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Putin concedes defeat in attempt to dethrone U.S. dollar with BRICS single currency
Russian President Vladimir Putin has conceded the failure of Russia's ambitious project aimed at challenging the dominance of the dollar as the primary global currency. The grand promises to establish the so-called "BRICS single currency" have fizzled out, and the idea is no longer on the table. Back in 2022, Russia announced plans to create a unified BRICS currency, with pledges to back it with land and rare earth metals to make it more attractive than the dollar.
However, it appears that …
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Ukrainian Forces capture top 'Luhansk Guard' commander German Prokopiv
A top figure from the militant wing of the "Luhansk Guard" has reportedly been captured by Ukrainian forces. German Prokopiv, a notable Russian collaborator who played a role in the occupation of Luhansk in 2014, is believed to have been detained. According to footage circulated on Ukrainian Telegram channels, Prokopiv was recognized by Denis Kazansky, a Ukrainian blogger and writer.
In 2014, Prokopiv was the head of the combat wing of the separatist group "Luhansk Guard." His actions included …
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Ukraine-Russia POW swap: Azov soldiers exchanged for Russian conscripts and Kadyrov fighters
In a notable exchange of prisoners of war (POW) on October 18, Ukraine and Russia executed a swap involving 95 captives each. Thirty-four soldiers from Ukraine’s esteemed Azov Brigade were returned home in exchange for conscripted soldiers and “Kadyrovites” (Kadyrov fighters).
This exchange marks a significant shift in the Kremlin's stance, as they had previously refused to exchange the Azov fighters captured in Mariupol. It appears the dynamics have changed due to the recent operations in the …
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Key Russian defense plant in Bryansk comes under drone attack
A daring drone attack targeted the "Kremny EL" factory in Bryansk, Russia, late on October 18, marking a significant hit on one of the leading microelectronics suppliers in the nation. The factory, pivotal in the production of military-grade micro components for the Russian armed forces, was reportedly attacked by drones, according to the news outlet Astra.
Local authorities and Russian officials have yet to verify the strike on the facility, which plays a crucial role in supplying parts for …
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High-ranking Russian military official killed in car explosion in Luhansk
In the heart of occupied Luhansk, a high-ranking Russian military official, Dmitry Pervukh, was reportedly killed in a car explosion. Reports indicate that the explosion took place on October 18, targeting the chief of staff for one of Russia's military units. This information was relayed by Serhiy Bratchuk, spokesperson for the Odessa Regional Military Administration, on Telegram, citing informed sources in the occupied city.
Major Dmitry Pervukh was the head of the service troops and safety …
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Power of Siberia 2: a risky gamble for Russia's gas future amid looming global oversupply
In a bid to recover from the loss of the European gas market, which had been a major source of revenue for the Russian budget for many years, the Kremlin is desperately trying to boost gas supplies to Asia. Moscow is especially keen on ramping up its gas exports to China and has been in lengthy discussions with the Chinese about building the "Power of Siberia – 2" pipeline. However, experts warn that this move might have an adverse effect on Russia.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has …
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NATO: Russia faces unprecedented daily casualties in Ukraine war
In September, Russia's military endured average daily losses of 1,271 personnel, killed and wounded, on the battlefield in Ukraine, marking the highest figure since the onset of the full-scale invasion. Back in May, NATO cited a figure of 1,000 casualties per day. The official forecast signals that these significant losses on the Russian side could persist into the end of 2024. The increase in Russian casualties is tied to intensified fighting not only in the Kharkiv region but also in the …
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Ukraine enlists over 5,000 paroled prisoners to strengthen Armed Forces
In a move to bolster its military forces, Ukraine has initiated a program allowing select prisoners released on parole to serve in the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), with special conditions regarding salary and leave, reports Noviny.LIVE . As detailed by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, over 5,000 individuals, including 31 women, have been granted parole and enlisted by September 2024, reported by the Personnel Department of the AFU’s General Staff.
These former inmates are assigned to …
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Russia seeks global assistance amid aircraft shortages and sanctions
Due to a considerable shortage of operational aircraft, Russia is turning to "friendly" countries for assistance. On October 16, Russian Transport Minister Roman Starovoit revealed that Moscow is actively negotiating with Kazakhstan to aid in organizing domestic flights. Currently, only Russian airlines are permitted to conduct flights between Russian cities, according to The Moscow Times. Starovoit openly admits that Russia lacks enough functional planes to ensure uninterrupted passenger …
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Scholz rejects key elements of Ukraine's Victory Plan, citing escalation concerns
In a recent development reported by Bild, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has resisted key aspects of Ukraine's proposed victory plan, shared by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Verkhovna Rada.
Following a summit in Brussels, Scholz criticized Ukraine's approach and stressed the urgency of preventing the Russia-Ukraine conflict from escalating into a war between Russia and NATO.
Media sources indicate that Scholz also made it clear that he would not be coerced into sending long- …