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ZNPP must not be attacked, used for attack under any circumstances, IAEA’s Grossi says

"A nuclear accident with radiological consequences will spare no one," Rafael Grossi said

VIENNA, March 30. /TASS/. The Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant must not be attacked or used for an attack under any circumstances, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi said in a statement, published on the Agency’s website Thursday.

"It is very, very important that we agree on the fundamental principle that a nuclear plant should not be attacked under any circumstances, and it also shouldn’t be used to attack others," Grossi said. "A nuclear accident with radiological consequences will spare no one."

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IAEA Rafael Grossi

Military operation in Ukraine

Russian air defenses down Ukrainian drone over Crimea

Russian, Chinese scientists working on carbon footprint reduction — Putin

The Russian president noted that the program for creation of carbon polygons that already exist in Russia, is being implemented together with Chinese partners

Israeli Air Force fighter jet strikes Jenin neighborhood in West Bank — army

The target of the strike was not specified

Hungary suggests EU countries adopt Georgian-style foreign agent law, adviser says

Earlier, Hungary took measures against foreign influence on the country’s domestic policy

Russian Northern Fleet’s naval group embarks on long-distance deployment

"The naval group’s ships have set their course towards the Atlantic Ocean through designated areas of the Barents Sea," the press office said

'Sanitary zone' near Kharkov and talks on Ukraine: What Putin told the media in Harbin

Even though Vladimir Putin’s visit to China was a state one, "it was a purely working trip"

Russia, Iran working to create single BRICS currency — Iranian ambassador

Kazem Jalali pointed out that the United States uses the dollar to create restrictions, and therefore the use of national currencies in mutual settlements is on the agenda

West should assess risks of Russia's response to asset confiscation — Foreign Ministry

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin noted that retaliatory measures "can be both symmetrical and asymmetrical in a variety of instruments, including legal, financial, and administrative"

Slovakia’s PM Fico still in intensive care — TV

According to the report, Robert Fico is in stable but still serious condition

Commander-in-chief warns Russian troops can circumvent Ukrainian forces in Kharkov Region

Kiev acknowledges that the situation in the Kharkov Region is extremely difficult for the Ukrainian troops

FIFA approves 'five-pillar' deal against racism in football, says FIFA chief Infantino

"We need to stand up and fight racism and defeat racism all together," Gianni Infantino stressed

Putin to visit Harbin on second day of visit to China

During his visit to the administrative center of China’s northernmost Heilongjiang province, the russian president will be accompanied by Chinese Vice President Han Zheng

China offers to provide security guarantees on Ukraine, West not ready — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister specified that Beijing has "an absolutely correct position, essentially, to sort out root causes and collectively remove them"

Gaza ceasefire talks suspended — radio

The talks have reached an impasse because the parties to the conflict cannot agree on the conditions for the release of hostages, the Israeli state broadcaster Kan reported

Russia demands UN arbitration on non-issuance of US visas — diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov added that the question of finding alternatives for relevant events has been discussed, including on official platforms

Over 10,000 Ukrainian fighters surrender since summer using special radio frequency

According to the source, the radio frequency operates in all directions of the line of engagement in the special military operation zone

Russia, China may pool efforts to create materials for future spacecraft — scientist

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Legitimate Ukrainian president needed to sign any agreements, says Putin

Ukraine was expected to hold its presidential election in March but the vote was canceled because martial law is in effect in the country

Born out of love: Putin hears heartwarming tale of panda Katyusha’s birth

Svetlana Akulova noted that the mama panda turned out to have very strong maternal instincts

North Korea tested tactical ballistic missile with new guidance system on May 17

The test launch confirmed the accuracy and reliability of the system, the Korean Central News Agency reported

New relations, successes of China's automobile industry: what Putin, Xi said in Beijing

According to the Russian leader, the partnership between Moscow and Beijing "will serve as a model of how ties between neighboring states should be built"

Fico’s bodyguards saved his life — Slovakia’s Interior Minister

"The prime minister’s personal protection group acted absolutely properly amid a rapidly developing emergency situation," Matus Sutaj-Estok underlined

Putin says up to Ukraine’s judicial system to decide on Zelensky’s legitimacy

"It’s a matter of assessment. And this assessment should primarily be made by the Constitutional Court and the political system in Ukraine itself," the Russian president reiterated

European Council suspends broadcasting activity of four Russian media outlets

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Expert sees attack on Slovak PM as challenge to all opponents of war in Ukraine

Adnan Sayed Hussein points out that the attack came at a time when a large batch of weapons is being prepared to be sent to Ukraine and discussions are underway on increasing military assistance to Kiev to $100 bln

Slovakia’s PM in 'very serious' condition, president-elect says

Peter Pellegrini added that "the next few hours and days" will be decisive for Robert Fico, who is staying at a hospital in the town of Banska Bystrica

Ukrainian troops preparing for defense in northeastern Sumy Region, says top commander

Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief Alexander Syrsky said that he "inspected all the units"

Russian stocks close in the green on Friday

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Qatar to focus efforts on partnership with Russia on North-South project — envoy

The North-South project is also important for many countries of the region, Ahmed bin Nasser bin Jassim Al-Thani added

Putin’s visit highlights strategic partnership between Moscow, Beijing — Russian senator

Konstantin Kosachev pointed out that it was a mutually beneficial and promising partnership

Orban sees link between attack on pro-peace Fico, war preparations in West

According to the Hungarian prime minister, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is planning to visit Hungary in the run-up to elections to the European Parliament scheduled for June 6-9 to try and persuade Budapest to reconsider its stance

State Duma approves Mikhail Mishustin as Chairman of Russian Government

Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin thanked State Duma lawmakers for approving his candidacy for the prime minister’s office

Putin apologizes to Harbin residents for tight security measures over his visit

"The greatest impression lies in the power of Harbin," the Russian leader noted, adding that "Harbin has turned into a powerful world-scale megacity in recent years"

US sanctions on Russian, Chinese goods to backfire, spiking inflation at home — Putin

The Russian president noted that sanctions are elements of economic war and are nothing new

Two civilians hurt in Ukraine’s attack on Belgorod

According to the governor, the two wounded men were taken to hospital

Russia has no plans today to seize Kharkov, says Putin

The current Kiev regime is to blame for ongoing battles in the Kharkov direction, the Russian leader stressed

Russia takes control of more land than Ukraine in 2023 counteroffensive — newspaper

Earlier, President Vladimir Putin said, commenting on Russia’s offensive operations in Ukraine, that the goal was to create "a sanitary zone" to protect border areas from shelling attacks

Russian diplomat slams EU’s call for ensuring freedom of protest in Georgia

Georgia’s parliament passed the third reading of the bill On the Transparency of Foreign Influence on May 14

Patriot supplies unlikely to impact Russia’s plans to liberate Kharkov, expert says

According to Roman Shkurlatov, two Patriot systems will not make Kharkov safe

US directly responsible for emergence, escalation of Ukrainian crisis — Beijing

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According to Axios, the consultations were devoted to discussing the possible "consequences of Iran and its proxies" in the region, as well as "US concerns about Tehran's nuclear program"

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

Three shelling attacks on positions of Syrian government troops by militants of the Jabhat al-Nusra were reported in the Idlib governorate in the Idlib de-escalation zone, Yury Popov, deputy chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria, said

Russian troops destroy 600 combat aircraft in Ukraine operation — top brass

The Ukrainian army lost over 520 troops in battles with Russian forces in the Donetsk area over the past day, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported

Afghanistan to expand range of goods exported to Russia — deputy PM Overchuk

"We are interested in Afghan exports of agriculture products to our market," Alexey Overchuk said

Russian troops use latest Upyr FPV drones in Kharkov push

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Russia working on logistics with Gulf countries — deputy PM Khusnullin

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Ukrainian troops leave most positions in Netailovo near Avdeyevka, says DPR

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Law on new rules of mobilization comes into force in Ukraine

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In addition, Ukrainian forces were facing ammunition shortages due to a stalled US aid package

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Russia ready for talks with Ukraine, but needs to know who is trustworthy there — Putin

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Confiscation of Russian assets by Estonia for transfer to Ukraine is theft — MFA

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Russian servicemen seize British FV104 Samaritan armored ambulance — top brass

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US sanctions against Russia 'terrible stupidity' — Putin

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Assassination attempt on Slovak PM Fico was planned in advance — defense minister

It is reported that doctors are doing everything possible to stabilize the patient

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Civilians are being killed there as a result of Kiev’s bombardments, which is obvious, the Russian leader noted

China expects peace to recover on European continent shortly — Xi Jinping

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Russia to view seizure of its property as robbery — Russian MFA on Estonia’s move

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"Yet this vagueness has always been typical of the Western group’s doctrinal approaches, including nuclear weapons," Sergey Ryabkov noted

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Slovakia’s Fico between life and death, it is loss for Slovakia, Hungary — Orban

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Blast at Budenny Academy in St. Petersburg not linked with terrorism — governor

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Ukrainian servicemen complain about heavy losses due to shortage of equipment, munitions

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Armenian ruling party says PM Pashinyan will not resign

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Over 500 military, special vehicles commissioned to Russia’s Central Military District

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Zelensky admits possibility of Ukraine losing Kharkov

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Different routes for Power of Siberia 2 under discussion, including through NSR — Putin

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Relations between Gulf countries and Russia reach new level — Omani minister

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Foreign aid to Ukraine a money laundering scheme, head of Chechnya says

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Ukraine’s military has about 2,000-strong garrison in Kherson — resistance fighters

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Press review: Day one of Putin's China visit and US stands by Ukraine

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, May 17th

London blacklists two Russian companies, one firm from North Korea

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Hungary vetoes Council of Europe resolution on Ukraine — top diplomat

Peter Szijjarto said he had asked the Council of Europe to include alternative peace plans to the resolution but that his proposal had been declined by a majority vote

Putin’s visit reveals futility of US’ attempts to exert pressure on China — Indian expert

Melkulangara Bhadrakumar added that closer relations with China will "strengthen Russia's position and become a stepping through for major events"

Australia announces another package of anti-Russia sanctions

"Australia condemns, in the strongest possible terms, North Korea’s illegal export and Russia’s procurement and use of North Korean ballistic missiles," the statement reads

US carries out subcritical nuclear experiment at Nevada site

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Russian troops advance towards Borovaya in eastern Kharkov region — official

Vitaly Ganchev added that as of today, more than 200 square kilometers of the region had been liberated from the Ukrainian armed forces

Russia warns US, EU, Kiev they are playing with fire — MFA about Ukrainian strikes

Maria Zakharova pointed out that behind these barbaric attacks with Western weapons the silhouettes of US and British handlers of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky's were clearly visible

Dedollarization of Russia-China trade will continue — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov also highly praised the cooperation between the regions of Russia and the provinces of China and emphasized its contribution to the development of the Russian territories bordering China

Russia to find platforms for speaking out if US refuses to issue visas — senior diplomat

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FACTBOX: Key facts and figures about Russia’s Victory Day

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

Strategic role of North Korean nuclear forces to increase by 2025 — Kim Jong Un

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Diplomat warns about response to EU ban on broadcasting of Russian media outlets

According to the Russian diplomat, the EU decision is based "solely on political motives."

Taiwan records approach of 18 Chinese aircraft, four warships

Taiwan's army responded by deploying aircraft, ships and land-based anti-aircraft missile systems to monitor the targets

Americans undermine trust in dollar, its role as reserve currency themselves — Putin

The Russian leader noted that solutions on how to make payments are possible and do exist

Kyrgyz security forces cordon off street in center of Bishkek where crowd gathers

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Finnish president says Helsinki doesn’t ask for hosting NATO nuclear weapons on its soil

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Russian troops deliver 28 precision strikes on Ukrainian military sites over week

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New opportunities, broad prospects await China, Russia — Xi

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North Pole platform back to Murmansk after 18-month-long Arctic mission

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Seven servicemen hurt in blast in territory of Military Academy in St. Petersburg

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Crowd gathered in central Bishkek agrees to disperse after talks with top police officer

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French army train unit of ‘super covert’ scouts in Estonia — radio

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