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Putin calls Lukashenko, thanks him for assistance in organizing prisoner swap — Kremlin

Russia’s Federal Security Service reported earlier that eight Russian nationals, detained or convicted in several NATO countries, as well as two minors, had returned home following a prisoner swap conducted at Ankara’s airport

MOSCOW, August 2. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has called his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko and personally thanked him and the Belarusian side for assistance and cooperation in organizing the prisoner exchange, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

"Vladimir Putin called Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and personally thanked the president and the Belarusian side for assistance and cooperation in organizing the swap that took place yesterday," he said.

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Putin signs orders pardoning swapped prisoners

Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) reported earlier that eight Russian nationals, detained or convicted in several NATO countries, as well as two minors, had returned home following a prisoner swap conducted at Ankara’s airport. One of those swapped was Russian citizen Vadim Krasikov, who had been serving a life sentence in Germany. The Russians were exchanged for a group of individuals who acted in the interests of other countries.

According to US President Joe Biden, Russia released 16 people as part of the prisoner swap, including former US Marine Paul Whelan and Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, convicted of espionage in Russia.

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Military operation in Ukraine

Russian air defenses down Ukrainian aerial bomb in Kursk Region

Since early Monday, the authorities of the Kursk Region have issued two missile alerts

Ukraine loses over 11,220 troops since start of hostilities in Kursk area

Russian servicemen repelled five Ukrainian attacks, the Russian Defense Ministry said

Durov declines Russian, Emirati diplomatic assistance — Politico

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The ban on export of gasoline from Russia has been extended from September 1 until the end of 2024

Germany does not give Russia reliable information on Nord Stream sabotage case — envoy

Ambassador to Berlin Sergey Nechayev emphasized that the project involves not only Russia, but also many other countries as well

White House irked by Putin’s ironic comment about US elections

Earlier the Russian leader said ironically that after incumbent US President Joe Biden "had been withdrawn" from the presidential race, Moscow came "to back" his successor Kamala Harris

Death toll in Israeli airstrike on Syria’s Hama rises to 14 — SANA

Earlier, Syrian media said that five civilians were killed and 19 others were wounded

Potential catastrophe at Kursk NPP to affect entire Europe — Russian officer

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World opting for BRICS as it is tired of US’ aggression — Russian diplomat

When asked why so many countries are seeking BRICS membership, Zakharova said that the world is tired of "America’s claims," attacks and "implicit or even explicit aggression."

Algeria’s incumbent president wins early election — agency

The voter turnout was 48.03%

Ukrainian drone shot down over Kursk Regions — defense ministry

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There Masoud Pezeshkian plans to meet with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, Kazem Jalali said

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Ukraine’s former Interior Minister Yury Lutsenko said that the best Ukrainian units and equipment had been deployed to the Kursk Region

Ruling party leader hails elections in Russia as complying with country’s laws

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Kremlin spokesman denies Russia meddles in US elections

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West’s attempts to influence elections in Russia failed — lawmaker

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Belarusian tennis player Sobolenko wins US Open

The match ended 7-5, 7-5 in favor of Arina Sobolenko, who was seeded number two at the tournament

EU officials focus on serving US energy interests, Russian diplomat says

Maria Zakharova noted that the EU distorted facts and spread direct disinformation to portray Russia as an unreliable energy supplier

Over 460,000 children vaccinated against polio in Gaza Strip — agency

President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan earlier ordered to allocated $5 million to support the campaign

Ukraine’s troops cling to outskirts of Krasnogorovka, sustain daily losses — DPR head

Denis Pushilin said Russian soldiers were very resourceful in selecting methods and tactics of liberating the city, as well as rescuing the local population

Four villages in Belgorod Region attacked by Ukrainian drones

According to the governor, a minivan was damaged in the village of Dronovka, two single-family houses were damaged by in the villages in Novopetrovka and Murov

Ukrainian shell hits residential house in Belgorod Region, two children injured

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Lavrov says his only meeting with Kuleba lacked constructiveness

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Conflict in Ukraine to be settled through talks — Pentagon chief

"We are going continue to work to put Ukraine in the best possible position" for peace talks, Lloyd Austin pledged

Collapse of Operation Citadel 2.0

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

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Russian government orders to set up embassy in Dominican Republic

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Russian forces liberate DPR’s Novogrodovka

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Putin congratulates city residents on Moscow City Day

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Russian forces use drones in road mining to wipe out enemy vehicles — businessman

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Scholz says it is time for discussing ways out of conflict in Ukraine

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Expert who predicted Biden, Trump victories says Harris to win

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Medvedev touts Russia as global leader in drone warfare thanks to special op

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Serbian Deputy PM Vulin to take part in BRICS meeting on security in St. Petersburg

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The Single Voting Day is being held throughout Russia on September 6-8, when almost 4,000 election campaigns being underway

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A similar incident was reported in Lithuania

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Lavrov arrives in Riyadh to take part in Russia-Gulf Cooperation Council meeting

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Russian Su-34 jet hits Ukrainian forces in Kursk border area with aerial bombs

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Over 100,000 people take to streets in France protesting against Macron’s policy

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Fire area in Chernobyl exclusion zone in Ukraine exceeds 2,600 hectares

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Russian energy minister anticipates stable fuel prices in long-term perspective

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Russia to continue raising topic of West’s involvement in attacks on Kursk Region at UN

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Single Voting Day over in Russia

Local legislative elections took place in 13 Russian regions

Russia expects Latin American representatives at BRICS summit, invitations sent — diplomat

Alexander Schetinin told Izvestiya that the work is underway

FACTBOX: Striking Ukrainian reserves: situation in Kursk Region

Russian aviation has hit Ukrainian reserves in 15 localities in the Sumy Region over the day

Israeli strike at Syria possibly targeted Iranian missile production base — report

The IDF has not yet commented the situation

Kiev violating legal, humanitarian rules of warfare — Belarusian security chief

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First Starships to Mars to launch in two years, Musk says

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PM Mishustin to travel to Uzbekistan with two-day official visit

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Russian sanitary watchdog sees no grounds for beginning of new coronavirus pandemic

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12 fuel tanks catch fire in Belgorod Region after Ukraine’s drone attack

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Putin says Russia 'backs' Harris post-Biden exit

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BRICS countries may present instruments for mutual settlements at summit in Kazan

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Author of "My Heart Will Go On" hit dies in US

He had been in declining health for the past 5-6 years

Russian missile cruiser Varyag enters Mediterranean Sea

The ship's crew continues to fulfill the mission it was given for the long-range voyage

EAEU, SCO, BRICS can become backbone of global economic regulatory system

According to him, it is necessary to remove existing legislative barriers, primarily in the area of taxation and currency control

Kiev reiterates hopes for Moscow’s attendance of second peace conference

"It is very difficult to end this war diplomatically without the Russian side," Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said

Russia, North Korea to keep strengthening strategic partnership — Putin

"This, undoubtedly, meets the core interests of our peoples and is in line with the course on ensuring security and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the Northeastern Asian region in general," the Russian president said