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Diseases under Pentagon microscope often spread via pandemics — Russian Defense Ministry

Lieutenant general Igor Kirillov added that the Pentagon is conducting uncontrolled dual-use research to circumvent international obligations under the Biological Weapons Convention

MOSCOW, August 16. /TASS/. US defense-related biological research programs show a clear trend in which those diseases that the Pentagon studies are subsequently spread via pandemics, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, head of the Russian Armed Forces’ Radiation, Chemical and Biological Defense Troops, said.

"There is a clear trend: pathogens that fall within the Pentagon's sphere of interest, such as COVID-19, bird flu, African swine flu, subsequently get spread by a pandemic, and the beneficiaries are American pharmaceutical companies," he said during a briefing on US military-use biological research activities.

Kirillov added that the Pentagon is conducting uncontrolled dual-use research to circumvent international obligations under the Biological Weapons Convention, despite the fact that the ostensible objectives of such programs are to monitor outbreaks of disease and assist developing countries.

Russian envoy slams countries ignoring Ukrainian attacks on Zaporozhye nuke plant

During the presentation of national statements, a number of countries accused Russia of the situation around the nuclear facility

Thousands of Ukrainian prisoners apply to join military

The bill allowing inmates to be mobilized was signed by Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky on May 17

Crowds gather for Raisi’s farewell ceremony in Iran’s Qom — TV

On May 19, a helicopter carrying Raisi crashed in Iran's East Azerbaijan Province

Third of Ukrainian troops surrender near Lisichansk, LPR’s envoy to Russia says

According to Rodion Miroshnik, the operation to liberate the LPR would be brought to an end as soon as the operation in Lisichansk was finished

SCO countries see Western attempts to take control of Eurasia — Lavrov

According to the top Russian diplomat, NATO and EU officials are seeking to introduce their institutions in Eurasia and make the countries of the region obey their rules

Ukraine’s real losses should be counted in millions — ex-Polish army general staff chief

"The Ukrainians are losing this war," Rajmund Andrzejczak said, describing the situation as "very, very dramatic"

German defense minister speaks up against any no-fly zones over Ukraine — agency

Earlier, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit came out with similar statements

Ukraine sustains roughly 100 casualties in Russian artillery fire near Avdeyevka

The Russian artillery unit monitored the mission using the Orlan-30 reconnaissance drone, the Russian Defense Ministry reported

Putin spent 2 hours in meeting to help look for Raisi’s helicopter, Iranian envoy says

The Russian president said Moscow stood "shoulder to shoulder" with Tehran, Kazem Jalali said

Kremlin spokesman echoes Putin’s stance on Zelensky’s legitimacy

The Russian leader voiced his position at a news conference in China

Zelensky hysterically demanded that Western countries "bring Russia to its knees" — Lavrov

The minister also called ridiculous the West's attempts to lure countries to the Swiss meeting on Ukraine and then address Russia with an ultimatum

Kremlin finds US reaction to ICC’s demand for Netanyahu arrest warrant 'curious'

"On the one hand, we [Russia] do not support it, but on the other hand, of course, we are monitoring the situation," Dmitry Peskov highlighted

IAEA’s Grossi to visit Kaliningrad May 28 to discuss ZNPP — Russian envoy

Technical and substantive aspects of the forthcoming exchange of views are being worked on

Central Asian countries 'outraged' by West’s attempts to control them — Lavrov

According to the top Russian diplomat, Moscow has never objected to such communication platforms as "Central Asia +"

Liberation of LPR’s Belogorovka to expand Russian offensive — expert

"This is an important tactical success, which allows us to approach one of the special military operation goals: the complete liberation of Russia’s new regions," Igor Korotchenko underlined

Infrastructure facility suffers damage in Ukraine’s Dnepropetrovsk Region

Meanwhile, explosions took place in the city of Kharkov in eastern Ukraine, the media reported without providing further details

Volume of investment in Volga car project will exceed $662 mln

Volga cars will be produced at the site of the Nizhny Novgorod automobile cluster, while the serial production will start in 2024 and from 2025 the production will be carried out in a full cycle mode

US conducts behind-the-scenes work to undermine BRICS — Russian MFA

Sergey Ryabkov noted that Washington rejects "everything that goes beyond the mono model of American leadership and American hegemony"

Authorities evacuate over 10,800 people from Kharkov Region’s border areas

Oleg Sinegubov specified that civilians were being evacuated from the Bogodukhovsky, Kharkovsky and Chuguyevsky districts

Swiss conference on Ukraine aimed at discussing Zelensky’s ultimatum 'formula' — Lavrov

The top Russian diplomat pointed to the fact that Chinese President Xi Jinping "clearly articulated that the Chinese side will support the convention of an international conference, which will reflect the interests of both Russia and Ukraine equally and will be based on a large number of ideas and initiatives"

Over half of Russian companies will use domestic software by year end — Prime Minister

Mikhail Mishustin stressed that over four years, sales of Russian software have more than doubled, and ready-made package solutions have increased fivefold

Ireland set to announce recognition of Palestinian state on May 22

According to Reuters, Ireland's Prime Minister Simon Harris and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defense Micheal Martin will announce the initiative during a press briefing

Iranian drones spotted President Raisi’s helicopter crash site — top brass

The drone sent by the Turkish side to the presumed crash site "could not transmit the exact coordinates of the helicopter wreckage scene due to the absence of necessary terrain identification equipment because of clouds" and returned to Turkey, the General Staff said

China rejects US sanctions for ties with Russia, pledges to protect its companies — envoy

"China’s position on Ukraine has been just and objective," Liu Pengyu said

G7 does not rule out seizing Russian assets, not only revenues from them — Cameron

The UK foreign secretary noted that this week the G7 finance ministers will primarily discuss the use of revenues generated by Russian assets

Russian envoy slams countries ignoring Ukrainian attacks on Zaporozhye nuke plant

During the presentation of national statements, a number of countries accused Russia of the situation around the nuclear facility

Ukraine cannot provide heavy vehicles to new recruits — Forbes

The universal mobilization has been repeatedly prolonged in Ukraine since February, 2022

Russia ready to help Iran investigate Raisi’s helicopter crash — Putin

The Russian leader described Raisi’s death as a big loss

Rasisi’s helicopter passenger twice called to say he was feeling bad — senior diplomat

"Shortly after the accident, we managed to speak with Tabriz’s Friday Prayer Imam," Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Mahdi Safari said

Around thousand Russians forced to leave Latvia due to discrimination — MFA

Konstantin Guz pointed out that since last June, a new version of the law on citizenship has been in effect in the republic

Starliner’s first crewed mission to ISS scrubbed yet again

The decision was made jointly with NASA due to a helium leak, Bloomberg reported

Zelensky may be target of assassination a la Hitler in 1944 — Medvedev

"However, it will change nothing either for the Ukrainians or for us," Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council stressed

Kiev recognizes regular arms supplies won’t tip balance on frontline — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov stressed that the situation the Ukrainian soldiers find themselves in is "rather difficult"

Russian troops leveling out frontline in Kharkov area — local administration

Volchansk is strategically important and that it why the Ukrainian army is bringing in "very serious forces" and "trying to counterattack," Vitaly Ganchev said

Norway moves to recognize Palestinian state

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store stressed that "recognition of Palestine is a means of supporting the moderate forces which have been losing ground in this protracted and brutal conflict"

EU blocking accounts of Rossotrudnichestvo, head of Russian culture body says

"Education projects in former Soviet republic are much more important to us," Yevgeny Primakov emphasized, referring to Armenia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, among other nations

Up to 38 competence centers created in Russia to replace foreign software — Prime Minister

Mikhail Mishustin told Iranian participants at CIPR that some solutions could be useful for them

EU escalates theft to status of foreign policy instrument — Russian envoy

"The EU deliberately resorted to an unprecedented step - theft of sovereign assets of a foreign state," Kirill Logvinov said

Erpenbeck wins International Booker Prize for her novel Kairos

She will split the 50,000 pound sterling prize with translator Michael Hofmann

Two dead, 30 injured after Singapore Airlines flight hit by severe turbulence

The flight carrying 221 passengers and 18 crew members was on its way from London to Singapore

Republicans accuse White House of sending aid to Kenyan forces instead of helping Kiev

"The administration is rushing to fund an undefined and indefinite engagement in Haiti without Congressional approval," Politico said

US Congress considers sanctions against ICC — House Speaker Johnson

"The ICC has no authority over Israel or the United States, and today's baseless and illegitimate decision should face global condemnation," the speaker said

Zelensky claims his presidential terms not over yet

Under the Ukrainian Constitution, Zelensky’s five-year term ended on May 21

Russian troops destroy 30 Ukrainian army boats in Kherson area over past day

Fighters of the Battlegroup Dnepr were engaged in active defense on the left bank of the Dnieper River and delivered strikes at the enemy on the opposite bank

Ukrainian drone attack damages railway track, power grid in Belgorod Region — governor

Vyacheslav Gladkov added that suburban train traffic has been suspended until technical faults are removed

Attack on Slovak PM signals Western shift to 'overt terrorism' — Russian intelligence

The SVR stressed that Western countries’ "insincere official wishes of good health for Fico conceal the true face of the globalist sect"

Russian Uragan MLRS crew destroys Ukrainian platoon in attempt at counterattack

The Ukrainians sustained roughly 30 casualties in the Russian attack, the Russian Defense Ministry said

Poland against planting anti-personnel mines on border with Russia, Belarus — Tusk

"We are not planning to plant mines [at the border with Russia and Belarus]," the minister said

Mongolia is obvious next candidate for SCO membership — Lavrov

The Russian top diplomat recalled that for the moment 14 countries have the status of dialogue partners within SCO

US rejects ICC’s legitimacy but uses it against enemies — Russian ambassador

"This is yet another example of double standards and a parade of American hypocrisy," Anatoly Antonov said

Press review: Political fallout from Raisi's death and Zelensky's term officially over

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, May 21st

Top brass proposes specifying state borderline in Russia’s westernmost region

"This will alter the Russian state maritime border due to a change in the territorial sea’s external bounds," it says

Russia’s Progress space freighter to deliver over 2,500 kg of cargo to orbital outpost

The hyperspectral instrument will be installed on a porthole of Russia’s Zvezda service module, it specified

Military exercise on preparation, use of tactical nuclear weapons kicks off in Russia

"Under the order of the commander-in-chief, a military exercise involving practice of preparation and use of tactical nuclear weapons started in the Southern military district under the supervision of the General Staff," the ministry said

Russian air defenses down unmanned aerial vehicle over Bryansk Region

According to Governor Alexander Bogomaz, there were no casualties or damage

Finland is following Russian Defense Ministry plans to specify border in Baltic Sea

According to Finnish President Alexander Stubb, "Russia has not been in contact with Finland on the matter"

West’s attempts to wall off Russia not 'sign of great intelligence' — Lavrov

According to the top Russian diplomat, this way, the West is attempting "to control as much space as possible, using blackmail, threats, sanctions and ultimatums"

Russia hopes Kakhovka HPP strike probe concerns HIMARS suppliers — UN envoy

Vasily Nebenzya noted that not only the Zelensky regime was responsible for the strike on the Kakhovka HPP, but also the "Western sponsors who continue to supply long-range weapons to the ruling clique in Kiev"

Kiev’s top security official concedes slim odds of battlefield success

Alexander Litvinenko also pointed to Washington’s "absolutely unfair" ban on the Ukrainian army using American-supplied weapons to strike targets inside Russia

Raisi's helicopter equipped with full navigation, foreign minister boarded last minute

The helicopter was piloted by Army pilots, not the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps

Ukraine uses weapons of almost all NATO states against Russian civilians — UN envoy

Vasily Nebenzya called the information about the conflict in Ukraine, contained in UN Secretary General’s report on protection of civilians in armed conflict a "regrettable example of double standards"

Russian Su-25 pilots destroy camouflaged enemy equipment, manpower

According to Russia’s Defense Ministry, Ukrainian special equipment and manpower were wiped out in the airstrike

Israeli ambassadors recalled from Norway, Ireland due to recognition of Palestine

Foreign Minister Israel Katz stressed that "Israel will not remain silent in the face of those undermining its sovereignty and endangering its security"

Zelensky to extend election moratorium, his elimination by West likely — DPR lawmaker

Yelena Shishkina noted that Ukraine had seen usurpation of power - but not by Zelensky, who is not an independent political figure, but by the West

First withdrawal of revenues from Russian assets in EU banks will happen in July — EC

As previously stated by the EU Council, any financial structures with more than 1 mln euro of Russian frozen funds in their accounts must return 90% of the profits from the reinvestment of Russian assets

Iranian late foreign minister to be buried in Tehran on May 23

Raisi’s helicopter crashed in Iran’s province of East Azerbaijan on May 19

Press review: West's gameplan for iced Russian assets and Germany goes to bat for Ukraine

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, May 22nd

European, US strategy on Ukraine fails completely — top Hungarian diplomat

Peter Szijjarto added that the sanctions have had a major impact on the European economy, and that Western European countries, which are "super proud that they got rid of Russian energy resources," are actually buying them indirectly

Pentagon claims Russia put counterspace weapon into orbit last week

According to Pentagon Press Secretary Patrick Ryder, the new counterspace weapon was deployed into "the same orbit as a US government satellite"

End of Zelensky’s presidential term renders him illegitimate — ex-Ukrainian PM

Nikolay Azarov pointed out that the Ukrainian constitution was crystal clear about the five-year presidential term

ICC decision rescues Netanyahu’s political career — Politico

It is reported that Benny Gantz is considered to be the politician who can end Netanyahu’s political career

Russian troops leveling out frontline in Kharkov area — local administration

The Ukrainian military is deploying reserves from "all areas it can draw" them, including the Kupyansk direction, Vitaly Ganchev said

New BRICS members fitting in seamlessly — senior Russian diplomat

According to Sergey Ryabkov, the BRICS culture is about not getting bogged down in differences between member states, but moving forward in a positive direction

Russian government approves list of unfriendly countries and territories

The countries and territories mentioned in the list imposed or joined the sanctions against Russia after the start of a special military operation of the Russian Armed Forces in Ukraine

Three satellites of Rassvet-2 mission successfully orbited — Bureau 1440

Rassvet-2 is a space laboratory for experimental testing of technical solutions developed by Bureau 1440, which will form the basis of the target space system

Russia says its paratroopers seized Ukrainian strongpoint near Andreyevka

"Having demoralized the enemy with accurate strikes from grenade launchers and, having suppressed its firepower, the paratroopers under the cover of night entered the enemy stronghold," the Russian Defense Ministry said

Polish PM says nine people arrested over alleged sabotage attacks at Russia’s request

"This concerns beatings, arson and attempted arson," Donald Tusk said

Russia rejects groundless accusations of inability of ensuring ZNPP’s operation — diplomat

According to Roman Ustinov, ahead of the conferences, the Russian side released a report about measures that are being taken to ensure the ZNPP’s security

Envoy to Russia preaches patience in Raisi helicopter crash investigation

"Only at the conclusion of the investigation can we determine whether what happened was because of poor weather, whether it was just an accident or something else entirely. Right now we must be patient," Kazem Jalali stressed

EU aid for Ukraine loses legitimacy together with Zelensky — French politician

According to the Ukrainian Constitution, Zelensky’s term as president expired on the night of May 21

Risk of nuclear conflict at its highest in decades — statement of 23 countries

The statement emphasized that nuclear weapons make up 90% of the global stockpile of highly enriched uranium

Borrell reacts to call to arrest Israeli PM

"All states that have ratified the ICC statutes are bound to execute the Court’s decisions," the top EU diplomat said

Ukrainians living aboard must return home to register with military recruitment office

General mobilization was announced in Ukraine in February 2022 and has been extended several times since, with the authorities doing everything possible so that draft-age men cannot evade military service

Anything that comes out of Swiss conference on Ukraine trifling without Russia — Medvedev

"Clearly, the outcome of this get-together will be null and void: peace talks are never held with just one party to the conflict," the politician stressed

Russia’s strikes hammer Ukrainian troops, equipment in 95 areas over past day

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 425 troops, a tank and two armored personnel carriers in battles with Russian forces in the Kupyansk area over the past day, the Russian Defense Ministry reported

West uneasy about budding relations between Moscow, Beijing — Russian diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov is confident that "everyone is now assessing the political messages that were sent" during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to China

Norway officially recognizes Palestine as a state — statement

The decision will come into force on May 28, according to the government’s website

Putin, Xi firmly said NO to Western diktat — expert

Alexey Maslov described as an important outcome China’s statement that it was meaningless to participate in the peace conference in Switzerland without Russia

State Duma speaker to represent Russia at farewell ceremony for late Iranian president

Ebrahim Raisi will be buried in his birthplace, Mashhad, northeastern Iran, on May 23

Russian forces not to let Ukraine hold on to Nikolayev, Odessa, Kharkov — commander

It is stressed that these are "originally Russian territories and it is unlikely that Ukraine manages to retain them"

Ukrainian army needs to triple recruitment to sustain defensive operations — media

"Indecision in Kiev over a new mobilization drive has left combat units severely undermanned," according to the report

Ukraine’s Zelensky should be tried for war crimes, DPR head says

Denis Pushilin pointed out that it was Zelensky who gave criminal orders and took a position that seriously endangered both the residents of Donbass and the population of the rest of Ukraine

Pentagon admits Russian forces 'making gains' near Kharkov

"We do know that there are tens of thousands of Russian troops inside Ukraine," Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder said

West alarmed over plummeting support for Zelensky — Russian intelligence

The press bureau drew attention to the fact that history has shown time and again that attempts to retain power using lies and intimidation do not work

Israeli PM Netanyahu says ICC Prosecutor Khan tries to 'demonize Israel'

Benjamin Netanyahu recalled that Israel supplied half million tons of food and medicine with 20,000 trucks to the Gaza Strip

ICC making mockery of international law by seeking Netanyahu’s arrest — expert

Herman Zakharyayev stressed that both Russia and Israel are pursuing an independent foreign policy and are resolving their geopolitical problems

Medvedev warns 'neutral' countries against participating in Swiss summit on Ukraine

"We will remember that," the politician warned

Protests against military recruiters held in Ukraine’s Nikolayev Region

A legislator in the Kherson Region, Yury Barbashov, noted that Ukrainian patriots are currently overwhelmed with worry as they realize "that this is agony and that the end is near"

One more Ukrainian drone shot down over Belgorod Region — defense ministry

Kiev attempted attack on facilities in Russia’s territory with the use of a fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle was thwarted, it said

Shipbuilders float out latest Project 22870 rescue tug for Russian Navy

The Project 22870 rescue tug Mikhail Chekhov engineered by the Vympel Design Bureau in Nizhny Novgorod in the Volga area is designed to render assistance to ships in distress and rescue personnel, tow vessels and extinguish fires on affected ships and onshore facilities

Russian MP calls for responding to Ukraine’s drone attack by offensive on battlefield

Konstantin Zatulin did not rule that companies sustaining losses from Ukrainian drone attacks may file a collective damage claim against Ukraine