UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights
🤬 For the first time since 2017–2018, a U.S. representative has arrived at Putin’s economic forum in St. Petersburg.
Rodney Mims Cook Jr., chairman of the Trump administration’s Commission of Fine Arts, arrived in Russia to attend the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
He visited the Lenfilm studio, where animated films are being screened as part of the forum’s cultural program.
Putin aide Yuri Ushakov said that a U.S. delegation of this level had not visited Russia since 2017–2018 and announced that Cook would speak at a session dedicated to “dialogue between cultures.
🇺🇸 U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington would like to end exemptions from sanctions on Russian oil in the near future.
According to Rubio, the final decision will be made by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, but it will depend on the circumstances at the time.
“We would like to end this as soon as possible because the primary policy of this country is sanctions on Russian oil. These are temporary exemptions aimed at increasing global supply,” Rubio said.
The shortage of Patriot missiles is creating a “window of vulnerability” that the Kremlin is seeking to exploit, according to The Guardian.
A global shortage of interceptor missiles for air defense systems, particularly the Patriot, is becoming a serious challenge for Ukraine and U.S. allies. The Patriot remains the primary ballistic missile defense system used by the United States, Ukraine, Gulf states, and several NATO members, including Germany, the Netherlands, Greece, Spain, Poland, and Sweden.
Missile stockpiles are being depleted due to their extensive use in Ukraine and during the prolonged U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran. According to some estimates, the conflict with Iran has already consumed nearly one-third of available Patriot interceptor stocks, while Gulf states have collectively launched more than 1,100 of the missiles.
The problem is compounded by limited production capacity. Lockheed Martin currently produces about 600 Patriot interceptors annually, with each missile costing around $3 million. The company plans to more than triple production, but expanding manufacturing capacity is expected to take years.
The publication notes that the shortage is already affecting not only Ukraine and Gulf countries but also NATO’s defense planning amid the growing threat from Russia.
Finland has seized Russian assets worth €3.7 million at the request of Ukraine’s Naftogaz, according to Finnish broadcaster Yle.
Citing the Finnish Enforcement Authority, Yle reported that Russia transferred the funds several years ago for the implementation of a cross-border cooperation program with the European Union. The money was deposited into an account of Finland’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, but the project was later terminated.
The seizure order remains in force until further notice. According to the report, the measure prevents the owner from selling or transferring the assets. Since 2024, the Finnish Enforcement Authority has seized Russian assets worth more than €40 million, Yle reported.
Missile strikes on Ukraine reflect Russia’s weakness and an attempt to conceal it, according to The New York Times.
The newspaper writes that Russia’s offensive has largely stalled, forced recruitment is proving ineffective, domestic discontent is growing, and U.S.-mediated negotiations have effectively reached a dead end. According to the report, the large-scale use of drones and missiles is unable to mask the growing signs of Moscow’s weakness.
❗️The number of people injured in the massive attack on Kyiv [yesterday] has risen to 90.
Fifty-two of the wounded have been hospitalized, including two children.
❗️Russia is preparing new military, political, and propaganda strikes against Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said after receiving a report from Chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine Oleh Ivashchenko.
According to Zelenskyy, Russia’s plans target Ukrainian missile manufacturers and seek to undermine Ukraine’s strategic ties with Moldova, the countries of the South Caucasus, the Middle East, and the Gulf region.
“We discussed the details of Russian missile production: facilities, distances, quantities, supply routes for critical components and machinery, as well as individuals and companies in other countries helping Russia circumvent sanctions.
We are preparing updates to our countermeasures — both Ukrainian and in coordination with our partners. It is important that pressure on Russia increases.
We also know that one of the key directions of future Russian strikes has been chosen: Ukrainian companies demonstrating progress in the development of missile technologies of all types. Russia views Ukraine’s ability to develop its own ballistic systems and localize anti-ballistic defense production as a strategic threat. We will respond.
Intelligence has also obtained new internal Russian documents on political planning, particularly regarding Ukraine’s relations with Moldova, the countries of the South Caucasus, the Middle East, and the Gulf region.
We know that one of Russia’s key political objectives is to limit our security, economic, and other strategic ties with these countries.
The first batches of Armenian goods affected by Russian import restrictions have already been exported to the European Union, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said.
“A number of business delegations are already working, and the first batches of roses and vegetables have been shipped. No goods will remain without a market,” Pashinyan said during a briefing, adding that he would name the destination countries once the shipments arrive.
Since the end of May, Russia has expanded the list of Armenian products banned from import. The restrictions now cover vegetables, including tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, potatoes, and eggplants; greens; berries and fruits, including apples, pears, quinces, apricots, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, grapes, and strawberries; as well as dried fruits, fish and fish products, cut flowers, Jermuk mineral water, cognac, and red and white wines.
Moscow’s concerns about the quality of Armenian products emerged amid Pashinyan’s policy of strengthening ties with the European Union and the United States.
Fire Point has released unique footage of a test of its FP-7 ballistic missile.
The FP-7 has a range of up to 200 kilometers and carries a 150-kilogram warhead. The missile can reach speeds of up to 1,500 meters per second. https://t.me/United24media/42982
🤡 The International Fencing Federation (FIE) has lifted all sanctions on Russian representatives and reinstated them to international fencing competitions.
Sochi hotels are entering the summer season with a sharp decline in occupancy rates amid environmental problems in the Black Sea and regular drone attacks, The Moscow Times reports.
Despite noticeably lower prices, the resort has yet to attract tourists in large numbers. According to the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR), accommodation prices fell by more than 15% in May, but only 25–30% of hotel rooms had been booked for the summer season.