After 9 months of resistance, Ukrainian forces have been driven out of Gornal, their last bastion in Russia’s Kursk region.

This marks the end of a surprise offensive that ended up being a good PR move, but cost Kiev over 75,000 troops dead or injured and several thousands of tanks, armored cars, air defense complexes, and artillery pieces.

Watch: Russian flag raised in Gornal.

#BREAKING #UkraineRussiaWar The Russian flag has been raised in Gornal — the last settlement in the Kursk region where Ukrainian forces were present.

“I congratulate all members of the military units who took part in the destruction of the neo-Nazi formations that invaded… pic.twitter.com/RD2AigvMZt

— The National Independent (@NationalIndNews) April 26, 2025

Российские военнослужащие подняли флаг над освобожденным селом Горналь в Курской области, последним занятым ВСУ:https://t.co/O8MUkf1GT2

Видео: Минобороны России/ТАСС pic.twitter.com/geBb0LWm0n

— ТАСС (@tass_agency) April 26, 2025

Today, Russian President Vladimir Putin has received the relevant report from top General Valery Gerasimov.

Gerasimov said that Kiev’s plans to disrupt the Donbass offensive have failed, and their attempted bridgehead in the Kursk region has collapsed.

Mop-up operations are underway to identify Ukrainian soldiers attempting to hide, while the work to create a security zone in the bordering Sumy region continues, with four settlements conquered and more than 90 square kilometers under control.

Watch: Gerasimov’s report, and Putin’s official statement on the complete liberation of Kursk.

Top Russian General, Valery Gerasimov, telling Putin that the last settlement in the Kursk region (Gornal) was liberated

Ukraine has reportedly lost more than 76,000 soldiers trying to hold onto Kursk region https://t.co/2gE1ds9oUd pic.twitter.com/6jVW4iBGDp

— RT (@RT_com) April 26, 2025

Sputkin reported:

“Putin congratulated the entire personnel, all fighters, and commanders on the full liberation of the Kursk region.

The complete defeat of the enemy in the Kursk border area creates conditions for further successful actions of the Russian Armed Forces on other crucial frontlines, Putin emphasized.

The liberation of the Kursk region brings closer the defeat of the neo-Nazi regime, stated Putin.

Putin noted the effective actions of the Russian Armed Forces units in the Kursk region, including the 76th Airborne Division, the 116th Division, the “Akhmat” regiment, and the marines.”

Read more:

KURSK CLEANUP: Red Army Retakes St. Nicholas Belogorsky Monastery in Gornal, One of the Last Ukrainian Bastions on Russian Territory

The post PUTIN: ‘Ukraine’s Adventure in Kursk Region Has Completely Failed’ – Russian Forces Liberate Gornal and Expel the Last Ukrainian Troops from Russian Region (VIDEOS) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Luigi Mangione has pleaded “not guilty” to federal charges related to the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

Mangione is facing both federal and state charges. The federal charges include murder through the use of a firearm, two counts of stalking, and use of a firearm in the commission of a crime.

The 26-year-old from Maryland is facing the death penalty if convicted on the federal murder charge.

On Friday, Mangione entered his not guilty plea before Judge Margaret Garnett. His lawyer, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, also asked that the federal case take priority over the state charges and that she not seek the death penalty.

Mangione is accused of fatally shooting Thompson in cold blood on the streets of New York City in December, allegedly driven by frustration with the U.S. healthcare system. The murder was captured on security footage.

A handwritten letter found on Mangione at the time of his arrest labeled insurance companies “parasitic” and decried corporate greed, sentiments echoed by bullet casings at the crime scene inscribed with “DENY,” “DEPOSE,” and “DELAY”—terms often linked to insurance claim denials.

In a statement about the case, Bondi said, “Luigi Mangione’s murder of Brian Thompson — an innocent man and father of two young children — was a premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America.”

“After careful consideration, I have directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty in this case as we carry out President Trump’s agenda to stop violent crime and Make America Safe Again,” Bondi continued.

The political nature of the shooting and widespread frustration with insurance companies have catapulted Mangione into a sort of folk hero status among leftists.

Mangione has pleaded not guilty to the 11 state charges, which also include murder.

The next federal court date is December 5, 2025. The trial will likely begin in 2026.

As The Gateway Pundit reported earlier this month, a proposed ballot initiative named the “Luigi Mangione Access to Health Care Act” has been submitted to the California Attorney General’s Office in honor of the accused murderer.

The proposal would amend the state’s Health and Safety Code to curb insurers’ ability to deny or delay medical treatments recommended by physicians.

The post Luigi Mangione Pleads Not Guilty in Death Penalty Case Over Insurance Executive’s Murder appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

President Trump on Saturday, following his meeting in Rome with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, issued a scathing response to far-left New York Times author Peter Liddle, who wrote a piece attacking Trump and inferring that he’s shilling for Putin. 

Trump also threatened Russian President Vladimir Putin with sanctions over a recent missile strike, which he has already rebuked Putin for. The President reiterated his criticisms, stating, “There was no reason for Putin to be shooting missiles into civilian areas, cities and towns, over the last few days. It makes me think that maybe he doesn’t want to stop the war, he’s just tapping me along, and has to be dealt with differently, through ‘Banking’ or ‘Secondary Sanctions?’”

As The Gateway Pundit reported, President Trump met with Zelensky this morning in Vatican City as the two attended the Pope’s funeral. Zelensky also signaled in an X post that “Reliable and lasting peace that will prevent another war from breaking out” is on the horizon.

(VIDEO) President Trump Meets with Zelensky in Rome to Discuss Peace Deal with Russia

Upon landing in Rome on Friday evening, the President shared that "major" terms have been agreed to, and the two countries are "very close to a deal."

However, Peter Baker attacked Trump in an article on Saturday morning, accusing Trump of giving Putin everything he wants while stiffing Ukraine after the United States gave hundreds of billions of dollars to the country.

At the center of the attacks was the issue of Crimea, a formerly Ukrainian territory that was given to Russia during the Obama Administration. Now, Zelensky wants the area back, recently declaring that Ukraine will not recognize Russia’s occupation of Crimea. President Trump slammed Zelensky over these demands on Wednesday morning, saying they're “very harmful to the Peace Negotiations with Russia" and noting that "Crimea was lost years ago under the auspices of President Barack Hussein Obama.”

In an interview with Time Magazine, released Friday, Trump reportedly said, "Crimea will stay with Russia," as he seeks to bring peace in the region.

Because of this, leftists like "Liddle' Peter Baker" are outraged and accusing Trump of acting on Russia's behalf. As Trump noted in a blistering Truth Social post, Baker has never criticized Obama for allowing Russia to take Crimea over in the first place, but now blames Trump.

"I’ve had nothing to do with this stupid war, other than early on, when I gave Ukraine Javelins, and Obama gave them sheets," the President said. "This is Sleepy Joe Biden’s War, not mine. It was a loser from day one, and should have never happened, and wouldn’t have happened if I were President at the time. I’m just trying to clean up the mess that was left to me by Obama and Biden, and what a mess it is."

No matter what deal I make with respect to Russia/Ukraine, no matter how good it is, even if it’s the greatest deal ever made, The Failing New York Times will speak BADLY of it. Liddle’ Peter Baker, the very biased and untalented writer for The Times, followed his Editor’s demands and wrote that Ukraine should get back territory, including, I suppose, Crimea, and other ridiculous requests, in order to stop the killing that is worse than anything since World War II. Why doesn’t this lightweight reporter say that it was Obama who made it possible for Russia to steal Crimea from Ukraine without even a shot being fired.

It was also Liddle’ Peter who wrote an absolutely fawning, yet terribly written Biography, on Obama. It was a JOKE! Did Baker ever criticize the Obama Crimea Giveaway? NO, not once, only TRUMP, and I’ve had nothing to do with this stupid war, other than early on, when I gave Ukraine Javelins, and Obama gave them sheets. This is Sleepy Joe Biden’s War, not mine. It was a loser from day one, and should have never happened, and wouldn’t have happened if I were President at the time. I’m just trying to clean up the mess that was left to me by Obama and Biden, and what a mess it is.

With all of that being said, there was no reason for Putin to be shooting missiles into civilian areas, cities and towns, over the last few days. It makes me think that maybe he doesn’t want to stop the war, he’s just tapping me along, and has to be dealt with differently, through “Banking” or “Secondary Sanctions?” Too many people are dying!!!

The post President Trump Speaks Out Following Meeting with Zelensky – Slams New York Times’ Dishonest Reporting and Threatens Sanctions on Russia: “This is Sleepy Joe Biden’s War, Not Mine” appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

The funeral service for Pope Francis was held at St. Peter’s in Rome on Saturday as world leaders gathered.

Pope Francis died at the age of 88 in his residence at Casa Santa Marta.

Pope Francis’ death certificate, released by the Vatican, stated that he passed away in his residence due to a cerebral stroke, followed by coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse.

Joe and Jill Biden traveled to Rome to attend the funeral of Pope Francis at the Vatican on Saturday morning.

As usual, 82-year-old Joe Biden looked lost and clueless among a sea of world leaders.

Former President Biden and wife Jill Biden arrive for Pope Francis funeral pic.twitter.com/WuwbzIkwPD

— New York Post (@nypost) April 26, 2025

Joe and Jill were forced to the back at the pope’s funeral.

Biden is way in the back at Pope Francis’ funeral. pic.twitter.com/hLIyG64BKO

— johnny maga (@_johnnymaga) April 26, 2025

President Trump and First Lady Melania were seated in the front row at the Vatican funeral.

President Trump was the focus point of attention at the pope’s funeral. He was continually greeted by foreign leaders as he waited for the ceremonies to begin.

Presidents Trump and Biden in same shot — attending Pope Francis Funeral Mass in Vatican City pic.twitter.com/TsgqQp1bYF

— Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) April 26, 2025

The post Joe and Jill Biden Are Forced to the Back at Pope Francis’ Funeral appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Iowa has filed a lawsuit against Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, alleging that her office refused to provide documents related to the cancellation of a Satanic Temple of Iowa ritual that was planned to take place at the State Capitol.

The lawsuit, filed on behalf of the Iowa Atheists and Freethinkers (IAF), accuses Gov. Reynolds’ office of violating the state’s open records law and seeks to force them to release the requested records.

In December 2024, the Satanic Temple of Iowa planned to hold a winter event in the rotunda of the Iowa State Capitol, which is traditionally used for religious displays during the holiday season, including a nativity scene. According to a report from the Des Moines Register at the time, “Members of the Satanic Temple of Iowa planned to sing Satanic carols, and hold a Krampus costume contest and a Satanic ritual.”

The state cancelled the event because part of the display would be harmful to minors.

“After careful consideration of administrative rule and DAS policy, I determined the totality of the event request to include elements that are harmful to minors and therefore denied the request,” Adam Steen, the director of the Iowa DAS, said in a statement provided to the Register.

Reynolds said in her own statement, “The Iowa State Capitol Complex is a place that is open to the public, where children and families routinely visit,” she said. “Because of this, the state’s event policy takes into consideration conduct that would be harmful to minors. This satanic event, which specifically targets children, is harmful to minors and so it was denied.”

The Satanic Temple responded to the cancellation with a Facebook post that claimed, “Our goal was to promote tolerance and acceptance of diverse religious beliefs, with a theme of finding a light in the darkness and welcoming the darkest nights of the year with joy and camaraderie.”

According to a press release from the ACLU, the IAF had filed a Freedom of Information Request under the Iowa Open Records Act to request “communications and documents in the possession of the Governor’s Office relating to the State of Iowa’s decision to cancel” the event and display.

“The Governor’s Office refused to produce the requested documents, citing ‘executive privilege,’ even though what was requested was clearly non-privileged: an executive agency report and documents relating to media preparation,” the press release continued. “Some relevant materials were turned over, but much was redacted. Also, the Governor’s Office provided hundreds of pages of news clippings that mentioned the controversy but which did not actually address the request.”

Thomas Story, ACLU of Iowa staff attorney, said, “This lawsuit challenges the Governor’s claim of an unprecedented ‘executive privilege’ to defy Iowa law. For more than half a century, the Iowa Open Records Act has ensured that the work of the state happens in the open. Now, the Governor’s Office has decided it alone gets to decide what the public sees. The Iowa Constitution does not give it this authority.

“The specific documents withheld from the public eye in this case are an executive agency report from the Department of Administrative Services and multiple ‘media prep’ documents. These are not the kind of sensitive matters of national security and foreign diplomacy that courts have protected from disclosure under executive privilege in the past. It may be embarrassing to the Governor’s Office to reveal its role in denying a religious group equal access to the state capitol building, but that does not give it the right to hide what it did and why it did it.”

The ACLU’s lawsuit was filed hours after Gov. Reynolds’ office sued the Des Moines Register over the newspaper’s public records requests.

The governor’s office had not publicly responded to the ACLU lawsuit at the time of publication.

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