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Military operation in Ukraine

West flatly refuses to discuss proof that Bucha was staged — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister reiterated that Russia immediately responded to Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky's initiative to start negotiations shortly after the special military operation began

ST. PETERSBURG, June 16./TASS/. There are many facts proving that the Bucha massacre was staged, but the West refuses to discuss them, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with TASS on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on Thursday.

The top diplomat reiterated that Russia immediately responded to Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky's initiative to start negotiations shortly after the special military operation began. "At a certain point late in March, when there was a meeting in Istanbul, these talks led to a result that gave hope to all of us, since the Ukrainian side for the first time committed to paper a position that suited us as the basis for work," Lavrov said.

"A few days later they backtracked on that position, while in between these events there was a provocation in Bucha, which now the West categorically refuses to even discuss, although many facts have already come to light proving that it was a false flag, absolutely hypocritical and cynical," Lavrov added.

Since then, since mid-April, there has been "complete silence," he said. "The Ukrainian side does not respond to the proposals that we handed over to them, based on their own initiatives," the top diplomat went on to say. "If the Ukrainian side shows understanding that it is necessary anyway to conclude some agreements, we are ready for this. But they haven’t shown this willingness," Lavrov summarized.

The Russia-Ukraine negotiations have been ongoing since February 28. Several meetings took place in Belarus, following which the sides continued their talks via a video link-up. A face-to-face round was held in Istanbul, Turkey on March 29.

Russian President Putin told reporters on April 12 that Kiev had departed from the accords reached in Turkey and brought this process to a deadlock. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on April 20 that Moscow had handed over to Kiev its draft document on agreements with clear-cut formulations and expected a reply. The Russian and Ukrainian leaders did not meet during the negotiating process.

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Foreign policy Sergey Lavrov Military operation in Ukraine

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Russia’s re-election to UNCITRAL confirms its global reputation — Foreign Ministry

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North Korean leader warns of growing risk of nuclear war — KCNA

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US decision to allow missile strikes deep into Russia fuels global escalation — Slovak PM

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Ukraine should consider territorial concessions to Russia in return for peace — magazine

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West irrational, fails to understand it cannot intercept Russia's new missiles — Kneissl

The former Austrian foreign minister stressed that she "counted on rational Western decision-makers, but irrationality is unfortunately on the rise among them"

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Russia not obliged to notify anyone about launch of intermediate-range missile — Kremlin

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Top EU diplomat Josep Borrell confirmed that the US administration had lifted restrictions for US-supplied missiles to be used for strikes up to 300 kilometers inside Russia

Russia entitled to use weapons against military sites of states attacking it — Duma

"Russia has repeatedly stated that such actions will receive a response – and it will be a stronger one," Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin stressed

Putin’s remarks on hypersonic missiles send serious warning to West — Turkish politician

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Ukrainian frontline may 'collapse' under onslaught of Russian forces — BBC

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Bulgarian politician sees Oreshnik missile strike as wake-up call for peace

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Russia’s reaction to Austrian OMV’s failure to pay for gas justified — MFA

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"It is important to ensure a thorough investigation and clarify the reasons why underwater cables in the Baltic Sea are now out of order," embassy said

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Zelensky shook up by Russia’s response to permission to attack it — Lavrov

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"There will always be an answer," the president said

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Oreshnik test aims to persuade West to avoid escalation in Ukraine — media

According to the report, the use of Oreshnik has become "part of a new era of missile warfare"

US makes mistake by destroying INF Treaty — Putin

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Russian troops destroy Ukrainian fortification in LPR’s Makeyevka, strengthen positions

Andrey Marochko noted that the Russian forces' advances along this stretch of the front are facilitated by their control over an earlier seized strategic position, as "the activities of the assault groups are provided with cover," and "the Russian Armed Forces outnumber Ukrainian units"

Russia uses aerial bombs to destroy Ukrainian positions near DPR’s Konstantinovka — source

According to the report, at least 15 Ukrainian servicemen were killed as a result of the attack

Western countries should 'be afraid, tremble' after Putin's statement — lawmaker

Andrey Kartapolov added that the special military operation in Ukraine "will continue its course until all tasks are completed"

Romanian presidential candidate vows to end military aid to Ukraine

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Russian air defense deflects attacks with Western missiles — Putin

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US admiral says Washington should be ready for talks with Russia, China

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West builds up military presence near Russia’s Arctic borders — presidential aide

According to Nikolay Patrushev, the "imposed sanctions restrictions are aimed at thwarting the implementation of Russia’s Arctic projects"

US Congressman urges to impeach Biden for allowing strikes deep into Russia

"By authorizing long range missiles to strike inside Russia, Biden is committing an unconstitutional Act of War that endangers the lives of all US citizens," Thomas Massie said

Internet shutdown possible in Belarus if events of August 2020 recur, Lukashenko says

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Enemy has no countermeasures for Russia’s Oreshnik missile — Putin

Speaking in a televised address, the head of state assured that Russia will issue notifications before using this type of missile

Russian ambassador says UK prime minister doesn’t understand situation in Ukraine

Turning to the Labour Party’s domestic policies, Andrey Kelin said Starmer’s plans to spur the economy were "not met with applause by the population

Trump seeks to restore peace in entire world — transition team on Putin’s address

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Russian forces successfully advancing in all areas in special military op zone — Putin

The Russian president said that "all the goals we set for ourselves are being achieved"

Russian military to warn Ukrainian civilians of future Oreshnik attacks — Kremlin

Earlier, the Russian Armed Forces carried out a precision strike on Ukraine’s Yuzhmash defense industry facility in retaliation for the use of US-and UK-made weapons for strikes on Russia

Signal to West and 'red card': experts weigh in on Putin’s missile launch statements

The important message in Vladimir Putin’s speech was that "Russia does believe that the West has shifted from a proxy-war to direct war" and that the parties find themselves in "a global conflict" now, Dmitry Suslov said

Zelensky begs ‘for his country to be flattened’ — US journalist

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Tehran to launch new centrifuges in response to IAEA anti-Iran resolution — statement

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Ukraine conflict entering decisive phase, Polish PM says

According to Donald Tusk, "no one knows how the conflict will end"

Western air defense systems unlikely to intercept Russian missiles — France’s Le Monde

According to the French military source, Russia's recent use of the Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile should be taken in the context of possible negotiations regarding the ongoing Ukrainian conflict

Pentagon sees possibility of sending more antipersonnel landmines to Ukraine

Department of Defense Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh gave no direct answer to the question of how Washington was planning to control Kiev’s use of US landmines

Kremlin clarifies notification process for Oreshnik missile launch

"An automated warning was sent 30 minutes before the launch," Dmitry Peskov said

Nuclear escalation of Ukraine conflict unlikely, says ex-French envoy

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US forces strike Houthi sites with seaborne missiles — TV

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Russia’s Oreshnik has no analogues worldwide — Putin

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Biden slams ‘outrageous’ International Criminal Court warrants for Israeli leaders

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Japanese government refrains from commenting on Russia’s latest hypersonic missile

At the same time, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi once again criticized Russia’s actions in Ukraine

China urges restraint after Russia, Ukraine's exchange of attacks — foreign ministry

Lin Jian also reaffirmed Beijing's position on the Ukrainian issue

Belarusian president believes humanity is on the brink of World War III

Alexander Lukashenko also emphasized that a real information war has been underway for a long time

Soyuz rocket carrying Progress MS-29 cargo spaceship blasts off from Baikonur spaceport

Progress MS-29 will deliver 2,487 metric tons of cargo to the orbital outpost, including fuel, drinking water, compressed nitrogen, various equipment, food and clothing

Moscow hopes West will thoroughly analyze Russia's nuclear doctrine — ambassador

Andrey Kelin also recalled that the policy of the Russian leadership enjoys the full support and confidence of the country's population

IN BRIEF: What Putin said about Russia’s new missile, and Moscow’s response to the West

Moscow used its new Oreshnik medium-range hypersonic ballistic missile in response to the West’s decision to authorize strategic-depth strikes on Russia

Ukraine was warned about possible missile strike — Pentagon

Department of Defense Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh gave no answer to the question of how could Ukraine prepare for this kind of attack

Russian embassy warns UK about dangers of calling for Moscow’s ‘defeat’

According to th statement, London is promoting new rounds of escalation

Russian-EU relations to remain unchanged after departure of Russian envoy — diplomat

Previously, Acting Permanent Representative to Brussels Kirill Logvniov told reporters that he wraps up his mission in Brussels within the planned rotation

West launched missiles targeting Russia’s Bryansk, Kursk Regions — Putin

Russian air defenses repulsed all attacks, the Russian president said

Eliminating best enemy units: Defense Minister visits special op area

Andrey Belousov stressed that Russian troops have accelerated their advance in the special military operation zone and have effectively disrupted Kiev's 2025 military campaign

Biden's decision on missile strikes on Russia is his 'last gasp' — Japanese lawmaker

Earlier, Muneo Suzuki emphasized on his blog that the decision that this decision by Biden on the tail-end of his presidency looked like "a last gasp"