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Military operation in Ukraine

'Nazis never change': Kremlin comments on killing of Russian soldier by Azov militants

"Our investigators are working very diligently to collect all the facts regarding these absolutely inhuman atrocities," Dmitry Peskov stressed

TVER, July 16. /TASS. Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov didn't mince words when commenting on a video showing members of Ukraine’s Azov nationalist battalion (designated as a terrorist organization and outlawed in Russia) shooting an unarmed Russian soldier.

"Nazis never change," he told reporters. "They must be treated like Nazis and they must be eliminated," Peskov said in response to a TASS question.

The Kremlin spokesman stressed that "this is what our heroes are doing on the frontline. Asked if a legal case was being built around such incidents, Peskov answered in the affirmative. "Efforts to gather evidence have been going on for several years now. Our investigators are working very diligently to collect all the facts regarding these absolutely inhuman atrocities," he added.

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Foreign policy Dmitry Peskov Military operation in Ukraine

Anti-Russian sanctions

US authorizes import of certain Russian diamonds, jewelry until September 1, 2025

In February, the US government announced that it would ban the import of unsorted rough diamonds and diamond jewelry from Russia from March 1

Ukraine attacks ferry loaded with fuel tanks in Kavkaz port: victims, damage, response

The area of the fire covered 500 square meters, emergency response services reported

Russia’s agriculture exports in physical terms 10-11% higher this year than in 2023

According to Agriculture Minister Oksana Lut’s presentation delivered in May, Russia’s agriculture exports were expected at $45 bln in 2024

Some convicts serving in Ukrainian army refuse to go into combat

A former member of the Verkhovna Rada explained that when prisoners wrote applications for mobilization, they had a completely different motivation

Russia delivers 16 precision strikes at Ukrainian military sites over week — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup North thwarted the Ukrainian army’s attempts to deploy reserves in the Kursk Region over the past week, the Defense Ministry reported

Venezuelan Supreme Court certifies Maduro’s election victory

Edmundo Gonzalez, former candidate from the far-right bloc, never appeared before the Electoral Chamber of the Supreme Court and failed to provide the required documents

Banks from Mauritius admitted to trading on Russian forex market

The list includes a total of over 30 states friendly to Russia

Kherson Region governor says Ukraine will attempt to attack Tendra Spit and Kinburn Spit

According to Vladimir Saldo, there is a large number of unmanned boats, assault boats and helicopters among the equipment deployed there

Press review: NATO complicit in Kursk attack and Russian military officials get new roles

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, August 21st

Washington says discussing with Kiev use of US arms to strike deeper inside Russia

Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters on Thursday that the use of American weapons to strike inside Russia’s Kursk Region does not run counter to the US policy

Russian Ambassador to US Antonov to return home in October — diplomatic source

Anatoly Antonov has been Russia’s Ambassador to the United States since August 2017

FSIN refutes allegations about seizure of colony in Volgograd Region by criminals

The criminals took hostages and seized one isolated building in the colony’s territory

Numerous countries express interest in India-produced AK-203 assault rifles — official

India has become the first foreign country where the AK-203 iteration of the Kalashnikov assault rifle is manufactured

Ukrainian General Staff says situation around Krasnoarmeisk, Kupyansk tough

The Russian Defense Ministry reported on Wednesday that Russia’s Battlegroup Center had liberated the community of Zhelannoye in the Donetsk People’s Republic

Murmansk Region to tighten measures against drone attacks on strategic facilities

"Today, we will discuss additional measures that need to be taken to protect the Murmansk Region, especially strategic facilities, from enemy drones," Governor Andrey Chibis said

Kiev’s forces question strategic premise of Kursk incursion — officer

According to the Ukrainian serviceman, the Ukrainian political leadership devised the offensive in order to divert the Ukrainians’ attention from the dire situation on the frontline and in the country’s economy and energy infrastructure

EU issues death sentence to Ukraine, pushing it to suicide — Russian diplomat

Kirill Logvinov said that the European Union is already at a "transitional stage from a global standoff" with Russia to a "direct military and political confrontation"

Russia blacklists 32 British think tank experts — Russian Foreign Ministry

The list includes nine structures - Forward Strategy Limited, Institute for Statecraft, Media Diversity Institute, Toro Risk Solutions, Chatham House, Open Knowledge Foundation, Privacy International, Peace Child International, Aga Khan Foundation - and 32 of their employees

India favors engagement of all parties to end Ukraine conflict — PM Modi

According to the statement, the Indian side reiterated its principled position and focus on a peaceful settlement through dialogue and diplomacy, under which New Delhi participated in the Ukraine Peace Summit held in Switzerland in June 2024

US authorizes import of certain Russian diamonds, jewelry until September 1, 2025

In February, the US government announced that it would ban the import of unsorted rough diamonds and diamond jewelry from Russia from March 1

IAEA chief says situation at ZNPP unstable due backup power line malfunction

"The latest outage follows reports of military activity in the region and beyond," the statement said

Two injured survivors of hostage-taking at IK-19 penitentiary taken to Volgograd hospitals

As a result of a special operation to free the hostages by the Federal Penitentiary Service and National Guard all four criminals were liquidated

No need for more massive strikes against facilities in Ukraine — Putin

Currently, other tasks are on the agenda, the president emphasized

Germany may expand list of weapons its supplies to Ukraine — Russian ambassador

According to Sergey Nechayev, people in Germany disapprove of the government’s decision to supply weapons to Ukraine because this leads to the conflict escalations and entails considerable budgetary spending whereas this money could be used for peaceful purposes

Enemy losses: developments in Kursk Region

In total, the enemy has lost 5,137 servicemen since fighting began in the region

US-led coalition’s aircraft violate Syrian airspace 14 times in past day

Four pairs of the coalition’s F-15 fighter jets, a pair of F/A-18 fighter bombers, as well as two pairs of A-10 Thunderbolt attack bombers violated in the al-Tanf area

2016 World Nomad Games in Kyrgyzstan

Sports include eagle hunting, bone throwing and kok-boru, a Central Asian form of polo in which two teams battle for control of a decapitated goat carcass

Ukraine seeks to unleash new world war by attacking Russian nuclear plant — politician

The goal of the drone attack was to cause a Chernobyl-like disaster and contaminate all of Europe with radiation, said Zmago Jelincic

Ukraine peace initiative shouldn’t be unilateral - Indian foreign minister

"Our view is that any exercise, if it has to be productive, will naturally have to involve the other party concerned," Subrahmanyam Jaishankar stressed

Press review: Moscow-Beijing ties look for shot in arm and US backdoors new nuke strategy

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, August 22nd

Russian stock indices decline as trading on Moscow Exchange closes

The MOEX index fell by 2.32%, the dollar-denominated RTS index went down by 2.65%

Ukrainian forces attack 8 settlements in Belgorod Region, no one injured

According to the governor, two private households and an infrastructure object were damaged in the Shebekino city district

About 30-40% of Kharkov Region must be liberated to hold referendum — official

Vitaly Ganchev also hopes to hold a survey by the end of the year in order to gauge public interest in becoming a part of Russia

Captured Ukrainian soldiers play like they’re civilians, outed by phone data — official

Apty Alaudinov called the Ukrainian soldiers operating in the Kursk Region a bunch of thugs

Belarusian military completes exercise at Russia’s Ashuluk training range

Some servicemen will arrive in Belarus today on board a military transport plane IL-76MD, while the other units will leave Russia by train

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suspends his campaign for US president

He also said he would ask to remove his name from the ballots in ten key states

NATO citizens contact Russian embassies for residence permits en masse — diplomat

Maria Zakharova pointed out that, starting on August 19, citizens of other states are allowed to apply to Russia, if they are being persecuted in their states for following traditional values

Fire spreads from burning dry grass to residential houses in Rostov Region

According to local emergencies services, the fire has consumed four houses

Russia starts series production of acoustic intelligence system

Series production has also been launched for the Malik acoustic drone detector updated to the second version in portable and mobile variants, the design bureau said

Putin, Trump to meet in Helsinki on July 16

The two leaders will discuss "the current state and prospects of further development of Russian-US relations," the Kremlin spokesman said

Deputy commander-in-chief of Russian Navy arrives at Massawa port in Eritrea

The visit is part of the events marking the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and Eritrea

Russian forces destroy French-made Crotale missile system in Kursk Region

According to Akhmat Special Forces Commander Major General Apty Alaudinov, it costs €8.9 million

Two powerful solar flares detected on August 22 — scientists

The first flare was detected in the early hours of Thursday

German striker Philipp leaves Borussia Dortmund for Russia’s Dynamo Moscow FC

Dynamo Moscow FC is currently 10th in the Russian Premier League (RPL) standings

One crew member of sunken ferry remains unaccounted for in Port Kavkaz — rescuers

The search effort continues

Neo-Nazis who attacked Russia’s Kursk region sure to be defeated - Russian ambassador

Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov said the subject was raised during Russian diplomats’ recent meetings with compatriots in Salt Lake City and Chicago

Russia’s natural annual population loss will shrink 1.5 times by 2045 — statistics

The Federal Statistics Service clarifies that as of January 1, 2023, 146.45 million people lived in Russia, and by January 1, 2046, the country’s population will be 138.77 million people

ICRC helps Russian Red Cross in Kursk Region

To date, more than 11,500 people have received help from specialists

Seizure of Allegro trains by Finnish VR illegal — Russian Railways

Unlawfulness of actions of the Finnish side is confirmed by decisions of Russian courts, which bind the Finnish railway operator to continue performing contracts made by it

Ukrainian recruits refuse to fire at Russians, commander says

Ukrainian commanders blame poorly-trained recruits for failures on the eastern flank, especially for the territorial losses in the Krasnoarmeisk area in the Donetsk People’s Republic, where they "enabled Russia’s army to advance"

Ukraine disconnects backup power line at Zaporozhye NPP

The Ferrosplavnaya-1 high-voltage 330kV power supply line was disconnected from the Zaporozhye NPP on August 23

Kavkaz port working to clean up aftermath following Ukrainian attack

The Russian Transport Ministry added that the sea rescue service is working to clean up the fuel that was spilled

Indian military praises AK-203 assault rifle — head of joint venture

Major General Sudhir Kumar Sharma recalled that 35,000 Kalashnikov rifles had already been delivered to the Indian Armed Forces

Putin, Pashinyan discuss results of Russian president’s visit to Baku — Kremlin

According to the statement, "the Russian side reaffirmed its readiness to provide further assistance to Armenia and Azerbaijan in their efforts to work toward a peace treaty, promote the delimitation and demarcation of the border and unblock transportation and logistics routes" between the two South Caucasus countries"

Russia offers safe haven for people trying to escape Western liberal ideals

Under the document, such foreign nationals will have the right to apply for temporary residence in Russia "outside the quota approved by the Russian government and without providing documents confirming their knowledge of the Russian language, Russian history and basic laws"

Russian army hits Kiev's reserves in Plavni, Primorskoye in Zaporozhye Region — politician

Plavni and Primorskoye are north of the town of Vasilievka

Strikes on Ukrainian reserves, cases against foreign reporters: situation in Kursk Region

An enemy sabotage and reconnaissance group was destroyed west of Skrylievka

Putin made decision on response to Kiev’s incursion – ambassador to US

The retaliation will be tough, Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov said

Kremlin sees balance of power tipping right at EU Parliament

"While the pro-European parties have retained their leading positions, right-wing parties will catch up to them in due time," Dmitry Peskov pointed out

Ukrainian POWs cannot be taken out of harm's way due to Kiev's shelling attacks — officer

According to Major General Apty Alaudinov, Akhmat fighters have already taken numerous Ukrainian soldiers prisoner

Russia imports more than half of non-food goods — ministry

Russia can't produce everything that is imported today, the official said, adding that this is not realistic

Manufacturers of FPV drone Upyr found drone producing plant Uraldronzavod

The FPV drone Upyr (Vampire) was first used in the special military operation zone in May 2023 and proved its effectiveness

Foreign aid to Ukraine a money laundering scheme, head of Chechnya says

Ramzan Kadyrov noted that there is no need to worry about hostilities currently happening on Russian territory

Gazprom delivering 42.4 mln cubic meters of gas to Europe through Ukraine via Sudzha

The transit line through Ukraine remains the only route for Russian gas supplies to western and central European countries

Russian troops advance towards Borovaya in eastern Kharkov region — official

Vitaly Ganchev added that as of today, more than 200 square kilometers of the region had been liberated from the Ukrainian armed forces

Challenger, Leopard tanks tarnished their reputation in Ukraine operation — Rostec chief

Sergey Chemezov highlighted the Russian T-90M Proryv tank which "is a head above both the British and American tanks, and foreign customers understand this well"

EU Diplomacy Chief says EU-China trade war unavoidable — South China Morning Post

According to Borrell, the likely aggravation of trade relations between the EU and China "is in line with the logic of things"

IAEA chief may visit Kursk nuclear power plant early next week — Russian diplomat

Earlier, the Russian foreign ministry’s official spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, said Grossi’s visit to the Kursk nuclear power plant in late August was in the works

Bank of Russia raises dollar rate for August 24-26 to 91.6 rubles — regulator

The official yuan exchange rate has been lowered by 18 kopecks to 11.77 rubles

BRICS to suspend admitting new members for a while — Lavrov

"By the overwhelming majority, the ten nations decided to ‘take a pause’ with new members to ‘take in’ the new members who have doubled the association," he said at a meeting with speaker of Belarus

Ukraine doesn’t view India as mediator in potential talks — NYT

The Ukrainian officials portrayed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Kiev as a "welcome show of support for their country"

Ukrainian lawmaker laments that 'thousands' defect from armed forces

Prior to that, the Ukrainian parliament has passed a bill allowing to pardon AWOL servicemen, who abandoned their posts for the first time, if they agree to resume their military service before the pretrial investigation is completed

Increased level of complexity assigned to fire in Rostov Region’s Proletarsk

The firefighting effort involves 37 men and 12 vehicles

Medvedev rules out peace talks with Kiev until enemy 'completely defeated'

The politician also hinted at those behind the attack on the Kursk Region, making unflattering comments about a former British prime minister

Russian commander reports presence of active NATO soldiers in Kursk area

Apty Alaudinov specified that he referred to active NATO servicemen

Russian forces control about 50 settlements in Kharkov region — official

The liberated territories have a combined population of around 2,000 people in total, the head of the Kharkov Region's civil-military administration Vitaly Ganchev said

HIMARS missiles, artillery rounds included in US’ new aid package to Ukraine

Assistance includes aerial systems equipment and munitions, 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds, Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor missiles

AK-203 assault rifle plant in India has plans to expand — CEO

Sudhir Kumar Sharma noted that there are still areas in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, where the machines are manufactured, so it is possible that production will be expanded there

Russian forces prevent Ukrainian forces from regrouping near Dnieper — Defense Ministry

The Russian Armed Forces are also continuing to actively work to destroy Ukrainian FPV drones, reconnaissance and attack unmanned aerial vehicles, head of the group's press center Roman Kodryan said

Inmates plotted their attack in Russian prison in advance, law enforcement source says

According to TASS source, the attack was well-planned

Unrecovered bodies of European mercenaries litter Kursk fields — Russian MP

According to Viktor Vodolatsky, the West needed the Ukrainian incursion into the borderline Russian region of Kursk to test how well Russia’s border is protected

Ukraine raised risk of nuclear war for allies, former chief of Romanian intelligence says

"Ukraine understood very well what it was doing," Silviu Predoiu said

Modi arrives in Ukraine for first visit ever by an Indian PM

Modi arrived in the Ukrainian capital after wrapping up his visit to Poland

US prepares to lift all restrictions on use of its weapons — Russian ambassador

The US policy of providing military assistance to Ukraine, including training Ukrainian pilots to use US-made F-16 fighter jets shows that "they will fight", Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov said

Trump defeats Harris by landslide in Elon Musk’s poll on X social network

More than 5.8 million people took part in the vote

FACTBOX: Inmates take staff hostage at correctional facility in Volgograd Region

According to emergency response services, one employee was killed

Ukrainians deserting army en masse, don't want to lay down lives for Zelensky — senator

Sergey Tsekov emphasized that attempts to ban the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which has true believers in Ukraine in an uproar, also play a significant role

Russia's top prosecutor reveals startling new details about 1918 Romanov family execution

According to Igor Krasnov, members of the royal family did not die immediately because they had diamonds and jewelry sewn into their clothes, and the bullets ricocheted off

FACTBOX: What is known about new anti-Russian sanctions imposed by US

According to the document, the restrictions against companies "whose products and services enable Russia to sustain its military efforts and evade sanctions"

Houthis claim responsibility for attack on Sounion tanker

The spokesman also claimed responsibility for striking the Sw North Wind I commercial ship

Ukraine’s army withdrawing troops from near Kupyansk after Russian forces breach defenses

"With regard to the situation near Peschanoye, if we talk about the enemy’s behavior, Ukrainian armed formations are currently trying to slow down the advance of our forces," military expert Andrey Marochko said

Russia takes some rear enemy positions under fire control near Karlovka in DPR

This should serve to weaken Ukrainian defenses at this sector of the line of engagement, the officer said

Russia puzzled by Armenia’s resistance to logistics corridor agreements

According to Sergey Lavrov, Moscow believes that it is essential to "follow the spirit and the letter of the series of trilateral agreements between the Russian, Azerbaijani, and Armenian leaders, which were reached in 2020-2022"

Ukraine records 37,000 cases of desertion from army this year

Oles Doniy noted a sharp increase in cases of desertion and the abandonment of military units: in 2022 there were 9,000 such incidents, in 2023 - 21,000

Russian Su-34 bomber destroys Ukrainian armor by glide bombs in Kursk Region

The strike against enemy’s fortified targets was delivered by upgraded aerial bombs

Russian bomb squad finds, destroys two Ukrainian air bombs in Kursk Region

Bomb squad technicians from the Emergency Situations Ministry defused and destroyed two demolition bombs, a FAB-500 and a FAB-250

Russian forces destroy US-made Abrams tank in borderline Kursk area — commander

"In addition, we have eliminated several artillery guns of various caliber and also several command posts," Major General Apty Alaudinov said

West directs all of Kiev's strikes on civilian targets — Russian diplomat

"We have always maintained that the West has been the guiding force behind all of the Kiev regime's attacks on civilian infrastructure since the first day of the open phase of the conflict, and from day one we identified the regime's terrorist activities," Maria Zakharova said

Lavrov says West looking for someone to replace Zelensky

The Russian Foreign Minister said that the German and American press are starting to slowly "dump" the Ukrainian leader and "create the image of a loser"

Russia proposes to adopt new UN Security Council resolution on Middle East — mission to UN

In his opinion, "it is precisely the manic desire of the United States to ‘monopolize’ the Middle East peace process and to reshape it according to ‘patterns’ suited to Israel that led to the dramatic consequences that we are witnessing today"

No 'buffer zone' on Russian territory, says ambassador to US

Anatoly Antonov warned that Moscow is not going to consult Washington on how to act to expel the Ukrainian armed forces from the Kursk Region