Mysterious Drone Flies Over Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II As He Delivers Sallah Message In Kano

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By George Oshogwe Ogbolu

A tense moment unfolded at the Kano Government House on Sunday when a drone accidentally fell near Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II while he was delivering a speech during his Sallah homage to the state government.

The incident, which was caught on video and circulated widely on social media, led to immediate speculation, with some suggesting that the emir had been stoned. However, eyewitness accounts and a statement from the drone operator have since clarified the situation.

According to Salim Ameenu, the drone operator responsible for the device, the drone lost control due to a low battery and inadvertently crashed near the emir.

In a statement shared on social media Monday, Ameenu apologized to the emir, emphasizing that the incident was entirely accidental.

“Yesterday, I unintentionally flew my drone over His Royal Highness during his speech at Hawan Nasarawa. Due to a low battery, I lost control of the drone, and unfortunately, it fell near His Royal Highness,” he explained.

Ameenu also commended Emir Sanusi’s calm response: “What happened has only strengthened my admiration for HRH’s composure and bravery. His Royal Highness simply glanced at the drone and continued his speech without hesitation — a true display of courage and grace under pressure.”

According to eyewitness reports, the incident gained additional traction due to the heightened political tension in Kano, where two emirs currently claim legitimacy. Emir Sanusi, who was dethroned by former governor Abdullahi Ganduje and replaced by Aminu Ado Bayero, was recently reinstated by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf. The development has triggered legal battles and divided public opinion.

NAIJANEWS

“No offering goes to heaven, it is men that spend it” – Pastor Abel Damina

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Abel Damina, founder and president of Abel Damina Ministries International (ADMI), has stirred fresh controversy with his assertion that church offerings and tithes are not given to God.

The outspoken preacher made the statement in a viral video clip from a Sunday service sermon, a platform where such bold and provocative remarks are rarely aired.

He declared, “No offering goes to heaven; men spend it every time we gather offerings in this church. All the offerings we give to God go to men.”

Damina has built a reputation for challenging mainstream Christian doctrines, especially those he believes manipulate believers’ perceptions.

In January 2025, he caused a stir online when he taught that smoking and drinking are not sins in Christianity.

Meanwhile, during Sunday’s viral sermon, Damina went further to suggest that some pastors distort the purpose of tithes and offerings to influence the thinking of their congregants.

“Even those tithe mongers that say when you pay tithe, the doors of heaven will open, the doors have been opened since Jesus rose from the dead, the doors have never been closed. They are just working on people’s minds,” he said.

He also addressed backlash over his views on tithing.

“I heard some of them saying I am evil because I said you should not pay tithe, that ‘he and his children would pay tithe’. He has to talk like that to keep collecting from people.” The preacher claimed that “people won’t keep giving him if he doesn’t talk like that.”

Damina further alleged that many pastors who demand tithes from their followers do not practice what they preach.

“And I won’t be surprised if he is not paying tithes to anybody. Most of them are greedy; they collect from everybody but they don’t pay anybody. I was there. There is nothing you will tell me that I don’t know because there is nothing new under the sun,” he said.

Trump administration steps up immigration crackdown with LA raids, NY courthouse arrests

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Masked and armed federal agents carried out sweeping immigration raids in Los Angeles Friday, while others pounced on migrants at a New York courthouse, in forceful displays of US President Donald Trump’s crackdown on people without papers.

From courthouses to hardware store parking lots in two of the most diverse cities in the world, federal agents wrestled migrants into handcuffs and unmarked vehicles.

Agents used extreme tactics, conducting unprecedented raids on at least three areas of Los Angeles to detain dozens of people.

At one sweep less than two miles from Los Angeles City Hall, agents threw flash-bang grenades to disperse angry crowds of people following alongside a convoy of ICE vehicles, as protesters hurled eggs and epithets at the agents, media reported.

- ‘Terror’ –

“As a Mayor of a proud city of immigrants, who contribute to our city in so many ways, I am deeply angered by what has taken place,” LA Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement.

“These tactics sow terror in our communities and disrupt basic principles of safety in our city.”

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, who grew up in LA’s Santa Monica community, responded on X, insisting that Bass had “no say in this at all.”

“Federal law is supreme and federal law will be enforced.”

Service Employees International Union leader David Huerta was among those briefly detained in Los Angeles.

“Hard-working people, and members of our family and our community, are being treated like criminals,” Huerta said in a statement after his release.

Homeland Security Investigations spokesperson Yasmeen Pitts O’Keefe told the Los Angeles Times that federal agents were executing search warrants related to the harboring of people illegally in the country.

As the sun set in Los Angeles, broadcaster ABC7 reported a growing standoff as hundreds of protesters marched downtown to demand the release of detainees, where police officers in riot gear ordered them to disperse.

- NY courthouse arrests –

Across the country in New York, US agents in plainclothes pounced on two immigrants in the hallway of a New York courthouse Friday.

AFP saw the officers yell for the men not to move before forcing them to lay face-down on the ground as they were cuffed and arrested.

It was not immediately clear exactly why these two men were arrested.

Trump was elected to a second term with broad support for his promise to crack down hard on the entry and presence of undocumented migrants.

In recent weeks ICE agents have intensified such operations in and around American immigration courts.

After Trump swept back into power in January, the Department of Homeland Security revoked regulations that limited agents’ access to protected areas like the courts.

One of the men arrested in New York was a 34-year-old Dominican named Joaquin Rosario who arrived in the United States a year ago, registered as he came in, and who had his first immigration hearing Friday, a relative named Julian Rosario said.

“He was at ease. He did not think anything was going to happen,” the relative said, adding that Rosario was so unworried he had not brought his lawyer with him.

The other detainee looked to be Asian. He arrived accompanied only by one of many immigration advocacy group volunteers who walk immigrants to and from the courtroom.

The volunteers screamed out as the agents arrested the two men, but it did nothing to halt the raid.

- ‘Sound the alarm’ –

Human rights groups are outraged by these operations, arguing that they sap trust in the courts and make immigrants wary of showing up for appointments as they try to gain US residency.

“They’re illegal abductions,” said Karen Ortiz, herself a court employee who was demonstrating Friday against these sudden arrests of migrants.

“We need to sound the alarm and show the public how serious this is and one way we can do that is actually physically putting ourselves between a masked ICE agent and someone they’re trying to detain and send away,” she told AFP.

Since returning to power Trump has dramatically tested the limits of executive power to crack down on foreigners without papers, arguing that the United States is being invaded by criminals and other undesirables.

AFP

“Our women prefer Nigerian husbands” — Kenyan President Ruto ‘concerned’

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By Ismail

Kenyan President William Ruto has expressed concerns about the growing number of Kenyan women marrying Nigerian men, including his own daughters.

Speaking at a recent wedding event, Ruto humorously reflected on what he called a noticeable trend, revealing that two of his daughters have married Nigerian men.

With a tone of playful concern, he questioned why Kenyan men seem to be falling behind in the romantic race.

“My daughter is married to a Nigerian, and this one is now married to a Nigerian. And our guys around; I don’t know, are you slow? I don’t know,” the president quipped.

Ruto went on to jokingly warn that if the trend continues, Kenya might face a “brain drain,” as more women choose Nigerian partners.

The comment, while delivered in jest, has stirred discussions on social media across both Kenya and Nigeria.

An Instagram user, @folajimijoseph wrote, “I was in the elevator with a Brazilian tourist in New York, she asked where I’m from, the moment I mentioned Nigeria there was this glow on her face. Then she said “I love Nigerians”. Nigerian men are gold worldwide.”

Another user, @xrixy_walker added, “Nigerian men keep representin’. The most highly sought after men in the world. ???.”

@chukwunonsoinoma penned: “The men should come and marry Nigerian ladies. We have great women that will help build the economy of Kenya and make great impacts.”

Watch the video below …

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GISTREEL

PRESIDENT BOLA TINUBU - TWO YEARS OF CHALLENGING ECONOMIC REFORMS

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By Yahaya Balogun

In his timeless book, "The Trouble with Nigeria," the late Professor Chinua Achebe poignantly pointed out that the core issue plaguing Nigeria arises "simply and squarely" from a deficit in leadership. Dismissing the leadership and two years of progress and contributions President Bola Ahmed Tinubu made would be disingenuous and preposterous. President Tinubu's meticulous strategy for governance reveals a leader who had come prepared and ready to embrace the demanding challenge of leading the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The ongoing discourse surrounding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's turbulent two-year tenure, marked by extensive governmental reforms and renewed hope and optimism, warrants serious attention. It is indisputable that his socio-economic initiatives fundamentally rethink government operations in Nigeria. Nonetheless, a critical inquiry arises: How many ordinary Nigerians are truly reaping the benefits of these socio-economic reforms and transformations?

While it is accurate to acknowledge that certain statements from the administration regarding statistical achievements present a degree of truth—of which I am convinced, supported by numerous examples—the reality is that these assertions have not effectively translated into noticeable enhancements in the overall living conditions of the populace. Despite the veracity of these claims, their real-world impact on citizens' daily lives remains regrettably limited.

Consequently, I find myself at a juncture similar to that of many discerning individuals; our considerations regarding the reasons for this disparity are equally legitimate. We are left contemplating why, despite the potential for beneficial change, there has been a lack of substantial progress that improves the living standards for the majority. This intricate scenario compels us to scrutinize the efficiency of the existing systems and whether they genuinely fulfill the needs of those they are designed to assist.

To assess governmental policy achievements, it is essential to identify and evaluate six significant existential factors, among others below: 

• Tinubu's administration must implement an impactful and commendable policy aimed at identifying people's needs. It should be called Public Bureau of Access and Transparency (PBAT). This policy needs to resonate deeply within the lives of the underprivileged communities in Nigerian society. It is crucial that this suggested and well-intentioned initiative not only remains a lofty ideal to be discussed in boardrooms or legislative halls but manifests tangible, positive changes in the everyday realities of those facing socio-economic hardships. 

• PBAT's administration must continue with its comprehensive approach to security, encompassing many strategies, methodologies, and technologies designed to enhance public safety and maintain law and order. It must involve not only the deployment of law enforcement agencies but also the collaboration between various sectors, including community organizations, educational institutions, and private enterprises, all working together to foster a safer environment.

• The government holds a profound responsibility not only to its own mechanisms and institutions but also to the very citizens it serves. This accountability is a cornerstone of a functioning democracy, anchoring the trust between the ruling authorities and the populace. It embodies a complex relationship wherein elected officials, public servants, and civil institutions are bound by a duty to operate transparently, ensuring that their actions and decisions reflect the interests and needs of the community.

• Equitable and prudent distribution of scarce resources to meet the needs of the disadvantaged population.

• The uniform application of justice, equity, and fairness among citizens, irrespective of geopolitical factors, would reinstate confidence and trust in the equal branches of government.

• A broad transformation of Nigeria’s varied cultural, religious, and political landscapes is essential, along with the necessity for all diligent Nigerians to re-engage with agriculture and commerce.

• Enhancement of the government's initiatives aimed at achieving both immediate and enduring success in revitalizing the economy and fulfilling the aspirations of the populace.

Straying from these suggested solutions could prolong the hardships faced by the people of Nigeria. The everyday Nigerian is entitled to relief from the nation's abundant resources. Those living in poverty should be able to feel the positive changes in the economy, experiencing rejuvenation and reforms that truly benefit every citizen.

‘Disgusting abomination,’ Elon Musk slams Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’

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Elon Musk has launched a scathing attack on President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” calling the sweeping legislative package a “disgusting abomination” and denouncing those who supported it in Congress.

“Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it,” Musk said.

The billionaire Tesla and SpaceX CEO posted his rebuke on X  Tuesday afternoon, expressing frustration with what he described as excessive and irresponsible federal spending.

“I’m sorry, but I just can’t stand it anymore. This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination”, Musk wrote.

He continued: “Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it.”

The bill, which passed the House in May with near-unanimous Republican backing, includes provisions to cut Medicaid and extends tax cuts initially introduced during Trump’s 2017 term. The measure has already stirred debate among fiscal conservatives, and Musk’s comments are amplifying the tension.

During a weekly lunch on Capitol Hill, GOP senators were reportedly passing Musk’s post around. Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, a known fiscal hawk, acknowledged its rapid spread among colleagues.

“I texted it to a few people. I had a phone passed to me”, Johnson said.

While Musk had previously voiced his disappointment with the bill in a recent interview, his latest statements marked a notable escalation. The remarks come as Musk officially steps away from his advisory role in the Trump administration.

On Friday, Musk appeared alongside Trump at a press conference to commemorate his service. Trump praised Musk warmly and dismissed suggestions of discord between them.

Despite that public show of unity, Musk’s economic criticisms have not softened. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget estimates that the legislation could balloon the national deficit by $2.5 trillion over the next decade.

“It will massively increase the already gigantic budget deficit to $2.5 trillion (!!!) and burden America citizens with crushingly unsustainable debt,” Musk warned in a follow-up post. 

He added: “Congress is making America bankrupt.”

As the bill moves to the Senate, GOP lawmakers are under pressure to make adjustments. Senator Mike Lee of Utah responded to Musk’s post directly, stating, “The Senate must make this bill better.”

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the controversy during a briefing held shortly after Musk’s posts.

“The president already knows where Elon Musk stood on this bill. It doesn’t change the President’s opinion. This is one big beautiful bill, and he’s sticking to it,” Leavitt said.

In a moment that quickly circulated online, Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy asked how Trump would react to Musk’s scathing remarks. 

Leavitt reiterated: “The President already knows where Elon Musk stood on this bill. It doesn’t change.”

Musk’s critiques date back weeks. In a CBS interview, he noted the bill’s conflict with the goals of the DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency), an agency he had supported.

“I was like, disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, not just decrease it, and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing. I think a bill can be big, or it could be beautiful. I don’t know if it could be both”, Musk said.

(Business Insider)

Why Elon Musk Is A Fraud

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Flashback: Israel Forcibly Injected African Immigrants with Birth Control, Report Claims

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By Elise Knutsen 

Recently, a report revealing that African women immigrating to Israel were subjected to mandatory contraceptive injections, effectively amounting to forced (if temporary) sterilization made global headlines.

Some 130,000 Ethiopians, most of them Falasha (Beta Israel) Jews, live in Israel. The community experiences higher poverty and unemployment rates than the rest of the country’s Jewish population. In the past decade, the birth rate among Ethiopian-Israelis has declined by at least 20 percent. Advocacy groups now claim this decline is the result of a birth control regimen forced upon Ethiopian immigrant women.

According to an article in Haaretz, an Israeli news source, one Ethiopian immigrant said that the doctors who injected her claimed that “people who frequently give birth suffer.” While it is possible, if highly unlikely, that doctors genuinely had the women’s health in mind when they forcibly injected them with contraceptives, there is no excuse for depriving women sovereignty over their own reproductive choices.

Israel has acknowledged the issue (without admitting any wrongdoing) and has vowed institutional changes in healthcare for immigrants. By decree of Israel’s health minister, gynecologists have been ordered “not to renew prescriptions for Depo-Provera for women of Ethiopian origin if for any reason there is concern that they might not understand the ramifications of the treatment.” Still, intense scrutiny should be applied by women’s groups and international organizations to make sure these changes are implemented in full. Moreover, more attention must be paid to the plight of vulnerable African immigrants around the world.

That Israel should allegedly engage in this activity is particularly shocking, considering the practice was widely used by the Germans throughout the Shoah. While the scale and effects of these operations cannot be compared, Israel’s implicit intent to limit ‘burdensome’ (read: undesirable) portions of the population recalls the dark eugenics experiments of World War II.

Immigration, legal and otherwise, is a difficult and invariably sticky issue for developed nations. Israel, like the United States, has struggled to find a way to secure its borders and its population while dealing with a constant stream of immigrants from neighboring countries and, increasingly, the African continent. While admitting the difficult security issues that Israel faces, the international community must loudly and unanimously rebuke the systematic violations of human rights inflicted on women immigrants of African origin.

From a sociological perspective, this incident shows the strain between Israel’s religious heritage and its modern political agenda. “Behold, the heritage of the Lord is sons, the reward is the fruit of the innards. Like arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are the sons of one’s youth.  Praiseworthy is the man who has filled his quiver with them,” the Torah proclaims. The involuntary sterilization of African immigrants suggests that the Jewish moral code (inextricably connected with Israel’s domestic legal codes) can be selectively applied to those with ‘desirable’ backgrounds. It is hard, indeed almost impossible to believe that an American Jewish woman immigrating to Israel would have been forced to take birth control.

FORBES

Flashback: Black lives matter; All lives matter

CC™ Breaking Bread - E.O. Eke 

The horrific suffocation of George Floyd, by the knee of Officer Derek Chauvin in Minneapolis, has not only shocked and enraged the world it has once again brought the surface the degree of hatred, prejudice and wickedness inspired by race that still exist in the hearts of some human beings.

George Floyd is the latest addition to a gallery of victims of US police brutality, against black peoples: Eric Garner, Walter Scott, Tamir Rice, Philando Castile and Freddie Gray, are examples of black men who have been murdered by American police.

In spite of outrage like the one we are witnessing today, black people continue to suffer prejudiced treatment in the hands of some white people and institutions in many white dominated countries.

The killing of Mr Floyd by a group of white American police men is a heinous and despicable crime which offends humanity.

I would like to say that it is not only blacks in America that are suffering the kind of injustice that led to the death of George Floyd . In Nigeria, police brutality of the type that claimed the life of George Floyd is routine and currently there is a Fulani knee on the neck of Nigerians.

On 7 and 8 June, 2005, six young Nigerians, 5 men and one woman of Igbo extraction, Ekene Isaac Mgbe, Ifeanyin Ozor, Chinedu Meniru, Paulinus Ogbonna and Anthony and Augustina Arebu were murdered in cold blood by members of Nigerian police led by Deputy Commissioner of Police Danjuma Ibrahim. Mr Danjuma is still wearing the uniform of the Nigerian police.

In July 16 2019, Mr Chinedu Obi, aka ‘Zinquest’ an Igbo was arrested by the Nigerian Police for being covered in tattoos, wearing a gold chain and in possession of an expensive I-phone.The police shot him and then watched him bleed to death. These are just two examples from many.

These crimes against humanity continue to take place because the Fulani caliphate hijacked Nigeria, through a rouge constitution after the civil war.

What else can I say, when the game keeper is the poacher? What hope has the sheep, when the Shepard is a wolf? What future has Nigeria, when the Nigerian government is on the side of Fulani terrorists?

In Nigeria it is one rule for Fulanis and another for others. Fulani terrorists masquerading as cattle rearers carry AK 47 openly in Nigeria, but the police arrests others with legal gun licence because they are from other ethnic groups. The Buhari government has pursued a policy of disarming ordinary Nigerians, while aiding Fulani terrorists to arm.

Fulani terrorists are free to operate from their bases in forests, where they are supplied with Nigerian military helicopters and the world looks on.

White police officers kills one black man, thirty cities in America erupt in violence, but Fulani terrorists wipe out villages after villages in Nigeria, and the Nigerian government, press and the world keep silent. Yes, it is right to protest against evils of the type claimed the life of George Floyd, but evil has no colour. Evil is pervasive.

I am forced to as; does black life matter, only when white People kill blacks? Does black life matter when black youth kill black youth in London? Does black matter when police from Islamic north Nigeria kill Christians southerners because of who they are? Who cares about the hundreds being killed daily in Nigeria by Fulani terrorists? Are they not black lives?

What can I say. Nigerians cry on. Maybe, one day, Nigerians will wake up from magical thinking and realise that people create their own heaven or hell and no people can progress, unless they take control and commit to change, evil will win.

I suppose Black people should also fight against tribalism, toxic ethnic nationalism, corruption, religious intolerance and terrorism. This is the way to demonstrate that indeed, Black livers matter.

The white knee on the neck of black George Floyd black neck made it impossible for him to breathe and he died while the other police men and many others stood by.

In a time like this, it is easy to forget who is a racist. A racist is not only a white police Officer with his knee on the neck of a black man.

It is any human being who restricts his goodness, justice and love to people of his race, religion, nationality and or ethnicity.

It is a person, who narrowly defines his goodness and finds good reasons to exclude others from it.

Whenever a human being finds good reason to do to others, what he or she would not want others to do him, members of his family and or ethnic and religious group, that individual is a racist, who has a suffocating knee on the neck of his victim.

A racist is a person who opposes a relationship because of tribal or ethnic and or religious differences.

A racist is a person who refuses to employ another on the basis of ethnicity, gender or religion.

A racist is a human being who discriminates on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, disability and sexual orientation.

A racist is a prejudiced human being eaten up by hatred of those, who are different.

How does a man with a knee on his neck get up? While his knee was on my neck you passed by.

While his knee was on my neck, you looked away. While his knee was on my neck, you called me a criminal and a "nigger." While his knee was on my neck, what did you do? Indeed, all lives matter.

All lives matter. The colour of evil is not white. There are evil black and white peoples.

Every week in London, a black youth kills another black youth. White people spearheaded the abolition of slavery and many black peoples were involved in the slave trade. They sold blacks to whites as slaves. I have experienced evil from both whites and blacks. Evil has no colour.

It is important not to judge a race by the actions of a few people from the race. In the final analysis we are all belong to the human race and are individuals who are responsible for our actions.

If we are prepared to ascribe the evil of one individual to his race, we should also be ready to ascribe the goodness of another individual to his race.

We need to see people as individuals before the colour of their skin. We need to dig deeper. All lives matter do matter.

Freedom only comes when men reject the status quo and take control.

People overcome tyranny when they rise up to oppose evil and wrong, whenever they see it, no matter who is the victim.

It is time to demonstrate that Nigerian lives matter. It is time to end Fulani terrorism and police and, military brutality in Nigeria.

All lives matter. No one should have his knee on the neck of anther human being. End racism and ethnic nationalism, and terrorism. Embrace equality under the law and justice as fairness for all. All lives matter.

Putin warns West it is leading the world towards a potential nuclear confrontation

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President Vladimir Putin has warned of a “real” risk of nuclear war if the West escalates the conflict in Ukraine, offering a defiant and emboldened stance in his annual speech to Russians.

Speaking in Moscow, Putin said his soldiers were advancing in Ukraine and warned the West of “tragic consequences” for any country that dared to send troops to Kyiv.

They have announced the possibility of sending Western military contingents to Ukraine. The consequences for possible interventionists will be much more tragic,” he said in his address to the nation.

“They should eventually realise that we also have weapons that can hit targets on their territory. Everything that the West comes up with creates the real threat of a conflict with the use of nuclear weapons, and thus the destruction of civilisation,” said Putin.

His comments appeared to be a response to French President Emmanuel Macron’s refusal earlier this week to rule out sending troops to Ukraine — a stance that drew swift rejection from other leaders in Europe.

Nevertheless, the debate has struck a nerve in Moscow, which has long seen its conflict with Ukraine as part of a wider “hybrid war” being waged against it by NATO.

Western leaders have repeatedly criticised Putin for what they see as his reckless use of nuclear rhetoric.

After pulling Russia out of arms control treaties with the United States and previously warning he was “not bluffing” when he said he was ready to use nuclear weapons, Putin had appeared in recent months to dial down his nuclear threats.

But the fresh warning comes with the Kremlin buoyed by recent gains on the battlefield in Ukraine, but also an economy that has largely defied sanctions and ahead of an election certain to extend Putin’s term in the Kremlin until 2030.

- Russian forces ‘advancing’ -

The current state of affairs marks a sharp reversal in fortunes for Moscow over the last 12 months.

Last year at this time, Russian troops were reeling from Ukrainian counteroffensives that pushed them back in northeastern and southern Ukraine.

But after a Ukrainian campaign in the summer of 2023 failed to bring similar results, Kyiv is back on the defensive.

The initially strong Western support for Ukraine also appears to be fraying, with a $60-billion US aid package stalled in Congress.

Outgunning Ukrainian forces on the battlefield, Putin’s troops seized the eastern stronghold of Avdiivka and are attempting to build on their advances.

Putin on Thursday pointed to recent successes.

“The combat capacity of our armed forces has increased many times over,” he said.

“They are advancing confidently in a number of areas,” he added, without providing details.

Flanked by Russian tricolour flags and standing alone on stage at the Gostiny Dvor Palace near Moscow’s Red Square, the Russian leader reeled off his country’s arsenal of advanced weapons, including the Zircon and Kinzhal supersonic missiles.

But he slammed reports Russia was preparing to deploy a nuclear weapon in space as a “ploy” by Washington to draw Moscow into arms control talks “on their terms”.

- Election campaign -

Putin also touted Russia’s strong economic performance at home and outlined a number of small-scale domestic reforms as part of his pitch to Russians ahead of next month’s presidential election.

His speech was broadcast not only on state television but also on large digital screens and free of charge in cinemas across the country.

On the economic front, he said Russia was faring better than many expected.

Massive investment in military production, as well as high salaries and benefits for soldiers, has largely shielded the economy from the worst consequences of Western sanctions.

There is little doubt on the outcome of the March 15-17 vote, with all genuine opposition candidates barred from standing and the Kremlin’s most vocal critic Alexei Navalny now dead.

But Putin has still been campaigning, traveling around the country and making numerous media appearances since the start of the year, including recently flying a Russian bomber.

The 71-year-old former KGB officer, in power since the final day of 1999, is the longest serving Russian leader since Joseph Stalin — a record he is set to pass during his next six-year term.

Even before Putin ordered forces into Ukraine in February 2022, he had increasingly portrayed himself as a defender of Russian values against a decadent, liberal and expansionist West.

He has used the military campaign to escalate a crackdown on domestic opponents, with hundreds prosecuted for criticising the Kremlin and its military offensive.

The speech came on the eve of a planned funeral for Putin’s top opponent Navalny, who died in prison on 16 February in unclear circumstances.

Putin, who famously never referred to the opposition leader by name, has remained silent on Navalny’s shock death that prompted outrage at home and abroad.

AFP