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Damascus explosions caused by improvised explosive devices — TV

According to the broadcaster, officers from Syria’s internal security forces are investigating the incident and working to identify those responsible

BEIRUT, July 7. /TASS/. Tuesday’s explosions in the Syrian capital of Damascus were caused by two improvised explosive devices, Al-Ikhbaria TV reported.

According to the broadcaster, officers from Syria’s internal security forces are investigating the incident and working to identify those responsible.

Earlier, the Al Watan newspaper reported that two explosions rocked the Syrian capital. Qatar-based Al Jazeera TV said the blasts occurred near the Tourism Ministry building and a hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron is staying during his current visit to Damascus.

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Military operation in Ukraine

Ukrainian forces launch two overnight attacks on Belgorod — governor

Alexander Shuvayev says a fire at an infrastructure facility was reported

Ukraine loses 13,500 troops in Konstantinovka to show fake gains — General Staff

Russian army also destroyed 14 tanks, 283 armored fighting vehicles, 1,400 motor vehicles

Poland needs to think about security while producing drones for Ukraine — Kremlin

Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov commented on the "horror stories" about an alleged possible strike on the country's territory discussed in the Western press

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Alexey Likhachev emphasized that the situation is one step away from a catastrophe of a regional scale

Air defenses down 159 Ukrainian drones in Kursk Region over past 24 hours

The Ukrainian military fired artillery at evacuated areas 56 times

Kremlin spokesman slams Bloomberg’s publishing error as dangerous

Dmitry Peskov does believe that the publication was a provocation, but it shows how dangerous the tension provoked by the West is

Russia welcomes launch of Global Dialogue on AI governance — diplomat

For its part, Russia calls on delegations to join the statement of the Group of Friends for International Cooperation on AI Capacity-building and requests that its text be included in the co-chairs' summary of the Global Dialogue, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Alimov stated

Ukrainian forces lose at least 37 gas stations in week and half

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, regular high-precision strikes on fuel depots, gas stations, and railway infrastructure facilities are significantly disrupting the Ukrainian military's transport logistics

Pashinyan visits Russia for first time since Armenia's elections

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Woman suspected in Yermolayev murder attempt found dead near Kiev — media

According to the publication, the woman returned to Ukraine on July 1

Russian rights commissioner sends appeals to UN over Ukrainian drone attack on bus

Civilians were wounded, and children were seriously injured during the incident, Yana Lantratova said

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The MOEX Russia Index declined by 2.19%, the RTS Index lost 3.19%

Belgium appeals FIFA decision to rescind US striker Balogun's red card

As earlier reported, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee had decided to scrap Balogun's disqualification, allowing him to play in the second knockout stage at the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Belgium

Ukraine’s EU neighbors eye collapse to reclaim territories — lawmaker

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Sudan to develop ties with BRICS to mitigate sanction effects — portal

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Russian nuclear sector experiences consequences of Ukrainian attacks — Rosatom

The Zaporozhye nuclear power plant "is the peak of all these concerns," Alexey Likhachev stressed

FIFA tarnishes reputation by taking back Balogun’s red card at 2026 World Cup

Former vice president of FIFA and an honorary member of the organization Vyacheslav Koloskov noted that football had turned into a commercial tool

Russia-China joint naval drills not aimed against anyone — Kremlin

The Russia-China Joint Sea 2026 exercise will run in the Yellow Sea on July 6-13

Kiev’s terror attacks guided by UK — Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman

The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service said in a statement earlier that the Ukrainian drone attack on the Siege of Sevastopol panorama building was an elaborately planned operation by Britain and its special services

US wants allies to purchase American weapons — envoy to NATO

Matthew Whitaker added that this will ultimately contribute to peace

Zelensky needs neither dead nor living Ukrainians — Russian Foreign Ministry

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said commenting on Kiev's refusal to stop fighting in Konstantinovka to transfer the dead soldiers’ bodies to Ukraine

US poised to escalate tensions with Iran again - expert

Ivan Timofeyev pointed out that Iran remained a formidable adversary for the United States

NATO to announce 140-billion-euro aid to Kiev during upcoming summit — newspaper

The contribution amount will be negotiated separately with each participating country

Russia ready to share scientific, energy potential for AI development — diplomat

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Alimov pointed out that Russia possessed "time-tested developments and solutions"

Spain advances to quarterfinals of FIFA World Cup thanks to victory over Portugal

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Armenia, Russia back dialogue on boosting trade, economic ties — ministers

Armenian Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan and Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Anton Alikhanov discussed the current state of Armenian-Russian trade and economic relations, opportunities to expand industry ties, and ways to promote investment programs

At least seven wounded in Ukrainian drone attack on bus in western Russia

In the settlement of Borisovka, a car was damaged as a result of a drone attack

Russia delivers massive retaliatory strike on Ukrainian military-industrial sites

The Russian Armed Forces delivered a massive strike on military-industrial enterprises, fuel and energy sites in Kiev and the Kiev Region, as well as on military airfield infrastructure in the Dnepropetrovsk, Poltava, Cherkassy, Chernigov and Kiev Regions

Poland transfers $4.5 billion worth of weapons to Kiev since 2022 — top defense official

Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz also confirmed that Warsaw had supplied Kiev with Patriot missile systems

Russia keeps comprehensively upgrading T-80BVM main battle tank — defense firm

The final parameters of these upgrades remain beyond the framework of public disclosures

START-3, US rhetoric on Ukraine, Russia’s interests — senior diplomat’s remarks

According to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov, US rhetoric is drifting farther and farther away from negotiations on Ukraine

US in talks with European allies on missile co-production — agency

If implemented, the plan could free up capacity at Raytheon and Lockheed Martin factories in the US and enable the defense giants to ramp up production at home, the news agency pointed out

S7 Airlines plans to buy 70 to 100 Tu-214 aircraft — minister

According to Russian Industry and Trade Minister Anton Alikhanov, the parties are currently discussing delivery terms, leasing, and other commercial issues

Chinese Foreign Ministry calls reports on training Russian soldiers in China 'slander'

Mao Ning noted that German Foreign Ministry officials have indeed recently met with the Chinese ambassador

Fire in Kaluga Region, 452 UAVs target Russia: new Ukrainian attacks

More than 430 UAVs headed toward the Moscow Region this night

US to deploy additional military personnel to Poland within three months — newspaper

According to the report, Washington is also considering a decision on a permanent military base on Polish territory

Russia-China Joint Sea-2026 drills open in Qingdao

Exercise director on the Russian side, Rear Admiral Sergey Sinko stressed that the drills are defensive in nature and are not directed against any third country

Lyut brigade held Konstantinovka - General Staff

The enemy assembled a substantial force comprising seven brigades, or a total of 45 battalions

Understanding that US cannot decide for others unites world — Medvedev

Any state, both small and huge, will be able to deal with its problems on its own, the deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council said

NATO states to sign defense contracts worth tens of billions of dollars at summit — Rutte

The secretary general noted that NATO member states intend to "show how they are investing in defense"

Trump views ending Ukrainian conflict as urgent task — AP

According to the source, after a meeting with Zelensky in Ankara, the US leader plans follow-up talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin

Fuel loading at nuclear plant completed in Slovakia — portal

The fuel was supplied by a Rosatom company

Secretary-general admits NATO has limits regarding support to Ukraine’s air defenses

Mark Rutte stressed that the alliance's member states were doing their best

Press review: Trump-Putin call as Russian troops advance while US-Russia OPCW talks fail

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, July 6th

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The bilateral agenda has expanded since the previous visit of the Russian Foreign Minister in 2022 with Ethiopia becoming a full-fledged member of the BRICS group of nations

Death toll in Venezuelan earthquake tops 3,500

According to the government’s daily bulletin, 16,740 people were wounded, while 17,854 lost their homes

Officer critical of Ukrainian army chief Syrsky killed — security forces

He worked as a lawyer and fought corruption within the Ukrainian Security Service

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According to Vadim Badekha, the main factor that has limited the operation of previous versions of the Superjet is the issues with the engine

London court rejects Nord Stream pipeline operator’s claim against insurers

Lloyd's of London and Arch Insurance were the defendants

US rhetoric indicates growing departure from Ukraine agreements — Russian diplomat

According to Sergey Ryabkov, the pressure of sanctions on Russia is not just being maintained but is intensifying

Zelensky didn't dare accept bodies of Ukrainian soldiers ahead of NATO summit — expert

Igor Korotchenko emphasized that Zelensky had shunned the opportunity to publicly retrieve the fallen soldiers, as doing so would implicitly acknowledge that Ukrainian forces no longer maintain control over Konstantinovka

Belgium defeats US, advancing to FIFA World Cup quarterfinals

Belgium will face Spain on July 10

FIFA fines Balogun $40,000 for red card in World Cup match

Half of the fine will be paid by the US Soccer, journalist Rob Harris reported

Replacement of engines on SSJ-100 to be at acceptable cost — company

According to UAC estimates, between 50 and 100 aircraft will require engine replacement

Israel insists on Hamas disarmament, demilitarization of Gaza — foreign minister

Hamas seeks to replicate the ‘Hezbollah model’ in Gaza, Gideon Saar said

Crimea annexed by Ukraine 23 years ago — Naryshkin

Germany's deindustrialization began with Nord Stream blasts, RDIF head Dmitriev says

The Russian special presidential representative said it was accompanied by Germany's economic decline

Ukrainian army has no gas stations left on major routes in Sumy Region — security source

According to the source, this is confirmed by plans by regional Ukrainian authorities to ban the retail sale of gasoline starting July 10

Ukraine conflict leads to collapse of Euro-Atlantic security model — Russian diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov pointed out that it had taken decades of efforts by politicians and diplomats to build the model, with Russia playing a leading role in the process

Russia calls for joint efforts to counter digital neocolonialism — diplomat

According to Alexander Alimov, the ultimate goal of Russia's joint efforts with other states is to build a fair international regulatory framework for AI technologies

Martinez announces his resignation as head coach of Portuguese national team

Portugal previously lost to Spain 1-0 in the Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup

Kremlin spokesman comments on Putin-Trump call, Russia-China drills

According to Dmitry Peskov, the phone call the two leaders held at the end of last week allowed Russia to reiterate its position to the US straight away

Russian forces strike gas stations, fuel tankers in occupied DPR — top brass

The facilities were used to support Ukrainian army units

FIFA rejects Belgium’s appeal on Balogun red at 2026 World Cup

The request was rendered inadmissible on the grounds that the RBFA is not a party to the proceedings and, as such, has no standing to appeal the decision, the statement said

Berlin risks pushing Germany into poverty, war as it follows Kiev’s path — politician

Meanwhile, a war with Russia, into which Chancellor Friedrich Merz and the EU led by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are dragging the country, may even escalate to the use of nuclear weapons, Viktor Medvedchuk said

Russian Foreign Ministry summons Swedish ambassador

According to Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Russia planned to focus the meeting on Sweden’s obligations under the Vienna Convention and the assurances Stockholm provided earlier

Cristiano Ronaldo says he will consider his future

The Portuguese star said he would like to "avoid making hasty decisions"

Moscow records largest Ukrainian drone attack in two years — TASS estimates

Over 430 drones were heading toward the Moscow Region between late July 6 and 6:00 a.m. on July 7, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said

Polish authorities supplying weapons to followers of their ancestors' killers — MFA

Maria Zakharova commented on a declassified Federal Security Service document identifying one of the initiators of the Volhynia massacre

Russian air defenses intercept Ukrainian strike drones’ attack in Siberia’s Omsk

According to Omsk Region Governor Vitaly Khotsenko, emergency services are working at the scene to provide relief services regarding consequences caused by the attacks

Ronaldo plays his final FIFA World Cup match

Portugal lost to Spain 0-1 in the Round of 16

NATO summit to present military confrontation with Russia to Trump as business project

According to sources in Brussels, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced the maximum amount of military aid to Ukraine at 140 billion euros for 2026-2027

Rosatom chief says impossible to complete Bushehr NPP's 2nd, 3rd units without corporation

Alexey Likhachev noted that Rosatom would most likely have a specific role to play in resolving the so-called Iranian nuclear issue

Ukrainian spy sells his smartphone to Russian intelligence for month's worth pay

The Russian special services are performing operative actions in connection with the information they received

Shooting incidents on US Independence Day claimed 100 lives

340 more people were injured during the three-day celebrations, Gun Violence Archive reported

West’s help to Kiev makes special military operation real war — Kremlin

Berlin, Paris, The Hague, Oslo, and, unfortunately, Washington are behind Kiev, Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said

Russia developed small nuclear reactors for deep space, Arctic

According to Ilya Chekh, the specialists' task is to put the development into serial production with an optimal plan to create one reactor per day

Bank of Russia set dollar rate at 77.96 rubles for July 7

The yuan rate was set at 11.46 rubles

NATO reconnaissance plane flies over Baltic countries, Gulf of Finland

The plane does not approach regions bordering Russia and Belarus

Russian Foreign Ministry summons Swedish ambassador, spokeswoman says

Russia will recall Sweden’s obligations under the Vienna Conventions and also the assurances Stockholm previously gave, Maria Zakharova said

Russian forces strike over 150 Ukrainian army deployment sites in past day — top brass

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,380 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

Russia creates over 50% of buffer zone in Sumy, Kharkov Regions — expert

"It is now being systematically expanded into the depths of the enemy’s defenses and across the width of the front," Andrey Marochko noted

Russia’s Battlegroup West downs 29 Ukrainian fixed-wing UAVs, 65 heavy drones in past day

The group's fighters identified and eliminated the enemy’s two field ammunition depots, 46 UAV control centers, and a Starlink satellite communications station

No specific agreements yet on potential Putin-Trump meeting at Hermitage — Kremlin

Kremlin Aide Yury Ushakov said earlier that the US president had expressed admiration for the Hermitage Museum during his recent phone call with the Russian president

IN BRIEF: Putin’s key statements on proposal to limit combat zone, special op progress

The Russian president said that Ukrainian strikes on Russia’s infrastructure do not affect the situation at the front or the position along the line of engagement

Lebanese president says Israeli pullout key to peace, urges US pressure

Joseph Aoun emphasized the importance of restoring sovereignty and reinforcing governmental institutions

FACTBOX: Over 600 Ukrainian drones shot down over Russian regions overnight

The Russian Defense Ministry emphasized that the West's attempts to use the Kiev regime as a proxy to attack civilian Russian targets would be countered by increasing the number and severity of strikes on Ukrainian territory

Ukrainian forces launch two overnight attacks on Belgorod — governor

Alexander Shuvayev says a fire at an infrastructure facility was reported

Zelensky delays signing US drone production deal — media

According to unnamed Ukrainian officials, Vladimir Zelensky "may be seeking better terms from the US," attempting to persuade American officials to "recognize the deal’s value"

Air defenses destroy 116 Ukrainian UAVs over Russian regions within 12-hour period

In particular, drones were intercepted over the Belgorod, Bryansk, Kaluga, Kursk, Leningrad, Omsk, Smolensk, Tver, Tula, Krasnodar and Moscow Regions, the Republic of Bashkortostan and the Republic of Crimea

IN BRIEF: Putin's meeting on Konstantinovka liberation, special military operation course

The Russian leader called the capture of this city the key to the liberation of the entire territory of the DPR

Europe anticipates from Trump no new sanctions against Russia, no aid to Kiev — Bloomberg

According to the agency's sources, there are no guarantees that a meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Zelensky during the NATO summit in Ankara will proceed smoothly

US believes Iran attacked vessels in Strait of Hormuz twice on Monday — news outlet

Axios emhasized that the US will likely respond by striking targets in Iran

US officials uncertain if NATO summit in Ankara will 'go smoothly' — TV

According to the broadcaster, "European leaders hope to exit the Ankara meeting without a major explosion, planning new defense pledges to allay Trump’s anger"

Russian troops evacuating residents from Konstantinovka

Wounded Russian servicemen are also being evacuated

Japan attaches great importance to strengthening cooperation with NATO — Cabinet

Minoru Kihara reiterated that the security of the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions is inextricably linked

Ukrainian attacks kill 38 Russian civilians, including child, in past week — diplomat

Another 270 people, including eight minors, were injured, Rodion Miroshnik said

Ukrainian attacks on medical facilities constitute serious war crime — diplomat

Rodion Miroshnik noted that three ambulance crew members were injured in a drone strike on their vehicle in the town of Gorlovka in the Donetsk People's Republic