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Developments in eastern Ukraine

Donetsk republic self-defense forces to continue active pullback of artillery as of Friday

Upon decision of the DPR Prime Minister the withdrawal of heavy artillery to the sites of permanent stationing will continue, a spokesman for the Defense Ministry of the DPR says

DPR heavy weaponry withdrawal Mikhail Sokolov/TASS

DPR heavy weaponry withdrawal

© Mikhail Sokolov/TASS

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OSCE mission in Ukraine cannot yet confirm withdrawal of heavy weapons from conflict zone

MOSCOW, February 19. /TASS/. Self-defense forces of the self-proclaimed unrecognized Donetsk People’s Republic will continue unilateral withdrawal of heavy artillery as of Friday, Eduard Basurin, a spokesman for the Defense Ministry of the DPR said.

"Upon decision of the DPR Prime Minister (Alexander Zakharchenko) the withdrawal of heavy artillery of the self-defense forces to the sites of permanent stationing will continue by way of an initiative in other areas of the republic," Basurin said.

He recalled that the DPR forces had already withdrawn heavy weapons from the Telman district, the township of Yelenovka and the town of Yassinovataya.

Basurin said that, more specifically, the DPR units had pulled back eight 2S1 self-propelled artillery mounts, six D-30 artillery guns and six Grad salvo systems.

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Eastern Ukraine

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West close to sending military to Ukraine, this would 'drag Europe to bottom' — Orban

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Armenia has to define CSTO’s zone of responsibility on its territory, says Lavrov

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Crimea, Donbass to forever remain within Russia, Slovak PM tells national parliament

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US, UK refuse to discuss document about Israel’s strike on Syria — Russian mission to UN

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Kiev lacks both troops and equipment near Chasov Yar in DPR, says retired general

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American Abrams tanks vulnerable even to Soviet-era weapons, says expert

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Iran may target Israeli nuclear center in Dimona in case of Israel’s attack — TV

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Security guarantees on Ukraine did not apply to Crimea, Donbass — Lavrov

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Ukrainian trace obvious in Crocus City Hall attack — Russian prosecutor general

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Russia open to help resolve situation in Sudan — ambassador

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Russia’s defense chief inspects production of tanks, flamethrowers at Siberian enterprise

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Three Ukrainian soldiers swim across Dnieper to surrender to Russian troops — governor

Vladimir Saldo called on other Ukrainian servicemen to switch to the Russian side and request the corresponding assistance

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Russian forces destroy Ukrainian army’s aircraft park near Nikolayev — defense ministry

"Big fuel depots in Konstantinovka, Nikolayev region, Slavut, Rovno region, and Ternopol were hit by high-precision air-based missiles," he said

Two pilots of jet that crashed in southern Russia hospitalized

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Russia delivers 34 strikes on Ukrainian military infrastructure over week — top brass

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No plans for pauses in fighting if talks on Ukraine begin, Lavrov says

The Russian foreign minister emphasized that the situation on the ground had changed significantly

Russia's revenues from oil exports remain high despite price ceiling — IMF

Earlier in its report on the development of the world economy, the IMF noted that Russian oil is sold on the world market mainly above the price ceiling that the West tried to set

US volunteer Russel Bentley missing in Donetsk killed — RT editor-in-chief

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Ukrainian president admits Russian troops’ advancement

Vladimir Zelensky asked his country’s supporters to provide "everything that helps to hold the frontline," including shells, military vehicles and drones

Russian economy positively influences neighboring countries — Deputy PM

In 2023 the Russian economy has demonstrated remarkable resilience and growth, Alexey Overchuk said

Israel may have used banned white phosphorus munitions while shelling Lebanon — TV

On Wednesday night, the Israel Defense Forces press office reported that Israeli fighter jets struck "significant Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure used by the terrorist organization’s aerial defense system" in Lebanon

Russia ready for Ukraine talks, but not with Zelensky — Lavrov

The first negotiations between Russia and Ukraine after the start of the special military operation took place in early March 2022 in Belarus, but they did not bring tangible results

US House passes procedural vote on Ukraine aid bill

It cannot be ruled out that the House of Representatives may pass this package as early as Saturday

Operational tactical group North HQ destroyed, DPR’s People’s Militia

The situation at the line of engagement in Donbass escalated on the morning of February 17.

Russia has significant amount of West’s funds in case of confiscation of its assets

Russia views the West’s encroachment on its assets as "a blatant and shameless theft for the purpose of lining its pockets," Maria Zakharova noted

Zelensky's presidential powers to expire May 21 — Ukrainian legislator

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Russian instructors help train over 10,000 Central African troops — CAR president

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Russian military closely monitors all Ukrainian 'novelties' — Kremlin on UAVs

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French, US, British nukes all interwoven — Russian diplomat

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Russia’s sanitary watchdog trains African colleagues on using mobile labs

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Russia to begin next week clinical trials of anti-COVID-19 vaccine for children

This is for the age group of 6 to 11 years old

Polish premier refuses to hand over his country’s Patriot systems to Ukraine

Donald Tusk said that German Chancellor’s call to send more air defense systems to Kiev had no relation to Poland, provided the country's geographical position near the frontline

Russia to scrap moratorium on intermediate missiles if US deploys them anywhere — MFA

Sergey Ryabkov said the US seeks to maintain military superiority in a great variety of areas

Nearly half of those present in UN Security Council hall walk out before Israel’s address

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Russian military base may appear in CAR’s eastern region — President Touadera

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NATO discussing transfer of ‘deep precision strike capabilities’ to Ukraine — Stoltenberg

Stoltenberg said NATO believes Ukraine has the right to strike "legitimate military targets" inside Russia

Final statement by G7 top diplomats to call for supplying more air defenses to Kiev

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Mauritania needs Russian experience in growing grain-crops — Agriculture Minister

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Russia’s advanced radar in Kaliningrad to monitor entire territory of Europe — source

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US-led coalition’s aircraft violate Syrian airspace 13 times in past day

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Ukrainian drones continue to fly over Zaporozhye NPP — press service

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KazMunayGas, Sibur, Sinopec sign protocol on plant construction in Kazakhstan

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Izvestia correspondent Semyon Eremin killed in special operation zone

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Hungarians in western Ukraine should get their rights back, Budapest says

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Press review: Biden backs aid to Israel, Ukraine and Russia assets giving West legal fits

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US assured Israel that Iranian drones will be intercepted — US journalist Hersh

He also said that the US military contacted Russia and the United Kingdom while evaluating the potential of the Iranian attack

Putin signs law on holding World Friendship Games

Funding will be provided from the federal, regional and local budgets, as well as taxes from gambling transferred to the organizer

FSB declassifies archival evidence on Nazi executions of Poles, Katyn case

There are many accounts of interrogations of Poles who served with the Germans in the Smolensk Region, forensic expert of the Budapest City Royal Court, Imre Szecsody, and other key figures involved

World’s anti-doping agency WADA still waits for Russia’s 2023 financial contribution

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Russia’s export duty on wheat to be $37.42 per metric ton from April 24

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Russia knows French military instructors working in Ukraine — Lavrov

At the same time, the top Russian diplomat pointed out that "there is information that not only French mercenaries, but also instructors, maybe even together, but along with some other representatives of military and special services of European countries are working there [in Ukraine]"

French president says creating Israeli-type air defense network for Ukraine impossible

Emmanuel Macron added that Europe’s resources are limited, and the European Union will continue helping Kiev keeping in mind its own reserves

Russia forms Moscow, Leningrad military districts amid NATO expansion

"Two new strategic territorial units of the armed forces - the Moscow and Leningrad military districts are being created in response to NATO’s expansion," Valery Gerasimov specified

North Korean leader arrives at public event in Aurus luxury car gifted by Putin

On April 10, the vehicle was also spotted when the North Korean leader visited Kim Jong Il Military and Political Academy

Switzerland does not suit Russia for negotiations on Ukraine — Lavrov

The Foreign Minister pointed to the fact that Switzerland is on board with all Western sanctions

Lavrov speaks of West’s agony, Russia’s approach to any future talks with Kiev

The Russian foreign minister also described Armenia and Russia as more than formal allies

S-500 system to be supplied to Armed Forces after 2015

Victor Gumenny said the advanced systems may solve the tasks of air-space defence and may fight hypersonic weapons

Iran done with retaliation, calls for efforts to stop Israel from reckless steps — MFA

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Russia might register coronavirus vaccine by end of summer - expert

Now the development of the vaccine is at the stage of preclinical trials, they might last another month

No plans to ‘get involved in combat role’ in Ukraine, White House official says

Asked if it was because of Russia’s nuclear weapons, Kirby repeated that the circumstances were different

Major Western investor accuses Zelensky's office of extorting millions of euros

Arnulf Damerau said that he provided details of the meeting, along with evidence and a list of names of those involved, to US and European intelligence agencies

Proposals on Russian assets confiscation undermine financial system — Finance Minister

Russia urges the International Monetary Fund to resume the effort of improving the global monetary and financial system, Anton Siluanov noted

Russia not to go for settlement on Ukraine based on 'Zelensky formula' — Lavrov

The top Russian diplomat referred to a swindling trick used by a thimblerigger who puts a small round object, such as a ball or pea, under one of three thimbles or cups and asks the player to guess under which the object is, while unfairly manipulating this object

Russia handed over draft agreement to Ukraine on April 15, still no response — diplomat

"Many things, stated both in public space and at the negotiations table, have been immediately debunked by Kiev, sometimes within an hour or even 15 minutes," Maria Zakharova noted

G7 leaders to decide on Russian assets use — Italian Deputy PM

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BRICS’ expansion makes it much stronger — senior Russian diplomat

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Swiss parliament votes against joining task force on frozen Russian assets

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Russia won’t allow NATO to move closer in Ukraine — Lavrov

There is still no full clarity regarding the future of Ukraine's western regions, the Russian foreign minister went on to say

Russian investigators start inquiry into financing of terrorism by US, NATO officials

Investigators have established that the funds that were received through commercial organizations, such as the oil and gas company Burisma Holdings operating in Ukraine, have been used to carry out terrorist acts in Russia and abroad

Kiev ordered mandatory evacuation from Kharkov Region to accommodate mercenaries

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Ukrainians abroad storming embassies to avoid mobilization, Russian diplomat says

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Armenia’s relations with Russia not at their highest — top diplomat

Ararat Mirzoyan also said that Yerevan is currently making efforts to expand cooperation with the European Union and the United States

Russia bans 235 Australian local government officials from entering country — MFA

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Russian stock indices rising on Friday

The MOEX Russia Index edged up by 0.44%, the RTS Index surged by 1.13%

US blocks Security Council resolution granting full UN membership to Palestine

A total of 12 countries, including Russia and China, voted in favor of the document

Indonesia cancels forty flights due to volcano eruption — Internet portal

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West can’t comprehend Russia’s resilience — Lavrov

"They would have been scared had anyone come down on them with similar ferocity," the Russian foreign minister added

Caucasus Investment Forum to take place in Grozny this year — organizer

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BRICS looking at creating common digital payment platform

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said that BRICS nations have already established a special channel for information exchange between their central banks

Russian government increases customs duties on beer from unfriendly countries

This measure is not a prohibitive one and will make it possible to make competitive conditions equal for Russian producers, the ministry said

US 'not forgetting' to help itself with aid to Ukraine — Kremlin

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Russian forces destroy Ukrainian command post, two S-300 missile launchers over day

Russian forces improved their frontline positions and repelled a Ukrainian army counterattack in the Donetsk area where the enemy lost roughly 590 troops over the past day, the ministry reported

West frightens voters by 'Russian threat' to win elections — Lavrov

The top Russian diplomat pointed out that the anti-Russian rhetoric of Western politicians in power intensifies as the elections approach

Court arrests another man accused of blowing up car of former SBU officer in Moscow

Ivan Paskar is charged with illegally transporting explosive substances, but he does not recognize his guilt

Bank of Russia supports accelerating bill on international cryptocurrency payments

Elvira Nabiullina also noted that more than 98% of financial transactions inside Russia are routed through the Russian equivalent of SWIFT, the Financial Messaging System of the Bank of Russia

Lavrov labels way West ramping up sanctions against Russia as mindless

According to the foreign minister, Russia has decided not to depend on the West in all spheres, including those in which it can limit the country's development