❗️NATO chief Mark Rutte will press European arms makers in Brussels next week to boost investment and production, focusing on air defence, long-range missiles, intelligence systems and supply chains before the alliance’s July summit in Ankara.

👀‼️FT: Rutte will meet with the leaders of European defense concerns in Brussels next week to urge them to act quickly and prepare the ground for important announcements at NATO's annual summit in Ankara in July.

Ahead of the meeting, companies were asked to provide information on major investments and their ability to increase production, paying particular attention to areas such as air defense and long-range missiles.

❗️Reuters writes Ukraine is rapidly shifting from military aid recipient to one of the world’s key defense-tech innovators. Western governments and firms are seeking access to Ukrainian drones, the Delta battlefield network, air defense tools, ground unmanned systems and combat analytics, drawn by cheap, simple and effective systems tested under constant Russian attack.

📰 Reuters: Ukraine’s defense technology revolution is the envy of the US and Europeans
 
Western companies and governments are actively trying to gain access to Ukrainian technology. They are particularly impressed by Ukraine’s ability to create cheap, simple and effective solutions that often outperform expensive and complex systems of allies.

The US military openly admits that the Ukrainian Delta control system already integrates drones, sensors and artillery into a single network - a level that the US military is only struggling to achieve.

Ukrainian FPV drones, air defense systems and ground-based unmanned systems have become an example of how mass and flexibility can be more effective than extremely expensive high-precision systems.
 
Against this background, Germany and other European countries are increasing their support for Ukraine and at the same time seeking a strategic partnership in the field of defense technologies.

The moment of explosions caught on video.

🔥 Pyatigorsk (Russia), the moment of the explosion.

🚨 Двое человек пострадали в результате взрыва на АЗС в Пятигорске

Взрыв произошел при разгрузке автомобиля-газовоза. По предварительным данным, причина происшествия - нарушение техники безопасности.

@interfaxonline

‼️‼️ The moment a Russian missile hit a high-rise building in Kyiv 2 days ago

🇿🇦 South Africa: Court orders resumption of Zuma arms deal corruption trial

A South African court on 14 May ordered the resumption of the long-delayed corruption trial of former president Jacob Zuma, 84. Judge Nkosinathi Chili of the Pietermaritzburg court rejected a fresh request for postponement, ruling that the trial must resume in the interests of justice. Zuma faces 16 charges of fraud, corruption and racketeering linked to the 1999 purchase of military equipment worth close to €2.8bn from five European arms companies.

Zuma is accused of pocketing more than R4 million — around $600,000 at the exchange rate of the time — notably from French defence group Thales, which is also being prosecuted for corruption and money laundering. Both Zuma and Thales have consistently denied the allegations since the trial began in May 2021.

#SouthAfrica

🔸 Source

@africaintel

🔥 Another video from Pyatigorsk (Russia)

Еще три беспилотника сбиты на подлете к Москве

С начала суток уничтожены 11 БПЛА, направлявшихся к Москве.

@interfaxonline

Germany's far-right AfD leader Alice Weidel claims Ukraine started the war and that Ukrainian strikes into Russia threaten German security. She warns against "poking the big bear" and promises "balanced policy" when in power.

🤩 Pyatigorsk, Stavropol Krai. Gas station.