Rebranded KFC Opens in Russia Following Chicken Chain’s Departure Over Ukraine

"Rostic’s —the rebranded version of KFC reopened at its first location in central Moscow on Tuesday after the U.S. fast-food chain exited Russia’s market over the war in Ukraine." MT

Zelensky’s top adviser blames US for Ukraine conflict

“The House of Representatives’ resolution is unequivocal: The United States, unfortunately,
along with other Western countries, encouraged Ukraine to give up nuclear and other weapons to ensure security and stability in the region under safeguards. This was a wrong policy that was misinterpreted by the aggressor and led to a major war in Europe,” Podoliak tweeted." RT

Russia’s newest tanks enter battlefield in Ukraine

"Russia’s most advanced T-14 Armata main battle tanks have been deployed to fight Ukrainian troops...the T-14s were fitted with additional protection from anti-tank munitions." RT

Biohazard risk in Sudan as warring faction seizes lab

"The World Health Organization (WHO) warned of a potential biological hazard in Sudan on Tuesday, describing an armed faction’s seizure of a laboratory holding samples of pathogens including polio and measles as an “extremely dangerous” situation." RT

Russian Airborne Forces Crush Kiev Militants Attempting to Counterattack

"Russian airborne forces have quashed the counterattack attempt by Ukrainian militants in the

special military operation.

Ukrainian motorized infantry supported by tanks and artillery aimed to regain previously lost positions. However, Kiev troops found themselves under heavy fire. Russian forces unleashed massive firepower – grenade launchers, anti-tank weapons and artillery. A bulk of Ukrainian forces were eliminated in moments, while the rest of the Ukrainian militants had no other choice but to retreat." Sputnik

Ukraine shells Donetsk, killing multiple civilians

"Ukrainian forces subjected the city of Donetsk and its immediate vicinity to artillery and
multiple rocket launcher fire. The attacks left at least three civilians dead and damaged houses and infrastructure, according to local officials.

The westernmost Petrovsky District of the city, which is regularly targeted by Ukrainian troops, appears to have been worst-affected, with multiple hits registered in the area." RT

Ukraine’s Air Force eight times strikes Russian positions in past day

"Ukrainian war pilots eight times struck enemy positions along the front lines.

That’s according to a morning update by the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Ukrinform reports.

"An enemy Mi-24 helicopter and four enemy UAVs were shot down (two reconnaissance UAVs, Orlan-10 and Zala, as well as two kamikaze drones of the Lancet type). During the day, rocket and artillery units struck four enemy clusters, two ammunition depots, and two more important military objects," military reports." Ukrin

US, France evacuate embassy personnel amid ongoing fighting in Sudan

"US troops swooped in on helicopters to evacuate embassy staff from Sudan's battle-torn
capital as other nations sought to help their citizens escape deadly fighting between rival generals.

France also launched evacuation operations from the northeast African nation, where fighting has entered its second week.

Ferocious battles between the Sudanese army and a paramilitary group -- which has seen fighter jets launch airstrikes and street fighting with tanks in densely populated Khartoum -- have killed more than 400 people and left thousands wounded." France24

Trump lays out timeline to end Ukraine conflict

"Former US president Donald Trump has promised to put a swift end to the bloodshed in
Ukraine should he be elected again in 2024. The Republican also trashed the incumbent Joe Biden’s foreign policy, claiming it has made the world a more dangerous place.

Trump said: “Before I even arrive at the Oval Office, shortly after we win the presidency, I will have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine settled. I’ll get it settled very quickly.”

He went on to allege that other countries’ leaders have lost respect for the US under Biden’s leadership because of his allegedly poor handling of America’s foreign policy. To regain it, Trump argued, “you don’t need bullets, you don’t need tanks, you don’t need weapons of any kind, you just need some common sense.” RT

 

"Facebook censoring Seymour Hersh story

"Facebook is censoring a Seymour Hersh story which accuses the Ukrainian president of
embezzling funds by citing a pro-Ukraine ‘fact-checker’ which is partly funded by NATO. The Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist’s article, which is headlined ‘Trading With the Enemy’, alleges that Volodymyr Zelensky’s government has been “skimming untold millions from the American dollars earmarked for diesel fuel payments.” NW

Russian warplane accidentally bombs own city

"A Russian Sukhoi-34 fighter-jet has accidentally bombed the Russian city of Belgorod,
around 25 miles from the border with Ukraine. The bomb left a 60ft crater and caused an explosion so large it blew a car on to the roof of a nearby shop. Regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said authorities had ordered the evacuation of a damaged nine-storey block of flats as a precaution." BBC

Ukraine Receives Its First Patriot Missile Defense Systems

"Kiev received the Patriot air defense system from the US and Germany, Ukrainian Defense
Minister Oleksiy Reznikov confirmed on Twitter. While Kiev will only receive a limited number of advanced interceptors." ZeroHedge

Pakistan places first order for Russian oil

"Pakistan has placed its first ever order for Russian crude as it seeks cheaper energy options in
the face of macroeconomic challenges, the country’s petroleum minister, Musadik Malik, announced." RT

US urged Ukraine to withdraw from Artyomovsk – Pentagon leaks

"The US has reportedly been warning Kiev since January that its forces would not be able to hold on to the key Donbass city of Artyomovsk, known in Ukrainian as Bakhmut, and has repeatedly urged a withdrawal, The Washington Post reported on Thursday, citing leaked US intelligence documents." RT

About 20 Republicans called on Biden to end aid to Ukraine

"A group of Republicans prepared a joint letter to US President Joe Biden, in which they call
for an end to aid to Ukraine in the current format." As the war enters its second year, there is no end in sight and no clear strategy to bring this war to close. A proxy war with Russia in Ukraine is not in the interests of the United States and risks an escalation that could spiral out of control," the authors of the letter write." Pravada