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Contacts between Russia and Taliban grow closer — Ambassador

Afghan delegations took part in the International Economic Forum Russia-Islamic World: KazanForum, the IX St. Petersburg International Cultural Forum, and other events

MOSCOW, July 20. /TASS/. Moscow's interaction with representatives of the Taliban movement (banned in Russia) has become closer, Russian Ambassador to Afghanistan Dmitry Zhirnov said in an interview with TASS.

"Work on the visits of Afghan delegations is very active. In the first half of the year alone, the Minister of Higher Education, the Minister of Industry and Trade, the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Chairman of the National Olympic Committee visited Russia. Last year there were even more visits," he said.

Afghan delegations took part in the International Economic Forum Russia-Islamic World: KazanForum, the IX St. Petersburg International Cultural Forum, and other events.

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Military operation in Ukraine

Russian air defense deflects attacks with Western missiles — Putin

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US decision on missile strikes aimed at provoking Russia, expert says

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US is now at war with Russia, Ritter says

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

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Ukraine has around 50 ATACMS missiles — The Times

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

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Xi Jinping calls for unification of more voices for peace in Ukraine

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Russia’s revised nuclear doctrine makes defeat over its army impossible — SVR chief

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Media from unfriendly states will be admitted to Putin's annual press conference — Kremlin

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Putin warns West that Russia can respond to any turn of events

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

Railroad development to strengthen ties with foreign partners — Russian PM

Mikhail Mishustin added that "it is necessary to modernize border crossings in coming years, including introduction of practice of electronic paperwork"

Canada neglects its sovereignty by approving transfer of land mines to Kiev — diplomat

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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

US, NATO decision on strikes continues policy of escalation — Putin

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Russia to use revenues from frozen assets of Western investors — Finance Minister

Tit-for-tat measures will be implemented after receiving information about unfriendly actions of Western countries, Anton Siluanov noted

Allowing Ukraine to strike deep inside Russia with US weapons irresponsible — Slovak PM

Robert Fico noted that authorizing the use of long-range weapons for strikes against Russia would not alter the balance of power in the conflict zone

Ukrainian conflict acquires global elements after strikes with Western missiles — Putin

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Official declines to say if US gives Ukraine targeting data for Storm Shadow missiles

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

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Russia fires ballistic, non-nuclear-tipped missile at Ukrainian aerospace plant — Putin

According to the president, the missile is code-named Oreshnik, which can roughly be translated as hazel bush

Ukrainian special services assemble unit for sabotage attacks in Kupyansk — official

According to Yevgeny Lisnyak, the special services threaten people with criminal charges of collaborationism if they refuse to join the unit

Biden’s decision to use ATACMS against Russia may 'blow up in America’s face' — US expert

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NATO enters conflict, Russia has every right to attack its targets now — expert

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Biden’s actions increase likelihood of escalation in Ukraine — PM

Viktor Orban asserted that the government’s mission is to prevent Hungary from being dragged into the Ukrainian conflict

Moscow-Washington hotline not in use now — Kremlin spokesman

Dmitry Peskov added that there have been no contacts via this new channel lately

Japanese lawmaker urges global condemnation of decision on missile strikes on Russia

Muneo Suzuki described Joe Biden’s decision as "dangerous and provocative"

Elon Musk denies his impact on Trump’s decisions on nominates for cabinet positions

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Iran claims to have disabled Israel’s Iron Dome air defense in past strikes

Major-General Gholamreza Soleimani stressed it was essential to inform the world that Israel had failed and now survives solely relying on support from the United States

Ex-UK Labor party leader wants PM to clarify situation with Storm Shadow missiles

Jeremy Corbyn called for de-escalation of the situationin Ukraine and the search for a diplomatic solution to achieve peace

US Senate refuses to block arms supplies to Israel

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Russian troops liberate Dalneye community in Donbass region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted roughly 380 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed a British-made howitzer and four US-made artillery guns in its area of responsibility over the past day

US uses veto right to block new UN Security Council draft resolution on ceasefire in Gaza

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Putin orders protection of critical infrastructure, including Crimean Bridge — Kremlin

Kiev has not accepted the legitimate results of the 2014 referendum, in which the people of Crimea and Sevastopol voted to become part of Russia, and is displeased by the operation of the Crimean Bridge, which connects the Kerch Strait with the Krasnodar Region