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Over 100 observers from 40 countries work at referendums, says Central Election Commission

The referendums on joining Russia kicked off at 08:00 a.m. Moscow Time on September 23

MOSCOW, September 25. /TASS/. More than 100 international observers from 40 countries, excluding specialists from Russia, work at referendums in the Donetsk and the Lugansk People’s Republics, the Kherson and Zaporozhye Regions on their joining the Russian Federation, according to a statement released on the Telegram channel of the Russian Central Election Commission (CEC).

"At referendums in the Donetsk and the Lugansk People’s Republics, the Kherson and Zaporozhye Regions more than 100 international observers from 40 countries work, excluding observers from Russia," the statement said.

The referendums on joining Russia kicked off in the Donetsk and the Lugansk People’s Republics and in the liberated areas of the Kherson and the Zaporozhye Regions at 08:00 a.m. Moscow Time on September 23. Voting will continue until September 27.

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Iran done with retaliation, calls for efforts to stop Israel from reckless steps — MFA

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Iran threatens to attack Israel's "nuclear centers" in case of aggression on its part

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Swiss parliament votes against joining task force on frozen Russian assets

The group contains US finance and justice ministers, representatives of Australia, the UK, Germany, Italy, Canada, France, Japan, as well as the European Commission

EU summit calls to continue work on duties on Russian, Belarusian agricultural produce

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UN Security Council vote exposes practically full isolation of US — Russia’s UN mission

Vasily Nebenzya described the US veto as a "fruitless attempt to stop the inexorable course of history"

At least 16 Syrian troops killed in terrorists’ ambush in east Syria — TV

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Chinese car plant to start production at former Mercedes site in Moscow region in May

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Kremlin condemns 'illegal' seizure of villa from Russian businessman

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Vehicles, equipment participating in Victory Day parade depart for Moscow — ministry

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Ukraine’s military loses positions near Avdeyevka, says DPR

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Russia, Iran maintain contacts on nuclear security - deputy foreign minister

Sergey Ryabkov said that "very soon, Russia and Iran will have new additional opportunities to discuss the situation in the Middle East in general, as well as details of what is going on there at this point"

Tehran’s two major airports cancel international flights — Mehr

Imam Khomeini International Airport and Mehrabad International Airport suspended their operations until 10:30 a.m. local time

US 'not forgetting' to help itself with aid to Ukraine — Kremlin

"In any case, whatever the modality of providing this aid, de facto it is about provoking Ukraine into further hostilities down to the last Ukrainian, putting guarantted money in the pockets of the US," Dmitry Peskov said

No plans for pauses in fighting if talks on Ukraine begin, Lavrov says

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Iran says drones downed over Isfahan launched from country's territory

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French, US, British nukes all interwoven — Russian diplomat

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Crimea, Donbass to forever remain within Russia, Slovak PM tells national parliament

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Russia always prefers talks to fighting, wars, says Lavrov

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CIA chief says Ukraine could lose by end of this year — Politico

William Burns said "there is a very real risk that the Ukrainians could at least put Putin in a position where he could essentially dictate the terms of a political settlement"

Ukrainian president admits Russian troops’ advancement

Vladimir Zelensky asked his country’s supporters to provide "everything that helps to hold the frontline," including shells, military vehicles and drones

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Security guarantees on Ukraine did not apply to Crimea, Donbass — Lavrov

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Iran tells US about April 13 attack on Israel, it does not want escalation — top diplomat

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian added that prior to the attack, Tehran said that it would not target US military infrastructure in the Middle East "except in a situation where the United States wants to take military measures in support of Israel"

Ukrainian front may collapse this summer — newspaper

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Russia knows French military instructors working in Ukraine — Lavrov

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Ukrainians abroad storming embassies to avoid mobilization, Russian diplomat says

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Yerevan's refusal to delimit borders with Baku to escalate regional tensions — PM

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Switzerland does not suit Russia for negotiations on Ukraine — Lavrov

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Nord Stream AG's refusal to pay compensation destroys Western insurance system — diplomat

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US blocks Security Council resolution granting full UN membership to Palestine

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Iran suspends flights above several cities amid reports of air attack — IRNA

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Pipeline explodes in Kharkov Region

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Shoigu orders additional tank protection sets for Ukraine operation

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Moscow International Film Festival to open in Russian capital

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Russia can join top three countries by lithium reserves — governor

Infrastructure is required to implement the investment project, both power transmission lines and the railroad, Andrey Chibis noted

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US gives nod to Israeli operation in Rafah in exchange for canceling major attack on Iran

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Romania tries to cancel Russian culture by banning films — diplomat

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G7 foreign ministers set to call on all sides to exercise restraint in Middle East

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EU border checkpoint closest to Russia’s St. Petersburg to cut its working hours

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Israel to not take responsibility for attack on Iran — newspaper

Israeli sources also said that they did not understand why the Pentagon had leaked information about Israel's involvement in the attack to the media

Colombian president displays interest in country’s entry into BRICS

Brazilian leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva welcomed Gustavo Petro’s initiative, "being committed to promotion of Colombia’s candidacy"

Ukraine convicts 12th world chess champion for recognizing Donetsk, Lugansk republics

The two other State Duma members mentioned in the verdict alongside Karpov are Viktor Kazakov and Georgy Karlov

Putin sees increasing life expectancy as key policy goal for Russia

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Polish premier refuses to hand over his country’s Patriot systems to Ukraine

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Final statement by G7 top diplomats to call for supplying more air defenses to Kiev

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Hezbollah warns Israel it will fight back if attacks on Lebanon continue

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Israeli Air Force attacks airfield in southern Syria during strike on Iran

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Nearly half of those present in UN Security Council hall walk out before Israel’s address

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