Comments by "Richard Marsden" (@richardmarsden1897) on "Ukraine's daring attack into Russia continues to gain ground I Ukraine: The Latest, Podcast" video.

  1. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law that allows foreign banks to open branches in Russia but also provides for a number of restrictions on their activities. The document was published on the official portal of legal information. The goal is to create conditions for the development of a system of international settlements and attracting foreign investment, the explanatory note says. The work of branches of foreign banks will be aimed precisely at this. That is why they will not be able, like ordinary banks, to open deposits for individuals and companies, accounts in precious metals, engage in trust management of money and other property. Foreign banks will have the right to work in the securities market through a branch created in Russia. Each bank will be allowed to establish only one branch. The law also provides for setting requirements for the qualifications and business reputation of the banks’ officials.
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  2. Military Situation On Ukrainian Frontlines On August 8, 2024 (Maps Update) Ukrainian UAV was destroyed in Crimea; Russian air defense destroyed at least 16 Ukrainian drones in the border regions; Four civilians were wounded in the DPR on August 7; Russian strikes destroy Ukrainian military positions in the Sumy region; Russian strikes destroyed Ukrainian military positions in the Kharkiv region; Clashes continue in the Kursk region; Russian forces took control of Sergeevka; Clashes continued in Volchansk; Clashes continued in Sinkovka; Russian forces advanced in Sergeyevka and Zhelannoye; Clashes continued near Pereezdnoye; Russian forces advanced near Ugledar; Russian forces eliminated 415 servicemen, four tanks, two infantry vehicles, 14 armoured carriers, 12 pickups, three D-20 howitzers in the Kharkiv area; Russian forces eliminated 460 servicemen, one infantry vehicle, one Kozak vehicle, one MaxxPro vehicle, 13 motor vehicles, one M777 howitzer, one Gvozdika in the Stelmakhovka area; Russian forces eliminated 660 servicemen, two armoured carriers, one M113 armoured carrier, nine motor vehicles, two M777, one Krab, one AS-90, one FH-70, one D-20 in the Chasov Yar area; Russian forces eliminated 360 servicemen, one Spartan armoured carrier, three armoured vehicles, eight motor vehicles, one M777, one Giatsint-B in the Donetsk region; Russian forces eliminated 105 servicemen, two infantry vehicles, 10 motor vehicles, one FH-70, one Krab, one Paladin in the Southern Donetsk area; Russian forces eliminated 110 servicemen, two infantry vehicles, seven motor vehicles, one Giatsint-B, three D-20, one Gvozdika, one L-119 howitzer in Kherson region; Russian air defense forces intercepted 80 Ukrainian drones over the past day; Russian air defense forces 12 HIMARS MLRS projectiles, and 80 unmanned aerial vehicles over the past day. Russian forces repelled the AFU from Lisichnoe; Russian forces are completing the mop up operation on the northwestern outskirts of Ivanovka; Russian forces advanced west of Timofeevka; Russian forces are completing the mop up operation in Zhelannoe; Russian forces took control of Sergeevka; Russian forces advanced towards Novozhelannoe; Clashes continued in Ivanovka; Clashes continued in Mezhevoe; Clashes continued near Vozdvyzhenka; Clashes continue on the northern shore of the Karlovsky water reservoir; Fighting is ongoing in Karlovka; Russian forces advanced near Pereezdnoye; Russian forces advanced north of Belogorovka; Clashes continue on the southern outskirts of Vyemka; Clashes continue on the western outskirts of Bilogorivka; Russian forces advanced in the north of New York, surrounded phenolic plant from the west; Clashes continue on the outskirts of Toretsk; Clashes continued in Druzhba; Russian forces advanced in the south of Zalizne; Russian forces advanced in the north of Pivnichnoe
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  3. Russia’s international reserves of as of August 2, 2024, amounted to $606.1 bln, having decreased by $0.6 bln ($0.1%) over the week, according to the Bank of Russia. "International reserves as of the end of the day on August 2, 2024 amounted to $606.1 billion, having decreased over the week by $0.6 billion, or 0.1%, due to negative revaluation, as well as transactions with the National Wealth Fund," the regulator said. As of July 26, the volume of reserves amounted to $606.7 bln. Russia’s international reserves are highly liquid foreign assets available with the Bank of Russia and the Russian government. They comprise foreign currency, Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), a reserve position in the International Monetary Fund and monetary gold. Following the onset of Moscow’s special military operation in Ukraine Western countries slapped sanctions against the Bank of Russia. Apart from freezing Russia’s gold and foreign currency reserves, all transactions related to management of the regulator’s reserves and assets, as well as transactions with any legal entity, organization or body acting on behalf or at the direction of the Central Bank, were prohibited.
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  4. Abrams and Bradley tanks of Ukraine will receive protection of the Mangal type https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phRupv59xBw Ukrainian M2A2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, made in the US, will receive factory-installed "Mangal" protection. The new protection will be manufactured by Rinat Akhmetov's Ukrainian company Metinvest. Screens for Ukrainian T-64 and T-72 tanks and American-made M1A1SA Abrams tanks have also been launched into production. It is worth noting that the Russian army also uses this type of protection, equipping tanks and infantry fighting vehicles with it. This type of protection is often criticized for its appearance, but it protects equipment from being hit by FPV drones. The protection consists of lattice screens weighing about 430 kg, which protect the combat vehicle from the sides and from above. The Ukrainian version of the "Mangal" protection will differ from the Russian version, in which the lattice screens will be sliding. How and where the lattice extension is implemented is not reported, presumably the lattices from above will fold. Lamp of Knowledge
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  5. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law legalizing cryptocurrency mining in Russia. The signed law introduces new concepts, including digital currency mining, mining pool, mining infrastructure operator, address identifier, and the individual who organizes mining pool activities. Mining itself is recognized as a component of turnover, not the issuance of digital currency. Only Russian legal entities and individual entrepreneurs included in a register will have the right to mine. Individuals who do not exceed the energy consumption limits set by the Russian government will have the right to mine digital currency without being included in the register. According to the document, foreign digital financial assets can be traded on Russian blockchain platforms and the Bank of Russia will have the right to ban the placement of individual issues if it finds a threat to Russia’s financial stability. Earlier, Putin discussed the introduction and use of digital currencies with the government at a meeting on economic issues. He noted that this is a promising economic area of and it is important for Russia "to seize the moment" to promptly create the legal framework and regulation, develop infrastructure and create conditions for the circulation of digital assets. The law will enter into force ten days after the date of its official publication, except for the provisions for which a different date of entry into force is established.
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  6. Ukraine's suicidal attack into Russia continues to gain ridicule I Ukraine: The Latest, Podcast
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