7 Feb, 08:13

Cosmonauts Platonov, Artemyev to fly aboard US Crew Dragon spaceships to orbital outpost

In coming months, a Crew Dragon spacecraft will also deliver Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov to the orbital station, Russia’s State Space Corporation said

© Joel Kowsky/ NASA via Getty Images

MOSCOW, February 7. /TASS/. Russian cosmonauts Oleg Platonov and Oleg Artemyev will fly aboard US Crew Dragon spaceships to the International Space Station (ISS) in the coming two years, Russia’s State Space Corporation Roscosmos announced on Friday.

"Oleg Platonov has been included in the crew of the Crew Dragon spacecraft (the Crew-11 mission) scheduled for launch in the second half of 2025. Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Artemyev has been included in the crew of the Crew Dragon spaceship (the Crew-12 mission) scheduled for launch in the first half of 2026," the Russian space agency said in a statement.

In coming months, a Crew Dragon spacecraft will also deliver Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov to the orbital station, it said.

Also, NASA astronauts Christopher Williams and Anil Samoilenko Menon will fly aboard the Russian Soyuz MS-28 and Soyuz MS-29 spaceships, respectively, to the ISS in their first spaceflights, Roscosmos said.

"The basic crew of the 74th long-term expedition (the lift-off aboard the Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft scheduled for the fall of 2025) that comprises Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergey Mikayev also includes NASA astronaut Christopher Williams assigned to it instead of Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov," it said.

Also, the basic crew of the Soyuz MS-29 spaceship scheduled for launch in the summer of 2026 has NASA astronaut Anil Samoilenko Menon assigned to it. Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Korsakov has left the Soyuz MS-29 crew, it said.

Head of Russia’s Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (part of Roscosmos) Maksim Kharlamov told TASS in January that Roscosmos and NASA had extended the program of seat swap flights aboard Russian Soyuz and US Crew Dragon spacecraft to the orbital outpost. He also said that cosmonauts Artemyev and Platonov could fly aboard US spaceships to the ISS.

Yesterday, 15:22

Bezos’ Blue Origin rocket takes all-female crew on debut tourist trip

The capsule landed safely after taking the six-woman team on a 10-12 minute trip into suborbital space

Yesterday, 17:06

Syria’s ambassador has no plans to return to Damascus for now — source

Earlier, the source said that Bashar Jaafari had requested asylum in Russia

Yesterday, 14:14

Russian officer details Ukrainian mining tactics in Guyevo

He also highlighted the critical role of reconnaissance units in evacuating civilians from combat zones, noting that only experienced guides can safely lead people out

Yesterday, 16:28

Trump says expects 'very good proposals' on Ukraine soon

The US President stressed that he wanted to stop the killing

Yesterday, 20:22

Russia insists on checking Kiev's compliance with future settlement schemes — Lavrov

According to him, Europe will do everything to ensure that the Kiev regime is preserved

Kiev violates energy strike moratorium nearly 100 times in past month — Russian diplomat

According to Rodion Miroshnik, the Ukrainian military conducted 38 deliberate strikes on Russian energy sites in the week of April 7-13

Yesterday, 14:00

Merz aligning with Zelensky, could become his 'accomplice' in war crimes — Russian MP

"Germany’s intention to supply long-range cruise missiles to the Ukrainian army has nothing to do with resolving the Ukrainian crisis," Leonid Slutsky stressed

Ukrainians could face deportation for taking part in protests against Trump — ex-PM

According to Nikolay Azarov, 64% of Ukrainian protesters are draft-age men between the ages of 25 and 47, who may end up in the armed forces at home after participating in protest rallies in the United States

Yesterday, 16:27

London sends Ukraine second tranche of loan from frozen Russian assets

The sum of the tranche is 752 million pounds ($990 million), which will be used to purchase air defense systems and artillery

Ukrainian forces target energy facilities in three Russian regions

According to the report, residents of the Sevsky district in the Bryansk Region were left without electricity

Russian rescuers complete their mission in earthquake-hit Myanmar

According to the press service, the medics who were part of the group helped 508 people during their stay in Myanmar

Yesterday, 09:08

Russian forces gain fire control over roads to Kursk Region monastery — officer

According to the report, assault teams are fighting to liberate the monastery

Yesterday, 08:32

Ukrainian army running low on supplies in Gornal settlement in Kursk Region — officer

As soon as the enemy’s infantry and equipment come within the sight of Russian artillery, it immediately delivers a strike and the "adversary runs back to its territory," he added

Russia, US, China to divide spheres of influence under new world order — Argentine leader

According to Javier Milei, Europe is currently incapable of claiming global leadership

Nearly 1,000 people left powerless in Kursk after Ukrainian drone attack

It is reported that the power engineers also cut off the electricity supply to the damaged apartment buildings

Slovak premier says he will be in Moscow on May 9 despite threats from EU diplomatic chief

According to Robert Fico, Kaja Kallas' statement underscores the need for a debate on the essence of democracy within the European Union

Yesterday, 17:59

World’s largest chipboard plant opened in Kaluga Region

Russian President Vladimir Putin took part in launching the facility via the video link

Yesterday, 14:08

Russia has proof its strike hit Ukrainian commanders’ meeting at facility in Sumy — Lavrov

"There are military officers from NATO countries present, and they are directly in command," the top Russian diplomat said

Zelensky submits bills to Rada on extension of martial law, mobilization for three months

According to lawmaker Yaroslav Zheleznyak, martial law and mobilization will be extended until August 6

Yesterday, 20:39

US delivers massive airstrikes on Houthi infrastructure in Yemen

The Houthi-affiliated Al Masirah television channel reported at least 15 attacks on the Marib governorate

Yesterday, 15:52

EU diplomacy chief warns members against attending Moscow's Victory Day parade

When asked whether EU leaders planned to visit Kiev on May 9, Kaja Kallas responded that she encouraged representatives from all EU countries "to visit Kiev and Ukraine as much as possible to show solidarity"

Russia invites 19 countries to Victory Day parade on Red Square — minister

According to Andrey Belousov, solemn events involving military personnel will be held in 370 settlements

JD Vance slams 'absurd' Zelensky’s words on US support for Russia

The US vice president pointed out that in order to resolve the Ukrainian conflict, it is necessary to understand the strategic goals of both sides

Yesterday, 22:05

US recognizes idiocy of Biden's team's decision not to talk to Russia — Lavrov

He said that Russia and the United States, as responsible international players, must do everything to ensure that differences in national interests 'do not slide into confrontation'

UN chief’s remarks on Sumy events expose selective approach to UN Charter — Russian MFA

Maria Zakharova stressed that "Russian forces have never carried out deliberate strikes on the civilian population, and they will never do that"

EU states explore ways to bypass Hungary's veto on Russia sanctions — media

The source said that EU member states and institutions needed to realize that in a certain situation, sanctions would not be renewed

US, Iran to discuss uranium enrichment and control over weapons’ stockpiles — Witkoff

According to the US special presidential envoy, the next round of talks is going to be about verification on the enrichment program "and then ultimately on the verification of the program of weaponization"

Russian forces held off Ukrainian counteroffensive near Krasnoarmeysk, official says

According to Igor Kimakovsky, the enemy gathered up significant drone forces in the area for the counteroffensive attempt

Ukrainian attacks kill 19 Russian civilians, including two kids, in past week — diplomat

Rodion Miroshnik specified that the Ukrainian armed forces had fired over 2,000 projectiles at Russian territory in the past week

Yesterday, 19:49

Russian court rules that US citizen Tater be committed to psychiatric hospital

The US citizen is accused of assaulting a police officer

US makes progress in talks with Russia on Ukrainian conflict settlement — Witkoff

The US special presidential envoy added that he felt confident about a possible deal between Russia and the United States

25 Oct 2021, 15:32

Putin grants Russian citizenship to actress and singer Natalia Oreiro and her son

Natalia Oreiro said in an interview that she had applied for Russian citizenship in June 2020

Yesterday, 19:25

Coming to terms on key elements of Ukrainian settlement proving difficult — Lavrov

The Russian Foreign Minister stressed that an agreement can only be reached when its root causes are eliminated

Zelensky says Witkoff overstepped his authority when discussing Ukraine's territory

The latest meeting between Putin and Witkoff took place on April 11 and lasted more than four hours

West's spinning of Sumy strike aims to undermine peace talks — portal

Journalist Davide Malacaria drew a parallel to the 2020 Bucha provocation staged by the Kiev regime, when Western media blew that story up to discredit Russia, hindering talks in Istanbul

Press review: EU may become Ukraine’s top arms supplier while Trump seeks trade benefits

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, April 15th

Zelensky’s bid to extend martial law shows disregard for US initiatives — Russian diplomat

According to Rodion Miroshnik, "the very fact that the legislation was introduced in this manner and at this particular moment underscores that Zelensky and his inner circle are fundamentally unwilling to even consider the prospect of holding elections"

Yesterday, 14:19

Medvedev labels German chancellor candidate 'Nazi' for his idea to strike Crimean bridge

Kiev has repeatedly requested Taurus missiles from Berlin

1 Mar 2021, 10:57

No need to recognize ‘annexation of Crimea’ as no annexation took place — Kremlin

The spokesman recalled that the peninsula reunited with Russia in compliance with all norms of international law

Yesterday, 14:23

Russia's downing of Ukrainian F-16 shows hoopla around jet overblown, general says

Major-General Vladimir Popov argued that Ukrainian pilots have trouble with the multirole fighter jet because, among other things, they are not accustomed to the layout of the cockpit

Yesterday, 12:28

Ukrainian troops in Kursk Region deflated, actively surrendering — Russian officer

Army General Valery Gerasimov, chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces and first deputy defense minister, said on March 12 that around 430 Ukrainian soldiers had been captured in the Kursk Region

Russia’s intel chief accuses Paris, London, Berlin of whip up escalation around Ukraine

"We feel and see that European countries, especially France, the UK and Germany are raising the level of escalation around the Ukrainian conflict," Sergey Naryshkin said

Ukrainian army sustains colossal losses in Chasov Yar area — DPR head’s adviser

The Ukrainian troops are reluctant to surrender this location, which overlooks the entire agglomeration north of Konstantinovka, Igor Kimakovsky noted

Russia fully complies with moratorium on energy sites strikes — foreign intel chief

On March 18, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump had a telephone conversation in which they discussed the situation in Ukraine

Yesterday, 22:08

Lavrov to hold talks with visiting South African counterpart — Russian diplomat

According to the South African foreign ministry, Ronald Lamola will also take part in the 18th meeting of the intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation

IN BRIEF: What is known about Ukrainian army’s overnight drone attack on Kursk

A total of 109 unmanned aerial vehicles were shot down over the region, the Russian Defense Ministry said

Ukrainian armed forces lost up to 155 troops in Battlegroup East responsibility zone

The Russian Defense Ministry added that the group's units continued to advance deep into the enemy's defenses, and also defeated the manpower and equipment of the mechanized, airmobile, airborne assault brigades of the Ukrainian armed forces and the defense brigade in the areas of the settlements of Bogatyr, Otradnoye, Burlatskoye, and Shevchenko of the Donetsk People's Republic

Acting Kursk Region head reveals number of apartment houses damaged in Ukrainian attack

According to acting Kursk head Sergey Kotlyarov, over 20 cars were damaged

Yesterday, 23:38

Russia not to 'offer anything to anyone' on New START Treaty — Lavrov

The ten-year treaty was to expire in February 2021, when Moscow and Washington agreed to extend it for a maximum period of five years, with Russia describing it as the gold standard of disarmament accords

Kremlin to clarify deadline for moratorium on strikes on energy infrastructure

According to Dmitry Peskov, everything will depend on further orders from the Supreme Commander-in-Chief

Yesterday, 19:58

Russia not coming after anyone to lift sanctions — Lavrov

According to the Russian Foreign Minister, in trade relations with the United States, "everything will depend on how they plan to implement this - the resumption of economic cooperation"

Kremlin reiterates Russia observing moratorium on strikes against energy facilities

Meanwhile, this temporary moratorium has not been and is not being observed by the Ukrainian armed forces, Dmitry Peskov said

Yesterday, 22:11

Hamas says has received Gaza ceasefire proposal, will respond soon

Under the Israeli initiative, it will withdraw its troops from areas of the Gaza Strip captured during the operation that was launched in mid-March during the 45-day ceasefire

Yesterday, 16:50

Technology to jam Starlink signal begins to be used in Kherson Region — governor

This technology has already started to be deployed, and the effects are already being felt, Vladimir Saldo stressed

Yesterday, 08:45

Russia may take Kharkov, Odessa if Ukraine conflict continues — French expert

Colonel Herve Carresse added that the Europeans have suffered a lot from the conflict

Yesterday, 08:44

French expert sees signs of Ukraine's military exhaustion

Colonel Herve Carres also pointed to "a noticeable decline in the morale of Ukrainian society"

Guterres shields Kiev's disregard for self-determination principle — diplomat

"The clique of [Vladimir] Zelensky systematically and maliciously violates the fundamental freedoms of ethnic Russians and Russian-speaking citizens," Maria Zakharova said

Kherson official says 102 settlements left powerless as Kiev hits regional substation

On April 6, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that a Ukrainian drone attacked the 150kV Vinogradovo substation of the Tavria Power Grid Enterprise, a branch of the Rosseti Power Grid Company

Instigators to be first targets to be hit in case of NATO aggression — Russian SVR chief

Sergey Naryshkin drew attention to the fact that Poland and the Baltic states "are characterized by a high level of aggressiveness"

Yesterday, 11:45

Russian forces only hit military targets — Kremlin comments on Sumy strike

Earlier, Igor Korotchenko, military analyst and editor-in-chief of the National Defense magazine, told TASS that the Russian missile strike had targeted an administrative building in Sumy hosting an awarding ceremony for Ukrainian service members who had distinguished themselves in fighting against the Russian Armed Forces

US derails G7 condemnation of Russian strike on Ukrainian troops in Sumy — news agency

On April 13, the Russian Armed Forces delivered a strike by two Iskander-M tactical missiles on a gathering place of the command staff of Ukraine’s Seversk operational-tactical group in the city of Sumy

Situation with inflation in Russia changing to the better — Putin

The Bank of Russia and the economic bloc of the government want to achieve reduction of mortgage lending to improve the macroeconomic situation, including as regards inflation, the Russian leader stressed

Yesterday, 10:06

Ukraine’s fleet of F-16s is comparable to drop in the sea — expert

On April 13, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that one of the Ukrainian Air Force's F-16 aircraft had been shot down by Russian air defenses

Russian army expands buffer zone around liberated villages in Sumy Region

Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that its troops had liberated Veselovka, Zhuravka, and Basovka in the Sumy Region

Yesterday, 14:29

Russian forces strike Ukrainian army, foreign mercenaries in 137 areas over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicted roughly 420 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed five enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day

Yesterday, 15:15

Syria’s ambassador asks Russia for asylum — TASS source

Earlier it became known that Jaafari was notified of his recall to Damascus and the change of the head of Syria’s diplomatic mission in Russia

Yesterday, 10:54

Russian government approves energy strategy until 2050

The updated strategy expands the planning horizon and takes into account existing challenges, which should allow the oil, gas, coal, electric power, power engineering and related transport sectors to more accurately meet the changes taking place in the world

Energy strikes, dialogue with US, new intel: SVR chief Naryshkin talks to reporters

Russian Foreign Intelligence Service Director lauded the renewed dialogue between Russia and the United States

US Secretary of State Rubio discusses Iran in telephone call with Turkish top diplomat

They agreed on the importance of counterterrorism cooperation and strengthening NATO

Yesterday, 17:34

EU is preparing 17th package of anti-Russian sanctions — Kallas

Discussions are underway whether the ban on supplies of Russian liquefied gas is included into the next sanctions package

Yesterday, 09:31

Ukrainian army leaving positions in Gornal community in Kursk Region — officer

The artillery of Russia’s 30th Motor Rifle Regiment has cut off all the supply routes for the Ukrainian combat group in the village of Gornal, he said

Yesterday, 08:51

Uncontrolled AI growth in US could doom humanity — Chinese ambassador

Zhang Hanhui stressed that China regards security as a fundamental principle of AI development, "emphasizing the priority of ethical norms and the need to keep AI under control"

EU allocates 23 bln euro more than US to Kiev, gap increasing — institute

According to the report, "no new military, financial, or humanitarian aid is observed since the United States announced its last aid package"

Ukraine loses over 20 servicemen in failed attack on Petropavlovka — military expert

Andrey Marochko added that Russian troops destroyed two Western-made armored personnel carriers and damaged one

Solution for Ukraine envisages nuclear-free status, demilitarization — intelligence chief

Such a settlement also concerns "the recognition and sovereignty of Russia’s current territorial borders"

Russia, US have 'possibility to reshape relationship' — US envoy Witkoff

Speaking about the ongoing developments in Ukraine, he noted that both Moscow and Washington were on the brink of the conflict’s resolution

Yesterday, 14:31

Russian army clears Ukrainian fortifications near liberated Guyevo in Kursk Region

Russian forces continue their offensive, with some Ukrainian units abandoning their positions and retreating toward the Sumy Region

Russian bomb expert describes Ugledar tunnels as grave for numerous Ukrainian troops

It is reported that the tunnels created a wide network covered by buildings

Yesterday, 18:15

China to remain unscathed by rare earths export ban, while leaving US scarred — expert

According to Antonina Levashenko, rare earth magnets account for a small portion of China's total exports to the United States and other countries

Ukrainian attack on Kursk Region shows true goals of Zelensky regime — envoy

Rodion Miroshnik said that now rescuers are evacuating the residents of the three most damaged apartment buildings

Yesterday, 15:30

Ukraine's actions in Kursk Region should be recognized as genocide — senator

Alexey Kondratyev also recalled one of the atrocities committed by the Ukrainian army in the Kursk Region, citing the case of a woman from the Russkoye Porechnoye of the Sudzhensky district starving to death during the occupation of the settlement

Yesterday, 18:28

Oil tanker disposal should not create new problems — Putin

"The casing proper and everything being done around this tanker must be part of the future work on evacuation of petroleum products and complete disposal of the tanker’s hull," the head of state stressed

West's holier-than-thou attitude pushes it to sidelines of global politics — diplomat

Grigory Lukyantsev added that only if the UN develops a common approach can it "restore confidence, overcome differences and stabilize the international situation"

Yesterday, 19:00

Lavrov sees ‘men of sense’ in new US administration

According to the foreign minister, Russia works with them to resolve basic issues related to the day-to-day operations of the diplomatic mission

EU radical on Ukraine for fear to seem weak to global south — Russian Foreign Ministry

Vladislav Maslennikov, director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Department of European Issues added that the EU is directly talking about its intention to block any peace agreements on Ukraine under the pretext that they are not invited to the negotiating table

US makes progress in talks with Russia on Ukrainian conflict settlement — Witkoff

Last Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin had a meeting with Special Presidential Envoy at the Presidential Library in St. Petersburg, which lasted for up to five hours

Russia’s intel chief accuses many Western nations of plotting to upset Victory Day events

"It has come to the point that in one of the Baltic countries it is planned to destroy the military graves of the soldiers and officers of the Red Army who actually liberated these countries from fascism," Sergey Naryshkin noted

Yesterday, 11:01

Russian army prevails in Sumy due to being better trained than Ukrainian servicemen

The Russian serviceman noted that the 30th Motorized Rifle Regiment deployed to the Kursk Region in August 2024 and had been involved in all key operations there alongside a neighboring unit

Russian troops make wide-front advance toward Konstantinovka in Donetsk area — official

According to Igor Kimakovsky, Russian forces are trying to even out the front line between Dimitrov and Dzerzhinsk

Yesterday, 10:00

Press review: Russia-US Ukraine talks continue as Iranian-US Oman meeting makes headlines

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, April 14th

West attempts to twist UN’s foundation over hegemonic ambitions — Russian diplomat

Gennady Gatilov stressed that some countries, seeking to secure their domination, attempt to distort the UN’s core, erode the system of international law, which enshrines the sovereign equality of countries

Yesterday, 10:10

Zelensky admits inability to regain lost territories

At the same time, he noted his distrust of Russian authorities and continued to demand security guarantees from the West

Yesterday, 12:26

What we know about Russia’s Iskander strike on Ukrainian military command in Sumy

The strike on the target eliminated more than 60 Ukrainian army personnel, Russia’s Defense Ministry said

At least one civilian killed, nine wounded in Ukraine’s drone attack on Russia’s Kursk

The regional operational headquarters reported that as a result of the attacks the 8th and 9th floors of a multi-storey building in the city were destroyed by the ensued blaze

Russia’s import-substituted SJ-100 plane rises to 12,200 meters during test flight

The flight lasted about three hours

Russia’s intel chief says NATO countries step up military preparations

Earlier on Tuesday, Sergey Naryshkin said he had discussed regional and global security issues at a meeting with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko

21 Dec 2024, 04:29

CIA station in Kiev targeted in recent Russian attack, military expert reveals

According to Alexander Stepanov, strikes are systematic efforts to gradually wipe out the military capabilities of Ukraine

Yesterday, 19:27

US makes great progress in trade negotiations with EU — White House

"It’s going to be very good for American workers, especially American auto workers," White House economic advisor Kevin Hassett said

Yesterday, 18:40

Pucks from Ovechkin’s 894th, 895th goals to be displayed at hockey academy in Moscow

The Alexander Ovechkin International Hockey Academy is scheduled to open in Moscow in 2026

Sappers destroy more than 185,000 mines, explosive items in Kursk Region

More than 675 kilometers of roads and 26,000 hectares of land have been cleared of mines

Yesterday, 12:05

Kremlin believes Germany’s Merz wants Ukraine conflict to escalate

"We are seeing the same approach in other European capitals as well," Dmitry Peskov added