a with us for the economy, despite the predicted, collapsed devastation and catastrophe. nothing of the kind has happened here. the russian president vladimir putin speaking moments ago to the pressure of moscow saying the russian economy is strong and it should be confident in the next year as well. also saying that all of the objectives and the special military operation in ukraine will be achieved to right now we're following in the footsteps of the advance of the vitamin group. basically, we're go into the southwest and out of the city of tome, of school by a exclusively follows. wagner group 5 has today

a bond through i don't have script public city, it is one of the main hall sports and the ongoing conflict is ready. prime minister benjamin netanyahu analysis the formation of a new coalition. it is fueling speculation that the countries politics lurching further and further for the right with well, it's a pleasure to have you with us for this, our broadcast from moscow. of course, it's anti international. it has been a very busy day of developments with the russian president. so straight to the top story, now quote, the u. s. has long been trying to divide the post soviet world and influence ukraine. and that's from the russian president vladimir putin speaking. that a press conference after today's state council meeting, patricia scully, mores. can we now say that the u. s. is directly involved in the conflict? the u. s. has been dealing with this for a long time. it's been involved and trying to undermine has an influence ukraine

since soviet times our opponent civil was trying to divide us and then tried to manage the separate parts. nothing new there. the idea of ukrainian separatism was born a long time ago. oh i, let's talk about a put his remarks without he's don't quote are joining us live here in this thursday evening in the studio. great to see you dawn. so, i mean, honestly, i mean, a lot of really strong statements from the russian president, he anywhere from the economy to the defense industry. we'll get to the defense industry a bit later with the s m o. but when it comes to the economy, for example, and some of the highlights of the press conference, what do you have for? well, the russian president of course, spoke a lot about how the a west was trying to stoke the flames of nationalism and ukraine. long before the soviet union even collapsed, but the russian present also spoke a lot about the russian economy. of course, he said that it's fair to a lot better than many people in the west had predicted back in march in february of this year despite predictions that russian gdp would fall by double digits. it's

only actually fallen by 2.5 percent. and on top of that, indicators connected to unemployment and inflation had been kept very low as well. struck us if you can limit capacity economy despite the predicted claps, devastation and catastrophe, nothing of the kind as happened here. moreover, rushes indicate as a much better than many g 20 countries. this applies to the main macroeconomic indicators like g d p. yes, there was a slight drop. i said earlier that the drop is 2.9 percent according to international experts. but it's now less 2.5 percent. one of the main indicators around the world is the unemployment rate for us. it is at a lower level than pre pandemic. but then it was 4.7 percent. now it is 3.8 percent . our labor market is stable, our financial market is stable. i thought that one of the interesting thing said

a dodge, during this press conference was one of the, one of the questions from a member of the press. what was i? he asked, is russia running out of miss aisles in the conflict in ukraine, but also, ah, certain western partners and ukraine who are fighting russia there? are they running out of weapons as well? a, quite a lot was said about rushes. defense industry wasn't it? right. and it was also discussed alongside a one question that another journalist asked regarding the possibility of the u. s . supplying the key of regime with patriot missile systems. this is something that vladimir putin said, ok, let the west do that. because the patriot missile systems already outdated and it would take such a long amount of time for american troops or whoever to train ukrainian troops on how to use that. but in terms of the weapons stockpiles, like you were talking about before vladimir putin said, there is a huge difference between the ukrainian defense industry and the russian one. because while key of soviet, basically mainly soviet and weapons stockpiles,

they're actually already on the brink of running out while moscow has plans to actually increase its own stockpiles in the near future. we just now was suitable in january. russia will have a new frigates in combat service with new weapon systems. we are not being provocative for this will strengthen our strategic forces. and despite these being medium rein systems that lead characteristics give us a new advantage. as for the patriot systems, they are old and do not work in the same way as our s 3 hundreds. but nevertheless, those who oppose us consider the patriots as defensive weapons as well. okay, we'll just keep in mind, and there will always be an antidote. those who do this, i just prolonging the conflict. our goal is not to prolong the military conflict, but on the contrary, the end this war we strive for this and will continue to strive for this conflict.

now, that was another very important moment. we just heard there prudent, emphasizing once again that russia wants to see an end to this war. this is something we've heard reiterated by russian officials for a long time. now they say that the west is to blame for this conflict being drawn out because it's given a blank check when it comes to weapons and munitions to the key of regime put. and also said that this policy basically directed directly contradicts what the russian government wants for both sides to sit down and negotiating table and find a diplomatic solution. and that, but as you well know, donald food has said time and time again, including today the end of the day when it's all said and done, everybody has to come to the negotiating table. there's no other way to resolve this call. so it is, i never debility, perhaps the art is donal quarter. thank you for the cities of the don't ask republic it become are some of the men hotspots of the war with a fighting, even spilling out onto the streets of corresponding eager to start off exclusively following the hardened wagner group fighters as they advanced on various parts of

the front lines. so right now we're following in the footsteps of the advance of the wagner group. basically we're going to the south west and outskirts of the city of our charm of school by mood. basically, the fighting has already been taken to the city streets. but the point where we're going to is basically where the wagner fighters ah, flanking the main garrison, the main ukrainian garrison in bermuda from southwest, in the not so far distance. the skyline of book mote stairs at us through crispy december air. mussman children not only how dangerous is this road if you could rate it from one to 10 live i give it a full your or possibly is it often shelled? yes, he can get caught under artillery fire the park towards or thomas go back mode is paved with trenches, mazes like this,

and with dead ukrainian soldiers left him them. this handheld rocket launcher is still armed. it's still dangerous. it still has the cool sign of the soldier that it belong to. it translates as quiet. so this is what it looks like here. and the ambient of war can be clearly heard behind and all around me were at the small village of hun, grave, cuz this is the closest that the wagner forces have managed to get to the city of book moved when it comes to the south west and direction basically, it's about 7 kilometers to the city itself and may be 600 meters to a kilometer. to the point where the wagner troops are clashing with their ukrainian

enemy. learners could to learn as they were attempting to resist. but this is our job. we are advancing and we took control of this village rather swiftly. still, there were some difficulties afterwards. this drone footage was shot, a few days ago wagner's artillery crew spotted a ukrainian unit heavy shilling put the enemy to flight. they fled, abandoning their dead and wounded brothers and arms, whose bodies were left for us to discover. these positions are the ones that the ukrainian forces abandoned. most recently behind me, you can see 2 dead bodies left here, left behind. along with the fortifications. though soldiers who are accompanying us here, they're telling us it is not safe to stand up because just yesterday, a ukrainian sniper was working and firing in this direction from less than a kilometer away.

so right now, the soldiers of the van protecting the positions of the ukrainian forces just outside of the city. but most ukrainian forces don't leave attempts to retake lost positions. but so far, everyone who tried didn't make it back included into admitted logical. usually our positions were located at 50 meters await. first we fired artillery than in like 20 minutes. we came here ourselves. 5 enemy troops were killed, including their commander, his bodies, the 1st on the way there. all this action is only part of russia's complex alteration to take the town of buckman and objective. they hope to complete by the end of this year. already. i'm august done of reporting from the dumbass frontline, our t soci lensky visits washington. his 1st parent trip overseas since the start of

the conflict in ukraine. it's a visit that shows ukraine's leader as at the end of the day, more interested in securing lethal arms than piece. but that's not according to me, that's according to the top russian officials. welcome william. it's really we know with regret that neither biden nor zalinski have spoken words that could be perceived as a potential willingness to listen to russia's concerns. no words have been heard. warnings zalinski against the shelling of residential buildings and dumb boss, and no cause for peace have been made. this shows that the united states is de facto and indirectly fighting to the last ukranian cholenski visit to washington and his conversations. he has shown that neither the u. s. administration nor zalinski is ready for peace. the focus was on the conflict, the death of ordinary soldiers, and the further into connection of the ukrainian regime with the needs of washington. with us on the western media outlets of echoed a similar sentiment,

questioning why the hugh should keep sending so much money and weaponry to ukraine . i me, for example, top news anchor on fox tucker, carlson said kia has no right to demand. washington continues to profit up with tens of billions of dollars in financing. we the historic debt to ukraine. do the historic animosity with a non soviet russia. no, no. how do we win here? what's in it for us? isn't this our country? and where do you get off talking to us like that? we hate ourselves so much to have so little respect for the united states of america will put up with that. that will applaud it. thank you sir. may i have another? what's wrong with us? what's wrong with our leaders that during so let's go visit he address congressman? well, he took of course the time to express gratitude for the weapons already provided, but then he asked for more and after the meeting, it was agreed that the u. s. patriot missile system would soon be delivered to ukraine. meanwhile,

max blumenthal editor old the grey zone investigative journalism side has posted on twitter. his exchanges with delegates representing the ukrainian diaspora, as they made their way to the u. s. congress is 45000000000, not enough. not enough how much, how much more should we give to ukraine instead of our own people? do you, do you do support the as of italian? so more of an, as of the tell you, there's no more values where we're train and recruited back into a former professional army over the last 8 years. so the neo nazis were brought into the army. no, neo nazi says no. so no answer about if you praying as a democracy. why did zalinski ban 13 opposition? party national law? we've got the national marshal law sounds on democratic. why did he band the russian wing of the orthodox church? the russian special orthodox church was serving as a treasonous organization and with found,

with materials that were legal and financing that the enemy war. again, innocent people, i oppose the assault on don. yes. do you? does shelling of the people have done? yes. do you oppose that? no, no. are you why? why are civilians being killed and done yet? lugens? you oppose that? i, let's not mol, crossing live now to the man himself. mister max blumenthal himself from the grey zone, who was a, who was well shooting out video max it very well. welcome to you. great to see here are naughty international love. you're welcome. a big, big fan. how did you know these people were coming and, and who exactly were those people that you got so uncomfortably on camera. why didn't know they were coming? i didn't know who was coming. i just showed up at the capital was actually hoping to be the one reporter who actually asked critical questions of our representatives here in the us on why they were going to authorize another 45000000000 dollars to continue this dangerous proxy war. throughout 2023 and what i found was

a completely locked down capital. it looked like the days after january 6, except the fences were lower. there were no members of congress, although i did catch a last sen. joe mansion who basically refused to speak to me, but there was a small anti war protest on east capitol right at the front of the capital. and as i was standing there, i ukrainian diaspora delegations just rolled up, started taking pictures, and i began questioning them. and you saw the exchange right there. i think it was very revealing. and these are actually significant figures. i'm not only in the diaspora but within the ukrainian government itself. did you expect the reaction max, did you expect the reaction you receive from them and, and, and then can i ask you as well if there was anything that surprised you the most? well, it was a typical reaction. i mean the hypocrisy is that we also hear from you as lawmakers about fighting for democracy and then justifying all of these ruthlessly on

democratic and authoritarian measures that are also criticized in russia, shutting down opposition, media, shutting down opposition. parties and we've even seen assassinations of mayors in ukraine and justifying that because hey, we're at war. and i that was extraordinarily revealing. along with the justification of the, the proposed ban on the russian wing of the orthodox church were already seen clergy being arrested. and this is, this is stuff that never gets out in u. s. media. so i thought it was worth using this opportunity as a platform where there are so many things that you say max, that will either neglected or quite conveniently brushed under the rug when it comes to certain reports in the western mainstream media. if it doesn't fit the narrative, it's just not coming to be published or publicized max. i wanted to ask you. so let's he goes to washington is a big trip fanfare, pomp and circumstance, a bit of the red carpet. you know, he gets a roaring applause from those in attendance for his speech,

but then they say we're going to give you 45 bill will throw in the patriot missile defense systems as well as the last he's like, well you know what guys, it's just not enough, how was that accepted as a reaction from zillow as could you think there were any people apart from tucker carlson who may have resented him with his cap and hands saying whatever you're giving me, it's still not enough. well, the state department, and i'm sure there were some conversations with the people who controlled joe biden about that. and essentially the 45000000000 is going to come right back here into the suburbs of washington, d. c. to pay for mcmansions for lockheed martin and raytheon executives, the patriot battery. i mean, they're happy to give them that won't do anything. but you know, it's a kick back scheme for the donors to the members of congress who are clapping like it see world for zalinski. and then you can just see, even in this crowd of ukrainians, going into the capital, the the, the, the, the,

the role of ukraine as kind of an american vassal. when i with the woman that you heard sniping back at me was natalie ger esco who actually wasn't adviser to the post my don hunter government. she was given ukrainian citizenship the same way. i mikhail such really was just to help the us control that government and now she's back here to cheer for zalinski. she also spent some time privatizing puerto rico's economy on the progress of board. so that's who these people are. there's a lot of corruption there and zalinski is going a little too far for them. i think. and there are dark forces lurking behind him, were waiting for him to slip up. we should remember the tale of d. m. the south vietnamese puppet. coming to washington to beg for more weapons. what happened to him while he was toppled in a u. s. directed coo and assassinated. so, uncomfortable conversations behind all the applause. yeah, as you say max india, but it's, you know, look, i'm

a big fan of your work. you keep on lifting the lid on a lot of a very sensitive touchy subjects around the world today. a lot of it to do with geo politics and the western hedge mon and so when i really enjoy your work, how you talk about dog forces looking behind zalinski, i wanted to ask you about this. you know, as an ascii, he comes to washington. the conflicts been going on since the end of february now in ukraine, billions and billions. in fact, as i understand, the amount of money is sent from the west into ukraine has already exceeded the annual military defense budget for the biggest country in the world that of russia . so it really gives you an idea of how certain western professional pop is a dedicated to push this into a really long protracted war. but um max, if i could give you the opportunity to address the average american who might be watching this discussion right now, what does the average american need to understand about the current conflict in ukraine and what the future might hold? well, the average american probably can't watch this conversation. i live here in ward 8

in washington dc. it's majority black area, the poorest district in washington, dc. and actually, many of my neighbors used to watch r t on their cable channels and really enjoyed it until it was cut off. so they can't watch it. the corporate media won't show this to them. no one's really speaking for them. the railroad strike was just broken over accumulation of the economy is taking place. inflation is running out of control. the interest rates keep going up and people are really suffering. and when i talk to average people construction workers, taxi drivers, my neighbors here in ward 8, they're disgusted with the amount of aid that's going to ukraine. but they have no one, literally no one to speak for them in congress, us on the democratic side. and this is a democratic city there's, there's no one who doesn't support this war. we saw barbara lee who was the loan vote against the a u. m. f to declare permanent war starting in afghanistan, back in 2001,

wearing blue and yellow ukraine flag colors. so she's totally flipped. who are the only 2 people to actually speak for the american majority. it was far right. legislators demonized in corporate media mat gates and lauren bober, who did not stand for zalinski and studiously ignored his appeals for more billions . that's how most americans feel. they're not that interested in this. they don't know why their money is going there. and they've lost faith in a political system that doesn't speak for them. and it's, it's so it's a real tragedy from where i stand. hard, max plymouth, or editor of the gray zone investigative journalism site. i really appreciate your work. nice. keep up the good work, and i look forward to seeing you soon. thanks for your time. so much roy. thank you . so i made an increase in military spending. the us apparently still fails to provide payments to civilian victims of its campaigns. and that's according to a letter by 2 members of congress who also accused the department of defense of under reporting civilian casualties. the vast difference between independent

reporting and the department of defense investigation raises concerns and undermines defense, department credibility on civilian casualty reporting. on 2021 report by the pentacle in the states, us was responsible for only 12 deaths globally that year. but the letter, however, claims there were 15 such instances in syria, in 2021 alone. so let's take this compensation further now across live to michael maloof, a former senior security policy analyst in the office of a secretary of defense. he's not going to join us here on arty international very well. welcome to michael. always a pleasure to say to you here, taught it, to what extent do you think civilian deaths are being under reported by the pentagon? i mean, it's difficult to get a clear picture here. i don't want to be devil's advocate. what, what would you say off the top of your head? off the top of my head, i would say that it's far greater than anything the defense department ever admitted to when you're dropping bombs from aircraft at 20000 feet onto

a heavily populated area. the inevitable is going to happen. you're going to kill a lot of people and they're not all terrorists and fighters, particularly in the, in cities, even in the areas that in, in syria where isis concentrated, the, the heavy concentration of bombing that, that occurred. the, the inevitable result was a lots of deaths that went and reported. there is no way that we could get in the defense department to get to get in to verify. so they just didn't bother. of course you had these other groups outside groups that were reporting the killings and death. but the defense department's argument is, well, we can't verify it, so that's fine. what's going to be the consequence, even if you do reports,

what's the consequence they go on and on and on. we've been through all these wars and who's been punished for it, nobody. i know, but as you say, michael mean when it, when it comes to washington, for example, the higher ups, the big heads never roll it. you know, they say no crap rolls downhill, right? so it's always a smaller guys that get to get in trouble. i mean, you know, you've got you, you know, you've been doing this for a very, very long time. i called just look it up dentist on, for example. how many times to be here about a drone attack? the allegedly hit terrorist and they're not blowing up a wedding party. you're not gotten a star or a group of sheep holders for goodness sake. i mean, we've heard this time and time again. we've also heard the department of defense talk about the need for truth and transparency. why? what would be the reason if there is under reporting happening of civilian deaths? what would be the reason behind it? because well, they want to be able to cast their, their, their position as being righteous in this so called war on terror. and if you're going to go be going to kill me,

lots of civilians that diminishes your case. it also allows for more recruits every time many, many civilians have been killed. you have a lot of people who want to join the join the terrorist group because out of resistance out of 8 as a consequence of what occurred. just look at the the departure of afghanistan when we bombed in and 1010 innocent kids and a car that, that, that vehicle had been follow the followed. and the only reason it got the noted righty that it did is because it was the subject of international review and and, and, and we were watching it nearly in near real time. and those children were killed and, and, and they thought that they had the occupants were terrorists when they turned out

not to be carrot and the only rate, the only way you're going to deal with this is stop how the war is all the time. why we're always going out pushing our values on other people. and naturally they're going to resist. well, military and complex, michael, the and i see. and all the politicians, it has gotten its back pocket and the amount of whether it's insider trading or people are investing in raytheon. i mean, you know, you think about the clear that the clintons, some of the biggest money is in the defense industry. but i wanted to ask you course, so let us a sent to washington concerning, alleged under reporting of civilian deaths and, and i noticed that, but it also a lack of funding to go the compensation to the victims. meantime, just in the past 36 hours enough canister on a pal to $40000000.00 in cash. there's just arrived to the taliban a 24 hours within the taliban, announcing the old females can no longer get a formal education. why is all this money?

suddenly arriving in, pallets in cobble well i haven't heard that report, but i would assume that the afghans have, have, have basically asked for jurisdiction over their own money that, that is being housed in the bank of new york. and i guess the, by the ministration has basically made some under the table agreement with the tele bondo just to spread it out over time. so it's not visible. but the reality is, is that tell a bon, does not live up to any of its agreements anyway. and we've noted knowing that yet the united states is placating them. and the tele bubble just cracked out. we have no leverage. 0 leverage. same with the same with russian authorities, they still are not embracing the tele bond is yet. and in fact, telephone has gone back on their word to russian officials. so this is yet yet

you have people out there who are in need. you have humanitarian requirements and the telephone know that all they have to do is just continue to tighten the tight, tightly, the, the strings around around things in the it's going to and other countries will capitulate eventually. and that's what basically happening here. and, and because the un is going to start screaming, humanitarian crisis year before long and, and the other countries that have a lot of the assets afghanistan, probably feel they have little choice but to deal with telephone. and yet nothing is accomplished. nothing is achieved from your humanitarian stand point of view. i know that it seems to be some sort of lack of accountability by the people who are running the micro malays. i wish we have more time. another time we will do formal

security. ok. senior security policy analyst from the office of the secretary of defense. great to see you, michael. yes, thank you very so. but ah, one of the most ultra right governments in israel's history is about to get up and running. now says incoming prime minister benjamin netanyahu announces a new coalition, more details on waters and who is forming the core of the new israeli government with maria phenomena from jerusalem. and as before, the midnight deadline, benjamin netanyahu cold days rally for president and informed him that he has managed 7 weeks after he won the elections to form a government that everybody now already agrees is going to become the most far right government in the country's history. the had of israel's ultra nationalist, jewish power of faction, ban greer reason on the most controversial politicians in the new college and known as a devoted follower. all these rarely influential robbie, whose quality wanted to establish a pure jewish society. ben, various settler himself who is living now in the occupied west bank hayes,

famous for his promises to change the long agreed status quo in the holiest for all muslims are locked. so mosque lay juice, hire right now. not allowed to pray there though. they allowed to enter it the policy that ben career already called racist, vowing to change it to ended, very alarm in statement bend greer haze. going to become the country's national security minister, responsible for all police. and this is what he earlier said about the math. it's to achieve the security he'll be responsible for. troops should get out. stop and shoot, and not use rubber. bullets a sponge, tipped bullets, lie fire. that will be the law. precise action yearly fulfilled in honor of all of us and did what was assigned to visitation. in the occupied westbank has recently been very tans and very turbulent. these railey army intensified eight's military raids in the northern parts of it. and very often.