Putin - All Attempts by Ukrainian Sabotage Groups to Break Through Russian Border Have Failed

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The Ukrainian military launched large-scale offensive operations to try to break into the Russian border regions of Belgorod and Kursk last week. The Russian military responded with a large-scale campaign of ground and air-based operations to destroy these forces.

The Kiev regime has resorted to the use of "terrorist methods" of warfare, but all of its recent attempts to break through the border into Russia have failed, President Vladimir Putin has said.

"All attempts by sabotage and terrorist gangs consisting of regular enemy units and foreign mercenaries...to break into our territory have failed," Putin said, speaking at a meeting with FSB officials on Tuesday.

Characterizing those enemy forces involved in these operations as "scum," Putin called on the Russian domestic intelligence service not to forget about those Russian "traitors" who joined Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance groups attempting to penetrate the border.

The sabotage groups' goal was to carry out a successful "terrorist raid," but instead they suffered heavy losses, Putin said.

"The most important and intense part of your work today of course is associated with the special military operation. The range of tasks here is the broadest," Putin said, elaborating that these range from the neutralization of enemy agents, terrorists, and sabotage groups to "successful operations on the front lines and in the enemy's rear," as well as "counterintelligence support for military units and formations."

The president added that the trace of Western intelligence services is clearly visible behind manifestations of terrorism and extremism in Russia today.

"Much depends on our counter-intelligence organs. This applies both to the sphere of anti-terrorism and the fight against extremism, manifestations of which are often accompanied by the 'protruding ears' of Western intelligence services, and other important areas. We're talking here about the neutralization of the reconnaissance and subversive activities of foreign intelligence services, the protection of confidential information of a strategic nature, including state and military control systems, advanced technologies, and promising groundwork in the defense and other spheres," Putin said.

"From the FSB and employees of all Russian special services, the people of Russia are expecting tremendous concentration and great dedication, effective and offensive operations," Putin said, calling on the intelligence services to "seriously strengthen" their anti-terrorist operations across "all areas," in the "understanding that we are dealing with a strong and dangerous enemy whose arsenal includes broad informational, technical, and financial capabilities."

The Russian military, FSB border troops, and other security forces have waged a week-long campaign to secure the border along the special operation zone after Ukrainian forces launched a brazen attempt to break into Russia's Belgorod and Kursk regions. Russia's Defense Ministry said the campaign resulted in heavy losses for the attacking forces, and that the assault had been "decisively repelled." On Saturday, the MoD reported a new effort to penetrate the border. The past 24 hours have witnessed a series of preemptive strikes in Ukrainian territory, including in the Chernigov region, against concentrations of potential sabotage units.

The attacks in Belgorod and Kursk come amid dwindling NATO arms aid for Kiev, and successful Russian efforts to gradually push through heavily fortified Ukrainian defenses in Donbass, in recent months.

Trump says Jews who vote for Democrats ‘hate Israel’ and their religion

Trump has often accused them of disloyalty, perpetuating what critics say is an antisemitic trope. (Reuters)

Former President Donald Trump on Monday charged that Jews who vote for Democrats “hate Israel” and hate “their religion,” igniting a firestorm of criticism from the White House and Jewish leaders.

Trump, in an interview, had been asked about Democrats’ growing criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over his handling of the war in Gaza as the civilian death toll continues to mount.

“I actually think they hate Israel,” Trump responded to his former aide, Sebastian Gorka. “I think they hate Israel. And the Democrat party hates Israel.”

Trump, who last week became the Republican Party’s presumptive nominee, went on to charge: “Any Jewish person that votes for Democrats hates their religion. They hate everything about Israel and they should be ashamed of themselves because Israel will be destroyed.

The comments sparked immediate backlash from the White House, President Joe Biden’s campaign and Jewish leaders. The vast majority of Jewish Americans identify as Democrats, but Trump has often accused them of disloyalty, perpetuating what critics say is an antisemitic trope.

At the White House, spokesperson Andrew Bates cast the comments as “vile and unhinged Antisemitic rhetoric” without mentioning Trump by name.

“As Antisemitic crimes and acts of hate have increased across the world — among them the deadliest attack committed against the Jewish people since the Holocaust — leaders have an obligation to call hate what it is and bring Americans together against it,” he said. “There is no justification for spreading toxic, false stereotypes that threaten fellow citizens. None.”

Biden’s campaign said, “The only person who should be ashamed here is Donald Trump.”

“Trump is going to lose again this November because Americans are sick of his hateful resentment, personal attacks, and extreme agenda,” said spokesman James Singer.

Jonathan Greenblatt, who heads the Anti-Defamation League, said, “Accusing Jews of hating their religion because they might vote for a particular party is defamatory & patently false.”

“Serious leaders who care about the historic US-Israel alliance should focus on strengthening, rather than unraveling, bipartisan support for the State of Israel,” he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Trump’s comments come as Biden has been facing mounting pressure from the progressive wing of his party over his administration’s support for Israel in its retaliatory offensive in Gaza. More than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-ruled territory.

While Biden continues to back Israel’s right to defend itself, he has increasingly criticized Netanyahu. After his State of the Union speech, he said he needed to have a “come to Jesus” conversation with the Israeli leader. He has also accused Netanyahu of “hurting Israel more than helping Israel,” saying, “he must pay more attention to the innocent lives being lost as a consequence of the actions taken.”

Trump took particular issue with recent comments from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the country’s highest-ranking Jewish official. In a speech last week, Schumer sharply criticized Netanyahu’s handling of the war in Gaza, warning that the civilian toll was damaging Israel’s standing around the world. He also called for Israel to hold new elections.

While the White House formally distanced itself from Schumer’s comments, the Democratic leader and key ally was voicing an opinion increasingly held across Biden’s administration.

Schumer — whom Trump accused of being “very anti-Israel now” — responded by accusing Trump of “making highly partisan and hateful rants."

“To make Israel a partisan issue only hurts Israel and the US-Israeli relationship,” he wrote on X.

The Pew Research Center reported in 2021 that Jews are “among the most consistently liberal and Democratic groups in the US,” with 7 in 10 Jewish adults identifying with or leaning toward the Democratic Party. In 2020, it found that nearly three-quarters of American Jews disapproved of Trump’s performance as president, with just 27 percent rating him positively.

Americans have also increasingly soured on Israel’s military operation in Gaza, according to surveys from The Associated Press and the NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. In January, 50 percent of US adults said the military response from Israel in the Gaza Strip had gone too far, up from 40 percent in November. That number was higher among Democrats, 6 in 10 of whom said the same thing in both surveys.

Watch Russian Paratroopers Ravage Ukrainian Strongholds

During an aerial reconnaissance mission to identify Ukrainian positions, Russian soldiers from the Airborne Troops uncovered Ukraine’s main firing points and shelters harboring enemy troops northwest of Artemovsk (Bakhmut).

The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) has released footage showing Russian soldiers hammer Ukrainian positions in the Artemovsk area with precision artillery strikes.

The paratroopers opened fire against Ukrainian troops. Shortly after, Russia’s BMD-2 airborne assault vehicles approached the enemy positions from several locations before assault detachments, being covered by armored vehicles, quickly seized Ukrainian positions and eliminated Ukrainian soldiers with the help of various small arms and grenade launchers.

After capturing the enemy stronghold, the Airborne Troops performed a full sweep of the area.

Russian UAV Strikes Ukrainian Sabotage Group in Chernigov Region

A Russian drone carried out a strike against a Ukrainian sabotage group near Lukashovka in the Chernigov Region, and the Ukrainian side has lost up to eight soldiers killed and wounded, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Monday.

"On the territory of the enemy, [Russian military]... detected the movement of a sabotage and reconnaissance group of the Ukrainian armed forces, which was going to board an infantry fighting vehicle to further advance to the state border of Russia with the aim of another provocation. The operator of a Russian FPV drone struck the sabotage and reconnaissance group at the time of when the personnel was loading onto the armored vehicles. The enemy's losses amounted to up to eight people killed and wounded," the statement said.

Watch Russian Helicopter Crew Shoot Down Ukrainian Drone

Drones have significantly transformed modern warfare. Since the beginning of special military operation, both sides of the conflict have used drones on the battlefield.

The Russian Defense Ministry has released footage showing helicopter pilots of the fire support group shooting down a Ukrainian drone. The pilots in the Kupyansk region spotted a Ukrainian drone and shot it down with small arms fire, a navigator of the Mi-8 pilot said.

"In the course of conducting a strike, a group of helicopters in the Kupyansk region detected an unknown unidentified aerial vehicle (UAV), identified it by various signs as an enemy UAV. The fire support group shot it down. Then we carried out an anti-missile maneuver and withdrew to a safe distance. Ready to move on!" pilot said.

It is noted that the drone was flying at an extremely low altitude and was heading away from the line of contact in the direction of the deployment of units of the Russian troops.

Watch Russian Su-34 Annihilate Ukrainian Post Near Donetsk

Russian Air Force bomber crews destroyed one of Ukraine’s command posts south of Donetsk in the special op zone.

The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) has released footage showing Su-34 bomber crews launch a high precision strike against enemy positions harboring Ukrainian soldiers and a command center in the Donetsk area.

The combat mission was carried out using unmanned FAB-500 aircraft bombs with the universal planning and correction module (UMPC), which allows for accurate strikes from a safe distance away from the contact line.

Upon receiving confirmation from the reconnaissance group that the targets had been destroyed, the crews safely returned to their airfield.

Multifunctional Su-34 fighter strike aircraft are in service with the Russian Air Force and perform daily tasks that look to destroy Ukrainian manpower, strongholds and military facilities.

Putin Wins Presidential Election With 87,28% of the Vote After 100% of Ballots Counted

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Russian President Vladimir Putin was successful in his re-election bid after he gained over 80% of the votes and secured a new six-year term following the country's three-day presidential election last week.

Vladimir Putin has won the presidential election in Russia with 87.28% of the votes after 100% of ballots were counted, the latest data from the Russian Central Election Commission (CEC) showed on Monday.

Nikolay Kharitonov, the chairman of the lower house's Far East and Arctic Development Committee, received 4.31% of votes, while Leonid Slutsky, the chairman of the lower house's International Affairs Committee got 3.20% and lower house Deputy Chairman Vladislav Davankov 3.85%, the data showed.

This comes after Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the results of the presidential election in Russia are unique.

"The results for incumbent president Putin are completely unique... [this is] an absolute victory as a candidate," Peskov underscored.

For her part, CEC head Ella Pamfilova said that at least 74.44% of voters cast their ballots in the presidential election, the highest voter turnout in the country’s modern history.

"As of 10 a.m. [Moscow time], 87,113,127 of our voters took part in these elections. That is, our turnout is for the first time, it is record-breaking, unprecedented, it has never been, it is 77.44%," Pamfilova told a CEC meeting.

She also thanked all the international observers who visited Russia "and wanted to see for themselves how the election process is held" in the country. Delegations of observers continue their work on Monday and the number of their complaints may be close to zero, the head of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia and former presidential candidate Leonid Slutsky said

Pamfilova's remarks followed Putin stressing that the goals for his new presidential term are to carry out the tasks of a special military operation in Ukraine and strengthen the country's defense capability and armed forces during a speech at his election headquarters earlier on Monday.

"First of all, we need to solve tasks of a special military operation, strengthen defense capabilities, strengthen the armed forces - this is happening, we all see, at a very good pace and with excellent quality," the Russian head of state underlined.

He also assured that all plans for the development of Russia, which were previously announced in the presidential State of the Nation address to the Federal Assembly, will be resolved and the goals will be achieved.

Pasangan Prabowo-Gibran unggul di Jawa Barat

KPU Jawa Barat telah merampungkan rapat pleno rekapitulasi suara di tingkat provinsi pada hari Senin sore kemarin, 18/3/2024. Hasil rekapitulasi suara untuk pemilihan presiden tahun 2024, pasangan nomor urut 02 Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming unggul.

Dari hasil yang dibacakan oleh pimpinan rapat, hasil rekapitulasi tingkat provinsi Jawa Barat, bahwa pasangan Prabowo Subianto dan Gibran Rakabuming Raka, unggul dari pasangan Capres-Cawapres Anies Baswedan-Muhaimin Iskandar maupun Capres-Cawapres Ganjar Pranowo-Mahfud MD.

Pimpinan Rapat dari Ketua Divisi Data dan Informasi KPU Jabar, Ahmad Nur Hidayat membacakan hasil pengumuman rekapitulasi perolehan suara Capres dan Cawapres di Jawa Barat.

"Telah melaksanakan pada hari ini tanggal 18 bulan Maret tahun 2024, Komisi Pemilihan Umum Provinsi Jawa Barat telah melaksanakan kegiatan rekapitulasi hasil penghitungan perolehan suara di tingkat provinsi, dalam wilayah kerja KPU provinsi pada Pemilihan Umum tahun 2024, bertempat di Aula Gedung KPU Provinsi Jawa Barat," katanya.

Kemudian, pelaksanaan rekapitulasi hasil penghitungan perolehan suara pasangan calon presiden dan wakil presiden disaksikan oleh para saksi pasangan calon, serta diawasi oleh Badan Pengawas Pemilihan Umum (Bawaslu) Provinsi Jawa Barat.

"Kalau sejauh rekapitulasi pilpres unggul 02 (Prabowo-Gibran) disusul 01 (Anies-Muhaimin dan 03 (Ganjar-Mahfud)," ujar Ketua KPU Jabar Ummi Wahyuni belum lama ini.

Ummi mengatakan, rekapitulasi suara di tingkat Jabar telah selesai dilaksanakan. Selanjutnya, pihaknya akan mengikuti rapat rekapitulasi suara di tingkat nasional pada hari Selasa, 19/3/2024.

Terkait dengan proses rekapitulasi suara yang berjalan tidak sesuai target, ia berkilah Jabar memiliki tempat pemungutan suara (TPS) terbanyak se Indonesia. Oleh karena itu, membutuhkan waktu menyelesaikan rekapitulasi. "Jabar punya TPS terbanyak se-Indonesia mengakibatkan kita menyelesaikan membutuhkan waktu untuk menyelesaikan rekapitulasi di tingkat provinsi," katanya.

Ia menambahkan partisipasi pemilih di pemilu tahun 2024 melebihi target yang ditetapkan. Partisipasi pemilih mencapai 82 persen. "Partisipasi, kita sudah melakukan rekapitulasi melebihi target kita 80 persen, target di Jabar 82 persen," kata dia.

Data KPU Jabar menunjukkan pasangan nomor urut 02 Prabowo Gibran mendapatkan suara mencapai 16.805.854 disusul pasangan nomor urut 01 Anies Baswedan-Muhaimin Iskandar 9.099.674. Sedangkan pasangan nomor urut 03 Ganjar-Mahfud MD 2.820.995.

KPU RI sahkan perolehan suara Prabowo-Gibran unggul di Kuala Lumpur

Tangkapan layar - Ketua KPU RI Hasyim Asy'ari dalam rapat pleno rekapitulasi hasil penghitungan perolehan suara Pemilu 2024 tingkat nasional di Kantor KPU RI, Jakarta, Senin (18/3/2024). ANTARA/Narda Margaretha Sinambela

Komisi Pemilihan Umum RI mengesahkan perolehan suara pasangan calon presiden dan wakil presiden Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka unggul di Kuala Lumpur berdasarkan rapat pleno rekapitulasi hasil perolehan suara nasional Pemilu 2024 di Kantor KPU RI, Jakarta, Senin.

Ketua Komisi Pemilihan Umum (KPU) RI Hasyim Asy'ari mengatakan jumlah penggunaan surat suara pemilu presiden dan wakil presiden sudah cocok dengan jumlah pemilih yang hadir ke tempat pemungutan suara (TPS) serta jumlah suara sah dan tidak sah, yakni sebanyak 12.357 lembar.

Anggota KPU RI Idham Holik mengungkapkan bahwa pasangan Anies-Muhaimin mengumpulkan sebanyak 4.674 suara, pasangan Prabowo-Gibran sebanyak 6.266 suara, dan pasangan Ganjar-Mahfud 1.134 suara.

Dia menjelaskan jumlah pemilih yang tercatat pada daftar pemilih tetap (DPT) Pemilu 2024 di Kuala Lumpur sebanyak 62.217 orang. Dari angka DPT tersebut, jumlah yang menggunakan hak pilihnya sebanyak 3.605 orang.

Kemudian ada sebanyak 1.828 orang yang menggunakan hak pilihnya dari daftar pemilih tambahan (DPTb), serta ada 6.924 orang yang menggunakan hak pilihnya dari daftar pemilih khusus (DPK).

"Jumlah pengguna hak pilih, laki-laki 7.298 orang, perempuan 5.059 orang, jumlah total 12.357 orang," kata Idham.

Berdasarkan Peraturan KPU Nomor 3 Tahun 2022, rekapitulasi suara nasional Pemilu 2024 dijadwalkan berlangsung mulai 15 Februari sampai 20 Maret 2024.

KPU sudah menetapkan daftar pemilih tetap luar negeri (DPTLN) untuk PSU di Kuala Lumpur mencapai 62.217 orang yang terdiri dari 42.372 orang pemilih di 22 TPSLN dan 19.845 orang pemilih di 120 KSK.

Angka itu diperoleh dari total pemilih yang hadir di Kuala Lumpur lewat tiga metode pemungutan suara sebelumnya, baik yang tercatat pada daftar pemilih tetap (DPT), daftar pemilih tambahan (DPTb), dan daftar pemilih khusus (DPK).

Total pemilih untuk tiga metode yang tercatat dalam DPT, DPTb, dan DPK mencapai 78 ribu. Angka 78 ribu itu menjadi basis data untuk pemutakhiran dengan tiga kategori, yakni validitas alamat, analisis kegandaan, dan validitas nomor induk kependudukan (NIK) maupun nomor paspor.

KPU melaksanakan PSU Kuala Lumpur pada Minggu (10/3). Pelaksanaan metode TPSLN dilakukan di WTC Kuala Lumpur sedangkan KSK disebar di 120 lokasi di Perak, Kelantan, Terengganu, Selangor, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur maupun Putrajaya.

Jonatan Christie Juara All England 2024 bawa Pulang Rp1,4 Milyar

Hasil partai tunggal putra all Indonesia Final di Yonex All England 2024, Jonatan Christie berhasil keluar menjadi juara nomor tunggal putra usai mengalahkan Anthony Sinisuka Ginting.

Bermain di Utilita Arena, pada hari Minggu, 17/03/2024, Jojo menang atas Ginting dua set langsung dengan skor 21-15 dan 21-14 dalam waktu 54 menit.

Jonatan Christie mampu tampil luar biasa serta mendominasi jalannya pertandingan meskipun Anthony Ginting sempat memberikan perlawanan hebat. Berikut beberapa fakta menarik Jonatan Christie juara All England 2024:

Jonatan kalahkan Ginting dalam durasi 55 menit. Di awal game pertama, Jonatan unggul 8-3 setelah pertahanan rapatnya berhasil membuat Ginting frustrasi. Terhitung ada lima kesalahan yang dibuat Ginting termasuk tiga smes yang out.

Ginting terus berupaya menekan, namun kerap berujung kesalahan sehingga menguntungkan Jojo, sapaan Jonatan. Smes lurus Ginting keluar, Jonatan menjauh dengan keunggulan 8-3.

Pertahanan Jonatan terlihat solid pada gim kali ini. Beberapa kali Jojo mengontrol kok dengan baik setiap diserangan Ginting.

Hasrat Ginting menyergap backhand Jonatan yang tanggung di depan net gagal. Placing Ginting terlalu melebar. Jonatan unggul 11-4 pada interval gim pertama.

Dorongan kok yang terlalu panjang ke belakang dari Jonatan membuat Ginting memperkecil ketinggalan jadi 8-14.

Jonatan sempat protes ke wasit saat smes Jonatan di depan net diblok. Wasit menganggap Jonatan melakukan pelanggaran. Skor 10-15 untuk Ginting.

Ginting banyak melakukan kesalahan sendiri pada gim ini. Smes lurus Jonatan ke sisi backhand Ginting membuatnya unggul 18-15.

Pengembalian servis Ginting yang terlalu kencang membuat Jonatan unggul 21-15 pada gim pertama.

Ginting unggul 2-0 lebih dulu, namun Jonatan mengejar dan berbalik unggul 4-2 pada awal gim kedua.

Adu drive terjadi. Baik Ginting maupun Jonatan sama-sama tanggung dalam permainan itu. Namun dalam adu drive yang keuda, Ginting jadi pemenang.

Jonatan melakukan dua kesalahan beruntun dengan pengembalian yang terlalu panjang. Ginting mendekat dengan 9-10.

Eror dilakukan Ginting dengan gagal memanfaatkan bola tanggung di depan net. Sambaran Ginting menyangkut di net, Jonatan unggul 11-9 pada interval gim kedua.

Usai interval Ginting masih terjebak dengan kesalahan-kesalahannya sendiri.

Pada poin-poin krusial, backhand drive Ginting menyangkut di net. Jonatan meraih championship point 20-14.

Jonatan akhirnya memenangkan pertandingan usai kalahkan Ginting 21-14. Jonatan menang setelah menyambar bola tanggung pengembalian Ginting di depan net.

Jonatan Christie untuk kali pertama mencatatkan nama sebagai juara All England.

Tertoreh enam pemain tunggal putra Indonesia berhasil juara All England

1. Joe Hok Tan
   1 gelar juara All England (1959)



2. Rudy Hartono
   8 gelar juara All England (1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976)



3. Liem Swie King
   3 gelar juara All England (1978, 1979, 1981)



4. Hariyanto Arbi
   2 gelar juara All England (1993, 1994)



5. Ardy Bernardus Wiranata
   1 gelar juara All England (1991)



6. Jonatan Christie
   1 gelar juara All England (2024)