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Russian bitcoin suspect convicted retroactively - Russian diplomat

Neither the United States’ nor any other country’s laws had clear provisions regulating operation of cryptocurrency exchanges, Russian Consul in France Alexei Popov said

MOSCOW, December 7. /TASS/. Russian bitcoin suspect Alexander Vinnik was accused of money laundering retroactively as the current laws do not regulate cryptocurrency exchanges, Russian Consul in France Alexei Popov said on Monday.

A Paris criminal court on Monday sentenced Vinnik to five years in prison on charges of aggravated money laundering and imposed a fine of more than €100,000, including compensations paid to the injured parties.

"Neither the United States’ nor any other country’s laws had clear provisions regulating operation of cryptocurrency exchanges. So, it looks like he is being charged retroactively," he said in an interview with the Rossiya-24 television channel.

Alexander Vinnik, a Russian IT specialist, was detained while vacationing in Greece on July 25, 2017 at the United States’ request, where he is accused of laundering four to nine billion US dollars through a no longer existent Internet exchange of cryptocurrencies BTC-e. On January 23, he was extradited to France. The final decision was made by Greece’s State Council, or the Supreme Court of Greece. Vinnik’s extradition was also sought by Russia and the United States. The Russian dismissed all the charges brought against him and agreed by be extradited to Russia where he is charged with embezzling more than 600,000 rubles and with "a fraud in the computer information sphere" to a sum of 750 million rubles (10.2 million US dollars).

Armenia–Azerbaijan conflict

Russia confirms readiness to facilitate Azerbaijani-Armenian border demarcation — diplomat

Maria Zakharova pointed out that the Russian side supports the settlement of all issues, without exception, concerning the delimitation of the state border of the two countries "exclusively by political and diplomatic methods"

Ukraine exhausted, needs constant money flow from outside — defense official

Apty Alaudinov added that if the Ukrainian army received long-range weapons, it might try to attack Russia's civilian infrastructure due to its powerlessness on the front

Ukrainian army short about 150,000-200,000 troops, says Polish general

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Russian athletes have right to decide on Olympic participation — aide

Russian and Belarusian athletes will be able to compete only under a neutral status, provided that they are not associated with security agencies and do not represent team sports

US will have to take Russia into account and find common ground with it — Putin

Russian President said in an interview with Rossiya-1 TV channel journalist Pavel Zarubin

Nearly 70 Israeli hostages killed in Gaza, Hamas says

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Windmill wings of Paris' Moulin Rouge cabaret collapse, no casualties reported — TV

According to the report, firefighters and police quickly arrived at the scene, and there are currently no risks of further collapse

Russian forces take Ukrainian strongholds near Klescheyevka under control

Apty Alaudinov posted a drone video footage of elimination Ukrainian personnel and Russian forces capturing enemy trenches

Radioactive cloud from Ukraine’s eliminated munitions drifts to Europe — Security Council

"An increase in radiation levels has already been registered in Poland," Nikolay Patrushev warned

Iran denies reports it pulled some military advisers from Syria — Al Mayadeen

The source denied news media reports on the subject, which appeared earlier

US has no idea what to do about Zelensky — Seymour Hersh

According to the journalist, the decision to conduct the operation was made by US President Joe Biden personally, following nine months of discussions with White House national security advisers

Global community changing tune about how Ukraine conflict started — security official

According to Nikolay Patrushev, these countries "understand perfectly well who is financing" the Kiev regime

Russians not let to Turkish Airlines flights to Mexico due to US pressure on it — diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov noted that such problems exist for Russians using Turkish Airlines flights to other Latin American countries

Russian deputy defense minister detained on suspicion of bribe-taking

"Russian Deputy Defense Minister Timur Vladimirovich Ivanov was detained on suspicion of committing a crime under part 6, article 290 of the Russian Criminal Code," the Russian Investigative Committee said

US State Department confirms secret shipments of long-range ATACMS missiles to Kiev

Joe Biden directed to send ATACMS to Ukraine in February, the Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the US Department of State Vedant Patel said

13 violations by US-led international coalition’s aircraft recorded in Syria

According to Major General Yury Popov, nine violations of the deconfliction protocols of December 9, 2019

Ukrainian army strikes own surrendering soldiers — POW

Andrey Babenko said that after a crash course in Britain he had been sent to the frontline near Liman

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According to Anatoly Antonov, "the further it goes, the more America corners itself into a zugzwang"

Israel destroys no more than 20% of Hamas's fighting capacity — top political official

Khalil al-Hayya said that Hamas would like to see "a fully sovereign Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and the return of Palestinian refugees in accordance with the international resolutions"

Dust from Sahara turns rain in Ukraine yellow

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Putin stays in daily contact with Sergey Shoigu, Kremlin spokesman says

Timur Ivanov was arrested by Moscow’s Basmanny Court

Mongolia to enter into free trade agreement with EAEU by year-end

Counsellor Delgertsetseg Unubilegt noted that Mongolia and Russia have "a rich history of solidarity and cooperation," though the countries "are under great influence of political and social factors"

Top US diplomat Blinken arrives in Shanghai

A State Department spokesperson told a special briefing previewing Blinken’s trip earlier that the Secretary of State would visit Shanghai and Beijing to "build on our intensive diplomacy [with China] over the past year"

German defense minister says Russia making more arms than it needs for its op in Ukraine

"A larger part of what is being manufactured is not sent to the frontline but goes to warehouses," Boris Pistorius said

No response from West to killing of Izvestia war reporter Eremin — diplomat

The Russian war correspondent died of wounds suffered from a strike by a Ukrainian FPV drone on April 19

Press review: NATO flexes muscles near Russian border and South China Sea runs hot

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Lukashenko says US rues giving rise to Russia-China alliance

"The world has already changed and not the way they dreamed of across the pond," the Belarusian president emphasized

Stockmann company to buy Russian business of Hugo Boss — Industry Ministry

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US waging hybrid war against Serbs to snuff them out for good — Republika Srpska head

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Russia, Africa united by common vision on global issues — senior diplomat

Mikhail Bogdanov noted that "the African continent is a dynamically developing part of the world with an enormous growth potential, attractive domestic market and expanding export prospects"

Radicals, intel services behind terror attacks in various countries, says Putin

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Houthis attack two commercial ships, US destroyer — statement

Simultaneously, the Air Force conducted two more military operation using a huge number of drones to target a US destroyer in the Gulf of Aden

Over 3,100 foreign mercenaries fight for Ukraine, most of them from US

The Russian Investigative Committee added that measures are underway to locate their whereabouts and bring them to criminal liability

Potential nuclear facilities in Poland to be military target for Russia — senior diplomat

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Kiev may use ATACMS missiles to hit Crimean Bridge — Russian defense ministry official

Russian military will do its utmost to repel such attacks, Apty Alaudinov said

Kremlin vows to resolve situation with Turkish Airlines refusing service to Russians

Russia has "very constructive and friendly relations" with Turkey, Dmitry Peskov stressed

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"A whole number of similar agreements with Asian, African, Middle Eastern, Latin American countries are being worked out," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin added

Reinforced Ukrainian battlegroup fails to break through Russian defenses in DPR — expert

Andrey Marochko added that the Ukrainians have also intensified artillery and drone attacks at Russian positions

Central African Republic expects Russia to supply weapons, munitions — defense minister

According to CAR Defense Minister Claude Rameaux Bireau, all necessary documents are ready but there are certain logistical difficulties

Russian court arrests in absentia four foreign agents charged with terrorism

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Rafael Grossi may visit Russia in late May

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"Neither these missiles nor other weapons can help defeat the Russian Federation," Anatoly Antonov said

Russia discourages use of UN sanctions for interference in African affairs — envoy

Vasily Nebenzya underscored that Russia continues to "make an important contribution to strengthening of African countries’ potential, including UN Security Council and General Assembly"

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Larry Johnson also noted that the Russian forces manage to advance recently despite the slush on the roads

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Russia vetoes US-backed UNSC resolution on banning nuclear weapons in outer space

The resolution gained 13 votes

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AUKUS expansion to turn Asia-Pacific region into 'nuclear minefield' — news agency

According to the report, "the danger of Japan's participation in AUKUS is making the whole international community tense, not to mention the regional countries"

Continued threats to Pyongyang to put US, allies in danger, Kim Jong Un’s sister warns

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Gagauzia against Chisinau’s policy of severing ties with Russia

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Russia’s victory in Ukraine to change course of history in Europe — von der Leyen

Ukraine "is carrying a heavy burden" for the benefit of the EU, and therefore EU member states must "provide Ukraine with means to defend themselves," European Commission president said

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Andrey Terekhin noted that еhe UAE is interested in this initiative, with economic feasibility being at the consideration stage

Ukraine says Western systems ineffective against Russia's electronic warfare

Maria Berlinskaya emphasized that the real effectiveness was determined in real combat conditions, and not at "some training ground in Texas"

Blinken’s visit to China meant to shatter Russian-Chinese ties — senior Russian diplomat

"I think that Beijing understands this perfectly well and will not even pretend being ready to reach any agreements with the Americans to the detriment of Russia’s interests," Sergey Ryabkov said

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Dmitry Peskov pointed out that a year ago the opponents "were telling everyone that they were waiting for the moment Russia would be defeated on the battlefield"

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Proposal for a UNSC resolution will take into account the results of the discussion of the US-Japanese document, as well as the progress on this subject, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said

Attempts are made to turn Moldova into ‘second Ukraine’, Lavrov warns

The Russian foreign minister also said that Chisinau's behavior resembles role-playing

Proper humanitarian assistance to Gaza impossible amid hostilities — Russian diplomat

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Ukrainian troops in Kharkov Region lift antennas with kites to get better signal

Military expert Andrey Marochko speculated that the Ukrainian army had to resort to this tactic because the TV tower in Kharkov was damaged

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Senior Russian MP dubs pervasive gender reassignment in West 'human tragedy'

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Some people in 2021 Kabul terror attack were killed by gunfire, not explosion, CNN reports

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Moscow slams NATO drills near Russian borders as inflammatory

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Putin proclaims Odessa Russian city, challenges Ukraine's historical narrative

At the same time, the president noted that once upon a time "Vladimir Lenin gave away the whole of Ukraine when he created the Soviet Union"

Bolivian leader decries fresh US military aid for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan

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UNSC rejects amendment by Russia, China to resolution on nuclear weapons in outer space

The amendment gained seven votes from countries including Russia and China

Russian court blocks JPMorgan’s funds in VTB lawsuit

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Russia presents world’s first hydrogen-fueled luxury car at Innoprom exhibition

The unique vehicle was built on the basis of the Aurus Senat luxury car

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Network of international conspirators plotted Crocus terrorist attack — watchdog

Yury Chikhanchin pointed out that the perpetrators of the attack were provided with money, weapons, transportation and ammunition

Modern weapons make up 82% in Russian air defense troops — Shoigu

"The Kiev regime has failed to achieve the goals of its counteroffensive prepared by NATO instructors," the defense minister said

Switzerland unblocks Russia-related assets worth 290 mln Swiss francs

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Russia ready to cooperate with all interested partners to ensure security — Putin

The Russian leader expressed confidence that the the 12th International Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues "will bolster cooperation for the mutual benefit of our countries and peoples"

Russian children’s commissioner holds first face-to-face talks with Ukrainian counterparts

Maria Lvova-Belova thanked Qatar for setting up a venue for dialogue between Russia and Ukraine regarding children’s interests

Musk concurs that civil war looming in West

The US businessman commented on remarks by Gad Saad, a Canadian professor of Lebanese origin, who insisted that "the path that the West is taking will result in civil war"

Ukraine’s draft dodger makes attempt to cross Dniester into Moldova on air mattress

Men of conscription age try to leave the country in every possible way, often putting their lives at risk

Crocus City Hall attack funded using cryptocurrency, Russian finance watchdog says

Russia’s Federal Financial Monitoring Service head added that the act of terrorism was intricately planned and it took an international network of conspirators to carry it out

Ukraine turns into testing ground for future world order, says Belarus president

"The largest nuclear powers, albeit indirectly, are actually fighting on Ukrainian territory. And not indirectly," the president of Belarus noted

US stops hiding true purpose of sanctions on Moscow, Russian envoy says

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US draft on nukes in space seeks to go beyond legal framework Russia adheres to — MFA

Maria Zakharova pointed out that Russia reaffirms its "strict commitment" to the international legal obligations under space law

Russia to retaliate immediately if Kiev gets ATACMS missiles — diplomat

Konstantin Gavrilov also noted that the "manic efforts" of some Western OSCE member countries to isolate Russia "are futile and will backfire on their initiators"

Top brass posts video of Leopard tanks, Bradley combat vehicles seized by Russian troops

The video shows Russian troops examining the enemy tanks and infantry fighting vehicles seized in battles

Russian tourists flock to North Korea — embassy

"Today, under the two countries’ leaders’ special attention, political contacts, exchanges, cooperation in the economic, culture, science and other areas are developing with renewed momentum," Minister Plenipotentiary of the republic's embassy in Russia Lee Yong Zin said

US effectively dooms Ukraine by its new decisions, Russian envoy says

"The American aid won’t save Zelensky. New weapons will be destroyed, and the special military operation goals will be achieved," Anatoly Antonov stressed

Russia tasked with 'building new world' — Putin

Speaking at a plenary session of the Valdai Discussion Club, the Russian leader also highlighted "the role and responsibility" of its members

West steps up aerial reconnaissance near Russia-Belarus borders — security official

"Today, 20-30 reconnaissance planes fly in the airspace of the Baltic states and Poland weekly," Pavel Muraveiko added

Bolivarian Alliance countries stand for multipolar world — Maduro

"ALBA can be among the founders of a new world, a new international multipolar order," the Venezuelan president stressed

US spends millions of dollars on studying UFOs, 'covers up' information — congressman

Tim Burchett added that "it’s not about little green man or flying saucers, it’s about tens of millions of dollars that our federal government is spending"

West’s unwillingness to give up hegemony escalates tensions in world — security official

According to Nikolay Patrushev, this creates conditions for the devaluation of international law and its institutions and the erosion of the UN's central role in resolving global and regional conflicts

Russian defense minister dismisses his deputy Ivanov

Timur Ivanov was removed from the office of deputy defense minister of the Russian Federation of the federal government’s civil service

Niger would like Russia to train its troops — interior minister says

Mohamed Toumba noted that the training of troops could help in the fight against terrorism

Russia’s top brass reports destroying US-made Hawk air defense system in Ukraine operation

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted casualties on personnel and equipment of two Ukrainian army brigades and improved its tactical position over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Court in Cyprus rules to extradite Russian national Petrov to US

Artur Petrov who is also a German citizen, was arrested in Cyprus on August 26, 2023 at the request of the US Department of Justice on charges of illegally exporting US-made microelectronics to Russia

Russian troops wipe out Ukrainian UAV production workshop over past day

The Russian forces improved their frontline positions and inflicted casualties on five Ukrainian army brigades in the Donetsk area over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported