18 Aug 2021, 06:21

Russian firefighters battling wildfires engulfing 1.5 mln hectares

As many as 7,145 people, as well as 1,335 pieces of equipment and 23 aircraft are involved in firefighting efforts

MOSCOW, August 18. /TASS/. Firefighters are extinguishing wildfires in Russia’s regions engulfing 1.5 million hectares, 78 wildfires that engulfed more than 70,000 hectares were extinguished in the past 24 hours, the Aerial Forest Protection Service said in a statement on Wednesday.

"According to regional forestry departments, 78 wildfires engulfing 70,356 hectares were extinguished in Russia in the past 24 hours. As of 00:00 Moscow time on August 17, 2021, 139 forest fires were raging on a total area of 1,501,817 hectares. Work to extinguish them is in progress," the statement said.

As many as 7,145 people, as well as 1,335 pieces of equipment and 23 aircraft are involved in firefighting efforts. Another 61 planes are monitoring the situation.

80th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany

Putin says he expects Serbian president to attend May 9 celebrations in Moscow

The Russian president said this during a meeting with Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill and Serbian Patriarch Porfirije

Yesterday, 14:02

Kiev foolishly squanders chances given it by Russia, int'l community — Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova said that the Russian leadership has repeatedly stated that Kiev is incompetent

Russian troops take precautions to prevent civilian casualties in Kursk Region settlement

The Ukrainian army lost a total of over 200 troops during fighting in the area

No plans for Putin to attend Pope Francis’ funeral — Kremlin spokesman

According to Dmitry Peskov, no decision has been made yet on who will represent Russia at the ceremony

Yesterday, 15:47

China is top marine economic power now — Russian presidential aide

The struggle for the World Ocean lasted for several centuries and a small quiet period was only after 1991, when the socialist block disintegrated, Nikolay Patrushev said

Putin to take part in SPIEF 2025, Foreign Ministry says

The forum will be held on June 18-21

Kremlin unaware about contents of Trump’s peace plan for Ukraine

According to Dmitry Peskov, Russia continues communication with the US through all available channels

Yesterday, 13:15

West incapable of competing in trade on legal grounds — Russian Foreign Ministry

Improvements in the state of global economic relations are not expected in the near future because the West has historically engaged in trade and sanction wars, Maria Zakharova noted

Yesterday, 14:54

Putin calls Pope's passing during Easter period 'special sign'

The Russian president stressed that "the Pope did much good not only for his flock, but for the world as a whole"

Sculptor Tsereteli passes away at 91

According to the sculptor's aide, the death occurred due to heart failure

Yesterday, 11:18

Moscow welcomes US statements on Ukraine’s impossibility to join NATO — Kremlin

Bloomberg news agency reported earlier that Washington presented its allies in Paris with proposals for a Ukrainian settlement and they included a refusal to discuss Kiev’s NATO membership and the easing of sanctions against Russia

Ukraine acknowledges de facto purchase of Russian gas from Europe

According to the report, Ukraine requires around 4.5-6 bcm of gas for the upcoming season

Trump’s approval rating slides to 42%, latest poll shows

The poll surveyed more than 4,300 US adults on April 16-21

Pope Francis’ peace efforts rejected by Zelensky, NATO — Hungarian activist

According to Endre Simo, the head of the Roman Catholic Church "sought compromise between East and West, because he believed that the opposing sides should extend a hand to each other for the sake of harmonious coexistence of peoples and nations"

Iran plans to build 19 more nuclear reactors, top diplomat says

According to Abbas Araghchi, Tehran has never opposed scientific and technological cooperation with Washington

Russian troops liberate Sukhaya Balka community in Donetsk region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicted more than 310 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed four enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Farewell ceremony for Pope Francis begins in Vatican

According to the press service of the Holy See, members of the Roman Curia and the Vatican staff are currently paying last respects to the Pope

Yesterday, 11:14

Earth trembles at Russia’s tallest active volcano

Continued activity may affect low-flying aircraft

Mediators offer Israel, Hamas truce for 5-7 years — media outlet

Meanwhile, Hamas has signaled its readiness to relinquish control in the enclave and hand over governance of Gaza to another Palestinian political force, such as the Palestinian National Authority or some new organization

Yesterday, 13:25

FACTBOX: Vatican enters sede vacante period, as pontiff passes

Sede Vacante is a period that spans from the death or resignation of the Pope to the election of his successor

Ukrainian forces unsuccessfully tried to attack LPR, DPR during Easter truce — expert

During the Easter truce, numerous ceasefire violations by Ukrainian armed formations have been recorded in the areas of Nadiya, Novoogorovka, Makeyevka, Belogorovka, Novoye and Grigorovka, Andrey Marochko said

Yesterday, 18:19

Head of Administrative and Budget Office Vought may replace Musk in DOGE — Bloomberg

Vought is a long-time supporter of US President Donald Trump. He was named ABU director on January 2, 2019, during Trump’s first presidential term

Two days ago, 22:07

Trump says hopes for Russia-US deal to be made in coming week

"Both will then start to do big business with the United States of America," US leader said

Yesterday, 18:13

IN BRIEF: Putin signs off on bills to protect Russians from foreign influence

Foreign agent status will also be given for supporting similar decisions by foreign governments

Yesterday, 18:15

Pope Francis to be buried late this week

The spokesman also recalled that the pontiff had expressed the wish to be buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome with a public viewing at St. Peter’s Basilica

Kremlin dismisses idea of placing rushed deadlines on Ukraine conflict resolution

As Dmitry Peskov stressed, the issue of the Ukrainian settlement is "extremely complex"

Top Russian human rights defender reveals real reason behind conflict with West

"They fear that the world will not be organized by their rules but by competing principles," Valery Fadeyev pointed out

Yesterday, 09:28

FACTBOX: Pope Francis' biography

The 266th head of the Roman Catholic Church, has passed away at the age of 88

Yesterday, 23:06

White House dismisses allegations against Pentagon chief as fake news

According to press secretary Karoline Leavitt, US President Donald Trump said that 'he stands strongly behind the Secretary of Defense'

Yesterday, 13:17

Zelensky loses London's support, hits out at Beijing — Medvedchuk

"If even London is tired of this political clown, that shows he is losing the last pillars of his support," the politician noted

Yesterday, 14:25

EU cannot support Ukraine in military conflict without US — Kneissl

According to the former Austrian foreign minister, "France is now very upset that Germany and Poland are buying weapons from the United States, and not from France"

Yesterday, 16:41

Russian-made SJ-100 jet preparing for maiden flight — company executive

A prototype of the passenger jet with imported systems and domestically-produced PD-8 engines successfully completed its first test flight in March 2025

Ban on strikes on civilian targets requires clear distinction — Kremlin spokesman

Dmitry Peskov said that "it is essential to distinguish the circumstances under which these sites may be subjected to military strikes and when they should not"

Yesterday, 15:22

Russia ready to talk directly to Ukraine about civilian infrastructure strikes — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov underscored that "earlier the president repeatedly voiced his readiness for negotiations with the Ukrainian side"

Ukrainian reserves near Krasnoarmeysk running low amid new Russian successes — politician

Igor Kimakovsky recalled that the Ukrainian army attempted to "cut off" Russia's advance by drones

Yesterday, 09:53

Durov says Telegram never disclosed single byte of private messages in its 12-year history

The messenger's co-founder said that Telegram would only disclose the IP addresses and phone numbers of criminal suspects, if provided with a valid court order

Evacuation underway after blast struck village in Vladimir Region

According to the report, all emergency response forces are engaged

Zelensky to continue sabotaging all peace initiatives — Crimean official

"It is possible to assert with confidence that dictator Zelensky, holding on to power, will never agree to and will continue to undermine any peace initiatives and compromises," Mikhail Sheremet said

Yesterday, 11:38

China tests non-nuclear hydrogen bomb

When activated by conventional explosives, the magnesium hydride underwent rapid thermal decomposition, releasing hydrogen gas that ignited into a sustained inferno, the researchers said in a peer-reviewed paper published in the Chinese-language Journal of Projectiles, Rockets, Missiles and Guidance

Yesterday, 10:59

Former Italian PM says Russia’s wish not to have enemies at its doorstep understandable

Giuseppe Conte also believes that the EU has never intended to promote dialogue on settling the conflict

Putin holds talks with Oman’s sultan for first time ever

The sides plan to sign ten agreements following the talks, including documents on the mutual refusal of visa requirements for regular passport holders

Ukraine conflict taught Russia how to counter Western weapons, senior NATO commander says

French Admiral Pierre Vandier warned that if NATO forces "do not regain their technical and tactical superiority," they could face difficulties during the next conflict

Russian forces encircling Ukrainian troops in Gornal in Kursk region — senior lawmaker

Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that, prior to the Easter truce, units from Russia’s Battlegroup North had struck Ukrainian brigades near Gornal

Russian president, Oman’s sultan to discuss Gaza, Syria

The plan is also to focus on "the unprecedented deterioration of the situation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict zone"

Ukrainian troops blow up historical buildings at monastery in Russia’s Kursk Region

According to the Russian security forces, the monastery sustained major damage

Yesterday, 18:57

Russia must repay moral debt to residents of Donbass, Novorossiya — Putin

The president noted that restoration of Donbass and Novorossiya is a complex but gradually advancing process

Yesterday, 18:50

Pope Francis died of stroke that caused coma, cardiac arrest — statement

It also said that the pontiff suffered from type 2 diabetes

Yesterday, 16:37

Russia started strengthening marine potential before US actions — official

The situation will evolve "more likely the other way around," the presidential aide said when answering the question whether Russia endeavors to catch up with the US, considering extensive plans of the US administration

Yesterday, 20:25

23 children die, 167 receive injuries in Ukraine’s attacks on Belgorod Region in 3.5 years

Region’s governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov, said that the enemy shells 'cities and villages from all types of weapons, drops munitions from drones, causing suffering to civilians'

Two days ago, 13:20

Incomprehensible how EU openly willing to resume Nazi ideology — Lavrov

The European Union’s intention to establish a coalition on sending troops to Ukraine demonstrates a superiority intention, the Russian Foreign Ministry said

Israeli air strikes kill at least 29 Gazans over past day — TV

According to the Al Jazeera, Israeli forces have been delivering attacks on tent camps for displaced people across the Palestinian enclave

Envoy reveals frequency of Kiev’s attacks on Russian energy facilities in past month

Rodion Miroshnik told TASS that Ukrainian troops have launched 144 attacks on Russian energy facilities

Yesterday, 09:10

Houthis claim strikes on two US aircraft carrier groups

"Missile forces and drone units launched two cruise missiles and two drones at the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier and its associated ships in the northern part of the Red Sea," the movement said

Hyundai registers at least eight trademarks in Russia — patent authority

All trademarks registered are in Class 12 of the International Classification of Goods and Services, which covers cars, as well as spare parts and accessories

Switzerland imposes sanctions on eight Russian media outlets

The restrictions will take effect on April 23

Ukrainian troops intentionally destroy Gornal monastery — Russian envoy

Rodion Miroshnik stressed that the monastery will be rebuilt

Yesterday, 21:39

Kiev’s proposal to extend Easter truce looks cynical to Russian expert

Political scientist Vladimir Karasev noted that drone, artillery and HIMARS attacks had been launched by Ukrainian forces against Russian positions almost on every front over the duration of the latest ceasefire

Erdogan’s son praises Putin as ‘decisive leader’

I see Mr. Putin as a leader who puts the interests of his country and his people in the forefront, Necmeddin Bilal Erdogan said

Yesterday, 12:02

No lasting peace possible in Ukraine without regime change, former PM says

Nikolay Azarov has repeatedly stated that Ukraine is being led by a Nazi regime, under which there is no freedom of speech, and the opposition and the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church are being persecuted

Yesterday, 15:51

Russia has no intention to get into naval arms race — presidential aide

Nikolay Patrushev drew attention to the "increased competition" between the United States and China in the naval sphere

Kremlin says no plans for talks with Kiev on suspending attacks on civilian targets

Responding to a question about the likelihood of attacks on civilian facilities being halted, Dmitry Peskov noted that first, "this issue must be discussed taking into account the experience of the Easter truce"

NATO’s aggressive policy based on military planning — senior Russian diplomat

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko noted that Moscow would use all available means to ensure its defense strength amid the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s aggressive aspirations

Russian, Bangladeshi naval crews hold joint maneuvers in Indian Ocean

After finishing practical training, the Russian vessels continued to perform tasks as part of their long-range cruise plan, according to the Pacific Fleet

Yesterday, 22:11

PREVIEW: Putin to hold talks with visiting Omani Sultan Al Said

The Kremlin has announced that the two sides will focus on key areas of cooperation in the economic, financial, and cultural spheres as well as pressing international and regional issues.

Yesterday, 11:12

Russian troops continue special military operation after truce expires

Russia’s Battlegroup North inflicted roughly 20 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed an enemy artillery gun in its area of responsibility over the past 24 hours, the ministry reported

Trump’s plan may include deployment of European troops in Ukraine — newspaper

According to the newspaper, the negotiators are now considering "a separate peacekeeping force to monitor any ceasefire, which would look like a ‘joint commission’ of Russians, Ukrainians and a third, non-NATO country"

Yesterday, 15:02

Combat operations restart in special military operation area after Easter truce — Putin

The Russian president announced a ceasefire on the eve of Easter at a meeting with Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov

Erdogan’s son says no plans to become president

Necmeddin Bilal Erdogan specified that he would like to stay in the non-governmental, leading civil society

Yesterday, 15:42

Putin explains strike on Sumy congress center by Ukrainian military award ceremony

The Russian president exemplified that in restaurants, the Ukrainian military personnel "hold some gatherings, meetings, conferences"

Yesterday, 11:56

Putin ratifies agreement on strategic partnership with Iran

The agreement sets out the legal framework for further development of cooperation between Moscow and Tehran for the long-term perspective

Yesterday, 10:46

Nazis whom Zelensky made welcome in power to sacrifice him whenever possible — politician

Viktor Medvedchuk emphasized that Zelensky had long ago become a pawn in both foreign and domestic politics

Yesterday, 18:59

First Swedish AWACS aircraft arrives in Ukraine, test flight completed — UNIAN

Sweden promised to supply Kiev with two Saab 340 AEW&C (ACS-890) aircraft

Erdogan’s son confesses he ‘enjoys coming to Russia’

Necmeddin Bilal Erdogan said he had been to Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan, Sochi and Yakutsk

Yesterday, 16:42

Putin says Ukrainian soldiers make restaurants military targets by holding parties there

This issue needs to be addressed, perhaps, through bilateral talks, according to the president

Yesterday, 18:20

Russia will not abandon its other partners for sake of dialogue with US — diplomat

"The United States, we welcome you. But you are not the only one. And we will see what becomes of the dialogue with you," he added

Yesterday, 20:59

Trump confirms his coming to Pope Francis’ funeral

Pope Francis will be buried some time between Friday and Sunday of this week, or on the fourth to sixth day after the pope’s death

Yesterday, 10:00

Press review: Easter truce may shift Ukraine conflict as Iran, US report nuclear progress

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, April 21st

Russian servicemen liberate Gornal monastery in Kursk Region — sources

According to the Russian servicemen, the Ukrainian military considered the monastery a military facility

Yesterday, 16:08

Kremlin aide Patrushev says Russia faces enhanced maritime threats from West

He warned that Western measures will be met with an "adequate and proportionate response" from Russia

Russian army breaches second line of Ukrainian defenses near Konstantinovka

Advisor to the DPR head Igor Kimakovsky noted that intense fighting is ongoing in the Chasov Yar area, where the enemy is attempting to hold strategic heights to prevent the Russian Armed Forces from gaining control of the region

Yesterday, 14:55

Trump not coming to Victory Day Parade in Moscow on May 9 — Kremlin

Earlier, Peskov said that more than 20 heads of state and government are expected at the parade in honor of the 80th anniversary of the Victory

Witkoff plans to visit Moscow this week, Kremlin aide says

Steve Witkoff most recently visited Russia on April 11 and met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg

Emergency introduced in Kirzhach district of Vladimir Region after explosion

Emergency response services are working on the site

Press review: Vatican adjusts after Pope’s death as Moscow eyes Afghan projects post-ban

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, April 22nd

PREVIEW: Moscow-based MGIMO University to host Russian-African youth forum

On April 22-25, a plenary session, roundtables, expert and panel discussions, business games, and other events will take place in hybrid format

Yesterday, 07:24

FSB detains Crimean resident for passing data on military facilities to SBU

The FSB Investigative Department for the Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol has opened a criminal case against the detainee under Article 275.1 of the Russian Criminal Code

Kiev yet to respond to Putin's proposal on not hitting civilian targets — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov said that the Russian president has repeatedly stated willingness to engage the other side on this matter, but as Kiev has forbidden direct talks with Russia, it's unclear with whom Moscow could talk the issue over

Yesterday, 20:50

Russia’s envoy praises negotiations between Iran, US on Tehran's nuclear program

Araghchi and Witkoff's next meeting will take place on April 26, in the wake of technical-level consultations on April 23

21 Nov 2024, 20:12

IN BRIEF: What Putin said about Russia’s new missile, and Moscow’s response to the West

Moscow used its new Oreshnik medium-range hypersonic ballistic missile in response to the West’s decision to authorize strategic-depth strikes on Russia

Cardinals Parolin, Tagle likely to become pope — betting agency

Cardinals may only convene to elect a new pope no earlier than after nine days of mourning after the funeral, or two weeks after death, meaning that the event can start no sooner than May 10

Hungarian PM casts vote opposing Ukraine's admission to the EU in national referendum

The Hungarian government intends to take the results of the referendum into account during talks with the EU leadership

Press review: US could rally 70 countries against China and EU targets Russia before May 9

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

Russian army advances near Pokrovsk despite massive attacks by Ukrainian drones

According to military expert Vitaly Kiselev, the Russian troops are still making gains under these challenging conditions

Trump’s plan to resolve Ukraine crisis to feature in new history textbooks — Kremlin aide

Vladimir Medinsky noted 'the extraordinary efforts being taken by the new US administration in an attempt to find a reasonable solution to the Ukraine conflict'

Kadyrov says Ukrainian forces tried to cross Russian border in Sumy area, were stopped

According to the official, a Ukrainian armored fighting vehicle exploded on the minefield and was finished off by a precise strike of a fiber-optic drone

Yesterday, 17:57

Don't get too high or too low about talks with US, Russian diplomat says

According to the diplomat, this pragmatic approach is seen in other areas. For instance, when the Russian president says that those companies that have withdrawn from Russia would be able to return, but "on certain conditions"

Kiev blocks every effort to take bodies of Ukrainian soldiers from battlefields near Kursk

Russian security officer told TASS that Russian servicemen came under attack as they attempted to take the bodies of Ukrainian troops from areas near Guyevo and Nikolayevo-Daryino to mortuaries

Kharkov mobilization bleeds local working class — Ukrainian legislator

A new law enacted on May 18, 2024, allows for the drafting of hundreds of thousands more Ukrainians into the military

Yesterday, 14:45

Kiev was 'prompted' to accept Russia's Easter ceasefire proposal — Putin

The Russian president noted that initially Ukraine issued a statement dismissing the proposal "as a game with people’s lives"

US overestimates own power in attempt to squeeze China out of global trade — newspaper

Washington's blatant coercion of negotiating parties to "pick sides" and its open attempt to contain and isolate China lay bare its arrogant and hegemonic intentions, representing a blatant defiance and disruption of the global economic and trade order, the paper wrote

Moscow says Armenia risks losing EAEU advantages if lured by Western agenda

"It is well known that Armenia is developing dynamically thanks to its participation in the EAEU, and economic growth is observed in all the regions that are key for Yerevan," Alexander Grushko said