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West’s attempts to wall off Russia not 'sign of great intelligence' — Lavrov

According to the top Russian diplomat, this way, the West is attempting "to control as much space as possible, using blackmail, threats, sanctions and ultimatums"

ASTANA, May 21. /TASS/. The desire of the collective West to build walls between Western countries and Russia reflects little intelligence, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told reporters following a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs.

"We know very well that the West likes to build walls or pull down the iron curtain. An actual wall is being built between a number of Scandinavian countries, I think, Finland and Estonia wanted to build an actual wall on the border with us," he said. "This is, actually, not a sign of great intelligence. This reflects those tasks that the collective West, led by the US, has set for itself on the global stage, including on the Eurasian continent," Lavrov added.

According to the top Russian diplomat, this way, the West is attempting "to control as much space as possible, using blackmail, threats, sanctions and ultimatums."

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Military operation in Ukraine

Russian air defense, fighter aircraft seriously reduced Ukraine’s capabilities — general

In the conditions of ever increasing use by Ukrainian forces of modern missile weapons produced by NATO countries, air defense forces promptly develop methods and adapt air defense systems to counter enemy missile attacks, Andrey Semyonov said

SCO urges development of cooperation on energy security — declaration

The document notes that interested member states that have opted for the use of peaceful nuclear energy will develop cooperation on voluntary and mutually agreed terms in the field of research, innovation, development and implementation of civil nuclear technologies in accordance with national legislation

Russian air defenses engage aerial targets above Rostov — governor

Details are being verified

Zelensky rejects idea of ceasefire

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The Chinese president underscored the need for close contacts between Beijing and Ankara

Beijing opposes Germany's politicization of economic cooperation — Chinese MFA

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Russian defense ministry reports losses among Russian troops during special operation

Konashenkov also said that several Russian soldiers have been taken prisoner

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Russian stock market indices in the red on Thursday — market data

The MOEX Russia Index lost 2.16% to 3,133.81 points, while the RTS Index plunged by 2.35% to 1,120.31 points

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Transformation of Russian economy is marathon with barriers — Central Bank chief

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Russian Navy to receive advanced Futlyar torpedoes

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US analyst says Biden, Trump misinformed about situation in Ukraine

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Ukraine’s military admits retreat in Chasov Yar in DPR

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Russia makes efforts to settle crisis in Middle East — Putin

According to the Russian president, the situation "could be resolved in principle only if the corresponding UN decisions are implemented"

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Zambia interested in fuel supplies from Russia — Russian ambassador

Azim Yarakhmedov also noted that Zambia is very interested in attracting Russian business and investment

Iskander missiles destroy Ukrainian MiG-29 at Dolgintsevo air base — defense ministry

Ballistic missile delivered at the base in the Dnepropetrovsk region

Putin takes part in SCO summit in Astana

The participants will recap the organization’s work in 2023-2024

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Ukrainian military bringing reserves to Kharkov area amid heavy losses — expert

According to Vitaly Kiselyov, the Ukrainian military will be amassing forces and capabilities at its alternate positions in the Kharkov frontline area

Russian troops destroy first Tunguska anti-aircraft missile system in Ukraine operation

Russia’s Southern Battlegroup inflicted roughly 450 casualties on the Ukrainian army and destroyed two enemy tanks in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Hezbollah claims Israeli division headquarters in Golan Heights destroyed

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US military destroys Houthi radar station in Yemen

They US military destroyed two Iranian-backed Houthi uncrewed surface vessels

Russia uncertain if Ukraine would reciprocate with ceasefire — Putin

The Russian president said that Moscow ultimately "faced deception again as all agreements [involving the troops withdrawal], which had been reached in Istanbul, were thrown in the trash"

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US experts brief UN journalists about their visit to Donbass

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Bank of Russia sees complication of situation with cross-border payments

Elvira Nabiullina added that the business is adapting to the situation and the Central Bank is helping it in this aspect

Iran to vote in presidential election runoff

The results are expected to be known in the morning of July 6

Six hospitalized after drone attack on south Russia’s Primorsko-Akhtarsk

A three-storey apartment building and a power substation were damaged

Almost 70% of Chasov Yar liberated — lawmaker

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The S-500 will replace the S-400 Triumph air defense system

Russia faces unprecedented air defense challenges during special op — general

The use of factory-made and improvised unmanned aerial vehicles, which are made with special composite materials to reduce their visibility and are capable of flying at extremely low altitudes, has become unprecedented, Andrey Semyonov said

Putin’s visit to Turkey remains on agenda — spokesman

Exact dates are not known at this point, they are yet to be agreed upon, Dmitry Peskov said

Ukraine needs some 200,000 recruits to address troop shortages — newspaper

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Icon replicas Putin gifted to military bought from private US collection — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov highlighted the special significance of icons in Russian military history and added that the image of Savior Not Made by Hand has been the protective icon of Russian troops over several centuries

Russian commander predicts Ukraine conflict will end this fall

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Russia’s plan on Ukraine could immediately end hostilities, Putin reiterates

The Russian leader also thanked SCO member countries for their efforts in pursuit of the same goal

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"Payments are made while they are needed, and economic entities in many countries need our market; the economic interest is in place," Governor Elvira Nabiullina said

Port infrastructure damaged in Odessa Region — mayor

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Ukraine uses ATACMS missiles against civilian targets as well — Russian general

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Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, July 4th

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US national Woodland sentenced to 12.5 years in prison for attempted drug sale

During the hearing, the prosecutor asked for 12 years in a penal colony

One of biggest Democratic donors says Biden should step aside

US President have to to allow a vigorous Democratic leader to beat Donald Trump at the elections, Reed Hastings said

Labour Party leads UK parliament election with 10% of ballots counted

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Much-vaunted Patriots can’t even defend themselves

In the course of the special military operation, it was confirmed that Russian air defense systems have the potential to repel strikes by all types of enemy air attack capabilities

Bank of Russia has all data of OTC operations for currency rates

"We are going to post detailed methodology in the near time," Elvira Nabiullina said

Talks about common parliament, currency in Russia and Belarus premature — Putin

"Nobody says in general that this is impossible or this should not be or need not be done," the Russian leader pointed out

US and its satellites’ unceremonious policy provoked crisis in Ukraine — Putin

"We have repeatedly put on the negotiations table our concrete proposals regarding this issue," the Russian president noted

Russia develops single-use combat drone to intercept enemy UAVs

It is noted that before destroying an enemy UAV, the Vogan must get a corresponding command from an operator who makes a decision based on the image from the drone’s video camera

Houthi leader says group attacked more than 160 ships in Red, Arabian Seas so far

According to the report, six ships came under attack over the past week alone, with weapons including ballistic and cruise missiles, drones and speed boats

Iran’s acting president offers discussing SCO single currency creation

Tehran views the SCO as a major instrument for increasing the factor of multilateralization in the region, Mohammad Mokhber noted

US, UK delivered 19 strikes on Yemen in one week — Houthi leader

The leader of the Ansar Allah movement, Abdel Malek al-Houthi, advised Arab and Muslim countries to show caution so that Washington could not launch its attacks on Yemen from their sovereign territories

Erdogan not a possible mediator in Ukraine talks — Kremlin spokesman

Dmitry Peskov confirmed that at today’s meeting, Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Vladimir Putin touched upon the conflict in Ukraine

Labour Party has solid lead in UK parliament elections — exit poll

The opposition party is projected to win 410 seats in the parliament

Putin did not discuss idea to hold peace summit on Ukraine with Xi Jinping — Kremlin

Russian president and his chinese counterpart held negotiations in Astana on July 3

US surveillance drones can be stopped by MiG-31 jets, air defense systems — analyst

Igor Korotchenko said the most effective way to fight such targets is to use long-range surface-to-air missile systems, such as the S-400 or S-300V, which are armed with long-range SAMs, as well as use air-to-air missiles carried by MiG-31s

Russian economy deviates from base case scenario — Central Bank

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List of countries interested in cooperation with BRICS constantly growing — MFA

Sergey Ryabkov pointed out that one of the key priorities of Russia's BRICS chairmanship in terms of the association's expansion is to ensure "the smooth integration of new participants into the existing cooperation system"

Russian forces destroy another US-made Abrams tank in Ukraine

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, it was destroyed in the Avdeyevka area with the use of a Msta-S self-propelled gun

Kanye West leaves Moscow

Designer Gosha Rubchinskiy was seeing him off

Scholz vows Germany will never be party to Ukraine conflict

Germany is Ukraine’s second largest military equipment donor after the United States

Press review: Orban heads to Kiev to make bid for peace and what's behind Turkey protests

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, July 3rd

Ashgabat ready to build up hydrocarbon supplies to SCO countries — Turkmen leader

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow also invited the SCO countries to participate in the implementation of energy and communications projects in Afghanistan

Combating terrorism, national currencies: key takeaways from Putin’s SCO comments

Russia attaches great importance to cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which "continues to develop progressively on the principles of equal rights, consideration of each other's interests"

Reasonable people in West to consider Putin’s plan in the future — Kremlin spokesman

Meanwhile, according to Dmitry Peskov, "this does not mean that more reasonable people in the collective West and in Ukraine itself have not considered this plan"

Press review: Kiev puts out negotiation feelers and Moscow to put OSCE membership on ice

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, July 2nd

Gazprom Export wins court ruling to halt Axpo Solutions' arbitration abroad

The court ruled that the Austrian company will have to pay Gazprom Export about 623.2 mln euros, if it violates the ban

Transnistria accuses OSCE PA of waging hybrid war against unrecognized republic

The Foreign Ministry slammed the statement that "the unresolved status of the region has led to the strengthening of local repressive mechanisms" and that "the 5+2 format is not functional"

Russia, Iran have almost identical approaches to key global issues — Putin

The Russian president asked Mohammad Mokhber to "pass along his wishes for good health and prosperity to Iran's Supreme Leader" Ali Khamenei

Use of power methods rising in global politics — SCO declaration

The document starts from stating that "tectonic shifts are underway" in global politics, economy and other areas now

Tucker Carlson announces interview with Zelensky

The exact date when the interview will be published was not disclosed

India’s Modi to visit Russia on July 8-9 — Kremlin

Russian Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov tod a press briefing that the Kremlin views the visit as a key priority

Belarus officially joins SCO as 10th member

In this regard, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated his Belarusian counterpart, Alexander Lukashenko

Russia developing new Kh-95 long-range hypersonic missile

Colonel-General Vladimir Zarudnitsky noted that such advanced and upgraded armaments were being developed to achieve supremacy in the aerospace, which is a vital condition for ground and naval groupings of forces to conduct combat operations successfully

Conflict in Ukraine could be stopped if strong foundation for peace is created — Erdogan

According to the statement, the Turkish leader affirmed Ankara's intention to "continue to strive for peace"

US defense weapons plant rocked by explosion, casualties reported — AP

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Two Syrian servicemen wounded in militant attack in Idlib

In a separate development, the Russian military police conducted patrol missions in the provinces of Raqqa and Al Hasakah

Security of member states remains central to SCO’s mission — Putin

The Russian president emphasized that a special cooperation program approved at the Astana summit would facilitate the fight against separatism and extremism in the SCO countries

Armenia ready for strategic partnership with US — PM

According to Nikol Pashinyan, "Armenia greatly values the role of the United States in the peace-building process in our region and deeply appreciates the US support for the sovereignty, independence, democracy, territorial integrity and inviolability of the borders of the Republic of Armenia in accordance with the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration"