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Developments in Afghanistan

Afghanistan shows interest in cooperating with Russia in energy spheres — special envoy

Zamir Kabulov calls this approach reasonable and pragmatic

MOSCOW, January 31. /TASS/. Afghanistan takes interest in cooperation with Russia in oil and gas and energy spheres, special envoy of the Russian President Zamir Kabulov told TASS in an interview.

"I would elect not to speak about specific agreements. We generally welcome higher interest showed by Kabul for development of bilateral relations with Moscow in oil and gas, energy and other spheres of trade and economic cooperation," Kabulov said.

"We consider such approach to be reasonable and pragmatic, taking into account the experience available with our experts and the role the Soviet Union played in the development of Afghanistan’s national economy," the diplomat added.

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Power transfer in Afghanistan

Russia’s international reserves down $5.5 bln in June — Central Bank

Currency reserves lost $4.19 bln and totaled $418.972 bln as of the end of June

Russia uncertain if Ukraine would reciprocate with ceasefire — Putin

The Russian president said that Moscow ultimately "faced deception again as all agreements [involving the troops withdrawal], which had been reached in Istanbul, were thrown in the trash"

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Exact dates are not known at this point, they are yet to be agreed upon, Dmitry Peskov said

Russia’s plan on Ukraine could immediately end hostilities, Putin reiterates

The Russian leader also thanked SCO member countries for their efforts in pursuit of the same goal

EU rules out official communication with Russian president, top diplomat says

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US defense weapons plant rocked by explosion, casualties reported — AP

According to the news agency, the plant manufactures 105mm to 155mm artillery shells

Orban clarifies Hungary's independent role in Russia-Ukraine peace efforts

Viktor Orban believes that Hungary "can be a tool in the hands of those who seek peace"

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

Labour Party leads UK parliament election with 10% of ballots counted

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Hungarian PM concedes that Russia-Ukraine peace talks will be handled by heavyweights

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Conflict in Ukraine could be stopped if strong foundation for peace is created — Erdogan

According to the statement, the Turkish leader affirmed Ankara's intention to "continue to strive for peace"

Russia, Iran have almost identical approaches to key global issues — Putin

The Russian president asked Mohammad Mokhber to "pass along his wishes for good health and prosperity to Iran's Supreme Leader" Ali Khamenei

Russian defense ministry reports losses among Russian troops during special operation

Konashenkov also said that several Russian soldiers have been taken prisoner

Russian mortar crew destroys another Bradley IFV near Avdeyevka

Russian servicemen also destroyed a recovery detachment that came to save the vehicle’s crew, the Defense Ministry said

US surveillance drones can be stopped by MiG-31 jets, air defense systems — analyst

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Ukraine uses ATACMS missiles against civilian targets as well — Russian general

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Improvement of Russia’s positions to push West to talks on Ukraine — UN envoy

Vasily Nebenzya does not believe that the potential election of Donald Trump as the next US president will cardinally change the American policy in this area

Port infrastructure damaged in Odessa Region — mayor

Earlier, the media reported explosions in Odessa, as well as in the port of the city of Chernomorsk

Ukraine’s military launched deliberate attack on Zaporozhye nuke plant’s staff — envoy

It is not for the first time that the Kiev regime "clearly demonstrates its complete disregard for the safety of peaceful nuclear facilities," Mikhail Ulyanov said

Democratic donors see Biden’s presidential candidacy as 'doomed' — newspaper

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Putin meets with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Kremlin

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There is concrete, there are concrete fortifications, as it is not a bare steppe, said Viktor Vodolatsky

China, Turkey share similar views on Ukrainian issue — Xi Jinping

The Chinese president underscored the need for close contacts between Beijing and Ankara

Russian air defenses engage aerial targets above Rostov — governor

Details are being verified

Labour Party has solid lead in UK parliament elections — exit poll

The opposition party is projected to win 410 seats in the parliament

US-led coalition’s Typhoon fighter comes dangerously close to Russian An-30 in Syria

In all, aircraft of the US-led international coalition violated Syrian airspace in the Al-Tanf zone 12 times over the past 24 hours

Hungarian PM’s Moscow visit marks step towards peace in Ukraine — top diplomat

Tamas Menczer, spokesman for the Fidesz - Hungarian Civic Alliance ruling party, also said that the premier’s efforts could produce positive results

Hungarian PM acts as mediator in Ukraine conflict, not negotiator — minister

Janos Boka said that Orban sent a summary of the trip to the EU Council immediately after his visit to Kiev, thus demonstrating "room for maneuver"

Transnistria accuses OSCE PA of waging hybrid war against unrecognized republic

The Foreign Ministry slammed the statement that "the unresolved status of the region has led to the strengthening of local repressive mechanisms" and that "the 5+2 format is not functional"

Russian economy deviates from base case scenario — Central Bank

According to regulator's Governor Elvira Nabiullina, discussions on the rate increase will be on the agenda in July

Russian Navy to receive advanced Futlyar torpedoes

The new torpedoes will equip the Project 955A Borey-A (NATO reporting name: Dolgorukiy-class), Project 885 Yasen-class (Severodvinsk-class) and Project 885M Yasen-M in the first place

Russian Pacific Fleet corvette sails together with Chinese naval ships in joint patrol

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US national Woodland sentenced to 12.5 years in prison for attempted drug sale

During the hearing, the prosecutor asked for 12 years in a penal colony

Conservative Party suffers historic defeat, results of UK Parliament elections

On Friday morning, Keir Starmer should be received by King Charles III who will instruct him to form a new government

Putin to discuss Ukraine issue with Hungarian PM later today — Kremlin spokesman

The meeting will also involve Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Presidential Foreign Policy Aide Yury Ushakov and Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky

US-made Patriot systems failed even to protect themselves — Russian general

In the course of the special military operation, Russian air defense systems confirmed their potential to repel strikes by all types of enemy air attack capabilities, Andrey Semyonov said

Istanbul principles could launch dialogue, but Kiev rejects them — Kremlin spokesman

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They US military destroyed two Iranian-backed Houthi uncrewed surface vessels

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The leader of the Ansar Allah movement, Abdel Malek al-Houthi, advised Arab and Muslim countries to show caution so that Washington could not launch its attacks on Yemen from their sovereign territories

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Dmitry Peskov confirmed that at today’s meeting, Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Vladimir Putin touched upon the conflict in Ukraine

IAEA will ultimately say who shells Zaporozhye NPP — Russian diplomat

Mikhail Ulyanov said Russia is convinced that "sooner or later" evidence will emerge, and then the organization's secretariat will have to name the culprit

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In the conditions of ever increasing use by Ukrainian forces of modern missile weapons produced by NATO countries, air defense forces promptly develop methods and adapt air defense systems to counter enemy missile attacks, Andrey Semyonov said

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

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Israeli strike on school in Gaza City kills five — TV

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Iskander missiles destroy Ukrainian MiG-29 at Dolgintsevo air base — defense ministry

Ballistic missile delivered at the base in the Dnepropetrovsk region

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Isenmann testified during his interrogation that his platoon, part of the Wiking Division, arrived in Lvov immediately after the Germans occupied it - at the end of June and the beginning of July 1941

Talks about common parliament, currency in Russia and Belarus premature — Putin

"Nobody says in general that this is impossible or this should not be or need not be done," the Russian leader pointed out

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Russia’s Dnepr Battlegroup inflicted roughly 140 casualties on the Ukrainian army in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported

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"Payments are made while they are needed, and economic entities in many countries need our market; the economic interest is in place," Governor Elvira Nabiullina said

Tucker Carlson announces interview with Zelensky

The exact date when the interview will be published was not disclosed

Tankman who hijacked Ukrainian tank gets Russian citizenship

Maxim Likhachev described it as a "long-awaited document"

Much-vaunted Patriots can’t even defend themselves

In the course of the special military operation, it was confirmed that Russian air defense systems have the potential to repel strikes by all types of enemy air attack capabilities

Duties on Chinese electric cars expose EU hypocrisy regarding market economy — expert

However, Wang Wen noted that China is not afraid of such steps and will continue to prove that the production of electric vehicles in the country is not developing through subsidies

Russia ready to start producing short-range, medium-range missiles — Putin

Moscow can give a mirror-like response in case US short-and medium-range missiles are placed in any region of the world, the Russian leader noted

Russian air defense troops downed over 550 planes, 120 helicopters during special op

"The battlefield and point air defense of the Russian military has shown itself to be up to the task during large-scale combat operations in the zone of the special military operation," Russian Air and Missile Defense Forces Commander Lt. Gen. Andrey Semyonov said

Belarus vows joint response with allies to any border provocations — General Staff

According to Vladimir Kupriyanyuk, Belarus has not and will not "raise tensions in any way" despite a difficult situation on the border with Ukraine

Hungarian PM says he arrives in Moscow to continue 'peace mission'

Orban’s spokesman Bertalan Havasi announced earlier that the Hungarian premier had arrived in Moscow to discuss ways to resolve the conflict in Ukraine with Russian President Vladimir Putin

Putin says Orban came to Moscow also as president of EU Council

Hungary will hold the rotating presidency of the EU Council for the next six months

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

Use of power methods rising in global politics — SCO declaration

The document starts from stating that "tectonic shifts are underway" in global politics, economy and other areas now

Putin insists Ukraine rejected peace talks on US instructions

"It was Ukraine that rejected negotiations, and it did so publicly and on direct instructions" from London and Washington, the Russian leader stressed

Iran to vote in presidential election runoff

The results are expected to be known in the morning of July 6

US-based F1 Team Haas to return race car to Russia’s Uralkali by court ruling

Uralkali has already sent a letter to Haas with details for delivery of the race car used in the 2021 season

Presidential runoff kicks off in Iran

The two candidates on the ballot are former Health Minister Masoud Pezeshkian, 69, and the supreme leader’s representative in the Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili, 58

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

No confirmation of Moscow visit from Hungarian PM

Earlier, several European media outlets reported the Hungarian premier’s potential visit to Moscow on July 5, citing officials

Six hospitalized after drone attack on south Russia’s Primorsko-Akhtarsk

A three-storey apartment building and a power substation were damaged

Bank of Russia sees complication of situation with cross-border payments

Elvira Nabiullina added that the business is adapting to the situation and the Central Bank is helping it in this aspect

Putin did not discuss idea to hold peace summit on Ukraine with Xi Jinping — Kremlin

Russian president and his chinese counterpart held negotiations in Astana on July 3

Russia faces unprecedented air defense challenges during special op — general

The use of factory-made and improvised unmanned aerial vehicles, which are made with special composite materials to reduce their visibility and are capable of flying at extremely low altitudes, has become unprecedented, Andrey Semyonov said

Six-year-old girl dies in hospital following Ukrainian attack on southern Russia

Veniamin Kondratyev offered condolences to the girl’s family

Multipolar world becomes reality, Putin says

The Russian president noted that "an increasing number of countries are calling for a fairer world order and express determination to defend their legitimate rights and traditional values; new centers of power and economic development are emerging and growing stronger"

Armenia ready for strategic partnership with US — PM

According to Nikol Pashinyan, "Armenia greatly values the role of the United States in the peace-building process in our region and deeply appreciates the US support for the sovereignty, independence, democracy, territorial integrity and inviolability of the borders of the Republic of Armenia in accordance with the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration"

Hungarian PM arrives in Moscow

Viktor Orban told the media that he would like to convince Ukraine and Russia to "embark on a long journey which may end in a ceasefire and peace talks"

Hungary to become single EU country in dialog with Russia, Ukraine — Orban

"I am grateful to you that you agreed to receive me even in such challenging conditions," the Hungarian Prime Minister addressed the Russian leader, meaning the ongoing conflict in Ukraine

Gazprom Export wins court ruling to halt Axpo Solutions' arbitration abroad

The court ruled that the Austrian company will have to pay Gazprom Export about 623.2 mln euros, if it violates the ban

Putin, Orban to talk tet-a-tet if needed — Kremlin spokesman

"First they will talk in the attendance of the accompanying persons that you saw," Dmitry Peskov said

Press review: SCO summit ushers in new deals and zooming in on Russia-India ties

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, July 5th

Russian diplomat blasts Kiev’s reaction to Orban’s peace initiative as smokescreen

After his talks in Kiev on Tuesday, Viktor Orban proposed that Ukraine consider a ceasefire as a step toward starting talks with Russia to settle the armed conflict at a press briefing

One third of all downed Ukrainian manned aircraft was destroyed by MANPADS — general

Andrey Semyonov added that crews of radar stations and anti-aircraft missile systems have been constantly adapting to new threats, improving the existing ways of countering air-borne enemy capabilities and developing new ones

UK premier congratulates Labour leader on election victory

Rishi Sunak also took responsibility for his party’s defeat

Russian combat aircraft destroying military targets over Black Sea — governor

Mikhail Razvozhayev urged city residents and guests to remain calm, observe security measures and stay in temporary shelters or safe places

Putin invites Hungarian PM to discuss situation in Ukraine

Hungary currently holds the six-month presidency of the Council of the European Union

Ten drones shot down above south Russia’s Rostov Region — governor

"According to first responders, the aerial attack and falling drone fragments sparked wildfires on the left bank of the Don River in Rostov and in the Azov district," Vasily Golubev noted

Reasonable people in West to consider Putin’s plan in the future — Kremlin spokesman

Meanwhile, according to Dmitry Peskov, "this does not mean that more reasonable people in the collective West and in Ukraine itself have not considered this plan"

US and its satellites’ unceremonious policy provoked crisis in Ukraine — Putin

"We have repeatedly put on the negotiations table our concrete proposals regarding this issue," the Russian president noted

Major powers to arrange talks between Russia, Ukraine — Hungarian PM

Meanwhile, Viktor Orban pointed out that Hungary "would like to encourage the parties" to launch talks

Russia makes efforts to settle crisis in Middle East — Putin

According to the Russian president, the situation "could be resolved in principle only if the corresponding UN decisions are implemented"

Russia has unified air defense system on its entire territory, including special op zone

"It can be said now that none of the world's other militaries has experience in creating air defense concentrations of this magnitude," Russian Air and Missile Defense Forces Commander Lt. Gen. Andrey Semyonov said