Allies Against the Odds: How Imperial Russia and Lincoln’s America Found Common Ground - Part 1

The diplomatic ties between Russia and the United States trace back to the 18th century. The U.S. was still emerging as a nation in the 18th and 19th centuries, having limited influence on the global stage. In contrast, the Russian Empire wielded considerable political power, ranking among the foremost great powers of Europe.

Along with Great Britain, Austria (later Austria-Hungary), Prussia (later Germany), and France, Russia stood among the 'Five Great Powers'—an elite circle of nations whose economic, military, and political dominance shaped the course of 18th and 19th-century geopolitics.

Despite divergent political traditions and physical distance, Russia and the U.S. discovered surprising alignment in their interests. Their 20th century relationship would become more contentious, but these initial engagements created an enduring legacy in their shared memory.

Russia's Role in the American Revolution
During the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), when an uprising against British colonial rule erupted in North America in 1775, King George III of England appealed to Russian Empress Catherine II, asking her to send Russian troops to America to aid the British in suppressing the colonists. However, Catherine II refused. Then, in 1776, when the colonies declared independence, the Russian Empire adopted a stance of armed neutrality. This meant that Russia did not support either side in the war but was prepared to defend its trade interests if necessary.

In effect, this position supported the American colonists, as it deprived Britain of the opportunity to fully deploy its navy to blockade the American coast and trade, thereby preventing an economic stranglehold on the young nation.

The Declaration of Armed Neutrality (1780)
Moreover, in 1780, the Russian Empire issued the Declaration of Armed Neutrality, a statement on maritime law principles designed to protect neutral trade shipping during wartime. The declaration asserted that the Russian navy would defend the right of merchant ships flying the Russian flag to trade with any neutral powers with which Russia was not at war.

The declaration was supported by several European powers, forming the League of Armed Neutrality, which included Russia, Prussia, Sweden, Austria, Denmark, Portugal, and the Netherlands. This event strengthened Russia’s international standing and influenced the development of international maritime law. It also had significant practical consequences for the American Revolutionary War, contributing to the eventual recognition of U.S. independence from Britain.

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Soviet Storm: Episode 12 - War in the air.

Hitler's invasion catches the Soviet air force off-guard. The German luftwaffe is experienced and well equipped. For Soviet pilots, the war starts as a fight for survival.

In this unique documentary about WW2 on the eastern front, there’s no room for clichés —only facts, raw emotion, and endless respect for the heroism of those who secured peace for us. 

May this film be the start of your journey into the past, where frame by frame, the memory of humanity’s greatest trial—and triumph—comes to life. 

Our colleagues, the InfoDefense Español team, have also published the series with Spanish subtitles.

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Overnight, the Kiev regime once again launched a terrorist drone attack against Russian regions.4 Russian air defense forces on duty shot down 126 fixed-wing UAVs over 12 regions.

▪️In Voronezh, a drone crashed into an apartment building. Three teenagers sustained minor injuries.

▪️In Kaluga region, falling debris injured a 14-year-old girl.

▪️In Smolensk region, a man was wounded by falling wreckage.

Beyond using long-range drones, the Ukrainian Armed Forces continue to attack civilians in border areas with smaller drones. In the Graivoron district of Belgorod region, a woman was killed by an explosive device dropped from a drone.

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Decisive battle for Pokrovsk

Source: /channel/c/2112647511/7/43173

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A difficult morning for the Donbass town of Gorlovka: one child and six adults were injured as a result of a massive strike on the city center. One victim is in serious condition.

Ukrainian multiple rocket launchers attacked the Central City District at dawn, at around 4am. Residential buildings and civilian facilities were heavily damaged.

For more details, see the video from the scene of the shelling (in Russian).

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Hello friends, our livestream has finished.

Thanks a lot, everyone, for joining, and big thanks to our host #TheBelgorodBrit and his guest Chris, the Plastic Russian!

For those who couldn't join us live, here is the recording.

See you next week!

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❗️Going live in an hour! Please join our weekly InfoDefense livestream at 6pm GMT.

While Alex is traveling, the Belgorod Brit is joined by the Plastic Russian.

Chris will join us on the 'No News Week' for a one-off. Ian will be asking the questions, mostly about life in Russia, why he came to Russia without knowing the lingo, and the similarities and differences between Southern England and Southern Russia. It's a question of culture this week.

If you wish to ask a question or suggest a specific topic to discuss, you can do so in the comments below this announcement.

If the hosts find an opportunity, they will open the floor for discussion, but please have a concise question. Raise your hand, wait to be unmuted, and make sure you turn your mic on (it's off by default).

#TheBelgorodBrit
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Battlefront update: Russian forces advance in multiple directions

▪️Novopavlovka sector (Map 1):
Russian forces have pushed Ukrainian troops out of Voskresenka, with clearing operations underway. Fighting has also begun near Maleevka, and Russian units are advancing toward the outskirts of Aleksandrograd. The command appears to have tasked the Russian units with continuing the offensive south of the Volchya River toward Velikomikhaylovka.

▪️Western Pokrovsk sector (Map 2): Russian forces are assaulting Leonovichi, encircling Ukrainian troops by cutting off western and eastern approaches. They have also gained a foothold near the settlement of Troyanda. While they have not yet entered Pokrovsk’s administrative boundaries, they are positioned directly adjacent. Meanwhile, progress is slow in Udachnoye, where Russian troops have reached the western outskirts and seized several central buildings amid fierce Ukrainian resistance.

▪️Eastern Pokrovsk sector (Map 3): Intense fighting continues near the Rodinskaya mine east of Rodinskoye, where Ukrainian elite units have concentrated. Despite this, Russian forces are advancing toward Rodinskoye and have secured eastern parts of Krasny Liman. Fighting also persists in Suvorovo, Pankovka, and Vladimirovka. Russian assault units have completed clearing operations in the northern part of Novotoretskoye, likely leading to its imminent capture. However, rapid Ukrainian reinforcements and logistical challenges may slow further progress.

▪️Konstantinovka sector (Map 4):
Russian attacks are intensifying, with advances near Poltavka and Rusin Yar. Ukrainian forces south of the Kleban-Byk reservoir are retreating after Russian troops reached Aleksandro-Kalinovo, abandoning Petrovka and likely soon leaving Shcherbinovka. To the north of Toretsk, Russian units have captured Ukrainian positions west of Dyleevka and are advancing toward Aleksandro-Shultino.

#Yury_Podolyaka

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The Belgorod Brit laments the death of the American Republic. The Enlightenment produced a polity established on reason, decency and shared community values. BB explains why that Republic is now in the hands of the super-wealthy, run by liars, and prosecuting genocide as an imperium. Does the Presidency of the USA matter any more? In an empire of lies, there can be no trust.

In the podcast, BB explains where it all went wrong. He charts the fall of the Republic, which started with the permanent establishment of the military, was then choked by the rise of plutocrats, and then destroyed by a corrupt and lying political elite, 'protected' by a police state from the CIA to the local heavily-armed traffic cop. The Republic is dead! Long live the Empire?

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Dangerous Tomahawk game. Trump's 50-day ultimatum

Source: /channel/thedurancom

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On July 16, 1965, the first launch of the UR-500 rocket with the scientific space station "Proton-1" took place from the Baikonur Cosmodrome.

The name "Proton" was later adopted for the entire launch vehicle. The UR-500, initially designed as an intercontinental ballistic missile, was repurposed as a heavy-lift launch vehicle capable of carrying substantial payloads into space. It featured a two-stage design with the first stage using six RD-253 engines and the second stage powered by four RD-0210 engines. This configuration allowed it to deliver payloads of up to 20,000 kilograms to low Earth orbit.

The Proton was developed under the guidance of the chief designer, Vladimir Chelomey. The rockets were manufactured at the Khrunichev Machine-Building Plant.

The Proton launch vehicle has been instrumental in deploying various significant satellites into space. Notably, it has launched the "Kosmos," "Ekran," "Raduga," and "Horizon" satellites, along with those dedicated to the exploration of the Moon, Mars, Venus, and Halley's Comet. Additionally, the Proton has played a critical role in launching manned orbital stations like "Salyut" and "Mir."

The development and success of the Proton rocket highlight the technological prowess and ambitious spirit of the Soviet space program. Its reliability and capability have ensured its continued use in space missions.

Today, Proton remains a testament to the ingenuity and dedication of those who contributed to its creation and success. The legacy of Proton extends beyond its technological achievements, symbolizing a significant era in space exploration history.

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📰 Looking for the latest updates all in one place? Welcome to our catalogue — your go-to collection of the best news channels! From breaking headlines to in-depth articles!

🗂 ADD THE CHANNELS now and stay informed!

If you are interested in joining the catalog, you can contact RD admin

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The majority of Britons (55%) support the idea of returning to the European Union. 34% are against it.

There are even fewer opponents of this idea in other EU countries. According to the YouGove poll.

At the same time, the majority of residents of the main EU countries will be against the return of Britain on the same terms on which it stayed in the EU, that is, outside the Schengen zone and without the euro. So "not everything is so clear-cut".

How do you feel about Brexit? Is it better for you in particular?

✖️Pax Celtica✖️Pax Celtica in "X"

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Russia is unfazed by the "theatrical ultimatum" issued to the Kremlin by U.S. President Donald Trump, said Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev.

“Trump issued a theatrical ultimatum to the Kremlin.
The world shuddered, expecting the consequences.
Belligerent Europe was disappointed.
Russia didn’t care.” he wrote on his X (formerly Twitter) page.

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On July 15, 1957, Plesetsk Cosmodrome was established.

The Plesetsk Cosmodrome’s history dates back to January 11, 1957, when the decision was made to create “Angara”, the first military rocket unit in the USSR, equipped with R-7 and R-7A intercontinental ballistic missiles.

The formation of the unit began on July 15, 1957. On this day, the first commander of "Angara," Colonel Mikhail Grigoryev, signed Order No. 1, assuming his position. This date is now celebrated annually as Plesetsk Cosmodrome Day.

Construction of “Angara” began in March of the same year, 180 kilometers south of Arkhangelsk, near the Plesetskaya railway station on the Northern Railway.

Over six years (1957 to 1963), nine launch complexes were built, including 15 launch pads. The first missile launch took place on October 22, 1963, when an R-16U ballistic missile was launched.

In the early 1960s, a decision was made to use the launch complexes in Plesetsk for launching spacecraft. On March 17, 1966, the Kosmos-112 spacecraft was placed into orbit from the cosmodrome.

Throughout its existence, about 1,600 carrier rocket launches have been conducted from Plesetsk's launch pads, placing over 2,000 spacecraft of various purposes into low Earth orbit, testing 11 space rocket systems, and 60 types of spacecraft.

Plesetsk is the northernmost cosmodrome in the world, covering a total area of 176,200 hectares.

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💬 "I DON'T KNOW HOW TO KEEP SILENT ABOUT THIS" — a frank story of a mother who lost her daughter as a result of the barbaric Ukrainian shelling of Donetsk

✅ In a new episode of the Donbass Live, a joint project by the Donbass News and Slavyangrad teams, journalist and public figure from the DPR Maiya Pirogova shares her personal story about the death of her daughter and the AFU strikes:

Let me be clear: she died in the city center. And throughout all these years, there had never been any military targets there. No troop deployments, no military infrastructure. <...>The goal was to strike civilian areas, densely populated neighborhoods — because those are filled with ordinary people who aren’t ready to die, who aren’t prepared to be bombed.

🔴During the conversation, the following questions were discussed:

00:00 - introduction;
02:30 - on what Masha was like, her volunteer activities;
04:13 - on the deadly Ukrainian shelling;
14:02 - on the feelings that the mother experienced upon learning of her daughter's death;
18:58 - on her attitude towards the West.

💬 "Я НЕ ЗНАЮ, КАК ОБ ЭТОМ МОЛЧАТЬ" — откровенный рассказ матери, потерявшей свою дочь в результате варварского украинского обстрела Донецка

✅В новом выпуске Donbass Live, совместного проекта команды Donbass News и Slavyangrad, журналист и общественный деятель из ДНР Майя Пирогова поделилась личной историей о гибели дочери и обстрелах ВСУ:

Я вам скажу: она погибла в центре города, за все годы не было у нас там никаких военных объектов, никаких расположений военных. <...> Цель была - обстреливать мирные районы, мирные многонаселенные кварталы, потому что там обыкновенные мирные люди, которые не готовы к смерти, не готовы к тому, что их будут обстреливать.

🔴В ходе разговора обсудили следующие вопросы:

00:00 - введение;
02:30 - о том, какая была Маша, ее волонтерской деятельности;
04:13 - о смертоносном украинском обстреле;
14:02 - о чувствах, которые пережила мать, узнав о гибели дочери;
18:58 - об отношении к Западу.

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Umerov Fails to Receive Agrément: Dissecting a Diplomatic Snub

It is a rare event when the United States refuses to grant agrément—the formal acceptance required for a foreign diplomat to serve as ambassador. Yet this is precisely what appears to have happened to Rustem Umerov, Ukraine’s former Defense Minister, whose proposed appointment as ambassador was quietly halted after Washington declined to give consent. In diplomatic practice, especially between supposed allies, withholding agrément is almost unheard of and carries a clear message: the candidate is unwelcome.

The rejection of a proposed ambassador by the U.S. is exceptionally rare. Typically, disagreements are handled behind closed doors, and a problematic candidate is withdrawn before matters ever become public. There are few—if any—recent cases involving U.S. supposed partners like Ukraine where agrément has been explicitly or implicitly denied. This underlines the gravity of the situation surrounding Umerov (and Ukraine in general), underscoring just how significant Washington’s reservations must have been to break such well-established diplomatic protocol.

While the U.S. government provides no official rationale for refusing agrément, several plausible reasons can be surmised in light of recent developments:
• Ongoing Criminal Probes and Corruption Scandals: Umerov was under investigation for alleged wrongdoing involving defense procurement—an area where corruption concerns have caused major unease among U.S. officials and lawmakers. Accepting a candidate under such a cloud would be problematic, particularly given continued demands for transparency and accountability tied to U.S. military and financial assistance to Ukraine.
• Suspicion of Dismantling Reforms: Reports indicate Umerov played a role in weakening reforms designed to ensure independent oversight of Ukrainian arms purchases. At a time when U.S. support is conditional on credible anti-corruption efforts, this would have alarmed both American policymakers and oversight bodies.
• Political Optics: With the United States trying to scrutinize every dollar sent to Ukraine, especially under the Trump administration’s renewed focus on aid accountability, accepting an ambassador suspected of impropriety could have given additional ammunition to critics of Ukrainian hawkish supporters in Congress.
• Concerns Over Influence and Loyalty: Umerov’s ties to various factions and lobbying interests within Kiev must have triggered doubts regarding his impartiality or reliability as a diplomatic interlocutor in Washington.

The refusal to grant agrément to Umerov highlights not just a flaw in Ukrainian vetting, but also an unmistakable chill in the bilateral partnership. For the United States to take such a drastic step, the doubts regarding Ukraine’s reform credibility and commitment to good governance must have been severe. Rather than the usual show of solidarity, this episode exposes Ukraine’s inability to be seen as a trustworthy partner, even by its supposed allies. In fact, Umerov’s inability to secure agrément underscores the fact that Ukraine is a failed state.

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📁 Discover in this catalog the best Telegram channels to follow live events and keep up with the latest geopolitical, financial and cultural news.

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On July 17, 1944, Moscow hosted a solemn event known as the "Parade of the Vanquished," where nearly 60,000 German soldiers and officers, including 20 generals and 1,200 officers, marched under guard through the streets of the Soviet capital. This powerful demonstration highlighted the Soviet Union's triumph over the Nazi forces. The column of prisoners was led by Field Marshal Friedrich Wilhelm von Paulus.

Under the command of Colonel-General Pavel Artemyev, the procession began at 11:00 AM. Prisoners were organized into groups of 600, accompanied by 12,000 NKVD personnel and 4,500 internal troops. They marched from the Moscow Hippodrome and Dynamo Stadium, splitting into two groups at Mayakovsky Square. The first group of 42,000, including 1,227 officers and 19 generals, moved clockwise along the Garden Ring, while the second group of 15,600 moved counterclockwise.

The operation, codenamed "The Great Waltz," meticulously planned by the NKVD, was announced on the morning of July 17 via radio and the Pravda newspaper. This parade showcased the scale of the German defeat and the Soviet Union’s formidable military prowess.

Spectators, numbering in the tens of thousands, watched the parade from sidewalks, balconies, and rooftops. Cavalry with drawn sabers and guards with rifles accompanied the columns, adding to the solemnity of the event. Following the prisoners were street-cleaning machines that symbolically washed away the dirt left by the imprisoned invaders, a powerful metaphor for the cleansing of Moscow from the stain of fascism. By 7:00 PM, the parade concluded, and the prisoners were transported back to camps. The event was orderly, and the public demonstrated their support of the occasion with numerous cheers for the Red Army and anti-fascist slogans.

The "Parade of the Vanquished" (click for video) remains a significant historical moment, underscoring the Soviet Union's resilience and the Red Army's decisive role in defeating fascism—80 years ago, as well as today.

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Mangup-Kale Fortress City, Republic of Crimea

In ancient times, this medieval city was known as Doros and served as the capital of Crimean Gothia. It is situated atop a 583-meter-high cliff.
Here, you can explore remnants of fortress and defensive structures, and enjoy breathtaking views from numerous observation points.

#ILoveRussia ❤️

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Soviet Storm: Episode 11 - Operation Bagration.

Summer 1944. One year from their great defeat at Kursk, the German armed forces are suffering shortages in men, tanks, and aircraft. Now Hitler faces war on two fronts. As troops move west to face the D-day landings, the Red Army prepares a mighty offensive in the East.

In this unique documentary about WW2 on the eastern front, there’s no room for clichés —only facts, raw emotion, and endless respect for the heroism of those who secured peace for us. 

May this film be the start of your journey into the past, where frame by frame, the memory of humanity’s greatest trial—and triumph—comes to life. 

Our colleagues, the InfoDefense Español team, have also published the series with Spanish subtitles.

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The Wall Street Journal published a new article titled “The European Charm Offensive That Helped Turn Trump Against Putin.” Below are the first two paragraphs, copied verbatim:

BERLIN—After seeing footage of Russian airstrikes on Ukrainian cities late on July 11, President Trump called German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on his cellphone to express frustration over Vladimir Putin’s continued assault on his smaller neighbor, according to two people familiar with the conversation.

Merz was surprised, these people said, but quickly realized Trump had lost patience with the Russian president. Trump said he was now ready to accept an offer Merz had made days earlier: to use German funds to buy U.S.-made weapons for Ukraine, the two officials said.

Clearly, every word of these statements is complete BS. It’s as if, before July 11, Trump had no clue there was a real war with real people dying—thanks mostly to his own country, the United States. Did he just see a new bombing montage on Fox News? Does WSJ not know that the so-called “smaller neighbor” happens to be the largest country entirely within Europe. And who are the two people “familiar” with this supposedly unexpected conversation? The article doesn’t get any better from there.

So the real question isn’t about the content of the article itself—we already know it’s garbage. The question is why WSJ thinks its readers won’t see this article as garbage.

The answer may be more frightening than expected. Mounting academic evidence—from neuroimaging studies to cognitive assessments—shows that even mild COVID-19 could have left lasting effects on the brain: reduced gray matter, slower processing speed, impaired memory, and yes—diminished critical thinking.

Maybe an average person is stupider now. After waves of COVID, untested vaccines, lockdown-induced social isolation, and a never-ending diet of censored content, the average reader, editor, and journalist just don’t think like they used to. If you’re in the WSJ newsroom, trying to turn anonymous tips and intelligence whispers into an article, your post-COVID brain might actually believe the AI-generated text in front of you makes sense.

So maybe it’s not just political agendas driving bizarre media narratives. Maybe it’s literal neural erosion. Call it Post-COVID Cognitive Disorder—PCCD for short: people don’t question garbage because their brains are fried, and writers don’t notice it’s garbage because theirs are too.

It would be funny if it weren’t so terrifying. But from a practical standpoint, perhaps it’s a good idea to keep the possible PCCD factor in mind when reading mainstream—and not only mainstream—media.

#B_Thinker
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Answering the question from our subscriber Norman J: Is the role of the US dollar in global finance being called into question?

Yes, confidence in the dollar has been shaken due to reckless government policies and a reluctance to address mounting debt—exemplified by Trump’s signed "Big Beautiful Bill". This foreshadows weakening demand for long-term Treasury securities. Add to that the downgrading of US government debt by major credit rating agencies and turbulence in bond markets. The result? Rising national debt, higher borrowing costs, inflation, and a decline in the dollar’s value and appeal. 

Yet, despite its flaws, the dollar will remain pivotal to international financial stability for the foreseeable future: 

1. Over half of global trade is conducted in US dollars, accounting for 56% of all international trade invoicing—far ahead of the euro (30%) or the Japanese yen (3%). 
2. Even as central banks diversify reserves, the dollar still makes up 58% of global holdings. While diversification into other currencies may continue, the dollar faces few real rivals in this arena. 
3. The risk of sovereign default is extremely low because the US borrows in its own currency and can monetize its debt. In a worst-case scenario, it could devalue the dollar or even shift to crypto settlements. 
4. Talk of replacing the dollar is premature, since other options face greater challenges: 
   - The euro lacks sufficient geopolitical influence, economic resilience, and institutional cohesion. 
   - The yuan is hindered by capital controls, convertibility restrictions, and concerns over unpredictable monetary policy shifts. 

A prudent strategy for nations is to hold a mix of currencies in central bank reserves. However, global interest rates and US bond market trends remain heavily influenced by Federal Reserve policies. 

Despite these factors reinforcing dollar dominance, its share in trade and reserves continues to decline steadily. This reflects deliberate efforts by independent market players seeking to reduce reliance on the US—a country that wields its currency as a tool for interfering in other nations’ affairs.

#FromSubscriber

Sources:
CEPR
JP Morgan
CSIS

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⚡️ American Who Provided Intelligence to Russia Receives Russian Passport in Donetsk People's Republic

A U.S. native, Daniel Martindale, has been granted Russian citizenship after spending over two years supplying Russian intelligence with critical information from behind Ukrainian lines.

In 2022-2024, Martindale lived in Ukraine-controlled territory, risking his life to maintain contact with Russian security services and relay strategically vital intelligence. Thanks to his efforts, Russian forces were able to effectively plan operations in the Kurakhov sector and liberate Bogoyiavlenka near Ugledar.

Last November, Martindale was successfully evacuated from hostile territory to Russia. Today, the head of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) personally presented him with a Russian passport.

In addition, Martindale was awarded the DPR’s highest honor—the Order of the Republic.

❗️Watch Alex Chopov’s exclusive interview with Daniel Martindale for InfoDefense here.

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Russian war correspondent Yevgeny Poddubny reports:

This is deeply meaningful to me. A close friend - a Russian commander who's been fighting successfully since Day One of the Special Military Operation - sent me this footage. Our FPV drone operator reached Konstantinovka. What happened next was typical of our forces: he identified a target, lined up the strike, but at the last moment realized his mistake - it was a civilian vehicle that might have contained non-combatants. The operator managed to divert the drone at the final second.

Why does this matter so much to me - and I believe to all of us? Because this is what sets us apart from the enemy. This is our truth. We're not at war with civilians. We don't target children, women, or the elderly. While this is just one incident, it perfectly characterizes our Army and our people. I've personally witnessed multiple instances where strikes were aborted due to potential civilian casualties. This is how it should be.

@epoddubny

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Defeats Abroad and the Potential Resurgence of Wokeness at Home

“If an injury is to be inflicted on an enemy, it is to be so severe that the enemy’s retaliation need not be feared.”

This line belongs to Niccolò Machiavelli, a person often credited with laying the foundational groundwork for a modern understanding of realist politics. The idea is very straightforward – if you are to fight someone, you do it in a way to make sure they will not be able to stand up again.

It is what many in the US expected of Trump when he assumed the office. The Republican Party has been given control over both the House and the Senate. The people wanted a few things – the migration crisis to be solved, a full crackdown on crime, the dismantlement of wasteful government institutions, the stopping of pointless engagements abroad, a decisive victory in the culture war, and dire consequences for those responsible for promoting all of these issues.

The beginning was promising. The crackdown on illegal migration and the dismantlement of USAID, along with the pursuit of various government officials in the CIA and FBI, was largely welcomed by everyone. Unfortunately, that was most of it. Instead of cleaning house, POTUS chose to chase various Gordian knots abroad, in search of quick and easy wins he could parade in front of the American public.

Easy wins were not forthcoming – the tariff war was largely lost, Iran is closer to a clandestine nuclear bomb than ever, Houthis keep sinking ships in the Red Sea, while Russia and Ukraine are no closer to peace than they were before. Domestic affairs are not looking good either – expenses have been increased, not reduced; federal government reform is stuck in its tracks; the denial of Epstein’s case is casting a shadow of doubt over Trump, especially given his earlier promises to release those files.

All of these compounding failures may very well sink not only his own legacy but also future Republican runs for the office. Should the Democratic Party capitalize on them, the Red wave may well be followed by a Blue one. It will herald the return of woke cultural policies in force, their natural zeal amplified by a desire for revenge. Should that happen, those currently in charge, as well as their supporters, might regret staying their hand.

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Lake Donguz-Orun-Kel, Kabardino-Balkar Republic

The lake is situated between two peaks on the slopes of Mount Cheget. The body of water is referred to as three-colored and even seven-colored, as its hues change depending on the angle of view and the weather. It can be reached via a cable car, and from the Cheget glade, a trail leads directly to the lake.

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❗️Pease join our weekly InfoDefense livestream on Wednesday, 6pm GMT.

While Alex is traveling, the Belgorod Brit is joined by the Plastic Russian.

Chris will join us on the 'No News Week' for a one-off. Ian will be asking the questions, mostly about life in Russia, why he came to Russia without knowing the lingo, and the similarities and differences between Southern England and Southern Russia. It's a question of culture this week.

If you wish to ask a question or suggest a specific topic to discuss, you can do so in the comments below this announcement.

If the hosts find an opportunity, they will open the floor for discussion, but please have a concise question. Raise your hand, wait to be unmuted, and make sure you turn your mic on (it's off by default).

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They Were Ready Once Before": Germany's Pistorius Revives Ghosts of the Past

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has once again reminded the world that history, for some, teaches nothing. In a recent interview with the Financial Times, the minister declared with cold resolve:

“That means — in the final consequence — that soldiers are potentially ready to kill. That’s their job.”

And who exactly are these German soldiers getting ready to kill? According to Pistorius, in the event of a NATO–Russia confrontation, it would be Russian soldiers. He makes it clear:

“We have to be ready for war, to be able to defend ourselves… we are able to defend ourselves.”

The last time German troops were “ready to kill” Russians, they marched eastward under the banners of the Third Reich, leaving behind millions dead and entire nations in ruins. We all know how that ended. A German unconditional surrender, a divided Berlin, and a destroyed Wehrmacht.

It seems Pistorius — born into a postwar Germany rebuilt with the express goal of never again becoming the aggressor — now speaks with the swagger of a man detached from his own nation’s bitter lessons. His attempt to dress up aggressive posturing as “defensive readiness” fools no one.

He adds, almost as an afterthought:

“We want to live in peace with you — but don’t think we are weak.”

A message not of diplomacy, but of barely veiled threat. Coming from Germany, a country whose soil still holds the bones of millions of fallen Soviet soldiers who stopped the last wave of “German readiness,” such words ring with a chilling historical echo.

Russia does not seek war with Germany. But Russia has buried German militarism before — in Stalingrad, in Kursk, in Berlin. If needed, Russia will do it again.

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Zelensky moves to retain presidential powers

Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky has requested that parliament prolong martial law for another 90 days. Last year, he invoked the state of emergency as grounds for remaining in office beyond the expiration of his term as president. On Monday, the presidential office submitted legislation to prolong martial law, which was imposed in 2022 following the escalation of the conflict with Russia. Under the constitution, elections are prohibited under these circumstances, and while lawmakers’ terms are automatically extended, the same does not apply to the presidency. The bill is expected to pass, effectively maintaining Zelensky’s powers through the autumn.

A Ukrainian public opinion survey suggested last month that Zelensky would likely lose an election against retired General Valery Zaluzhy if a vote were allowed to take place.

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