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Construction of Akkuyu NPP's first power unit completed — CEO

"Cold hydrostatic testing of the reactor began last night, and this work will be completed within a few weeks," Alexey Likhachev said

MOSCOW, June 22. /TASS/. Construction work on the first power unit of the Akkuyu nuclear power plant in Turkey has been completed, Rosatom CEO Alexey Likhachev said during a visit to the plant.

"We are recording the completion of construction work. Cold hydrostatic testing of the reactor began last night, and this work will be completed within a few weeks. Only a matter of weeks will remain before the launch operations begin, and following the completion of all this work, an inspection will be carried out and adjustments will be made to the final stage," the Rosatom chief said.

Akkuyu is the first nuclear power plant being built in the Republic of Turkey. The Akkuyu project consists of four power units equipped with Russian-designed Generation III+ VVER reactors. Each unit will have a capacity of 1,200 MW. The construction of Akkuyu is the first project in the global nuclear industry to be implemented under the Build-Own-Operate model.

US license for Iranian oil transactions does not apply to Donbass, Crimea — Treasury

The license allows buyers to make payments for Iranian oil and petroleum products in US dollars

Negotiating teams agree to involve Lebanon in conflict resolution efforts

Technical teams will continue consultations on a number of issues throughout the week

Su-34 hit Ukrainian points of drone deployment and control in DPR

The targets were destroyed

Russia liberates 94 buildings, destroys 95 Ukrainian soldiers in Konstantinovka

Servicemen of Battlegroup West destroyed up to 30 Ukrainian soldiers and one Dzhura armored vehicle in the settlement of Krasny Liman in the DPR over the past day, the Russian Defense Ministry reported

Investigative Committee opens case on Ukraine's terrorist attack on Kerch Peninsula

The reason was a large-scale attack by Ukrainian armed groups on civilian infrastructure facilities

Israel, US attack amusement park in central Iran

No information on casualties or damage has been reported yet

IN BRIEF: Three civilians injured in Ukrainian attack on Russian city of Voronezh

Manufacturing facilities at a production site were damaged, along with the facades and windows of several apartment buildings, and some cars

Iranian delegations expresses protest to US side over Trump’s threats — TV

According to the Press TV channel, Iran "is looking at options of an appropriate response" to US President’s threats

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

Russian Geran drones wipes out Ukrainian fuel depot in Dnepropetrovsk Region

The strikes were followed by a strong fire, the Russian defense ministry said

Iran to hit more targets if US attacks Kharg Island — ambassador

Tehran’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe Amir Hossein Hosseini also expressed hope that the conflict would be resolved diplomatically

British PM Keir Starmer announces resignation

According to Keir Starmer, the process to elect a new party leader would begin on July 9

Syrian leader says ready to engage in talks with Hezbollah to save Lebanon

According to Ahmed al-Sharaa, Lebanon "needs a political consensus to get out of the crisis as the situation in the country will not withstand further polarization"

Special committee to oversee US-Iran talks to be established

The heads of the delegations are expected to report to it on a regular basis

Iran awaits US Treasury's announcement on lifting of oil sanctions — news agency

According to the report, the talks in Switzerland also addressed the unfreezing of Iranian assets

Further phases of BRICS expansion will follow, says South African president

It is noted that the membership will take effect from January 1, 2024

History of UPA glorification gives Warsaw legal grounds to keep Ukraine out of EU

Russian Foreign Ministry Ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik called a decision by Vladimir Zelensky, a number of Ukrainian officials, and former presidents to renounce Polish state awards a "theatrical demarche"

Persian Gulf countries running out of interceptor missiles - Bloomberg

Iran has fired almost 1,200 ballistic missiles and 4,000 Shahed drones at the Gulf states since the start of the war

Cabo Verde, Uruguay share points in World Cup clash

The match marked only the second World Cup appearance for Cabo Verde

Swiss talks produce mechanism to ensure safe passage of ships through Hormuz — Baghaei

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman emphasized that Tehran considers a cessation of hostilities on all fronts, including in Lebanon, to be a key condition for working out a final agreement

Slovak PM backs European Council head in his attempt to establish contacts with Russia

According to Robert Fico, there are several prime ministers who share this view

Starmer’s team begins handing over responsibilities ahead of resignation — newspaper

According to the newspaper, on June 20, Keir Starmer and his inner circle began drafting a speech in which the prime minister would announce his resignation

Colombian presidential election proceeds smoothly

Far-right businessman and non-system politician Abelardo de la Espriella, who narrowly led candidate Ivan Cepeda of the ruling left-wing Historic Pact party in the first round, voted alongside his family in Barranquilla

Significant progress and foundation for final deal: results of US-Iran talks

Consultations on the US-Iranian memorandum are not expected to continue on June 22

Qatar announces start of US-Iran talks in Switzerland

Doha expressed hope that these meetings "will lead to a comprehensive and lasting agreement covering all aspects addressed in the memorandum of understanding" between the US and Iran

EU demands Turkey does not supply Russian gas to union

As German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche noted, Turkey takes into account the great importance that the EU places "on weaning itself off Russian commodity supplies," but made it clear that replacing Russian supplies is impossible overnight

West is entering new phase of war against Russia — senior legislator

Alexey Pushkov believes that actions such as providing Ukraine with intelligence for strikes on Russian industrial, military, and civilian targets are among the main indicators

US-Iran talks in Burgenstock continued through the night — Swiss MFA

The Foreign Ministry said that Switzerland remains ready to support this process, in line with its tradition of good offices

Ukrainian forces carry out 11 attacks on DPR over past day, two people killed

Six others were injured, including two children

Roscosmos invites NASA chief to Russia

The US Senate unanimously voted to appoint Nelson to the post of NASA chief in late April

Europe has already injected 20 bcm of gas into storage facilities for next winter

European gas storage facilities are currently 46.4% full, which is 14.53 percentage points below the average for this date over the past five years

Kremlin spokesman comments on fuel prices, Starmer’s resignation, Zelensky’s threats

Dmitry Peskov said the Russian government is taking measures to address fuel prices and remains in close coordination with oil companies

Ukraine to repay about $1.5 bln to IMF by year-end

Overall, the country owes the IMF more than $10 bln

US, Iran discuss nuclear file in detail during talks in Switzerland — media

According to the news portal, the parties had productive talks on implementation of the MOU and how to "make sure everyone is on the same page"

Nearly 170 Ukrainian drones taken down over Russian regions during day

Russian air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 168 Ukrainian fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles over the Black and Azov Seas, Crimes, the Belgorod, Bryansk, Kaluga, Oryol, Rostov, Tver, Tula, Smolensk, Moscow, and Krasnodar Regions

Fico says he will not miss opportunity to engage in dialogue with Russian president

The Slovak prime minister explained that the country "should be interested" in friendly and mutually beneficial relations with those who treat it in the same way

IN BRIEF: Air defenses shoot down more than 300 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions

According to Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin, 80 drones heading for Moscow have been downed since midnight

US troop buildup near Iran not sign of any new decisions — White House

The United States and Israel launched a military operation against Iran on February 28

Egypt claims first-ever World Cup match victory with win over New Zealand

Before this match, the Egyptians had played eight games at the tournament, recording three draws and five defeats

Seven earthquakes recorded off Crimea’s coast near Sevastopol

Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev said that further tremors are possible

US-Iran talks in Switzerland cut short over Trump’s threats — TV

According to the Al Hadath television channel sources in the Iranian delegation, "Trump’s threats have cut short the talks in Switzerland."

Russian MP warns of nuclear proliferation risk if Israel uses nukes against Iran

Alexey Pushkov noted that the question of whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will use nuclear weapons in Iran has been actively discussed on American television in recent days

Massive explosion rocks industrial area northeast of Doha — Qatari interior ministry

Civil defense forces are working to eliminate the consequences of the accident

Trump says US may charge ships for passage through Strait of Hormuz

The US president added that this would happen if Washington and Tehran did not reach final agreements

There can no longer be any rules against Kiev attacking cities in Russia — Medvedev

Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council emphasized that "back then, it was not customary to steal or kill the leaders of even hostile countries"

EU aid to Ukraine frozen — Borrell

The ex-chief of EU diplomacy said the situation is similar with the approval of new sanctions against Russia

Upper house speaker slams US-Israeli operation against Iran as geopolitical mistake

Valentina Matviyenko emphasized that this intervention has destabilized the Middle East, triggering an energy crisis, yet it ultimately changes nothing

Russia’s West battlegroup destroys 49 drone control posts, two Starlink stations

The battlegroup also eliminated three ammunition depots

US president threatens strikes on Iran’s energy, civilian infrastructure

Donald Trump called on Iranian leaders to open the Strait of Hormuz, claiming that otherwise the country "will be living in hell

Kremlin comments on fuel situation in Crimea

Intensive work is underway to minimize the negative consequences of the barbaric actions of the Kiev regime, Dmitry Peskov said

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

Iranian delegation walks out of talks with US over Trump’s threats — TV

US President wrote on his Truth Social platform earlier that the United States may deliver more strikes against Iran over the situation in Lebanon

Putin, Lukashenko to discuss Zelensky’s threats soon — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov added that it will be a good opportunity to discuss other issues as well

Russia-Belarus Union State helps defend common interests, Putin says

According to the Russian president, an important component of relations between Moscow and Minsk is cooperation between the legislative bodies

Russian forces crush larger part of Ukrainian troops in Konstantinovka, Krasny Liman

Military expert Andrey Marochko said the Ukrainian defenses collapsed in some frontline sectors

What to know about Zelensky losing Order of White Eagle, threats to Polish leader

Polish President Karol Nawrocki stripped Vladimir Zelensky of Poland’s highest state award, the Order of the White Eagle

Accusations of neo-Nazism against Ukraine gaining new evidence base — Russian lawmaker

Head of the Federation Council Commission on Information Policy Alexey Pushkov says Vladimir Zelensky risks "miscalculating" by publicly praising the UPA through his actions

Russia talks with UN about Ukraine bias, but no one listens — MFA

Kirill Logvinov emphasized that that in recent years cooperation with senior UN officials has been difficult due to a "systemic inability of the Secretariat to act objectively and impartially in the context of the Ukraine crisis"

Moscow faces one of largest drone attacks in two years — TASS estimates

The latest reports say that air defenses have shot down 84 enemy drones heading for Moscow since midnight

Iranian delegation concludes its work, technical consultations to continue — MFA

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei noted that technical teams will continue their talks on June 22

Lavrov meets with UN chief candidate Espinosa — Russian Foreign Ministry

Maria Espinosa presented her campaign platform

Iranian delegation continues talks with US in Switzerland — media

The Iranian Al Alam television channel reported earlier that the Iranian delegation had walked out of the talks in protest against US President Donald Trump’s threats on renewed strikes against Iran over the situation in Lebanon

Israel will stay in southern Lebanon, not let Iran obtain nuclear arms — Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister recalled that over the past year Israel has conducted "two monumental operations: Operation Rising Lion and Operation Roaring Lion" against Iran

West mistaken in its hopes of defeating Russia — Kremlin

Yury Ushakov noted that Western countries "are playing their own games, which are ultimately aimed at defeating us; everyone is talking about this"

US biolabs in Ukraine likely developed offensive weapons — Scott Ritter

According to the expert, the presence of such weapons in Ukraine increases the risk of provocations involving the leakage and spread of pathogens, which the West will attempt to blame on Russia

IN BRIEF: What we know about series of quakes off Sevastopol

As many as seven earthquakes continued off Sevastopol for four hours

Kiev increasingly relies on terrorist tactics amid battlefield losses, expert says

Andrey Marochko said the Ukrainian armed forces failed to make gains along the line of contact

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

Ukraine loses 9,500 troops, mercenaries in special military op zone in past week — expert

According to Andrey Marochko, the upward casualty trend in the Ukrainian army has persisted for the fifth consecutive week

US fighter jet downed over Iran likely conducted strikes on ground targets — media

According to CBS News national security analyst Aaron MacLean, the pilots of the downed fighter had sidearms

New UN chief must fix Guterres’ mistakes, end Western dominance — MFA

Director of the Department of International Organizations at the Russian Foreign Ministry Kirill Logvinov believes that, first of all, the overrepresentation of the Western minority who have flooded the Secretariat must be addressed

Israeli army eliminates two militants in West Bank

The soldiers identified several terrorists who burned tires and hurled Molotov cocktails toward the community of Karmei Zur, the Israel Defense Forces press service said

Pakistan, Qatar announce progress in first round of US-Iran talks

According to the mediators, the talks took place in a positive and constructive atmosphere

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"

At least 54 injured, 18 missing after explosion at Qatari plant — Interior Ministry

The incident occurred at the Barzan gas processing plant as a result of an operational error

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

The change in the destination of Pin Shun appears to be payment-related, Sumit Ritolia, Lead Research Analyst at Kpler, noted

Russian athletes not to take part in IWF World Championships in September

The IWF World Championships will be held in Riyadh on September 4 through 17

Russia’s Iran tactics at UN helps prevent talks from collapsing — MFA

According to Kirill Logvinov, director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Department of International Organizations, recent reports of an Iran-US deal on peace agreements confirm that Russia’s approach is correct

Iran’s chief negotiator warns US against threatening Tehran

Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform earlier that the United States may deliver more strikes against Iran over the situation in Lebanon

Iranian delegation to continue talks with US after Trump’s apologies — TV

According to the Al Mayadeen television channel, the Iranian negotiators now "not only insist on the cessation of hostilities in Lebanon but demand that Israel withdraw its troops from southern Lebanon."

Russian servicemen evacuate first residents from Konstantinovka

There were six people in the first group

Iranian delegation refuses to continue talks in Switzerland — news agency

The Iranian side protested US violations of commitments under the memorandum and stressed that negotiations on the nuclear program depend directly on compliance with the signed agreement

Russia sees no constructive role for UN in Ukrainian crisis — MFA

Kirill Logvinov, Director of the International Organizations Department at the Russian Foreign Ministry, said that Moscow does not expect changes until a new Secretary-General is elected

Deal with US shows that Iran did not lose the war, but Israel will take revenge — Medvedev

Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council noted that "the third participant - Israel - is offended in its expectations of the complete defeat of Iran's political regime, which means it will take revenge, and Trump cannot do anything about it"

Russia discussed Gazprom's sale of NIS stake with Serbia — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov said these are commercial contacts, the content of which should not be made public

EU seeks to draw US into conflict with Russia, Russian senator says

Alexey Pushkov said that Europe remains hopeful of achieving its goal

Russian air defenses down 483 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones over past day — top brass

The Russian Armed Forces eliminated approximately 1,450 Ukrainian troops in the special military operation zone

Russian troops strike Ukrainian army’s UAV assembly, storage sites over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted more than 220 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed two enemy artillery guns in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Press review: EU seen as preparing for war with Russia while Zelensky threatens Belarus

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, June 22nd

Far-right politician de la Espriella leads presidential election in Colombia

After 46.74% of votes counted, Abelardo de la Espriella received support from 50.52% of voters

Russian forces strike Ukraine’s key energy sites in Kiev, Sumy, Chernigov regions, DPR

The Russian Armed Forces used Gerbera drones, the Defense Ministry reported

More than 60 packages, suspected to contain cocaine, discovered along Fiji coastline

Fiji police said they are continuing efforts to locate additional packages and are working with regional and international law enforcement agencies to determine their origin and intended destination

Ukraine’s former presidents prove themselves to be Nazis in matter of orders — Medvedev

Leonid Kuchma, Viktor Yushchenko, and Pyotr Poroshenko announced their refusal of the Order of the White Eagle

One of sides unable to fulfill Anchorage agreements — Kremlin

Оne party remains committed to the understandings discussed in Anchorage, Yury Ushakov stated

Russia expects not implementation of Anchorage agreements, but victory — Kremlin

Yury Ushakov noted that those who hope to defeat Russia "are mistaken"

Crimea suspends fuel sales at gas stations — regional head

Sergey Aksyonov asked everyone to remain calm and to trust only official sources of information

US-Israeli strike on humanitarian aid aircraft in western Iran reported

The Civil Aviation Organization of the Islamic Republic called on all international bodies to take appropriate measures in response to this incident

Another strike hits area near Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant in Iran

One of the facility’s security guards was killed, Iran’s AEOI said

Putin to lay wreath at Tomb of Unknown Soldier on Day of Remembrance and Sorrow

The Russian leader will also lay flowers at memorial signs dedicated to Hero Cities and to cities awarded the honorary title City of Military Glory

Iran calls on Saudi Arabia to ‘eject’ US troops from region

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stressed that Iran respects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and considers it a brotherly nation