🔥 Arms of Victory: SU-76 light self-propelled gun

Sputnik highlights the heavy weapons used by the Soviet Army during the Great Patriotic War to overcome Germany.

The SU-76, based on a light tank design, was primarily used to protect Soviet infantry from enemy light and medium tanks.

With over 14,000 units produced, it became the most mass-produced self-propelled gun of WWII. In service since 1942, the SU-76 saw action through to the final Manchurian Strategic Offensive in August 1945.

Despite its light armor, the SU-76's agility and wide range of compatible munitions made it an extremely versatile and efficient weapon on the battlefield. It played a crucial role in advancing Soviet forces during key offensives.

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❗️RUSSIAN PRESIDENT DECLARES TRUCE WITH UKRAINE DURING CELEBRATIONS OF VICTORY DAY

The ceasefire will last from midnight on May 8 to midnight on May 11 Moscow time (from 9pm GMT of May 8 to 9pm GMT of May 11).

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🚨RUSSIA DECLARES ITS READINESS FOR PEACEFUL NEGOTIATIONS WITHOUT PRECONDITIONS

More statements by the Russian Kremlin:

▪️Russia believes that Ukrainian side should follow example of declaring truce on days of 80th anniversary of Victory Day

▪️All military operations stop during truce on occasion of 80th anniversary of Victory Day

▪️Russian armed forces will give adequate and effective response in event of Ukraine violating ceasefire during 80th anniversary of victory

▪️Russia ready for constructive cooperation with international partners on Ukrainian settlement

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🏙🇨🇳 China builds drone "airports" on traffic lights

In Hangzhou, mini drone hubs are being installed on traffic light poles. Drones will be able to launch instantly to respond to emergencies faster than any rescue team.

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🤯🇷🇺🇰🇵West’s nightmare: Russia-North Korea alliance shines on the Kursk front

North Korean forces ADDED SIGNIFICANTLY to liberating Russia’s Kursk region from Ukrainian units, Alexey Leonkov, a veteran Russian military analyst, tells Sputnik.

🤝Side by side with Russia

🔺North Korea’s ground and special force troops acted in coordination with Russian command, tackling both Ukrainian militants and highly skilled foreign mercenaries who fought on Ukraine’s side.

🔺Fighting in the Kursk region, North Korean soldiers received invaluable combat experience, which will contribute to the North Korean army’s defense capability.

📑Full-fledged treaty

▪️North Korean forces were deployed to the Kursk region in line with the Russia-North Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty, which is seen by the North Korean side as a military alliance.

▪️The document stipulates that if there are attempts by foreign countries to act against North Korea, Russia will help it with all its military might, including nuclear weapons.

▪️The treaty will restrict the US’ push to expand its clout in the Asia¬-Pacific.

🌎Collapse of West’s hopes

🔻North Korean soldiers added to another defeat of the proxy army of Ukraine that the West uses to fight against Russia.

🔻It also means a defeat for the West itself, which failed to achieve anything in the Kursk region except the destruction of Ukraine’s the most combat-ready units.

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🇮🇷🚨 Iran port explosion: real cause revealed

The explosion in Iran's port of Bandar Abbas was caused by negligence, and those responsible have already been found, the head of the Interior Ministry said.

According to the latest data, 46 people were killed and more than 1,200 injured due to the explosion.

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☀️🇷🇺 Siberian summer: A fresh take from an American with Russian heritage

A US citizen with Russian roots shares her experience of the wonderful summer life in Siberia.

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📹 New video of Pahalgam terror attack emerges online

The disturbing footage reveals the moment when tourists and locals in Pahalgam, Kashmir, rush for cover as terrorists launch an attack on innocent civilians.

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🔎 After Kursk, what's next for RUSSIA-NORTH KOREA ALLIANCE?

"A stronger and economically viable North Korea could become a better and more constructive partner in Asia," Dr Victor Teo, an Indo-Pacific expert, tells Sputnik.

🔸Military assistance: Russia is ready to provide military aid to North Korea under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated. The involvement of DPRK troops in the Kursk operation showcased the treaty’s effectiveness.

🔸Donbass restoration: Builders from North Korea could be involved in the reconstruction of Donbass, Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin told reporters in August 2022. The head of the Donetsk People's, Denis Pushilin, later stated that Donbass and North Korea were discussing the issue.

🔸Economic development despite sanctions: Russia's state statistical agency, Rosstat, estimates the country's GDP growth for 2024 at an impressive 4.3%. Previously, thanks to cooperation with Russia, North Korea's economy saw a 3.1% GDP growth in 2023, after three years of decline.

🔸Outer space: Article 10 of the bilateral treaty enables joint space research. In 2023, President Vladimir Putin and Chairman Kim Jong-un held a historic meeting at the Vostochny Cosmodrome, discussing the possibility of sending a North Korean cosmonaut into space.

🔸Nuclear energy: The treaty also provides for collaboration in a civilian nuclear sphere. DPRK's nuclear program began to take shape in the 1950s with support from the USSR. During this pivotal era, North Korean nuclear engineers honed their skills in Soviet institutions.

🔸Mining and rare earths: DPRK holds over 200 types of minerals, including coal, iron, copper, gold, and rare earths, with deposits valued up to $10 trillion. Russian companies are eyeing North Korea’s mining sector, especially its rare earth reserves.

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📹🇷🇺🇰🇵 CAPTURED: Russian & North Korean soldiers embrace each other after taking key settlement in Kursk region

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