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Coronavirus pandemic

No gloom over Zoom: Kremlin urges Russia’s IT to develop rival to videoconferencing app

Earlier, Kommersant daily reported that Zoom Video Communications had prohibited its distributors from selling its online conference services to government agencies and state-owned firms in Russia and other former Soviet countries

© Vladimir Gerdo/TASS

MOSCOW, April 7. /TASS/. Zoom's decision to pull the plug on Russian state agencies' access to its service should spur the development of domestic alternatives to this popular video communication app, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Wednesday.

"We need to switch to alternatives, they do exist," he said, commenting on Zoom’s decision to restrict access by Russian state-owned companies to its software.

"Of course, our app developers will need to work hard to put the finishing touches on their products. We still have shortcomings in this area. Nevertheless, they [similar services] exist and they will be able to countervail the absence of such a popular service as Zoom. As the saying goes, nature abhors a vacuum," Peskov explained.

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Zoom access restrictions not to affect operation of schools, minister says

"In general, we can only express our regret and bewilderment as to why Russian state institutions and higher educational institutions are now deprived of the opportunity to renew existing corporate contracts [with Zoom] and sign new ones," the Kremlin spokesman added, commenting on the situation.

"Unfortunately, this is an American service," Peskov pointed out.

The official specified that a number of clients tried to contact the company's head office in Poland, but nothing panned out. Peskov recalled that on Tuesday he talked with friends from the Higher School of Economics, who could not renew their contracts with the American videoconferencing service, because they receive government funding.

Commenting on the situation in general, Peskov noted that there was "nothing special about" switching to other services in the wake of Zoom’s decision.

Earlier, Kommersant daily reported that Zoom Video Communications had prohibited its distributors from selling its online conference services to government agencies and state-owned firms in Russia and other former Soviet countries. The newspaper cited a letter by RightConf, Zoom’s distributor in Russia and the CIS, to its partners dated March 31.

According to the letter, Zoom Video Communications Inc. is revoking its Russian partner's authorization to sell services to state agencies and government-funded companies. Reports say that RightConf CEO Andrei Petrenko, confirmed the authenticity of the letter to Kommersant. He also specified that the restrictions apply not only to Russia, but also to CIS countries. That said, Petrenko said that his company would continue working according to its existing contracts.

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Russian church to be built in Myanmar’s former capital in 2025

According to the statement, "the number of compatriots living in Southeast Asian countries on a long-term or permanent basis has been growing since the early 2000s"

Annual inflation in Russia gearing up to 8.78% over week — Economy Ministry

According to the statement, consumer inflation stood at 0.36% over the week from November 19 to 25

Executioner of Nazi war criminal Eichmann dies in Israel aged 86

The Israeli authorities have long kept his name secret

Russia to take proportionate steps, if US missiles appear in Japan — MFA

"Tokyo can get a clear idea what these steps will be like by studying Russia’s updated principles of nuclear deterrence policy," Maria Zakharova stressed

Ukraine loses more than 250 servicemen in Kursk area over day — top brass

The Russian armed forces continue to defeat the Ukrainian formations on the territory of the Kursk Region, the Defense Ministry added

Defense contractor delivers new batch of Su-34 bombers to Russia’s Aerospace Forces

The new fighter-bombers have undergone necessary testing and have been sent to the places of their operation, Vadim Badekha noted

UK Foreign Office warns about response to ‘baseless’ expulsion of its diplomat

A spokesman for the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also said that London refutes the allegations against a British diplomat

Senators support Putin's decision to launch Oreshnik missile — speaker

Valentina Matviyenko noted that the Federation Council is willing to further support actions aimed at protecting Russia

Russia designs Titan rifle for commandos

The rifle is reliable with precise and dense fire

US no longer objects to use of S-400 air defense systems by Turkey, Defense Minister says

According to the Pentagon, these missile air defense systems could help revealing certain specifications of jet fighters and thus negatively affect their combat capabilities

Work continues on placing the Sarmat missile complex on combat duty — commander

Currently, the Russian Strategic Missile Forces already have over 88% of modern missile hardware in their operational inventory

Those who voice idea of transferring nuclear weapons to Kiev are insane — Russian MFA

As Maria Zakharova underlined, she does not know what this motivation is aimed at

Ukraine requests UN Security Council meeting on November 27 — Russian mission

According to Dmitry Polyansky, "the Kiev regime keeps fighting windmills and does not abandon attempts to persuade the world community this struggle is very serious"

West should consider Russia’s signal on weapons, no point in discussing details — MFA

Maria Zakharova underscored that Russia's response to deployments of missile systems by the West that create additional threats to Russia could involve both tit-for-tat and asymmetric countermeasures

UK ambassador to Russia gets note of protest over false info on embassy’s officer

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, "Wilkes Pryor, deliberately stated false information about himself as he was seeking a permission to enter our country"

Russian military engaged in tough battles with Ukrainians in Kharkov Region — official

"Our forces continue their coordinated efforts to liberate the Kharkov Region from the enemy," Vitaly Ganchev said

West beginning to realize only part of Ukraine will remain — Lavrov

According to the Russian foreign minister, this represents the "confrontational logic" of the West

Ukraine demolishes buildings with soldiers inside as Russian forces advance — DPR leader

Amid the successful advance of Russian forces, Ukrainian troops have been indiscriminately attacking civilian neighborhoods in Gorlovka, which is adjacent to Dzerzhinsk, Denis Pushilin said

Long-term gas supplies from Russia to Kazakhstan being considered

These projects will promote strengthening of energy security in Central Asia at large, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev added

Zaluzhny, not Zelensky, would become president if Ukraine held election today — poll

According to the survey, 27% of respondents would vote for Valery Zaluzhny, while only 16% said they would stick with Vladimir Zelensky

Giving Ukraine regular nuclear weapons 'technically impossible,' analyst says

According to Boyan Chukov, some Western politicians don’t take seriously these warnings from Russia about a proportionate response

Kiev has ‘no chance’ of retaking lost territories — Blackwater founder

Erik Prince noted that it was necessary to end the Ukrainian conflict as soon as possible

Russia has no confirmation of Ukraine's intention to obtain nuclear weapons — MFA

Maria Zakharova noted that it was in the interests of "truly responsible states" to prevent Ukraine from having nuclear weapons

Explosives kit, drone found in abandoned building on Energodar’s outskirts

The city administration did not rule out the possibility that the items in the stash were intended for use in a provocation at the power plant and other critical infrastructure

Russian plants are successfully substituting composites in shipbuilding

The use of composites in shipbuilding provides the whole range of advantages in terms of specific strength, durability, stealth pattern, small signature and higher speed of ships, Boris Bogomolov said

Putin, Tokayev speak against unilateral sanctions

The parties noted that the restrictive measures do not "facilitate functioning of an opened and non-discriminating system of multilateral trade"

Russian diplomat says West sought to misrepresent Oreshnik strike, cast it as aggression

Maria Zakharova pointed out that for some, this was obviously a sobering moment, while for others it came as an unexpected surprise

Western analysts describe Russia's Oreshnik as longest-range weapon ever used in Europe

The recent strike on the Yuzhmash missile-producing plant in Ukraine demonstrated Russia’s "real military capability", a nuclear nonproliferation expert at the Middlebury Institute for International Studies said

Press review: Russia to avenge Kiev's new strike as experts analyze US-EU trade risks

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, November 27th

US, NATO on brink of being recognized as parties to conflict with Russia — diplomat

According to Sergey Ryabkov, the West harbors a dangerous delusion that it can defeat Russia strategically

West tired of Ukrainian conflict, while Russia ready to continue it — magazine

The article noted that the West "no longer has the political will to help Ukraine win by military means" and is trying to achieve peace through negotiations with Russia"

US continues to plunder Afghanistan with impunity, says Shoigu

"In my opinion, the United States should invest in the reconstruction of Afghanistan after everything it has done and abandoned there," the top security official emphasized

No existing missile defense system can counter Oreshnik — US expert

Theodore Postol also vehemently rejected suggestions that the Oreshnik system represents previous outdated developments of Moscow

Kiev 'experimented' with using NATO troops in Kursk hostilities — official

Igor Kimakovsky added that the addition of foreign troops didn't help the armed forces of Ukraine because of effective measures taken by Russian intelligence and Aerospace Defense Forces

Europe bracing for influx of Ukrainian troops after conflict is over — agency

According to the agency, the European intelligence community is preparing for potential threats, namely the possibility of Ukrainian troops flooding the continent and arms trafficking

Conflict in Middle East continues because of US’ interest in it – Medvedev

Medvedev, the situation in the region, related to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, is very difficult

Trump’s team, Biden administration sign memorandum of understanding

This engagement allows to begin critical preparations for transition of power

Ukrainian media reports plant in Lvov Region destroyed

The plant specializes in manufacturing bits for drilling artesian, oil, and gas boreholes

British mercenary taken into custody and Ukraine's losses: situation in Kursk Region

The Ukrainian armed forces lost over 250 troops, four tanks, four infantry fighting vehicles, three armored combat vehicles, eight motor vehicles and two mortars in the past day

Moscow to respond promptly if London inflates British diplomat’s expulsion issue

British Ambassador to Moscow Nigel Casey was summoned earlier in the day by the Russian Foreign Ministry, where he was handed a note of protest

Russia increases fertilizer production by 9.4% in 10 months

Ammonia production increased by 4.9% over ten months to 15 mln tons, sulfur production decreased by 9% to 4.5 mln tons

Zelensky shook up by Russia’s response to permission to attack it — Lavrov

According to the Russian foreign minister, the West is directly involved in the use of long-range weapons against Russia, as not a single missile could be launched without its involvement

Drones to replace fighter jets in future wars, Musk says

At the end of September, Elon Musk predicted battles between "drone swarms" in the future

Western discussion of transferring nuclear arms to Kiev no bluffing — expert

Endre Simo also recalled that "a few days ago, Admiral Rob Bauer, the chairman of the NATO Military Committee, called for preventive strikes against Russian facilities"

Russian troops liberate Novaya Ilyinka community in Donbass region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup West repelled four Ukrainian counterattacks and inflicted roughly 450 casualties on enemy troops in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Ukrainian front collapsing due to lack of willing soldiers, Russian offensive — magazine

Additionally, Ukraine "does not have enough weapons, munitions or hardware," the news outlet said

Russia’s nuclear potential is powerful 'security blanket,' US admits — top researcher

Mikhail Kovalchuk noted that Russia should continue strengthening this potential

Mideast situation keeps deteriorating due to Israel’s aggressive policies — Lavrov

In his words, Israel’s desire to ensure its security at the expense of the security of others, while benefiting from the unwavering support it gets from the United States, leads nowhere

US must stop escalating Ukrainian conflict, says Russian senior diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov advised the new US administration and President-elect Donald Trump to treat this issue "with all seriousness"

Three countries express interest in BrahMos missiles

"Talks are being held with Indonesia, Vietnam, and the United Arab Emirates," Alexander Maksichev revealed

Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine and Russia committed to peace — adviser

In a post on the X social network, Waltz congratulated 80-year-old Kellogg on the appointment

Pentagon not yet assessed damage caused by use of Russia’s newest Oreshnik missile

"When we have more to provide, we will," Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said

US cutting aid to become death sentence for Ukraine — Russia’s mission to UN

According to Dmitry Polyansky, the Kiev authorities "have stolen so much in these almost three years that even many Western experts' hair stands on end"

Former MI6 chief says Europe at war with Russia

Donald Tusk, the Polish prime minister, has referred to it as a pre-war situation, former head of Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service MI6 Richard Dearlove said

Bank of Russia sets dollar rate at 108.01 rubles for November 28

The official euro rate was increased by 2.6 rubles to 113.0947 rubles

West receives Putin’s message about weapons, Russian senate speaker says

Valentina Matviyenko said that it wasn’t an ultimatum or a threat, which is how Western media outlets tried to present the message

NATO spies study damage from Oreshnik at Yuzhmash — expert

Alexander Stepanov emphasized that both Kiev and its Western allies are closely scrutinizing the consequences of the strike on the plant

Russia to thwart any missile attacks on its territory — Medvedev

The Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman stressed that "what is happening now crosses all red lines," referring to American ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles attacks on Russia

Russian forces strike Ukrainian drone control centers near ZNPP

According to Vladimir Rogov, the ZNPP personnel continues working routinely

Russia ready to talk prisoner exchanges with Ukraine, has 630 POWs for trade — diplomat

According to Maria Zakharova, these servicemen were included in the list of 935 POWs that the Russian Defense Ministry proposed for exchange earlier, but Kiev refused to do any deals

Russia files terrorism charges against Ukrainian militants, reports enemy losses in Kursk

Over the past day, Ukraine has sustained over 250 casualties, losing two tanks, an infantry fighting vehicle, an armored personnel carrier, two armored combat vehicles, three motor vehicles and a mortar gun

Key energy facility in Ternopol Region almost completely destroyed

Vyacheslav Negoda noted that a power shortage will remain in the region for a long time

West disregards Russia’s signal with Oreshnik’s launch to shift blame for escalation

Alexander Tokovinin said that the next NATO-Ukraine session at the level of foreign ministers of the Western military bloc’s member states is scheduled to take place on December 3-4 in Brussels

FACTBOX: Collective Security Treaty Organization

The six member-countries are Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan

Russian church to be built in Myanmar’s former capital in 2025

According to the statement, "the number of compatriots living in Southeast Asian countries on a long-term or permanent basis has been growing since the early 2000s"

Slovak PM accepts Putin's invitation to attend Victory Day festivities in Moscow next year

Robert Fico pointed out that "the Red Army and the peoples of the former Soviet Union made the greatest contribution to the defeat of fascism and the victory in World War II"

NATO pledges to continue supporting Ukraine following Russia’s launch of Oreshnik missile

NATO said in the statement that Russia’s deployment of the missile called the Oreshnik will not change the course of the conflict

Kiev troops attempted to kill British mercenary who surrendered to Russians — officer

In his words, they fired conventional 120mm mortar rounds, silent munitions and at least one FPV drone with a fragmentation charge

Putin arrives in Astana for state visit

Throughout the day, the leaders are to work together, holding private talks as well as discussions with delegations

Russian military repels Ukrainian attack, destroys two targets over Sevastopol waters

According to Mikhail Razvozhayev, all services are on high alert

No requests yet for CSTO assistance from Russia over ATACMS strikes — secretary general

Imangali Tasmagambetov also stressed that the agenda for the CSTO session does not specifically address the matter of the ATACMS strikes on Russian territory, but member states will discuss the situation in the CSTO responsibility zone and on its borders

Russia developing echeloned system for air and missile defense — expert

Alexander Stepanov pointed out that "this also applies to intermediate-range high-precision systems such as the Tomahawk and other weapons that NATO countries may provide to Ukraine"

Iran challenges US, UK, France military capabilities, IRGC general says

"The entire military potential of the US, UK, and France was mobilized to prevent Iran's operation, but the IRGC completed its mission," Ali Fadavi said

Russia cuts dependence on imports in oil and gas projects from 60% to 38% — expert

Since 2014, the Russian Federation has done a lot to create domestic import-substitution programs and develop the national service market for suppliers and contractors, Alexey Fadeev underlined

FBI informed about threats against Trump cabinet picks

US President-elect’s campaign spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, said that a number of his cabinet nominees and administration appointees were the targets of bomb threats and swatting

Press review: Russia to mass-produce Oreshnik missiles and EU gas prices reach record high

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, November 25th

Over 2,100 people cross into Syria from Lebanon in past day — Russian military

In a separate development, the Russian reconciliation center carried out three humanitarian missions in the provinces of Deir ez-Zor, Raqqa and Latakia

Germany orders closure of Russia’s Channel One bureau in Berlin

According to Ivan Blagoy, his bureau received the corresponding documents, a 10-page report that substantiates the move, citing EU sanctions, from the German authorities on Tuesday

Kremlin spokesman notes Europe’s obvious clampdown on Russian journalists

The statement came in response to the German government’s decision to shut down the German bureau of Russia’s Channel One

Russian troops liberate Kopanki community in Kharkov Region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted roughly 440 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed three enemy ammunition depots

Bank of Russia halts foreign currency purchases from November 28 until year end

At the same time, the Bank of Russia will continue to conduct foreign currency sales operations on the domestic currency market in accordance with the previously announced procedure

Moscow, Astana don’t have any unresolvable issues — Putin

"The most important thing is that there is a desire to seek answers to all these questions and find them," the Russian leader stressed

Kazakhstan sowing interest in expanding transportation — Putin

As the Russian leader noted, good prospects for that are opened in connection with development of the North - South corridor to India

Federation Council approves bill on Russia’s federal budget for 2025-2027

The decision was taken at a meeting of the upper house of the Russian parliament unanimously

Unemployment rate in Russia reaches 2.3% in October

Of the 1.8 mln unemployed, about 1.1 mln are urban residents, while 0.7 mln are rural

Biden wants Trump to inherit hopeless Ukraine situation — Medvedev

According to the politician, this is why the US administration decided to allow strikes with ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles deep into Russia

Potential handover of nuclear arms by US to Kiev ‘act of treason’ — US congresswoman

Marjorie Taylor Greene suggested that the Biden administration is "trying to start a nuclear war and use it as the reason to stop the transfer of power to Donald Trump"

Russia ‘shows teeth’ with launch of Oreshnik missile while avoiding escalation — media

"Russia has shown that it has a weapon, previously unveiled, and was prepared to use it," the report says

Europe's inability to resolve Ukrainian conflict on its own 'is a disgrace' — expert

Ab Gitelink noted that Europe "needs a right-wing conservative businessman in the White House in order to put an end to the war on European territory"

Kazakhstan first time joined ranks of Russia’s top five trade partners

Significant successes were achieved in the industrial sphere, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated

Press review: Israel approves US ceasefire agreement and Georgia's new parliament convenes

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, November 26th

Russia’s Medvedev warns Europe could face 'catastrophic damage' from Oreshnik missile

The Russian Security Council deputy chairman also commented on Vladimir Zelensky’s "resilience plan"

One in three relocated individuals return to Russia from Ukraine — diplomat

Maria Zakharova pointed out that the Kiev regime itself brands these figures as "terrible"

Biden administration won’t be able to spend remaining $6.5 bln to arm Ukraine — report

In order to spend the remaining funds in December and January, the US would have to send $110 million worth of weapons every day, the Wall Street Journal reported

NATO disregards all etiquette in discussing possible preemptive strikes on Russia — Lavrov

NATO Military Committee Chairman Rob Bauer earlier called for producing more weapons for precision strikes inside Russia in case a conflict broke out

Kiev failed to inform Ottawa Convention signatories about its plans to violate it

The Ukrainian delegation has not yet informed on this development, the convention’s Secretariat said

Russia, Kazakhstan sign 20 documents during Putin’s visit

The heads of state approved a joint statement on deepening strategic partnership

Strike on NATO bases possible in case of escalation, Medvedev says

He made this comment answering a question if Russia can strike military hubs in Romania and Poland

Moscow can't develop ties with Kabul until Taliban taken off terrorist list — diplomat

Maria Zakharova also mentioned a draft law that was submitted to the Russian Parliament’s lower house, that cancels previous bans on terrorist organizations

Oreshnik becomes serious problem for Ukraine — Polish general

According to Waldemar Skrzypczak, satellite reconnaissance failed to detect the launch and flight of this missile

FACTBOX: Overview of Ukraine's ATACMS strikes on Kursk Region

The Ukrainian armed forces have delivered two strikes using Western-made long-range missiles on sites in the Kursk Region over the past three days