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Russian economy faces mounting challenges amid rising military spending and banking instability
In a stark address at Sberbank's annual shareholders meeting on June 30, German Gref, the head of Russia's largest bank, painted a bleak picture of the Russian economy's future. The country is grappling with a rapid surge in military spending, inflation spikes, and a significant hike in the central bank's key rate, hindering quick economic fixes. The forecast for 2026 doesn't offer much solace either, with expectations of continued challenges.
"The situation heavily hinges on geopolitics, GDP …
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Baltic nations withdraw from Ottawa anti-personnel landmine treaty amid rising Russian threats
Two Baltic nations are taking steps to ready themselves against a potential Russian military invasion. These countries have submitted documents to the United Nations announcing their withdrawal from a treaty prohibiting the use of landmines. LRT reported that Lithuania has officially informed UN Secretary-General António Guterres of its decision to exit the Ottawa Convention, which bans the production, transfer, stockpiling, and use of anti-personnel mines. Lithuania's Foreign Minister, Kę …
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Russia revives decommissioned T-62 tanks as armored vehicle losses mount in Ukraine
Russia is re-deploying outdated tanks to the Ukraine front after suffering significant losses of more modern armored vehicles, according to Ukrainian intelligence. The Russian army is reportedly bringing obsolete T-62 tanks—first developed in the 1960s—back into action as a temporary fix after newer equipment was depleted on the battlefield. The capacity of T-72B3M and T-90M tanks, prominent in the early stages of the invasion, is rapidly declining.
While production of new tanks continues, it' …
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German Chancellor Merz rejects dialogue with Putin, citing ineffectiveness in resolving Ukraine conflict
Germany’s Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has stated he’s not planning to reach out to Russian President Vladimir Putin anytime soon, marking a shift from previous leadership approaches. Merz believes direct talks with Putin hold little promise and aims not to repeat his predecessor's missteps. According to DW, past interactions with Putin have failed to ease tensions surrounding the Ukraine conflict.
In an interview with Süddeutsche Zeitung, Merz pointed to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's …
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Ukrainian drones strike Russian ammunition and weapons depot in Bryansk
In the early hours of Saturday, June 28, the Russian city of Bryansk was rocked by a series of explosions, reportedly from an attack by Ukrainian drones.
According to a source within Ukrainian intelligence, cited by the Ukrainian news agency Suspilne, the strike was conducted by attack drones of the Main Directorate of Intelligence on Ukraine's Constitution Day, aiming at the 120th arsenal of the Main Missile and Artillery Directorate of the Russian Ministry of Defense. The extent of the …
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Ukrainian drone strike targets Russian airfield in Crimea, destroying helicopters and air defense systems
Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) carried out a drone strike on Krymsk military airfield in Crimea, reportedly destroying three Russian helicopters — the Mi-28, Mi-8, and Mi-26 — along with the self-propelled anti-aircraft system "Pantsir-S1". This operation, which occurred under the cover of darkness on Saturday, June 28, also included the obliteration of a Pantsir-S1 air defense system, valued at approximately $15 million, reports the agency's press service.
The Ukrainian drones targeted …
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German fighter jets intercept Russian reconnaissance aircraft over Baltic Sea
On the morning of June 27, two German Air Force Eurofighter jets intercepted a Russian Il-20M reconnaissance aircraft (NATO reporting name: Coot-A) with registration RF-95979 over the Baltic Sea. According to a report by Bild, the Russian plane departed from Kaliningrad without transmitting a transponder signal, radio communication, or an electronic flight plan, flying westward toward Polish and German airspace.
The NATO radar systems detected the Il-20M at 09:02 AM (10:02 Moscow time).
At 09: …
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Suspected sabotage: German military trucks destined for Ukraine torched, raising tensions with Russia
In a possible act of sabotage benefiting Russia, German military trucks were reportedly set on fire over the weekend, according to pro-Russian Telegram channels. The trucks were allegedly about to be decommissioned and donated to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
A video posted by the Telegram channel "Crazy about War", shows at least five torched vehicles. Some of these vehicles appear to belong to the German Armed Forces, recognizable by their military license plates and Bundeswehr crosses on …
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Ukrainian Forces destroy Russian freight train near Tokmak
Ukrainian Forces have targeted and disrupted a Russian cargo train near Tokmak in the occupied Zaporizhzhia region. The operation, which took place at 11:15 AM, involved a combined effort from various units the Ukrainian Forces, who stopped the train on its tracks with none other than a precision strike, slicing it in half.
This train, comprising over 40 cars loaded with tanks, containers, and likely ammunition, was effectively split in two. Following this maneuver, Ukrainian units …
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Norway allocates €550 million for Ukraine's drone procurement
Norway has announced that it had allocated NOK 6.5 billion—more than €550 million—for the purchase of drones and related technologies from both Ukrainian and European producers, as confirmed by the Norwegian government.
Drones play a crucial role in Ukraine’s defense efforts, serving in the protection of critical infrastructure and frontline operations. Norway’s contribution is set to significantly bolster Ukraine’s capabilities in drone surveillance and operations. "This funding will aid …