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

{{newsPoint.title}}

{{newsPoint.title+ ' '}}

{{newsPoint.subtitle}}

EU interfered in State Duma elections, Russian foreign intelligence chief says

According to Sergey Naryshkin, the European Commission prepared a document in advance alleging that the elections were flawed

Russian Foreign Intelligence Service Director Sergey Naryshkin Alexander Kazakov/Russian Presidential Press and Information Office/TASS

Russian Foreign Intelligence Service Director Sergey Naryshkin

© Alexander Kazakov/Russian Presidential Press and Information Office/TASS

MOSCOW, September 24. /TASS/. Russia has documented interference by the European Union in the State Duma elections, with the EU preparing a statement on the conduct of the vote in advance, Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) Sergey Naryshkin has said.

"There was interference. We took note of it. We noted that the European Commission had already prepared, so to speak, a document in advance alleging that the elections were flawed," Naryshkin said in an interview with TV Channel One.

On September 20, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that the European Union had approved a statement several days before the elections began, declaring the vote "invalid from the standpoint of European democratic standards.".

Tags

Foreign policy Sergey Naryshkin

Russian foreign minister, Senegalese leader confirm proximity of positions on most issues

The meeting focused on current issues related to further strengthening traditionally friendly Russian-Senegalese relations, with an emphasis on expanding cooperation in trade, economic, investment and humanitarian areas

Russian envoy comments on Zelensky’s fury over Duma polls, West’s involvement in conflict

Dmitry Polyansky noted that Kiev attempted to disrupt the elections through terror against the civilian population

US envoy Whitaker dismisses claims of Russia’s alleged conflict plans against NATO

The US Permanent Representative to NATO urged against overreacting to drone incidents in European countries

Press review: US, NATO hamper nuclear dialogue as US gains partial control of Greenland

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, September 24th

Polish foreign minister calls naming new US base after Trump humiliating

Radoslaw Sikorski said that he would have rather named the new military base "after Ronald Reagan," the 40th president of the United States

Russian air defenses down 35 Ukrainian drones during daytime

On-duty air defense forces intercepted Ukrainian UAVs over seven Russian regions

Lavrov discusses explosive situation in Persian Gulf with Arab League chief

The sides also discussed the crisis situations in the area of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Lebanon and Syria

Trump administration favors continued dialogue with Russia — presidential envoy

Kirill Dmitriev commented on a statement by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that the US administration had invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend the December G20 summit near Miami

North Korea’s status as nuclear state to remain irreversible — news agency

Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui commented on the results of a trilateral meeting between the top diplomats of the US, Japan and South Korea, as cited by the Korean Central News Agency

Russia calls for revision of UNSC sanctions against North Korea — deputy foreign minister

Andrey Rudenko emphasized that the UN Resolution 1718 had proven entirely ineffective and was used by Western countries exclusively to economically strangle the DPRK

Estonian MFA calls talk of Russian attack on NATO unfounded

Estonian Foreign Ministry Secretary General Jonatan Vseviov urged other NATO countries to "calm down"

Prospects for CTBT’s entry into force unclear, primarily due to US — diplomat

"Despite the fact that 179 of the 188 signatory states have ratified the treaty, the prospects for the CTBT’s entry into force remain just as unclear," Maria Zakharova said

Kremlin calls EU transfer of 8 bln euros in Russian asset proceeds to Ukraine theft

According to Dmitry Peskov, Moscow have repeatedly given our assessment of these actions

Lavrov jokes about Swiss foreign minister being fired over photo with him

The sides discussed preparations for the ministerial meeting in Lugano, Switzerland, on December 3-4 this year

Difficulties with digital ruble, inflation, price stability: statements by Nabiullina

According to the Central Bank governor, the regulator sees a rise in demand for cash, but its share has risen only slightly and the situation is stabilizing

EU Council approves nearly €3 billion payment for Ukraine — statement

The EU Council noted that "nearly €800 million of this will be provided for the first time from the Ukraine Support Loan"

Russian finance ministry has submitted budget package to government: what is known

The budget’s strategic priority is to provide the financial backing for Russia’s defense and security needs, as well as social support for participants of the special military operation and their families

Residents of town near London may hold referendum on leaving UK

The town is Crowborough, which has a population of nearly 22,000, The Daily Telegraph reported

Western-backed Kiev making attacks on nuclear facilities 'new norm' — Russian envoy

Mikhail Ulyanov pointed to a "very severe decline" in the West

Ukraine talks should have clear result, DPR head says

Denis Pushilin added that if there is no constructive dialogue, the issue should continue to be resolved on the battlefield, which is "undesirable"

Upcoming winter in Ukraine could trigger irreversible processes, expert warns

Oleg Popenko said that preparations for the heating season had completely failed

New projects to export gas to China being actively advanced — Russian MFA

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko said that Russia and China have long developed robust energy cooperation that is becoming increasingly stronger each year

Finnish politician says NATO should return to its 1990s borders to reach peace in Ukraine

"The west will re-arm Ukraine if any peace deal were made," Armando Mema said

FACTBOX: Ukrainian national carries out attack at abbey in Poland

One person died of his wounds

Russia’s Lancet systems, strike UAVs destroy Ukraine’s foreign artillery systems

Reconnaissance teams detected a camouflaged M109 Paladin self-propelled howitzer and two Bogdan self-propelled howitzers

Many German, US, French mercenaries fighting for Ukrainian side — DPR head

According to Denis Pushilin, personnel shortages, as well as the foreigners’ own need to earn money are the reason for foreigners’ fighting alongside the Ukrainian armed forces

Russian Defense Ministry tests smoke shell surpassing its French counterpart

The invention can be used in aerosol-generating shells designed to create smoke screens, obscuring fire control and optical systems, command and observation posts, and optoelectronic reconnaissance, target acquisition

Lavrov voices support for Cuba amid US blockade at meeting with country’s top diplomat

Sergey Lavrov reaffirmed unwavering support for Havana's legitimate demand for an immediate and complete end to the US trade, economic and financial blockade

If Europeans hadn’t cheated, Ukraine could have remained within 1991 borders — Lavrov

The Russian top diplomat noted that the Europeans had failed to suppress their age-old instinct to lie and try to achieve their goals by criminal means

Russia poses no threat to nuclear facilities in Ukraine — envoy

Mikhail Ulyanov highlighted that, unlike Ukraine, Russia had never carried out any attacks on nuclear facilities

Russia to respond in kind if US conducts full-scale nuclear tests — MFA

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stressed that Moscow will keep following this approach consistently

Ukrainian forces lose about 1,290 troops in special op zone in past day — Defense Ministry

Russian units took control over Buzovo and Khizhnyakovo settlements in the Kharkov Region and Svetlaya Dolina in the Zaporozhye Region

Russia’s Defense Ministry reports use of Tsirkon missiles in nighttime strike on Ukraine

The ministry compared the massive strike to the Ninth Wave

NATO recon aircraft spotted operating over Black Sea since morning

A NATO Bombardier ARTEMIS II reconnaissance aircraft took off from Romania

Lavrov, Egyptian foreign minister discuss Persian Gulf crisis — Russian MFA

The sides also discussed the need to maintain the strong momentum of political dialogue and expand trade and economic cooperation

Lavrov, Syrian foreign minister discuss unresolved crises around republic's borders

The officials agreed to maintain contacts at various levels

Russian, Algerian foreign ministers discuss steps to strengthen partnership

The officials also exchanged views on current regional issues

Limited Ukraine ceasefires cannot lead to settlement — Rubio

The US Secretary of State believes that it still potentially alleviates some of the global pressures

Russia’s industrial output flat in January-August 2026 — statistics service

The highest year-on-year growth rates were recorded in the manufacture of transport equipment, including aircraft and shipbuilding in the reporting period

US chooses not to join anti-Russian statement on Ukraine at UN

The statement was read out by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga

Damaged oil depot in Rostov Region, fire at Krasnodar Region facility: drone attacks

There were no casualties

US fears conflict to ‘metastasize’ beyond Ukraine — Rubio

According to the US State Secretary, the American side raises this issue in multiple meetings in multiple countries

Iran-US conflict geography may expand to Indian Ocean, Khamenei adviser says

Rahim Safavi said that Iran’s armed forces are thoroughly working through possible scenarios

Russia’s Bryansk Automobile Plant develops armored tractor with machine gun turret

According to the patent description, the 4x4 tractor truck is designed to protect against attacks from the air or ground

Trump keeps Kiev concessions secret, says deal with Russia coming

The meeting with Zelensky took place on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly

Japan tries to break free from post-war order — Chinese military

Zhang Bin, a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defense, said that Beijing strongly urges Japan to provide a clear explanation for its accelerating "remilitarization" efforts

IN BRIEF: Foiling official's motorcade bombing, Kiev agent detention in Crimea

Moscow resident was a member of a terrorist organization, while 18-year-old Kerch resident was detained on suspicion of treason

Ukrainian delegation holds talks with US envoys on UNGA sidelines

According to Vladimir Zelensky, the talks took place after his meeting with Trump

Ukrainian army lacks forces to cover front line in Donbass — former Ukrainian soldier

Borzy specified that, despite attempts to maintain the defensive line using drones, the Ukrainian armed forces continue to lose ground

China, US need to pave way for peaceful coexistence — Xi

The Chinese president said he hopes "to have an in-depth exchange of views with President Trump on key issues concerning our countries and the global situation"

Ex-Ukrainian soldiers fighting alongside Russians capture group of Ukrainian servicemen

The Maxim Krivonos Battalion was formed three years ago from former Ukrainian servicemen

Russia reserves right to proportionate response to NATO, EU actions — diplomat

According to Yulia Zhdanova, any military facilities of NATO and EU nations in Ukraine that are used to strike Russian territory are legitimate military targets for the country

Upper house official calls Kiev’s requests for talks facade for respite amid defeat

Natalya Nikonorova called Russia’s decision not to allow Kiev such a pause fully justified

Putin's G20 invitation, draft budget top Kremlin briefing agenda

Russia appreciates the US invitation for Vladimir Putin to attend the G20 summit in Miami, Dmitry Peskov stressed

Lavrov describes UN General Assembly as key forum for dialogue

The Russian foreign minister and President of the 81th Session of the UN General Assembly Khalilur Rahman "emphasized the need to improve the political climate and restore a mutually respectful dialogue within the framework of this body"

US, China to extend trade de-escalation arrangements — US Treasury secretary

According to Scott Bessent, the extension of the Busan Agreement will remain in force through January 10 next year

Ukrainian troops almost completely driven out of Klinovoye by Russian forces — expert

Andrey Marochko added that Russian forces are also developing their offensive toward Druzhkovka from the side of Kurtovka

London may become de jure party to Ukraine conflict — MFA

Sergey Ryabkov pointed out that Moscow's position on the matter had been set out in detail in a note recently handed to the British charge d'affaires in Russia

IN BRIEF: Russia's massive strike on defense facilities, logistics centers in Kiev, Odessa

The Defense Ministry specified that the Russian Armed Forces struck an industrial facility in Kiev that manufactured components for long-and medium-range UAVs and prepared ground robotic systems for deployment

Sending IAEA inspectors to Iran is risky due to US attacks — Russian envoy in Vienna

Mikhail Ulyanov criticized the draft resolution on Iran, describing it as "completely ill-conceived" and "useless"

Pakistan Air Force strikes 10 drone launch, storage sites in Afghanistan — minister

Attaullah Tarar said that Afghan drones entered Pakistani airspace on Wednesday

Witkoff, Kushner confirm US’ interest in resolving Ukrainian conflict — Lavrov

Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner visited Moscow on September 5

France ready to send troops to Ukraine immediately following ceasefire — radio report

The plan is to deploy French troops away from the front line at strategically important sites

EU hides Russia's denials of plans to attack Europe from public — diplomat

Russian Permanent Representative to OSCE Dmitry Polyansky recalled that Russian media had long been blocked in EU countries

Ukraine loses nearly 1,400 troops in special op zone over past 24 hours — Defense Ministry

Russian Battlegroup North units took control over the Krasny Yar and Potikhonovo settlements in the Kharkov Region in the course of the special military operation over the past day

EBRD downgrades outlook on Russia’s GDP growth for 2026 to 0.5%

The 2026 forecast for Russia’s economic growth has been revised down by 0.3 percentage points relative to the previous forecast published in June

US invites President Putin to G20 Summit in December in Miami — Rubio

The US Secretary of State believes that it is an opportunity for Vladimir Putin to engage not just with the US President but with other world leaders as well

Trump greets Xi at aircraft stairs after his arrival in US

The Chinese Foreign Ministry previously said the leader’s state visit to the US will run from September 23 to 25

Grossi delayed visit to ZNPP amid security threats from Kiev — diplomat

Russian Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov said the IAEA Director General and members of his team planned to visit the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant in late August

IN BRIEF: Kremlin statements on European Russophobic stance, possible Putin-Trump meet

Dmitry Peskov emphasized that high-level negotiations on the Ukrainian settlement, including those between Russia and the US, would be meaningless without prior preparation at the expert level

Press review: Trump, Zelensky signal Russia deal interest as Moscow eyes fresh US dialogue

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, September 23rd

UAC delivers batch of Su-57 fighter jets in new technical configuration to military

The aircraft underwent a full cycle of factory tests

Over 400 ships pass through Bab el-Mandeb in 10 days, Houthis say

The Ministry of Transport and Public Works in the Houthi-formed government said that navigation "is proceeding smoothly and safely for international commercial vessels, with the exception of Saudi Arabian ships"

Nine killed in incident during Kazakh naval exercise in Caspian Sea — Defense Ministry

According to preliminary information, 19 servicemen were swept out to sea

Canada prepares for possibility of military invasion by US — prime minister

Mark Carney told The New York Times that the country's authorities had spent the past year on the preparations

Russia grateful for Putin invitation to attend G20 summit in US — Kremlin

Spokesman Dmitry Peskov added that Moscow will discuss "the possibility of accepting the invitation" with the American side

Liberation of Dobropolye to disrupt Ukrainian forces’ logistics in Kramatorsk — DPR head

"The main supply route to the Kramatorsk-Slavyansk metropolitan area from the Dnepropetrovsk Region runs through Dobropolye," Denis Pushilin said

Russia’s Uragan system destroys Ukrainian Bogdana howitzer near Krasny Liman

Russian reconnaissance UAV captured the strike, including the Bogdana itself, a large number of enemy personnel and vehicles

Lavrov meets with Rubio on UN General Assembly sidelines

During the meeting, the Russian top diplomat pointed to the need to mend Moscow-Washington relations

No breakthrough in US-Iran contacts yet, but exchange of ideas continues — Rubio

According to the US Secretary of State, the United States always remains open to talking to almost anyone in the world about a conflict, or a crisis, or some disagreement

Russian air defenses show unmatched efficiency repelling Sept 20 attack on Moscow — expert

Igor Potapov emphasized that this level of effectiveness was achieved through the coordinated performance of the Russian air defense forces, the interaction between the regional and Defense Ministry’s capabilities

Russian diplomat sees alarming trends of crisis nature within IAEA

Mikhail Ulyanov specified that the organization's General Conference was unable to agree on key technical resolutions for the second consecutive year

Lavrov begins talks with OSCE secretary-general

The meeting is held behind closed doors at the UN Headquarters

Only Russia acting openly in talks on Ukraine — DPR head

Only Russia is acting consistently, Denis Pushilin said

IN BRIEF: Key statements from Putin’s meeting with government

The head of state urged officials to explain to the public in greater detail what the digital ruble is and what advantages it offers

Kremlin reiterates its push for Armenia to choose between EAEU, EU

The standards of the two associations are incompatible with each other, Dmitry Peskov said

New US sanctions not to affect India’s oil purchases from Russia — expert

India will negotiate with the US from a position of strength and that strength will see that President Trump gives waiver to India, Professor at the School of International Relations at Nalanda University Arvind Kumar emphasized

Russian diplomat slams Trump’s instructions on US nuclear tests as threat to moratorium

Whenever Washington accuses other countries of activity allegedly incompatible with the CTBT, it means that the Americans are once again looking to withdraw from their international commitments, Maria Zakharova noted

Quest for lasting peace, but no pauses in special operation — Lavrov’s remarks

Ukraine could have remained within the borders of 1991, if Europeans hadn’t engaged in fraud, the minister added

Zelensky arrives in US hoping to push for halt in strikes — expert

Alexander Stepanov of the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration says the Kiev regime urgently needs a respite rather than seeking full-scale peace talks

Russia views any military cargo for Kiev as legitimate target — diplomat

Maria Zakharova added that Vladimir Zelensky is "touring the world in search of support"

Russia distances itself from two items on UN General Assembly agenda

They concern the 'temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine' and the 'international residual mechanism for criminal tribunals'"

Russia not to pause special military operation for talks in any format — Lavrov

The Russian top diplomat stressed that Europe wanted to gain a respite and replenish the depleted military arsenals of the Kiev regime

Russia’s total gas output up 3.4% to 446.5 bcm in January-August — statistics service

Natural gas production over the eight-month period totaled 379 bcm, up 3.8% year-on-year

Russia says to seek investigation into US violations of UN obligations

"Unfortunately, the current secretary-general of the world organization consistently evades implementing these resolutions and the relevant provisions of the 1947 Agreement on the Central Functions of the UN," Kirill Logvinov said

Microsoft ends cooperation with ICC over US sanctions

Lead counsel at the ICC Geert-Jan Alexander Knoops said that the move made the work of lawyers involved in court proceedings more difficult

Erdogan tells Zelensky attacks on merchant ships in Black Sea 'unacceptable'

The Turkish president emphasized that steps must be taken to ensure the safety of shipping in the Black Sea

Kiev steps up attacks on ZNPP since April, situation extremely serious — envoy

Mikhail Ulyanov noted that the West is taking this quite calmly

Lavrov holds meeting of CSTO foreign ministers on sidelines of UN General Assembly

The sides stressed "the importance of further strengthening cooperation between the CSTO and the UN"

Lavrov, Lebanese prime minister discuss developments in Middle East

Russia reaffirmed its principled position in support of the unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of this friendly country

Kiev uses high-ranking foreign guests as ‘human shields’ — Russian delegate in Vienna

Yuliya Zhdanova recalled that the Moscow had repeatedly warned foreign nationals, including diplomats and their families, of the need to leave Kiev due to the beginning of systematic strikes on Ukrainian military-industrial complex facilities, command and decision-making centers