Russia actively hires Africans not only in the ranks of its army. African female students are actively involved in the assembly of Shahed drones in the city of Yelabuga in Tatarstan. In the special economic zone called "Alabuga" there is a plant for the mass assembly of 1/5
Iranian drones. In Russia it is called Geranium-2. The girls are brought mainly from Uganda, where they are selected on the basis of a competition, showing good results in studying natural sciences in high school. They are paid $ 1,000 per month, which is three times higher 2/5
than the average salary in the country, free flights and accommodation, a university diploma. As a rule, they are not told that they will be assembling drones, but are offered work and study in the "high-tech sector". Before this, Russian students were involved in the 3/5
assembly of drones. According to journalists, more than 1,000 girls from Uganda have already found work at the plant in this way. The girls study at the Alabuga Polytechnic College and work in parallel with their studies. At the same time, the students complain that the 4/5
work is exhausting. They go on shifts for several days in a row. This plant also became famous after a Ukrainian drone struck it on April 2, 2024. Then up to 16 people were injured, and the drone set a record at that time, flying 1,300 km. from the Ukrainian border. Russia 5/6
actively exploits Africans, taking advantage of the low economic indicators in the region and luring people into the army or to assemble drones, promising huge amounts of money by the standards of the region. 6/6 🧵by @iljaandreev
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Apparently, the Russian economy is also going according to plan, because the Ministry of Finance is raising taxes. In several sectors at once. The profit tax, personal income tax, VAT for small businesses, as well as excise taxes on real estate and others will be raised. 1/6
This was expected, especially after Putin said that taxes would not be raised. Usually, if Putin promises something, everything happens exactly the opposite. They are also introducing excise taxes on alcohol for medicines. In general, price increases are expected in all 2/6
sectors. Russia has also classified data on gasoline production, which once again emphasizes the success of the Ukrainian attacks on oil refineries. According to the latest data, production has fallen by more than 20% and prices have also increased. The Central Bank is also 3/6
The Russian offensive on Kharkiv has failed. This is reported by Russian sources. But the main consequence of this attempt is permission from Western countries to strike at Russian territory. It was after the attempt to advance to the Kharkiv region that 1/9 🧵@iljaandreev
Ukraine received permission to strike at logistics and military facilities in the Belgorod and Kursk regions, and this is already beginning to bear fruit. There are few reports from the Ukrainian side so far and they are trying to keep quiet, but in Telegram, Z-channels are 2/9
writing about repeated hits on vehicle columns and troop concentrations. Ukraine is starting to go on the offensive to drive the Russians out of the region. Also, the legendary drone unit commander Madyar has been transferred from the Kherson region to the Kharkiv region to 3/9
1/6 Japan is retiring its older Type 74 tanks. I know a country that would likely be happy to receive them. Take by @joni_askola
2/6 To clarify, the Type 74 is a considerably outdated main battle tank from the same generation as the Leo1. While its contribution would not be substantial, it would also necessitate significant modernization, similar to the process the Leo1 underwent.
3/6 Ukraine is currently mobilizing and forming new units. Given Ukraine's shortage of armored vehicles across all categories to equip these units, even old modernized tanks would be preferable to having nothing at all.
We are on the front line of an information war. The media plays a huge role both in covering the conflict and as a weapon. Hybrid warfare tactics are used by both Russia and China, but unfortunately, many Western media pick up various news and messages
🧵by @iljaandreev
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that can be called dubious. When foreign media quote an anonymous government source and present it as the majority opinion or present it as the official position of the state, it causes harm and creates division in society. I don’t want to encourage people not to trust the
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media, especially since even the most reliable agencies sometimes make mistakes, but with the development of the Internet and social media, news agencies often strive to release an article with a loud headline before others, for the sake of traffic and clicks. Russia and
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1/5 The fact that russia is classifying its fuel data indicates that Ukraine's strikes are having the desired impact. Take by @joni_askola
2/5 The russian Ministry of Energy has designated fuel production statistics as a state secret, leading to their exclusion from the weekly fuel data provided by Rosstat. It can be inferred that the damage to the fuel infrastructure is having a significant impact.
3/5 The increasing lack of transparency in the economic data released by Rosstat is making it challenging to make accurate calculations for indicators like GDP.
1/7 It is impossible to defend Western Ukraine with ground-based air defense systems based in Poland. Take by @joni_askola
2/7 The only feasible way to protect the airspace above Western Ukraine is to have the gound-based air defense systems positioned within Ukrainian borders.
3/7 The range for intercepting incoming threats varies based on the type of threat, with limitations against ballistic missiles but extensive coverage against high-flying, slow-moving aircraft. The commonly discussed theoretical range has little practical significance.