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Ukraine’s prosecutors launch criminal case against interior minister

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KIEV, September 14. /TASS/. Ukrainian Prosecutor General Yury Lutsenko said a criminal case was opened against Interior Minister Arsen Avakov.

"I daily receive letters from several dozen people, including [Ukrainian anti-corruption center chief Vitaly] Shabunin, and on the basis of his letter I also launched a criminal case against… Interior Minister Avakov, because all are equal," Lutsenko said.

He did not specify what article the case was initiated under.

Earlier, Verkhovna Rada deputies repeatedly registered bills on dismissal of Avakov.

President asks French leader, European Council chief to discuss Georgia issue

Сouncil meeting is scheduled for April 17

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Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov, in turn, said that Russian President Vladimir Putin has not yet received an official invitation

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The report did not specify which facilities in Israel had been attacked with hypersonic missiles

Russian coal supplies to China over 100 mln metric tons in 2023 — Energy Ministry

Earlier reports said that coal supplies to China totaled 67 mln metric tons as of 2022 year-end

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

Three pairs of the coalition’s F-15 and a pair of F-16 fighter jets, as well as a pair of A-10 Thunderbolt attack bombers violated Syria’s airspace in the al-Tanf area

Iran notified neighboring countries 72 hours before attacking Israel — Foreign Minister

On the evening of April 13, Iran launched drones and missiles towards Israel, calling it a response to "numerous crimes"

Putin expresses hope for restraint in Middle East in conversation with Raisi

According to the the Russian presidential press service, "Vladimir Putin said all parties would hopefully show a reasonable degree of constraint to avoid a new bout of tensions"

Russian forces destroy 300 Ukrainian troops in pinpoint air strike

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Italy manages to fully substitute Russian gas supplies, says Energy Security Minister

"In Europe this issue is even more complex," Gilberto Pichetto Fratin said noting that gas prices have fluctuated greatly over the past two years

Kremlin mum on reports about discussions of Black Sea maritime security pact

It was reported eaerlier that Turkey had negotiated for two months with Russia and Ukraine on a deal to ensure the safety of merchant vessels in the Black Sea

Putin signs decree on spring draft to armed forces

The document also dismisses soldiers, sailors, sergeants and petty officers, whose conscription time span has expired

Russian missile cruiser Varyag enters Mediterranean Sea

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

Russian Industry Ministry supports higher import duty on wines from NATO countries

"Two hundred or not two hundred, but the duty can and should be increased," Viktor Evtukhov noted

Zelensky irked by US’ request to stop attacking Russian energy infrastructure — media

It is noted that US officials believe the military benefits of Ukraine’s air raids on Russian oil refineries are "of questionable value," since "the strikes do little to diminish Russia’s war-fighting abilities"

Maduro says Venezuela wants to join BRICS

According to Maduro, BRICS may help consolidate South American nations

Dubai Airport will not receive flights until weather improvement

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Gazprom SPKA to create low-orbit satcom system — deputy CEO

Sergey Masalov said that the constellation will comprise 78 satellites

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

Iranian president warns of 'terrible response' to any action against country

Ebrahim Raisi opined that the UN Security Council and the organization as a whole "failed to fulfill their minimum legal obligations to condemn the [Israeli] attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus"

Russian, Israeli security chiefs discuss current escalation in Middle East

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Ukrainian Armed Forces lost up to 470 military personnel in Donetsk direction over day

The Russian forces destroyed up to 55 military personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Kherson direction and defeated the enemy in the Rabotino area in the Zaporozhye region

Senior Russian diplomat warns West against aggressive statements about Russia

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Russia to float out universal nuclear-powered icebreaker on May 25

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US, UK deliver another series of strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen

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CEC chairperson hands over presidential credentials to Putin

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Netanyahu a threat for Israel, opposition leader says

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Russian forces pummel Ukrainian army, equipment in 133 areas over past day

Russian troops took better frontline positions in the Donetsk area over the past day, the ministry reported

Envoy reports dozens of Russians killed in Ukrainian attacks in past week

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Employment outlook positive for this year’s university grads — Russian Education Ministry

In total, about 824,000 graduates getting bachelor's, specialist and master's degrees will enter the labor market this year, 10,000 more than last year

Deputy commander-in-chief of Russian Navy arrives at Massawa port in Eritrea

The visit is part of the events marking the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and Eritrea

Remote sensing satellite Aist-2D’s orbital mission complete — Roscosmos

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US support for Israel’s aggression in Gaza seen as factor of conflict escalation — Hamas

Izzat al-Risheq said on its Telegram channel

Russia supports priorities of Kazakhstan's chairmanship in SCO — Foreign Ministry

Andrey Rudenko emphasized that Russia is providing all necessary assistance in the meaningful preparation of the summit in Astana

Russian paratroopers seize Ukrainian stronghold on tanks, combat vehicles

Russian troops suffered no casualties, the Russian Defense Ministry reported

Georgian parliament’s vote on foreign agent bill postponed to April 17

Protests against the foreign agent bill have been going on in Tbilisi since Monday, when they escalated into clashes with police

Erdogan accuses Israel of seeking to spread conflict throughout entire region

The Turkish leader slammed Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide and said that the only way to ease tension in the region is to stop it

Russian watchdog blocks websites of hosting providers

FastComet provider limited the access to its resources on its own, a source in the industry told TASS

Riot police dispersing protesters near Georgian parliament building

Riot police used tear gas to push protesters back from the building entrance

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

"There are increasingly fewer people willing to discuss this subject with Kiev’s envoys, let alone going there," Rodion Miroshnik stressed

Even Kiev admits that conflict in Ukraine could have been resolved in Istanbul — Putin

President recalled remarks by David Arakhamia, head of the pro-presidential Servant of the People faction in the Verkhovna Rada, who claimed that it was former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson who prohibited Kiev from signing peace agreements with Russia

Saudi Arabia, UAE did not open airspace to Israel, US to repel Iranian attack — newspaper

According to the report, Riyadh and Abu Dhabi tried to remain neutral in the escalating conflict in the Middle East

No official invitation to attend celebration of 80th anniversary of Normandy invasion yet

It was earlier reported that France plans to invite Russia to attend the commemorative events in Normandy on June 6

New sanctions against Moscow to push supplies of Russian metal to China up — Bloomberg

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President asks French leader, European Council chief to discuss Georgia issue

Сouncil meeting is scheduled for April 17

Ukraine offers to use neighbors' air defense systems to protect its gas storage facilities

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Putin may be invited to France in 2024, says Macron

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Israel may strike Iranian territory to demonstrate its capabilities — TV

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IAEA temporarily recalls inspectors from Iranian sites — Russian envoy

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Israel plans to send 'painful message' to Iran in response to attack — newspaper

According to the report, Israel’s war cabinet will meet on April 16 for a third straight day

Russian forces take Azovstal plant administration building in Mariupol — Kadyrov

All adjacent territory has been cleared, Kadyrov said

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Russian government approves list of unfriendly countries

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European far-right conference with Orban as participant banned in Brussels

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Xi Jinping proposes four principles for resolving Ukrainian crisis

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PACE supports use of frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine

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IDF says chief of Hezbollah’s Radwan forces in central, western Lebanon killed

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Deflecting Iran attack cost billions, Israel, US can't repeat it — former UN inspector

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Yoav Gallant pointed out that "the Iranians attacked [Israel] aggressively, using over 500 weapons"

Negotiations on safety of navigation in Black Sea continue — source

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Meeting in Switzerland to not solve Ukrainian issue, intensive work necessary — Kneissl

"There has to be painstaking work from behind the scenes that is not seen or known, then it makes sense," the former Austrian foreign minister

Russian diplomat blames US for current Middle East crisis

Maria Zakharova pointed out that the US had long been promoting "exceptional allegations" about some non-mandatory UN Security Council resolutions

Slovakia to oppose Ukraine’s NATO membership bid — PM

Meanwhile, Slovakia supports Ukraine’s accession to the European Union

China’s Jetour plans to sell up to 50,000 cars in Russia this year

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Yakutia nuclear-powered icebreaker is launched into water

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Yerevan has no territorial claims to Baku — Armenian representative to UN court

"Azerbaijan increasingly characterizes human rights disputes with Armenia as attempts to challenge Azerbaijani sovereignty or territorial integrity and claims that this case is an obstacle to peace between the two countries," Yeghishe Kirakosyan stressed

US hampers reform of international financial system in favor of BRICS — Lavrov

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Georgian parliament passes bill on foreign agents in first reading

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Austrian chancellor claims Russia may interfere in election in his republic

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French mercenaries operate Caesar howitzers in Ukraine — French reporter

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Russian intelligence chief, Egyptian president stress readiness for security cooperation

"The readiness to further deepen cooperation in the field of national security between Russia and Egypt was stressed," the statement reads

Ukrainian president signs law tightening mobilization rules

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Russian stock indices plunging on Tuesday — market data

The dollar surged by 0.67% to 94.42 rubles, the euro edged up by 0.41% to 100.24 rubles

Ukrainian paratroopers surrender in Avdeyevka area — Russian Defense Ministry

Nine Ukrainian paratroopers of the airborne platoon of the elite brigade of the Ukrainian armed forces seized the opportunity to surrender near Vodyanoye, turned to Russian soldiers and laid down their arms, the ministry said

US not going to be in armed conflict with Russia — official

The President of the United States has made that very clear

White House effectively rules out option for US forces to intercept Russian missiles

US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Joe Biden had made it clear that the United States would not take on a combat role in Ukraine

Kiev regime's terrorist activity requires tighter security measures — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov warned that "the enemy continues its aggressive terrorist policy"

Energy cooperation between Iran and Russia is a response to sanctions — Iranian official

Seyed Musi Mousavi said that in the current conditions, "increasing oil exports, expanding cooperation with neighboring countries and reviving energy and economic diplomacy have good prospects for the Iranian economy"

Increased partnerships within SCO reflect organization's appeal — secretary-general

Zhang Ming noted that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization has transformed from a regional to transregional multifaceted association at this point

Russian Armed Forces hit IRIS-T air defense system launcher, Ukrainian ammunition depot

The personnel and equipment of the Ukrainian Armed Forces were also defeated in 129 districts

Israel misses all chances to establish peace in Middle East — Jordan’s top diplomat

"The path to the security that both Palestinians and Israelis need lies through ending the occupation and establishing a viable Palestinian state," Ayman Hussein Abdullah al-Safadi noted

Russian troops destroy fake Ukrainian ambulance with UAV operators in Kherson area

Russian reconnaissance teams have repeatedly observed the Ukrainian military using ambulances and other civilian vehicles for transporting troops and armaments to combat areas, Vladimir Saldo said

Russia’s top brass reports destroying first Khmara jammer in Ukraine operation

According to the Defense Ministry, Russian troops took better positions in the Donetsk area over the past day

Russian security chief urges measures against 'ethnic enclaves' in Russia

The Russian president has ordered that migration policy be overhauled taking into account the national interests and security of the population, and the importance of preserving Russia’s culture and language, Nikolay Patrushev reiterated

Press review: Israel mulls response to Iran's strike and Ukraine plays shot-caller with US

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Italy’s minister estimates Israeli capability to defend from Iranian attack at one billion

Guido Crosetto didn’t specify whether the currency he meant was dollars or euros

Ukrainian troops hunker down in abandoned apartments in Kherson — governor

Vladimir Saldo added that troops use at their discretion the possessions of the people who used to live in these apartments

Global economy remains remarkably resilient — IMF

However, as the fund’s chief economist pointed out, despite encouraging trends, the world has not yet overcome inflation

Date of Putin’s visit to Turkey not yet been agreed — Erdogan

Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said earlier that the date of Putin’s visit to Turkey would be agreed via diplomatic channels

ERS satellites to be created in cooperation with Belarus — Gazprom SPKA

According to First Deputy CEO Sergey Masalov, the first satellite is slated for launching in 2027

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

Istanbul treaty can serve as basis for dialogue with Ukraine — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov pointed out that any political and diplomatic search of the solution "can only be based on negotiations"

Moldovan Constitutional Court approves initiation of referendum on EU accession

It is also proposed to add a paragraph to the basic law, which introduces "the priority of EU regulations over the contrary provisions of domestic laws"

Kiev recognizes Russia's tenfold superiority in artillery shells

Vladimir Zelensky admitted that Ukraine had no chance of winning victory without support from the West