{{dayPoint.date | date : 'd MMMM yyyy'}}

{{newsPoint.title}}

{{newsPoint.title+ ' '}}

{{newsPoint.subtitle}}

Death toll in Damascus explosion rises to nine — Health Ministry

Spokesman Wael Daghmash says that over 20 people were wounded

BEIRUT, July 3. /TASS/. At least nine people were killed in an explosion that occurred not far from the the Palace of Justice in downtown Damascus, Syrian Health Ministry Spokesman Wael Daghmash said.

"The terror attack’s death toll has risen from seven to nine, with over 20 wounded," he said.

General Osama Atika, head of the Damascus Department of Internal Security, told Al-Ikhbariya TV that the blast had rocked a cafe near the Palace of Justice. According to him, rumors on social media that the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber were untrue. The general said the bomb had been planted in the cafe in advance and later detonated.

Tags

Investigators establish Monaco bomber identity — AFP

An arrest warrant has been issued

Kremlin briefing covers Russia's massive strike on Ukraine, EU's confrontation with Moscow

The European Union's escalation toward Russia further intensifies already heightened tensions across Europe, Dmitry Peskov said

Amid Russian advance Ukraine is trying to draw Belarus into conflict — senior diplomat

Mikhail Galuzin emphasized that Moscow and Minsk remain prepared to utilize the full scope of their bilateral security agreement to safeguard their shared interests should Kiev's provocations escalate further

Transnistria extends yellow terrorist danger code for another two months

The yellow level has been in effect for fourth years after a series of terrorist attacks in 2022

Russia to feature new aircraft carrier concept at Army-2019 arms show

The new aircraft carrier may have a gas turbine power unit, according to designers

IN BRIEF: What is known about Russian massive retaliatory strike against Ukraine

Military-industrial enterprises and facilities of the fuel and energy complex in the city of Kiev and the Kiev region were struck, as well as the infrastructure of military airfields in the Dnepropetrovsk, Poltava, Cherkassy, Chernigov, and Kiev regions

Three in serious condition after drone strike on bus in Lugansk People’s Republic

Nine people suffered injuries, Assistant Health Minister Alexey Kuznetsov said

Diplomats from Russia, China, Mongolia discuss schedule for potential trilateral contacts

The parties discussed in detail the schedule of potential trilateral political contacts for 2026, including at the highest and high levels

Security Council urges Belarusians to refrain from traveling to Russian border regions

No one will be able to guarantee the safety of citizens on such trips until the special military operation stops, Alexander Volfovich said

US offers Iran access to frozen funds for free Hormuz Strait passage

Iran rejected the proposal, insisting on its right to control the Strait of Hormuz, while its military also threatened tough measures against vessels that do not use routes approved by Tehran, The Wall Street Journal noted

Putin grants Russian citizenship to Italian opera icon Giancarlo del Monaco

Over the course of his career, del Monaco has directed more than 100 operas in major theaters around the world

Tanzania become 34th country with direct flights from Russia in summer season

Flights on the route Dar es Salaam - Moscow - Zanzibar - Dar es Salaam will be operated three times a week

Putin supported request for extra fuel supplies to Kaliningrad Region — Kremlin

The head of state also backed a request "to allocate funds for subsidized air tickets for residents of the Kaliningrad Region," Dmitry Peskov said

Russian troops liberate two settlements in Dnepropetrovsk, Zaporozhye regions

Units of Battlegroup East moved deeper into enemy defenses, liberating the settlement of Pisantsy and the settlement of Novosyolovka

Ukrainian troops failed to retreat from Sudzha — commando group’s chief

"These groups are currently being exposed, pursued, and eliminated," he said

Putin’s call with Pashinyan, Lithuania’s statements on UAVs, SPIEF guest: Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov stressed that Moscow had never revealed the guest of honor and who will host the plenary session at SPIEF beforehand

Closure of railway border crossings with EU not affecting national economy — lawmaker

Leonid Liminchuk, Chairman of the Committee on Economic and Industrial Policy, Energy, Housing and Utilities of the Legislative Assembly of the Republic of Karelia, called this a technical issue

Ukrainian attack on city bus in Lugansk People’s Republic leaves 12 injured

Leonid Pasechnik added that Russian investigators continued to document the consequences of such attacks

Ukrainian scam call center defrauds US citizens of $500,000 — police

According to the report, the scammers posed as financial advisors and convinced victims to invest in cryptocurrency, securities, and stocks through fake investment platforms

Russian children rights commissioner, ICRC chief discuss Russia-Ukraine kins reunification

The meeting focused on reuniting children with their families in Russia, Ukraine and third countries

Ukraine loses over 38,000 servicemen, mercenaries in June — military expert

According to Andrey Marochko, this is 7,180 more than in May

Moscow aims to finish talks on Iranian nuclear deal by end of February — envoy

According to Russia’s Permanent Envoy to International Organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov, a final document on the restoration of the Iran nuclear deal has already been drafted

Demand for Rosatom charging station services surge by 40% — CEO

Alexey Likhachev noted that owners of hybrid cars, seeking to reduce dependence on gasoline, began to use the stations more actively

Learning personally from Putin about Russia’s foreign policy important for Turkey — Fidan

The Foreign Minister added that it is important for Turkey to understand Russia’s position on the "ongoing peace process in the Caucasus," positions and opinions on Palestine, Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria

Rosatom supplied nuclear island control systems for Xudapu NPP in China

The Specialized Research Institute of Instrument Engineering specialists have already completed the manufacturing of services for the supervision and installation of software and hardware packages

Russia, Indonesia plan to expand space cooperation

According to Russia's Roscosmos CEO, in a period when space services are increasingly used worldwide, every country needs to have sovereign access to outer space

NATO chief admits to sleepless nights over Russia

According to Mark Rutte, Russia is the main threat for the alliance at present and in the longer term

EU to grant Armenia €38 mln and open market for 80% of its goods — von der Leyen

EC President Ursula von der Leyen said that Armenia will soon receive an additional €18 million to help strengthen and diversify its trade

Russia to have decent representation at upcoming G20 summit in US — sherpa

Denis Agafonov confirmed that Moscow is aware of public statements from US officials regarding plans to invite Russian President Vladimir Putin to the G20 meeting

Finland takes side in Ukrainian conflict, to which has no relation — politician

Armando Mema, a member of the conservative Freedom Alliance party, says that in recent years, Finland has pursued a terrible policy towards Russia

Bank of Russia to assess feasibility of key rate cut at July meeting

Kirill Tremasov everything voiced in June remains relevant

Turkey calls Israel ‘problem for whole world’

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the Israeli authorities "have become a burden that humanity can no longer bear"

Zelensky’s 'pantheon of heroes' move will cost Ukraine — former Polish PM

Mateusz Morawiecki clarified that "the cult of the UPA" did not strengthen Ukraine, but rather, it weakened its authority, complicated relations with allies, and distanced Ukraine from Western integration

Slovenian lawmaker questions idea of upping defense spending to please Trump

Slovenia could either "continue investing in projects that benefit the people" or "simply listen to what ‘daddy’ says and purchase only American weapons", said Martin Premk, a member of the Slovenian lower house of parliament representing the Freedom Movement, the largest opposition faction

Investigation sees woman behind Monaco explosion — Le Figaro

Several newspaper sources claim that the woman conducted reconnaissance several days and several hours before the explosion

Lebanon and Syria establish High Committee for Cooperation and Security

"The committee's work will be aimed at developing trade and economic ties and establishing mutual understanding in the field of security," Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam

Kiev deliberately targeted bus carrying Belarusians in Bryansk Region — Russian envoy

Boris Gryzlov noted that it was the second consecutive deliberate strike by Kiev against Belarusian citizens on Russian territory

Zelensky says Kiev in contact with US negotiators

As the situation in the Middle East somewhat stabilized, the possibility of Whitkoff and Kushner returning to mediation in the Ukrainian settlement has been reported several times recently, but no dates have been announced yet

Russian military chief reports to Putin results of massive strike on Ukraine — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov highlighted that the strikes had targeted only military or military-related facilities

EU’s 2025 military spending exceeds Brussels' forecasts

The European Defense Agency data shows that in 2025, defense expenditure by EU member states reached 418 billion euros, a 20% increase from the previous year

AfD leader calls for ending military aid to Kiev after German findings on Nord Streams

Tino Chrupalla pointed out that the terrorist attack against a vital artery of German industry must be thoroughly investigated,

Ukrainian drone attack on Nizhny Novgorod Region kills one as Russia downs 327 UAVs

More than 25 drones were destroyed over six districts in southern Russia’s Rostov Region, Governor Yury Slyusar reported

Ukrainian 'national pantheon' to be installed in Kiev-Pechersk Lavra — Culture Ministry

The decision on reburial will require approval through a vote of the Verkhovna Rada, the Center for Strategic Communications under the Culture Ministry said

Finland on list of targets for Russian nuclear weapons — Medvedev

The deputy chairman of the Security Council explained that this happened after Finland lifted its ban on the import of nuclear weapons

UN court accepts Russia’s lawsuit against Ukraine, gives Kiev one year to answer

Russia can submit its objections by December 7, 2027

Granddaughter of Cold War-era Soviet leader dies after being hit by train near Moscow

The woman attempted to cross the rail tracks away from the established safe crossing

Russia develops augmented reality system for mobile fire team training

Designed for on-site training at actual combat positions, the system eliminates the need for ammunition expenditure and reduces barrel wear

Brent falls below $71 per barrel, first time since February 27

As of 3:04 a.m. Moscow time, Brent crude reached $70.90 per barrel

Russia successfully tests new fixed-wing FPV training drone

The trials took place at the Moscow Military District's counter-UAV center

Russian forces strike Ukrainian army positions by FAB bombs in Zaporozhye, Sumy areas

The ministry uploaded video footage of Su-34 bombers destroying the designated targets

Zelensky becoming 'lame duck' even for Kiev hardliners — governor

Kherson Region Governor Vladimir Saldo noted that Vladimir Zelensky’s presidential term has ended and that the head of the Kiev regime is clinging to power through a ban on normal political competition

Identity of EU negotiator irrelevant as long as EU demands Russia's capitulation — MFA

Mikhail Galuzin reiterated that the Russian side has consistently maintained that the EU’s representative should be someone who "has not said or done anything offensive towards Russia"

Czech PM hits back at US criticism of Prague’s implementation of NATO commitments

Andrej Babis said that the Czech Republic is not a colony, but a partner

Kiev tries to draw Minsk into conflict through strikes on Belarusian buses — Russian MFA

Ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik stressed that Ukraine attempts to further destabilize the situation

Russia to create risk management tool for first industrial use of domestic technologies

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Russia has formed a special working group to consider this initiative

Von der Leyen "excellent liar" saying Russia cut off gas supplies to Europe — Zakharova

The Foreign Ministry spokeswoman added that any EU citizen can sue the European Commission president for this statement and win the case

Russian troops liberate Piskunovka community in Donetsk region over past day — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted roughly 155 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed three enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

FACTBOX: What we know about Ukrainian drone attack on Minsk-Anapa bus in Bryansk Region

Two bus drivers from Belarus' Gomel Region and one passenger were injured as a result of the drone attack

Pilgrims arrive in Tehran for farewell ceremony for Ali Khamenei

According to the Iranian authorities, several million pilgrims are expected in Tehran

Russian artillery destroys two Ukrainian army deployment sites near Konstantinovka

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, artillery crews of the 6th Motor Rifle Division are conducting combat operations in the Konstantinovka direction round-the-clock

Russia begins testing new Svarog pro AI-assisted interceptor drone in combat

The drone that is designed to engage fixed-wing UAVs is hand-launched and is used jointly with a ground-based control station, enabling an operator to strike targets at a distance of up to 17 km

Kazakh president identifies direct flights to US, Japan as priority

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev highlighted the importance of effectively pursuing strategic goals such as expanding the fleet size, broadening the route network, and enhancing Kazakhstan’s transit potential

Ombudsman readies materials for human rights defenders on Ukrainian strike on college

Additional documentation on the weapons used, the chronology of strikes and the results of the investigation will be provided in the near future

Russia says EAEU shares its concern about Armenia's rapprochement with EU

Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin added that these two integration associations are fundamentally incompatible

Somali pirates demand $10 mln for release of tanker — portal

According to the news outlet, the vessel, which sails under the Togolese flag, was seized on May 2 in the Gulf of Aden while transporting diesel fuel from the UAE

All tickets for upcoming direct flights between Russia and Tanzania sold out — minister

Russian Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov said that flights would be operated three times a week by Air Tanzania

Moscow cannot ignore EU’s commitment to confrontation with Russia — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov believes it is clear that Europe is escalating tensions with Russia

Russian troops in Krasny Liman come across Colombian mercenaries fighting for Ukraine

The commander of a motorized rifle battalion reported that Ukrainian forces in Krasny Liman are not attempting any counterattacks but are putting up sporadic resistance while hiding in basements