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Almost all Germans understand chancellor destroying country — Russian envoy

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is destroying the country despite having an approval rating of just 10%, Kirill Dmitriev said

MOSCOW, October 3. /TASS/. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is destroying the country despite having an approval rating of just 10%, and 90% of Germans understand this, Russian Presidential Special Envoy for Investment and Economic Cooperation with Foreign Countries and Russian Direct Investment Fund CEO Kirill Dmitriev said on X.

"90% of Germans understand that Merz, with 10% approval, is destroying Germany through warmongering, migration, energy blunders, refusal to change his failing course. He will resign soon, and you should turn the MSC (the Munich Security Conference - TASS) from a NATO fiefdom into a real peace platform," Dmitriev wrote in response to a user’s comment on his post in which he criticized the German chancellor’s tenure.

"Merz unsettles Germany and Western civilization with persistent blunders and mediocre dead-end cliches," Dmitriev wrote in the earlier message.

Military operation in Ukraine

Ukrainian forces encircled in Kharkov Region lose up to 35 soldiers in 24 hours

Spokesman for Russia’s Battlegroup North Vasily Mezhevykh said that the battlegroup continues to tighten the encirclement around the Ukrainian formations in the northeastern part of the region and expand the outer zone of control

Ukrainian army reinforcing positions in Orekhov with Colombians — Russian defense source

The source noted that the heavy casualties among Latin American mercenaries in the Orekhov area are directly linked to this

EU fully rejects ban on diesel exports that would undermine trust in US

European Commission representative Anna-Kaisa Itkonen confirmed that the EC was coordinating a plan to use diesel from European strategic reserves with the International Energy Agency and the G7

Russia views European factories producing arms for Kiev as military targets — diplomat

Maria Zakharova said no one should assume that military plants outside Ukrainian territory that manufacture weapons for the Kiev regime will be safe

Co-pilot who attacked captain on Flydubai flight identified as Omani national — TV

According ABC News sources, extremist materials were discovered in 2024 belonging to him, and investigators have yet to determine how he was cleared to operate a Flydubai flight as a co-pilot

Special military op’s experience used during Center-2026 drills — Putin

The Russian president said that new weapons and vehicles are used during the drills

Center-2026 drills conducted in accordance with Russian military training plan — Putin

The Russian president noted that the drills are linked to the Interaction-2026 command-and-staff exercise, which is taking place within the framework of the Collective Security Treaty Organization

Up to World Athletics to decide on Russian track and field int’l participation — IOC

Russian track and field athletes previously submitted appeals to the United Nations, the IOC and World Athletics against their ban in international tournaments

US to deploy anti-ship missiles near Taiwan for first time — media

According to sources, the system will be deployed to Yonaguni during the Keen Sword exercise

FACTBOX: What we know about Russian strikes on Ukraine’s infrastructure

Authorities in the Ukrainian capital closed three bridges across the Dnieper river to traffic

Ukrainian forces encircled in Kharkov Region lose up to 35 soldiers in 24 hours

Spokesman for Russia’s Battlegroup North Vasily Mezhevykh said that the battlegroup continues to tighten the encirclement around the Ukrainian formations in the northeastern part of the region and expand the outer zone of control

Flydubai suspends flights to Tel Aviv at authorities’ request — CEO

Ghaith Al Ghaith confirmed that all 172 passengers and crew members aboard flight FZ 1073, which was flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30, are safe

Center-2026 drill being held at ten training grounds — deputy defense minister

Yunus-Bek Yevkurov noted that the distinctive features of operations at the Chebarkul training ground include the wide use of unmanned aerial vehicles

Russian troops liberate 17 communities in Ukraine operation over week — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup North thwarted all the Ukrainian army’s attempts during the past week to break out of the encirclement in the northeast of the Kharkov Region, the Defense Ministry reported

Su-57 aircraft provides cover for helicopters during strike on UAV control post

The crews of Ka-52 helicopters launched a strike with light multi-purpose guided missiles against an enemy UAV control point exposed by reconnaissance means at the Chebarkul training ground as part of the Center-2026 exercises

Soviet Union’s collapse is tragedy for tens of millions — Putin

Russia has been through a complicated path of fundamental transformations and this process is ongoing, said russian leader

West views Ukraine as expendable in effort to harm Russia — Duma lawmaker

Brussels considers this strategy toward Ukraine an acceptable price for advancing its own interests, Alexander Boroday said

Europe more aggressive towards Russia than US — Putin

Commenting on the possible influence of the EU on US policy, the Russian president expressed confidence that it is "excessive" to assume that "someone from the outside determines US policy in certain areas"

Two-year boy injured after drone detonation in Belgorod Region

The child was taken to a hospital, the local crisis response center said

Russian stocks close in the red on Friday

Freedom Global expects the MOEX Index to trade within the 2,250-2,350 point range on Monday

Signal 2.0 perimeter surveillance system is deployed in Zaporozhye front of special op

"The Signal 2.0 mobile system is designed for the rapid deployment of security systems at technically unprepared front lines and temporary facilities," Igor Potapov said

Prisoner killed while trying to escape from train near Vladikavkaz

A spokesman for the law enforcement agencies said that reports about a riot are not true

Belarus’ refusal to stab Russians in the back, gratitude to Trump: Lukashenko’s statements

The Belarusian president stressed that Minsk will always remain committed to a common course with Moscow

Russia welcomes US troop withdrawal from Iraq — diplomat

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the Iraqi army and law enforcement can now strengthen the country’s defense capabilities and ensure national security on their own

Troop grouping completes main stage of Center-2026 drills by defeating enemy

The total number of troops at the Chebarkul training ground exceeds 6,000 military personnel

US Coast Guard reports seizing two vessels carrying fuel to Cuba

The US considers the vessels part of a shadow fleet but did not specify their ownership

German authorities launch re-privatization of former Gazprom subsidiary — newspaper

SEFE is valued at around 6 bln euro, Börsen-Zeitung said

Over 2,000 soldiers with special op experience involved in Center-2026 drills

Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yunus-Bek Yevkurov said the drills also involve more than 780 students of military academies who gained a vast expertise while deploying and commanding units

US-Russia relations may enter 'abnormal' phase after Trump — US journalist

Christopher Helali is not sure that the parties will be able to normalize relations

Russia may restart diesel fuel exports in case of overproduction — Novak

The deputy prime minister said that Russia will not accumulate too much fuel because it will lead to a decline in refining and output of other products

Putin meets with foreign military attaches

The Russian president visited the Chebarkul training ground in the Chelyabinsk Region, where he observed a phase of the Center-2026 strategic command-and-staff exercises

Ukrainians tired of Zelensky’s PR built on their blood — former spokeswoman

According to Yulia Mendel, Ukrainians are also tired of the laundering of Western aid

Russia open to dialogue on Black Sea security with all countries — Kremlin spokesman

Dmitry Peskov added that Moscow is not engaged in any concrete talks on bilateral agreements

G7 to release 100 mln barrels of diesel, other reserves

G7 countries also agreed to coordinate maintenance schedules across refineries to prevent simultaneous capacity shutdowns and temporarily increase utilization rates where feasible

Russia’s grain harvest projected at 140 mln tons in 2026

Last year, Russia’s grain harvest amounted to over 144 mln tons

G7 countries agree not to restrict energy exports

The decision comes amid a sharp rise in prices and high volatility in oil markets

Japan to purchase Ukrainian drones on trial basis — Kyodo

Tokyo plans to assess the capabilities of the UAVs

Russia-DPRK film exchange to boost mutual understanding — minister

Olga Lyubimova noted that Russia and the DPRK are bound by a shared history, mutual respect, and strong friendship

Almost all Germans understand chancellor destroying country — Russian envoy

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is destroying the country despite having an approval rating of just 10%, Kirill Dmitriev said

Press review: NATO escalates Russia tensions as Putin's envoy, economy minister visit US

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, October 2nd

Heads of government of EAEU countries discuss trade, agriculture development

The Eurasian Intergovernmental Council greenlighted the forecast for the development of the agriculture sector

Active phase of CSTO drills over in Russia

All components of the CSTO’s Rapid Reaction Force demonstrated coordinated actions at the Chebarkul training ground during a joint operation to contain a border armed conflict

Kiev begins to close all bridges during air raid alerts — media report

Footage published by the outlet shows long traffic jams already forming on the bridges

Troop strength at Center-2026 exercises totals 6,000 men — Russian defense minister

Representatives from nearly 60 countries, along with forces and equipment from the CSTO collective security system, are taking part in the exercises

Covert strike behind enemy lines with underground routes practiced at Center-2026 drills

The assault groups carried out a covert advance along the water supply line and through a pre-prepared underground passage to the rear of the enemy’s stronghold, the Russian Defense Ministry reported

One Russian convoy officer killed, 3 wounded in attack by inmate in North Caucasus

The attacker has been liquidated

Russia rejects accusations in UN OHCHR report on violence in Ukraine — ambassador

Rodion Miroshnik noted that outrageous accusations are made based on interviews with alleged victims whose existence cannot be confirmed

Iran has US Dive-LD underwater drone in hand, can reverse-engineer it

As the experts pointed out, Washington had not previously treated Iran’s seizure of US-made drones with such nonchalance

Unmanned tanks used during main stage of Center-2026 drills

The Russian Defense Ministry reported that the use of a multi-channel, jamming-resistant control system facilitates the rapid movement of unmanned tanks on the battlefield

Kiev sacrifices entire generations for illusion of victory — Zelensky’s former spokeswoman

According to Yulia Mendel, Ukrainians have grown "tired of militarization" and of "Ukraine’s autocratic system"

IN BRIEF: Putin speaks on Russia’s economic sustainability, Europe’s aggression

Russia’s offensive in the special military operation zone is gaining momentum, the president says

Putin shown unmanned tanks based on T-72 in Chelyabinsk Region

The tanks are equipped with two different combat modules – a tank-type module and a BMPT-type module

Japan sanctions Russian companies, individuals

Restrictive measures were for the first time introduced in respect of 35 ships that may be associated with Moscow, in the opinion of Tokyo

Currently 7,000 US military personnel stationed in Poland — Polish Defense Ministry

Polish Deputy Defense Minister Cezary Tomczyk avoided giving a direct answer to the journalist’s question about whether the number of US troops in the country would return to 10,000

Fridman’s access to assets in EU remains limited despite removal of sanctions - Bloomberg

Mikhail Fridman’s main assets in the EU include a 37.9% stake in LetterOne, a Luxembourg-headquartered multinational investment firm, according to the agency

Russian strikes undermine production of military products in Ukraine — State Duma deputy

Leonid Ivlev said Russia had many times warned that retaliatory strikes would be launched against Ukraine's infrastructure facilities

US incursion in Iraq entailed decades of instability in entire region — Russian diplomat

The 12-year-long presence of the so-called anti-ISIS international coalition in Iraq ended on September 12, Maria Zakharova said

Russian forces disabling rather than fully destroying Ukrainian bridges — expert

According to Boris Rozhin, an expert at the Center for Information and Geopolitical Research, Ukrainian bridges have sufficient structural strength because they were built back in the Soviet era

Christa Pike feared botched execution calling it her ‘worst nightmare’ — NYP

The newspaper also cited the death-row inmate as saying she was afraid the doctor would not be qualified enough to insert a central line

New world’s conflicts, chaos, West’s attempts to destroy Russia: Putin’s speech

The Russian president says the world needs to think about what should be done to avoid the most catastrophic scenarios, in which humanity could slide to the brink of survival

IN BRIEF: Japan introduces package of anti-Russian sanctions

Restrictive measures were for the first time introduced in respect of 35 ships

Ukrainian forces attack DPR settlements 25 times over past 24 hours

Fifteen civilians were wounded

Latest ground-based complex with LMUR missiles deployed during Center-2026 drills

The Russian Defense Ministry said that the ground-based missile system is designed for high-precision destruction of important stationary and moving targets at a range of up to 20 kilometers

Rada urges concessions on NATO, language, faith to secure peace with Russia

According to Verkhovna Rada deputy Alexey Goncharenko, Kiev should "send a signal" to Moscow that it is willing to discuss Ukraine’s neutral status to launch a peaceful dialogue

Putin says EU countries may 'collapse on their own' due to economic mistakes

The Russian president also pointed out that all problems stem from the economy and cited assessments of the economic conditions of Western countries

Putin observes Center-2026 exercises

The exercises are aimed at improving the practical skills of the command staff and headquarters of the formations in managing troop groupings

US will not ban diesel fuel exports — Trump

According to the US president, the issue was "never really ever on the table"

Putin’s remarks on multipolarity at Valdai resonate deeply in India — expert

Malika Pandey noted that Russia consistently upholds the principles of sovereignty, strategic independence and building a more representative international order

North Korea rejects military sovereignty talks with South — Kim Yo-Jong

The department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea slammed Seoul’s proposal to hold talks on establishing a military demarcation line as "an illusion unworthy of a response and unilateral whining"

Sanctions prevent Russian diesel fuel from flowing to global markets

The head of state assured that Russia has enough diesel fuel

Live-fire exercise at naval target performed during Center-2026 drills

According to the drills’ scenario, a simulated enemy attempted to seize a section of the coastline and launch an offensive

Iskander-M, Tornado-S crews launch coordinated missile strike against 'enemy'

Orlan-30 drone crews provided target reconnaissance and strike adjustments, the Russian Defense Ministry reported

Su-30SM2 fighter jets, Su-24M bombers conduct exercise near Kaliningrad

The pilots surveyed the area, performed flights to the designated sector, and conducted precision bombing runs on full-scale targets using OFAB-250ShN high-explosive fragmentation bombs

Seoul says North Korean missile flew 700 km — Yonhap

According to the report, South Korea's presidential administration held an emergency meeting to review military readiness and assess the security impact

Ukraine loses 2 mln tonnes of metallurgical output by end-September — TASS calculations

Based on European market prices, these losses are valued at approximately $580.2 million per month for steel, $274.9 million for pig iron, and $449.9 million for rolled products

Situation in CSTO’s area of responsibility currently deteriorating — secretary general

Taalatbek Masadykov added that conflict potential is rising in CSTO border regions

FPV drones take 'swarm' formation against assault groups during Center-2026 drills

The ministry noted that, in parallel with the attack by the assault groups and drone crews, mobile fire groups using Ulan-2 vehicles were engaged in combat against the enemy’s unmanned aerial vehicles

Investigative Committee holds senior Ukrainian officials responsible for attacks on Russia

According to the IC, their criminal actions caused mass civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure

Israeli forces shell Quneitra province in southern Syria — TV

No civilian casualties have been reported

US to announce sweeping sanctions against International Criminal Court — The Times

According to the report, supporters of the court fear this could lead to its dissolution

Price of Russian gas for non-CIS states to exceed $700 per 1,000 cubic meters in Aug-Dec

The price is expected at $450 in 2027

Putin says he has fairly good relationship with Trump

The Russian leader said that he is grateful to Donald Trump for his efforts to resolve the Ukrainian crisis

Situation in Europe so critical that it is being ‘eaten alive’ — Trump

The US president made the statement while addressing his supporters in Texas

European Commission refutes Kiev’s statements about 27-billion-euro shortfall

European Commission Spokeswoman Paula Pinho said there is no financial gap

Russia wants to end conflict in Ukraine as soon as possible through talks — Putin

The head of state urged to stop the accusations that Russia does not want these negotiations

Putin estimates damage from strikes against Russian refineries at 1% of GDP

The Russian leader said the strikes were launched deliberately

Damage to refineries decreasing — Novak

The government promptly took a wide range of measures to saturate the domestic market with fuel, the Russian deputy prime minister added

Putin says Ukraine lost elements of statehood

The Russian president added that Ukraine is being controlled from outside

No one has weapons of destruction like Russia — Putin

The head of state stressed that it is Russia's competitive advantage

Christa Pike remains hospitalized, unconscious, her lawyers say — CNN

The death-row inmate's attorneys told the TV channel that she was on a ventilator

Western countries draw up plans to relocate embassies from Kiev — The Guardian

According to the sources, the diplomatic missions could relocate to Lvov or eastern Poland

TASS source refutes media allegations about prisoner riot in train car near Vladikavkaz

One of the convicts attacked an officer in a train car and killed him, the official explained

Iran considers banning Israeli, hostile nations’ ships from Strait of Hormuz

Vessels from other, non-hostile states would be required to obtain special transit permits from the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces under regulations set out in the proposed legislation

Ukraine paying price for Black Sea strikes, need for lasting peace: Kremlin remarks

No specific details are available regarding the Turkish and UN initiative to hold talks involving Russia and Ukraine on a ceasefire in the Black Sea, Dmitry Peskov said

US military transport aircraft sends out distress signal over Canada

According to the source, the aircraft took off from Reykjavik

Zhanna Nemtsova added to Russian register of foreign agents

Rustam Khuazhev, a member of the presidium of the League of Free Nations, and the information resource Reanimation were also added to the register

Russia tests several new ground robotic systems at Center-2026 drills

Chelnok ground-based drones of increased cross-country capability and carrying capacity were also involved in the drills

Merz accuses Russia of revisionism, not knowing meaning of word — diplomat

Russia stands "against Nazism, fascism, colonialism, racism, terrorism and dictatorship," Maria Zakharova stressed

FACTBOX: What is known about the prisoner attack on Russian prison guards

The attack left one convoy officer dead and three others wounded

Trans-Caspian Corridor sea freight exceeds 4.5 mln metric tons in seven months

According to Bakytzhan Sagintayev, the heads of government discussed the development of transport infrastructure along the east-west and north-south routes, including in conjunction with China’s Belt and Road Initiative

Nearly all G20 countries reject revision of most-favored-nation treatment — Reshetnikov

According to the Russian economic development minister, the United States, as this year’s G20 chair, put the issue of reforming MFN treatment on the meeting’s agenda