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Coronavirus pandemic

Updated at:

Russian developer ready to provide CoviVac vaccine to UNICEF

It will be possible after prequalification documents from the WHO, the Russia’s Chumakov Center Director General Aidar Ishmukhametov told

MOSCOW, May 31. /TASS/. Russia’s Chumakov Center is ready to provide its CoviVac coronavirus vaccine to the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) once it receives documents on the vaccine’s prequalification by the World Health Organization (WHO) and meets the domestic demand, the center’s Director General Aidar Ishmukhametov told TASS.

"We held a working meeting with top UNICEF officials today, considering cooperation issues and discussing the prospects for the World Health Organization’s pre-qualification of CoviVac. UNICEF expressed interest in getting our vaccine and I think that it will be possible, but only after we receive prequalification documents from the WHO and the Russian market’s needs for our vaccine are met," he pointed out.

Ishmukhametov noted that the UNICEF officials had commended the high quality of the Chumakov Center’s products.

On February 19, the Russian Health Ministry registered an inactivated whole virion vaccine against the coronavirus developed by the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immune and Biological Products.

Air defenses destroy 24 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions overnight

Most of these were taken down over the Bryansk Region

Inflation, ruble exchange rate, economic growth: key statements from Bank of Russia

Only a country with low inflation can count on moderate interest rates, a stable currency, and sufficient investment in its future, Elvira Nabiullina said

UN secretary-general must be elected by year-end — Russian Foreign Ministry

Department Director Kirill Logvinov said that the options under consideration include extending the current secretary-general's term temporarily or appointing one of his deputies as acting secretary-general

EU fears Anchorage 2.0 in light of potential Putin-Trump meeting — Merz

On November 18-19, Shenzhen in south China’s Guangdong Province will host the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting

Security system based on NATO, OSCE, EU outlived its usefulness — Russian mission head

It should be replaced by an equitable multipolar system that takes into account the interests of European countries as well, Russian Charge d’Affaires to the EU Karen Malayan said

Zelensky caught lying about Ukrainian control of Konstantinovka — Russian politician

According to Leonid Slutsky, the Kiev regime uses lies as a tool of its neo-Nazi policy

Russian GDP growth rate may be above forecast by year-end — ministry

The Russian gross domestic product increased by 1% year on year in the third quarter of 2026 under the preliminary estimate

Russia tags UK NGO raising funds for Ukraine as undesirable — prosecutor’s office

Eurovision Mission to Europe has announced its active support for Ukrainian forces

EU divided over European commission chief’s stance on future security talks with Russia

According to the sources, Ursula von der Leyen and several European leaders are privately insisting that the EU should demonstrate its readiness for talks to keep the United States and Russia engaged

Russian army tests robotic systems for special missions — NBC defense troops chief

They include the RKhM-8, RKhM-9, and RKhM-10 NBC reconnaissance vehicles, the ARS-16 mobile refueling station, the PM RKhBZ-5 maintenance assist vehicle, heavy flamethrower systems and various aerosol countermeasures

Timofey Pallas’s cat wins hearts of Chinese tourists — Moscow Zoo

Moscow Zoo Director Svetlana Akulova said that Timofey had become a "fluffy ambassador" between the cultures

Widespread Microsoft services outage not caused by cyberattack — vice president

According to Charles Lamanna, the company is working to resolve the issue

Fact-checking experts present new findings about Bucha memorial at OSCE

The organization’s experts cross-referenced the names on the steles of the Bucha memorial with Ukrainian obituaries, local media publications, and official documents

Russia says Cuba fuel blockade must be lifted immediately

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov confirmed the principled position regarding the unacceptability of exerting economic and military pressure on Cuba

Rosatom to increase personnel at Bushehr nuclear plant

CEO Alexey Likhachev said that 180 people are already on the site

EU paid highest sum for Russian pipeline gas since 2025 year start

The TurkStream gas pipeline remains at present the only active route of Russian pipeline gas supplies to Europe

Yakutsk submarine arrives in Vladivostok via Northern Sea Route

The submarine completed an inter-fleet passage from the Baltic Fleet to the Pacific Fleet, covering more than 9,000 nautical miles

Alternative for Germany party tops national popularity ratings — poll

The survey was conducted on November 10-12 among nearly 1,300 respondents

What is known about FSB thwarting terror plot in Stavropol

The detainee admitted to planning a terrorist attack

Roscosmos says establishing launch sites in other countries still priority

Sergey Krikalyov, the agency's deputy head for manned space programs, said that joint projects with various countries will be continued

Merz rebuffs Russia's security redesign calls, says NATO already fills role

German chancellor claimed that Europe should maintain dialogue with Moscow "from a position of strength"

Mossad chief arrives in Washington for consultations on Iran — media

According to the report, Gofman will meet with CIA Director John Ratcliffe

Europe to join Ukraine peace talks 'in coming weeks' — German chancellor

Friedrich Merz said the talks will likely include representatives of the European countries that held consultations with US and Ukrainian officials in Abu Dhabi

Russia finishes third in overall medal standings at Youth Olympic Games

Russian athletes won a total of eight gold, four silver, and two bronze medals

Kushner, Witkoff helping plan POW exchange between Russia, Ukraine — White House

Talks between Russia, the United States and Ukraine were held in Abu Dhabi on November 10-11

US no longer needs deal with Iran — Trump

The US president stated that Washington has Tehran's money and "its strait"

European delegation to talks on Ukraine includes EU, E5 representatives — EC president

Antonio Costa emphasized that the EU leaders support the negotiations

EU’s purchases of Russian pipeline gas, LNG rise 9% in nine months

In September, EU countries paid 498 mln euro for LNG from Russia

Press review: EU rejects security reform, stalls Ukraine peace as Armenia loses CSTO vote

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, November 13th

German parliament approves expansion of intel services’ powers in, outside country

The reform is criticized by the opposition, who accused the German authorities of seeking to create a "secret police" to control dissenters

Akkuyu nuclear plant to be launched in winter 2027 — Rosatom CEO

Alexey Likhachev is looking forward to the successful completion of the trials

Russia urges North Stream blasts contractors be identified — ambassador

Sergey Nechayev dismissed as ungrounded the theory widely circulating in the Western media that the act of sabotage could have been committed by amateurs

Russia withdraws from European Boxing Championship in Croatia citing lack of national flag

The decision was also prompted by problems concerning the issuance of entry visas to members of the Russian delegation

Russian ambassador to US Alexander Darchiev dies — Foreign Ministry

Alexander Darchiev was 66 years old

EU splits into three camps over candidate to negotiate with Russia — newspaper

According to the source, the choice of negotiator will be discussed at the EU summit in Dublin on November 13

EU okays consultant team for expert-level talks with Russia — AFP

The delegation will include representatives of the European Commission, the EU Council, Germany, France, Italy, and Poland, as well as the UK

Vance may put his presidential ambitions on hold — CNN

According to the TV channel, the ongoing war with Iran remains a major obstacle to Vance’s presidential ambitions

False-flag provocation in Bucha organized by Ukraine, MI6 — Russia’s envoy to OSCE

That episode later became the starting point for attempts by the collective West to hold Russia responsible, Dmitry Polyansky added

Putin aide comments on Europe’s security, humanitarian task, Kiev's peace allergy

Yury Ushakov emphasized that the conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner was substantive

Ukrainian forces deliver UAV strike on bus in LPR Yubileiny settlement, killing woman

The drone struck the area at the terminus of municipal passenger bus

Long-range arms supplies to Kiev change nature of relations with Russia — envoy to Germany

According to Sergey Nechayev, such actions go beyond a simple violation of the established restrictions

NATO foreign ministers to meet in Brussels on December 2

The alliance has not specified what topics the ministers will discuss

Orders for Arctic class ships to be placed in Russia in first instance — Rosatom

According to CEO Alexey Likhachev, Rosatom will require overall up to about 40 ice class ships

Starshield limitations disrupt 100% of Ukrainian missions — Axios

Earlier, a spokesperson for SpaceX denied any restrictions on Starshield

Former Ukrainian prime minister calls Kiev’s demand to maintain 800,000-strong army absurd

Nikolay Azarov noted that Kiev needed financial guarantees from the EU because it was unable to maintain such large armed forces on its own

Churchill’s WWII bunker opens to visitors — newspaper

The Fan Bay Deep Shelter was home to some of the most advanced military technology of its time, The Telegraph reported

Russia seeks sustainable peace in Ukraine conflict — Kremlin spokesman

According to Dmitry Peskov, The Ukraine process is currently on hold

Ukrainian intelligence services behind car blast in Moscow — Ukraine’s former PM

According to Nikolay Azarov, the main motive was Sergey Zavorotny's journalistic activity aimed at exposing the Kiev regime

Putin proposes Alyoshki-like humanitarian mission in Konstantinovka

The Russian president said about 400-500 civilians live in Konstantinovka

APEC summit declaration being prepared — Russian Foreign Ministry

Ambassador at Large of the Russian Foreign Ministry Marat Berdyev highlighted that Russia was promoting ideas on open and non-discriminated functioning of chains of supplies and strengthening of production and innovation potential in the region in interests of all APEC members

Russian forces push Ukrainian troops 30 km from state border in Sumy Region — expert

Andrey Marochko specified that the Russian military continues to steadily expand the buffer zone in this area

Bank of Russia purchases yuan worth $183 mln with settlements on November 12

The regulator purchased yuan on the domestic market with settlements on November 11 in the amount of 15.2 bln rubles

Dmitriev denies Russia offered the US $12 trillion worth projects

According to the CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, the lifting of sanctions will be eventually dictated by Washington's interests

Russia does not expect lifting of sanctions against it in medium term — MFA

Western countries have recently begun to employ a sanctions policy with increasing frequency as they are losing their advantages, their "undisputed leadership," Alexander Trofimov said

Russian MMA star Nurmagomedov sentenced to 6 months in jail for UAE brawl — source

A court department in Abu Dhabi stated that eight participants in the brawl had been sentenced to six months in jail and hefty fines, ranging between $13,600 and $81,600

EU rearmament, arms supplies to Kiev risk confrontation with Russia — Finnish politician

Armando Mema added that the EU had already provided 400 billion euros in military aid to Ukraine and continued its rearmament drive, "with 800-billion-euro investments in building an European Army"

Merz's call to include funds for Ukraine in seven-year EU budget rebuffed

Only Estonia and Latvia supported the proposal of the German chancellor

Russia expects next round of Ukraine talks to take place soon — Kremlin spokesman

"This is exactly what was discussed with the US negotiators," Dmitry Peskov added

Russian Ambassador Darchiev’s death is great loss for diplomatic world — senior diplomat

Alexander Alimov said that Alexander Darchiev was an expert in international relations

Kremlin addresses proposal for mission in Konstantinovka, readiness for dialogue with EU

Dmitry Peskov said that Russia is calling on the United States and European countries to encourage the Kiev regime to carry out a humanitarian operation in Konstantinovka

Lebanese military discovers weapons depot in southern Beirut

One person was detained, the Lebanese army reported

Poland says no to funding US-made weapons for Ukraine under PURL — PM

Donald Tusk pointed out that Poland had a large budget deficit

Rome taps PM Meloni’s diplomatic adviser for talks on Ukraine — source

European Council President Antonio Costa said earlier that the EU summit had agreed on a delegation to the expert talks on Ukraine that will include representatives of EU institutions and the so-called coalition of the willing

Ukrainian drone strike on car injures three civilians in Russia’s Belgorod Region

According to the regional crisis center, two people were taken to regional clinical hospital

Nonresidents’ share in Russian sovereign Eurobonds declined to 32% in Q3 — Central Bank

The share stood at 32.1% as of the end of the second quarter of 2026

What we know about car blast in southern Moscow

Sergey Zavorotny, former press secretary of ex-Ukrainian Prime Minister Nikolay Azarov, was injured in the car explosion in southern Moscow, a law enforcement source told TASS

Konstantinovka residents need aid after months of fighting — senator

About 400 to 500 civilians remain in the city

Journalist injured in Moscow car blast in critical condition — ex-Ukrainian PM

According to earlier reports, a car exploded on Kirovogradskaya Street in Moscow, injuring the driver, who was taken to the hospital

TASS expelled from European news alliance without reason

In February 2022, the alliance’s governing body, the EANA Council, informed TASS that it was suspending the agency’s membership

Transferring Russian assets to new entity could trigger Euroclear's bankruptcy

CEO of the Belgian depository Valerie Urbain stressed that it is impossible to transfer only the assets while forgetting about the liabilities

White House sees 'encouraging progress' in Ukraine settlement efforts

White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly said that Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner had worked extensively with both sides to end this conflict for good

Ukraine’s ex-PM says shocked, outraged by car bombing of former aide

According to Nikolay Azarov, the journalist's injury is very serious

Russia sees talk about Berlin's participation in nuclear missions as very concerning

Russian ambassador to Germany Sergey Nechayev said that both international conventions and the Final Settlement Agreement prohibit Germany from producing, possessing, and especially using nuclear weapons

European envoy to Ukraine talks must be acceptable to all parties — top Czech diplomat

According to Petr Macinka, the person selected must command the respect of the West but also be viewed positively by the East

Kremlin calls mission in Konstantinovka very important humanitarian initiative

This initiative concerns the continuation of the experience gained in Alyoshki, Dmitry Peskov added

Militants kill 37 civilians in Niger — media

Local residents, escorted by militias, were traveling from the village of Tillim to the city of Tera when they were attacked by the militants

Russia invites foreign countries to cooperate within new communications system

In 2026, Russia’s private aerospace company Bureau 1440 successfully launched the first two batches of spacecraft for the Rassvet low-Earth orbit constellation

Senior diplomat addresses Europe’s dejection, Putin-Witkoff meeting, Abu Dhabi outcomes

According to Sergey Ryabkov, the involvement of European countries could undermine efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict

Turkish investors show interest in buying 49% shares in Akkuyu project — Rosatom

The negotiations are underway, CEO Alexey Likhachev said

Putin illustrates EU’s contradictory position on Ukraine with old joke

The Russian president pointed out that Moscow has repeatedly said that deploying foreign troops to Ukraine is unacceptable, yet the EU states that it will send its contingent there after the conflict ends anyway

US reports repelling Iranian attack on Bahrain

According to CENTCOM, there were no injuries or damage

Over 1,000 foreign mercenaries wanted internationally — Russian investigators

284 mercenaries had been convicted

NATO recon aircraft detected near Kaliningrad Region for third time this week

It spent five hours flying there

Russian forces strike ship carrying military supplies, two locomotives in Odessa Region

The Russian army previously carried out strikes on energy sites, port facilities and rail infrastructure, along with ships involved in delivering military supplies to Ukraine

Collapse of Operation Citadel 2.0

Zelensky reports continued Starshield restrictions for Ukraine

According to the head of Kiev regime, the US side offered no explanation for what was happening

US envoys brief Europeans in Dublin on Moscow talks — Polish PM

Late last night, representatives of the United States, the United Kingdom, Poland, Germany, France, Italy and EU institutions held talks at a military airfield in Dublin, Donald Tusk said

ERA-GLONASS system has 317 driverless vehicles connected

The system supports online monitoring of driverless vehicles’ traffic in real time, GLONASS CEO Alexey Raikevich said

Iran shoots down another US MQ-1 drone in country's south

The Iranian military warned that it would not hesitate for a moment to defend Iran's territorial integrity

EU not even invited to Ukraine talks yet — Russian security official

The bloc’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas is not welcome at the negotiating table because she is "stupid," Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev argued

Second serial Superjet SJ-100B to make maiden flight by year-end

The SJ-100B is equipped with the new domestic PD-8 engine, as well as Russian-made components and systems

Kremlin declines to comment on reports of Macron as possible EU negotiator

Dmitry Peskov also declined to comment on how Moscow would view the candidacy of EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas as a possible European negotiator on Ukraine

Four civilians killed in Ukrainian UAV strike on industrial facility in Samara Region

The people who were injured in the attack are receiving medical treatment, Governor Vyacheslav Fedorishchev said

Fatalities in Volgograd, damaged houses in Rostov-on-Don: aftermath of Ukrainian attacks

The overnight Ukrainian drone attack was among the largest of the year

Merz chooses to give money to Kiev rather than help own people — legislator

Even as Germany has enough budget funds to address the key problems facing the country’s society, Merz once again chose to meet Kiev’s demands, Markus Frohnmaier added

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

Russia’s Battlegroup North inflicted more than 1,480 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed five enemy armored combat vehicles in its areas of responsibility over the week, the Defense Ministry reported

Ukraine loses nearly 400 locomotives this year alone — transport minister

Nikolay Kalashnik believes that losses of locomotives, rolling stock, and railway infrastructure will only increase in the future

US refrains from tougher measures against Iran on request from regional countries — Trump

US President Donald Trump stressed that if not for that request, he could go further

Trade turnover between Russia, Vietnam gains 14% in 1H — upper house speaker

The countries are progressively shifting to using national currencies for financial settlements and establishing reliable channels for banking and credit cooperation, Valentina Matviyenko added

If Kiev really controls Konstantinovka, then let it demine town — Kremlin

According to Dmitry Peskov, the demining would take five days

Kallas says Russia’s calls for security talks 'a trap'

The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy said that allegedly "any kind of discussion about the European security architecture" will only "divert the attention away" from Brussels’ core demand