red sail sports catamaran

Sail with Aruba's Watersports Leader

What spot in Aruba offers a stunning view of Palm Beach from the open water? It's Red Sail Sports' fleet of luxury catamarans. These custom-built vessels offer daily cruises along Palm Beach for snorkeling, sunset and dinner sails.

Luncheon Snorkel Sail

Travel on a luxurious catamaran across the turquoise waters of Aruba. Explore some of the finest snorkeling spots in the area, where colorful marine life is abundant. One of the snorkel stops is at the famous wreck of the Antilla where you will see a 400-foot sunken German freighter. The catamarans feature.

Sunset Sail

Watch the sun go down aboard one of Red Sail Sports' luxurious catamarans. This relaxing sail is the perfect way to end the day. Get stunning views of Aruba's coastline and a spectacular sunset aboard a custom-built luxurious and spacious catamaran. Enjoy delicious hors d'oeuvres and an open bar featuring cocktails and local beer.

Antilla Snorkel Sail

Head out to the most famous snorkel spot in Aruba - the Antilla Ship Wreck - aboard a luxury catamaran. Dip your mask underwater, kick your fins, and discover the 400-foot long wreck, which is now home to a variety of tropical fish and colorful coral. Along the way, you'll also stop at Catalina Bay which is ideal for beginner snorkelers. This 3 hour excursion includes a bar featuring soda's and cocktails, snacks, snorkeling equipment and instruction. Be sure to bring your own towels and plenty of sunscreen.

Caribbean Sail

Enjoy a fabulous Sunset Sail with live steeldrum music, open bar and a fantastic Caribbean dinner! This 2.5 hour 'get-a-way' includes live steel drum music and an open bar featuring Caribbean cocktails and our local beer Balashi.

Luxury Wine & Dine

As the stars begin to twinkle sip a Caribbean cocktail or a glass of wine under a stunning Aruba sunset. The spacious, state-of-the-art Red Sail Sports catamaran is the ideal location to catch a dazzling Caribbean sunset while enjoying a delicious three-course dinner and a cocktail from the open bar.

Private catamaran charters

Private catamaran charters Red Sail Sports has a fleet of four luxury catamarans. The 70' Rumba is the island's largest sailing vessel, accommodating up to 100 passengers. This state-of-the-art catamaran was custom built by Gold Coast Yachts to exact specifications. The 62' Fiesta, meaning "to party", in Papiamento was also built by Gold Coast and provides seating for up to 80 passengers. The gracious Balia seats up to 55 persons while the Goza, meaning "to enjoy", seats up to 44 passengers.

As the premier choice for group activities, the Rumba, Fiesta and Goza grace the waters surrounding Palm Beach with romantic Sunset and Dinner Sails featuring colorful Caribbean sunsets. Snorkel Sails visit amazing shipwrecks and shallow reef sites for a view of Aruba's underwater world. All snorkel equipment is provided for the snorkel sails. Specialty sails can add a creative flair to your group's itinerary that is as unique as your imagination.

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Red sail sports, grand cayman’s premier dive operator.

Red Sail Sports is Grand Cayman’s premier dive operator with over 30 years serving divers in the Cayman Islands. We welcome you to dive some of the most pristine reefs in the Caribbean Sea. Grand Cayman’s aquatic playground is thrilling above water too, why not cruise around in a kayak or get up to speed on a waverunner? Red Sails fully stocked watersports center, located at The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa, offer activities to suit the whole family.

With over 160 charted dive sites and an abundance of friendly stingrays, tarpon and eels, Cayman’s marine life is legendary. So let Red Sail Sports help you explore Cayman’s pristine reefs; with a reputation standing for excellence, quality gear, variety, and personal service, you’re sure to make some great memories to last a lifetime. Daily two-tank and one-tank dives are available for certified divers.

If you are not a diver, why not take the plunge on your Grand Cayman vacation?

Explore Grand Cayman in style aboard one of Red Sail Sports 65′ luxury catamarans. Daily excursions take you to snorkel some of Grand Cayman’s most iconic landmarks, Stingray City Sandbar, Kittiwake wreck and more…

Breakfast with the Rays

Enjoy an early morning sail aboard a luxurious 65 foot catamaran to the Stingray City Sandbar with a light continental breakfast served on board. Miss the crowds be the first to have the stingrays to yourself. A second snorkel stop is also included at a beautiful coral reef.

Swimmin’, Chillin’ & Grillin’

Sail along Seven Mile Beach on a catamaran, snorkel among Cayman’s vibrant marine life and be served a delicious BBQ lunch from onboard chef – what more could you want?

Highlights include:

• Lazy afternoon spent sailing on a luxury catamaran
• Stop for snorkeling and swimming at a beautiful reef
• BBQ served on board fresh from the grill
• The kid inside you will enjoy sliding down the water slide

Stingrays & Sunset

Swim with the rays and catch a beautiful Cayman sunset on-board a luxury sailing catamaran. This late afternoon tour includes a stop at the Stingray City Sandbar after the cruise ship crowds have left for the day!  Enjoy light complimentary snacks onboard!

Sunset Sail

Catch the gorgeous colors of a Cayman sunset while sailing Seven Mile Beach on a 65′ catamaran. Relax on the bow nets and listen to the water rush beneath as you enjoy a cocktail from the bar ($).

Watersports at the Westin

Have a fun-filled day at the beach with Red Sail Sports beach toys. We offer activities to suit every member of the family. Choose from waverunner safaris, sailing, stand-up paddleboarding, snorkeling and more! Full list of activities:

Sunsearcher Foam Floats

• Banana Boat Rides

Stand-Up Paddle Boarding

Wakeboarding / water-skiing

Speed Boat Charters

Wakeboarding / Waterski Lesson

Waverunners

Waverunner Snorkel Safari

Hobie Cat Wave

Hobie Cat Sailing Lessons

*Days and times are subject to change during our Slow Season (September – December 19), please visit our concierge or dive staff at The Westin for more information on availability. All tours going to Stingray City leave out of Safehaven dock with the offer of complimentary pick up at the Westin, booked in advance. If the tour or dive is on the West side (Dinner Cruise, Kittiwake, Sunset Sail) then it will leave from the Westin and they need to check in at our dive shop on the beach. Discover SCUBA and all PADI certification are done at the Westin pool.

Sunshine Suites Resort · 1465 Esterley Tibbetts Highway · Seven Mile Beach · Grand Cayman KY1- 1201 · Cayman Islands

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Sunshine Suites Resort 1465 Esterley Tibbetts Highway · Seven Mile Beach Grand Cayman KY1- 1201 · Cayman Islands

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Red Sail Sports Aruba

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J.E. Irausquin Blvd 85, Noord, Aruba

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Join our crew as there is no better way to discover Aruba's uniqueness than with Red Sail Sports activities and experts.

With over 25 years of experience and a solid reputation, Red Sail Sports is an international adventure outfitter and Aruba’s premier water sports, island wear and Destination Management Company.

Whatever your sport or skill, dive into a vacation with Red Sail Sports. Explore ship wrecks while snorkeling, melt into the romance of a sunset aboard a luxurious catamaran, search for treasures in our island-wide boutiques or experience the natural beauty of Aruba on a horse or in a jeep.

Our daily snorkeling, sunset and dinner sails cruise along the famous Palm Beach coast and include delicious drinks and snacks or even lunch. A friendly, very much capable crew is always at hand to serve you and enhance your experience. Red Sail Sports also offers many diving opportunities for beginners and experts alike. We have the most expansive fleet of catamarans and dive boats on the island and are a PADI 5 Star Dive Resort. *The Aruba Quality Seal certification is currently valid for sailing activities.

For thrill seekers, Red Sail Sports is at the forefront of excitement with the introduction of the coolest, most exhilarating water sports rides of your life – the JETLEV, JETBLADE and Hoverboard! You can literally fly over the ocean, soar up to 30 feet in the air or hover and walk along the water. These unforgettable experiences are exclusively available at Red Sail Sports. A flight assistant will accompany you to ensure a safe and uninterrupted flight experience. Participants must be at least 18 years of age to fly.

A Red Sail Sports representative from our DMC department can assist you with your group’s reservations, arrangements and information. We provide our guests with experienced, professional and friendly staff, top-notch equipment, and an assortment of exciting and unique island activities, both on and off the water. If you are looking to personalize your program or arrange a souvenir, we can help you with many different options that will showcase your brand and remind you of a great old time in Aruba.

Nine retail stores locations island wide carry the best brands in beach and resort wear such as Kipling, Roxy and Nautica. From t-shirts, casual wear and designer swimwear for men, women and children to dive gear and many vacation necessities, you can find it at your nearest Red Sail Sports Store. In addition, you can inquire about any activity and make reservations while you shop.

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Red Sail Sports

About red sail sports.

Established in 1987, Red Sail Sports has since built a reputation as a leading resort watersports operator in the Cayman Islands.

Red Sail Cayman offers a range of Watersports and beach activities including banana boat rides, kayak rental, wave runner rentals, waterskiing, wakeboarding and more.

They also boast a fleet of five 65' sailing catamarans which offer daily trips to the famous Stingray City Sandbar, as well as snorkelling trips along Seven Mile Beach, including the USS-Kittiwake wreck.

Take advantage of several evening sailing options on one of their catamarans. Cruise the coastline of Seven Mile Beach on their popular Sunset Sail or dine onboard their Dinner Sail with food served fresh off the barbecue.

Ask about their private charters and resident discounts. They also offer a 45m pool dive programme for kids 8 and 9 years old.

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Guide to cayman’s green scene.

Sailing Charters

Diving in Grand Cayman for over 30 years!

Cayman Residents Click Here!

Premier Boats

Premier service.

Red Sail Sports is dedicated to helping people have fun! We understand that while you're on vacation, you want to make the most of it.   

Red Sail Sports opened in 1987 at the Grand Cayman Beach Suites Hotel (formerly the Hyatt Regency Grand Cayman) on Grand Cayman. We started with two dive boats, some beach toys and about 20 enthusiastic staff members! Since then, we've built a reputation as one of the world's leading resort watersports operators. Our philosophy has remained the same throughout the years: Give the customer the highest quality service possible. In 2012 we celebrated 25 years of excellence!

Today, Red Sail Sports has now grown to seven dive boats, five luxury sailing catamarans, dive shop locations at the major beach resorts on Grand Cayman, and an impressive range of resort retail boutiques.

People come to the Cayman Islands because of the beautiful clear water, soft sandy beaches and year-round sunshine. They dive and snorkel with us because we offer the friendliest crew , the most comfortable dive boats and the best equipment to enjoy these attractions. Let our creative, knowledgeable and professional dive staff make your dive trip a memorable one!

Red Sail Sports is proud to be Grand Cayman's most complete dive & watersports operator. Please visit our main watersports website to see all the great sailing, snorkeling and watersports activities we can offer.

Click below for more information

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Time: 2:00 - 5:00pm Duration: 3 hrs Days: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday Price: Adults...$65.00 Children (5-11)...$29.00 Departure Location: The Hyatt pier located between the Hyatt and Barcelo Resorts on Palm Beach. Head out to the most famous snorkel spot in Aruba - the Antilla Ship Wreck - aboard a luxury catamaran. Dip your mask underwater, kick your fins, and discover the 400-foot long wreck, which is now home to a variety of tropical fish and colorful coral. Along the way, you'll also stop at Catalina Bay which is ideal for beginner snorkelers. This 3 hour excursion includes a bar featuring soda's, mixed drinks and cocktails, snacks, snorkeling equipment and instruction. Be sure to bring your own towels and sunscreen.

THE FINE PRINT: Transportation is available at an additional fee and can be arranged with advance notice. All persons must complete a waiver form prior to boarding the catamarans. An adult must accompany all children under 18 years. Children 12 years of age and older pay full price. There is a discount for children ages 4-11. Infants and children 3 years and younger are free.

CANCELLATION & PAYMENT POLICY Payment A major credit card is needed to guarantee your reservation for all activities. All prices are in U.S. Dollars and subject to change without notice. Advance reservations will be charged in full 24 hours prior to the activity date. Cancellation Policy Check-in with Red Sail Sports is required 24 hours prior to your scheduled activity. Any cancellations or rescheduling requests made prior to 24 hours of the scheduled activity time will not be charged any penalty fees. Any cancellations or rescheduling requests made within 24 hours of scheduled activity time will be charged full price of scheduled activity. Guests who NO SHOW will be charged full price. Bookings cancelled due to weather, acts of God or circumstances beyond the control of Red Sail Sports will be rescheduled or are subject to a full refund. To cancel or change a reservation prior to arrival in Aruba please contact our Reservations office at (+297) 523-1600 (Aruba) or 305-454-2538 (U.S.A.). In Aruba contact Red Sail Sports at any of the locations listed on your e-ticket. For more information about Red Sail Sports activities visit our website at www.redsailaruba.com or email us at [email protected]

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America's Cup sets sail in Barcelona with New Zealand defending the Auld Mug

NYYC American Magic's AC75, left, and Luna Rosa Prada Pirelli Team's AC75 boat sail during America's Cup Preliminary Regatta ahead of the 37th America's Cup sailing race at the Barcelona's coast, Spain, Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. The world's oldest international sports trophy, best yachtsmen and cutting-edge design and technology will come together in Barcelona when the 37th edition of the America's Cup starts on Thursday. Credit: AP/Joan Monfort

BARCELONA, Spain — The world's oldest international sports trophy, best yachtsmen and cutting-edge design and technology will come together in Barcelona when the 37th edition of the America’s Cup starts on Thursday.

Five boats – from Italy, the United States, Britain, Switzerland and France – will spend the coming weeks racing in the Mediterranean waves to decide which will earn the honor of trying to dethrone the almighty Emirates Team New Zealand for the Auld Mug.

As the two-time defender, the Kiwis chose Barcelona’s choppy waters as the venue and helped establish the rules and boat design for this edition. They also get a guaranteed spot in the final to be held in October.

The results of three years of work and massive investment will now be put to the test.

“It is starting to get serious in a hurry. We are now racing for keeps,” Ben Ainslie, skipper of British team INEOS Britannia, said Wednesday.

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Here is what else you need to know about the equivalent of the World Cup of sailing.

Sci-fi Boats

For anyone who has not followed the foiling revolution in sailing over the past decade, America's Cup yachts look more like something designed to fly through outer space in a sci-fi film than a traditional sailboat.

A spectator watches the race as Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team's AC75 boat sails during the America's Cup Preliminary Regatta ahead of the 37th America's Cup sailing race off the coast of Barcelona, Spain, Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. The world's oldest international sports trophy, along with the best yachtsmen and cutting-edge design and technology, will come together in Barcelona when the 37th edition of the America's Cup starts on Thursday. Credit: AP/Joan Monfort

The only parts more or less recognizable are the rudder, mast, mainsail and jib on the foiling 75-foot monohull that the champions chose as the boat type for these regattas. This AC75 is an evolution of the 2021 monohulls, which were a radical leap from the catamarans that the same New Zealand team sailed to victory in 2017.

If you are looking for a skipper standing tall at the helm while sailors scamper around the deck, then forget it. The helmeted crew members are tucked into cockpits, keeping them out of the wind and favoring the boats' aerodynamics.

But the most remarkable feature of these boats are the two hydrofoils, attached to winglike appendages port and starboard, that make these boats look like giant water strider insects. The foils enable these wonders of nautical engineering to spend more time with the bottom of their hulls above the water than submerged while racing. Their “T” shape resembles the inverted tail of an orca whale, and their 4.5-meter span sustains the more than six-ton boat as it rockets over the water at 50 knots per hour (92 kph/57.5 mph).

All the teams have two helmsmen for this race – copying a move made by the Italian Luna Rossa team three years ago. The two helmsmen take turns steering and watching the other's blind spot since each one has half his visibility cut off by the sails. There are also two trimmers.

Spectators watch the race between Ineos Britannia's AC75 and Alinghi Red Bull Racing's AC75 boats during the America's Cup Preliminary Regatta ahead of the 37th America's Cup sailing race off the coast of Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. The world's oldest international sports trophy, best yachtsmen and cutting-edge design and technology will come together in Barcelona when the 37th edition of the America's Cup starts on Thursday. Credit: AP/Joan Monfort

Gone this time are the grinders. Instead, each boat has four cyclists, called “cyclors” — many of whom are world-class rowers — who pedal away to power the hydraulic mechanisms needed to trim the sails and rotate the mast.

The Defender

Emirates Team New Zealand won the America’s Cup in 1995 and 2000 before winning the last two editions.

They are without a doubt the team to beat.

The team led by Grant Dalton has earned the respect of their rivals for their daring boat designs and flawless execution. They will participate in the opening round, but their points won’t count. They will then sit out the next two rounds while the remaining teams duke it out to see which will meet them in the final.

Peter Burling is back at the helm after helping the team win in 2017 and 2021. He is joined by fellow Olympic medalist Nathan Outteridge in steering their super-sleek Taihoro yacht.

“The challenger group is the strongest it has been in a long time at the America’s Cup,” Burling said. “It is going to be super exciting to see what happens over the next weeks.”

The Challengers

— Italy’s Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team reached the last final in 2021 — and lost 7-3. The team representing the Sicily Yacht Club is steered by helmsmen Jimmy Spithill and Francesco Bruni.

— INEOS Britannia is hoping to end Britain’s painfully long search for a title. No team has challenged as many times as the British, a losing streak which started back in 1851 when they were bettered by the schooner America in a race around the Isle of Wight. INEOS is led by helmsman and Olympic great Ainslie and is supported by the Mercedes Formula 1 team.

— NYYC American Magic is back after its 2021 campaign ended shortly after its Patriot boat capsized and almost sank. The New York Yacht Club draws on the history of having won the first edition and then successfully defending the title 24 times until that incredible 132-year run ended in 1983. It's helmed by Tom Slingsby, the sailor of the year, an Australian who has an American passport thanks to his American mother, and Englishman Paul Goodison, a fellow Olympic gold medalist.

__ Alinghi Red Bull Racing is backed by the sports drink giant and its F1 team. The Swiss outfit is seeking a title after the landlocked nation won the cup in 2003 and 2007. It has been training in Barcelona the longest after setting up base here two years ago.

__ Orient Express Racing Team comes with a boat based on a design it purchased from the New Zealand team. The last team to arrive in Barcelona, the French face the extra challenge of having less on-site practice time.

A round-robin stage will eliminate the weakest challenger by Sept. 8. The remaining four will have two playoff series to decide which boat will take on New Zealand in a best-of-13 series starting on Oct. 12.

This year’s event also includes a new Women’s America’s Cup and a youth competition.

The Race Course

The racing will take place in the same stretch of water used for the sailing events at the 1992 Olympics.

Boats zigzag back and forth across a rectangular race course located in waters just off the Barcelona beachfront, within view of fans on the shore. Boats have to pass through a pair of buoys – called a gate – and perform hairpin turns by shifting from one foil to the other.

Several teams have said that Barcelona’s waters can produce trickier race conditions than, for example, Auckland, since there is no natural bay to stop the wave action that comes from far offshore and often goes in a direction off-angle from the wind.

Race starts are crucial as boats maneuver to be in a leading position when they hit the starting line.

In choosing Spain, New Zealand broke with its tradition of picking Auckland as this edition’s venue because of the need to ensure a big payday. And what better place to ensure people would flock to see the event than one of Europe’s major Mediterranean destinations?

The last regatta in New Zealand was held when the world was still in the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic. That meant there were scant crowds and little of the glamor – think superyachts and wealthy sailing amateurs — who are expected to be back en masse at Barcelona. Fashion and luxury goods designer Louis Vuitton has returned as the official sponsor of the race, and the trophy is secured in a custom Louis Vuitton case when it travels.

Barcelona calculates the event will attract some 2.5 million tourists and leave over a billion euros in the city. It is being held during an upsurge in citizen complaints against what they consider “overtourism” and skyrocketing rents.

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Ukrainian Troops Are Digging Trenches In Russia’s Kursk Oblast. It’s A Sign They Plan To Stay.

Every day the Russians don’t counterattack is a day the Ukrainians dig in deeper.

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Ukrainian troops advance toward Kursk.

On the sixth day of Ukraine’s advance into Kursk Oblast in southern Russia, there’s growing evidence the Ukrainian invasion corps —some or all of up to five 2,000-person brigades plus at least one 400-person independent battalion—plans to stay.

The Ukrainians are digging trenches. Anticipating static warfare along or near the existing front line, the Russians are digging in, too.

That both sides are fortifying their positions doesn’t mean the Ukrainians are done advancing. Nor does it mean the Russians can’t counterattack—and push the Ukrainians back to the border, 10 miles away.

But it does mean that stabilization of the front line—and a long-term Ukrainian occupation of part of Kursk—is on the table.

Russian military correspondent Aleksandr Kharchenko observed Ukrainian forces digging trenches in Kursk on Sunday. He described it as “the worst thing that can happen,” according to a translation of his missive by Estonian analyst War Translated.

Ukrainian sources have spotted industrial excavators at work on both sides of the front line.

“Once the enemy picks up shovels, in two days it will be just as difficult to take the forest stands as it was near Avdiivka” in eastern Ukraine, Kharchenko added. It took the Russian military six months to roll back Ukrainian defenses in Avdiivka—and cost it tens of thousands of casualties.

Arguably, the Russians won the battle for Avdiivka in mid-February only because the Ukrainians ran out of ammunition following months of delays in U.S. aid to Ukraine orchestrated by Russia-friendly lawmakers in the U.S. Congress.

Now that U.S. aid is flowing again, Russian forces around the Kursk salient can’t count on the Ukrainian invasion corps running out of ammo. To push potentially thousands of Ukrainian troops out of Kursk, they’ll have to capture one trench at a time.

Unless, of course, the Kremlin can organize a powerful counterattack before the Ukrainian trenches are complete. But “the window of opportunity is rapidly closing,” Kharchenko warned—and Ukrainian attacks are blocking Russian reinforcements trying to reach the Kursk front line.

Russian columns “are met by Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance groups, drones and artillery,” wrote Artur Rehi, an Estonian soldier and analyst.

If and when it stabilizes, the Kursk salient could become another major front in Russia’s 29-month wider war on Ukraine.

The Ukrainians have already positioned potentially more than 10,000 troops in Kursk and the adjacent Ukrainian oblast, Sumy. And according to the Ukrainian Center for Defense Strategies, Russia’s Northern Grouping of Forces is trying to move 10 to 11 battalions to the front line—perhaps 4,000 troops in all.

Those 10 or so Russian battalions are just the initial echelon, however. On paper, the Northern Grouping of Forces oversees 48,000 troops. Many of them are bogged down in Vovchansk, the locus of Russia’s own attack across the Russia-Ukraine border that kicked off in May.

But if it gives up trying to advance in Vovchansk and other front-line towns and cities, the Russian military could shift significant forces to Kursk. Indeed, compelling the Russians to deplete their forces along other fronts may have been the Ukrainian invasion corps’ main objective.

Kyiv is probably trying to “divert some of the Russian attention and Russian troops stationed in the eastern parts of Ukraine,” France 24’s Emmanuelle Chaze noted , citing Ukrainian sources.

Once the trenches are complete, that diversion could become long-term—if not permanent.

1. War Translated: https://x.com/wartranslated/status/1822709611192815734

2. Artur Rehi: https://x.com/ArturRehi/status/1822723385979470067

3. Center for Defense Strategies: https://cdsdailybrief.substack.com/p/russias-war-on-ukraine-110824

4. France 24: https://www.france24.com/en/video/20240808-ukrainian-troops-cross-into-russia-s-kursk-region

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