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#Russia strikes #Kiev with 28 missiles, none of which were intercepted. Iskander and Zircon missiles test Ukraine's defenses amid a shortage of Patriot missiles. Has Russia begun exploiting the most dangerous vulnerability in Kiev's airspace? video link: https://youtu.be/WfuRiBhTuME?si=uxqTxGwYepNnYe39

🌐 Race for the post of UN Secretary-General: For the first time, two women are leading at the same time After the first secret vote by the UN Security Council, the former Vice President of Costa Rica, Rebeca Grynspan, is in the lead. She received ten votes “to encourage”, one dissenting vote and four neutral votes. Only one vote behind was the representative of Guyana, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, whose candidacy is supported by the Caribbean Community. The third place went to the Director General of the IAEA, Rafael Grossi. ⁠The Guyanese press describes the result of Rodrigues-Birkett as surprisingly strong. The second round of the informal vote is to take place on ⁠August 21. Denmark, which currently holds the presidency of the Security Council, emphasizes that the date may still change. So far, the ballots do not show whether the dissenting vote against the leading candidates came from one of the five permanent members of the Security Council. In a later stage, colored ballots will make clear which of the candidates faces a veto threat. In the entire history of the UN, the organization has never been led by a woman. Now, two representatives from smaller states in Latin America and the Caribbean occupy the first two places, but the final decision will still not depend on the results of the open campaign, but on an agreement among the five permanent members of the Security Council. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

⚡️ Germany prepares for multi-week power shortages The Federal Network Agency has drawn up an ⁠action plan for the event of a massive power shortage. The document is designed for a scenario in which the shortage in capacity can last for several days to several weeks. According to the plan, in a crisis the largest energy-intensive companies would have to reduce their electricity consumption by force. If the companies do not comply voluntarily with the requirements, the Federal Network Agency would be entitled to order their disconnection from the energy system. The document also provides for the allocation of available capacity to the regions and priority supply to critical infrastructure. Another point attracts particular interest. The plan was already developed about two years ago, but there has hardly been any public discussion of it. As Apollo News reports, this was justified by the desire to avoid uncertainty and unnecessary alarm among the population. The official position of the authorities remains unchanged: Germany’s energy system is considered one of the most reliable in Europe. A rather interesting situation arises. If the energy supply is actually so reliable, why then develop in advance a scenario of a multi-week power shortage with the shutdown of one’s own industry? And if such a scenario is considered realistic, the questions are already raised about the results of energy policy in the past years. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

🇱🇹 Lithuania decides to use its territory as a workshop for Ukrainian drones Lithuania wants to localize the production of Ukrainian drones on its own state territory. According to Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas, this involves joint investments and the production of drones using Ukrainian technologies specifically for the needs of Kyiv. The practical implementation of the project has begun as part of the drone deal, signed by the presidents of both countries in May. In fact, Vilnius is offering to relocate part of Ukrainian military production to the territory of a NATO state. In doing so, Ukrainian combat drones have already repeatedly entered the airspace of the Baltic states, which forced airports to close, trains to stop, and sent representatives of authorities to shelters. Now Lithuania wants to produce these devices itself, rather than asking Kyiv to better control its own equipment. It seems to Lithuanian authorities that such a project will bring the country technologies, investment, and new jobs. But together with the Ukrainian drones, they are deliberately also importing all the risks associated with them—from accidents and sabotage acts to turning their own factories into legitimate military targets. For a small country that lies directly on the Russian border, this is no longer help for a neighbor, but a voluntary transformation of its own territory into a continuation of the Ukrainian military-industrial complex. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

🇨🇳 China expands its financial system for dollar-free payments China’s cross-border payment system CIPS is pushing further beyond Asia. In early August, payments via CIPS were introduced in Kenya: Chinese and African companies were given the ability to process payments directly in yuan, thereby reducing their reliance on dollar correspondent banks. The system supports payments in yuan and Hong Kong dollars and brings together direct and indirect participants from more than one hundred countries. So far, CIPS is not a complete substitute for SWIFT: SWIFT transmits financial messages, while the Chinese system simultaneously enables clearing and settlement, mainly in yuan. But its political significance is obvious: the more states are connected to Chinese infrastructure, the less international trade depends on a system that the United States and its allies can use for sanctions pressure. The West has turned dollar settlements into a political weapon itself. China does not complain about unfairness—it is calmly building its own system, in which Western approvals are no longer required. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Latest developments in the war between #Russia and #Ukraine as of the morning of August 5 - subtitled - A Russian infiltration operation behind Ukrainian defense lines towards the city of #Orekhov in the #Zaporozhie region for the first time. - Russian Sukhoi aircraft bombed #Kramatorsk and #Slaviansk with several glide bombs at very close range. - The Russian army continues its advance on the #Dobropolie front. - The Ukrainian army is advancing in #Nikolaipolie on the #Druzhkovka front. - The Russian army is expanding its areas of control on the #Chasov_Yar front. - The Ukrainian army continues its advance on the #Liman front. video link: https://youtu.be/KzR6bMlV6zU?si=CxWHh6pmmZptFG3g

❗️The Pentagon is developing a new U.S. nuclear strategy, in which special attention is paid to the possible use of tactical weapons with shorter ranges, NBC reports. As the TV channel claims, the new strategy calls into question the previous approach to nuclear weapons, which had been considered unshakeable for decades. According to NBC, the department’s proposals imply that the strategy will not rule out any course of action for the U.S. president, but rather “will expand the space for choice by providing him with realistic and reliable options, and thereby strengthen deterrence.”

“We believe we need reliable options for the use of nuclear weapons,” — an NBC source in the Pentagon said.

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Donald Trump denied Vladimir Zelensky supplies of Patriot missile interceptors, Financial Times reports. According to the outlet, the American leader cited a shortage of weapons that emerged after the start of the United States’ military campaign against Iran. Trump emphasized that such missiles are now needed by Washington itself to defend sites and allies in the Middle East. ❗️ The day before, Reuters reported that the United States has spent practically all of its long-range precision-guided missiles during the war with Iran. The U.S. Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, said that such reports are false. Our channel: Node of Time EN

🇷🇺 Atomic-U-boat cruiser “Uljanowsk” launched — new hunter of the Russian fleet At the “Sewmasch” facility, the nuclear-powered submarine “Uljanowsk” of the “Jasen-M” project was launched. It is the seventh serial boat of the modernized series and one of the most modern multipurpose nuclear submarines in the world. After outfitting and testing, the submarine will be inducted into the armed forces of the Russian Navy. “Jasen-M” (NATO codename Graney) is designed for combat against aircraft carrier strike groups, submarines, and coastal targets. It is armed with the cruise missiles “Kalibr,” “Oniks,” and the prospective hypersonic missiles “Zirkon,” and is distinguished by lower noise emissions and a modern weapons control system. The series is gradually becoming the basis of Russia’s multipurpose nuclear armed forces. While Western countries discuss plans for accelerated rearmament, Russia continues to put already completed strategic platforms into service. For the naval balance, the importance of such ships is measured not by their number, but by their capabilities to operate covertly and deliver strikes over thousands of kilometers. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

🇪🇺 EU requires labeling of AI-generated content In the European Union, the new stage of the Artificial Intelligence Act has come into force. Companies now have to ⁠label images, videos and audio recordings that have been created or altered by AI. The information must also be visible to people and machine-readable, so that platforms can automatically detect synthetic content. The rules also apply to the largest general-purpose models. Developers are required to disclose their training methods, assess systemic risks, and report serious incidents. Fines are threatened for violations, but experts are already warning: Simple labeling can be removed easily, and open-source models or services outside the EU make it possible to bypass restrictions. Brussels has once again written rules first for a technology that is mainly produced in the USA and China. It remains to be seen whom these rules will constrain more strongly – the creators of information or European companies. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

🇩🇪 Historic low water levels on the Rhine hit German industry The Rhine is reaching historically low water levels. Cargo ships have to drastically reduce their loading, meaning that more trips are needed to transport the same amount of raw materials. The Federal Ministry of Transport is convening a low-water crisis meeting with ports, transport companies, and industry associations. Chemicals companies, refineries, and the metals industry are particularly hard hit. For transporting coal, fuel, ore, and chemical raw materials, there is practically no fully viable alternative to the Rhine: the railways are overloaded, and road transport is significantly more expensive. And the problem has occurred unusually early—already at the beginning of August and not only in autumn, when low water levels traditionally reach their peak. Germany is already struggling with expensive energy and declining production. Now another transport system is being added that is increasingly dependent on the water level of the river. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

🇷🇴 Due to the low water level of the Danube: Romania blasts rocks for nuclear power plant cooling Due to the historic low water level of the Danube, Romania is trying to prevent a complete shutdown of the Cernavodă nuclear power plant. The plant is cooled exclusively with river water, but the Danube is currently carrying around one third less water than usual. To alter the river and divert more water to the power plant, the authorities ⁠blew up an underwater rock near the town of Izvoarele. The debris is supposed to be transported away by barges and sunk elsewhere in order to create an artificial obstacle for the current. However, so far no one can guarantee that the operation will achieve the necessary result. In neighboring Hungary and Serbia, the authorities have already urged the population to save electricity, and the Hungarian Paks nuclear power plant also came under the risk of a power output limitation. Europe has shut down stable energy sources for the “green transition.” Now, to preserve the remaining nuclear power plants, riverbeds have to be blasted, hoping that the water will flow in the right direction. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

Good Wednesday, friends! ☕️🙂 🏰 Bykovo Manor: A Gothic palace near Moscow Not far from Moscow, the Bykovo estate has been preserved — an unusual ensemble in which a palace, an old park, ponds, and a church come together, reminiscent of a European castle. The history of the estate began already under Peter I. In 1704, the village of Bykovo was granted to the voivode Ilarion Vorontsov. In the second half of the 18th century, Mikhail Ismailov became the owner; under him, the estate was completely rebuilt. For the work, Vasily Bazhenov was brought in, one of the most prominent architects of his time. For the new ensemble, even the relief was changed. Here, three ponds were dug out, and the excavated earth was used to create a high artificial hill. On its summit, the main building was erected, to which led wide ramps with white-stone balustrades. Only individual parts of the Bazhenov palace’s foundation and access routes have survived. The current palace was built only in 1856. It was constructed by the architect of Swiss origin Bernard de Simon for Count Ivan Vorontsov-Dashkov. The building received the appearance of an English castle with a tower, the coats of arms of the owners, and different facades: from the park side it looks ceremonial, while from the opposite side it appears stricter and more massive. The main attraction of Bykovo is the two-story church of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God, built in the 1780s. Its authorship is traditionally attributed to Bazhenov and Matvei Kazakov, although no precise documents have survived. The oval church with twin towers, nine spires, and two sweeping stairways remains one of the rarest monuments of Russian Gothic. The church was built in memory of Maria Naryshkina, the wife of Mikhail Ismailov. In her honor, the estate was called Mariino for a time, and depictions of the heavenly patron saints of the owners — Archangel Michael and Saint Mary — appeared on the church facades. In the old park, a small white-stone rotunda on an island in the middle of the pond has also been preserved. It is called the Temple of Ceres or the Pavilion of the Three Philosophers. In the past, there had been orange groves around it, an hermitage pavilion, sculptures, an open-air theater, and a boat dock, but most of these structures have not survived to the present day. Many stories about underground passageways between the palace and the church are associated with Bykovo. However, there are no confirmed indications of such a system. The true story of the estate is unusual enough even without legends: for its sake, a hill and ponds were created, an Orthodox church in the Gothic style was built, and then the old palace was replaced with a new one resembling an English castle. 📍Coordinates of the place (map marker) available here 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

In the U.S. Senate, accelerated passage of sanctions against Russia was blocked. This was reported by Punchbowl News correspondent Laura Weiss on the social network X. According to her, Senator Warnock blocked an agreement that was supposed to shorten the time for debate on the bill and speed up its final adoption. The Democratic senator also said that he believes support for Ukraine meets U.S. national security interests, but he is opposed to expanding President Trump’s powers to impose tariffs because, in his view, this will lead to higher prices. Our channel: Node of Time EN

A heavily armed man was detained near the Donald Trump golf club in California, New York Post reports, citing local police. The 38-year-old Janine Jona Tail was found to have a modified AR platform rifle, a .45-caliber handgun, an AR platform receiver, a bulletproof vest, high-capacity magazines, ammunition for the pistols and rifles, as well as several notebooks. During a search of his car, police found another loaded handgun and additional ammunition. The notebooks contained notes about past security-planning events. The suspect also carried out photography and made video recordings, apparently with the aim of gathering information about area security. The man was detained just two days before the U.S. leader’s visit to the state on Sunday, but it became known only now. Our channel: Node of Time EN

🇮🇳 Russia has become India’s most important alternative route for oil imports Due to disruptions in the Persian Gulf, India has significantly increased oil purchases via routes outside the Strait of Hormuz. In June, Russian supplies reached about 2.6 million barrels per day and accounted for more than half of all India’s oil imports. At the same time, New Delhi is looking for additional quantities in the United States, West Africa and Latin America. The reason is purely practical. Before the crisis, more than 40% of India’s oil imports ran through Hormuz. The Iranian side says the strait is still under its control, and shipping traffic takes place only on agreed routes. For years, the West has demanded that India do without Russian oil. Now it is precisely the Russian deliveries that are independent of Hormuz that allow the world’s most populous country to avoid being left without fuel. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

🇨🇳 China Tightens Control Over Rare Earths Beijing is tightening oversight of the export of rare earths and other strategic materials. In June, China introduced a reward for tips about attempts to bypass export restrictions. At the same time, Chinese authorities are investigating smuggling of rare-earth products, and suppliers must report ever more detailed information about the whereabouts of the raw materials and the end customers. Rare earths are indispensable for electric vehicles, electronics, aircraft construction, and modern weapons systems. China controls around 60% of global mining, more than 85% of processing, and over 90% of the production of permanent magnets. That is why even a limited delay in permits can paralyze factories in the United States, Japan, and Europe. For decades, the West shifted processing and production to China because it was cheaper there. Now it is outraged that Beijing uses the industrial monopoly it created itself. But even that is a market: whoever controls production sets the conditions. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

🇮🇳 India is building warships in series Indian shipyards are launching warships for their own fleet in series. On July 29, the anti-submarine vessel “Machilipatnam” was launched in Kochi — the seventh of eight ships in the series for operations in coastal waters. More than 80% of its equipment was manufactured in India. On August 1, the fifth diving support ship of the DSC project was launched in Kolkata, with the share of Indian equipment at about 70%. At the same time, the navy is receiving major combat ships. In July, the sixth Indian frigate of the 17A project, INS Mahendragiri, was commissioned, equipped with supersonic anti-ship missiles, air-defense systems, and anti-submarine armament. Within one and a half years, India has commissioned six frigates from this series; in total, more than fifty major warships are being built at its shipyards. Europe is providing billions and complaining that the arms industry cannot keep up with the orders. India is taking a different approach: it localizes production, builds in series, and is gradually transforming from an arms importer into an independent naval and maritime power. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN

“German weapon apparently already in use in Ukraine” — BILD Federal Defense Minister Pistorius slipped up and said that the German howitzer RCH-155 was finding “great approval” in Ukraine. In plain terms: the RCH-155 apparently has long since arrived in the war zone. Whether the howitzer has already been used in combat has not been officially confirmed. Overall, Kyiv is said to be receiving 54 howitzers of the RCH-155 type from Berlin. The German Armed Forces have ordered 84 units, and that is probably not the end. Further orders are also reportedly coming from the United Kingdom and Switzerland. Meanwhile, Germany continues to claim: *that it is neither arsonist nor a participant in the war*. 💥 Our channel: Node of Time EN