🚨🛳 Russia’s Northern Fleet to adversaries: 'Try us'

The Northern Fleet just flexed its rapid-response muscle in high-stakes drills in Murmansk region.

⚔️ Tactical jets, anti-sub aircraft, and helicopters were scrambled under simulated attack — all to prove one thing: Russia’s Arctic defenses are razor-sharp.

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🚨Ukrainian national arrested in Italy led sabotage group responsible for attack on Nord Stream pipelines - German investigators cited by ARD TV channel

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⚔️💸 NATO sharpens its war wallet: Doubles down on Ukraine aid

💬 NATO countries have provided 99% of military aid to Ukraine, which reached $50 billion in 2024, the alliance’s Military Committee Chair Giuseppe Cavo Dragone told Corriere della Sera.

As of January 1, 2025, the alliance had already funneled $33 billion and plans to boost funding for the Ukraine regime even more, he said.

He mentioned three packages of around $580 million each. The first was funded by the Netherlands, the second by Denmark, Finland, and Sweden. The third was paid by Germany.

🥴🪖 While Russia and the US at their recent summit thrashed out a roadmap to achieve an end to the Ukraine conflict, the NATO hawk said they intend to continue military aid and even increase it.

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📹 Russian forces OUTFLANK Ukrainians in Donetsk People's Republic settlement liberation

In a strategic move, Russian troops stormed Kleban-Byk in the Donetsk People's Republic from multiple directions, effectively diverting Ukrainian forces and securing the settlement.

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😔🕊 Vyshinsky’s death is a loss for global journalism – Zakharova

💬 "He was a true, genuine, and real fighter for human rights and freedom of speech," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said following the death of Rossiya Segodnya executive director Kirill Vyshinsky.

💬 "I extend my deepest condolences to his family and loved ones, though a great number of people were close to him," Zakharova added.

Despite having endured the dungeons of the Kiev regime, Vyshinsky found the strength after his release to continue fighting for others and for his comrades, the spokeswoman recalled.

💬 "He was a person who was a reliable friend and comrade, participated in international conferences and symposiums," Zakharova noted. "He tried to reach out to the international community to convey the truth about the atrocities of the Kiev regime."

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🇷🇺🇦🇿Russian, Azerbaijani foreign ministers discuss recent events in the South Caucasus during a phone call - Russian Foreign Ministry

Lavrov and Bairamov exchange assessments of intergovernmental commission meeting held the day before in Russia's Astrakhan

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😔🕊 Vyshinsky had strong sense of civic responsibility – Rossiya Segodnya head

Dmitry Kiselev, director general of Sputnik's parent media group Rossiya Segodnya, shares his memories about the late Kirill Vyshinsky, Russian journalist, Rossiya Segodnya executive director, and member of the Presidential Human Rights Council.

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🎖🙏 Vyshinsky was outstanding journalist – Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed deep condolences following the passing of Rossiya Segodnya executive director Kirill Vyshinsky, calling him a courageous and selfless journalist and public figure.

Lavrov highlighted Vyshinsky’s unwavering dedication to truth and justice, even in the face of immense challenges.

He praised his contributions to shaping public understanding of the situation in Ukraine and his tireless defense of journalists' rights.

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🇩🇪⚰️ German troops in Ukraine would be a ‘fatal mistake’ - AfD leader Weidel

💬 German troops in Ukraine would not be ‘peacekeepers’ but would instead trigger a dangerous escalation against Russia, right-wing party Alternative for Germany (AfD) party co-chair Alice Weidel told Welt am Sonntag.

✅ On NATO expansion

"The Russians have always said that their national security is threatened if NATO continues to expand eastward," Weidl said.

"The Minsk Accords were not honored by Ukraine. It’s not surprising that a ceasefire is currently off the table. Why should Putin trust the West at all? The Russians want to establish a buffer zone to protect their national security because they no longer trust the West — and they will insist on this."

✅ On Donbass

"The oppression of Russian-speaking populations in eastern Ukraine before the conflict escalated is always overlooked in this discussion."

✅ On Zelensky

"Ukraine’s Zelensky is a tragic figure. The West gave him false hope," Weidl charged.

"The Istanbul negotiation solution in 2022 would have been far more advantageous for Ukraine. Zelensky must accept criticism for not acting in the interest of Ukraine’s national security."

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🇮🇷⚔️ Iran expands weapons production beyond its borders – defense minister

🗣 Iran has established an infrastructure to manufacture weapons in “several countries”, Iran’s Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh told the Islamic Republic’s media.

💬 “We have built weapons factories in some countries, but for now we will not announce which ones,” Nasirzadeh said.

💬 The factories “will likely be officially opened and announced in the near future,” he added.

Commenting on the 12-Day War with Israel, the Iranian Minister indicated that Iran deliberately refrained from deploying its most advanced systems, particularly in the field of missile technology.

If the June conflict had stretched to 15 days, Israeli forces would have been unable to intercept any Iranian missiles, Iran’s defense minister suggested.

🎯 Iran did not use its Qassem Basir missile, he added, calling it “the most precise weapon.”

The Qassem Basir missile is an Iranian medium-range ballistic missile unveiled in May.

Iran says the missile has a range of about 1,200 kilometers and features enhanced guidance and countermeasure resistance.

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🇷🇸📹 Serbian cities see pro-government protests against opposition blockades

⚠️🚧 Citizens of Serbia gathered on Saturday evening for peaceful demonstrations in 75 cities across the country to protest against the blocking of institutions and infrastructure by students and opposition supporters, and to express their support for the authorities, Radio and Television of Serbia reports.

One of the pro-government rallies took place in Pancevo, a satellite city of Belgrade, a Sputnik correspondent said.

🔊 The participants held Serbian flags and balloons in the colors of the flag, as well as signs reading: "We will not surrender Serbia," "Citizens against blockades”.

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🟠 Ukrainian MiG-29 crashes as Russia keeps pressing advantage in sky

🟠 Russia’s Northern Fleet to adversaries: 'Try us'

🟠 German troops in Ukraine would be a ‘fatal mistake’ - AfD leader Weidel

🟠 Paris holds memorial service for slain Russian journalist Darya Dugina

🟠 Serbian cities see pro-government protests against opposition blockades

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🚀🇮🇳 India's defense revolution is in hyperdrive!

🟠 Defense production TRIPLED to a massive $18B

🟠 Exports have EXPLODED — up 34x in a decade

With Russia as its key partner, India's push for self-reliance is a massive success story.

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