🔊Ukraine’s anti-corruption bodies mere tools of Western control – Russia's MFA spox

“These institutions—old or new—have nothing to do with the fight against corruption,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stressed, referring to Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO).

She described NABU and SAPO as the West’s “levers of control” over Volodymyr Zelensky and the Ukrainian government.

“These bodies are tools for laundering the enormous funds that come to Ukraine so that part of them can return back to their original destinations — Western banks, funds, and so on,” Zakharova stressed.

The diplomat emphasized that neither a real nor a “quasi” fight against corruption “has ever taken place or is currently happening in Ukraine.”

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🇹🇭 🇰🇭 Thailand avoiding full-scale war with Cambodia over fears of investor backlash

💬 "There will be no major ground operations [on the Thai-Cambodian border], and the parties will limit themselves to border clashes. The Cambodians will not escalate due to the clear superiority of the Thai armed forces, while the Thais, in turn, are not interested in another international scandal that could potentially scare away investors," Grigory Kucherenko, a junior researcher at the Center for the Indian Ocean Region of IMEMO RAS, tells Sputnik.

🗣 The Thai-Cambodia conflict broke out because of local nationalists and likely will soon run out of steam.

"The reasons for what is happening lie mostly in Thailand's domestic politics and nationalists on both sides," Kucherenko clarifies, adding that the parties will eventually sit down at the negotiating table.

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🔥RUSSIA’S NAVY SHOWS ITS STRENGTH IN ‘JULY STORM’ EXERCISE

The Russian Navy is flexing its muscles in the ongoing "July Storm" drill.

🔶 Baltic Fleet wiped out an "enemy" ship with drones & helicopters

🔶 Pacific Fleet sank a mock sub near Kamchatka

🔶 Northern Fleet jets hit 20+ targets in precision strikes

🔶 Caspian Flotilla shot down cruise missile with Pantsir-M

🔶 Barents Sea sub hunt — depth charges deployed

🔶 Baltic minelayers simulated blockade ops

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🚨 ZELENSKY’S POLITICAL SUICIDE: Dodging accountability at all costs

👉 Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a bill that strips Ukraine's anti-corruption bodies of their independence — his biggest misstep yet.

◼️ The Spectator calls it "political suicide," claiming the damage to his image may be beyond repair. Even the staunchest supporters are seeing this as an attempt to dodge accountability.

"He overstepped," the publication adds.

◼️ After raids on NABU staff and a controversial law passed by his party-controlled parliament, protests erupted across Ukraine. Zelensky STILL signed the bill, igniting more backlash.

◼️ But just days later, he backpedaled — introducing a new bill to "strengthen" anti-corruption agencies, effectively rolling back his previous move.

📍 The stain? It's there, and it won’t wash off.

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🇹🇭⚔️ 🇰🇭THAILAND VS. CAMBODIA: A MILITARY FACE-OFF

As the conflict between Thailand and Cambodia intensifies, check out Sputnik's infographic to compare their military capabilities.

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🔊EU's trillion-euro war plan: Orban blasts 'anti-Russia' budget

"The EU has published its seven-year budget proposal. It’s a lengthy document, and if anyone examines it carefully, they’ll see that it’s a military budget. Everything in it is structured according to the logic of war. Twenty percent of the funds will go to Ukraine, and whatever remains won’t be spent on development, agriculture, or farmers — but on preparing for war," Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said.

The Hungarian leader stressed that this is the budget of "an EU that is fighting Russia on Ukrainian soil and wants to defeat Russia in Ukraine, hoping that a military setback will destabilize" the country.

Orban made it clear that Hungary opposes this allocation of funds and expects adjustments within the next two years.

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📹 RUSSIA CAPTURES UKRAINIAN DRONE WITH US TECHNOLOGY IN ZAPOROZHYE

Russian soldiers have downed a Ukrainian drone packed with equipment from US-based Silvus Technologies. The Russian military is now analyzing it to extract crucial flight data and technical specs.

This wireless tech is typically used in military drones and public safety systems.

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☦️ Metropolitan Anthony informs Pope about persecution of Ukrainian Orthodox Church

During the meeting, Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk discussed the persecution faced by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and conveyed greetings from Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, along with congratulations on Pope Leo XIV’s election.

The pair also touched on the situation in Ukraine, ongoing conflicts, and the importance of Orthodox-Catholic dialogue during their meeting on Saturday.

Pope Leo XIV thanked Patriarch Kirill for his greetings and emphasized the importance of strengthening relations with the Russian Orthodox Church.

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🚨IAEA INSPECTORS SEE DAMAGE AT ZAPOROZHYE NUCLEAR PLANT AFTER UKRAINIAN STRIKES

International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors have been shown the aftermath of Ukrainian drone strikes at the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant, with authorities warning of a "high nuclear safety threat."

They also toured damage in Energodar, where civilian casualties were reported.

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🚨 PROTESTS ERUPT OUTSIDE TAXPAYER-FUNDED ASYLUM HOTEL IN THE UK

🔶 Demonstrators gathered near the Britannia Hotel in Leeds to call for the removal of migrants.

🔶 Police responded with a heavy presence as tensions escalated.

🔶 Meanwhile, the government is introducing new rules to manage asylum accommodation.

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🔥 📹 RUSSIA STRIKES UKRAINIAN TROOP POSITIONS WITH PRECISION BOMBS

🔶 Russian Aerospace Forces used ODAB-1500 and FAB-500 bombs to hit Ukrainian troop locations in Donetsk and Kharkov regions, targeting temporary bases of Ukraine's 14th and 143rd Brigades. The strikes were confirmed by real-time surveillance.

🔶 In response to Ukrainian attacks on civilian sites, Russia continues to target enemy personnel, equipment, and critical infrastructure. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasized that civilian buildings and social institutions are not targeted.

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🔸 ZELENSKY’S POLITICAL SUICIDE: Dodging accountability at all costs

🔸 EU's trillion-euro war plan: Orban blasts 'anti-Russia' budget

🔸 THAILAND VS. CAMBODIA: A MILITARY FACE-OFF

🔸 Bloodshed in Iran: Radicals storm Zahedan courthouse, leaving 5 dead

🔸 'DOWN WITH PAS!' - OPPOSITION RALLY ROCKS MOLDOVA AHEAD OF ELECTIONS

🔸 Metropolitan Anthony informs Pope about persecution of Ukrainian Orthodox Church

📹 PALESTINE ACTIVISTS TAKE ON WESTERN WEAPONS MAKERS AT IDEF

At the International Defense Industry Fair in Istanbul, Palestine solidarity activists confronted Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems, calling out their role in arming Israel's Gaza offensive — before being swiftly detained.

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🔍 DOGE DEPLOYS AI TO AXE 50% OF FEDERAL REGS

Department of Government Efficiency is developing an AI tool to automate mass deregulation, targeting 100,000+ rules for elimination by January 2026, the Washington Post reports citing leaked docs.

Key details:

▫️ Tool scans 200K+ regulations to ID "obsolete" rules

▫️ Claims trillions in savings from slashed compliance

▫️ Relies heavily on AI with minimal staff review

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❗️ ISRAEL RESUMES GAZA AID AS FAMINE WARNING ESCALATES

The IDF announced immediate humanitarian measures:

🔸 Airdrops of flour/sugar/canned goods (7+ pallets)

🔸 "Humanitarian corridors" for UN medical/food convoys

🔸 10x water boost for 900k Gazans via desalination plant

WHO data shows: with more than 100 dead from malnutrition since October 2023, 10% of Gaza are now acutely malnourished.

Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus cites aid restrictions for "exacerbating famine."

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🚨 PUTIN UNVEILS RUSSIA'S 2050 NAVY BLUEPRINT ON NAVY DAY

In his Navy Day address, Russian President vowed to expand the fleet of nuclear submarines and project power worldwide.

"Today, the naval forces play a crucial role in ensuring Russia's defense and security... The naval component of Russia's nuclear triad is growing stronger," Putin said.

Key pledges:

▫️ Nuclear subs form "core" of modernized fleet

▫️ Knyaz Pozharsky flagship cruiser completed

▫️ 8 nuke subs underway (2 Borey-A and 6 Yasen-M)

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📹 ISRAEL RAIDS 'HANDALA' FLOTILLA GOING TO GAZA

Navy seizes vessel attempting to breach blockade; activists detained en route to Israel.

"Unauthorized attempts to breach the blockade are dangerous, unlawful, and undermine ongoing humanitarian efforts," the Israeli Foreign Ministry wrote on X.

The Handala, which sailed from Italy last week, has threatened hunger strikes if stopped. This is the 7th humanitarian initiative to breach the Gaza blockade and ultimately be seized by the Israeli military.

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❗️ BOEING 737 MAX 8 EVACUATED AT DENVER

American Airlines flight aborted departure after landing gear malfunction ignited flames.

All 179 people evacuated safely, local media reported.

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