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Russia to create world’s most powerful laser system in Volga area, says Kremlin aide

This can be one of the options of creating thermonuclear reactors based on new principles, Andrey Fursenko pointed out

MOSCOW, May 19. /TASS/. Russia has made a substantial headway in creating unique scientific installations and is set to establish the world’s most powerful laser system in the Sarov nuclear research center in the Volga area, Presidential Aide Andrey Fursenko said at the New Horizons educational marathon of the Knowledge Society on Thursday.

"I was in Sarov the day before yesterday. This is a nuclear power engineering center that is engaged in a series of defense projects but, what is also important, it is a place where completely unique facilities are created. We were shown one of the world’s most powerful laser systems being created. Once it is created, it will be the world’s most powerful laser system. This system will help study matter under completely different parameters and this can be one of the options of creating thermonuclear reactors based on new principles," Fursenko said.

Russia has made a considerable headway in creating unique mega-science installations, the Kremlin aide said.

"Russia is creating research installations that are very complex, big and expensive. They help explore the world around us and this involves a completely different set of tools," he added.

Undocking of Crew Dragon with cosmonaut Grebenkin on board due on Oct. 20 or later — NASA

The undocking was again delayed by weather conditions

Presidential candidate reports violations at elections, referendum in Moldova

Observers received more than 170 reports of violations in the first two hours, 34 of which were verified and confirmed

Zelensky's 'Victory Plan' plays on West's desire to defeat Russia — Lavrov

"We will not accept any option for Ukraine to remain in a position when it is used by the West in order to impose direct threats to Russia," the Russian Foreign Minister said

Rescuers found body of fifth victim of gas blast in Tambov region — Emergencies Ministry

A household gas explosion rocked an apartment building in the town of Kirsanov

Zaporozhye Region governor warns Ukrainians won’t be forgiven if they fight for Zelensky

Yevgeny Balitsky said that only Ukrainian military servicemen have the potential to move against the Kiev regime inside their country now, but they are unlikely to do so because they would not be forgiven for the atrocities they have already committed

Russia and Indonesia gradually moving towards a visa-free regime — ambassador

In accordance with Russian legislation, this can be implemented only on the basis of a bilateral intergovernmental agreement, Sergey Tolchenov said

Putin appoints Maxim Oreshkin as special representative for cooperation with BRICS

The document will enter into force after it is signed

US should think of adverse effect for dollar from anti-Russian sanctions — Putin

All the countries of the world are now thinking of whether it is worth to use the dollar if the US limits the dollar use as a universal international settlement unit due to political considerations, the Russian president noted

NATO number one threat to global peace, says French politician

It is stted that NATO considers the EU as "a registration office of its members"

Share of non-oil and gas revenues in Russian budget reaches two-thirds — Finance Minister

At the same time, oil and gas revenues in the total federal budget revenues will amount to 27% in 2025, and 23% in 2027, Anton Siluanov said

Putin, Vucic exchange congratulation on 80th anniversary of Belgrade’s liberation in WWII

The leaders exchanged congratulations on the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Belgrade from Nazi invaders

Three killed, 8 wounded by gunfire as people celebrated football win in Mississippi

The shooting took place in Holmes County on Saturday when a group of 200 to 300 people were celebrating outdoors, according to The Associated Press

Ukrainian forces lost up to 460 troops in Battlegroup Center responsibility zone

The Battlegroup Center defeated five brigades of the Ukrainian armed forces in the Donetsk People's Republic in one day and repelled nine counterattacks, the Russian Defense Ministry reported

G7 defense ministers highlight need to restore Ukrainian army’s combat capability

We welcome NATO’s and EU’s respective efforts, the declaration reads

G7 defense ministers call for boosting defense production in Western countries

The document emphasizes the need "to strengthen the defense industry, encouraging robust engagement and industrial cooperation with partners."

Moving frontline 40 km away from Nikopol needed to start Zaporozhye NPP — Governor

The two cities are located on the right bank of the Dnieper controlled by the Ukrainian Armed Forces

Slovakia’s ruling party objects to inviting Ukraine to NATO — PM

According to Fico, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, who has recently unveiled his conflict settlement plan, is aware of Slovakia’s position

Governor says term of Russian land lease to China will be known within year

The authorities of Russia’s Trans-Baikal Territory announced their decision on leasing out to China a total of 115,000 hectares of land for a term of 49 years

UNSC to hold two Russia-initiated meetings on Ukraine in late October — Russian mission

Apart from that, Russia’s mission has requested a meeting on Western weapons supplies to Ukraine and their impacts on the prospects for a peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian crisis

Hezbollah fires some 200 projectiles into Israel on October 19 — Israeli army

"The IDF will continue to defend the State of Israel and its people against the threat posed by the Hezbollah terrorist organization," the army added

North Korea discovers remains of crashed South Korean drone in Pyongyang — KCNA

The General Staff decided to keep the combined artillery units and the units "with important fire duties near the border" in full combat readiness, a spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense of the DPRK added

BRICS considering 15 countries as its potential partners — BRICS aide

"It would be illogical to admit so many countries at once, because it would no longer be am association but rather an amorphous structure, which would be unable to work," he said in an interview with Russian TV Channel One

Brazil, India, Africa should become permanent members of UN Security Council — Lavrov

"This is necessary to ensure representativeness, representation of the global majority," the Russian Foreign Minister said

Ninety-five Russian troops return home from Ukrainian captivity

According to the broadcaster, a special flight brought them to the Chkalovsky airfield outside Moscow, where buses were waiting for them

US provocations, Ukraine: Putin's remarks to BRICS media leaders

According to the Russian leader, Western countries, led by the United States, have caused the ongoing Ukrainian crisis and have started the war back in 2014

BRICS to become alternative to global financial institutes — Cuba’s envoy to UN

BRICS countries have common interests and huge possibilities for foreign trade, the country’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ernesto Soberon Guzman said

Russia expects contract for Su-35 delivery to Indonesia to be implemented — ambassador

The ambassador noted that "no clear explanations" were given as to why the contract was frozen, but this is probably due to difficulties with calculations

Moldova’s Social Party calls for balanced relations with EU, Russia — ex-President Dodon

He rejected allegations that his party is seeking termination of talks on Moldova’s European Union membership

Russia has unique icebreaker fleet and is developing it — Putin

The President recalled that Russia had seven nuclear icebreakers and 34 diesel ones

Russia has long been ahead of countries considered developed — finance minister

In May, the World Bank updated its GDP data at purchasing power parity, taking into account data for 2021, Russia entered the top four economies in the world

No plans to join NATO, send weapons to Ukraine, says Serbian deputy PM

According to Vulin, Belgrade is unwilling to join the anti-Russian hysteria

Voting at Moldova’s presidential election, referendum on joining EU over

However, voting will continue at some overseas polling stations

Putin, Vucic set to continue cooperation between Russia, Serbia — Kremlin

The leaders agreed to continue maintaining personal communication

Russia says comms unit of Airborne Force helps seamless operations in Zaporozhye Region

Modern wearable communication systems are widely used at forward positions, allowing satellite radio communication with command points," the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement

Kremlin welcomes Scholz's readiness for dialogue with Putin

At the same time, the Kremlin has not yet received any real proposals from Germany or other Western countries to organize contacts with the Russian president, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said

Terrorists plan to stage provocations in Syria using toxic agents — Russian military

Terrorists reportedly plan to carry out a false flag operation together with members of the White Helmets pseudo-humanitarian organization in the south of the Idlib de-escalation zone

Economic growth to be in Russia, China, India and Saudi Arabia — Putin

"Forming of new centers of development" is the sign of time, the Russian leader underlined

Russian ambassador tells BBC that UK wages ‘aggressive war’ against Russia

While Ukraine still keeps resisting, that resistance is getting weaker, Andrey Kelin says

US will consider Russia adversary regardless of outcome of its elections — Lavrov

The Russian Foreign Minister also added that US President Joe Biden's statements on nuclear arms talks with Russia are aimed at helping Democratic Party candidate Kamala Harris in the upcoming presidential elections

Vucic thanks Putin for Moscow’s principled position on Kosovo

Aleksandar Vucic thanked Vladimir Putin for Russia’s principled position on issues of Serbia’s territorial integrity

Russian air defenses destroy fixed-wing drone over Bryansk Region

The governor added that emergency personnel were working on the scene

Israeli airstrikes on northern Gaza kill over 70 Palestinians — TV

According to the enclave’s Health Ministry, more than 42,500 Palestinians have been killed and 99,600 have suffered injuries in Gaza since October 2023

France in discussion with partners about inviting Ukraine to NATO immediately

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot is on a two-day visit to Kiev

Top French diplomat confirms plans to provide Mirage 2000 fighter jets to Ukraine

Barrot, who is currently on a two-day visit to Ukraine, added that France continued training Ukrainian pilots and aircraft mechanics

Press review: Zelensky sees nukes as only alternative to NATO and Hamas loses its leader

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

Russian air defenses shoot down another drone over Bryansk Region

Emergency personnel are working on the scene

Further Russian offensive, Ukraine’s losses: situation in Kursk Region

Over the day, the Russian military repelled 2 enemy counterattacks towards the settlements of Zeleny Shlyakh and Lyubimovka, the Defense Ministry reported

Russia hammers Ukrainian military-industrial sector, energy sites over week

Russian troops liberated five communities in the Donbass area and the Zaporozhye Region over the week, the ministry reported

Ukrainian crisis, other conflicts to be discussed at BRICS summit’s first session

According to the Kremlin aide, colleagues from Brazil and China will lay bare their views on these conflicts

Ukrainian attack on Russia’s Belgorod Region injures four civilians, including child

Gladkov added that one of the attacks caused two households to catch fire; 20 residential buildings and 14 cars suffered damage

US aware when, how Israel will respond to Iran’s missile strike — Biden

UAE president arrives in Moscow to meet with Putin — agency

Later in the day, the two presidents will meet in an informal atmosphere

Russian forces destroy two Baba Yaga bomber drones in Kharkov Region

Data recorders show FPV drone crews wiping out two Ukrainian Baba Yaga unmanned aerial vehicles over the Kharkov Region in the course of the special military operation

Administration of Zaporozhye Region’s district attacked by Ukrainian troops

According to Titsky, no one was hurt

Israeli Air Force strikes Hezbollah intelligence headquarters in Beirut

"Before the strike, numerous measures were taken to reduce the risk of harm to the civilian population, including early warning of the population in the area," the press service noted

Top diplomat to lead Nicaragua’s delegation to BRICS summit in Kazan

In June, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega pointed out that the country’s authorities were working on joining BRICS because the group stood for a multipolar world order

Lavrov slams Kiev’s statements about developing nuclear arsenal as reckless

"You could spend an eternity analyzing what this man and his team say, but we realize that such attempts are in vain, unnecessary, and even counterproductive," the top Russian diplomat stressed

Khaled Mashal becomes new Hamas leader after Sinwar’s death — website

According to Lebanon's LBCI news website, he is now responsible for communication with the key parties involved in talks on the release of Israeli hostages

Ka-52M helicopter crews thwart Ukrainian troop rotation in Russia’s Kursk Region

The ministry also released footage of the attack

BRICS countries working on their SWIFT alternative — Putin

Opportunities are also being explored of broadening the use of national currencies and creating instruments enabling to make this work safe, the Russian leader noted

UAE president sees good prospects for cooperation with Russia

"You mentioned that trade between our countries in recent time has reached a level we wanted. But mu visit to Russia proves that much is yet ahead," he said at a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin

Repelling Ukrainian counterattack and enemy losses: situation in Russia’s Kursk region

The losses of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Kursk direction over the past day reached over 270 servicemen

Russia not threat to Hungary, rest of EU — Hungarian minister

"Hungary is a member of NATO, and NATO is rather powerful," Viktor Orban said

First deal to sell Russian carbon units abroad completed

Chairman of Equity International General Trading, Salem Humaid Saif Almzaini, said that the company views the transaction as the first step to integration of the BRICS countries’ carbon markets

Russian troops fight for native Russian territories during special op — Putin

He said it, commenting on the discussion moderator’s remark that Western states have already abandoned their idea to "defeat Russia on the battlefield

Russia ready to supply oil and gas to Indonesia — ambassador

"We are also ready to supply oil and gas, if there is interest, as well as Russian metals, fertilizers," the diplomat noted

IAEA depends on EU opinion and therefore not objective — Zaporozhye Region Governor

As for the IAEA, it is absolutely not an independent structure. Its salaries are paid by European officials

Press review: Zelensky's Victory Plan jumbled mess and SCO helps usher in new world order

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, October 17th

Ukraine cannot engage in talks with Russia from position of strength, as it loses — Orban

The Hungarian prime minister emphasized that this is why it is necessary to reach a ceasefire and start peace talks as soon as possible

Russian troops liberate Zoryanoye settlement in Donetsk People's Republic

Russian air defense systems also destroyed 31 aircraft-type UAVs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces over the past day, the Russian Defense Ministry reported

IN BRIEF: Enemy losses and surrendering troops: situation in Russia’s Kursk Region

Kremlin sees no links between cancellations on Russia, Brazilian leaders’ visits

The press service of the Brazilian president said earlier in the day that Lula da Silva would not be able to attend the BRICS summit in Kazan on October 22-24 because of health problems

Russian helicopters foil rotation of Ukrainian troops in Kursk Region’s border areas

"Strikes were delivered at designated enemy targets with air-fired rockets. After using aircraft weapons, the crews conducted an anti-missile maneuver, fired decoy flares and returned to the home base. According to the air support controller, Ukrainian armored vehicles and manpower were eliminated," the ministry said

Russia successfully test-fires Kalibr cruise missile in Arkhangelsk region — top brass

The missile firing area was closed to civilian shipping and flights in advance by ships from the Kola Flotilla and the Northern Fleet’s hydrographic ships

Russian Navy ships arrive in Iran for drills — top brass

It is reported that the practical part of the drills will be held in the waters of the Gulf of Oman in the Arabian Sea

BRICS summit, not US elections, will determine course of history — Russian official

Russia’s Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko believes that truly responsible leaders of sovereign states understand this, and the level of representation at the summit and the ever-growing number of applications for membership are clear proof of this

Ukraine’s military created network of underpasses near Ugledar — Russia’s top brass

As Russian servicemen say, the enemy is poorly trained and only few fighters, largely foreign mercenaries, put up fierce resistance while the others try to retreat or surrender

Voting in presidential elections, referendum in Moldova starts without incidents — CEC

There are 11 candidates running for president, including the incumbent head of the republic, Maia Sandu

Press review: Kim Jong Un dynamites Seoul links and NATO, US lay plans to deter Russia

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, October 16th

Kiev working on dirty bomb, Medvedev warns

Bild reported earlier that Kiev is seriously considering replenishing its nuclear weapon stocks

Blowing up roads in DPRK is republic’s internal affair, says Pyongyang

"Whether we dismantle roads and railway facilities or newly build them in the territory where the sovereignty of the DPRK is exercised, it pertains to the DPRK's sovereign right from A to Z and it is not a matter to be meddled in by the UN secretary-general," Kim Son Gyong stressed

Gazprom supplies 42.1 mln cubic meters of gas to Europe via Ukraine

The application for pumping through Sokhranovka was rejected by the Ukrainian side, Gazprom representative told reporters

Russian forces destroy two Baba Yaga bomber drones in Kharkov Region

The ministry also released footage showing the destruction of the drones

Berlin, Ankara exploring options to end Ukraine conflict, Germany chancellor says

According to Scholz, Germany and Turkey "are on Ukraine’s side."

Libyan national detained in Germany on suspicion of plotting attack on Israeli embassy

Investigators said they believe the man is a supporter of the Islamic State group (banned in Russia)

Iran successfully used Russian-made radar to track US F-35 jets — designer

The Rezonans-NE radar has been on round-the-clock combat duty in Iran for several years, according to the deputy CEO of the research center Rezonans

Situation in Kursk region

Aviation, artillery and missile troops continued to defeat manpower and equipment of the Ukrainian armed forces in the Kursk region, as well as their reserves in the Sumy region

Russia ranks fourth globally by purchasing power parity — Putin

China is the largest economy of the globe by that parameter, the head of state said

Netanyahu accuses ‘Iran’s proxy’ of trying to assassinate him in drone attack

On Saturday, a drone was launched toward Netanyahu's home in Caesarea

X continues to limit accounts after purchase by Musk — Russian diplomat

Mikhail Ulyanov was responding to Musk’s post inviting users to share their impressions of the social media platform since he bought it

Zelensky's military plan to lead to his defeat, Hungary not involved in this — Orban

It is reported that the defeated now want to move on to a victory plan

US plotting false-flag operation so it can go to war with Iran — expert

According to Alexey Leonkov, if after the possible election of Trump as president of the United States "it is possible to carry out a provocation against a symbolic target, things may turn around for the United States"

Units of battlegroup West captured 56 Ukrainian strongpoints

Ivan Bigma, a spokesman for the battlegroup, also specified that during the counter-battery battle, artillery units destroyed an M198 howitzer, M119 and L119 guns, and six mortar crews

Only Ukrainian commanders allowed to retreat in Krasnoarmeysk area — captive

Konstantin Kolesnikov surrendered as a prisoner of war in the area of the village of Pervomayskoye

Russian strategic nuclear-powered sub Knyaz Pozharsky enters state trials

The Sevmash Shipyard floated out the strategic nuclear-powered submarine Knyaz Pozharsky on February 3

Istanbul Agreements is only way leading to dialogue on Ukrainian settlement, says Putin

"The document exists, we have it. This is a draft treaty," the President noted

Counterproductive to set deadlines for ending special military op — Putin

While speaking about the possibility of peace talks, the Russian leader said: "We are in favor of it. I have already explained how this can be achieved. If this is the other side's honest position - they should act, the sooner the better"

Russia says its Mi-28NM helicopter destroyed Ukrainian armored vehicles in Kursk Region

The strike on the previously detected enemy targets were delivered with air-borne missiles

G7 reiterates concern about Russia's military cooperation with China, Iran, North Korea

The ministers alleged that China’s support was enabling Russia to carry out military operations in Ukraine

Putin informs Vucic about course of special military operation — Kremlin

The leaders discussed the situation around Ukraine

Situation gets bleaker for Ukrainian military, US thinks about negotiations — news agency

Columnist Hal Brands pointed out that none of the plans of US presidential candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris so far provide an answer to how to "turn a deteriorating battlefield situation into a decent peace" for Kiev