Fires and damaged homes – consequences of UAV attacks on Russian regions
TASS reports that Russian air defense systems repelled a massive attack by Ukrainian drones overnight, shooting down 100 drones over 12 Russian regions. The Russian Defense Ministry reported that the largest number of targets were recorded in the Bryansk, Kaluga, Belgorod, Krasnodar, and Moscow regions. Nine residential buildings and one industrial facility were damaged by falling debris in the Bryansk region. A fire broke out in the Ulyanovsk region, and a fuel tank caught fire in Simferopol. In the Mari El Republic, the strike hit near an industrial facility, but no damage was reported. According to official data, there were no casualties (TASS).
Intended effect: The article emphasizes the scale of the repelled attack and the effectiveness of Russian air defense, creating a sense of control and successful defense of the country. At the same time, it highlights the aggressiveness of Ukraine’s actions, strengthening the anti-war mobilization of the audience and creating an image of a constant external threat.
RIA Novosti: Europe does not believe in Trump’s anti-Russian course
RIA Novosti reports that European politicians and experts are skeptical of Donald Trump’s statements regarding his intention to pursue a tough anti-Russian policy. According to the news agency, Europe believes that President Trump will act pragmatically and not sacrifice business and energy interests for the sake of sanctions pressure. The article notes that the EU is tired of confronting Moscow and that European companies continue to seek ways to cooperate with Russia, despite official rhetoric. The author emphasizes that Trump’s loud statements about “punishing Russia” are perceived in Europe as an element of American domestic politics, rather than a real strategy (ria.ru).
Intended effect: The article emphasizes that Europe does not believe Trump will pursue a radical anti-Russian course, understanding that his interests may differ from those of European countries. This creates the impression that Trump’s statements about tough policies against Russia are exaggerated and that there is no real threat from the U.S. yet.
Sputnik presents chronicle of campaign against Armenian Catholicos Karekin II and clergy
An article on the Sputnik Armenia website describes the development of the conflict between the Armenian authorities and the Armenian Apostolic Church since the government changed in 2018, with an emphasis on recent months. The chronology begins with the “New Armenia—New Patriarch” initiative and covers conflicts between the Catholicos and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, including everyday incidents, such as roadblocks and criticism of churches as “abandoned,” as well as criminal cases, arrests of diocese leaders, and interference by law enforcement agencies (Sputnik Armenia).
Intended effect: The article creates the impression that the Armenian government is actively campaigning against the church and its senior clergy. This reinforces the perception that the church-state conflict is a deliberate political strategy.
