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Developments in eastern Ukraine

DPR defense spokesman says east Ukraine shelled by Kiev troops, not by militia forces

The spokesman of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic's defense ministry said the militia are taking "adequate measures against strengthening the genocide"

Ukrainian army soldiers prepare weapons AP Photo/Petro Zadorozhnyy

Ukrainian army soldiers prepare weapons

© AP Photo/Petro Zadorozhnyy

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MOSCOW, June 3. /TASS/. The militia of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) don't not conduct offensive operations, in spite of provocations by Kiev-controlled units, DPR defense ministry spokesman Eduard Basurin told reporters on Wednesday.

"We are not conducting offensive operations, we just take adequate measures against strengthening the genocide of the people of Donbas," the Donetsk news agency quotes him as saying.

He noted that the order to shell DPR cities and villages had been issued by commanders of the Ukrainian armed forces. "DPR cities have been shelled by the Ukrainian army, not by battalions or other units. Only commanders of the Ukrainian armed forces can issue an order to open fire," he added.

The defense minister of the unrecognized republic said the militia’s losses have reached 15 men as Kiev forces have been shelling their positions since last night.

He noted that the Ukrainian army’s actions had been "planned in advance". "They are aimed at disrupting Minsk-2, this is an attempt to show that the situation has gone out of control," he said.

"Our positions came under fire along the whole frontline: in Shirokino, Yelenovka and Maryinka. Shells of three calibers (120 mm, 122 mm and 152 mm) were used. We have conducted defensive operations for seven hours," the Donetsk news agency quotes Vladimir Kononov as saying.

"To date, around 15 people have been killed, these are DPR losses since the first provocation at 03:45," Kononov said, adding that this number included both militia fighters and civilians.

Sixty civilians wounded in Donetsk shelling

At least of 60 civilians in Donetsk have been injured as a result of shelling attacks, director of the Republican Traumatology Centre Alexander Oprishchenko told the Donetsk news agency on Wednesday.

"Some 60 people with injuries have been admitted to our hospital alone," he said.

According to Oprishchenko, five people are in extremely grave condition. "There are people with varying degrees of injuries, some without arms and legs. Many are now undergoing surgery," he said.

According to the Traumatology Centre head, the hospital has all the needed medicaments for the patients. "The blood bank has also not failed us yet," he added.

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Donbas coal miners: work in war-torn Eastern Ukraine

Shelling traps hundreds of coal miners in east Ukraine

Defense ministry spokesman Basurin also said some 375 coal miners remained trapped in the Skochinsky coal mine and another 576 people were trapped in the Zasyadko coal mine after the pits lost power in shelling.

Shells hit the Skochinsky coal mine and a market in Donetsk’s Kirovsk district, Donetsk news agency quoted spokesman Eduard Basurin as saying.

"The coal pit lost power. Two people have been wounded," Basurin said, adding that information about casualties was being verified.

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Eastern Ukraine

Houthis attack two commercial ships, US destroyer — statement

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US draft on nukes in space seeks to go beyond legal framework Russia adheres to — MFA

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Russian court blocks JPMorgan’s funds in VTB lawsuit

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Irina Podnosova said courts have been receiving an increasing number of complaints, attributing it to the rising trust that people have to the judicial system

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Russia discourages use of UN sanctions for interference in African affairs — envoy

Vasily Nebenzya underscored that Russia continues to "make an important contribution to strengthening of African countries’ potential, including UN Security Council and General Assembly"

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Russia to retaliate immediately if Kiev gets ATACMS missiles — diplomat

Konstantin Gavrilov also noted that the "manic efforts" of some Western OSCE member countries to isolate Russia "are futile and will backfire on their initiators"

Russian deputy defense minister detained on suspicion of bribe-taking

"Russian Deputy Defense Minister Timur Vladimirovich Ivanov was detained on suspicion of committing a crime under part 6, article 290 of the Russian Criminal Code," the Russian Investigative Committee said

US will have to take Russia into account and find common ground with it — Putin

Russian President said in an interview with Rossiya-1 TV channel journalist Pavel Zarubin

Press review: NATO flexes muscles near Russian border and South China Sea runs hot

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According to the agency, dust from the Sahara will be observed in Ukraine for two more days on April 25 and 26

US effectively dooms Ukraine by its new decisions, Russian envoy says

"The American aid won’t save Zelensky. New weapons will be destroyed, and the special military operation goals will be achieved," Anatoly Antonov stressed

No response from West to killing of Izvestia war reporter Eremin — diplomat

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Russian forces take Ukrainian strongholds near Klescheyevka under control

Apty Alaudinov posted a drone video footage of elimination Ukrainian personnel and Russian forces capturing enemy trenches

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Russian children’s commissioner holds first face-to-face talks with Ukrainian counterparts

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Men of conscription age try to leave the country in every possible way, often putting their lives at risk

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"Republika Srpska comes under direct pressure and under constant US sanctions; and we are looking for ways to solve this problem," Milorad Dodik said

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Putin informed about detention of Deputy Defense Minister Ivanov

Minister Sergey Shoigu was also informed beforehand, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said

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"Today, under the two countries’ leaders’ special attention, political contacts, exchanges, cooperation in the economic, culture, science and other areas are developing with renewed momentum," Minister Plenipotentiary of the republic's embassy in Russia Lee Yong Zin said

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Simultaneously, the Air Force conducted two more military operation using a huge number of drones to target a US destroyer in the Gulf of Aden

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Russia dissatisfied with UN’s activity under grain deal — senior diplomat

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US State Department confirms secret shipments of long-range ATACMS missiles to Kiev

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Top US diplomat Blinken arrives in Shanghai

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Ukrainian troops in Kharkov Region lift antennas with kites to get better signal

Military expert Andrey Marochko speculated that the Ukrainian army had to resort to this tactic because the TV tower in Kharkov was damaged

Russian GDP growth reaches 3.6% in 2023 — statistics

The GDP deflator index in 2023 against 2022 prices moved up by 6.3%

Lukashenko says US rues giving rise to Russia-China alliance

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

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Russia vetoes US-backed UNSC resolution on banning nuclear weapons in outer space

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Proper humanitarian assistance to Gaza impossible amid hostilities — Russian diplomat

"We are tired to repeat over and over again - amid the US-backed Israeli military operation, which has been going on for more than six months already, adequate assistance to the enclave’s population is simply impossible," Vasily Nebenzya said

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US spends millions of dollars on studying UFOs, 'covers up' information — congressman

Tim Burchett added that "it’s not about little green man or flying saucers, it’s about tens of millions of dollars that our federal government is spending"

US military aid for Kiev cannot stop Russian army’s advance — North Korean diplomat

The US Congress House of Representatives earlier passed bills on military aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan

Russia presents world’s first hydrogen-fueled luxury car at Innoprom exhibition

The unique vehicle was built on the basis of the Aurus Senat luxury car

US incapable of replicating Cold War-era arms race — Valdai club expert

According to Dmitry Stefanovich, in order to prevent a new unbridled arms race, it is necessary to work on strategic stability as well as the sphere of arms control

Ukrainian forces refuse to obey Commander-in-Chief Syrsky — CIA ex-analyst

Larry Johnson also noted that the Russian forces manage to advance recently despite the slush on the roads

Niger would like Russia to train its troops — interior minister says

Mohamed Toumba noted that the training of troops could help in the fight against terrorism

Russian Navy’s Bastion missile systems practice massive strike in Baltic drills

The Bastion coastal defense missile system is designated to defend the coastline over 600 km long

First regiment of S-500 air defense systems to defend Moscow — source

The S-500 will replace the S-400 Triumph air defense system

Top Russian, Iranian security officials discuss Middle East

"The parties exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East, confirming their interest in preventing further escalation of tensions," the Russian Security Council reported

Switzerland unblocks Russia-related assets worth 290 mln Swiss francs

The total amount of blocked assets of the Russian Federation decreased by 150 million Swiss francs (about $165 million) due to the fact that a number of individuals "were removed from the EU sanctions lists"

Press review: GOP tussles over Ukraine bill and Putin, Aliyev talk partnership

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, April 23rd

Ukraine exhausted, needs constant money flow from outside — defense official

Apty Alaudinov added that if the Ukrainian army received long-range weapons, it might try to attack Russia's civilian infrastructure due to its powerlessness on the front

Post-Soviet security bloc holds arms control consultations in Moscow

The participants in the consultations "stressed the importance of stepping up efforts to prevent further erosion of the relevant international legal framework"

Russian diplomat thanks Tajik authorities for help in probe into Crocus terrorist attack

The sides also exchanged views on the progress in the implementation of large-scale tasks set by the heads of the two states and heads of government along the political, trade, economic and migration trajectories, the implementation of projects on the cultural and humanitarian fronts

Russian troops wipe out Ukrainian UAV production workshop over past day

The Russian forces improved their frontline positions and inflicted casualties on five Ukrainian army brigades in the Donetsk area over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Agreements on security with Iran, Myanmar, Ethiopia to come into force in 2024 — MFA

"A whole number of similar agreements with Asian, African, Middle Eastern, Latin American countries are being worked out," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin added

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

Russian pipeline gas supplies to Europe add a quarter in winter — IEA

The share of Russian pipeline gas in the total European gas demand in winter nevertheless remained less than 10%, the International Energy Agency noted

Musk concurs that civil war looming in West

The US businessman commented on remarks by Gad Saad, a Canadian professor of Lebanese origin, who insisted that "the path that the West is taking will result in civil war"

Russian court arrests in absentia four foreign agents charged with terrorism

"The court has selected a measure of restraint for Garry Kasparov, Gennady Gudkov, Yevgenia Chirikova and Ivan Tyutrin, charged with establishing and heading a terrorist society, funding terrorist activity and justifying it publicly," the court said

Stockmann company to buy Russian business of Hugo Boss — Industry Ministry

All the existing Hugo Boss stores will be reopened in July - August 2024, Russian Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Viktor Evtukhov said

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

Russian defense minister dismisses his deputy Ivanov

Timur Ivanov was removed from the office of deputy defense minister of the Russian Federation of the federal government’s civil service