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Evan Gershkovich’s potential exchange being discussed by Russian, US intelligence — Lavrov

The foreign minister noted that "this topic does not like fuss, as everyone knows"

UNITED NATIONS, July 18. /TASS/. Russia has irrefutable proof of The Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich’s spying activities, and the question of his potential exchange is being discussed at the level of Russian and US intelligence agencies in accordance with the agreements, achieved at the highest level, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.

"The use of journalists for intelligence purposes, at least in the Anglo-Saxon tradition, is completely natural," he noted. "We have irrefutable proof that Gershkovich did engage in spying activities. In accordance with the agreement, achieved by presidents Putin and Biden back in June, 2021, intelligence agencies remain in contact in order to see if someone could be exchanged for someone else."

The foreign minister noted that "this topic does not like fuss, as everyone knows."

"The Americans throw it into the public space from time to time, which does not help, of course," he complained. "But such contacts do exist, and it has nothing to do with attacks on journalism.".

US needs Ukraine's rare earth metals, including lithium — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister noted that American companies had already bought up most of the fertile land

UK mercenary taken prisoner in Russia’s Kursk area — source

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Kremlin spokesman says missiles like Oreshnik are developed in secrecy

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Ukrainian strikes inside Russia impossible without Western support — newspaper

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Nicosia reportedly asked to buy some military equipment from Washington as part of a three or five-year agreement, and sought help in bringing Cyprus’ military capabilities to NATO standards

Trump ‘incredibly concerned’ about escalation in Ukraine, his NSA pick Waltz says

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British mercenary claims he was sent to Russia’s Kursk Region against his will

The captive explained that he had served as a private in a battalion for four months

Russian forces pound Ukrainian military airfields, energy sites over day — top brass

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West beginning to realize only part of Ukraine will remain — Lavrov

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Ukrainian commander-in-chief reports threats to troops in Zaporozhye Region

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Abkhazia did not reach point of no return, ex-president says

Aslan Bzhania believes that the recent developments in the republic have inflicted reputational damage on it

Russia to toughly respond to Japan’s steps against it — Deputy Foreign Minister

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Ciolacu, Lasconi to face off in presidential runoff in Romania next month — exit polls

Voter turnout in the election stood at 52.41%

Russian forces eliminate Ukrainian MiG-29 on ground

Additionally, Russian units eliminated one munitions depot

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The Russian foreign minister noted that American companies had already bought up most of the fertile land

Large number of Ukrainians to lose mobilization exemption after February 28 — deputy

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US Army under Trump may fire all trans persons — media

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Weapons supplied to Ukraine cannot reach Russian territory, Spanish defense minister says

The New York Times reported on November 17 that US President Joe Biden had authorized the use of US-supplied ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles for strikes inside Russia

Ukrainian army mercenaries from Colombia linked to US-controlled drug cartels — expert

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Kremlin explains why Oreshnik missile came as surprise

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Twelve local residents have been evacuated from the scene

German activists demand compensation from Ukraine for Nord Stream explosion

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The Ynet news website reported earlier that Israel had given a preliminary green light to a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah, subject to final approval by the cabinet

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"As for New START, you are well aware of our decision to suspend it," Sergey Ryabkov said

Europe's 'hotheads' for sending troops to Ukraine, but there is no unity — Kremlin

"Earlier, of course, such ideas were heard from different European capitals, but various counterarguments were also voiced not in favor of this idea," Dmitry Peskov noted

Warehouse with containers of flammable liquids on fire in Barnaul — Emergencies ministry

As the ministry’s the regional headquarters reported, the area of the fire is 6,000 square meters

Ukrainian officer says 90% of fellow servicemen have no desire to fight

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Gazprombank’s UnionPay cards no longer serviced in several countries

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Russian, North Korean ministers of sport agree on exchanges in 2025 — KCNA

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Ukrainian army admits loss of 40% of territories it controlled in Kursk Region — agency

"At most, we controlled about 1,376 square kilometers, now of course this territory is smaller," the source said

Russia’s Sukhoi jet catches fire while landing in Turkey

According to HaberGlobal television, all 79 passengers on board were evacuated

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Ukraine’s military loses nearly 10,000 troops at LPR borders over week — military expert

Over the reporting period, Russian forces also destroyed 11 tanks, 89 field artillery guns, 16 electronic warfare and counterbattery radar stations, 33 field ammunition depots and more than 230 combat vehicles of the Ukrainian army in those frontline areas, Andrey Marochko said

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Ukraine abandons Selidovo, laying mines in wells — security services

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British military instructor captured, Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

In total, the enemy has lost more than 35,510 troops since the fighting began in the region

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Dmitry Peskov also noted that the outgoing US administration is taking increasingly reckless steps, increasing tensions around the Ukrainian conflict

Diplomat mocks US Senator for talking about invading Netherlands

Maria Zakharova quoted the US Senator, who called the ICC a "Kangaroo court" and ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan a "deranged fanatic"

Most of Russian weapons manufactured inside Russia — Medvedev

Putin doesn’t let US feel comfortable on global stage — Turkish columnist

Melih Altinok also praised Putin for "not surrendering to the World Health Organization during the pandemic" and pursuing the nation’s own policy in fighting the virus

Putin, Turkish president hold phone talks — Kremlin

The leaders also discussed some international issues

Comprehensive partnership agreement between Russia, Iran to cover defense sphere

The agreement on comprehensive strategic partnership is called to become the most important stage in development of bilateral relations

US, West have no capabilities to intercept new Russian hypersonic missile — expert

"There is more in the Russian arsenal than many believe," said Karin Kneissl, the former Foreign Minister of Austria

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Sergey Ryabkov warned Russia’s adversaries against settling into a "false sense of security"

US did not contact Russia after use of Oreshnik missile — Deputy Foreign Minister

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Kiev has ‘no chance’ of retaking lost territories — Blackwater founder

Erik Prince noted that it was necessary to end the Ukrainian conflict as soon as possible

Kremlin doesn’t see Trump’s future term through ‘rose-colored glasses’ — spokesman

Trump is scheduled to be sworn in as president on January 20, 2025

Russia acted responsibly in warning US about Oreshnik missile launch, Kremlin says

The US was notified automatically 30 minutes before the launch by Russia's Nuclear Risk Reduction Center

Kremlin refrains from predicting outcome of Romanian elections

Dmitry Peskov noted that Russia is well aware of Romania’s current government’s policy

Retreating Ukrainian troops leave dozens of bodies behind in Chasov Yar

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Ukrainian military fires over 50 projectiles at Russia’s Belgorod Region in past day

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NATO spies study damage from Oreshnik at Yuzhmash — expert

Alexander Stepanov emphasized that both Kiev and its Western allies are closely scrutinizing the consequences of the strike on the plant

Europe resumes talks of troop deployment to Ukraine — newspaper

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Moscow doing everything to bring Russian citizens back home — Kremlin spokesman

According to Dmitry Peskov, the return of the Kursk residents "was the result of very challenging negotiations"

Russia may soon push Kiev troops out of Kursk Region — Ukrainian battalion commander

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Conflict in Ukraine no longer regional war — German defense minister

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on November 21 that strikes on Russian territory with Western long-range missiles had made the conflict in Ukraine a global one

Kremlin spokesman says EU will look back on its foreign policy under Borrell with shame

According to Peskov, the EU is far from taking an independent, sober view of what is happening

No int’l restrictions on deployment of Oreshnik systems — senior Russian diplomat

When asked if the 1998 Russian-US memorandum of understanding on notifications of missile launches remained in effect, Sergey Ryabkov answered in the affirmative

US missile defense base in Poland long among Russian army’s targets — Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova stated that the US-NATO construction project, ongoing for nearly a decade with complete disregard to Russian security concerns, has consistently been a focus of Russia's attention

Kremlin sees US-led West ready to do anything to suppress Russia

The situation is "unprecedented," the spokesman told the reporter from the All-Russian State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company

Georgian presidential elections should be held in 2024 — parliament speaker

Shalva Papuashvili also noted that the parliament will determine the exact date of the election on Tuesday

Senior envoy sees Putin’s statement as signal of Russia’s readiness for military responses

Sergey Ryabkov stressed that Russia has its underlying security interests "that will be ensured by every means that we have at our disposal"

Any escalation scenario possible in Ukraine conflict — Medvedev

According to the politician, Western nations need to understand that they are fighting on Ukraine’s side

Guterres condemns supply of anti-personnel landmines to Ukraine

The UN Secretary-General urged world leaders to join the Ottawa Convention

Oreshnik missile to change course of Ukrainian conflict, Medvedev believes

Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said it in an interview

Russia will respond 'in every way' to Seoul’s arms supply to Kiev — MFA

Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Andrey Rudenko called on South Korean to soberly assess the situation and refrain from "reckless steps"

Zelensky begs ‘for his country to be flattened’ — US journalist

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Press review: Russia to mass-produce Oreshnik missiles and EU gas prices reach record high

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Cargo plane crashes near Vilnius Airport in Lithuania

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Netanyahu approves deal with Hezbollah 'in principle' — report

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Potential deployment of intermediate-range missiles depends on US moves — Russian diplomat

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Putin has high hopes for cancer vaccine being developed in Russia

Head of the Federal Medical-Biological Agency Veronika Skvortskova briefed the Russian President on the vaccine's development