{{dayPoint.date | date : 'd MMMM yyyy'}}

{{newsPoint.title}}

{{newsPoint.title+ ' '}}

{{newsPoint.subtitle}}

Election commissions in regions where drones fly defy “terrorist scum” — Foreign Ministry

The Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that she is shocked by the courage of the election commission staff

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova Alexander Shcherbak/TASS

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova

© Alexander Shcherbak/TASS

MOSCOW, September 19. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that she is shocked by the courage of the election commission staff in the regions that are attacked by drones.

"It’s truly a shock for me to learn that people aren’t afraid of drones flying over the polling stations. Going to work as a member of an election commission is, in essence, challenging all this terrorist scum," the diplomat said in an interview with TASS.

Zakharova is sure that the high voter turnout, which is observed everywhere, proves her words.

"Do you think you can intimidate us? Do you think you can cancel us? Do you think you can inflict what you call a ‘strategic defeat’ on us? We will respond with our unity," she said.

"Everyone makes an available choice. But people are showing that, including by participating in the voting, they are rejecting what they want to impose on us through fear, terrorist attacks, and extremism.".

Tags

Foreign policy Maria Zakharova

Single Voting Day

Zaporozhye Region’s turnout at 72.88% as of 5:00 p.m. GMT

The results confirm the active civic stance of the region’s residents, said the regional election commission

Russia hopes Europe has taken notice of warning about 'other, very short war' — Lavrov

Russia’s top diplomat pointed to the fact that it was Europe that was regularly voicing claims about its preparations for a possible war

Russian forces conduct two massive, five group strikes on targets in Ukraine in past week

Russian forces struck a Nova Post logistics hub near Odessa used to store military supplies from Europe overnight, the Defense Ministry said

Russian stocks close in the green on Friday

The MOEX Index grew by 1.3% to 2,278.06 points, while the RTS Index added 1.67% to 852.33 points

Trump believes Iran wants to make deal with US

The US president stated that if the deal is not a correct deal, he will not consider it

French journalist who launched inquest into Brigitte Macron’s sex reported dead

According to journalist Xavier Poussard, Natacha Rey died of cancer

Power in Ukraine usurped by group of embezzlers who need war — Putin

They need war to maintain their position, Russian President said

Ukraine has passed point of no return regarding demographics — expert

Demographic disintegration began even before the conflict, Alexey Kushch said

Pakistan mosque attack death toll rises to 21 — TV

According to the medics, another 103 people were injured

Russian troops strike logistics centers, energy sites used by Ukrainian army in past day

Operational/tactical aircraft, attack unmanned aerial vehicles, missile troops and artillery of the Russian groups of forces struck arms depots, logistics centers, fuel and energy, transport and port infrastructure facilities in Ukraine used by the Ukrainian army, ammunition and materiel depots, workshops assembling and sites storing unmanned aerial vehicles and their components

German-Russian Friendship Society supports idea of Russia-US-Germany business forum

Given the steady deterioration of economic relations since at least 2014, the German-Russian Friendship Society welcome any initiative aimed at reviving economic cooperation for the benefit of the nations involved, Torsten Rexin stated

Russia expands entry blacklist of EU officials in response to 21st sanctions package

Reacting to the EU’s unlawful decision, Russia has significantly expanded its list of officials from European institutions, EU member states and European countries supporting Brussels’ anti-Russian policy who are banned from entering Russia

US may stop trade with EU if Canada becomes associated member — Trump

The US president said the response will depend on whether he thinks "it’s a hostile act"

Kiev does everything to prevent any peace and any talks — Putin

The Russian leader said that the Ukrainian army has recently committed another crime — they struck the house of Yelena Ostanina, head of the precinct election commission in the village of Oktyabrskoye, Zaporozhye Region, and killed her

US to suffer strategic defeat in West Asia — analyst

"In fact, the Americans are already at war with both Russia and China," Pepe Escobar added

Europeans 'waking up' from madness gripping ruling circles — Russian envoy

Vasily Nebenzya also said he hasn't talked much lately with his German colleagues because they are suffering from "post-traumatic stress" after their defeat in the UN Security Council, for which they blamed Russia

Kremlin spokesman denies rumors of plans to mobilize 300,000 by year-end

Dmitry Peskov said that there are no such plans

US, Denmark, and Greenland to sign security agreement at UN General Assembly

Following the signature, the agreement must undergo the necessary national parliamentary procedures before entering into force

Putin says Russia ready to respond to seizure of ships, calls on West 'to be friends'

Vladimir Putin said that Russia had taken note of the European drills in the Baltic Sea, including the practice of seizing civilian vessels

Russian Interior Ministry receives 367 reports on alleged incidents at voting in past day

The single voting day to elect lawmakers to the 9th Russian State Duma takes place on September 18-20

Aeroflot, Rostec sign contract for delivery of 90 MC-21 aircraft

The contract became the largest in the history of Russian civil aviation

Some 2.2 mln people in Moscow cast votes online in parliamentary election

The single voting day to elect lawmakers to the 9th Russian State Duma takes place on September 18-20

US envoy to UN confirms Trump-Rodriguez meeting on General Assembly sidelines — AP

According to the US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz, the meeting will be a casual "pull-aside" conversation rather than a formal bilateral negotiation

Almost 2.3 million people vote in elections in Moscow as most of them cast ballot online

"A little over 2,094,000 voters voted electronically," Dmitry Reut, deputy chairman of the Moscow City Election Commission said

As NATO grows, so too do threats to Russia — Putin

Some European leaders are openly stating that they are preparing for war, Russian president mentioned

Germany artificially inflates crisis by accusing Russia of UAV accident — GFCN experts

They pointed out that the incident itself took place in early August, but official statements on this issue emerged on behalf of the German side only on September 1

Central Election Commission views sabotage in Far East as attempt to disrupt elections

Head of CEC Ella Pamfilova noted, that the saboteurs left four large regions of without connectivity

Press review: India's Russian submarine leak and Russia-US ties 'beyond repair'

Top stories in the Russian press on Thursday

Russian special forces commander calls demographic situation in Ukraine critical

The Ukrainian people will probably hardly be able to recover from such losses, Lieutenant General Apty Alaudinov said

Russia says not to start dialogue with those asserting Russophobia, neo·Nazism — Zakharova

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman said that everyone who "comes to Russia with love, and perhaps even for love," is always welcomed with open arms

Election commission rates first voting day in Kherson Region 'excellent'

"The first day of voting in the State Duma elections in the Kherson Region was indeed very busy, with a large number of voters at polling stations," Marina Zakharova said

Putin on Russia’s defense industry leadership, uninterrupted arms supplies to forces

Russia produces unique weapons that are rightly considered among the most reliable and effective in the world, the Russian leader said

Ukrainian forces suffer record losses — Polish prime minister

Donald Tusk added that if this trend continues, the winter in Ukraine "could indeed prove catastrophic"

Air defenses down 344 Ukrainian drones over Russia overnight — top brass

On-duty air defenses intercepted and destroyed 344 Ukrainian fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles over the past night over the Leningrad, Novgorod, Bryansk, Kursk, Belgorod, Oryol, Kaluga, Tula, Ryazan, Lipetsk, Vladimir, Rostov, Krasnodar, Moscow Regions, the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous District, the Republic of Dagestan and over the Black Sea

Hacker attacks cause technical glitch on first day of voting in Moscow

Kirillova specified that the operational activities of online voting terminals at polling stations in Moscow were fully restored within 20 minutes

Kiev loses over 1,340 troops along engagement line in past day — Russia’s top brass

The latest figures show that the Ukrainian army lost up to 245 troops in the responsibility area of Russia’s Battlegroup North, more than 210 troops in the responsibility area of the Battlegroup West and some 145 troops in the responsibility area of the Battlegroup South

First day of State Duma elections ends without serious violations — Civic Chamber

Dmitry Peskov reminded that observers appointed by the Civic Chamber are monitoring the election process at polling stations abroad

Fourteen polling stations in LPR operate using backup power supplies — CEC

The single voting day to elect lawmakers to the 9th Russian State Duma takes place on September 18-20

Russia has no aggressive intentions towards Europe — Putin

The head of state pointed out that some European leaders are using anything they can to justify "the exorbitant costs of the war in Ukraine"

Impossibility of intimidating Russia obvious to everyone — Putin

Vladimir Putin noted that Kiev’s real goal is its unwillingness to negotiate

Moscow election system comes under powerful attacks during voting — official

Pamfilova noted that all attacks are being repelled and remote electronic voting in Moscow is in the standard operational mode

Russian MFA urges Japan to heed call to remove US Typhon systems — spokeswoman

Maria Zakharova stressed that Russia deemed Japan’s forward deployment of the above-mentioned systems on its territory unacceptable under any pretext

Two European refineries to get no oil from Saudi Aramco in October — agency

Deliveries will not take place due to strikes by the Yemeni rebel movement on the Saudi East-West pipeline

Geran drones destroy Ukrainian radar stations, electronic warfare system

The Russian Defense Ministry reported that a P-19MA radar station and a dome electronic warfare system had been destroyed

Over 4.6 mln people cast votes early in Russian election — CEC chief Pamfilova

She added that over 4.4 million people cast their votes early in 12 regions with the martial law in place

Pashinyan’s team attempting corporate raid on Electric Networks of Armenia

"Secretary of the Russian Security Council Sergey Shoigu has stated clearly the Armenian authorities’ attitude to Russian business," Alexey Shevtsov said

Turnout on federal remote electronic voting platform reaches 70%

More than 2.8 million people have already voted on the federal remote electronic voting platform

BSW to seek lifting of anti-Russian sanctions if it enters parliament in northern Germany

BSW founder Sahra Wagenknecht also said that the BSW party will launch an initiative to resume gas supplies via Nord Stream

Egyptian captain killed in strike on port in Russia — Egyptian Foreign Ministry

No exact location or other details were provided

Europeans send clear signal in elections they do not want war with Russia — Putin

The head of state said that some European leaders are openly stating that they are preparing for war with Russia

DPR polling stations wrap up first day of State Duma elections

The polling stations were open from 8:00 a.m. Moscow time and closed at 8:00 p.m. Moscow time

CIS observers monitor State Duma elections in 20 Russian regions

During the process, short-term observers "monitor the precise and uniform execution by election commission members of all procedures" stipulated by election laws

Ukraine drone incident fails to disrupt operations at Kursk NPP-2 Unit 1 — Rosatom

The minor damage did not affect operations, and the unit continues to run at 100% capacity, Rosatom's press service said

State Duma election voters’ turnout exceeds 32.58% as of 2:00 p.m. Moscow time — CEC

Russia’s Central Election Commission provides the data

Putin calls attempts to portray Kiev regime as defender of democracy strange

Vladimir Putin noted that the West is putting forward the thesis that Ukraine allegedly defends European values, European civilization, and democracy

Iran war costs US $43.6 billion — portal

According to the report, $11.2 billion was spent on operations, $28.1 billion on replenishing ammunition, and $4.3 billion on replacing lost equipment

Geographical coverage of voters in South Africa expanded — Russian ambassador

Roman Ambarov said, that it has been widened to take into account the state's specifics

Russian forces advance on Nadiya from DPR’s Dobropolye, expert says

Military expert Andrey Marochko suggested that Nadiya would soon come under the control of the Russian military

Hungary intends to phase out Russian gas by October 2027 — minister

Hungarian Minister of Economy and Energy Istvan Kapitany noted that Hungary’s gas needs can and will be met from other sources

Russia says Armenia shows signs of politically-motivated 'property redistribution'

Yerevan said that Russian investment is not at risk, but these statements do not fully align with reality, Mikhail Galuzin noted

Two days of voting in Zaporozhye Region pass without violations

Anton Bibarov·Gosudarev, head of the Public Election Monitoring Headquarters in the Zaporozhye Region noted that some activities were carried out during the work, including with the Civic Chamber

Russia ready to restore relations with its European neighbors — Putin

Russian president mentioned that during a meeting of the Military-Industrial Commission

Denmark accepts Greenland deal due to lack of defense funds, Rubio says

"Denmark and Greenland understand that they don't have the financial means necessary to defend Greenland if it were to come under attack or be threatened," US Secretary of State Marco Rubio

Current Ukrainian regime focused solely on war — Ukraine’s ex PM

Nikolay Azarov stressed that Kiev's allies should question where their support is leading

Fairness of Russian elections beyond doubt — observer from Mali

Brahima Fomba mentioned, that voting system is based on high·tech solutions

IN BRIEF: What is known about transfer of Auchan, Lemana Pro, Nestle assets in Russia

TASS has compiled the key facts known so far

Trump signs legislation expanding sanctions against Russia — White House

The legislation also extends existing sanctions on Iran

Press review: US sanctions bill may hamper Ukraine talks as Russian parliament vote opens

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, September 18th

Putin comments on modernizing Russia's airports, supply of new passenger jets to Aeroflot

The signing of the contract on supply of MS-21-310 aircraft to Aeroflot marks a significant step in the development of Russia’s aviation industry, the Russian leader said

Iran conveys conditions for ending war to US — Security Council Secretary

We have not yet made a decision to withdraw from the Non·Proliferation Treaty, and this issue depends on Washington’s behavior, said the Supreme National Security Council Mohsen Rezaei

Russian forces drawing a noose around Ukrainian troops in Kharkov area

Encircled enemy personnel have been struck in the areas of Komissarovo, Krasny Yar, Grachevka, Khripuny, and Buzovo, head of the Battlegroup North press center Vasily Mezhevykh said

Russian air defenses intercept 936 Ukrainian UAVs, seven smart bombs over past day

Overall, the Russian Armed Forces have destroyed 674 Ukrainian combat aircraft, 284 helicopters, 240,045 unmanned aerial vehicles, 672 surface-to-air missile systems, 30,957 tanks and other armored combat vehicles

Western professionals flee Kiev army, untrained mercenaries fill this niche — Russian MFA

Rodion Miroshnik, the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Ambassador-at-Large, said that professionals decided to flee because they realized it was "by no means a safari-like adventure"

Kiev needs to end conflict to preserve Ukraine — former spokeswoman

Yulia Mendel also pointed to the difficult situation facing Ukrainian soldiers in the Dobropolye area in the Donetsk People’s Republic

Russian air defenses must ultimately be able to repel any attack from air — Putin

Improvement of the air defense system is another key focus, noted Russian president

New state arms program requires precisely calibrated decisions on all fronts — Putin

Special attention in the state armament program will be paid to the development of unmanned systems and precision-guided weapons, noted Russian leader

Kiev's terror torpedoes any chance to talk peace — Russian foreign ministry

The actions of the Kiev clique are in no way consistent with a desire for a peaceful, negotiated settlement of the Ukrainian conflict, so often touted in the speeches given by the Kiev regime’s leader and his Western patrons, the Russian foreign ministry emphasized

Trump announces US-Denmark agreement on Greenland security

Donald Trump added that under a security agreement with Denmark, the US will immediately begin expanding its military presence in Greenland

Poland joins anti-ballistic missile coalition for Ukraine — Tusk

Back in July, the Polish prime minister said that Warsaw needed time to assess whether its defense capabilities would allow it to join the initiative

Power outages in LPR connected with accident at power system in neighboring DPR

DPR Prime Minister Andrey Chertkov earlier announced that power outages and voltage drops were reported in most municipalities of the region following an overnight attack by the Ukrainian armed forces

Kremlin makes announcement on Russia's Nestle assets, aircraft deal in briefing

For now, the decision concerns only the introduction of external management of the Russian assets of Auchan, Lemana Pro and Nestle, Dmitry Peskov said

EU cannot buy Patriot missiles for Kiev yet due to lack of contracts

The EU approved funding for Patriot systems for Ukraine under the Ukraine Support Loan mechanism last week

Europe's population is being persuaded war with Russia inevitable — Pepe Escobar

Pepe Escobar said the situation is "complex" and "depends on European political elites, who are full of warmongers"

White House Correspondents' Association accuses Trump of targeting media

The US Constitution protects the freedom of the press from government interference, journalist Jacqui Heinrich said

New state arms plan accounts for global trends, special military operation skills — Putin

Russian leader also said, that Russian army and other structures must be ready to respond quickly and effectively to potential external threats

Fourteen polling stations in LPR switched to backup power supply — local election official

The single voting day to elect lawmakers to the 9th Russian State Duma takes place on September 18-20

Russian nuclear triad guarantees sovereignty, international balance of power — Putin

Russian leader named its strengthening as one of the unconditional priorities

West uses Ukrainians as cannon fodder — Putin

European leaders are using to inflate the conflict over the Russia the situation in Ukrainem noted Russian leader

Grynspan pulls ahead in race for UN chief — source

Nine Security Council members backed Rebeca Grynspan in the race, five opposed

FACTBOX: Russian Foreign Ministry summons UK charge d'affaires

The British side was presented with "a list of international obligations it is violating by supporting Kiev"

Kremlin says transfer of Nestle assets took into account unfriendly states involved

Dmitry Peskov said these are unfriendly countries that are actively involved in military operations against Russia

Ukraine tries to interfere with Russian polls while holding no elections of own — Putin

Russian leader noted that Ukrainian leadership is in no hurry to hold elections

Lavrov-Rubio meeting in New York being arranged, Russian diplomat says

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also confirmed that the issue of Ukraine remains a key topic in the negotiations

Number of US servicemen killed in war with Iran higher than official figures — WP

According to the newspaper, Pentagon officials are dissatisfied that the accurate figures are not reflected in official documents of the US Department of Defense

Russian forces tightening Ukrainian troops’ encirclement in Volchansk — defense source

According to the source, many Ukrainian soldiers have already begun to surrender

Moscow designates several Russian figures as foreign agents

The Russian Justice Ministry has added filmmaker Andrey Zvyagintsev and journalist Mikhail Shevelev to the register of foreign agents

IAEA chief says attacks on nuclear sites unacceptable after Kursk NPP strike

The IAEA press service said the agency had been informed of a drone attack on the cooling tower of one of the Kursk NPP's power units early on September 17

Russian MFA condemns Kiev’s terrorism against polling station heads in Zaporozhye Region

These brutal terrorist attacks can have no justification, the Russian foreign ministry said

Russian envoy points to Germany's post-traumatic disorder after failure to gain UNSC seat

Germany blamed Russia for the defeat, Vasily Nebenzya noted

Russian forces capture new lines in two sectors near DPR’s Druzhkovka — military expert

Andrey Marochko noted that the Russian army is demonstrating "positive dynamics"

Russia’s voting procedure is ‘quite intense,’ says CEC chief Pamfilova

The single voting day to elect lawmakers to the 9th Russian State Duma takes place on September 18-20