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Being Russian means standing up for the truth, says Steven Seagal

President Vladimir Putin personally presented Seagal with a Russian passport in November 2016

MOSCOW, March 14. /TASS/. Steven Seagal, an American actor and Russian Foreign Ministry’s special envoy for Russian-American humanitarian ties, explained on Monday what being Russian means to him.

To be Russian means "to stand up for the truth, to fight for the truth," he told reporters on Tuesday.

The actor has Russian citizenship. President Vladimir Putin personally presented Seagal with a Russian passport in November 2016.

Russian Academy of Sciences to do everything possible to secure Butyagin's release

According to the institute, thanks to the work of the Myrmekion archaeological expedition led by Butyagin, the main stages of the ancient city's history were identified and documented in detail, and unique archaeological material was collected, which gained worldwide fame

In battle of Avdeyevka Ukraine lost 1,500 troops in just 24 hours

Air defenses down two HARM missiles, two Hammer air bombs over Belgorod Region

Five UAVs were wiped out over the Kursk Region and three drones were intercepted over the Bryansk Region

Lukashenko pardons more than 100 citizens of various countries

Among them are citizens of Australia, the United Kingdom, Latvia, Lithuania, the United States, Ukraine, and Japan

No dark spots in history of Russia-Iraq relations, says Putin

The Russian president added that Russia and Iraq have always had very good relations

Lack of control could lead to terrorists using smallpox pathogens, says Defense Ministry

The chief of Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection Force Igor Kirillov noted that smallpox vaccination, which many countries do not currently have, provides protection against monkeypox

Russian troops liberate eight communities in Ukraine operation over week — top brass

Over the past week, Battlegroup South units liberated the settlements of Seversk and Chervonoye in the DPR

Russia delivers massive overnight strike on Ukrainian military-industrial sites

Kiev loses 1,355 troops along engagement line in past day

Energy cooperation with Russia has room for improvement, Greece’s president says

Katerina Sakellaropoulou underscored that "an emphasis should also be made on the natural gas sector"

Russia’s Battlegroup West destroys over 220 Ukrainian troops, Bastion MLRS in past day

Also the Battlegroup West’s air defense crews suppressed 21 aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles and 38 Vampire heavy attack drones of the Ukrainian army

Trump will not dictate to Europe how to build relations with Russia — US blogger

American political commentator and Russia Up Close host Eddie Gonzales also noted that the new US National Security Strategy does not explicitly label Russia as a 'security threat', as previous documents did

Russia unaware of changes US and Ukraine made to peace plan — Peskov

No information from Washington regarding US-Ukraine negotiations has been received, Dmitry Peskov stated

North Korean combat engineers clear mines on over 40,000 hectares in Russia’s Kursk Region

This is invaluable help in the work, without which our borderline territory cannot be rebuilt, Governor Alexander Khinshtein said

League of Arab States is discussing preparations for Russian-Arab summit — mission chief

According to Walid Hamid Shiltagh, the summit could be held as early as next year

Ukrainian drone drops shell on road near Zaporozhye NPP power units

Personnel use this road all the time

Zelensky is Europe’s 'shield' against US, not Russia — Ukrainian opposition politician

According to Viktor Medvedchuk, the European bureaucracy no longer views Europeans’ national identity as a value and simply doesn’t recognize their sovereignty

Proton-M launch delayed to fix problems — Roscosmos

The postponement will not affect the planned scientific program

Cruiser Moskva retains buoyancy, explosions of ammunition stopped — Defense Ministry

Measures are being taken to tug the cruiser to port

European Parliament imposing confrontational agenda ahead of Putin-Biden summit - MP

The European Parliament and its President David Sassoli have tried to gain political weight using the upcoming meeting between the Russian and US presidents as a pretext, speaker of the Russian State Duma lower parliament house Vyacheslav Volodin said

Russian government approves Roscosmos-NASA talks on cross-flights to ISS

In late November, NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Space Operations Kenneth Bowersox said that the United States and Russia were working to extend the ISS cross-flight program

US lifting sanctions on Belarusian potash to take effect immediately

"This decision has been made and will take effect immediately," Permanent Representative of Belarus to the United Nations Valentin Rybakov said

EU’s Juncker tells UK’s Johnson EU not going to revisit achieved deal on Brexit

The EU is ready to cooperate with the UK to change the political declaration on future relations

About 10,000 mercenaries fighting for Kiev regime killed in Ukraine — ex-intel officer

However it is difficult to give the exact number of mercenaries killed in Ukraine, noted Vasily Prozorov

Venezuela condemns indefinite freezing of Russian assets by EU

The EU's decision "grossly violates international law, threatens the legal security of investments and undermines peace initiatives in the region," Executive Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said

Ukrainian soldiers frozen to death at Liman positions in Kharkov Region — defense source

Battlegroup North fighters found the frozen bodies of Ukrainian soldiers who had died from hyperthermia at two out of six positions they seized

FBI officials held secret meetings with Kiev's top negotiator in US — media

According to the report, the meetings have caused alarm among Western officials who remain in the dark about their intent and purpose

Moscow calls on Berlin to tone down anti-Russian rhetoric — embassy

Russia urged the German side to stop stirring up hysteria over Russia's alleged preparations to attack one or more NATO countries

Russia to test automated electronic warfare force control system in Center-2015 drills

During the exercise, the EW forces will also test new forms and methods of conducting electronic warfare

Over hundred people come to White House to rally against Trump's policies

Speakers criticized expelling illegal migrants

Internationally wanted human trafficker eliminated in Libya — news outlet

According to the agency’s statement, Ahmed al-Dabbashi, also known as al-Amu, was killed during an operation to arrest his associates in Sabratha, a city located west of Tripoli

Putin hands over Russia passport to Depardieu

Putin and Depardieu discussed several issues related to the French-Russian film, where Gerard Depardieu played Russian monk Grigory Rasputin

Ukrainian military sites to be hit soon in retaliation for strike on Grozny — Kadyrov

According to Chechen leader, the attack on high-rise buildings makes absolutely no sense from the tactical point of view

Euroclear ready to lawsuits in Russian courts due to assets blocking

The European Commission and the Belgian government made no comments on such news so far

Freight pontoon bridge links Russia's Blagoveshchensk with China’s Heihe

The bridge allows transporting cargos across the Amur River after the navigation period ends

Seafood supplies from Russia to China reach all-time high in 2023 — regulator

The Russian Federal Fisheries Agency clarified that over the past years, China has been the largest consumer of Russian fish products, accounting for about 50% of exports

China tops box office sales for Russian movies in 2024

In Europe and the US, "the door is open a crack" for the Russian film industry, noted Dmitry Kabanov, industry relations and international b2b events director of the Russian state-owned audiovisual product company Roskino

Irresponsible politicians, not Russia, threaten Europe — embassy

Diplomats commented on NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte's statement that the alliance would allegedly become Moscow's "next target"

Russian assets seizure could trigger crisis in EU comparable to Great Depression — expert

According to Jacques Sapir, "this will have extremely dire consequences for the largest European banks"

Russian diplomat, EU envoy discuss attempted terror attacks in Crimea

The Russian Foreign Ministry reports explanations were given concerning attacks' attempts made by the Ukrainian Defense Ministry

Russian Academy of Sciences to do everything possible to secure Butyagin's release

According to the institute, thanks to the work of the Myrmekion archaeological expedition led by Butyagin, the main stages of the ancient city's history were identified and documented in detail, and unique archaeological material was collected, which gained worldwide fame

'Paranoid' Hegseth removes Driscoll from Ukraine talks — media

According to the newspaper, Hegseth saw Driscoll as exceeding his authority during the Ukraine talks

EU to rue indefinite freezing of Russian assets — RDIF CEO

The EU Council is expected to officially enshrine the decision on the indefinite freezing of Russian assets in Europe today

PREVIEW: Russia-Jordan visa-free travel agreement comes into force

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Hussein Abdullah Al-Safadi signed the corresponding document on August 20 in Moscow

Western politicians bound with Zelensky by corruption — Russian diplomat

He blackmails them on the parameters of the Ukraine settlement and the issue of elections, said Maria Zakharova

Russian forces strike units of nine Ukrainian brigades, regiments in Zaporozhye Region

Russian units are advancing methodically, liberating the territory of the Zaporozhye Region, said governor Evgeny Balitsky

Two civilians killed in Ukrainian drone attack on Russia’s Saratov Region

The Ukrainian drone attack also damaged the facades of several buildings, added Governor Roman Busargin

President of St. Petersburg State University Lyudmila Verbitskaya dies at age of 83

Verbitskaya was St. Petersburg State University’s rector in 1994-2008 and its president since 2008

Russians preferred smartphones of Chinese brands in 2018, says research

Chinese company Xiaomi was "noticeably ahead" of Apple in terms of sales

Russian Army gets seven ICBMs from year-start

Also four autonomous launchers, 17 combat duty support vehicles and eight integral parts of a stationary system were accepted

Russian investment in Indonesia exceeds $147 mln since start of 2025

As Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita noted, the steady inflow of capital reflects a high level of confidence on the part of Russian investors

Starmer, von der Leyen discuss progress of Russian assets confiscation

British Prime Minister and the head of the European Commission also discussed the work on the US-led peace plan

Ukrainian losses in conflict have exceeded 1 million — Lavrov

"The Kiev regime, originally established as a fiercely ideological military entity, has now devolved into a criminal gang," the Russian foreign minister said

Kiev tried to attack chemical facilities — Russian Defense Ministry

Chief of Russia’s Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection Troops Major General Alexey Rtishchev pointed to the Ukrainian army’s attempts to destroy hazardous chemical sites in the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, creating the threat of chemical exposure to civilians in the region

Kalashnikov ships first batch of MultiCam colored AK-12K rifles to customer

The concern highlighted that the compact AK-12K was specifically designed to meet the needs of the Airborne Troops

Witkoff to meet with European leaders, Zelensky in Berlin — WSJ

The decision to send Steven Witkoff to Berlin demonstrates the US administration's desire to overcome differences between Washington and Kiev regarding the terms of the peace deal, the newspaper believes

Flights between Russia, Iran resume after two-week suspension

Rosaviatsiya announced that the ban on Russian airliners using the airspace of Iraq, Iran, and Jordan had been lifted

EU intends won’t return Russian assets as long as Europe experiences economic problems

Commenting on this decision, EU leaders did not go into these legal details, but simply called the freeze on Russian assets "indefinite"

Russia concerned about latest escalation in eastern provinces of DRC — MFA

The Ministry called on the involved parties to return to dialogue and adhere to their prior commitments within existing negotiation frameworks, advocating for a peace settlement

Ukraine conflict could lead to World War III, Trump warns

The US president said the conflict in Ukraine "doesn’t really affect the United States, unless it got out of control"

Press review: Washington mulls Iran strike as Russia and US plan 15 joint ventures by 2025

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, June 19th

EU considers Ukraine's accession by 2027 'absolutely impossible' — Reuters

A European diplomat briefed on the plan noted that it was not clear whether the EU leadership backed Ukrainian accession, the news agency said

Kiev keeps a mere 25% of Seversk in Donbass region under its fire control — expert

According to Andrey Marochko, Russian fighters have expanded control of ground in central Seversk

Putin to receive US Secretary of State May 7

During his stay in Russia Kerry is expected to meet with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov

MFA calls EU authorities 'thimbleriggers' after indefinite freezing of Russian assets

According to the European Commission's plan, the indefinite asset freeze is the first stage in the expropriation of Russian assets

Zelensky maneuvering when he announces referendum on territories — Ukraine’s former PM

Nikolay Azarov also stressed that Vladimir Zelensky has never consulted the people of Ukraine

Russia’s response to EU freeze of Russian assets will follow shortly — diplomat

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also noted that the European Union’s policy toward Russia has long been devoid of any sound logic and resembles a theater of the absurd

Court sentences former Bolivian President Arce to five months of pretrial detention

The Prosecutor General's Office requested that Luis Arce be kept in custody pending a court hearing as it believed there was a risk of escape or attempts to obstruct the investigation

Some 11,270 diamonds hidden in hand luggage seized at Frankfurt Airport — DPA

Law enforcement officers detained a 53-year-old man who had flown to Frankfurt from Angola, and placed him in custody

Three Ukrainian soldiers surrender in Dimitrov — Russia’s top brass

According to the report, the prisoners of war "recounted how their commanders had sent them to their deaths at the line of engagement"

Top Transnistrian diplomat refutes Chisinau's claims that it called for dialogue

Chiveri told a conference in Chisinau on Thursday that he had sent an address to Tiraspol’s political director inviting him to discuss a range of problems the Moldovan side is concerned over

US forces conduct operation on ship traveling from China to Iran — WSJ

After the goods were confiscated, the ship continued on its way, the newspaper said

Nearly 1,500 people evacuated from Moscow’s VTB Arena due to bomb threat

Firefighters and ambulances have arrived on the scene

Russian forces holding their positions near Kupyansk, despite Ukraine’s counterattacks

According to Andrey Marochko, high-intensity counterattacks have been going on for a long time

Zelensky regime cannot be removed via election — lawmaker

"There will be the regime’s capitulation, either political or military," Artyom Dmitruk said

Orban says EU use of Russian assets would mean declaration of war

"Hungary will not play along in this twisted Brusselian scheme," Hungarian Prime Minister said

Zelensky pushed to the wall by battlefield situation, illegitimacy — Russian diplomat

For this reason, he began to blackmail his Western curators, said Maria Zakharova

Lifting US sanctions on Belarusian potash to affect fertilizer market, Minsk believes

According to member of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus Alexander Shpakovsky, the results of the Belarusian-American talks meet the expectations of official Minsk

Kiev, Europe buy time and seek ways to continue Ukraine conflict, senator says

According to Alexander Voloshin, for Vladimir Zelensky, as well as for his patrons, the continuation of the conflict is the only chance for "political survival and further enrichment at the expense of the lives of ordinary Ukrainians"

Sixty-eight ionizing radiation sources lost in Ukraine — Russia’s top brass

According to the report, the loss of control over ionizing radiation sources was qualified as a radiation accident

Japan moves to allocate record $58 billion for defense in 2026 fiscal year — Kyodo

The budget draft is expected to be adopted at a cabinet meeting in late December

Washington will respond to ISIS over killing of US service members in Syria — Trump

This was an attack against the country, United States President said

EU Council decided to perpetually block Russian sovereign assets

According to the plan of the European Commission, this step is the first phase in further expropriation of Russian assets

Share of Russian companies using AI technologies rises 1.5-fold since 2021

It increased from 15 to 25%

Israel obstructs Gaza ceasefire deal — Qatari premier

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani added that Qatar will continue its efforts aimed at resolving the conflict

Russian forces liberate Sokol village in DPR

According to the military agency, units from Battlegroup Center liberated the village and improved their tactical position

Korean sappers return to DPRK after completing combat mission in Kursk Region

The ceremony of welcoming their return took place on December 12

Medvedev rejects accusations of Russia’s ‘disproportionate use of force’

There were several explosions in Kiev this night

FACTBOX: A history of TASS

West should have no doubts about Russia’s potential after Oreshnik missile test — diplomat

Maria Zakharova noted that the newest hypersonic missile system was demonstrated in combat conditions

Russian ambassador rejects German accusations of state involvement in cyberattack on DFS

Sergey Nechayev called the German government's accusations unfounded, unjustified, and absurd

Arktikugol's upgrade to favor Russia's successful work on Spitsbergen — minister

Russia has been operating on Spitsbergen for more than 90 years

Criminal case over murder threat opened against Vitas

The singer said today that the incident happened to him - it's a terrible shock and a bad situation

Quake of 6,3 points occurs near Commander Islands in Pacific

The quake epicentre was 205 kilometres west of the Bering Islan

Many Russian companies show interest in working with Iraq — Putin

Relations between Russia and Iraq are diversifying and becoming more versatile by their nature, the Russian leader said

UNRWA in charge of all humanitarian aid coming to Gaza — UN chief

Antonio Guterres thinks, work of organization should be continued

Zelensky blackmails Western handlers to get them secure his re-election — Russian diplomat

Vladimir Zelensky’s presidential powers expired on May 20, 2024

US hindering Venezuela to sell its oil, supply it to Cuba — Cuban foreign ministry

This step is part of escalation staged by the United States to bar Venezuela from realizing its legitimate right to the free use of and trade in its natural resources, the Cuban foreign ministry emphasized

Nigeria denies reports that supertanker seized by US is Nigerian

NIMASA confirmed that SKIPPER did indeed sail to Nigeria in 2024

Russia managed to keep jobs despite foreign companies’ exit — PM

As Mikhail Mishustin said, consumer demand is gradually recovering

Russian GDP reach $680.8 bln in Q3 2025 — statistics

The physical volume of GDP gained 0.6% in annual terms

Decision to permanently freeze Russian assets would cause irreparable damage to EU — Orban

The Hungarian Prime Minister affirmed that Budapest will "do everything possible to restore the legal order"