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Aleksandar Vucic wins Serbian presidential elections with 55.08%

BELGRADE, April 21. /TASS/. Incumbent Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic won the presidential elections in the country with 55.08% of the vote, according to final results approved by the Republican Electoral Commission.

"According to the final results of the presidential election, the candidate from the ruling coalition, Aleksandar Vucic, gained 55.08% of the vote," the election authority said in a statement.

Former ombudsman Sasa Jankovic is the runner up, with 16.36%, followed by the leader of a parody political party Sarmu probo Luka Maksimovic with 9.43% Former foreign minister Vuk Jeremic came fourth (5.66%), Serbian Radical Party leader Vojislav Seselj was fifth (4.48%), president of the Dveri political party Bosko Obradovic - sixth (2.29%). Other candidates garnered less than 1.5%

The turnout was about 54.36%

The head of the Russian Central Election Commission’s observer mission, Vasily Likhachev, no violations were recorded during the vote.

The president is elected for a five-year term and can be re-elected only once. Incumbent President Tomislav Nikolic was eligible to run for a second five-year term, but opted not to do so.

Military helicopter crashes in Georgia, pilot killed — media

It is reported that the Georgian Interior Ministry is investigating the circumstances of the incident

US analyst says Biden, Trump misinformed about situation in Ukraine

Both politicians appear to be incompetent about some important issues, according to the professor of political science at the University of Rhode Island Nicolai Petro

US coalition's drone flies too close to Russian plane in Syria — top brass

The Russian pilot demonstrated high professionalism and took timely measures to prevent a collision

Western partners drove Kiev to abandon neutrality — Hungarian expert

As Gyorgy Varga noted, the Budapest memorandum that was signed by neutral Ukraine and the guarantees this memorandum envisaged were not observed

Russia sees good prospects for cooperation between countries under Western sanctions

According to Alexey Drobinin, these countries can establish joint mechanisms that would be "immune to sanctions in various areas"

Russian air defenses down fifth drone over Bryansk Region — governor

It is reported that the Russian Defense Ministry’s air defenses downed the aerial vehicle over the Trubchevsky District

Committee recommends Federation Council suspend Russia's OSCE PA membership

According to the draft statement, Russian senators and State Duma MPs are adamant that restricting parliamentarians who represent the people from taking part in OSCE PA events is unacceptable

Biden’s team thwarts calls for his replacement after debate failure — Washington Post

According to the report, Biden’s campaign made private calls to campaign donors and Democratic lawmakers

Iran sees no obstacles to military-technical cooperation with Russia

Kamal Kharrazi also refuted repeated accusations of Iran selling drones to Russia, stressing that they were false

West cares little about human lives, is interested in Russia’s resources — Serbian leader

Vucic stressed earlier that the Ukrainian conflict cannot be ended right now

Lukashenko says has much to discuss with Putin

"We are currently facing numerous problems and there are common issues, too, that we will need to address," the Belarusian leader noted

Orban to visit Kiev and meet with Zelensky

Hungarian Prime Minister will also talk with other Ukrainian officials

DPR security agencies emphasize strategic importance of liberating Novopokrovskoye

"Taking Novopokrovskoye, as well as any other settlement, has its own strategic significance," the source said

Ukrainian military thrown from left bank in Kherson Region, fighting underway on islands

The fighting has moved to the islands, with the Russian army having ramped up activities

Russian military vows to prevent recurrence of Transnistrian conflict

"The operation group is cooperating with all law enforcement structures of Transnistria," Colonel Dmitry Zelenkov reported

Ukrainians fail to break through near Dnepryany in Kherson Region — governor

Dnepryany is a township on the left bank of the Dnieper River, situated 15km east from the village of Krynki

No expectations from Hungarian PM’s visit to Kiev, says Kremlin spokesman

Dmitry Peskov stressed, however, that "Orban is well known as a politician who knows how to defend his country’s interests in quite a tough manner"

Italy’s UniCredit applied to EU court for clarification of ECB instructions

Since February 2022 UniCredit adopted a number of strategies to significantly reduce its Russian presence "resulting in a reduction of its cross-border exposure by 91%"

Beijing urges Astana to expand cooperation in energy and mining

"China stands ready to promote greater synergy between Belt and Road cooperation and the economic policies under a Just Kazakhstan at a faster pace," Xi Jinping said

Israeli military leaders want a cease-fire with Hamas — NYT

The Jewish state’s military leaders think that a cease-fire would be the swiftest way of freeing the roughly 120 hostages being held in the Gaza Strip, the daily wrote

Lavrov to chair ministerial debates at UNSC on July 16-17

"In general, the UN Security Council’s program will be quite busy," the Russian Foreign Ministry said

Russian Embassy denies claims of Moscow's election tampering in UK

The diplomatic agency noted that "Russia, unlike the UK and other Western 'civilizers,' is not in the habit of meddling in the domestic affairs of other sovereign states"

Moscow court recovers $113 mln from Google in favor of its Russian subsidiary

The activities of 12 of the 13 defendants relate to advertising or marketing, and the maximum amount of one claim was $34 mln

US Supreme Court rules Trump has partial immunity from prosecution

"At least with respect to the president’s exercise of his core constitutional powers, this immunity must be absolute," the ruling said

Press review: Kiev puts out negotiation feelers and Moscow to put OSCE membership on ice

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, July 2nd

Ukraine moving troops to border with Belarus cause of concern for Russia, too — Kremlin

According to Dmitry Peskov, Moscow and Belarus have special formats of dialogue between all relevant agencies, including special services

Stepovaya Novoselovka's liberation to pave way for Russian offensive on Kupyansk — expert

"Deliveries of arms and ammunition still continue to Kupyansk-Uzlovoy, even though we are constantly carrying out strikes on this settlement," Andrey Marochko said

Russia’s Justice Ministry adds CSIS research center to list of undesirable organizations

The ministry also added the German non-governmental organization Dekoder to the list of undesirable organizations

Arresting foreign officials may trigger declaration of war — Medvedev

Dmitry Medvedev made this statement at a plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum

International community set to continue engagement with Afghanistan — UN

There was the third UN-brokered meeting on Afghanistan since May 2023

Russian forces destroy over 34,000 Ukrainian soldiers at LPR borders in June

In June, Russian troops destroyed 16 Ukrainian tanks, a Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft gun, 362 field artillery guns, 23 electronic warfare stations, almost 500 various combat vehicles and 77 field ammunition depots at the LPR frontiers, Andrey Marochko specified

Ukraine sets up new artillery positions near Belogorovka in LPR, expert says

While shelling from those positions has not so far been very intensive, "the situation may change soon," Andrey Marochko warned

Turkish troops kill 25 opposition fighters in firefight in northern Syria

Al Mayadeen TV reported that the most violent clashes took place in Afrin

Crisis in Ukraine cannot be resolved overnight — Russian diplomat

Trump has repeatedly said that he would be able to promptly settle the Ukrainian conflict if he takes the presidential office again

NATO looks to appoint official in charge of support for Ukraine — WSJ

The decision is expected to be announced at the upcoming NATO summit in Washington

Ukraine fears harsh debt restructuring terms from West

Alexey Kushch noted that back in 2022 he cautioned that Kiev was losing a "historic window of opportunity" in order to cast off the "debt noose"

Ukraine’s irretrievable losses five-times higher than Russia’s, Putin says

According to him, this is the reason behind attempts to carry out an all-out mobilization campaign in Ukraine

Aide to Iranian leader stressed possibility of changing Tehran’s nuclear doctrine

Kamal Kharrazi noted that "up to now, we have not decided to go further than 60% enrichment"

Peresvet combat lasers enter duty with Russia’s armed forces

Russian military personnel operating those systems underwent special training at the Mozhaysky Military Space Academy

World Bank recognizes Russia as high income country

It follows from the document that the gross national income per capita in Russia is $14,250

Undocumented naked man nabbed at Belarus-Poland border

Efforts are underway to identify the detainee

New security architecture in Eurasia to exclude external military presence — Russia’s MFA

Maria Zakharova recalled that the initiative to create a new continent-wide security architecture in the Eurasian space had been put forward by Russian President Vladimir Putin

Head of Presidential Administration of Belarus met with Lavrov in Moscow

The parties discussed current issues of Belarusian-Russian cooperation, highly praised the results achieved in the course of cooperation between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, outlined promising areas of work and agreed to continue contacts

Kremlin criticizes Stoltenberg’s comments about China

"We are confident that our Chinese friends can themselves provide a proper evaluation of such statements," Dmitry Peskov stressed

Fico gets set to return to office after assassination attempt — defense minister

The assassination attempt on Robert Fico took place on May 15 in the town of Gandlova in western Slovakia

Baku, Yerevan may finalize peace treaty in few months — Azerbaijani president

At the same time, Ilham Aliyev emphasized that the peace agreement can be signed only if Armenia changes its constitution

Iran ready to strike Israel again once 'conditions are ripe' — senior IRGC commander

According to Amir Ali Hajizadeh, Tehran "is sad to see that [Israel] has been committing crimes in Palestine for nearly nine months with the support of the US and its European allies"

Russian official highlights growing threat coming from Ukraine's jet-powered drones

According to Andrey Tabekin, experts are currently working on ways to jam such drones

LNG supplies to Europe record low in June

LNG supplies from terminals to the Europe’s gas transport system fell by 14.2% year on year since the start of this year to about 58.5 bln cubic meters

Loss of five Su-27s unaffordable for Ukrainian forces — Forbes

According to the business magazine, the attack may have inflicted one of the costliest losses on the Ukrainians since Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine

Russian troops use tunnel to take large Ukrainian stronghold in Kirov — defense ministry

The detachment’s servicemen cleared and used the more-then-three-kilometer-long tunnel along the Seversky Donetsk canal and came to the rear of the ell-fortified stronghold equipped with firing positions and underground shelters

China’s electric cars production capacity far from limit — Ambassador to Russia

“The climate change has started exerting obvious influence on the economy and other spheres of countries of the world in recent years," Zhang Hanhui noted

Press review: Dems scramble to replace Biden and Russia continues to feed the world

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, July 1st

Orban arrives in Kiev to discuss ways toward resolving Ukraine conflict

It is Viktor Orban’s first visit to Kiev since hostilities broke out in Ukraine

Russia’s battlegroup West thwarts Ukraine’s attempts to strengthen its positions

Over the past 24 hours, up to 120 enemy military personnel, two towed FH-70 howitzers, seven units of car equipment, five aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles and two ammunition supply points were destroyed

Kanye West leaves Moscow

Designer Gosha Rubchinskiy was seeing him off

Serbian president lauds robust relations with Russia

On Monday, the Russian deputy foreign minister held talks with Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Ivica Dacic, who also serves as the country’s interior minister, and Defense Minister Aleksandar Vulin

Russia develops single-use combat drone to intercept enemy UAVs

It is noted that before destroying an enemy UAV, the Vogan must get a corresponding command from an operator who makes a decision based on the image from the drone’s video camera

Beijing criticizes NATO for shifting blame in Ukraine conflict, urges self-reflection

According to Mao Ning, "NATO continues to outright challenge China as it interferes in its domestic affairs, distorting and discrediting China’s domestic and foreign policy and creating a major threat to its interests"

Russian commander predicts Ukraine conflict will end this fall

According to Apty Alaudinov, officials in Kiev have figured out that the war is nearing an end

Right in the lead, Macron calls for unity: French election results

The right-wing National Rally party and allied forces lead after the first round of the French parliamentary elections with 33.15% of the vote

Helsinki to attempt to buy out arena owned by Russians

The sellers believe that the voluntary stocks sale transaction is possible even after expiry of the period set by the EU, the source said

Hezbollah drones strike Israeli tank force’s base

A command center and a barrack of soldiers of tank battalions were struck

Houthis say they attacked four ships related to UK, US, Israel

According to the spokesman, Yahya Saree, the attacks targeted the container ship MSC Unific, the chemical tankers Delonix and Lucky Sailor, and the Anvil Point auxiliary vessel

Russian diplomat warns Israel’s potential transfer of Patriots to Ukraine could backfire

Vasily Nebenzya fielded numerous questions as reporters from around the world packed full the UN press conference room

Kiev shifts rhetoric on negotiations, but not its position on them — ex-Ukrainian PM

Nikolay Azarov believes that the decision on the settlement of the conflict is not up to Kiev

Head of the Cuban military department arrives on visit to Belarus

It is expected that the head of the Cuban military department will participate in the parade that will be held in Minsk on July 3

Xi Jinping to pay state visit to Dushanbe on July 4-6

Bilateral talks with a small and extended number of participants will be held as part of the visit

Kremlin declines to comment on Trump’s latest remarks on settling Ukrainian crisis

Dmitry Peskov reiterated that "this is not Trump’s first statement on this matter and earlier he also said something along these lines"

Mongolia to close border crossing for Silk Road rally

The checkpoint will return to the normal schedule from July 15 and will be closed again for the passenger traffic on July 19, when rally participants will be returning to Russia. The rally will end on July 15 in Ulaanbaatar

UN cannot work with Russian companies for humanitarian purposes due to sanctions

From five to six Russian companies are proactively working with the WFP on the food track on a credit basis - deliveries are made first and then the payment takes place

Russia ‘big winner’ in conflict with US, NATO — Dutch MEP

Member of the European Parliament from the Dutch Forum for Democracy party Marcel de Graaff also called the EU the main loser, drawing attention to problems such as "economic recession, de-industrialization, exposed as US-lapdog, suicidal sanctions"

Le Pen accuses Macron of preparing 'administrative coup'

The politician expressed hope that this information is nothing more but rumors, but noted that even before the first round of elections, last Wednesday, "many more appointments were made than during usual cabinet meetings"

China launches rail service with Europe via Russia — Xinhua news agency

The freight train with construction materials, household electronics and other goods department from the Beijing’s logistical hub in Pinggu district to Moscow

Hungarian PM says he arrives in Kiev to help resolve conflict in Ukraine

Viktor Orban's spokesman Bertalan Havasi pointed out that the Orban-Zelensky talks would focus "on the possibility of peace" in Ukraine

Russia, China request fish products safety information from Japan

The Japanese side again attempted to convince WTO members of radiation safety of their foods after elimination of consequences of the incident at the Fukushina Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in 2011

Roscosmos chief approves schedule of creating Russian orbital station through 2033

Russia is set to launch the future orbital outpost’s first research and energy module in 2027, the space corporation said

Ukraine needs some 200,000 recruits to address troop shortages — newspaper

In order to address its troop shortage, Kiev reportedly needs to recruit at least 50,000 people every quarter

Russian forces strike nine Ukrainian Su-27, MiG-29 fighter jets over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup North repelled two Ukrainian army counterattacks in the Kharkov area over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Press review: Putin receives Congolese president and rumors fly after failed Bolivia coup

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, June 28th

EU needs change, because instead of peace and order there is war and migration — Orban

Hungarian Prime Minister expressed the hope that right-wing conservative forces will be able to bring about changes in the EU

US plotting against Chinese electric car industry — Chinese Ambassador to Moscow

Zhang Hanhui noted that such actions will result in a slowdown in the global "green transformation" and a shaken faith in international cooperation in combatting climate change

Four aerial targets shot down over Sevastopol, governor cites preliminary data

Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev said reports are being collected about any damage to civilian infrastructure

Russian forces overwhelming Ukrainians in northern Volchansk, military leader says

"And, certainly, we are pushing forward every day while squeezing the enemy out of all their positions," Major General Apty Alaudinov stressed

Civilian killed in Ukrainian shelling of farm in Russia’s Belgorod Region

According to Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov, the number of those wounded in Ukrainian attacks over the past day has risen to nine

Lukashenko sounds alarm on Ukrainian troop movements near Belarusian border

Earlier, Minsk reported Ukrainian troops amassing on the border with Belarus. General Chief-of-Staff Pavel Muraveiko noted the active movement of Ukrainian forces, periodic drone flights across the border and the activization of reconnaissance of Belarusian territory

Evo Morales accuses Bolivia’s Luiz Arce of staging coup attempt

"President Luiz Arce deceived the people of Bolivia and the world," former president of Bolivia said

Ukrainian intel service foils plot to overthrow government

The SBU also said that the detainees had been plotting to destabilize the social and political situation in Ukraine and disseminate information about the developments in Kiev, including in foreign media outlets

Western sanctions against Russia are complete fiasco — Russia's Permanent Representative

"The West's monkey business against Russia has turned out to be a complete fiasco," Mikhail Ulyanov said

Russian embassies overflowing with requests to relocate to country — MFA

Maria Zakharova also drew attention to the fact that the Russian Foreign Policy Concept touches upon the topic of traditional values 11 times

Russia bans entry to 99 Canadian citizens — Foreign Ministry

According to the statement, the list includes the individuals "who are involved in the elaboration and implementation of Ottawa’s Russophobic course"

West, East have practically no chance to avoid global conflict — Serbian president

There is no hardcore philosophy about this, these are clear, unequivocal things, Vucic said

Russian troops liberate two communities in Kharkov Region, DPR over past day — top brass

Russian troops destroyed Ukrainian Air Force aircraft at a military airfield and an armament repair center over the past day, the ministry reported

Protests in Kenya leave at least 39 dead and more than 350 injured

The country’s national human rights commission "continues to strongly condemn the unjustified violence against the protesters, medical personnel, lawyers, journalists, churches, first-aid centers and ambulances"

Hungarian PM’s European Parliament faction to take constructive stance on Ukraine — expert

Gyorgy Varga described the parties of the future faction as "supporters of peace and dialogue"

Cyprus negotiations stalled, no compromise in sight — Russian envoy

Vasily Nebenzya added that the UN Security Council is now seeing that the sides to the conflict are becoming more entrenched in their positions

Beijing opposes hegemony, ready to promote multipolar world — Chinese leader

Xi Jinping said that Beijing is ready to promote equal multipolarity of the world

Xi arrives in Astana to attend SCO summit

Xi Jinping is making state visits to Kazakhstan and Tajikistan during this international trip, which will last until July 6

Russian troops create ZVeraBoi counter-drone buggy in Ukraine operation

The vehicle’s front part features a turret with two mounted PKT machine-guns and an improvised six-barrel muzzle-loading shotgun placed between them

Investments in Arctic Circle’s backbone cities estimated at $45.3 bln

Investors’ funds will be directed to the economy of the Murmansk Region and to development of production facilities

Atmosphere in UN Security Council very hostile towards Russia — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov noted that it "will certainly be very difficult" to bring objectivity to the work of the UN Security Council during Russia's one-month chairmanship