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Developments in eastern Ukraine

Russia’s OSCE envoy: Azov battalion acting as "third force" in Ukraine

The so-called "third force" in southeastern Ukraine, whose presence was reported by OSCE monitors, is the combatants of the Azov battalion, Russia’s envoy to the OSCE Andrey Kelin said

© Stepan Petrenko/TASS

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Russian diplomat says Kiev must restrain its volunteer battalions acting in Donbas

MOSCOW, April 24. /TASS/. The so-called "third force" in southeastern Ukraine, whose presence was reported by OSCE monitors, is the combatants of the Azov paramilitary battalion, Russia’s envoy to the OSCE Andrey Kelin told a meeting of the organization’s permanent council dedicated to the work of the monitoring mission in Ukraine.

"We share the concern of the OSCE special monitoring mission over the subversive activities of the volunteer battalions in Shirokino and in the Donetsk airport area," the Russian Foreign Ministry quotes Kelin as saying.

According to Kelin, "of special concern was the part of the report that cited opinions of senior officers of the Russian-Ukrainian Joint Center for Control and Coordination that skirmishes near Donetsk had been provoked by a "third force."

"In this case, it’s well known that that they were referring to the gunmen of the Azov voluntary battalion," Kelin added.

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Ukraine Eastern Ukraine

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Russia’s victory in Ukraine to change course of history in Europe — von der Leyen

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MGIMO to host third international forum ‘Russia - Africa: What Next?’

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US has no idea what to do about Zelensky — Seymour Hersh

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Russian deputy defense minister detained on suspicion of bribe-taking

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Top Russian security official pledges continued push toward global justice

Nikolay Patrushev added that Moscow is happy that its position is received well by most countries, whose delegates are attending a meeting in St. Petersburg

Western countries plant spy infrastructure in their embassies, says CSTO secretary general

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Press review: Dissecting US aid package to Ukraine and sands of global economy shifting

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Mexicans, Colombians recruited in US jails to be deployed in Ukraine — SVR

Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service said that in case the inmates agree to this "mission," "they are promised full amnesty, reckoning they would never come back"

Network of international conspirators plotted Crocus terrorist attack — watchdog

Yury Chikhanchin pointed out that the perpetrators of the attack were provided with money, weapons, transportation and ammunition

Ukrainian army loses 444,000 troops during military operation — Shoigu

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Russia and friendly countries produce almost 90% of components for Aurus cars — NAMI

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US stops hiding true purpose of sanctions on Moscow, Russian envoy says

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