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Military operation in Ukraine

Russian Defense Ministry confirms Turkey’s Azov Concord left port of Mariupol

On Tuesday, TASS reported that the Azov Concord has become the first ship to leave the port of Mariupol and head towards Novorossiysk

MOSCOW, June 22. /TASS/. Russian Defense Ministry confirmed that the Russian Navy and DPR authorities ensured a safe exit of the Azov Concord, a Turkish cargo ship, from the port of Mariupol.

"On June 21, Russian Navy, in cooperation with DPR port authorities, ensured the first safe exit of Turkish cargo ship, the Azov Concord, via the operational naval humanitarian corridor from the ship of Mariupol," Russian National Defense Control Center head Colonel General Mikhail Mizintsev said Wednesday.

On Tuesday, TASS reported that the Azov Concord has become the first ship to leave the port of Mariupol and head towards Novorossiysk. According to ship captain Ivan Babenkov, the ship’s damage, inflicted by Ukrainian forces, was repaired, and a new crew has been recruited.

According to the Defense Ministry, talks between delegations of Russia and Turkey took place in Moscow today, with sides discussing safe exit of Turkish cargo ships and export of grain from Ukrainian ports, as well as approaches to ensuring safe navigation in the Black Sea. The sides underscored the importance of the bilateral cooperation, which made it possible for the Azov Concord to leave Mariupol.

There are five ships remaining in the port of Mariupol: the Tsarevna (Bulgaria), the Azburg (the Dominican Republic), the Smarta (Liberia), the Blue Star (Panama), and the Lady Augusta (Jamaica). A total of 70 foreign ships for 16 states remain blocked in six ports: Kherson, Nikolayev, Chernomorsk, Ochakov, Odessa and Yuzhny.

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Military operation in Ukraine

Air defenses shoot down 69 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions in seven hours

From 15:00 Moscow time to 22:00 Moscow time, on-duty air defense forces intercepted and destroyed 69 Ukrainian fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles over the territories of the Belgorod, Bryansk, Kursk, and Voronezh regions, as well as the Republic of Crimea

Russia’s envoy suggests EU fuel stocks may run out around April 20

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Catholic Easter service held in Moscow cathedral

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In Lebanon, the strikes targeted military facilities of the Shiite organization Hezbollah

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Six Ukrainian drones attack Russia’s Belgorod Region over past 24 hours — governor

No one was injured

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If the Russian Federation continues to use such methods, it will lose its credibility, the Federation Council Chairwoman said

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Iran downs over 160 US, Israeli drones since start of conflict — commander

Among them are US MQ-9 and Israeli Hermes and Lucas drones, Alireza Elhami stated

Ukraine sending S-300 battalion to Donbass to gear up for offensive, says DPR brass

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There have been no reports of casualties or damage

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The Ministry of Defense said that an unspecified number of buildings were damaged, there were no casualties

Russia to end special op after removing threats caused by NATO’s colonization of Ukraine

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NATO aims to contain Russia, sacrifices Ukraine’s people — Kremlin spokesman

"We understand this perfectly well and are building our further policy precisely in accordance with these realities," Dmitry Peskov pointed out

Iran divides countries into three categories based on use of Strait of Hormuz — TV

According to the TV channel, all states are divided into three categories — "hostile," "neutral," and "friendly"

Air defenses shoot down 69 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions in seven hours

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Main evacuation of Rosatom staff from Iran begins today — Rosatom CEO

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Chinese expert says NATO membership for Finland, Sweden would fuel tensions in region

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Russia downs 85 Ukrainian drones over nine regions, Crimea and Black Sea last night

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Iran offers agreement on use of Strait of Hormuz

Tehran is ready to reach agreements with European, Asian, and Arab countries on this issue, Head of the Government Information Council Elias Hazrati said

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No injuries were reported, Dubai Media Office said

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Turkey to continue supporting Ukraine settlement talks — Erdogan

Diplomatic sources told TASS that the talks held at the Dolmabahce presidential office on the Bosphorus lasted about two hours

US journalist Carlson calls Trump’s speech an announcement of the end of American empire

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Slovak PM calls for lifting sanctions on Russian gas and oil imports

Oil supplies to Slovakia and Hungary via the Druzhba pipeline through Ukraine were halted on January 27

Turkey not to join anti-Russian sanctions — presidential spokesman

The country is conducting a well-balanced policy in respect of Russia, Ibrahim Kalin said

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German foreign minister supports getting rid of unanimity rule in EU

Johann Wadephul supportы a system of qualified majority voting in the EU

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The Russian Foreign Minister noted that in the mid-20th century an agreement was signed, making it part of Denmark

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Iran uses new air defense system to intercept hostile targets — military official

The IRGC’s ground-based air defense, in turn, intercepted an A-10 fighter jet and two Black Hawk helicopters, Ebrahim Zolfaghari said

Russia slams US’ words about plans to justify alleged invasion of Ukraine as nonsense

Sergey Lavrov said that the craziness of such ideas was obvious to any more or less experienced political scientist

Iraq exempted from restrictions on passage through Strait of Hormuz — Iranian military

The headquarters stressed that "the restrictions apply only to hostile countries."

Shell unable to buy Russian gas due to London’s anti-Russian stance — Kremlin spokesman

London wants to be the leader of everything anti-Russian, Dmitry Peskov said

Tanker with Iranian oil change course, heading to China — PTI

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Pezeshkian asks global community to judge which side, Iran or US, actually favors dialogue

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian invited the world to judge which side engages in terrorism

Russian forces destroy Ukrainian command post, hit HIMARS launcher over past day

The Russian Ministry of Defense said that the Russian Armed Forces destroyed the command post of the 47th mechanized brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Russian military to take note of Blinken’s remarks on Ukrainian counteroffensive — Kremlin

It was reported earlier that the US Secretary of State said Ukraine could start a counteroffensive in the next few weeks

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According to Al Hadath, the strikes are delivered by US and Israeli forces

Witkoff influences selection of US ambassador to Russia — The Daily Mail

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Axios reported that US forces are actively seeking to recover the two pilots of the downed aircraft

Zelensky says he agreed with Erdogan on new steps in security cooperation

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Pope Leo XIV disagrees with Pentagon chief’s comments on US fighting in name of Jesus

The pontiff said domination is "entirely foreign to the way of Jesus Christ"

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"We call on UN members to look beyond the horizon of the current moment and present their vision of how we could build a truly multipolar world through joint efforts, in which the interests of all states would be guaranteed," Vasily Nebenzya said

IRGC says it hits several US military sites in Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain

The strikes also targeted the headquarters of the American company Oracle in the UAE

Russia’s MFA puts forward its requirements for a future UN chief

Kirill Logvinov emphasized that in any conflict situation, the UN chief should hold an equidistant position, use neutral terminology, focus on mandatory or consensus decisions, and refrain from making legally void conclusions

Only 20% of US financial aid for Ukraine goes to Kiev, lawmaker says

Michael McCaul pointed out that, when the Republicans gained majority in the House after mid-term elections in November last year, they made it clear that accountability would have key importance for continued aid to Ukraine

Russia favors increasing role of SCO, BRICS, CIS, CSTO globally — foreign policy concept

The document notes the promotion of "constructive dialogue, partnerships, and cross-fertilization of various cultures, religions and civilizations"

Russia not to be flexible for states providing airspace to Ukraine — upper house speaker

Moscow has issued very harsh warnings to these countries, the Federation Council Speaker emphasized

US military aircraft struck by Iran makes it to Kuwait — TV

Iran also fired at two US UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters conducting a search and rescue operation

Russia could boost helium output amid Middle East crisis — expert

Valentin Bogomolov said that there are also strong prospects for increasing helium output through the development of new gas fields, particularly in Eastern Siberia

Iran does not refuse talks with US in Pakistan — foreign minister

Tehran is concerned about the terms for ending the war, Abbas Araghchi said

Putin dismisses claims that Russia offered Iran satellite system as ‘fake news’

The Washington Post reported on Thursday citing current and former U.S. and Middle Eastern officials that Moscow planned to supply Iran with Russian-made Kanopus-V satellite

At least three people killed in missile attack in southwest Iran

The governor of the Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province says that the exact number of dead and injured people can be significantly higher

Russia almost completed transition to national currencies in payments to CIS, China

Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk said the issue of creating a system of payments and settlements not depending on the banking service and currencies of Western countries is the critical area of Eurasian cooperation

Kiev’s attack against Donetsk with Tochka-U Mar 14 was bloody terror act — Putin

As a result of the attack, at least 20 people died

Creating cancer vaccine for specific patient takes about 3 months

The first patient in Russia received a domestically made personalized cancer vaccine April 1

IEA revises downward global oil demand forecast for 2024, expects surplus

The forecast was revised down mainly due to Asian countries, especially China and its economic stimulus measures

Russian military to get equivalents of US missile defense systems soon — corporation

Russia is developing an equivalent of the THAAD and GMD missile defense systems

Trump says Iran has 48 hours to make deal or open strait

Time is running out: 48 hours remain before all hell rains down on them, US President said

Car ran into crowd during Lao New Year celebrations

Fifteen people were injured

Hungary, Slovakia to push EU to lift sanctions on Russian energy supplies — Hungarian PM

Viktor Orban said Budapest and Bratislava see it as necessary to urgently take steps to help EU countries avoid shortages of raw materials and fuel, as well as rising energy prices

US ambassador visits WSJ reporter Gershkovich in Moscow prison

It was Lynne Tracy’s third visit to the reporter