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Soyuz MS-08 spaceship with three crew members docks to ISS

The spaceship was launched from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan on March 21

KOROLYOV /Moscow region/, March 23. /TASS/. Russia’s Soyuz MS-08 manned spaceship carrying a crew of three astronauts has docked to the International Space Station (ISS), the Russian mission control center said on Friday.

The Soyuz MS-08 that was launched from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan at 20:44 Moscow time on March 21 docked to the ISS’ Poisk module in an automated regime under the control of specialists of the Russian mission control center and Russian cosmonauts onboard the spaceship and the ISS.

The spaceship has taken Russian cosmonaut Oleg Artemyev and NASA astronauts Andrew Feustel and Richard Arnold, who will join the current ISS crew of Russian cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov, Japanese astronaut Norishige Kanai and NASA astronaut Scott Tingle.

Artemyev said earlier he would set out on a spacewalk on August 8 together with Sergei Prokopyev, who is due to reach the ISS in June. The Russian cosmonauts will install equipment on the external surface of the ISS for the ICARUS experiment on monitoring wild birds. This will be the most interesting experiment out of more than 50 others, which the Russian crew will carry out during the flight, the cosmonaut said. The Russian cosmonauts will also launch nano-satellites during their spacewalk.

The Soyuz MS-08 takes to the station a ball of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The ball will be later taken back to the Earth by cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov and may be used in the first match of the championship in Russia.

Roscosmos chief notes high quality of Vostochny space center’s construction

Yury Borisov said that the space facility’s launch pad bore practically no visible signs of the recent Angara-A5 carrier rocket’s launch

Russia retains world’s 2nd place by active combat aircraft — research data

The list of the world's top ten active aircraft types includes Russian MiG-29 fighters, Su-25 attack aircraft and Su-24 frontline bombers

Iran tells US about April 13 attack on Israel, it does not want escalation — top diplomat

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian added that prior to the attack, Tehran said that it would not target US military infrastructure in the Middle East "except in a situation where the United States wants to take military measures in support of Israel"

Russia can join top three countries by lithium reserves — governor

Infrastructure is required to implement the investment project, both power transmission lines and the railroad, Andrey Chibis noted

Iran to review nuclear doctrine in case of Israeli aggression — IRGC

Ahmad Haghtalab pointed out that the Iranian Army and other security forces protect Iranian nuclear facilities using the most advanced equipment, so "national nuclear centers are completely safe"

French, US, British nukes all interwoven — Russian diplomat

Maria Zakharova described France’s decision to place its aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, directly under NATO control as a symbolic move marking the end of "the era of an independent Paris in the international arena"

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

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

According to materials in the case, the accused man has a residence permit in Ukraine, where his wife lives, and Kyrgyz citizenship

German MFA summons Russian ambassador after detention of espionage suspects — newspaper

Commenting on the men's arrest, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said: "Our security services have prevented possible explosions aimed at undermining our military assistance to Ukraine"

Olympic flame lit in Ancient Olympia, kicking off 2024 Paris Summer Games journey

The traditional event of lighting the Olympic flame was attended by Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach, President of the Greek National Olympic Committee Spyros Capralos and other officials

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

"In any case, whatever the modality of providing this aid, de facto it is about provoking Ukraine into further hostilities down to the last Ukrainian, putting guarantted money in the pockets of the US," Dmitry Peskov said

Russian-Turkish monitoring center in Karabakh ceases to operate — Ankara official

On November 9, 2020, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on a complete ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh

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

Robert Fico believes Moscow will win in its confrontation with Kiev

Crimea’s revenues rise to $1.12 bln over past ten years

Sergey Aksenov noted that the increase in budget revenues helped use a large amount of funds on the development of priority areas, including environmental protection, education, health care, and road construction

Tokyo potentially joining US nuclear missions fraught with danger — Russian diplomat

Maria Zakharova also highlighted Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s recent US visit, adding that "it was yet again accompanied by anti-Russian outbursts"

Russia will not 'shake up' relations with Argentina due to its partnership with NATO — MFA

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EU plans to invest first profits from Russian assets in military aid to Kiev

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Russia expects Armenia to clarify 'military, political accords' with US, EU — diplomat

Maria Zakharova noted that Moscow would not be surprised if it turned out that the US and the EU had imposed their plans on Yerevan

EU summit calls to continue work on duties on Russian, Belarusian agricultural produce

The European Commission suggested introducing duties on agricultural products from Russia and Belarus earlier

Russia’s federal budget deficit in 2024-2026 not to exceed 1% of GDP — finance minister

The State Duma, the lower house of parliament, adopted earlier the law on Russia’s federal budget for 2024-2026 in the third and final reading

Ceasefire necessary for implementation of UN humanitarian resolution on Gaza — UN envoy

"The Israeli forces carry out strikes at humanitarian forces, block their access, slow down the cargo clearance," Vasily Nebenzya said

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Russian Aerospace Forces strike five militant hideouts in Syria’s Homs

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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

Pipeline explodes in Kharkov Region

The exact location of the damaged pipeline or the causes of the incident is not reported

Over 40 nations want to join BRICS — Russian lawmaker

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

The first Konteiner radar went on combat duty in the Volga area region of Mordovia on December 1, 2019

US deploying missiles in Philippines to endanger global security — Russian envoy

Anatoly Antonov has urged the US "not to open Pandora's Box" and follow Russia’s suit "by taking all necessary steps to ensure global stability and predictability"

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On the evening of April 13, Iran launched drones and missiles toward Israel in response to what it called "repeated crimes" from Tel Aviv, including the attack on the consular office of the Iranian Embassy in Damascus ascribed to Israel

Founder of neo-Nazi cell in Crimea flees to Georgia — source

According to the official, the investigation established that Mikhail Maurov planned to travel to Ukraine to join the ranks of a right-wing Ukrainian organization called the Freedom of Russia Legion

Russia says its forces repel four Ukrainian counterattacks in Kupyansk area

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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

Iran intends to bolster military cooperation with Russia — envoy to Moscow

Kazem Jalali noted that Iran had demonstrated its ability to ensure security and nudge the region toward a de-escalation

Kiev claims over 160 children believed to 'have been taken to Russia' found in Germany

Russian Presidential Commissioner for Children’s Rights Maria Lvova-Belova said that Ukraine and Western countries were doing everything in order to demonize Russia’s image

Chechen leader announces decision to add 3,000 ex-Wagner fighters to Akhmat commandos

Ramzan Kadyrov said the Russian Defense Ministry had already opened the necessary number of vacancies to recruit soldiers

Ukrainian president signs law tightening mobilization rules

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Ukraine struggles to garner support for Swiss conference — Russian Foreign Ministry

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Sistema Q2 revenue rises by 19% to $2.56 bln

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G7 countries to prevent Iran from producing, purchasing weapons

The G7 finance ministers and Central Bank chiefs also condemned "the unprecedented attack against Israel by Iran"

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EU border checkpoint closest to Russia’s St. Petersburg to cut its working hours

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West, Kiev indulge in nuclear blackmail by demanding control of ZNPP — Russian MFA

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Water in Kurgan above dam, breaking records

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Russia-China military-technical cooperation not directed against other states — diplomat

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Germany moves to exclude Russia from concentration camp liberation celebrations

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Swiss parliament votes against joining task force on frozen Russian assets

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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

German Foreign Ministry confirms summoning of Russian ambassador

Earlier, the German Public Prosecutor’s Office said that two people had been detained on suspicion of spying for Russia

Russian diplomat challenges France to stop arming Kiev amid Olympic truce talk

According to Maria Zakharova, in order for Moscow to take Macron’s initiative seriously, "practical steps" are needed

Over 70 people killed in last day of fighting in Gaza

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MiG-31I fighters receive air refueling system

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Russian MFA says Russia won’t invade Ukraine, blames US for ‘aggressive plans’

Maria Zakharova said it was "absurd" to say Russia nurtured any aggressive plans about Ukraine

Ukrainian military reportedly uses HIMARS rocket launcher to attack Gorlovka

Head of the Donetsk People’s Republic Denis Pushilin also said that an explosive device had detonated in the Kievsky District of Donetsk, injuring a man born in 1964

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

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Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Israel will "most likely" respond to the recent Iranian attack

Investments in Subarctic region to be over $32.6 bln in next decade — governor

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Argentina applies for status of NATO’s global partner

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Hungary’s top diplomat says will oppose any NATO move toward confrontation with Russia

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Ukraine attacks ZNPP training center again, drone neutralized

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Nord Stream AG's refusal to pay compensation destroys Western insurance system — diplomat

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Ukraine turns from sovereign country into Western protectorate, Hungarian PM says

Viktor Orban noted that there should be a buffer zone between NATO and Russia and Ukraine could serve as one

Sistema Holding posts 15% increase in IFRS revenues over 9M 2023

Sistema is the holding with the diversified asset portfolio in such sectors as telecommunications, high technologies, IT, as well as e-commerce

Russian artillery thwarts Ukrainian army’s rotation near Kupyansk — underground resistance

The Ukrainian army used the outbuilding as an ammunition depot, which accommodated about 15 fighters at the time of the air strike, spokesman Sergey Lebedev specified

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

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Gazprom CEO and Belarus’ Ambassador to Russia discussed Russian gas supplies — company

OJSC Gazprom Transgaz Belarus is a 100% subsidiary of PJSC Gazprom in the Republic of Belarus

UK sanctions against Fesco will not affect its operations — company

On Friday, the UK announced the imposition of sanctions against 86 individuals and companies associated with Russia and operating in energy, metallurgy, banking, military-industrial and other sectors

Putin points to high risk of new epidemic outbreaks

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

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Canada to return repaired Nord Stream turbine to Germany

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

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Agents in Ukrainian, Poland foil attempt to kill Zelensky, security officials in Kiev say

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Kremlin condemns 'illegal' seizure of villa from Russian businessman

Dmitry Peskov underscored that Moscow has already made its position clear on this matter

Yerevan's refusal to delimit borders with Baku to escalate regional tensions — PM

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Colombian president displays interest in country’s entry into BRICS

Brazilian leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva welcomed Gustavo Petro’s initiative, "being committed to promotion of Colombia’s candidacy"

China to act over possible US measures for alleged support of Russian defense sector

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Energy prices help US economy to develop better than Europe — IMF

It is reported that the US has benefited from more favorable conditions in terms of energy prices, something that has been quite a serious factor for Europe, not a positive factor for Europe

Investigation into Crocus terrorist attack underway, traces lead to Ukraine — diplomat

Maria Zakharova noted the need to "wait for official information from the investigation"

IMF estimates Kiev needs for this year at $42 bln — Managing Director

"The support for Ukraine remains steady. It is firm," Kristalina Georgieva noted

Russia ready to replace Ukrainian grain supplies — Putin

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France-Russia relations hit rock bottom — ex-envoy to Paris

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Germany fails to present evidence in case of espionage suspects — Russian embassy

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Krasnodar court orders suspect in slaying of mobilization official held until September 10

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Kiev continues to openly announce terrorist attacks on Russia — diplomat

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

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Ukraine’s military loses positions near Avdeyevka, says DPR

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Ukraine convicts 12th world chess champion for recognizing Donetsk, Lugansk republics

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Shoigu visits presentation of over 30 promising weapons, including robotic vehicles

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