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Military operation in Ukraine

Russian ombudswoman reports new Russia-Ukraine POW swaps in the pipeline

According to Yana Lantratova, work is underway to accelerate the exchange of POWs

MOSCOW, July 8. /TASS/. New prisoner-of-war exchanges are in the works, Russia’s Human Rights Ombudswoman Yana Lantratova said as quoted by a TASS correspondent.

"Yes, surely, there will be exchanges, we are working on that, tirelessly, every day," Lantratova said.

She added that work is also underway to accelerate the exchange of POWs. "We do not announce dates [of exchanges] on principle, so that the process is not disrupted, because we are talking about human lives," the ombudswoman said.

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Foreign policy Military operation in Ukraine

Lavrov arrives in Niger for first visit to meet with Sahel foreign ministers

The Niger capital is the second stop on Lavrov's working tour of Africa, which began in Ethiopia

China urges US, Iran to abide by memorandum, says strikes cannot resolve conflict

Beijing is closely monitoring the latest developments in the Middle East, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said

All Ukrainian forces deployed near Ivolzhanskoye in Sumy Region destroyed — defense source

Ivolzhanskoye is located about 11 km from the northern outskirts of Sumy

Iran’s parliament speaker accuses US of breaching memorandum of understanding

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf added that "the era of bullying and extortion is over," and attempts to blackmail Iran will get nowhere

Russian Deputy PM Novak says economic situation under control

The official also instructed that the monitoring of key macroeconomic indicators continue

Russia too big for Europe to forget about it — Kremlin

Europe prefers to pay extra attention to Russia, Dmitry Peskov noted

NATO summit to present military confrontation with Russia to Trump as business project

According to sources in Brussels, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced the maximum amount of military aid to Ukraine at 140 billion euros for 2026-2027

Iran promises ‘decisive response’ to US attacks

The Iranian Armed Forces say they will not allow interference in the management of the Strait of Hormuz

US cancels waiver on Iranian oil, bans new transactions

The new document does not authorize purchases or loading of Iranian oil starting from July 7

Russia does not agree with Trump on everything, welcomes his desire for dialogue — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov highlighted that Donald Trump was very different from European politicians

Death toll from landslide in China rises to 21

Seven people were injured

NATO views recent US strikes on Iran as 'absolutely necessary', chief says

Mark Rutte added that the Strait of Hormuz must be open to shipping

US strikes in Iran target air defenses, missile depots, drone launch sites — Axios

According to the report, US forces carried out strikes on targets in Iran near the Strait of Hormuz

IN BRIEF: Kremlin spokesman speaks on special military operation’s goals, NATO summit

The situation surrounding Ukraine can shift to a peaceful track once Kiev makes some tough decisions, Dmitry Peskov noted

Kremlin condemns Kiev’s aggression against global energy infrastructure as dangerous

According to Dmitry Peskov, Moscow has repeatedly drawn Ankara’s attention to incessant attempts by Ukrainian troops to attack infrastructure of the TurkStream and Blue Stream pipelines

Russia as threat, support for Ukraine, US strikes on Iran: NATO chief’s statements

Mark Rutte called the recent US strikes against Iran "absolutely necessary"

Renewed strikes in response to MoU violations as US-Iran tensions rise

The US military launched major strikes on Iran in response to Iranian attacks on three vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, CENTCOM said

Seoul believes integration with NATO's defense industry to do no harm to ties with Moscow

An official clarified that this is done in the framework of strengthening cooperation with foreign partners

US strikes kill one Iranian serviceman — Navy

Earlier, the US Central Command reported a series of strikes against Iran in response to alleged Iranian attacks on three vessels in the Strait of Hormuz

Lavrov says Russia agreed to US proposals at Alaska summit

The Russian top diplomat said that any other interpretations were irrelevant

Ruble’s strengthening hinders Russian firms from competing with Chinese imports — RSPP

In recent years, Chinese imports have posed stiff competition to Russian goods, Alexander Shokhin noted

Press review: NATO summit sets Ukraine support as EU resists sanctions critics in EU bloc

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, July 8th

Russian forces hit rail locomotives, trucks in Dnepropetrovsk Region — Defense Ministry

Two strikes were conducted with Geran-4 Seeker UAVs against railway locomotives at stations near Pavlograd and Sinelnikovo

Press review: Trump-Putin call as Russian troops advance while US-Russia OPCW talks fail

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, July 6th

All World Cup quarterfinalists determined

The matches will take place from July 9 to 12

Support of Kiev by Europe and US direct participation in war against Russia — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov emphasized that because of this, the conflict has ceased to be a special military operation

US strikes on Iran ‘won't be over for a bit’ — CNN source

The official cited by the channel says the US attack is "not proportional" as a response measure

NATO reconnaissance aircraft performs several flights around Kaliningrad Region

The source recalled that it was the Bombardier Challenger 650 Artemis II aircraft’s second flight on the same route since the beginning of this summer

Kiev’s refusal to take back soldiers’ bodies unprecedented in history — Russian diplomat

Maria Zakharova emphasized that "it has always been considered mandatory to retrieve the bodies of one’s fallen warriors from a battlefield in any way

Ukraine moves past Trump’s peace plan — NYP

European officials called on Trump to view Ukraine as a "strategic asset rather than a liability," the newspaper wrote

Disappointment with NATO, refusal to negotiate with Iran: Trump’s key statements

The US president said that he has no intention of negotiating with Iran and also insulted the country’s leadership

Gazprom reports drone attack on Blue Stream station, repairing damage

The company noted that prompt measures prevented any supply interruptions

Special military operation decision forced, as EU, US did not listen to Russia — Kremlin

"As soon as you understand that no one would listen to you, you take firm steps," the Russian Presidential spokesman stressed

Ukraine to receive 32 Gripen fighter jets from Sweden — PM

According to Ulf Kristersson, continued support for Ukraine is Sweden’s top priority

Several NATO countries preparing new naval mission in North Atlantic, Arctic — newspaper

According to the newspaper, the initiative arose after several months of pressure from the US administration for Europe to take on more responsibility within the organization

US threatens Iran with consequences over alleged attacks in Strait of Hormuz — Reuters

A US administration official told the news agency that US negotiators were still working towards the final peace agreement in good faith

Russian fuel market situation remains tense — Novak

Earlier, the deputy prime minister said that Russia had accumulated sufficient fuel reserves to supply the domestic market, but panic buying had led to a 20-30% increase in demand

Coffin with late Iranian supreme leader's body delivered to Iraq — agency

The Iranian delegation that will take part in the funeral rites will be led by President Masoud Pezeshkian

IRGC announces strikes on 85 US military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait

According to the statement, the targets were located in Salman Port, the US 5th Fleet area in Bahrain, and Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait

Iran accuses US of violating Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding

Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi says that over the past three weeks, the US had repeatedly violated the terms of the memorandum

Kiev needs to hold Slavyansk, Kramatorsk during NATO summit — expert

Andrey Marochko says Vladimir Zelensky needs to show the West that the Ukrainian army is "doing fine and stable"

Some aggressive statements toward Russia heard during NATO summit preps — Kremlin

These remarks said nothing about constructive interaction or dialogue, Dmitry Peskov noted

Egypt’s unrest may cost Russian tour operators 35 mln dlrs - estimates

The price of a tour to Egypt per person averages 600-700 US dollars

Agreements worth $50 bn signed on sidelines of NATO summit in Ankara — newspaper

According to the report, the contracts cover purchases of air defense systems and UAVs, as well as the execution of joint weapons and military equipment projects

Ukrainian officers arrested for killing Monaco blast suspect implicated in attack too

Investigators reportedly examined the suspects’ financial transactions, noting that both had made multiple transfers to Anastasia Berezovskaya’s cryptocurrency wallets and bank accounts

Shooting incidents on US Independence Day claimed 100 lives

340 more people were injured during the three-day celebrations, Gun Violence Archive reported

South Korea allocates $100 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine

A senior administration official clarified that the new package will not include weapons

Switzerland reaches World Cup quarterfinals

The national football team defeated Colombia in a penalty shootout

Russia's offer to collect dead bodies from Konstantinovka proves who controls it — Lavrov

"Kiev will most likely classify the lost troops as missing," the Russian foreign minister said

Russia’s massive strikes have pushed Ukraine back months in UAV production — expert

Dmitry Kuzyakin noted that production capacity in Ukraine remained considerable

US military completes new wave of strikes on Iran — CENTCOM

According to the US military, more than 80 targets were hit

West's interest in Ukraine wanes as it sees Kiev ‘running out of steam’ — Russian general

Hero of Russia Major General Sergey Lipovoy stressed that the West was not helping, it was killing Ukraine

Finnish authorities conceal change in law on nuclear-free status from citizens — activist

Salli Raiski says when the change was proposed in the parliament, it was not widely announced, there was only a link on a rarely seen Facebook page

IN BRIEF: Overnight drone attacks on Russia kill civilian, damage tankers

One civilian was killed and several others were injured in a Ukrainian drone attack on the Saratov Region

Russian troops liberate Petro-Ivanovka community in Kharkov Region over past day

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,540 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

Finland to serve as NATO nuclear proving ground without any right to control — activist

According to Salli Raiski, the decision on whether to use the weapons will be made by the US, the UK or France

Le Pen announces plans to run in 2027 French presidential election

The politician said she would file a cassation appeal, and her sentence will be suspended as the case is being heard

Strengthening European defense must not undermine NATO integrity — Erdogan

The Turkish leader noted that "a reasonable and logical model of cooperation in this field is possible"

Russia says peacekeepers important for achieving peace through dialogue

Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev said that decisions on the future of UN peacekeeping should be made directly in the organization

Top US defense official cancels his visit to Israel scheduled for Wednesday — newspaper

Pete Hegseth is currently with US President Donald Trump at the NATO summit in Ankara

Finland paying for Stubb's belligerent policies with economic collapse — Dmitriev

In May, unemployment rose to 12.7%, the highest since May 1998 and the highest in the EU

IN BRIEF: Key statements by Deputy PM Novak on Russia’s fuel market situation

According to Alexander Novak, the situation on the domestic fuel market is not easy, "given summer peak demand and unscheduled oil refinery maintenance"

Argentina through to 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals after 3-2 win over Egypt

Argentina’s goals were scored by Cristian Romero, Lionel Messi, and Enzo Fernandez

US struck school in Iran despite warnings intelligence was outdated — CNN

According to one of the network's sources, the US military determined the cause of the incident within days of the strike on the school, but has yet to release the findings of its investigation

IN BRIEF: What is known about drone attack on Krasnodarskaya compressor station

The attack was aimed at disrupting the uninterrupted flow of Russian gas to Turkey, but prompt measures prevented any supply interruptions, the company said

Ukrainian troops abandon weapons, ammunition made in Poland, France, Italy in Vasilyevka

Commander Mikhail Knyazkin says "a huge amount" of weapons and ammunition was left behind

Senator sees roots of Europeans' silence about Ukraine in their position on Baltic States

Konstantin Kosachev recalled that Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia were the first of the post-Soviet countries to be in the orbit of the EU and NATO and Europe had ignored human rights violations there

IBU against Russia’s return to int’l sports arena despite IOC’s new recommendations

The IBU has taken note of the IOC’s decision, President Olle Dahlin says

Forces in Europe want historical revenge through conflict with Russia — Kremlin

Among the reasons for the Russophobia of European politicians, the Russian Presidential spokesman singled out "historical traditions"

Death toll from earthquake in Venezuela rises to 3,685

President of the National Assembly Jorge Rodriguez says 16,740 people were injured, and 17,907 were left homeless

Series of explosions heard in area of Sirik, Qeshm in Iran — Mehr

The agency also reported explosions near the city of Bandar Abbas

Explosions occur on Iranian islands of Qeshm, Kharg — TV

The US Central Command earlier reported that they had begun a series of powerful strikes against Iran

Russia has to liberate Kramatorsk, Slavyansk for full liberation of Donbass — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov noted that a couple of days ago, the Russian military announced the liberation of a very important city in Donbass - Konstantinovka

Russia liberates Konstantinovka, which Ukraine claimed was impregnable — Kremlin

The city was prepared to be an untakeable fortress since 2014, Dmitry Peskov stressed

Kremlin spokesman comments on Kiev’s terrorist attacks, IOC decision on Russia

Ukraine has consistently demonstrated an aggressive attitude and a tendency to carry out terrorist attacks on global energy facilities, Dmitry Peskov noted

Russian air defenses down 136 Ukrainian drones over Kursk Region in past day

The Ukrainian forces used artillery 70 times against evacuated border areas

Qatari foreign ministry hands note of protest to Iranian diplomat over LNG tanker attack

In the note, Doha demanded that Tehran immediately cease actions that undermine stability in the region, provide immediate clarifications regarding the incident and take measures to prevent similar incidents in the future

Russia deploys Newton hybrid power station for EW systems in Ukraine operation

The system consists of a generator coupled with a storage battery

Tunnel across Bering Strait important as symbol of Russia-US relations — RSPP head

According to Alexander Shokhin, for a tunnel to be economically and financially viable it will be necessary to build railways and roads and develop infrastructure

Romania demands Ukraine program UAVs to self-destruct

Defense Minister Radu Miruta said he had sent an official request that all Ukrainian UAVs be reprogrammed to self-destruct if they enter Romanian territorial waters

Ukraine’s EU neighbors eye collapse to reclaim territories — lawmaker

"Regardless of the fact that they are currently sitting at one table, each of them has a knife concealed behind their backs to start carving up Ukrainian territory for themselves," Viktor Vodolatsky said

Air defenses destroy 190 Ukrainian UAVs over Russian regions within 12-hour period

In particular, drones were intercepted over the Belgorod, Bryansk, Vladimir, Kaluga, Kursk, Oryol, Ryazan, Tver, Tula, Yaroslavl, Moscow, Krasnodar Regions and the Republic of Crimea

Russia fields world’s largest air defense system — Defense Ministry

On July 8, the Russian Armed Forces celebrate Anti-Aircraft Missile Troops Day of the Aerospace Forces

FIFA to discuss admission of Russian national teams, clubs after IOC decision — journalist

Earlier on July 7, the IOC decided to restore the membership of the Russian Olympic Committee and lift restrictions on Russian athletes

US begins striking Iran — CENTCOM

According to the US military, the strikes were carried out in response to attacks by the Islamic Republic on three vessels in the Strait of Hormuz

South Korea and NATO intend to conclude an agreement on weapons procurement rules

A "basic procurement agreement" would provide legal and institutional foundations for Korean companies to access NATO joint procurement programs

New US strikes on Iran more extensive than previous ones — NBC

According to the television channel's source, the strikes were carried out using Air Force and Navy tactical aircraft

Stubb trying to justify NATO spending on Ukraine — Russian MP

Igor Kastyukevich is confident that only one thing can urge Russia to sit down at the negotiating table, and that is the achieved goals of the special military operation

Ceasefire with Iran no longer in effect — Trump

The US leader met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on the sidelines of the alliance’s summit in Ankara

Press review: US, Europe may clash over Ukraine as China missile alarms Pacific region

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, July 7th

US servicemen face hell if they land on Iran’s coast — senior Iranian defense official

Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari pointed out that the US would not dare land its forces on Iran's coast no matter how loud the statement were

Trump says US should control Greenland

According to the US leader, Greenland is "surrounded by China's ships and Russian ships"

Kremlin gives Europe four tips on how to avoid escalation with Russia

Number one, Russia is not a source of danger for Europe, Dmitry Peskov emphasized

European private jet operators could be left without fuel this summer — FT

According to the publication, private airlines whose services are in growing demand are concerned that airports will prioritize national carriers if fuel supplies run low

Disappointment with NATO, refusal to negotiate with Iran: Trump’s key statements

According to the US leader, the ceasefire with Iran is no longer in effect

Lifting of Turkey sanctions, assessment of talk with Putin: Trump's comments

The US leader praised a July 4 telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, adding that both Moscow and Kiev are committed to a settlement in Ukraine

Europe's worst mistake, Donbass liberation, nuclear escalation: Kremlin comments

Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov says European countries still believe that they can inflict a strategic defeat on Russia and added that this is "the greatest mistake ever"

Magyar reaffirms that Hungary will supply no arms to Ukraine

The new government will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, the Hungarian prime minister said

Saudi Foreign Ministry reports attack on its tanker by Iran in Strait of Hormuz

The ministry said that Tehran would be held fully responsible for the consequences of such attacks

US would like to continue negotiations after strikes on Iran — WSJ

A source cited by the newspaper says Iran's actions in the Strait of Hormuz were considered unacceptable by Washington and deserving "a stern response"

Most of attacking militants, number of field commanders eliminated in Mali

Fighting continues in a number of settlements, correspondent "African Initiative" Andrey Belonogov says