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IS militants in Afghanistan close to borders of Central Asian countries, Medvedev says

According to the intelligence services, now the region numbers tens of thousands of the IS militants and their followers, with the significant part of them concentrated in the northern and eastern provinces bordering the Central Asian countries

MOSCOW, September 11. /TASS/. Tens of thousands of Islamic State militants (IS, outlawed in Russia) are located in Afghanistan, including the provinces on the border with Central Asian countries, according to intelligence, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev said in an op-ed published by the Gazeta.Ru news website on Saturday.

"According to the intelligence services, now the region numbers tens of thousands of the IS militants and their followers, with the significant part of them concentrated in the northern and eastern provinces bordering the Central Asian countries. The leadership of the Islamic State openly announced plans to spread its influence to the entire region," the article dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks said.

According to Medvedev, the US during its almost 20-year-long operation in Afghanistan "could not offer anything against the Islamic State militants who massively relocated from Syria to Afghanistan." "The US pulling out of Afghanistan is only heating the activity of the terrorist organization which remains an enormous threat to Asia, Africa, Middle East and Europe," he thinks.

Medvedev pointed out that the Americans did not attain the main goal which was expressed by the country’s then-President George Bush after the September 11 attacks - the victory over terrorism in Afghanistan. "Due to many US’ miscalculations, including in the Middle Eastern policy, the terrorists continue to operate in the country’s territory," he thinks.

He also named drug production among unresolved problems in Afghanistan. Medvedev noted that Afghanistan’s drug industry reached peak production figures during the presence of US and its NATO allies in the country. According to data cited, over the past 20 years the volume of the illegal production of opiates increased from 17 to 40 times compared to the 2001 level. The share of Afghanistan in the global production of these drugs makes up about 85%.

"All these examples once again confirm the idea that it is impossible to create a democratic miracle from the outside while simultaneously ridding the world of terrorism and drugs. Washington hasn’t managed to stabilize the situation in a poor country tortured by wars, transform it into a modern state," he concluded.

Russia, Vietnam expanding cooperation in traditional, new spheres — Russian Ambassador

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Accusations of Russia using chemical weapons against Ukrainian forces unfounded — Kremlin

"Russia was and remains committed to its obligations under international law in the aforementioned area," Dmitry Peskov emphasized

Odessa to break free from extremist grip — Russian diplomat

Maria Zakharova expressed confidence that rightful punishment would sooner or later come to those who committed what she said was a "barbaric crime that has no statute of limitations"

EU eyeing response to Russian decision on assets of Italian, German companies

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Global Russia Manufacturing PMI down to 54.3 points in April — S&P Global

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Georgian authorities decline invitation to visit US to discuss partnership — ambassador

Robin Dunnigan also pointed out that the United States urges the Georgian government to "recommit the country to its Euro-Atlantic future, as written in Georgia’s constitution"

Iran used Ghadr, Emad and Kheibar missiles to strike Israel, IRGC general says

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French president doesn’t rule out sending troops to Ukraine if Russia breaks front lines

Emmanuel Macron pointed out that "many countries understood" Paris’s approach and agreed "that this position was a good thing"

China strongly opposes illegal unilateral US sanctions — embassy

The anti-Russian sanctions imposed by Washington affected 21 chinese companies

Putin to talk global security issues on visit to China — Kremlin

"Both international and regional security issues will be mentioned and touched upon one way or another," Dmitry Peskov said

UNSC becomes hostage to US Middle East policy — Russian envoy

"The actions of our American colleagues do not reflect the principled position of the rest of the UN Security Council members," Vasily Nebenzya said

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Irakli Kobakhidze said that Georgia will avoid even mental revolutionary processes

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Protesters in Tbilisi toss smoke grenade into parliament building’s window

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Nazar Voloshin conceded that Russia had "certain tactical success" in the area

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Ukraine joining EU impossible while fighting continues — European Commission ex-head

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US fails to shoot down Iranian missiles, drones in strike on Israel — IRGC general

Ali Belali described Iranian weapons as "an important factor of strength and the exercise of power in the world"

Protest rally against Poland’s military support for Kiev held in Warsaw

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Hamas to release Israeli soldiers, hostages under deal with Jerusalem — TV

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The ex-Pentagon adviser Douglas Macgregor also noted the continued Russian advance on the front line

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Avril Haines said the supplies accelerated a "reconstitution of Russia's military strength" after a "costly" start of the country’s special military operation

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Russian Foreign Ministry's special envoy for the crimes of the Kiev regime Rodion Miroshnik noted that the regime of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky will not conduct this investigation

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The French leader also emphasized that the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons was in the interests of the whole of Europe and the world

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Zelensky cannot be legitimate president after May 21 — Medvedchuk

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Liu Pengyu said that China had "never provided lethal weapons or equipment to any party"

Russian missile cruiser Varyag enters Mediterranean Sea

The ship's crew continues to fulfill the mission it was given for the long-range voyage

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Six operatives of the Interior Ministry sustained various serious injuries

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As the Russian delegation’s spokesman emphasized, "the determination of the Afghan authorities to correct the human rights situation in the country as a whole deserves support"

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Rogov remarked that there were no houses left in the village now, for which reason it made no sense to fortify positions there

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The POW said that the Ukrainian army was experiencing a shortage of personnel

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Colombia to sever diplomatic relations with Israel on May 2 — president

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At least one person was injured

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Russia holds rehearsal of Victory Day air parade over Moscow

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"It’s not only the airplanes, but also the training of the pilots, training of the maintenance and also making sure we have the weapon systems to go with it," US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Charles Brown said

Ukrainians to reunify with Russia in ten years — Medvedchuk

Ukraine is "genetically linked with Russia," leader of the Other Ukraine movement said

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"An independent international investigation in needed to bring the criminals to responsibility," Vasily Nebenzya said

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Konashenkov also said that several Russian soldiers have been taken prisoner

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Crimea asks to initiate proceedings against Zelensky for terrorism against Russia

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Igor Kimakovsky also said Ukrainian troops suffered heavy losses at this section of the front

Iran sanctions UK Defense Secretary for supporting Israel's actions — MFA

The ministry notes that Tehran introduces the sanctions against London "on a reciprocal basis"

US court sentences Binance founder to four months in prison — Bloomberg

A judge handed down a much lighter sentence than the three years sought by the prosecution, the agency reported

US Congress passes bill to ban enriched uranium imports from Russia

It now needs to be signed by US President Joe Biden

OSCE leadership ignores Odessa tragedy — Russian mission to OSCE

According to Maxim Buyakevich, there is no pressure on Kiev to investigate what happened

US embassy in Georgia supports protests against foreign agent law

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Kiev troops face 'two-week difficult situation' near Chasov Yar in DPR — journalist

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Georgian parliament cancels plenary session after protesters storm building

On Wednesday, Georgia’s parliament passed the second reading of the bill "On the Transparency of Foreign Influence," which had been opposed by President Salome Zourabichvili, the opposition and Western diplomats