INSIDE RUSSIA
Putin’s Message to the West at SPIEF: Your Dominance is Over – BRICS+ is the Future
In his speech at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum on Friday, Vladimir Putin touched on array of issues, from Western neocolonialism and emerging global power centers to Russia’s economic prospects and defense exports potential. Sputnik asked experts in each of these areas to share their thoughts.
The Russian president’s remarks at SPIEF about the need for a new model of development free of “golden billion” neocolonialism “is based on the observation of the world balances of power that have unfolded since the US financial crisis of 2008,” veteran Brussels-based geopolitical analyst Paolo Raffone told Sputnik.
“Today the emerging countries have emerged to the extent of being comparable individually (China) or collectively (BRICS+) to overcome Western countries. [Putin’s] remarks are addressed to the US, but are also a warning to the European former powers that still have not abandoned the outdated path of eurocentrism,” Raffone explained.
Putin’s comments are geopolitical realism boiled down to its essence, “calling to rethink the national and international policies for the economy as well as security,” Raffone said.
The Russian president isn’t alone in his thinking, the observer pointed out, highlighting Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto’s bombshell remarks this week about the EU and NATO’s loss of relevance, total dependence on China, and failure to engage diplomatically with the Global South.
Russia’s Resilience Exposes Western Policymakers’ ‘Shocking’ Incompetence
Western leaders became the “victims of their [own] stilted paradigm” about Russia and its economy, retired Jawaharlal Nehru University professor and Russia expert Dr. Anuradha Chenoy told Sputnik, commenting on Putin’s remarks relating to Russia’s emergence as the 4th largest economy globally, and the largest in Europe.
Treating Russia as a glorified “gas station” with no prospects for development, and slapping it with a severe, unilateral sanctions regime in 2022, the West expected the Russian economy and ruble to collapse.
Instead, “the opposite happened,” Chenoy said, with the state, banks and industry leveraging finances generated from oil wealth to ramp up domestic production and generate growth. The West’s theories failed, as have their attempts to isolate Russia.
“In fact, Russia now has turned to China, BRICS countries and the Global South, which will be their long-term partner. The West and its policies of unfair terms if trade, use of threat and force” ended up isolating them, not Russia, the veteran academic emphasized.
“I am shocked at the great lack of collective knowledge and information [on the part] of the West, and their institutions,” Chenoy said, highlighting that Russia’s immense natural resources, the rebuilding of industry and infrastructure have been obvious to Russia watchers for decades.
The Future of Russian Defense Exports
“Russia will surely reestablish itself as one of the foremost exporters of arms in the world in the coming years,” former Swedish Armed Forces officer and military analyst Mikael Valtersson told Sputnik, commenting on Putin’s mention of Russian plans to expand defense cooperation with friendly countries.
“The fast Russian adaptation to the needs at the battlefield and a strong Russian comeback in Ukraine has put an end to western dreams of the elimination of Russia as a strong competitor in the global arms market,” Valtersson said, highlighting the competitive edge Russia has honed from its experiences, including:
battle-proven, upgraded weaponry. “This is especially important when it comes to air, missile, drone and EW-technology,” according to the observer.
a “very large capacity to produce weapons quickly for the global military market…a capability the Western countries lack.”
readiness to allow buyers to freely use the advanced weapons they purchase, without secret kill switches or other restrictions
Valtersson expects these factors to strengthen Russia’s position in the Global South, and in turn to threaten Western arms exports, especially Europe’s.
“Europe will probably be forced to focus more on domestic sales within Europe, while the US must reduce restrictions and political demands in conjunction with arms exports. This might become even more acute in light of a growing hesitation to see the US as a reliable strategic partner by many countries,” Valtersson predicts.
NATO might try to preserve markets by pressuring countries against buying Russian arms, “but this strategy will quickly lose power since Western economic power is diminishing,” the observer said, emphasizing that economic power translates into political power. While BRICS accounted for 12% of GDP in 2000, it’s over 40% today.
Russian President’s Latest Statements on Ukraine and Iran-Israel Conflict
Russian President Vladimir Putin gave an exclusive interview to Sky News Arabia, touching upon the Ukraine conflict and the ongoing escalation between Israel and Iran.
On Ukraine
Third parties are not interested in ending the conflict – they are interested in using Ukraine for their own purposes.
“Ukraine deserves a better fate than to be a tool in the hands of external parties working against Russia.”
It is essential to achieve a comprehensive resolution to the conflict in Ukraine – one that guarantees the country’s neutrality and halts its pursuit of membership in foreign alliances, particularly military blocs.
Ukraine must renounce any pursuit of nuclear weapons – a vital step towards lasting regional stability.
Russia insists that Ukraine recognize the outcomes of the referendums held in the four new Russian regions, warning that ignoring these results “means there is a chance of resuming armed conflict.”
Russia and Ukraine were close to reaching an agreement during the 2022 Istanbul talks. Ukraine’s current leaders should be “guided by national interests, not the interests of third parties.”
Outstanding humanitarian issues need to be resolved between the two sides within the framework of any future political settlement.
On Iran
Reaffirmed Russia’s support for Iran’s right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, adding that “we are ready to provide the necessary support.”
There are still issues where agreement can and should be reached, particularly in ongoing negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program.
Amid the escalating conflict, “flexibility must be shown in the negotiations by Iran and Israel. There are ways and means to find solutions to this issue.”
Pointed out that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) “has not found evidence indicating that Iran possesses or seeks to possess such weapons.” •
Reiterated Russia’s opposition to the spread of weapons of mass destruction, emphasizing Iran’s adoption of a resolution banning the use of nuclear arms as a critical step that deserves serious recognition.
Russia has repeatedly informed Israeli leaders that Iran is not seeking nuclear weapons, underlining the need for open dialogue to allay regional concerns and promote collective security.
Russia’s Response to Ukraine’s Potential Use of Dirty Bomb Will Be Catastrophic For Kiev: Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed hope that the Kiev regime would never resort to using a dirty bomb against Russia.
“I hope it will never come to that,” he said during the plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).
🚨 Russia’s response to Ukraine’s potential use of a dirty bomb will be CATASROPHIC for Kiev — Putin
‘This could be the last mistake Ukrainian neo-Nazis would make.’ pic.twitter.com/RuqgclvebO
— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) June 20, 2025
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Russia’s response to Ukraine’s use of a dirty bomb would be catastrophic, expressing hope that it would never come to that.
“In our nuclear doctrine, both common sense and the practice of our actions always dictate that we respond to all threats created against us in a mirrored way. Therefore, our response will be very harsh and, most likely, catastrophic, both for the neo-Nazi regime and, unfortunately, for Ukraine itself. I hope it will never come to that,” Putin said.
Ex-Russian president issues nuclear warning to Kiev
Moscow would use tactical nuclear weapons if Kiev creates and uses a dirty bomb, ex-Russian President Dmitry Medvedev warns
The use of a dirty bomb by Kiev would trigger a devastating response from Moscow, including tactical nuclear weapons, Dmitry Medvedev, the former Russian president and deputy head of the country’s Security Council, has said.
Medvedev issued the warning on Saturday, stating that the “possible attempts by the enemy to create and use a so-called dirty bomb” would meet a “proportional” response from Moscow.
”With what? With a clean bomb: Tactical nuclear weapons. We have enough of them,” Medvedev wrote on Telegram.
”I will keep silent about the consequences for future life and the environment. But the sick perverts in Kiev with their twisted imagination should have a good idea of it. Let them take a walk in the Chernobyl exclusion zone and watch those colorful TV series,” he added, apparently referring to the HBO miniseries.
The topic of the possible use of a dirty bomb by Ukraine was brought up on Friday during a Q&A session with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. Putin said it would be Kiev’s “final mistake” and would have “catastrophic” consequences for Ukraine.
”Our response will be very harsh and, most likely, catastrophic for both the neo-Nazi regime and, unfortunately, for Ukraine itself. I hope that they will never come to that,” Putin said, adding that Moscow currently has no evidence that Kiev is attempting to create and use a dirty bomb.
Over the course of the Ukraine conflict, Medvedev has repeatedly brought up the topic of dirty bombs, saying the Ukrainian authorities might ultimately resort to the use of one. A dirty bomb is a crude device that combines conventional explosives with nuclear material and is intended to heavily pollute and irradiate the target area rather than directly causing destruction through the blast.
In February, the former Russian leader suggested that Ukraine could use a dirty bomb, including in a false-flag attack to frame Moscow, in order to derail the negotiation process. Vladimir Zelensky could “create any provocation to upend a settlement and prolong the war to the last Ukrainian,” Medvedev warned.
The Ukrainian leader “will use any means within his reach, including attacks against his own cities and civilian population or even using weapons of mass destruction such as a dirty bomb,” the former president said at the time.
OUTSIDE RUSSIA
BRICS launches ambitious development drive
The economic bloc is rolling out joint projects in energy, aerospace and AI, the Russian president has told SPIEF
BRICS countries have launched large‑scale joint projects in nuclear power, aviation, AI and other sectors, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said.
The economic group is “setting the bar in the development of so-called human-centric industries,” Putin noted, speaking on Friday at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
The group is mobilizing “major projects to improve the living environment” and “implementing large-scale initiatives in nuclear energy and aviation, in the field of new materials and the IT industry, in robotics and artificial intelligence,” the Russian president said.
BRICS was initially established in 2006 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, with South Africa joining in 2010. In 2024, the bloc extended full membership to Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and, later, Indonesia. Over 30 more nations have applied to join the group.
The collective trade turnover of BRICS nations has “already exceeded a trillion dollars and continues to grow,” Putin told a SPIEF plenary session.
The Russian leader underlined the platform’s core principles – consensus, parity, mutual interest, and openness – saying it will strengthen as more countries join.
“Russia invites partners to contribute to shaping a new global growth model, to jointly ensure the prosperity of our countries and the stable development of the entire world for many, many years to come,” he said.
Today’s global challenges require a global response, Putin stressed.
“Solving problems alone, especially at someone else’s expense, is simply impossible – it is an illusion. Only joint actions within an organization such as BRICS and some other formats can ensure the movement of the entire civilization forward,” the president told the gathering.
This year, SPIEF has drawn participants from 137 countries and territories, including global leaders, major corporations, international organizations, and policy experts.
SPECIAL MILITARY OPERATION IN UKRAINE
Russian Assault Troops Raise Flags After Clearing and Demining Zaporozhye Settlement
The Russian armed forces took control of the village of Zaporozhye in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) in the past day, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Saturday.
“Battlegroup Vostok continued advancing to the depth of the enemy’s defenses and, as a result of decisive actions, liberated Zaporozhye (Donetsk People’s Republic),” the ministry said in a statement.
Russia’s Battlegroup Tsentr has eliminated up to 515 Ukrainian troops over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
“The Ukrainian forces losses amounted to up to 515 troops, five armored fighting vehicles, three pickup trucks, and one artillery gun,” the ministry said.
According to the Defense Ministry, Battlegroup Tsentr occupied more advantageous positions, defeated formations of three mechanized, two air assault brigades of the Ukrainian armed forces, a marine brigade and two territorial defense brigades in the Donetsk People’s Republic.
On Saturday night, the Russian army launched a strike on a Ukrainian military airfield and a fuel and energy complex facility, the ministry said.
“At night, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation delivered a group strike by air-, ground-, and sea-based precision weapons and attack drones at infrastructure of a military airfield and a facility of the fuel-energy complex, which provides fuel for the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Donbas. The goal of the strike was achieved. All the assigned targets were engaged,” the ministry said.
Russia’s Battlegroup Sever has eliminated up to 160 Ukrainian servicepeople, two armored fighting vehicles, four field artillery guns and an ammunition depot. Battlegroup Vostok has eliminated more than 200 Ukrainian soldiers, three armored fighting vehicles, and two artillery guns.
Russia’s Battlegroup Yug has eliminated over 180 Ukrainian soldiers, a tank, an armored fighting vehicle, two field artillery guns, an electronic warfare station and four materiel depots.
Russia’s Battlegroup Zapad has eliminated over 220 soldiers, a tank, two armored fighting vehicles, two artillery guns, including a 155mm US-made M777 howitzer, and four ammunition depots, the ministry added.
INSIGHTS
Prosecutors to present final arguments in first African Nobel Peace Prize winner’s murder case
Prosecutors have until October to deliver closing arguments in the alleged 1967 murder of Inkosi Albert Luthuli by apartheid-era officials
South African National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) advocates have been given four months to give Judge Nompumelelo Radebe a convincing argument that Inkosi Albert Luthuli was killed by apartheid operatives, not a goods train as was officially found soon after he died in 1967.
Advocates Ncedile Dunywa, Annah Chuene, Siyabonga Ngcobo, and Xolani Msimango concluded, leading several people with evidence on June 11.
Since the beginning of the inquest at the Pietermaritzburg High Court on April 14, the advocates have led an array of witnesses with evidence.
Those who testified included South African Police (SAPS) members, Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) officials, scene reconstruction and simulation experts, forensic analysts, medical evidence, family members of Chief Luthuli, anti-apartheid activists, and friends of Luthuli.
Former justice minister Jeff Radebe also testified.
The matter was postponed from June 11 to October 13, where the advocates would be given until October 16 to give closing arguments.
The same court also postponed on June 17 the inquest on the death of another struggle stalwart, Griffiths Mxenge, who was killed by stabbing in Umlazi on November 19, 1981, to October 9.
The Mxenge matter was first postponed on 14 April to give those who felt they might be implicated in his death, who were apartheid police officers at the time, a chance to apply for the government to provide them with legal representatives, as they were employed by the state when Mxenge was killed.
The court first postponed Mxenge’s matter to June 17, which was the holding date to establish if the officers had succeeded in finding lawyers.
On their return on June 17, the court heard that their applications to have the state-provided lawyers were still pending.
Since the beginning of Luthuli’s inquiry, scores of Luthuli’s family members, ANC leaders and supporters have been frequenting the court to hear what caused the death of the president-general of Africa’s biggest liberation movement and the Nobel Peace Prize winner.
Luthuli died at the age of 69 at the Stanger Hospital on July 21, 1967, hours after he was found with multiple head and upper-body injuries at the railway line Mvoti River bridge.
The inquest heard that even his death at the hospital was questionable because he was not afforded proper medical attention that could have saved his life.
The NPA instituted an inquiry as there were beliefs that the initial inquest conducted in September 1969 misled the public about the cause of his death.
Magistrate C.I. Boswell, who presided over the inquest at the Stanger Magistrate’s Court, had concluded that Luthuli had been hit by the goods steam train that was traveling to Durban as he was crossing the bridge to his sugarcane farm.
The report indicated that Luthuli might not have heard the train hooting or seen it coming, despite that it was approaching him from the front. Another theory was that Luthuli deliberately ignored the train to kill himself.
However, experts who testified before Judge Radebe indicated that Luthuli was likely attacked.
The experts were backed by the National Archives Advisory Council chairperson, Sibongile Mnyandu-Nzimande, who testified that her family member witnessed white men assaulting Luthuli with a shovel near the bridge where the train was stationed.
Mnyandu-Nzimande told the judge that her relative, who was a messenger transporting documents between Luthuli and her grandfather, was few days later taken away by police to state what he witnessed, but was never found again.
At the beginning of the inquest, Dunywa said the outcome of the inquest, held the same year Luthuli died, was not based on fact and evidence, “but rather on the suppression of justice aimed at ensuring that the perpetrators remained hidden and protected”.
He said Boswell wrote correspondence on August 4, 1967, preempting the outcome even before the evidence was presented before him.
Dunywa stated that Boswell communicated his written opinion to the Secretary of Justice that “I had to report that an inquest in connection with the death of Albert John Luthuli will be held at Stanger by me on 19 September 1967 at 10 am.
“From the report available at present, I do not expect the finding to be anything other than accidental. The cause of death furnished by the district sergeant might be questioned by the relatives, but I can not anticipate on what grounds the dispute is raised.”
