28 May 2022, 21:09

Russian parliamentary commission on biolabs to look into origin of monkeypox — lawmaker

Health Minister Mikhail Murashko has been invited to the June 6 meeting

MOSCOW, May 29. /TASS/. The parliamentary commission investigating the activities of biological laboratories in Ukraine will hold a session to consider the origin and ways of transmission of monkeypox after the Russian Defense Ministry’s report on this subject, Konstantin Kosachev, Federation Council Deputy Speaker and co-chairman of the commission, told TASS on Saturday.

"Of course, the Defense Ministry’s data on the possible origin and sources of the current spread of monkeypox, as in other cases, is very informative and deserves overwhelming attention. We will be discussing it at one of the commission’s meetings," the senator said.

Kosachev explained that he was not speaking about the next meeting of the parliamentary commission, which is scheduled for June 6, as then the lawmakers are planning to talk about the "aspects associated with threats concerning medicine and health protection."

"Health Minister [Mikhail Murashko] has been invited to the June 6 meeting," the deputy speaker of the upper house of parliament said, adding that speakers will be known ahead of the meeting.

Chief of Russian Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection Force Igor Kirillov said on Friday that at least four US-run biolabs operate in Nigeria, where monkeypox originates from. Kirillov added that in this regard, it is necessary to point out a "strange coincidence that requires additional inspection by specialists.".

More than 2,600 repatriates have come to Russia since 2024 — Interior Ministry

According to the statement, the ministry’s offices have already taken in about 1,100 applications for Russian temporary residence permits

Trump’s remark on Crimea in line with Russia’s position — Kremlin spokesman

The US president stated earlier that Vladimir Zelensky’s statement on the front page of the Wall Street Journal that Ukraine would not recognize Crimea as part of Russia was harmful to peace talks

More than 2,600 repatriates have come to Russia since 2024 — Interior Ministry

According to the statement, the ministry’s offices have already taken in about 1,100 applications for Russian temporary residence permits

Yesterday, 15:52

US can no longer serve as guarantor of Europe’s security — Pentagon chief

Pete Hegseth reiterated that the US will ask its NATO allies in Europe to increase their military spending to 5% of their GDP

INTERVIEW: Russia ready for dialogue with US, but will not rely on words — Shoigu

The history relations with the United States shows that we can trust only concrete actions rather than verbal statements, Russian Security Council Secretary said

Russian Pacific Fleet warships begin business call at Thailand

The Russian naval ships were welcomed on the coast by a military band of the Sattahip Royal Thai Navy Main Base and high-placed Thai officers

Yesterday, 16:27

Nord Stream pipes still stored in Germany — newspaper

Pipes are reportedly kept in a warehouse located in an industrial park in the Lubmin Community, where the landfall of the gas pipelines is situated

Yesterday, 18:00

Kremlin says Russian businesses do not want Western firms to return

Russian business owners still have to pay back loans taken out under certain market conditions, Dmitry Peskov added

Russian FPV drone operators thwart attempted weapons delivery to Ukrainian positions

Apart from that, the battlegroup’s quadcopter dropped munition on Ukrainian positions near the village of Otradnoye

Yesterday, 23:40

INTERVIEW: Europe wants to be ready for war with Russia by 2030 — Shoigu

Russian Security Council Secretary noted that Ukraine's mobilization potential is weakened

Sending peacekeepers to historical Russian lands may lead to WWIII, Shoigu warns

According to Sergey Shoigu, rather, the notion of `peacekeepers’ conceals the pursuit of control over Ukraine and its mineral resources

NATO establishes new 'strike fist' near Russia's western borders — Shoigu

The Russian official highlighted that NATO was transitioning to a new combat readiness system, capable of deploying a force of 100,000 troops within 10 days, 300,000 within 30 days, and up to 800,000 after 180 days

Russian FPV drone destroys British-made AS-90 howitzer in Kharkov Region

A FPV fiberoptic combat drone operator delivered a precise strike on a 45-ton self-propelled system of the 155mm caliber

Russian Army approaches Grigorovka in Donbass region to almost 1 km — expert

Russian forces also managed to expand the zone of control west of Belogorovka in the neighboring Lugansk People’s Republic

Russia taking steps to prevent Iran situation from escalating — diplomat

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova expressed hope that "all of Iran's right-minded neighbors" are well aware of this

Yesterday, 17:09

Russia wants negotiations, while Europe wants war — Kremlin

According to Dmitry Peskov, Europe "has not shown any signs of independence"

ICC officials understood Putin’s arrest warrant could not be implemented — Medvedev

The Russian Security Council Deputy Secretary pointed out that ICC officials "should not be seen as foolish or ignorant people"

US understands Russian position on Ukrainian ceasefire terms — top security official

"The Russian government proceeds from the need to eliminate the initial causes of the Ukrainian crisis and to ensure the guaranteed security of the country," Sergey Shoigu said

Trump says unhappy with massive Russian strike on Ukraine, calls for peace deal

The US leader called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to order a halt to such strikes

Pakistan closes its border, airspace to India — National Security Council

"Those who have crossed with valid endorsements may return through that route immediately but not later than April 30, 2025," the statement reads

Press review: Europe, Ukraine undermine US peace plan and Washington seeks return to Libya

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

Yesterday, 22:47

Vucic thanks Putin for support against color revolution in Serbia

Serbian President said earlier that an attempt to carry out a color revolution had been made in Serbia during the March protests

Yesterday, 09:33

Washington to quit negotiations on Ukraine if Moscow, Kiev reject its plan — Vance

According to JD Vance, the border may not wind up as the exact front lines as they stand now

Yesterday, 19:00

Zelensky not moving towards peace, but in opposite direction — White House

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt noted that Donald Trump's "patience is running very thin"

Yesterday, 09:27

Russia protests Japan’s plan to use frozen Russian assets for Ukraine — MFA

The ministry condemned Tokyo’s initiative, asserting that it amounts to complicity in the Kiev regime’s crimes and warned that such actions will entail severe retaliatory measures

Yesterday, 18:29

Putin's meeting with Witkoff may take place on April 25 — Axios

The Gulfstream G650 plane with the US special envoy on board is reportedly heading towards Russia from Paris

Russia may resume nuclear tests in response to such actions by US — security official

Warranty periods for some types of their nuclear munitions are expiring and the development of new types of weapons is underway, this "may push Washington toward resuming nuclear tests," Sergey Shoigu said

US debates lifting sanctions on Nord Stream 2 — Politico

White House special envoy Steve Witkoff has been the main proponent of lifting sanctions on Nord Stream 2, according to the publication

Zelensky frames Washington by using US-made weapons during Easter truce — Russian MFA

"Targeted attacks on Russian civilian facilities in the Belgorod, Bryansk, Kursk, and Kherson regions, as well as in the Donetsk People’s Republic and Crimea, were reckless and shameless," Maria Zakharova said

Intense fighting continues in Gornal village as Ukraine seeks to deploy reinforcements

The Ukrainian army command tried to deploy several assault groups equipped with armored units but they were eliminated

China backs resolving root causes of Ukraine crisis — top Russian security official

"In contrast to the West’s aggressive rhetoric, Beijing calls for ending the escalation and launching efforts to find solutions aimed at securing long-term and sustainable peace," Sergey Shoigu noted

NATO has several options on table regarding Zelensky's fate — foreign intel chief

In February, the SVR press bureau reported that "NATO headquarters is preparing a large-scale operation to discredit Zelensky"

Ukraine masses up troops, vehicles in village close to Russia’s Belgorod Region — official

According to Yevgeny Lisnyak, Ukraine is also busy assembling various military equipment

Shoigu sees West looking to create Asian version of NATO

Sergey Shoigu described the situation in the Asia-Pacific region as complicated and said that it tended to get worse

Yesterday, 14:23

Russia bars entry to 21 UK lawmakers — MFA

The decision came as a "response to London's ongoing confrontational policies, which include efforts to demonize our country, fabricate many anti-Russian narratives"

Yesterday, 18:25

Russia copes with sanctions, which boomerang back on EU — Kremlin

According to Dmitry Peskov, Europe needs "cheap security and cheap energy" to keep its high global standing

Yesterday, 13:27

Senate speaker resolutely rejects idea of sending European troops to Ukraine

According to Valentina Matviyenko, the idea was doomed from the start

Iran offers US interim deal on its nuclear program — news outlet

According to Axios, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi pointed out that the sides may not be able to reach a final agreement on the nuclear program within the timeframe proposed by Donald Trump

Yesterday, 13:53

Russian forces move forward in Gornal after wedging in Ukrainian defenses — officer

According to the regiment commander with the call sign Apostol, Gornal is the last settlement in the Kursk Region that is being held by Ukraine

Yesterday, 18:19

Russia has no territorial claims to the Baltic states — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov underlined that Russia has no problems with the Baltic states

Battlegroup West destroys 42 Ukrainian drone control centers, 3 Starlink stations

In the course of counterbattery activities, ten mortars

Russia needs to ensure stable rates of economic growth — Putin

"Statistical data from the beginning of this year confirm the importance and relevance of this approach," the Russian leader added

Visa suspensions, airspace closures: terror attack creates tension between India, Pakistan

Indian authorities have nearly halved the size of their embassy in Islamabad, declared military advisers to Pakistan's diplomatic mission in India personae non gratae, and closed the key Attari checkpoint on the border with Pakistan

Two days ago, 18:07

Zelensky reports explosion at Motor Sich plant

The authorities in Kiev usually do not disclose incidents at military facilities and factories

Yesterday, 14:33

US understands Russia's position on Ukraine better after consultations — Rubio

According to the US secretary of state, the next thing is to find out whether the sides are "in the same neighborhood"

Russian forces continue to perform combat missions as Easter truce expires — Kremlin

"The Ukrainian side carries on with its propaganda, while our military carries on with the special military operation," Dmitry Peskov said

Yesterday, 10:00

Press review: Russia, Oman discuss key issues as US may probe Ukrainian war crimes

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, April 23rd

Yesterday, 19:41

White House slams Zelensky's attempts at megaphone diplomacy ‘unacceptable’

Leavitt also pointed out that no one has asked Ukraine to recognize Crimea as Russian territory

Yesterday, 12:31

Immigrants, talks with US, Afghanistan: Lavrov runs gamut with reporters

The Russian foreign minister confirmed that another round of Russian-US talks is expected to take place "soon," without specifying the exact date

Kremlin sees participants in London peace talks struggling to align positions

Meanwhile, "we pursue our dialogue through multiple channels, acting from a different angle of the process," Dmitry Peskov said

Yesterday, 22:54

Entire Kursk Region to be mopped up soon — Russian Security Council chief

According to Sergey Shoigu, the situation in the special military operation zone is now the key factor influencing both international affairs and the situation inside Russia

Battlegroup East eliminates 4 Ukrainian drone control centers

In the course of counterbattery activities, two field artillery systems and four drone control centers were wiped out

Zelensky looking for any excuse to continue conflict — Russian senator

Vladimir Dzhabarov explained that while the war is ongoing Zelensky is sitting in the chair of the head of state

EU no longer 'safe haven' for businesses it once was — Russian diplomat

As Maria Zakharova stressed, the European Union is not what it was 20 years ago

Russia ready to debate new strategic stability treaty with US — top security official

According to Sergey Shoigu, this conversation is possible only if all the factors affecting security are considered comprehensively

Yesterday, 10:29

Russia doubles production of armaments, electronic warfare systems last year — Putin

The head of state emphasized that in 2024, almost all defense facilities "successfully completed the assignments under the State Defense Order, efficiently and on time"

Trumps says it is harder to deal with Ukraine than with Russia

US President says US needs to make deal with Vladimir Zelensky

Yesterday, 22:37

Kiev worries US to cut off military aid due to failure of talks — newspaper

According to the The Wall Street Journal, Ukrainian officials "are worried that Trump might blame Kiev for a breakdown in talks and refuse to provide further military aid"

Yesterday, 11:06

London meeting on Ukraine fails to happen due to disagreements in positions — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov pointed out that the London meeting was supposed to give the US "an opportunity to continue its mediation efforts"

Yesterday, 15:05

Mi-28NM helicopter obliterates temporary base of Ukrainian troops in Kursk border region

"Before taking off, the crew received the coordinates of a temporary base of Ukrainian troops in the Kursk Region’s border zone," the Russian Defense Ministry reported

French general slams idea of creating ‘coalition of willing’ as utter nonsense

Dominique Delawarde believes that all discussions are currently "limited to dialogues and idle talk that will have no consequences"

19 Chinese planes approach Taiwan — defense ministry

Taiwan’s defense agency has regularly recorded the approach of Chinese warplanes and warships of late

Russia reserves right to use nuclear arms in event of Western aggression — Shoigu

According to the official, Russia is "carefully monitoring Europe’s military preparations"

Yesterday, 13:00

JD Vance calls on Ukraine, Russia to freeze border along current line of contact

In his view, both Russia and Ukraine would need to make certain concessions under such a scenario

Yesterday, 20:23

Zelensky's resignation not among Russia's demands — Kremlin

According to the Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov, doubts "are related to martial law and some articles of the Ukrainian constitution"

Yesterday, 20:45

Kremlin spokesman says Ukraine should adopt neutrality, accept territorial reality

"And so is the recognition of reality regarding the territories", Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said

Yesterday, 20:59

Kremlin spokesman says Zelensky doesn’t control all Ukrainian military formations

Some nationalist battalions don’t listen to him, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said

Zelensky's sabotage of negotiations to have dire consequences for Ukraine — magazine

Editor-in-chief Roger Koppel said that Vladimir Zelensky is taking a "completely unrealistic position" in these negotiations, preventing Russia from recognizing the territories it has liberated

Yesterday, 08:45

Xi Jinping to use Hongqi N701 limousine in Moscow — source

Hongqi will supply twenty H9 executive cars and ten H10 business minivans for guests during the Victory Day activities

French general sees `drop-in-the-ocean’ effect from potential Taurus supplies to Ukraine

Dominique Delawarde also dismissed as "a major farce" debates about sending troops to Ukraine

Pakistan suspends all bilateral agreements with India — National Security Council

The list includes the treaty on the outcome of the third India-Pakistan war

Russian forces foil rotation of Ukrainian troops near Kupyansk — military expert

Russian soldiers detected Ukrainian militants’ cluster and delivered a combined strike

Yesterday, 18:15

Russia doesn't need democracy lessons from Europe — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov cited the example of banker Dominique Strauss-Kahn's candidacy being withdrawn for the French presidential election in 2012 on trumped-up charges as an example of this hypocrisy

Yesterday, 19:38

Russia, China to sign new investment protection agreement

The new agreement after its signing will replace a similar one that was enforced in 2006

Yesterday, 20:47

Investigators fail to detain Republika Srpska president in Istocno Sarajevo - news outlet

According to its information, representatives of the Interior Ministry of Republika Srpska (an entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina) prevented SIPA from doing so

Yesterday, 16:32

Russia is not going to attack anyone — Kremlin spokesman

Dmitry Peskov stressed that Russia has not had any problems with Finland or Sweden

French general predicts Russia will be through with special military op by Christmas

The French military expert confidently stated that Russia will continue its operations not only until it fully liberates the four federal regions but may even advance as far as Odessa

Rubio refutes Politico publication on US plans to lift sanctions on Nord Stream 2

Earlier, Politico wrote citing sources that the US was debating whether to lift sanctions on Nord Stream 2 and potentially other Russian assets in Europe

Yesterday, 14:50

Putin grants Russian citizenship to German anti-fascist Liane Kilinc

According to open sources, Kilinc is the chairwoman of the charity foundation "Peace bridge — Aid to war victims"

Russia condemns US strikes on oil terminal in Yemen — diplomat

On the evening of April 17, the United States launched air strikes on the Ras Isa oil terminal in Yemen’s Al Hudaydah Governorate

Glencore's exit from Russneft finalized

Among new shareholders of Russneft is the Emirati OCN International DMCC

Yesterday, 17:06

Russia to achieve its goals peacefully or militarily — Kremlin spokesman

"The initiative on the battlefield belongs to Russia," Dmitry Peskov noted

Yesterday, 17:57

Russia able to guarantee security to four new regions' residents — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov emphasized that "totally transparent referendums were organized in the regions, during which the residents were able to express their position"

Russian Foreign Intelligence Service chief, CIA director may meet soon

Sergey Naryshkin said that he had had a telephone conversation with John Ratcliffe

Yesterday, 23:47

Trumps says may meet with Putin after visit to Saudi Arabia

The White House announced on Tuesday that Trump will travel to the Middle East from May 13 through 16

Yesterday, 14:18

IN BRIEF: What is known about fire at parking lot of Moscow’s Afimall City shopping center

Emergency services said later that construction materials and gas cylinders, stored at the entrance to the parking lot, had gone on fire

Russia’s revised nuclear doctrine contains provisions on potential response to West

"This doctrine is available to the public," Dmitry Peskov said

Nearly 90 Ukrainian drones downed over Russian regions in nighttime

In paticular, 45 UAVs were intercepted over the Republic of Crimea

Yesterday, 19:02

Putin, Trump both agree that refusing to engage in dialogue 'absurd' — Peskov

Dmitry Peskov pointed out that the administration of former US President Joe Biden lacked the desire to maintain a dialogue

Yesterday, 20:58

Europe needs to do more to reach settlement in Ukraine — White House

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt noted that Vladimir Zelensky was not moving toward peace in Ukraine, but in the opposite direction

At least 45 Palestinians killed, over 100 injured in Israeli strikes on Gaza Strip — TV

According to the sources, more than 100 people were injured and the number of casualties continues to grow after nighttime raids

Yesterday, 13:44

Russian forces eliminate Ukrainian troops that seized Gornal monastery in Kursk Region

The regiment commander with the call sign Apostol said that a clean-up operation was underway at the monastery

Yesterday, 12:30

Russian troops liberate Tarasovka community in Donetsk region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted roughly 335 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed four enemy ammunition depots in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry added

Yesterday, 17:23

Peace in Ukraine possible after Kiev withdraws troops from Donbass, Novorossiya — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov recalled that these regions are enshrined in the Russian Constitution as an integral part of it

INTERVIEW: Delegates from 150 countries to attend security conference in Moscow in May

According to Sergey Shoigu, issues of security in post-Soviet space, the development of cooperation with neighboring countries both on the bilateral basis and within multilateral organizations

Admiral Golovko frigate sails the Channel

The Admiral Golovko began the sortie on November 2 in Severodvinsk, the main base of the Northern fleet

Yesterday, 12:44

Gornal now only Kursk Region village with Ukrainian presence — commander

"We are busy completely clearing our territory up to the border," the commander said

Yesterday, 23:35

No positive response from Kiev on return of Kursk Region residents — ombudswoman

According to the Tatiana Moskalkova, fifty Kursk Region residents are still remaining in Sumy

US’ first steps toward detente deserve attention — Russian Security Council chief

Commenting on reports that US President Donald Trump may withdraw more than 20,000 US troops from Europe, Sergey Shoigu noted, "So far, this is only a statement of intent

Yesterday, 17:38

Trump accuses Zelensky of making 'harmful' statements on Crimea

According to the US president, the sides "are very close to a Deal"

Threats to Belarus still exist, Oreshnik deployment justified — Russian security official

According to Sergey Shoigu, European countries are building up their military presence near the western borders of the Union State of Russia and Belarus and don’t demonstrate any readiness to deescalate the situation