Russia called on both sides of the conflict in Sudan to agree to a permanent ceasefire and resolve their differences through negotiation, Russian Foreign Ministry representative Maria Zakharova told Arab News, adding that the Sudanese people should be able to fix their own problems without external interference.
“The dramatic events taking place in Sudan cause us serious concern,” said Zakharova. “We call on both parties of the conflict to show political will, restraint and take urgent steps towards a ceasefire.
“We proceed from the fact that any differences can be settled through negotiations. And the main thing is to let the Sudanese solve their own problems without interference from outside.
According to Zakharova, Russia is making all necessary efforts “to ensure the safety of Russian citizens” currently in Sudan, with Moscow in constant contact with all relevant countries, including Saudi Arabia, in order to coordinate and carry out evacuations of foreign nationals in need of assistance.
Zakharova also responded to questions about allegations made by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken that the Russian-based paramilitary Wagner Group would bring “death and destruction” were it to engage in Sudan.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told a news conference at the UN on April 25 that Sudan had the right to make use of the private military company if it chose to do so.
Zakharova drew attention to Lavrov’s recent statement, but highlighted Moscow’s non-involvement with the dramatic events in Sudan.
“As for the topic of Russian interference, in particular Blinken’s statement, which you cite, Minister Lavrov commented on it in New York on April 25,” she told Arab News.
“Our position is clear — every country is free to choose those legal measures that will protect its interests and security.”
The decree signed by President Vladimir Putin on transfer of foreign assets to temporary management by Russia’s Federal Agency for State Property Management if Moscow's own assets abroad are seized is about minimizing the country's risks, Nikolai Solabuto, a financial market expert, told Sputnik.
The assets of foreign companies cited in the decree signed on Tuesday by Russian President Vladimir Putin on response measures to Russian assets if they are illegally seized abroad are directly connected to the country’s energy sector, Nikolai Solabuto, a financial market expert, told Sputnik. This is not, in effect, a reciprocal response to the seizing or freezing of Russia’s assets abroad.
According to the decree, 83.73% of Unipro's assets, 69.8807% of Fortum's assets owned by Fortum Russia, and 28.3488% of the company's assets owned by Fortum Holding were transferred to temporary management of Russia’s Federal Agency for State Property Management (Rosimushchestvo). The confiscation of Russian property abroad has long been a topic of discussion in the so-called collective West, with the government of the Russian Federation now coming up with its own response.
Minimizing Russia's Risks
The market expert offered a very simple and clear-cut example of how this decree would work.
“Imagine there is a pipe, and there are valves on the pipe. This valve belongs to a foreign company, registered in the jurisdiction of an unfriendly state… The valve is working, but the management of this company is pondering whether to continue operating on the territory of the Russian Federation, or leave. To rule out subsequent emergency situations linked with the closure of this valve, the government decreed that this particular department comes under our jurisdiction. At the same time, the ownership of this valve is retained by the foreign company in question.”
Putin's decree basically says that Russia will maintain control over all vital areas to the country in terms of energy in the case of foreign companies registered in the jurisdiction of states that are unfriendly to Russia, Nikolai Solabuto underscored.
"We will introduce external control. This is not an asset freeze," he stressed.
By and large, one can talk about a kind of "mirror response" from Russia to the actions of the German government to transfer control of energy assets owned by Gazprom last year, Solabuto believed.
The government of Chancellor Olaf Scholz has taken control of a local arm of Russia's natural gas producer Gazprom PJSC - Gazprom Germania (GG). The latter was a subsidiary of Gazprom Export (itself a part of Gazprom), and was engaged in trading natural gas throughout Europe. On March 31, 2022, the Gazprom Group ceased participation in Germany's Gazprom Germania GmbH and all its assets, including Gazprom Marketing & Trading Ltd.
Germany's Economy Minister Robert Habeck announced in April 2022 that Gazprom Germania GmbH was being put under the trusteeship of the Federal Network Agency. The company was later nationalized. Germany also seized refining assets part-owned by the West-sanctioned state oil company Rosneft PJSC.
Still, there is a difference in these cases, the financial market expert said.
"Gazprom performed all its functions and declared in every possible way that it was fulfilling its obligations. Meanwhile, companies from foreign registries operating on the territory of the Russian Federation do not really show any vital activity. They are confused... And when questions are asked of their management, 'Will they continue their activities as usual?' They say: 'We don't know, we are currently consulting with our leadership, with the government of our country where we are registered.'"
This decree is not entirely a reciprocal response to Berlin's actions regarding assets of Gazprom in Germany, Solabuto said, adding that Moscow currently needs to have a clear understanding of the position adopted by companies whose jurisdiction is outside Russia and, moreover, located in "unfriendly" countries.
The transfer of foreign assets to temporary management is it aimed at minimizing risks for Russia itself, first of all, Nikolai Solabuto is convinced.
"The energy complex must work, and should not be subjected to any threats just because someone out there decided something, and these decisions are outside our jurisdiction, in the jurisdiction of states unfriendly to us."
The expansion of the number of companies under this decree depends on the companies themselves, according to the expert. If companies declare that they will continue to fulfill their obligations in full, then they will not be included in any lists under this decree.
Russia will only consider a symmetrical response with respect to those companies that actually make unfriendly decisions against it, Solabuto said. Looking ahead at other possible companies that might find themselves on Russia's list, in line with the new decree, he pointed out:
"We work precisely with the enemies of our Russian Federation, and not with the whole world. We underscore that we will work with everyone. But if companies with foreign jurisdiction do not want to work with us, we will terminate our ties with them."
As for the measures that Russia might use in response to illegal US actions and those of other countries aimed at the "deprivation or restriction of property rights of the Russian Federation, its companies and citizens," the expert said Moscow would never "shoot itself in the foot," in the manner of the West's self-harming sanctions. For example, the US cutting off Russia’s Central Bank from US dollar transactions last year resulted in a general move away from the use of the American currency and a push towards de-dollarization.
'Only the First Step'
Around the world, about half of Russia's gold and foreign exchange reserves have been blocked by the so-called collective West, as have the property and accounts of Russian politicians, businessmen, and media workers. According to Mikhail Khazin, this leaves Russia with two options. The first is to "fight for our rights" by wielding reciprocal policies, the Russian economist and researcher told Sputnik.
The decree, signed on April 25 by President Vladimir Putin, comes in response to the countries of the collective West in effect excluding Russia and its citizens from the legal field. Accordingly, Russia's countermeasures in relation to the West need to be painful enough to make them realize that they are committing acts that are unacceptable.
"Regarding economic instruments at Russia's disposal, these are, first of all, ruble pricing, the creation of a regional system of division of labor and, accordingly, severe restrictions in relation to the Western world," Khazin said.
There are a great many diverse instruments Moscow might use, and judging by the way the West is currently behaving, "it will happen," Mikhail Khazin concluded.
Russian assault teams captured four urban areas in Artyomovsk and paratroopers provided support and immobilized enemy forces on the city’s outskirts over the past day during the special military operation in Ukraine, Defense Ministry Spokesman Lieutenant-General Igor Konashenkov reported on Thursday.
"In the Donetsk direction, the assault teams captured four areas in the northwestern, western and southwestern parts of the city of Artyomovsk. Airborne Force units are immobilizing the enemy on the city’s northern and southern outskirts and rendering support to the assault teams’ operations," the spokesman said.
Aircraft and artillery of the Russian battlegroup South struck the Ukrainian army units in areas near the settlements of Stupochki, Chasov Yar and Kalinina, the general said.
"Aircraft flew four sorties and the battlegroup’s artillery accomplished 59 firing objectives in that area in the past 24 hours," Konashenkov reported.
Russian forces eliminate 110 Ukrainian troops in Kupyansk area
Russian forces destroyed roughly 110 Ukrainian troops in the Kupyansk area over the past day, he said.
"In the Kupyansk direction, operational/tactical and army aviation and artillery of the western battlegroup struck the enemy units near the settlements of Dvurechnaya, Figolevka, Yagodnoye, Pershotravnevoye and Tabayevka in the Kharkov Region. As many as 110 Ukrainian personnel, two armored combat vehicles, three motor vehicles and a Grad multiple rocket launcher were destroyed in that direction in the past 24 hours," the general said.
Russian forces neutralize four Ukrainian subversive groups in Kupyansk area
Russian forces neutralized four Ukrainian subversive groups in the Lugansk People’s Republic and the Kharkov Region in the Kupyansk direction over the past day, Konashenkov reported.
"In areas near the settlements of Novosyolovskoye in the Lugansk People’s Republic, Olshana and Krakhmalnoye in the Kharkov Region, the activity of four Ukrainian subversive/reconnaissance groups was thwarted," the spokesman said.
Russian forces eliminate over 70 Ukrainian troops in Krasny Liman area
Russian forces destroyed over 70 Ukrainian troops and a Gvozdika motorized artillery gun in the Krasny Liman area over the past day, Konashenkov reported.
"In the Krasny Liman direction, assault aircraft and artillery of the battlegroup Center struck the Ukrainian army units near the settlements of Torskoye in the Donetsk People’s Republic, Chervonopopovka and Chervonaya Dibrova in the Lugansk People’s Republic," the spokesman said.
The strikes eliminated over 70 Ukrainian personnel, an armored combat vehicle, two motor vehicles, a D-30 howitzer and a Gvozdika motorized artillery system, the general specified.
Russian forces destroy over 400 Ukrainian troops, mercenaries in Donetsk advance
Russian forces destroyed over 400 Ukrainian troops and mercenaries in their advance in the Donetsk area over the past day, Konashenkov reported.
"Over 400 Ukrainian personnel and mercenaries, two infantry fighting vehicles, six armored combat vehicles, four motor vehicles, D-20 and D-30 howitzers and a Gvozdika motorized artillery gun were destroyed," the spokesman said.
Near the settlement of Novgorodskoye in the Donetsk People’s Republic, Russian forces destroyed an AN/TPQ-50 counter-battery radar of the Ukrainian army, the general said.
Russian forces destroy 60 Ukrainian troops in southern Donetsk, Zaporozhye areas
Russian forces destroyed roughly 60 Ukrainian troops and a US-made M777 artillery system in the southern Donetsk and Zaporozhye areas over the past day, Konashenkov reported.
In the southern Donetsk and Zaporozhye directions, operational/tactical and army aviation aircraft and artillery of the battlegroup East struck the Ukrainian army units in areas near the settlements of Ugledar, Nikolskoye and Novomikhailovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic, the spokesman specified.
"The enemy’s losses in those directions in the past 24 hours amounted to 60 Ukrainian personnel, an armored personnel carrier, a Tor-M1 anti-aircraft missile launcher, three motor vehicles and a US-made M777 artillery system," the general said.
Russian forces destroy 30 Ukrainian troops, German anti-aircraft gun in Kherson area
Russian forces destroyed roughly 30 Ukrainian troops, four S-300 surface-to-air missile launchers and a German-made Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft gun in the Kherson area over the past day, Konashenkov reported.
"In the Kherson direction, as many as 30 Ukrainian personnel, four Ukrainian S-300 surface-to-air missile launchers, a German-made Gepard motorized anti-aircraft gun, two motor vehicles and two D-30 howitzers were destroyed as a result of artillery fire," the spokesman said.
Russia’s precision strike thwarts Kiev reserves’ advance to combat area
Russian forces delivered a strike by precision weapons against the deployment sites of the Ukrainian army’s reserves over the past day, Konashenkov reported.
"Last night, long-range seaborne precision weapons delivered a concentrated strike on the deployment sites of the enemy’s reserves. The goal of the strike was achieved. All the designated targets were struck. The strike thwarted the advance by Ukrainian marine infantry units to the areas of combat operations," the spokesman said.
Russian forces wipe out Ukrainian ammo depots in DPR
Russian forces destroyed Ukrainian ammunition depots in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) over the past day, Konashenkov reported.
"In areas near the settlements of Vodyanoye and the Uglesborochnaya railway station in the Donetsk People’s Republic, the ammunition depots of the Ukrainian army’s 72nd mechanized brigade were obliterated," the spokesman said.
Russian forces destroy two Ukrainian radars in DPR
Russian forces destroyed two Ukrainian radar stations in the Donetsk People’s Republic over the past day, Konashenkov reported.
"In the area of the settlement of Kamyshevakha in the Donetsk People’s Republic, two Ukrainian P-18 and ST-68 air target detection and tracking radars were destroyed," the spokesman said.
Russia’s Aerospace Forces down Ukrainian Su-24 frontline bomber in DPR
Russian fighter aircraft shot down a Ukrainian Su-24 frontline bomber in the Donetsk People’s Republic over the past day, Konashenkov reported.
"Fighter aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces shot down a Ukrainian Air Force Su-24 plane near the settlement of Lipovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic," the spokesman said.
Russian forces strike three command posts
Russian forces struck three Ukrainian command posts over the past day, Konashenkov reported.
"In areas near the settlements of Cherkesskoye in the Kherson Region, Avdeyevka and Serebryanka in the Donetsk People’s Republic, the command/observation posts of units from the Ukrainian army’s special operations forces South, 110th mechanized and 58th motorized infantry brigades were struck," the spokesman said.
Operational/tactical and army aviation aircraft, missile troops and artillery of the Russian group of forces struck 78 Ukrainian artillery units at firing positions, manpower and equipment in 109 areas, the general reported.
Russian air defenses intercept four US-made HIMARS rockets
Russian air defense forces intercepted four rockets of the US-made HIMARS multiple launch rocket system and shot down 21 Ukrainian combat drones over the past day, Konashenkov reported.
"During the last 24-hour period, air defense capabilities intercepted four rockets of the HIMARS multiple launch rocket system. In addition, they shot down 21 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles in areas near the settlements of Spornoye, Kirillovka and Vasilyevka in the Donetsk People’s Republic, Lugovskoye, Novoye and Mayachka in the Zaporozhye Region, Zhovtnevoye in the Kharkov Region, Korsunka in the Kherson Region and Kremennaya in the Lugansk People’s Republic," the spokesman said.
In total, the Russian Armed Forces have destroyed 413 Ukrainian combat aircraft, 228 helicopters, 3,882 unmanned aerial vehicles, 421 anti-aircraft missile systems, 8,878 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 1,095 multiple rocket launchers, 4,671 field artillery guns and mortars and 9,805 special military motor vehicles since the beginning of the special military operation in Ukraine, Konashenkov reported.
Russian forces wipe out four Ukrainian S-300 missile launchers in Kherson area
Russian forces destroyed four Ukrainian S-300 missile launchers and a Gepard motorized surface-to-air system in the Kherson area over the past day during the special military operation in Ukraine, a spokesman for the regional emergency services said on Thursday.
"Yesterday, the strikes by Lancet loitering munitions destroyed four S-300 launchers and a Gepard motorized surface-to-air gun, killing 14 Ukrainian soldiers and wounding another ten," the spokesman said.
At night, Russian artillery fire near the settlement of Olgovka destroyed a 120mm mortar with ammunition, killing five and wounding another two Ukrainian personnel, he said.
Russian forces taking measures to repel Ukraine’s planned counteroffensive — DPR head
Russian forces are taking comprehensive measures to repel Ukraine’s planned counteroffensive, interim head of the Donetsk People’s Republic Denis Pushilin said on Thursday.
"Sooner or later, they will force the Ukrainian regime to go on a counteroffensive. I can say that our guys, the Defense Ministry, are ready for it. Comprehensive measures are being taken so that the enemy doesn’t succeed. Given the weather conditions, (...) I doubt it will be the start of May, the first half of May," he said when answering questions from the region’s residents in a call-in show.
Pushilin said Russian forces have enough capabilities to defend the DPR and insisted that "the enemy won’t succeed."
He said separately on Rossiya-24 television on Thursday that the West will force Kiev to go on a counteroffensive to work off the funding it was given.
The issue of a potential Ukrainian counteroffensive has been the subject of news media reports for several months, with various dates named. The Russian Foreign Ministry said earlier that the open discussion by Western countries of the future Ukrainian counteroffensive was testimony of their direct involvement in the conflict.
The New York Times reported on Tuesday, citing the secret Pentagon’s and US intelligence documents that had been leaked to the Internet, that Ukraine plans to start a counteroffensive in the southern direction next month. The report said for that purpose Ukraine had to train 12 brigades of 4,000 people each by the end of April.
The West is no longer hiding that it is really behind the planning for Ukraine’s much-vaunted counteroffensive, and will pull out all the stops to ensure its success, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told a briefing on Thursday.
"The West openly states that it will do everything possible to make the counteroffensive of the Ukrainian armed forces, which is planned for the near future, a success. That is to say, as you can imagine, they do not even hide that they are behind all this military planning, not only tactical guidance, which we have repeatedly talked about, but also the ongoing disposition [of forces] according to their strategic plan," she said.
Zakharova also stressed that representatives of Western countries, by openly demanding that the Russian side suffer the maximum possible losses, "once again are loudly confirming their direct involvement in the conflict."
On Tuesday, the New York Times, citing classified Pentagon and US intelligence documents that surfaced on the Internet, reported that the Ukrainian armed forces planned to launch a counteroffensive in the south next month. According to the newspaper, by the end of April, Ukraine is expected to have prepared 12 combat brigades with a complement of 4,000 servicemen each.
Moscow reacts to Xi-Zelensky call
Ukraine’s “unrealistic” demands are standing in the way of peace negotiations, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has stated. The comments came in response to a question about the phone call between Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The leaders spoke on Wednesday for the first time since Russia launched its military operation in the neighboring state in February 2022.
Zakharova praised Beijing for its efforts to help restart meaningful negotiations. She said Russian and Chinese visions for a path to peace were “broadly in tune” with one another. “The problem lies not with the lack of good plans,” Zakharova said.
The Kiev regime has so far not been receptive to any reasonable initiative aimed at a political and diplomatic settlement of the Ukrainian crisis. Its occasional agreement to hold negotiations is being tied to ultimatums with obviously unrealistic demands.
The spokeswoman blamed Kiev for the eventual breakdown of negotiations last spring when Russian and Ukrainian teams held several rounds of meetings. Kiev, meanwhile, has repeatedly said that negotiations can resume only after Russia surrenders its recently incorporated territories. Moscow has called such demands unacceptable.
Crimea voted to leave Ukraine and join Russia in the wake of the 2014 coup in Kiev. The Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, as well as the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions, did the same after holding referendums on the matter in September.
In October, Zelensky signed a decree that declared the “impossibility” of conducting negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Beijing, which unveiled a 12-point roadmap for peace in Ukraine in February, has maintained that the conflict can only end through dialogue. China, unlike many Western countries, has also refused to condemn Russia for its actions.
China named diplomat Li Hui its special envoy to Ukraine and “other countries” on Wednesday. Xi said that the envoy would be tasked with conducting “in-depth communication with all parties on the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis.” Li was China’s ambassador to Moscow from 2009 to 2019.
Zelensky, meanwhile, has appointed former strategic industries minister Pavel Ryabkin as the country’s new ambassador to China.
Rembang - Cuaca panas yang terjadi beberapa waktu terakhir di Indonesia cukup dikeluhkan masyarakat. Di Kabupaten Rembang, ada saja ulah yang dilakukan seorang pemuda.
Ia sengaja memanfaatkan cuaca panas dengan menggoreng kerupuk dan telur tanpa menggunakan kompor. Hanya bermodalkan cuaca panas. Cukup dengan menuangkan minyak goreng di atas teflon yang ditempatkan di luar ruangan, minyak goreng tersebut semakin lama semakin panas.
Setelah menunggu sekitar 90 menit, minyak goreng tersebut akhirnya mendidih dan selanjutnya kerupuk mentah tersebut diceburkan di minyak goreng itu.
"Ini karena ada fenomena alam di daratan Asia, ini paparan gelombang sinar panas sangat panas dan dalam beberapa hari ini kita mencoba menggoreng kerupuk memanfaatkan paparan dari panas ini," ucap Joko Sutopo, Warga Desa Sumberejo, Kecamatan Rembang, Kabupaten Rembang, saat ditemui wartawan, Rabu (26/4/2023).
Menurutnya, suhu panas yang terjadi di wilayah Rembang mencapai angka 40 derajat celsius.
"Ini kita mencoba menggoreng kerupuk sama telur dengan memanfaatkan suhu panas akhir-akhir ini, kemungkinan ada sekitar 32 sampai 40 derajat," jelas dia.
Sehingga dengan adanya suhu yang cukup panas tersebut, dirinya bereksperimen dengan menggoreng kerupuk dan telur di teflon tanpa menggunakan kompor.
"Ini sebenarnya cuma iseng, jadi panas ini kelihatannya mampu untuk menggoreng kerupuk sama telur," kata dia.
Dan benar saja, kerupuk dan telur tersebut dapat dinikmati dengan enak tanpa menggunakan kompor sebagai pemantik untuk memanaskannya.
"Ternyata tadi kita menggoreng kerupuk sama telurnya sudah matang sempurna dan kerupuknya juga enak," imbuh dia sembari mencicipi kerupuk dan telur tersebut.
Sementara itu, Kepala Pelaksana Badan Penanggulangan Bencana Daerah (BPBD) Kabupaten Rembang, Sri Jarwati mengatakan suhu di wilayahnya pada Rabu (26/4/2023) kemarin mencapai 32 derajat Celcius.
"Kemarin Rembang di 32 derajat Celsius," kata dia.
Ketua Umum Partai Golkar Airlangga Hartarto menegaskan partainya sudah lama memutuskan calon presiden dalam Musyawarah Nasional Partai Golkar beberapa tahun lalu.
Hal itu disampaikan Airlangga saat dimintai tanggapannya soal keputusan Partai Persatuan Pembangunan (PPP) mendukung pencapresan Ganjar Pranowo di Pilpres 2024.
"PPP 'kan baru memutuskan. Kalau Golkar, sudah lama melalui munas," ujar Airlangga dijumpai di Istana Kepresidenan Jakarta, usai mengikuti rapat terbatas dengan Presiden Joko Widodo dalam kapasitasnya sebagai Menteri Koordinator Bidang Perekonomian di Jakarta, Kamis.
Sebagaimana diketahui bahwa Munas Golkar 2019 memutuskan Airlangga Hartarto sebagai calon presiden dari Partai Golkar. Keputusan munas itu diperkuat kembali dalam Rapat Pimpinan Nasional (Rapimnas) Golkar pada tahun 2021 yang mendukung Airlangga maju sebagai capres partai beringin.
Saat ini Golkar, PPP, dan Partai Amanat Nasional (PAN) berada dalam satu koalisi, yakni Koalisi Indonesia Bersatu (KIB).
Airlangga mengatakan bahwa koalisi itu tidak bubar pasca-keputusan PPP mendukung Ganjar sebab koalisinya akan melakukan pertemuan pada Kamis malam ini.
"Karena nanti ketemu, tidak bubar," seloroh Airlangga.
Pertemuan partai KIB rencananya akan dilakukan di Jakarta, pukul 20.30 WIB. Menurut Airlangga tidak ada unsur partai di luar KIB yang akan ikut dalam pertemuan itu.
Adapun Airlangga belakangan sempat disebut cocok untuk menjadi calon wakil presiden mendampingi Ketua Umum Partai Gerindra Prabowo Subianto yang digadang akan maju sebagai calon presiden.
Ia mengatakan bahwa sejauh ini hubungan Golkar dengan Gerindra baik-baik saja dan akan ada pertemuan lanjutan.
Menjawab kemungkinan dirinya bisa menjadi cawapres Prabowo, Airlangga mengatakan, "Ya nanti kita tunggu saja."
