Kremlin: Delivery of Weapons Capable of Striking Russia Would Elevate Ukraine Conflict to New Level

The United States is said to be considering providing Ukraine with weapons to strike the Crimean Peninsula, which became part of Russia in 2014 after nearly 97% of the population voted in favor of reunification.

The potential delivery of weapons capable of targeting Russia from Ukraine is extremely dangerous and would take the conflict to a new level, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has warned.

He likewise stressed that such a development would not bode well for global and pan-European security.

Russia's MoD has published footage showing how D-20 howitzer crews of the Russian Armed Forces destroy artillery and camouflaged strongholds of the Ukrainian Armed Forces

Peskov added that the statements by the Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov that Russian forces would not leave strikes on Russian territory, including Crimea, unanswered, reflected the Kremlin's official position.

Earlier in the day, Antonov said that the Russian army would destroy any weapons provided by the United States and other western countries to Ukraine, and retaliate attacks on the Russian territory, including the Crimean Peninsula.

The US and several other western countries recently announced new military supplies to Kiev, including battle tanks, armored infantry vehicles and artillery systems. The US Department of State said that Ukrainians may acquire the possibility to carry out strikes against Russian troops in Crimea thanks to weapons supplied by Washington.

Buk SAM systems on round-the-clock alert in special military operation zone (video by Russian MoD)

Anti-aircraft gunners use Buk surface-to-air missile systems to intercept any aircraft as well as low-flying hostile cruise missiles.

"It is said that American MLRS HIMARS as well as Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles could be used in the future to launch the offensive in the Crimean direction.

Commentators naively believe that Russia will not respond to attacks on its territory. It should be clear for everyone – we will destroy any weapons supplied to the Zelensky's regime by either the United States or NATO." Anatoly Antonov, Russian Ambassador to the US, Said.

He added that the latest statements by US officials were becoming more and more "belligerent," and the US State Department, through its "out-of-touch assertions," was pushing Ukraine "to carry out terrorist attacks in Russia."

The ambassador also said that further pumping Kiev with arms would only lead to an increase in civilian casualties. Concluding his response, Antonov urged "thinking into" statements made by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and added that it was "impossible to defeat the Russian Federation."

On Wednesday, US media reported, citing sources, that the Biden administration was now taking a softer stance on supplying Kiev with weapons capable of conducting strikes against Crimea, even though this could intensify hostilities. Earlier in the day, State Department spokesman Ned Price said that Washington did not encourage Ukraine to attack the Russian territory, however, it did not recognize Crimea as part of Russia.

Meanwhile, the White House hinted that a new military assistance package for Ukraine could be announced as soon as the end of the week. Other western countries are expected to make similar announcements at a gathering at the US Ramstein air base in Germany on January 20.

Russia has previously sent a note to NATO countries to protest the supplies of weapons to Ukraine, with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasizing that any cargo that contains weapons for Ukraine will become a legitimate target for the Russian forces.

Russian MoD's latest statements on the Ukraine crisis:

Russia’s Army Aviation and artillery have neutralised units from the 14th and 92nd mechanised brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the LPR and Kharkov region.

Over 30 Ukrainian personnel, 1 armoured fighting vehicle, 2 motor vehicles, and 2 Akatsiya self-propelled howitzers have been eliminated.

The strikes launched by Russia’s aviation and artillery have resulted in the neutralisation of the units from Ukrainian 95th Airborne Assault Brigade in the DPR, and 24th Mechanised Brigade in the LPR.

Russia’s units continued their successful offensive operations, and neutralised the enemy in Donetsk.

The offensive operations of Russia’s units have resulted in taking more advantageous lines, as well as elimination of over 30 Ukrainian personnel, 2 armoured fighting vehicles, and 3 pickups in the Southern Donetsk region.

The Operational-Tactical Aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have neutralised 67 AFU artillery units at their firing positions, manpower and hardware in 98 areas.

Fighter Aviation from the Russian Aerospace Forces have shot down 1 Ukrainian Air Force Su-25 warplane in the DPR.

Air defence units have destroyed five Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles over the past 24 hours.

Some 374 airplanes and 200 helicopters, 2,903 unmanned aerial vehicles, 401 air defence missile systems, 7,569 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 985 fighting vehicles equipped with MLRS, 3,865 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 8,113 special military motor vehicles have been destroyed during the special military operation.

Musk Twitter Poll Finds Millions Oppose World Rule From Davos by WEF

©AFP 2023 / FABRICE COFFRINI

Many have argued in recent years that the World Economic Forum has a sinister agenda, pointing to its prediction that we will soon "own nothing and be happy" or Davos boss Klaus Schwab's writings in favor of a 'fourth industrial revolution' and a 'great reset'.

Millions of Twitter users have rejected the idea of a global dictatorship by the World Economic Forum (WEF) in a poll run by owner and CEO Elon Musk.

Some 2.15 million people voted in the tech tycoon's latest straw poll on the site, with more than 86 per cent rejecting the idea that "the World Economic Forum should control the world."

The World Economic Forum should control the world

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 18, 2023

Results of a Twitter poll run by site owner and CEO Elon Musk, asking if "The World Economic Forum should control the world"
©Elon Musk/Twitter

More surprising was that some 300,000 respondents said they wanted to be ruled by the elite club of world's financial and political elites, currently celebrating their annual gathering at the Swiss alpine resort of Davos.

"Why would anyone vote yes?" tweeted journalist Ian Miles Cheong in response. "The 14% YES votes are hilarious," another wrote, to which Musk simply replied: "LOL".

The Tesla founder had earlier given his own view on the forum, which has told the world's 8 billion people that by 2030 they will "own nothing, have no privacy and life has never been better."

"WEF is increasingly becoming an unelected world government that the people never asked for and don’t want," Musk tweeted on Wednesday.

Musk, Ranked last year as the world's richest individual, was snubbed by the WEF when it did not invite him to Davos this year.

The poll result followed a speech to the Davos conference by US President Joe Biden's climate change envoy John Kerry, the former Secretary of State to Barack Obama. He said the push by Western governments to phase out fossil fuels — which has caused widespread economic hardship around the world — would be the "biggest transformation" since the industrial revolution.

"When you start to think about it, it’s pretty extraordinary that we — a select group of human beings, because of whatever touched us at some point in our lives — are able to sit in a room and come together and actually talk about saving the planet," Kerry said.

The WEF is run by 82-year-old Swiss economist Klaus Schwab, author of The Fourth Industrial Revolution and COVID-19: The Great Reset. The boss of Davos has often been jokingly compared to a James Bond super-villain.

The gathered big-shots have been accused of hypocrisy for preaching environmentalism and frugal use of energy resources, while flying the the event in gas-guzzling private jets.

'It's Time': New Zealand's Jacinda Ardern to Step Down as Prime Minister Next Month

©AFP 2023 / DEAN LEWINS

The New Zealand prime minister noted in her announcement that she would continue to serve as a member of parliament for her electorate until April in order to avoid having to hold a by-election.

Jacinda Ardern, who serves as the prime minister of New Zealand, has announced she will be resigning from her post next month as she no longer has "what it takes" to commit to the job.

🔴 #BREAKING: New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will not seek re-election and has revealed the date she will stand down https://t.co/UET5ZoszD1 #Newshub pic.twitter.com/fPAROdI5l2

— Newshub (@NewshubNZ) January 19, 2023

The shock announcement came during an annual Labour caucus meeting on Thursday in New Zealand's Napier.

“I’m leaving, because with such a privileged role comes responsibility. The responsibility to know when you are the right person to lead and also when you are not. I know what this job takes. And I know that I no longer have enough in the tank to do it justice. It’s that simple,” Ardern announced.

Local media reports have indicated that a caucus vote will be held on Sunday in order to elect both a new party leader and candidate for New Zealand's next prime minister ahead of the national election on October 14.

Her final day in the post will be February 7, 2023. The outgoing prime minister will stay on as an MP of Mt. Albert until April in order to avoid holding a by-election.

Reacting to the development, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commented that Ardern "has shown the world how to lead with intellect and strength."

Elected to the prime ministership at the age of 37, Ardern was considered the world's youngest female head of government when she took up the post in 2017. She won a reelection campaign in 2020.

During her five-plus years in office, Ardern oversaw the White Island volcanic eruption, Christchurch terror attack and the COVID-19 pandemic.

New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson, who also serves as finance minister, said in a statement he would not seek to stand as the next Labour leader.

Political commentator Ben Thomas said Ardern's announcement was a huge surprise as polls still ranked her as the country’s preferred prime minister even though support for her party had fallen from the stratospheric heights seen during the 2020 election.

Thomas said that there was not a clear successor.

Ardern said she was not stepping down because the job was hard, but because she believed others could do a better job.

She made a point of telling her daughter Neve that she was looking forward to being there when she started school this year and told her longtime partner Clarke Gayford that it was time they married.

Her initial election made a big splash on the global stage because of her gender and youth, coining the phrase "Jacinda-mania".

Report: US Considering Providing Ukraine With Weapons to Strike Crimea

©Sputnik / Elena Ivanova / Go to the mediabank

The Biden administration is reportedly considering providing Ukraine with the weapons necessary to target the Crimean Peninsula, an area that has proven instrumental for Russia's operations during the ongoing special military operation.

The administration believes Kiev's position in future negotiations will be improved if the Ukrainian military can threaten Russia's control of Crimea, though such a move may increase the risk of escalating the conflict, the New York Times reported on Wednesday.

Administration officials are reportedly discussing with their Ukrainian counterparts the use of US-supplied weapons, including High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and Bradley fighting vehicles, to cover targets like the main land bridge that connects Crimea with the rest of Russia.

The Biden administration has so far been reluctant to provide Ukraine with the long-range missiles that Kiev would need to attack Crimea out of fear that such a move could provoke Russia and widen the conflict, according to the report.

The Times report comes amid earlier developments indicating that the Biden administration would reportedly announce a military aid package on Friday that will include Stryker vehicles in addition to various artillery and ammunitions. A deployment of Strykers would mark the first time the US Department of Defense has provided Ukraine with the weaponry.

Although the earlier report stated the aid package would not include the highly sought-after Abrams tanks, a separate article by the Washington Post detailed the estimated $2.5 billion aid would include multiple Bradley armored vehicles.

Earlier Wednesday, US National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby relayed to reporters that the US would be announcing another batch of Ukraine aid by weeks' end; however, the official did not specify what the package would include.

"I suspect that you will continue to hear coming from the United States additional packages of security assistance, additional weapons and capabilities for Ukraine — perhaps as soon as the end of this week," Kirby told US media.

To date, the US has cleared various multibillion-dollar aid packages for Ukraine, with the largest having been announced in early January. More recently, several nations have joined the US and announced their own military packets for Ukraine much to the chagrin of Russia, which has condemned the move.

US to Reportedly Announce New Weapons Package for Ukraine on Friday

The US government will reportedly announce on Friday a new military assistance package for Ukraine that will include Stryker vehicles but not M1A2 Abrams tanks.

Citing three US officials and another person familiar with the matter, Politico reported that the new package will likely include Stryker armored combat vehicles, additional artillery and ammunition.

In addition, the report said the United States will provide Ukrainian forces with ground-launched Small Diameter Bombs, which have a range of about 100 miles and can be launched from High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS).

However, the US Abrams tanks, which Kiev has long lobbied for, will not be included in this new tranche, the report said.

The Biden administration does not plan at present to provide Ukraine with Abrams tanks, mostly due to logistical and maintenance challenges, the report added.

The long-range Army Tactical Missile System, another item Kiev has requested that has the capability of reaching Moscow, will also not be included in the new US security aid package, according to the report.

The Politico report comes on the heels of comments made by the White House hinting a new aid package would be detailed by the end of the week. John Kirby, who serves as the coordinator for strategic communications under the US National Security Council, did not offer additional details at the time.

Russia's Victory is Inevitable, Putin Says

©Ilya Pitalev/POOL/TASS

The Russian president stressed that Moscow has every reason to describe the Kiev regime as neo-Nazis and to help people, who consider themselves part of the Russian culture

Russia’s victory is unavoidable, it is based on the unity of the Russian people, the heroism of special operation fighters and the operation of the military-industrial complex (MIC), Russian President Vladimir Putin said during his visit to the Obukhov State Plant (an Almaz-Antey subsidiary) Wednesday.

The head of state noted that the Russian military-industrial complex produces as many air defense missiles as all world producers combined. In addition, Putin noted a number of other components that assure him of Russia’s victory.

On the day of the 80th anniversary of the breaking of the siege of Leningrad, Putin laid flowers at the "Frontier Stone" monument on Nevsky Piglet

"From the standpoint of the end result and victory, which is unavoidable, there are several things that have not gone anywhere and that lie at the foundation of our victory. It is the unity and solidarity of the Russian people, the bravery and heroism of our fighters in the special military operation and on the frontline, and, of course, the operation of the military-industrial complex, of enterprises such as yours," he said, noting the contribution of the factory’s workers and the economy in general.

"Each of these links - the industry; the condition of state finances; the social sphere, including support to the families that require special attention from the state; healthcare - all this creates a foundation for our efficient development and victory. It is ensured. I have no doubts about that," Putin added.

Footage of the work of "Gradov" of the Western Military District in the Svatov direction. The calculations of the MLRS supported the attack of the Russian infantry.

Violations of humanitarian law by Kyiv led to the tragedy in Dnepropetrovsk, said Russia's permanent representative to the UN Nebenzya.

"A Russian missile launched at an energy infrastructure facility was hit by Ukrainian air defense forces. And since the air defense installation was placed in a residential area in violation of the international humanitarian law that you are so proud of, the downed missile fell on a residential building. You know the rest. If If the Ukrainian authorities had listened to the requirements of international humanitarian law, this tragedy would not have happened."

"Just as there would be no need on our part to carry out strikes against an infrastructure facility that supports the military potential of Ukraine, if the Ukrainian leadership showed readiness for peace negotiations on realistic terms that would eliminate the reasons that caused the need for a military defense"

Combat work of crews of multipurpose attack helicopters and fire support aviation groups as part of the special operation (video by Russian MoD)

Army helicopters continue to carry out tasks to destroy the armored vehicles and objects of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, escort military columns, and deliver troops and military cargo, as well as provide daily air support to units.

Gunners of the army aviation fire support group cover helicopters from the air, observe objects and vehicles on the ground, and identify enemy firing points while patrolling the area. Often, military personnel, help evacuate civilians from liberated areas.

Russian MoD briefing on the progress of the special military operation in Ukraine:

In the Kharkov region and the LPR, Russian artillery inflicted fire damage on units of the 14th and 92nd Mechanized Brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the 103rd Territorial Defense Brigade. Over 60 Ukrainian soldiers, an armored personnel carrier, two pickup trucks, two cars and one US-made M777 artillery system were destroyed.

The Russian artillery and airborne strikes on accumulations of troops inflicted defeat on units of the 92nd Mechanized, 80th and 95th Air Assault brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Lugansk People's Republic. The total losses of the enemy in this direction per day amounted to more than 90 Ukrainian troops, an infantry fighting vehicle and three armored fighting vehicles. In addition, two US-made AN/TPQ-50 and AN/TPQ-48 counter-battery radars, as well as a ST-68 target detection and tracking radar, were destroyed.

Russia's MoD has revealed footage showing the Western Military District's 82mm Vasilyok mortars in combat action.

Volunteers of the Russian assault detachments, with fire support from aviation, missile troops and artillery, liberated the village of Sol in the DPR. During the day, up to 90 Ukrainian troops, three armored combat vehicles, four vehicles, a Msta-B howitzer and a Grad MLRS combat vehicle were destroyed. In addition, the AFU ammunition depot for HIMARS and Grad multiple launch rocket systems was destroyed.

Artillery and marines thwarted Ukraine's attempts to attack in the direction of the settlements of Stepnoye, Sladkoye and Urozhaynoye in the DPR. The total losses of the enemy amounted to 90 Ukrainian troops, four armored combat vehicles, one pickup truck and seven vehicles.

During the day, aviation, missile forces and artillery defeated 76 artillery units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine at firing positions, troops and military equipment in 103 districts.

Russian aviation shot down a Ukrainian Su-25 in the DPR.

Air defense destroyed seven Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles.

Russia unable to give up goals of special military operation — Lavrov

©Valery Sharifulin/TASS

The Kiev regime’s beautiful words about the equality of people are uttered to cater to the needs of the West. Russia cannot give up the goals of the special military operation, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told a press conference on Russian diplomacy in 2022 on Wednesday.

"In September 2021, [Ukrainian President Vladimir] Zelensky said that the east of the country was populated by 'creatures', not people, and that those citizens of Ukraine who felt they were Russian 'should for the good of their children get out to Russia'."

This was said by the same person who now argues that he dreams of everyone being equal and of all people living the way they want. It is clear that these fine words are said to cater to the needs and tastes of the West. This strongly characterizes the current regime, and it is clear why we cannot abandon the goals, the basic goals of the special military operation," Lavrov said.

He remarked that he found surprising Zelensky's interview in which the Ukrainian president argued that "if Russia is allowed to win, then other big countries will decide that they can do the same, too."

"And since there are many big countries on different continents, therefore they will ‘strangle’ small countries and divide everything among themselves. Zelensky argued that he was for a different scenario - a situation where everyone on the globe will know that no matter where people live they have the same rights and enjoy protection like any person in the world," Lavrov quoted the Ukrainian leader as saying, adding that he was surprised by this interview, which was released in October 2022.

Nazi Police state formed in Ukraine with West’s blessing — Lavrov

A Nazi police state has been formed in Ukraine with the West’s blessing, according to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Addressing a press conference on the results of Russian diplomacy in 2022, he said, "Work is in full swing to establish a Nazi police state [in Ukraine]. In fact, this process is virtually over and it has been done with the West’s blessing."

Ever since the first Ukrainian protest was held in 2004, Lavrov said, the West has consistently been putting pressure on the country to choose between aligning with them or staying with Russia.

"Those who opted for the wrong `or’ and relied on their historical and family ties, traditions, and religious beliefs with Russia, even though he or she lives in Ukraine, were first more or less delicately, and then ruthlessly ground up, expelled from politics, and prosecuted," the Russian foreign minister said as he pointed to murders of recalcitrant reporters and politicians, and closures of mass media for failure to reflect the official point of view.

Global economic crisis was in the making long before special operation in Ukraine — Lavrov

The global economic crisis began long before the start of Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday at a press conference

"Of course, our Western colleagues tried to make Ukraine and what is happening around it is the main political, media and economic events, accusing Russia of the fact that the so-called aggression against Ukraine caused all the problems in the global economy. The statistics of the World Bank, IMF, FAO, and other international organizations convincingly show that the crisis was in the making long before the start of the military operation," he said.

The minister noted that the current events in Ukraine are "the result of many years of preparations by the United States and its satellites for the start of a global hybrid war against Russia." "No one really hides it," he added.

The minister believes that the process of shaping a multipolar world will be lengthy. "The process of shaping a multipolar world order will be long and it will take a certain historic period. And we are in the midst of this process," the Russian top diplomat noted.

Share of Russian-Chinese trade in national currencies continues to grow, says Lavrov

The share of trade between Russia and China in national currencies has reached roughly half of turnover, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a press conference on Russian diplomacy in 2022 on Wednesday, adding that he believed this share would continue to rise.

Lavrov recalled the array of sanctions imposed against Russia with the purpose of harming the country’s economy. China understands that at some point the West may turn its attention on them, the minister said. It has already been announced that Western countries need to avoid any kind of dependence on the People’s Republic of China, he stated.

"That is why we, together with the People’s Republic of China, are moving gradually towards a reduction of dependence on those Western instruments and Western unreliable partners. Half of our trade turnover is already settled in yuan and rubles. And this share is rising fast and will grow even higher," Lavrov said.

Kemenag segera cairkan bantuan BOS madrasah swasta sebesar Rp4 triliun

Siswa madrasah belajar di lantai.
Sumber :VIVA.co.id/Zahrul Darmawan

Kementerian Agama segera mencairkan Bantuan Operasional Sekolah (BOS) Madrasah Swasta pada 2023 sebesar Rp4 triliun yang saat ini anggarannya sudah berada di rekening bank penyalur (RPL).

"Beberapa waktu lalu saya telah menyetujui pencairan tersebut dan sesuai prosedur per hari ini dana tersebut sudah cair dari Ditjen Perbendaharaan (DJPb) ke rekening bank penyalur BOS milik Pendis Kemenag RI," ujar Dirjen Pendidikan Islam Kemenag M. Ali Ramdhani di Jakarta, Rabu.

Dia mengatakan proses yang saat ini tengah berjalan merupakan pencairan BOS Madrasah tahap pertama. Anggaran tersebut akan diperuntukkan bagi 49.074 madrasah swasta.

Seiring dengan telah disalurkan ke RPL, pihak madrasah swasta sudah bisa mulai memproses pencairan sesuai juknis yang diterbitkan Direktorat Jenderal Pendidikan Islam.

Direktur Kurikulum, Sarana, Kelembagaan, dan Kesiswaan (KSKK) Madrasah M. Isom Yusqi merinci anggaran yang tersedia akan dicairkan untuk 24.034 Madrasah Ibtidaiah (MI) dengan anggaran sebesar Rp1,7 triliun.

Selain itu, 16.667 Madrasah Tsanawiah (MTs) dengan total anggaran Rp1,4 triliun dan 8.373 Madrasah Aliah (MA) dengan anggaran sebesar Rp801 miliar.

Berbeda dengan sebelumnya, kata Isom, tahun ini mulai diterapkan kebijakan BOS Majemuk untuk madrasah. BOS Majemuk merupakan kebijakan pendanaan BOS dengan variatif nilai sesuai tingkat kemahalan di daerah tempat madrasah itu berada.

Anggaran BOS setiap daerah nilainya tidak lagi sama rata, tapi variatif sesuai tingkat kemahalan di daerah tempat madrasah itu berada.

Ia mencontohkan besaran BOS MI, MTs, dan MA di Jawa tidak sama dengan madrasah di Papua.

"Dengan dana BOS Majemuk diharapkan madrasah bisa lebih memenuhi kebutuhan operasionalnya dan tentu saja akan meningkatkan mutu pendidikan di madrasah. Manfaatkan anggaran ini sesuai peruntukkannya dan secara akuntabel," kata dia.

Ia menambahkan Kemenag telah mempersiapkan aplikasi EDM ERKAM V.2 yang siap digunakan untuk proses penyaluran dana BOS dari RPL Pendis hingga rekening madrasah.

"Tahun ini tidak ada pembaharuan rekening, sehingga madrasah bisa menggunakan rekening yang dipakai untuk menerima BOS tahun sebelumnya," kata Isom.