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Developments in eastern Ukraine

Donetsk republic envoy warns Right Sector's exercise in Donbas may escalate conflict

Fighters of the Russia-banned nationalist Right Sector organization launched an exercise in east Ukraine's Donetsk region

Right Sector fighter seen in east Ukraine's Donetsk region (archive) EPA/OLEG PETRASYUK

Right Sector fighter seen in east Ukraine's Donetsk region (archive)

© EPA/OLEG PETRASYUK

MOSCOW, May 11. /TASS/. An exercise launched by fighters of the Russia-banned nationalist Right Sector organization in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, is at variance with the Minsk agreements and may escalate the conflict in the troubled Donbas, the official envoy of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic to the Contact Group, Denis Pushilin, said on Monday.

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"A punitive battalion of radically minded people launches an official exercise. This not only violates the Minsk-2 agreements, but actually worsens the situation," the Donetsk News Agency quotes Pushilin as saying.

Right Sector activists took part in the rallies in Kiev in February 2014. Right Sector activists were also among those involved in the May 2 Odessa tragedy.

At the moment, some of Right Sector activists take part in the military operation in Donbas. In November 2014, the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation declared Right Sector an extremist organization.

Recent peace deal

Regular talks of the participants of the Trilateral Contact Group were held in Minsk on February 10-12, 2015. Normandy Four (France, Germany, Russia, Ukraine) leaders also discussed the Ukrainian issue in Minsk then.

A 13-point Package of Measures on implementation of the September 2014 Minsk agreements was adopted at those talks.

The package in particular included an agreement on cessation of fire from February 15, withdrawal of heavy armaments, as well as measures on long-term political settlement of the situation in Ukraine, including establishment of working subgroups as priority tasks.

The subgroups focus on four areas: economic issues and restoration of facilities; refugees, internally displaced persons and humanitarian assistance; political issues; security issues.

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Right Sector Eastern Ukraine

Armenia–Azerbaijan conflict

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US accusing Russia of allegedly deploying nuclear weapons in space absurd — Lavrov

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Russian peacekeepers heading for temporary deployment centers in Armenia

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Russia pins future of nuclear test ban on US actions

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Russia to incorporate US nuke scenario in Poland in its military planning — diplomat

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Almaz-Antey adapts air defense launchers for various missiles

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US capitalizing on Israel-Palestinian conflict — Syrian president

America preys on any conflict and then steps aside to watch the growing havoc, waiting for a moment to deal a knockout blow, Bashar Assad said

Gagauzian leader on unity of Moldova’s opposition, ability to watch Russian TV channels

Yevgenia Gutsul underlined that Gagauzia plans to start exporting products to Russia in the near future

West battlegroup destroys two Ukrainian drones, hit over 170 Ukrainian army’s facilities

The battlegroup’s spokesman Ivan Bigma said that a Gvozdika self-propelled system, nine mortar squads, two Furiya fixed-wing type unmanned aerial vehicles were destroyed

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

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Putin-Pashinyan personal contact may take place in 'short term' — Kremlin

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Russia looking to open diplomatic missions in South Sudan, Niger, Sierra Leone — diplomat

According to Alexey Klimov, in 2023, almost 30,000 temporary entrance (return) permits were issued abroad and over 460,000 foreign passports were issued

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Revival Party leader released after being questioned by Moldovan special services

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Russian cabinet to discuss macroeconomic forecast

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Army officer some media point to as Nord Stream blasts coordinator goes missing in Ukraine

The man, Roman Chervinsky, was under arrest in the case of a failed operation to recruit a Russian pilot

NATO’s backing of Kiev’s strikes beyond special op area makes peace unachievable — expert

"The position of the majority of Western states negatively affects the probability of a peaceful settlement of the conflict, creating a risk of further escalation," Jiraporn Ruamphongphatthana believes

Hamas leader wants to see Russia, Egypt, Turkey as guarantor countries for Gaza

Talking about the current situation in Gaza, Ismail Haniyeh noted that "the resistance is still strong"

Over 40 nations want to join BRICS — Russian lawmaker

According to Grigory Karasin, many BRICS members share the opinion that the association should be in no hurry to adopt a strict charter, "seeing how counterproductively and even provocatively the European Union is acting"

Armenia purchasing only defensive weapons — PM

Yerevan's defense spending is 15-20% of what Azerbaijan spends on it, Nikol Pashinyan said

Ukraine says Western systems ineffective against Russia's electronic warfare

Maria Berlinskaya emphasized that the real effectiveness was determined in real combat conditions, and not at "some training ground in Texas"

Water level in Ishim River in Tyumen’s Abatsky up to 770 cm

The level of water grew by 69 cm in 24 hours

Russian troops liberate Novomikhailovka community in DPR — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup West repulsed four Ukrainian army counterattacks over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

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

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Current Russian turn eastward possible owing to Baikal-Amur railway — Putin

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Polish President pointed out that this issue is being raised during his meetings with NATO partners from time to time

Moldovan authorities try to present Gagauz as separatists — official

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North Korea presumably launches ballistic missile — Japan Coast Guard

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US-led coalition’s aircraft violate Syrian airspace 14 times in past day

One shelling attacks on the positions of Syrian government army by the Jabhat al-Nusra (outlawed in Russia) group was reported in the Idlib de-escalation zone

Lavrov slams West for promoting 'dishonest schemes' for restrictions on nuclear weapons

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Russia’s Battlegroup West repels three attacks in past day, moving to better positions

Units of Battlegroup Center have improved their tactical positions

Russian missile cruiser Varyag enters Mediterranean Sea

The ship's crew continues to fulfill the mission it was given for the long-range voyage

Builders from Azerbaijan participate in BAM upgrade — Putin

"Design engineers and construction workers from Azerbaijan built two settlements with terminal facilities during BAM construction - Ulkan and Angoya," the Russian President said

Romanian rescuers find Ukrainian deserters who spent four days in mountains

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Kremlin vows legal action against US bill on seizing Russian assets

Dmitry Peskov noted that the trial will be "very complex," but will cause severe damage to US economic interests if the US authorities finally approve the bill regarding Russian assets

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Balticconnector gas pipeline returns to operation

The gas pipeline has its operations suspended on October 8 of the last year because of the detected leak

Assad says sure Russia will win conflict in Ukraine, re-unite brotherly peoples

Russia, in his words, is "correcting what others have done"

Eleven Russians dead, 48 injured in Ukrainian strikes over week

Rodion Miroshnik pointed out that over the past week, Ukrainian forces fired "at least 1,278 rounds of ammunition" at the civilian facilities in the border regions

Russian troops level off frontline near Kremennaya in LPR for further advance

Russian combat aircraft and artillery "have begun to operate more intensively" at that frontline, delivering "precision strikes" on the Ukrainian army, Andrey Marochko said

Destroyed TV tower in Kharkov carried Ukrainian air defense coordination device — official

Digital TV signal interruptions are now observed in the city

US expert says more ATACMS won't alter battlefield dynamics in Ukraine

"There is no magic weapon, there is no series of weapons that could change this" situation for the Ukrainian armed forces, Scott Ritter said

Moldovan opposition announces creation of Pobeda political bloc

Among representatives are Governor of the autonomous Gagauzia region of Moldova Yevgenia Gutsul and parliamentary deputy Marina Tauber

Russia ready to offer access to Asian markets to partners in BAM upgrade — Putin

"To this end we intend to implement plans of expedited upgrade of BAM, the Trans-Siberian Railway, development of the entire eastern range of railroads on the basis of advanced technologies," the Russian President said

North Korea stages first combined tactical drill simulating nuclear counterattack — KCNA

The drill’s main purpose is to demonstrate the reliability, superiority, might and diverse means of the DPRK's nuclear force

EU reacts to worsening of situation for Ukraine by preparing for new world war — Szijjarto

The Hungarian Foreign Minister noted that the participants of the EU foreign and defense ministers meeting "did not challenge the information about the degree of Russia’s arms superiority"

Russian ambassador criticizes Germany for lack of answers in spy case

During the visit to the German foreign ministry on April 18, 2024, we did not receive any answers to our questions, Sergey Nechayev said

Ukraine 'not in a position to win' against Russia — Spanish reserve colonel

"The Western world cannot accept Ukraine's defeat, because from the point of view of our security, a Russian victory in the war would be a failure," Francisco Rubio pointed out

Russia recovers black boxes from crashed Tu-22M3 bomber

According to the law enforcement, the search for the fourth crew member is ongoing

Involvement of NATO states prolongs Ukrainian conflict — Russian ambassador to Germany

"Ukraine today is fully dependent on supplies of Western weapons, military hardware, ammunition, financing, intelligence, and assistance from military advisers," Sergey Nechayev said

Damage to TV tower in Kharkov causes problems with digital TV signal

Earlier, Ukrainian media reported an explosion in Kharkov, which was cofirmed later by Mayor Igor Terekhov

Over 280 recovered from mass grave at hospital in Khan Yunis — TV

The operation to recover bodies of people killed in Israeli bombardments continues in the city

EU Council to discuss weapons supplies to Ukraine, Russian assets, sanctions on Iran

Also, the EU Council will consider using immobilized Russian assets to help Kiev

Ukrainian troops fleeing Ocheretino in small groups, says DPR

"There is one more or less suitable road but it is also being shelled," adviser to the DPR head Igor Kimakovsky said

Russia’s UN envoy, Serbian leader discuss coordination on Kosovo at UN

They "exchanged opinions on a wide range of pressing bilateral and international issues while focusing on the situation in the Balkans," the Russian diplomatic mission to the UN said

Cossack Brigade ‘Dnieper’ takes out two Ukrainian boats at Kinburn Spit

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Confiscation of Russian assets by the US to affect Europe more — expert

The US decision may provoke panic among investors that would start withdrawing their funds from European banks, being concerned of their freeze and further confiscation

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

Conflict in Ukraine can be over by end of 2025, Hungary’s Orban believes

Prime Minister said that it is possible if proponents of peace, not war, win the June elections to the European Parliament and the US Presidential elections in November

Development of Baikal-Amur, Trans-Siberian railways important for Russia, CIS — Putin

The Russian leader recalled that Heydar Aliyev, the father Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev, supervised construction of the Baikal-Amur railway

Armenia remains engaged with CSTO — head of post-Soviet security bloc

Imangali Tasmagambetov noted that "relations between the CSTO and Armenia, which is a member state of our organization, are far from being at their best"

New US military aid will not prevent end of Kiev regime — Russian mission to the UN

"That’s what happens when the head of state doesn’t care about his own people and sells out his country," Dmitry Polyansky said

Top Hungarian diplomat warns US-NATO-EU competition in Ukraine could spark WWIII

"Preparations for a world war are intensifying in Brussels," Peter Szijjarto warned

West balancing on edge of direct military confrontation between nuclear powers — Lavrov

According to the top Russian diplomat, it is especially concerning that the three Western nuclear powers are among the key sponsors of the Kiev regime and the main initiators of various inflammatory moves

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

Moldova punishing Gagauzia for refusal to call Russia aggressor — Gagauz leader

We have always been standing and will continue to stand for friendly relations with Russia, Yevgenia Gutsul said

Russian economy to see serious structural changes — presidential aide

"The first one is the technology agenda, the very large one, with huge demands for our own small, medium and large solutions," Maxim Oreshkin said

Russia, Ukraine sought to agree on Crimea at Istanbul talks, Lukashenko says

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No point in peace conference on Ukraine without Russia — top Hungarian diplomat

All parties involved in combat operations must meet at the negotiating table, Peter Szijjarto said

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

Repaired strategic bomber Tu-22M3 re-enters service with Russia’s Aerospace Force

The bombers will get advanced precision weapons while their radio-electronic devices and engines will be similar to the equipment aboard the latest Tu-160M2 aircraft

Units of South battlegroup fully free Bogdanovka in Donetsk People’s Republic — top brass

The enemy lost up to 440 troops, three cars and an Osa-AKM air defense system, a 152mm D-20 weapon