This week in photos: first train on Crimean Bridge, Venetian Santa, turtle marks Christmas

Andrey Babenko said that after a crash course in Britain he had been sent to the frontline near Liman

Artur Petrov who is also a German citizen, was arrested in Cyprus on August 26, 2023 at the request of the US Department of Justice on charges of illegally exporting US-made microelectronics to Russia

"Today, under the two countries’ leaders’ special attention, political contacts, exchanges, cooperation in the economic, culture, science and other areas are developing with renewed momentum," Minister Plenipotentiary of the republic's embassy in Russia Lee Yong Zin said

The Russian forces also foiled a counterattack of an assault group of the Ukrainian 80th mechanized brigade in the vicinity of the Krasnoye settlement in the Donetsk People’s Republic

"We need to live in peace, we do not want to fight against anyone, and I am confident that we will be not doing it," the Belarusian leader went on to say

Ukraine "is carrying a heavy burden" for the benefit of the EU, and therefore EU member states must "provide Ukraine with means to defend themselves," European Commission president said

The tactics employed by these criminals are becoming increasingly complex and barbaric, the Russian leader pointed out

Men of conscription age try to leave the country in every possible way, often putting their lives at risk

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, April 24th

According to Nikolay Patrushev, these countries "understand perfectly well who is financing" the Kiev regime

The unique vehicle was built on the basis of the Aurus Senat luxury car

Andrey Marochko added that the Ukrainians have also intensified artillery and drone attacks at Russian positions

Sergey Ryabkov noted that such problems exist for Russians using Turkish Airlines flights to other Latin American countries

According to the Al Mayadeen, more mass graves continue to be found following the withdrawal of Israeli troops

Speaking at a plenary session of the Valdai Discussion Club, the Russian leader also highlighted "the role and responsibility" of its members

"ALBA can be among the founders of a new world, a new international multipolar order," the Venezuelan president stressed

A day earlier, Abu Ubaidah, a spokesman for the Hamas' Izz ad-Din al-Qassam military wing, threatened that hostages held in the Gaza Strip could repeat the fate of Israeli pilot Ron Arad, who was kidnapped 36 years ago

"Republika Srpska comes under direct pressure and under constant US sanctions; and we are looking for ways to solve this problem," Milorad Dodik said

Russian military will do its utmost to repel such attacks, Apty Alaudinov said

According to the Belarusian leader, the likelihood of armed incidents on the border between Belarus and Ukraine is quite high with around 120,000 Ukrainian troops being deployed there

"A whole number of similar agreements with Asian, African, Middle Eastern, Latin American countries are being worked out," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin added

"We have heard President Putin say publicly that Russia has no intention of deploying nuclear weapons in space. If that were the case, Russia would not have vetoed this resolution," Jake Sullivan stressed.

The Russian leader expressed confidence that the the 12th International Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues "will bolster cooperation for the mutual benefit of our countries and peoples"

Dmitry Peskov added that the issue of fighting against long-range weapons being supplied to Ukraine and potential strikes on the areas where they are concentrated "is rather under the purview of <…> the armed forces"

Waldemar Skrzypczak also said it was "a matter of hours" until Kiev received the weapons allocated by the US as part of its latest military aid package

Timur Ivanov was arrested by Moscow’s Basmanny Court

The Russian war correspondent died of wounds suffered from a strike by a Ukrainian FPV drone on April 19

Counsellor Delgertsetseg Unubilegt noted that Mongolia and Russia have "a rich history of solidarity and cooperation," though the countries "are under great influence of political and social factors"

"An increase in radiation levels has already been registered in Poland," Nikolay Patrushev warned

The resolution gained 13 votes

Military expert Andrey Marochko speculated that the Ukrainian army had to resort to this tactic because the TV tower in Kharkov was damaged

According to Sergey Ryabkov, discussions around the deployment of NATO nuclear facilities in Poland are an "unfolding story"

Proposal for a UNSC resolution will take into account the results of the discussion of the US-Japanese document, as well as the progress on this subject, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said

"The impression is that Warsaw is maniacally seeking to attract even more attention from military planners in the Russian General Staff," Maria Zakharova added

According to Dmitry Stefanovich, in order to prevent a new unbridled arms race, it is necessary to work on strategic stability as well as the sphere of arms control

Ivan Tertel said various methods were being considered, up to "instigating a forceful seizure by illegal armed groups" being trained in the West and Ukraine

The adoption of a new military doctrine instead of the one that has been in force since July 2016 stems from the need for adaptation to the changed military-strategic situation

The resolution passed in a 493-11 vote, with 18 abstentions

Timur Ivanov was removed from the office of deputy defense minister of the Russian Federation of the federal government’s civil service

Maria Lvova-Belova thanked Qatar for setting up a venue for dialogue between Russia and Ukraine regarding children’s interests

The Russian Investigative Committee added that measures are underway to locate their whereabouts and bring them to criminal liability

The US businessman commented on remarks by Gad Saad, a Canadian professor of Lebanese origin, who insisted that "the path that the West is taking will result in civil war"

Dmitry Peskov pointed out that a year ago the opponents "were telling everyone that they were waiting for the moment Russia would be defeated on the battlefield"

Maria Zakharova noted that the quality of bilateral cooperation between Russia and China "surpasses Cold War-era monocentric blocs, where one party dictates to everyone else"

"A larger part of what is being manufactured is not sent to the frontline but goes to warehouses," Boris Pistorius said

"Washington’s plan is sickeningly simple, as it means dragging everyone under the pretext of ‘peace intentions’ to an empty gathering, while bolstering Zelensky’s terrorist potential," Maria Zakharova said

"We are tired to repeat over and over again - amid the US-backed Israeli military operation, which has been going on for more than six months already, adequate assistance to the enclave’s population is simply impossible," Vasily Nebenzya said

The embassy said that the Austrian Mauthhausen Committee had also cautioned the organizations of Russian compatriots in Austria against participating in the event

Maria Zakharova pointed to media reports, according to which Ukrainian embassies in a number of countries are openly campaigning local citizens to join the so-called International Legion of Ukrainian Territorial Defense

Russia’s Federal Financial Monitoring Service head added that the act of terrorism was intricately planned and it took an international network of conspirators to carry it out

Dmitry Peskov noted that, "according to some parameters, companies in Europe and other regions can hardly maintain their competitiveness if they completely abandon our products"

The court also blocked any securities held by JPMorgan’s entities in Russia

Alexander Pankin noted that during his visit to New York he did not have any talks with UN officials on the Russian-UN memorandum

Vyacheslav Volodin pointed to a law recently passed by Sweden’s parliament enabling minors to transition without surgery that a national survey showed was disapproved by 59% of citizens

The Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson stressed that "US steps are posing a major threat to security and stability of regional players"

"It’s not about any mythical aspirations to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, but about banal opportunistic and predatory ambitions," Anatoly Antonov said

According to the French leader, when building relations with Russia, Europe needs to rely upon its own strong security system

The amendment gained seven votes from countries including Russia and China

The 12th International Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues took place in St. Petersburg on April 23-25

"Today, 20-30 reconnaissance planes fly in the airspace of the Baltic states and Poland weekly," Pavel Muraveiko added

Simultaneously, the Air Force conducted two more military operation using a huge number of drones to target a US destroyer in the Gulf of Aden

"I think that Beijing understands this perfectly well and will not even pretend being ready to reach any agreements with the Americans to the detriment of Russia’s interests," Sergey Ryabkov said

According to Yevgenia Gutsul, Gagauzia has never experienced such pressure from Chisinau

"The fact that ATACMS long-range missiles were financed is very dangerous," the Belarusian president noted

The number of operational and combat training activities in Poland and the Baltic states increases every year, the Belarusian President noted

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, April 25th

Labor productivity requires a significant increase in all sectors of the economy, the President stressed

Joe Biden directed to send ATACMS to Ukraine in February, the Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the US Department of State Vedant Patel said

The 27th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum will be held on June 5-8

Apty Alaudinov added that if the Ukrainian army received long-range weapons, it might try to attack Russia's civilian infrastructure due to its powerlessness on the front

Viktor Khrenin emphasized that provocations by Western countries could become a catalyst for unleashing a military conflict

Maria Zakharova pointed out that Russia reaffirms its "strict commitment" to the international legal obligations under space law

According to Luis Arce, instead of pursuing "the policy of diplomacy and dialogue," the United States opts for "continued war and militarism"

Khalil al-Hayya said that Hamas would like to see "a fully sovereign Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and the return of Palestinian refugees in accordance with the international resolutions"

The Belarusian leader specified that the US had organized the conflict in Europe, in this case in Ukraine, and "shifted it onto the shoulders of the European Union and NATO, promising to help with money"

The head of state accused Washington of preparing a "Belarusian liberation army" and reiterated Minsk's readiness to "defend its country"

According to the investigation, Timur Ivanov and Sergey Borodin "criminally conspired with third parties" in order to receive a bribe "as providing monetized services when conducting contracted and subcontracted work" for the Defense Ministry

The Russian forces improved their frontline positions and inflicted casualties on five Ukrainian army brigades in the Donetsk area over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Yury Chikhanchin pointed out that the perpetrators of the attack were provided with money, weapons, transportation and ammunition

Konstantin Gavrilov also noted that the "manic efforts" of some Western OSCE member countries to isolate Russia "are futile and will backfire on their initiators"

According to the journalist, the decision to conduct the operation was made by US President Joe Biden personally, following nine months of discussions with White House national security advisers

Larry Johnson also noted that the Russian forces manage to advance recently despite the slush on the roads

The video shows Russian troops examining the enemy tanks and infantry fighting vehicles seized in battles

Mikhail Bogdanov noted that "the African continent is a dynamically developing part of the world with an enormous growth potential, attractive domestic market and expanding export prospects"

According to the agency, dust from the Sahara will be observed in Ukraine for two more days on April 25 and 26

"The court has selected a measure of restraint for Garry Kasparov, Gennady Gudkov, Yevgenia Chirikova and Ivan Tyutrin, charged with establishing and heading a terrorist society, funding terrorist activity and justifying it publicly," the court said

Russia has "very constructive and friendly relations" with Turkey, Dmitry Peskov stressed

Rafael Grossi may visit Russia in late May

"The American aid won’t save Zelensky. New weapons will be destroyed, and the special military operation goals will be achieved," Anatoly Antonov stressed

Vasily Nebenzya underscored that Russia continues to "make an important contribution to strengthening of African countries’ potential, including UN Security Council and General Assembly"

Earlier, demonstrators in several regions of Armenia tried to block highways, including international ones

Maria Berlinskaya emphasized that the real effectiveness was determined in real combat conditions, and not at "some training ground in Texas"

"It is obvious that the upcoming combat training on the territory of Finland is part of a hybrid war against our country," Maria Zakharova said

"The largest nuclear powers, albeit indirectly, are actually fighting on Ukrainian territory. And not indirectly," the president of Belarus noted

"Neither these missiles nor other weapons can help defeat the Russian Federation," Anatoly Antonov said

According to Vladimir Rogov, the Ukrainian troops are holding drills to cross the Dnieper from the right bank to the left bank and capture a large industrial site

According to the report, "the danger of Japan's participation in AUKUS is making the whole international community tense, not to mention the regional countries"

According to Belarusian State Security Committee Chairman Ivan Tertel, law enforcement officials continue to work on that track

All the existing Hugo Boss stores will be reopened in July - August 2024, Russian Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Viktor Evtukhov said

Alexander Lukashenko stressed that his Ukrainian counterpart Vladimir Zelensky should have realistic expectations