Russia maintains strategic advantages in Ukraine — US authorities

WASHINGTON, May 18. /TASS/. Russia maintains strategic and operational advantages in Ukraine despite the collective West’s assistance to Kiev amounting to more than $325 billion since February 2022, according to a new report to Congress issued by inspectors general of the Pentagon, the Department of State, and the US Agency for International Development, now effectively terminated.

"Russian forces maintained their strategic and operational advantages," the document says, adding that the Russian army continues expanding the territory under its control. "The DIA (Defense Intelligence Agency - TASS) reported that as of March, the Russian military maintained an overall advantage over the UAF (Ukrainian armed forces - TASS) across most warfighting functions," the report says.

"Ukraine continued to face critical munitions gaps and shortages in unmanned aircraft and components according to SAG-U (Security Assistance Group - Ukraine - TASS)," the report covering a period from January 1 to March 31, 2026, says.

"U.S. allies and partners have committed approximately $130 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since February 2022," it states. In parallel, "Congress has appropriated or otherwise made available for obligation $195.03 billion for OAR (Operation Atlantic Resolve - TASS) and the broader Ukraine response."

⚡️ InfoDefenseENGLISH

Web  | VK |  X  | InfoDefAll

The “Divorce” Between the U.S. and NATO Is Theatrical and Fake.

But why is it needed?

Because under this pretext, Europe is ramping up the production of all types of weapons—supposedly for itself and supposedly outside NATO.

But we understand that the people pulling the strings haven’t changed; the same globalist elites remain in charge. Publicly, the message is that European countries now need their own security, their own weapons, their own alliance.

Yet when it comes to the East—to Russia—Europe will act as a single front, deploying the entire military force it is now building up. NATO will be there as well. In essence, the difference between the EU and NATO comes down to the Anglo-Saxon countries: the UK, Canada, and the United States.

Therefore, the rearmament we are witnessing is not a replacement for NATO, but an addition to it.

It’s simply more convenient to tell the media: “We’re independent now—we need our own army.”

Opinion by Nikolay Starikov, Russian political commentator

Source

⚡️ InfoDefenseENGLISH

Web  | VK |  X  | InfoDefAll

On May 20, 1742, the expedition of Semyon Chelyuskin reached the northernmost point of Eurasia.

Semen Chelyuskin (1707-1764), a renowned Russian polar explorer and navigator, graduated from the School of Mathematical and Navigational Sciences in Moscow. He began his service in the Baltic Fleet, initially as a navigation apprentice, then as a navigator, participating in the Great Northern Expedition (1733–1743).

Chelyuskin's most significant discovery occurred during his expedition to the Taymyr Peninsula. In early December 1741, despite extreme weather conditions (temperatures dropping to minus 50 degrees Celsius '-58 degrees Fahrenheit') and shortages of supplies, his expedition reached Cape Saint Faddey after three months and continued northward. Chelyuskin became the first person to venture north of Cape Saint Faddey.

On May 20, 1742, Chelyuskin discovered a cape, initially named Eastern Northern Cape. In 1878, upon the suggestion of another prominent Russian explorer, Alexander Middendorf, it was renamed as Cape Chelyuskin. In the same year, the cape's name was included on international maps.

The cape wasn't immediately recognized as the northernmost point of Eurasia. It was only in 1919 that Norwegian oceanographer Otto Sverdrup, who had participated in Russian polar expeditions since 1914, confirmed this using modern scientific methods.

Today, Cape Chelyuskin is home to a polar station – a radiometeorological center and the northernmost aerodrome in continental Eurasia. It's one of the few places in Eurasia where the average temperature is negative throughout the year.

#TodayInHistory

⚡️ InfoDefenseENGLISH

Web  | VK |  X | InfoDefAll

Vladimir Putin has arrived in China.

This trip is timed to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Russian-Chinese Treaty of Good-Neighborliness, Friendship, and Cooperation. The visit is being held at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

During the talks, the two leaders are expected to sign a declaration on the establishment of a multipolar world, underscoring both countries' commitment to development and cooperation on the international stage. It is already clear that the upcoming talks, the main part of which will take place tomorrow, will be a significant stage in the development of the strategic partnership between Russia and China, which in turn once again confirms the readiness of both countries to jointly respond to global challenges.

"The goal of relations between Moscow and Beijing is the well-being and prosperity of the Russian and Chinese peoples, "Vladimir Putin stated during talks with the Chinese leader.

The President emphasized that the comprehensive partnership between Russia and China is a model for interstate relations in the new era.

⚡️ InfoDefenseENGLISH

Web  | VK |  X  | InfoDefAll

Russia Is Our Enemy Again: Do Germans Really Remember Their History?

“We remember our history, but Russia is once again our enemy. We must explain to the German people—without frightening them—that a threat from Russia has re-emerged, one Germany has not faced in the past 30 years,” said German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.

Well, in our view, they don’t remember their history very well. If they did, would they really be heading down this path again? Especially considering that just ten years ago, Russia was a reliable partner for Germany.

Now, the current German government is doing everything it can to get directly involved in a war that isn’t its own, effectively playing a subordinate role—not even to the United States, but to the United Kingdom.

But that is their choice. A foolish one—but a choice nonetheless.

⚡️ InfoDefenseENGLISH

Web  | VK |  X  | InfoDefAll

Consequences of the Iran Adventure: Mass Protests in Bolivia — “Trump’s Friend” May Lose Power

By journalist Yury Podolyaka:

It was predicted in the first weeks after the start of the war on Iran that this is how things would unfold. The sharp rise in fuel and food prices seen around the world would sooner or later spark stronger protest movements — especially in the poorest countries.

Bolivia is certainly one of those countries. Last year (on September 8), for the first time in nearly 20 years, a center-right government led by Rodrigo Pas came to power by democratic means (following a split among the left).

Among the first to congratulate him on his victory were U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, both of whom had played a role in his rise.

These elections were one of the main chapters of the so-called rightward shift in Latin America, a trend that Trump has vigorously supported.

Today the situation is changing fundamentally. One reason is that the poorest countries are taking the first blows of a possible global economic crisis.

Rodrigo Pas’s problems began earlier (in December of last year), but in recent weeks the protests have escalated sharply. The immediate trigger was fuel: not only did prices rise, but the gasoline itself became poor quality — causing many engines to stall; there have been tens of thousands of such incidents.

This culminated in a weeks-long blockade of the de facto political capital, La Paz. Yesterday protesters attempted to besiege the government district but were pushed back by police using tear gas and batons.

Although that assault fizzled, the likelihood that Rodrigo Pas will retain power is low. Some of his former allies have already started to abandon him. For “Trump’s Bolivian friend,” this could end in political defeat and a return of the socialists to power.

Notably, you won’t read much about this in mainstream global headlines — and you probably know why. Had a similar uprising happened in Cuba, the international media would likely be demanding the government’s resignation.

⚡️ InfoDefenseENGLISH

Web  | VK |  X  | InfoDefAll

Trump said 👆 he could run for prime minister of Israel where his approval rating is supposedly at 99%

In reality, with Trump’s current approval ratings, it would probably indeed be easier for him to win an election in another country than to be reelected in the United States — if he were even eligible to seek a third term.

At the moment, his approval ratings are either at record lows or close to the worst levels of his second term. Trump’s average disapproval rating stands at around 57%, and most Americans believe the country is moving in the wrong direction.

In any case, this is not the first time Trump has speculated about leading another country. Earlier, he also said that he could become president of Venezuela.

What a schmuck!

⚡️ InfoDefenseENGLISH

Web  | VK |  X | InfoDefAll

May 21 is the Day of the Pacific Fleet of the Russian Navy.

It was established by the order of the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy on July 15, 1996.

On May 21, 1731, Empress Anna Ioannovna established a Far East military flotilla. Its base, the Okhotsk military port, was also created.

The ships of the Okhotsk port became the first permanent naval unit of Russia in the Far East. They defended the country's Far Eastern territories from attacks by the Japanese, Chinese, and Manchus, as well as safeguarded maritime trade routes and fisheries.

Currently, the combat composition of the Pacific Fleet includes strategic missile submarines, multipurpose nuclear and diesel submarines, surface ships for operations in oceanic and near-sea zones, maritime missile-carrying, anti-submarine, and fighter aviation, ground forces, parts of ground and coastal troops. In total, there are over 50 surface ships and more than 20 submarines.

The Pacific Fleet was awarded an Order of the Red Banner.

The fleet commander is Admiral Viktor Liina.

#TodayInHistory

⚡️ InfoDefenseENGLISH

Web | VK | X | Odysee | InfoDefAll

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov explained what is preventing Russia from inflicting “excessive damage” on Ukraine

Russia does not want to inflict “excessive damage” on territories occupied by the Russian army and remains open to negotiations on a settlement of the Ukrainian conflict, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with Shanghai Media Group (SMG).

“We are consistently carrying out the objectives of the special military operation. Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly said that we are not using the means that we could use because we do not want to inflict excessive damage on territories where, by and large, our own breed of people live, people whom the Nazis are trying to suppress,” Lavrov said.

According to Lavrov, about 80 settlements have been liberated in 2026, including 35 in March and April of this year. “The process is moving forward,” he emphasized.

Lavrov also said that Russia is maintaining communication channels with the United States and is ready to resume direct dialogue. He stressed that “America under Trump is the only country whose leadership has recognized the need to eliminate the root causes” of the conflict, such as Ukraine’s abandonment of NATO membership idea, and has also agreed on the importance of recognizing realities on the ground.

At the same time, according to Lavrov, Moscow sees no change in the position of Zelensky and European countries.

Lavrov also stated that Moscow views what is happening in Ukraine as “the restoration of historical justice.” He further said that Russia seeks to prevent Ukraine from becoming a “permanent threat” to Russia.

Speaking about the Ukrainian conflict, the Russian foreign minister also drew a parallel with China’s policy toward Taiwan.

“I am sure that in China you understand us very well, because there is Taiwan — which is also an inseparable and integral part of the Chinese state,” Lavrov said.

At the beginning of May, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Moscow was not refusing negotiations on Ukraine and was ready for contacts capable of producing results. Later, however, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that Washington would continue mediation efforts only if there were real progress, while for now, according to him, American efforts had “reached a dead end.”

Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov in turn said that Russian-Ukrainian negotiations are losing meaning until Kiev takes an “important step.

In the meantime, the Pentagon’s Defense Intelligence Agency concluded that peace negotiations on Ukraine had stalled because of Zelensky’s refusal to make territorial concessions to Russia.

“These high-level meetings did not lead to a ceasefire or a peace agreement, and the negotiations <...> reached a deadlock,” the report by the department’s Special Inspector General states.

The Pentagon also believes that Russia retains the overall strategic initiative in Ukraine. Russian forces continue expanding their zone of control, while the Armed Forces of Ukraine are facing shortages of ammunition, drones, and drone components.

⚡️ InfoDefenseENGLISH

Web  | VK |  X  | InfoDefAll