BenB 🇺🇦 (@benborges.xyz) Bsky

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UKRAINE hits RUSSIAN SHIPS with $150 MILLION IN DAMAGE!
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MADE IN UKRAINE: A high-value BRAND in the defense sector – Zelenskyy #shorts
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Russian drone attacks on Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv oblasts kill 3, injure 18

Russian drone attacks on Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv oblasts kill 3, injure 18
Russian drone attacks on Dnipropetrovsk and Kharkiv oblasts on April 20 killed three and injured 18 others, authorities reported.

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They are just Shaheds!

They are just Shaheds!
A few days into the U.S.-Iran war, after Iran attacked many of its neighbors, my friend in Kyiv asked her 11-year-old son if he had heard about what was happening. Unworried, he replied they were firing " just Shaheds ," and continued playing his game. Ukrainians by now

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Ukraine second only to Moldova in reform speed, top EU official says

Ukraine second only to Moldova in reform speed, top EU official says
Marta Kos, the European Union's commissioner for enlargement, on April 20 praised the speed of Ukraine’s reforms to align with European standards and called for stronger safeguards to prevent future backslidi...

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ZELENSKYY announces Ukrainian ANTI-BALLISTIC MISSILES within A YEAR! WAR NOW: a resolution is NEAR!
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Ukraine war latest: Ukraine pushing to produce homegrown ballistic defense system 'within a year,' Zelensky says

Ukraine war latest: Ukraine pushing to produce homegrown ballistic defense system 'within a year,' Zelensky says
Key developments on April 20: Ukraine pushing to produce home-grown ballistic defense system 'within a year,' Zelensky says Russian preschools, schools, universitie...

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Azov is back: Drones over Donbas Arena! #shorts
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Ukrainian DRONES annihilate Putin’s LOGISTICS and paralyze the front
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Lukashenko says he is ready to meet Trump and sign a 'big deal' with the United States Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko says he is ready to meet with former U.S. President Donald Trump personally and sign a deal that would serve the interests of both the United States and Belarus. Lukashenko indicated that a “big deal” with the U.S. could become possible only after a number of issues between the two countries are resolved, according to comments he made in an interview with RT, as reported by Belarusian state agency BELTA. [ The self-proclaimed Belarusian leader claims U.S. sanctions have failed to achieve their aims. He emphasized there are many more issues to discuss and settle – these are, he said, the subject of a “major agreement.” “It’s not true that I’m desperate to visit the United States and just shake Donald Trump’s hand,” Lukashenko said. “Frankly, it would be pleasant to meet him face to face and shake his hand. But that is not the main thing — it isn’t an end in itself.” Lukashenko also speculated that Trump could use Belarus as an intermediary to establish relations with Russia, saying he would welcome it if the former U.S. president sees broader opportunities in negotiating with Minsk. “Maybe he’s probing Belarus’ position, projecting it onto Russia. That would be normal and reasonable,” Lukashenko added. Lukashenko has previously asserted there is no real democracy in the United States, urging Americans to “learn from Belarus.” Lukashenko recently called on Belarusians to “mobilize” in order to “get through these challenging times.”

Lukashenko says he is ready to meet Trump and sign a 'big deal' with the United States
Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko says he is ready to meet with former U.S. President Donald Trump personally and sign a deal that would serve the interests of both the United States...

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"Tanks, Grads, BMPs – we destroy them all!" – 2S3 Akatsiya crews #shorts
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Ukraine to simplify use of fiber-optic drones on front line

Ukraine to simplify use of fiber-optic drones on front line
Ukraine's defense ministry is testing a unified ground control station for fiber-optic drones, aiming to cut the number of incompatible systems troops carry to the front.

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TWO HELICOPTERS DOWN: "Akatsiya" artillery annihilates Russians with sniper precision!
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Russian reserves nearly exhausted as economy faces harsher outlook, minister warns Russia has largely depleted its economic reserves, and the country’s macroeconomic environment now appears tougher compared to previous years, Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov said at the “My Business” national forum in Vsevolozhsk, according to Vedomosti . Reshetnikov highlighted that new taxes are putting additional strain on entrepreneurs, who now need to adapt to the shifting landscape. The minister emphasized that his main goal is to help businesses weather the current period, saying: “As is always the case with such structural changes—when there are truly many challenges—new opportunities emerge in some areas, while in others, businesses are forced to adapt or even wind down certain operations. This is necessary to reallocate our most scarce economic resource right now—human labor.” By “structural changes,” Reshetnikov referred to the creation of new jobs, factories, and investment opportunities. He noted that Russia had learned to pursue this growth when markets were stable and the economy still had reserves. Now, however, those reserves have been largely exhausted and conditions are harsher. Speaking a day earlier at the Moscow Exchange Forum, Reshetnikov also cited the strong ruble as another challenge. He predicted the ruble would remain “significantly stronger than we thought a year or two ago,” necessitating further restructuring within the economy. On April 15, President Vladimir Putin chaired a meeting on economic issues, acknowledging in his opening remarks that the trajectory of macroeconomic indicators is currently falling short of government and central bank forecasts. According to Russia’s Ministry of Economic Development, the country’s GDP shrank by 1.8% in the first two months of 2026—down 2.1% in January and 1.5% in February, year-over-year. Putin attributed the contraction to seasonal and weather-related factors.

Russian reserves nearly exhausted as economy faces harsher outlook, minister warns
Russia has largely depleted its economic reserves, and the country’s macroeconomic environment now appears tougher compared to previous years, Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov sai...

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LIVE | AFU drones DESTROY Russia’s oil machine: KREMLIN LOSES BILLIONS
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Ukraine’s new AI DRONES vs. Putin’s donkey cavalry! #shorts
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Fact Check: Caine Did Not Storm Out of Emergency Meeting After Trump Suggested Threatening Iran With Nuclear Weapons | Lead Stories Did Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, storm out of an emergency meeting after President Donald...

Fact Check: Caine Did Not Storm Out of Emergency Meeting After Trump Suggested Threatening Iran With Nuclear Weapons
Did Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, storm out of an emergency meeting after President Donald Trump said he wanted to threaten Iran with n...

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What does Iran ceasefire mean for Ukraine and Russia, and will it last?

What does Iran ceasefire mean for Ukraine and Russia, and will it last?
The ongoing ceasefire in the Middle East is an obvious boon for Ukraine, but it remains extremely fragile, analysts say. The U.S. and Israel, which attacked Iran in late February, reached a two-week ceasef...

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Belarus steps up border defenses as Zelensky warns of possible Russian escalation Belarus has started building roads and preparing artillery positions along its border with Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday, April 17, citing Ukrainian intelligence. Zelensky suggested that Russia may once again try to draw Belarus into its ongoing war. “We believe that Russia will try once again to involve Belarus in its war,” Zelensky wrote on his Telegram channel. He linked the increased military activity on Belarusian territory to Russian troop movements, which the Ukrainian President claims are being carried out by the Russian military command to make up for a shortage of manpower. Volodymyr Zelensky also said he had instructed relevant channels to warn Belarus’ leadership that Ukraine is prepared to defend its territory and independence. He added that the recent events in Venezuela should serve as a warning to Belarusian authorities about the consequences of critical mistakes, apparently referencing the U.S. military operation in Venezuela and the subsequent seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko announced on April 1, during a meeting on the results of a comprehensive security check of the armed forces, that his country is preparing for possible conflict. “If anyone suddenly decides to speak to us through the crosshairs of a weapon, we will respond. We are preparing for this,” his press service quoted Lukashenko as saying. Lukashenko stated that in the event of war, Belarus could increase its military strength to 500,000 troops. The scope and speed of readiness checks in the Belarusian army, he said, were driven by the “seriousness of the geopolitical situation, events, and threats near Belarus’ borders.” Previously, Lukashenko warned that any attack on Belarus could become “the prelude to World War III.”

Belarus steps up border defenses as Zelensky warns of possible Russian escalation
Belarus has started building roads and preparing artillery positions along its border with Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday, April 17, citing Ukrainian intelligence. Ze...

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Russian preschools, schools, universities have spent over $213 million on 'educational' drones since 2022, media reports

Russian preschools, schools, universities have spent over $213 million on 'educational' drones since 2022, media reports
The figure, counted up in an investigation by the Novaya Gazeta Europe, comes as Russia continues to militarize its society, with a specific focus on childr...

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UKRAINE hits FOUR Russian OIL GIANTS in ONE NIGHT! | Front Line with @StarskyUA
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NATO cannot lose sight of Ukraine, – Rutte #shorts
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Ukraine pushing to produce home-grown ballistic defense system 'within a year,' Zelensky says

Ukraine pushing to produce home-grown ballistic defense system 'within a year,' Zelensky says
Kyiv's intention to pursue such a system is not new, but the announcement marks the first time officials have attached such an ambitious timeline to the effort.

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Europe builds defense shield with Ukraine as Hormuz plunges into oil crisis
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IMF backs down on unpopular tax changes for Ukraine, PM says

IMF backs down on unpopular tax changes for Ukraine, PM says
"During the Spring Meetings, we found understanding from our partners that this is indeed a sensitive topic and a non-constructive idea," Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said on April 19 in a Telegram post,...

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Russia accelerates use of Western electronic components in Shahed drones, raising concerns over export controls Russia is continuing to actively use Western electronic components in the production of Shahed-type attack drones, with the time it takes for these parts to reach the Russian defense industry significantly shrinking, according to Ukrainian officials. Kyiv has documented that parts manufactured in the United States and other countries can appear in Russian drones just months after production. Vladyslav Vlasiuk, the Ukrainian president’s special representative on sanctions policy, underscored the issue during his recent trip to Washington, raising alarm with American officials about the quick transfer of foreign components to Russia, he told RBC-Ukraine . Vlasiuk said that American-made components found in Shahed drones used by Russia to attack Ukraine in late March 2026 had been manufactured only at the end of 2025. "This means the parts get onto the assembly line just a few months after leaving the factory," he said. Analyses of downed Russian drones continue to identify original electronic components produced in the US, China, Japan, and Germany—as well as some counterfeits. However, in the vast majority of cases, Ukrainian experts say, these are genuine products from leading global manufacturers, which despite sanctions and export restrictions, still find their way into Russian military systems. “We keep emphasizing: the US government treats this problem as a priority, but it remains a serious challenge for the entire export-control system,” Vlasiuk stressed. According to Vlasiuk, analysis of drones shot down in 2026 continues to reveal fresh batches of components from the US, Switzerland, and Japan. He noted that after Dutch company NXP boosted its export controls, its microchips have all but disappeared from Russian Shaheds—something Ukrainian authorities see as evidence of the effectiveness of tighter controls. Vlasiuk previously told RBC-Ukraine that the US is preparing for possible legal action against electronics manufacturers whose components have shown up in Russian weapons used against Ukraine. American lawyers are gathering evidence and searching for victims to pursue lawsuits. The process could take years but could result in major compensation awards. Vlasiuk also drew attention to a changing technological relationship between Russia and Iran. Whereas Iran previously supplied Shahed drones to Russia, recent incidents show that Russian navigation and targeting systems are now turning up inside Iranian attack drones. This kind of technology transfer is typical for states engaged in military cooperation and creates mutual dependencies, he noted. Even relatively small numbers of attack drones, Vlasiuk said, can seriously threaten critical infrastructure—particularly in the energy and gas sectors. He separately called on certain countries, especially the UAE, to tighten oversight of supply chains that might directly or indirectly support Russian defense manufacturing. The prevalence of American and Russian electronic components has also been documented inside Iranian drones used in attacks on US facilities in the Middle East. Ukraine’s deputy foreign minister Andriy Sibiga recently stated that Ukrainian producers are manufacturing about 1,500 interceptor drones daily. He added that Ukrainian forces carry out up to 95% of strikes against Russian territory using domestically made drones. Russia has threatened Europe with “sharp escalation” and “unpredictable consequences” in response to increased drone supplies to Ukraine.

Russia accelerates use of Western electronic components in Shahed drones, raising concerns over export controls
Russia is continuing to actively use Western electronic components in the production of Shahed-type attack drones, with the time it takes for these parts to reach th...

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Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian fertilizer plants threaten supply chains and drive up prices, warns billionaire Melnichenko Russian Billionaire Andrey Melnichenko, founder of major fertilizer producer EuroChem - which operates plants in Russia and across Europe - has weighed in on the effects of recent Ukrainian drone attacks targeting Russian fertilizer facilities. The surge in drone strikes on Russian plants is putting additional strain on the country’s nitrogen fertilizer sector, a market already pressured by mounting instability in the Middle East, Melnichenko said on April 17, as reported by The Moscow Times . “High-profile events... have led to an increasing number of drone attacks on Russian businesses,” the Russian billionaire told reporters, referring to the strikes on domestic fertilizer plants. Melnichenko stated that the attacks on Russian plants have had a “quite significant” impact on the industry. At the same time, the US military operation in Iran is amplifying challenges, considering that roughly a third of the world’s fertilizer trade passes through the Strait of Hormuz - creating shortages and driving up prices, he explained. “It’s a complicated situation. Prices are a bit higher. Volumes… a bit lower,” Melnichenko said, when asked about the outlook for Russia’s fertilizer business. The businessman added that phosphates suppliers would likely be able to quickly find alternative overland routes for transportation. However, disruptions in nitrogen fertilizer supply, combined with gas supply limitations and rising gas prices, could have longer-term effects, he warned. Ukrainian attacks targeting Russian facilities appear systematic, aiming to undermine the country’s capacity for prolonged warfare. In September 2025, Ukrainian outlet MilItarnyi explained how Russia’s chemical giants ensured the supply of most essential chemicals for explosives and propellant manufacturing, directly impacting Moscow’s military capability. According to Reuters, at least five Russian chemical companies provided over 75% of critical ingredients for explosives production by September 2024. Those companies include EuroChem (founded by Melnichenko himself), Uralchem, Sredneuralsk Copper Smelter (SUMZ), Lukoil, and Evraz. On April 17, the governor of Russia’s Leningrad region announced the search for reservists to “protect the Leningrad sky” from Ukrainian drone attacks. Meanwhile, on April 16, a Ukrainian Special Forces commander released video showing a successful strike against a Russian oil refinery in Tuapse.

Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian fertilizer plants threaten supply chains and drive up prices, warns billionaire Melnichenko
Russian Billionaire Andrey Melnichenko, founder of major fertilizer producer EuroChem - which operates plants in Russia and across Europe - has weighe...

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Cracks appear in Putin’s regime as internal dissent and economic woes mount The system built by Russian President Vladimir Putin is showing its first visible cracks, with signs of discontent surfacing among even loyalist bloggers—especially over escalating internet restrictions. Russians, long accustomed to bans and censorship, are losing patience, writes BILD editor Mark Oliver Rühle . “Many believe the crackdown on the internet has gone too far. Meanwhile, the Kremlin is working to calm them, claiming restrictions are needed for security in its war against Ukraine and that the situation will soon improve. But there is no end in sight to the conflict,” Rühle reports. Notably, a growing list of prominent figures have strayed from the Kremlin’s official line. Even high-profile influencers are openly criticizing Putin: blogger Viktoria Bonya, who has 13 million followers, claimed the Kremlin chief isn’t being told the real state of affairs in the country. Her remarks forced a response from Putin’s press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, who insisted work is underway to address the nation’s problems. “For the first time in years of war, it feels as though the Russian regime stands on the threshold of internal rupture,” says political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya. Criticism is also coming from the pro-war camp. Pro-Kremlin blogger Ilya Remeslo branded Putin an “illegitimate” leader who has steered the nation into a dead-end conflict with Ukraine and demanded he be put on trial. Remeslo was subsequently committed to a psychiatric facility for 30 days. Meanwhile, Russia’s Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov has admitted the country’s economic reserves are “largely depleted,” and that the macroeconomic outlook is more challenging than in previous years. In addition, for six consecutive weeks, Russia’s state sociological service has reported a drop in Putin’s approval ratings.

Cracks appear in Putin’s regime as internal dissent and economic woes mount
The system built by Russian President Vladimir Putin is showing its first visible cracks, with signs of discontent surfacing among even loyalist bloggers—especially over escalating internet restriction...

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Again! Russians tried to sneak into AFU rear through a pipeline #shorts
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MILLIONS TO THE BOTTOM: DIU destroys two Russian ships; Atesh cripples occupiers' logistics
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Posts by BenB 🇺🇦