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Coronavirus pandemic

Over 30 Russian military helping Italy fight coronavirus return home

Work to airlift hardware and army personnel from the Russian Defense Ministry from Italy continues from May 8

VERONA, May 10. /TASS/. Four Il-76 transport aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces with military specialists and special hardware on board have returned to Russia over the past two days from Italy, where Russian army medical personnel helped it fight COVID-19, the Russian Defense Ministry reported on Sunday.

Work to airlift hardware and army personnel from the Russian Defense Ministry from Italy continues from May 8, the ministry said. "Within the past two days, four flights have returned over 30 military and eight pieces of special military hardware to the Russian Federation," the ministry said, adding that the planes take off from Verona Villafranca Airport.

On May 6, Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu announced the upcoming pullout of Russian radiation, chemical and biological protection units from Italy.

Between March 22 and 25, 15 Russian planes delivered almost 100 Russian virologists and epidemiologists, eight medical brigades, as well as diagnostics and disinfection equipment to Italy. Russian specialists worked in one of the most affected areas of Italy - the city of Bergamo and its surroundings.

By May 7, the Russian military specialists jointly with the Italian military had carried out complete disinfection at boarding houses for elderly people in about 100 populated areas in Lombardy. In particular, they disinfected 120 buildings and structures, over 1.2 million square meters of internal premises and more than 500,000 square meters of paved roads.

From April 6, when a field hospital started to operate in Bergamo (one of the cities in the region of Lombardy severely affected by the pandemic), Russian military specialists received 115 coronavirus patients for medical treatment. By now, 76 patients have recovered and have been discharged from the hospital.

The Russian contingent in the hospital included eight doctor and nurse teams of 32 medical specialists who worked in three shifts round-the-clock.

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

No shelling attacks on the positions of government forces were reported in the Idlid de-escalation zone

UK announces expulsion of Russian defense attache, new diplomatic visa restrictions

According to Home Secretary James Cleverly, this is a message to Moscow in response to its actions allegedly aimed at undermining British assistance to Ukraine

US sees no signs indicating Russia’s plans to use nuclear weapons — Pentagon

Department of Defense spokesperson Sabrina Singh said that the United States views the decision to hold a military exercise of this kind as "deeply irresponsible"

Putin may propose candidate for prime minister as early as today — spokesman

Dmitry Peskov recalled that after the inauguration, the Russian government resigned and the members of the Cabinet continued to work in the status of acting ministers

French troops to become target for Moscow forces if deployed to Ukraine — Russian MFA

According to Maria Zakharova, French President Emmanuel Macron’s bellicose rhetoric "is being rejected not only by many European Union and NATO allies," but also - most importantly - "by the vast majority of French citizens"

Presence of French-speaking mercenaries identified in 20 cases in Zaporozhye — politician

Ethnic Poles and Georgians account for the largest groups of mercenaries in the Ukrainian army

Pashinyan leaves for Moscow to attend summit, meet with Putin

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Putin wants number of foreign students in Russia to rise to 500,000 by 2030

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West should engage in dialogue with Russia — US expert

In Peter Kuznick opinion, the world is on the verge of a most serious conflict while "NATO is conducting massive war games"

Ukrainian shelling leaves female civilian wounded in Gorlovka, mayor says

In addition, two of the city’s neighborhoods lost power

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In Peter Kuznick opinion, despite Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky's assertions, "Ukraine is not going to drive every Russian soldier from the country"

Euroclear fighting over 100 lawsuits in Russian courts against investors demanding refund

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Russian diplomat accuses EU spokesman of 'inciting terrorism' with Crimean Bridge remarks

According to Maria Zakharova, it is shocking that the statement was made by a European official who "in general speaks on behalf of the entire European Union"

French tired of supporting Ukraine — war correspondent

Christelle Nahan noted that people were tired of the fact that there was not enough money for the development of infrastructure, hospitals and schools, for pensions and benefits for children

Belgium explains absence of ambassador at Russian president’s inauguration ceremony

The European Parliament adopted a resolution at a plenary session in Strasbourg on April 25 alleging that the recent presidential election in Russia was undemocratic

US trying to destabilize situation in India ahead of general election — Russian diplomat

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Putin’s inauguration kicks off in Kremlin

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Russia wants no country to interfere in its election process — Kremlin spokesman

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Appeal for Western troops posted on Ukrainian president’s website

A petition needs to be signed by at least 25,000 people to be referred to the president for consideration

Macron’s aggressive rhetoric baffles even his allies — diplomat

"Very often France’s allies from the UK and Germany, as we understand, try to get clarifications as to what the French leadership means, without getting a direct answer," Maria Zakharova pointed out

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Some of those flares disrupted radio communications on the short wave

China supports Serbia in defending its sovereignty on Kosovo issue — Xi

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US begins Astral Knight 2024 exercise in Europe involving 5,000 troops — Pentagon

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Five workers wounded during Ukrainian strike on oil storage facility in Lugansk

Leonid Pasechnik also said the strike "damaged power lines, disrupting electricity supplies to nearby houses"

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According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the strikes were carried out with drones as well as sea-and air-launched precision weapons, including Kinzhal hypersonic ballistic missiles

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Belarusian president sees aggravating military situation at western, southern borders

"Remarks of war and nuclear strikes can already be heard from certain figures," the Alexander Lukashenko said

More than 90% of payments in EAEU are carried out in national currencies — Putin

The Russian leader noted that the combined GDP of the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union, according to available estimates, increased from $1.6 trillion to $2.5 trillion

Belarus won’t succumb to provocations or go to war with anyone — president

The Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko doubts that any serious political force in Western Europe wants a military conflict

Australian Navy’s destroyer, helicopter impede Chinese drills in Yellow Sea — top brass

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Russian forces destroy Ukrainian missile solid propellant workshop over past day

Russian troops gained better positions in the south Donetsk area over the past day, the ministry reported

Russia hands over last RD-180 rocket engines to US under existing deal

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Freak snowstorm hits Moscow

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Aydin Sezer recalled that during the Munich Security Conference back in 2007 "Putin said that the unipolar world had no future and a multipolar world order was needed"

US envoy leaves Russia for certain amount of time — senior Russian diplomat

"The Foreign Ministry was told about this some time before the issue with inviting ambassadors to the inauguration ceremony of the Russian president was resolved," Sergey Ryabkov said

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"In particular, there was no evidence of deliberate actions on behalf of the above-mentioned individual," Business Insider wrote

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Xi Jinping arrives in Serbia on his first visit in eight years

Chinese President began his visit on the day marking the anniversary of the bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade by NATO aircraft

Russian diplomat slams Western ambassador for being absent from Putin’s inauguration

Maria Zakharova also asked a rhetorical question about what these countries’ new ambassadors would do when they have to hand over their credentials to the president

Putin signs decree setting Russia’s development goals for 2030

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EU to agree 14th package of anti-Russia sanctions by July — EUobserver

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Russian government resigns

The cabinet will continue to carry out its duties until a new government is appointed

NATO wants Ukraine to fight until victory, it is unrealistic — Hungarian foreign minister

Peter Szijjarto pointed out that NATO is crossing its own red lines by stating that "the war in Ukraine is our war"

Double standards with regard to Russia make US look pathetic — experts

As the conflict in Ukraine continues, "the global situation grows more dangerous by the day," Peter Kuznick said

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The Interior Ministry said that this procedure does not cover the citizens who were released from imprisonment, who pose a threat to national or public security, who presented forged IDs or reported false information

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Russian embassy slams ‘unacceptable’ Berlin’s decision to ban Russian flag on May 8-9

"We consider the bans discriminatory and contrary to the spirit of post-war historical reconciliation of the peoples of Russia and Germany," the Russian diplomats pointed out

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Festive processions, gatherings, assemblies and reception ceremonies are held across Russia on May 9 to honor veterans of the 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War

France not at war with Russia — Macron

"We are also not seeking a change of power in Russia," the French leader underscored

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Battlegroup Center units fully liberated the settlement of Novokalinovo in the Donetsk People’s Republic and battlegroup West units fully liberated the settlement of Kislovka in the Kharkov Region

FSB declassifies Hitler aide’s testimony how Red Army rescued Allies in Ardennes in 1945

Hitler's former adjutant Otto Guensche was captured during the battle of Berlin in April-May 1945 and, while being kept in custody in an investigative prison in Moscow, presented a firsthand account of what was happening at Hitler's headquarters in the last months of the war

Southern neighbors of US to regain stolen lands — Russian Security Council’s secretary

Nikolay Patrushev speculates that country may split into the North and the South again to get back to its original shape

Kiev meddling in Russia’s domestic affairs by calling Putin’s presidency illegitimate

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Musk's assertions about ancient Martian civilizations could hold true — Roscosmos

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Senior Russian diplomat, Libyan general discuss ensuring Libya’s sovereignty

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Ukraine approves bill on drafting convicts for military service

279 parliament members had voted in favor of the document

NATO wants 'hot war' with Russia which may destroy US, Carlson says

According to the journalist, everything that Washington does shows that it wants this war

Aleksandar Vucic greets Chinese leader at Belgrade Airport

The ceremony on the occasion of the visit of the 400-strong Chinese delegation will take place at Palata Srbije

IN BRIEF: Unity, care for people, country-civilization: Putin’s inaugural speech

The atmosphere in society has changed, now "reliability, mutual responsibility, sincerity, decency, nobility and courage" are highly valued, the Russian leader stressed

Putin may hold bilateral meeting with Lukashenko in Kremlin later on Wednesday

Before the EAEU summit, the two leaders held a brief conversation

Indonesian ambassador says Su-35 fighter jets contract remains in force

Indonesian Ambassador to Russia Jose Tavares said that around 30% of weapons in service with his country’s armed forces are Russian-made

Russia may strike Britain's military facilities if London's threats materialize — MFA

Maria Zakharova described British Foreign Secretary David Cameron’s remark that London considered it legitimate for the Kiev regime to use British weapons for strikes on Russian territory as "something absolutely insane"

Russia hammers Ukrainian energy, military sites in retaliatory strike — top brass

The Ukrainian army’s losses in the Kupyansk direction over the past 24 hours amounted to 55 personnel and two 122mm D-30 howitzers, it specified

Russia to develop cooperation with North Korea in all possible areas — Kremlin

US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said earlier that the US together with its partners would continue imposing sanctions for allegedly assisting weapons and petroleum products supplies between Russia and North Korea

Medvedev gives warning amid talk of deploying Western troops to Ukraine

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Armenia to refrain from financing CSTO activity in 2024

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said earlier that his country cannot rely on the CSTO and he cannot answer Armenian society’s question why the country should be its member

Press review: Vladimir Putin sworn in for fifth term and EU, Ukraine talk arms deal

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, May 8th

IMF warns against violations related to use of Russian assets for helping Ukraine

Deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund Gita Gopinath said that rebuilding mutual trust among countries requires a lot of time and effort and called for preserving "some of the enormous gains from economic integration"

Kiev forces view journalists wearing 'press' vests as primary target — war reporter

Christelle Neant recommended using small "press" labels in order to help Russian troops identify media workers

Rally organizers plotting riots involving volunteers from Ukraine — Georgian intel agency

The State Security Service claimed that foreign instructors were training protesters to stage provocations against police and create chaos in the country

Macron denies death of French troops in Ukraine out of fear of protests — SVR head

According to Sergey Naryshkin, the French Army is "visibly concerned" over the growing number of French citizens killed in Ukraine

Ukraine loses several hundred servicemen near DPR’s Novopokrovskoye due to lack of defense

It is noted that any Ukrainian activity on this section of the front is immediately suppressed by Russia’s precise and coordinated actions

Kiev troops presumably used ATACMS missiles to strike Lugansk — politician

"Missiles hit an oil storage facility within city limits," Vladimir Rogov said

Russian sniper reports elimination of Ukrainian serviceman wearing helmet with SS emblem

He specified that his group took the helmet as proof of the elimination

Detention of US soldier in Russia’s Vladivostok has no relation to espionage — diplomats

Russian Foreign Ministry’s mission in Vladivostok that "not following the case of the US citizen closely"

Attack on Soviet Union was OUN’s aim from outset — declassified archives

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Authorities of two Ukrainian regions report damage to critical infrastructure

In turn, head of the Kiev-backed regional administration of Zaporozhye, Ivan Fedorov, reported "some damage" in the area, also without details

European Commission confirms agreement on expropriation of income from Russian assets

This decision must now be approved by the EU Council at ministerial level

Russian space agency still in talks on launching two Luna-27 mission spacecraft

"The plans are the same - we are planning to launch," Roscosmos Director General Yury Borisov told

French military already present in Donbass — French journalist

Christelle Neant said that the Ukrainian armed forces is drafting people with no military experience as part of its mobilization campaign and sends them to the frontline after "just two or three weeks of training"

Kremlin sees Ukrainian petition for deployment of NATO troops as dangerous provocation

The petition to invite foreign troops to Ukraine was posted on the Ukrainian president’s website on Tuesday

Putin says Russia had to use force to defend people in Donbass as peaceful means failed

"A little later it became clear that we were simply being led around by the nose, and we had to take extraordinary measures to protect these people with military force," the Russian leader said

Russian embassy expresses regret over London’s new restrictions

Earlier in the day, UK Home Secretary James Cleverly announced in parliament that the British authorities will expel Russia’s defense attache, impose new restrictions on Russian diplomatic visas and remove diplomatic status from some Russian properties

Ukrainian companies report damage to energy facilities

Meanwhile, the Ukrenergo company reported that explosions had damaged an energy facility in central Ukraine

Putin will now use restyled Aurus car — Kremlin

Putin made the first trip on the Aurus exactly six years ago, on May 7, 2018, when he also departed to the inauguration

FACTBOX: Russian President Vladimir Putin’s biography

Since June 12, 2013, Putin has been the leader of the non-governmental movement All-Russia People’s Front, created at his initiative as a coalition of social and political forces

Ukraine to be able to mobilize no more than 10,000-15,000 convicts — report

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