noting that they can always consult with each other.

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🇷🇺🛳 HAPPY RUSSIA'S NAVY DAY: Belousov congratulates Russian sailors

Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov honors military personnel and veterans on Navy Day, praising their dedication and skill during Russia's special military operation.

“Sailors have always played a crucial role in defending our nation’s interests and securing victories,” he emphasizes.

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🗣Collapse of Ukrainian army will leave Zelensky with no options – US army vet 

Retired US Army Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Davis says that the Ukrainian army’s looming defeat could lead to a situation when Ukraine will have no other option but to sign a peace agreement with Russia on the Kremlin’s terms. 

“I think that the Russians are saying, ‘if you don’t want to have a negotiated settlement now, then you’re just going to have terms of surrender given to you after we have defeated your army. That’s now the more likely scenario. The diplomatic window is still open, but it’s closing,” Davis underlined.

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🇷🇺PUTIN REVIEWS NAVY DRILLS ON RUSSIAN NAVY DAY

President Vladimir Putin arrived at the Main Admiralty in St. Petersburg to oversee naval exercises and hear reports from military commanders.

According to the Kremlin, he’ll also visit the St. Petersburg State Marine Technical University.

Naval Day — all eyes on the fleet!

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🚨🇷🇺Putin pledges modern weapons and new divisions for the Russian Navy

Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated the participants of the July Storm operational exercises on Navy Day.

He stated that the main goal of the drills is to thoroughly rehearse the fleet’s actions in repelling a sea-based attack. The exercises also aim to address a range of complex, near-combat operational and tactical scenarios, incorporating lessons learned from the special military operation.

Putin also noted:

🔶 The Russian Navy will be equipped with the most advanced weapons and technology.

🔶 Five marine brigades will be reorganized into divisions, with two to be completed by 2025.

🔶 This transformation will significantly enhance the navy’s strike power and combat effectiveness.

🔶 The navy’s primary mission is to ensure Russia’s security and protect its sovereignty and national interests.

🔶 Russia will continue to strengthen combat training for submarine and surface crews, as well as coastal and naval aviation units.

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🚨RUSSIAN WARSHIP VARYAG FIRES IN LIVE DRILLS

The Pacific Fleet’s flagship launched strikes on a mock enemy in the July Storm drills.

Rear Adm. Alexei Sysuyev says the maneuvers used real combat lessons from Ukraine.

EW & air defense units also joined the action.

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📹 Blood of innocence: Donbass marks grim toll of child casualties

Ceremonies were held in Donetsk and Makeyevka to honor the child victims of Ukrainian aggression.

Throughout the entire conflict, 247 children have been killed and 1,021 wounded, according to DPR Ombudsman Darya Morozova.

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📹FLOWER ALLEY PLANTED IN MEMORY OF DONBASS CHILDREN

In the frontline Aleshkinsky district of Kherson region, flowers were planted near the Tarasovskaya School to honor the children killed during the Donbass conflict.

A quiet tribute on a day of mourning.

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⚓️ PUTIN: NAVY DAY IN COMBAT MODE IS THE RIGHT WAY

After speaking via video with participants of the July Storm drills, President Vladimir Putin once again congratulated Russia’s sailors — stressing that in today’s conditions, celebrating while on duty is the right thing to do.

“The fleet is showing its combat strength.”

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