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Icon replicas Putin gifted to military bought from private US collection — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov highlighted the special significance of icons in Russian military history and added that the image of Savior Not Made by Hand has been the protective icon of Russian troops over several centuries

MOSCOW, April 18. /TASS/. The Savior Not Made by Hand icon which in the past belonged to Defense Minister of the Russian Empire Pyotr Vannovsky and whose replicas Russian President Vladimir Putin presented to the military in the special operation zone was purchased from a private collection in the US, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told TASS on Tuesday.

"The icon, replicas of which the president gave to servicemen in the Kherson Region and the Lugansk People’s Republic, were previously purchased from a private collection in the US," the Kremlin official said.

He stressed that the replicas would stay in the Kherson Region and the LPR while Putin would hand the original over to the main cathedral of Russia’s Armed Forces. In the past, this icon belonged to Pyotr Vannovsky who served as Russia’s defense minister in 1881-1898.

Peskov highlighted the special significance of icons in Russian military history and added that the image of Savior Not Made by Hand has been the protective icon of Russian troops over several centuries.

The Savior Not Made by Hand icon is a canonical depiction of the face of Jesus Christ which, according to legend, was miraculously imprinted on a cloth he used to wipe his face. This image was depicted on the banners of the Russian army as well as placed over the gates of fortresses. Soldiers have always considered it their patron while civilians viewed it as their protector and savior.

On Monday, Putin visited the headquarters of the Dnepr battlegroup on the Kherson front and the headquarters of the National Guard East battlegroup in the LPR. During his visit, the head of state heard reports from military commanders on the situation on the Kherson, Zaporozhye and Lugansk fronts. This is the head of state’s first visit to the Kherson Region and the LPR. Previously, Putin visited Russia’s new regions on March 19 when he traveled to Mariupol in the Donetsk People’s Republic.

Over 1,200 children from Dagestan remain in refugee camps in Middle East

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Russia hammers Ukrainian military-industrial facilities, energy sites over week

Russian forces liberated seven communities in the Donetsk People’s Republic over the past week, the Defense Ministry reported

Trump to tap Richard Grenell as US special envoy on Ukraine — agency

Grenell would play a key role in Trump's efforts to halt the conflict if he is ultimately selected for the post

Bulgarian politician sees Oreshnik missile strike as wake-up call for peace

"European politicians need to think twice about what they do next, especially since Donald Trump, who will take office in two months, replacing the current White House occupant, has already expressed his commitment to the policy of peace," Krasimir Karakachanov said

Zelensky to have no input if Russia, US negotiate, ex-Prime Minister says

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France only finishes off Ukraine by allowing it to strike inside Russia — diplomat

Zakharova said earlier that no attempts by "French warmongers" would change the outcome of the conflict

Russian forces gain foothold in Chasov Yar’s industrial zone — expert

The units of the Ukrainian armed forces have created "a very serious defense line" along the railroad and along one of the streets of the settlement, military expert Andrey Marochko told TASS

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

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Putin to address parliament next year, preparations underway — Kremlin

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

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Progress resupply spaceship with holiday gifts, cargo to dock with ISS

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German politician slams Ukraine’s ‘irresponsible’ strike on Russia with UK-made missiles

"A diplomatic search for balance and mutual understanding should be the goal, instead of further escalation," Alice Weidel said

Diplomat mocks US Senator for talking about invading Netherlands

Maria Zakharova quoted the US Senator, who called the ICC a "Kangaroo court" and ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan a "deranged fanatic"

Trump to name investor Bessent as Treasury Secretary

Janet Yellen currently holds the position

Defense ministers of five European nations to meet in Berlin on November 25

The French interior ministry said earlier that an emergency meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council will be held on November 26 following Russia using its new missile against a Ukrainian defense sector facility

Ukrainian frontline may 'collapse' under onslaught of Russian forces — BBC

According to the experts, Ukraine’s incursion into Russia’s borderline Kursk Region turned out to be a "strategic catastrophe" amid "manpower shortages"

Western countries should 'be afraid, tremble' after Putin's statement — lawmaker

Andrey Kartapolov added that the special military operation in Ukraine "will continue its course until all tasks are completed"

Any escalation scenario possible in Ukraine conflict — Medvedev

According to the politician, Western nations need to understand that they are fighting on Ukraine’s side

Russian servicemen control 30% of Chasov Yar in DPR — expert

According to military expert Andrey Marochko, 10% of the territory is the so-called grey zone

US missile defense base in Poland long among Russian army’s targets — Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova stated that the US-NATO construction project, ongoing for nearly a decade with complete disregard to Russian security concerns, has consistently been a focus of Russia's attention

Europe unable to wage war attrition on Russia — Ukraine’s ex-commander-in-chief

According to Zaluzhny, European countries lack munitions to shoot down air bombs

Putting Sarmat ICBM systems into combat among Russian military's top priorities in 2024

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Israel carries out four strikes on building in Beirut

At least four people were killed and 23 suffered injuries in an Israeli airstrike

Japanese lawmaker praises Putin's restraint amid decision to strike deep into Russia

Top EU diplomat Josep Borrell confirmed that the US administration had lifted restrictions for US-supplied missiles to be used for strikes up to 300 kilometers inside Russia

Russia's Oreshnik missile poses significant threat to West, Turkish expert warns

These missiles pose a threat not only to Ukraine but also to the entire Western world, including continental Europe and Great Britain, Abdullah Agar stressed

Oreshnik can reach targets across entire Europe — missile troops commander

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Kremlin explains why Oreshnik missile came as surprise

"I am sure that neither of us is even aware right now of any new future developments.", Peskov said

Russian military to warn Ukrainian civilians of future Oreshnik attacks — Kremlin

Earlier, the Russian Armed Forces carried out a precision strike on Ukraine’s Yuzhmash defense industry facility in retaliation for the use of US-and UK-made weapons for strikes on Russia

Ukraine was warned about possible missile strike — Pentagon

Department of Defense Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh gave no answer to the question of how could Ukraine prepare for this kind of attack

Bundeswehr prepares plan for Operation Germany in case of war with Russia — newspaper

According to it, the 1,000-page "Operation Germany" plan lists all infrastructure facilities that deserve special protection, and also contains a procedure for defense or "measures to deter Russia on NATO’s eastern flank"

Commissioning of Oreshnik and new developments: Putin’s meeting with defense specialists

Here are the key statements, made during the meeting

Ukrainian defense line in Donbass may soon collapse — expert

"Those are very important logistical hubs and defence outposts for the Ukrainian armed forces, and losing them will give Russia the advantage to move forward to cities like Kramatorsk and Slovyansk," Marina Miron emphasized

Ukraine conflict entering decisive phase, Polish PM says

According to Donald Tusk, "no one knows how the conflict will end"

Two injured in bridge collapse in Crimea

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Russia not obliged to notify anyone about launch of intermediate-range missile — Kremlin

"No, there have been no notifications, for Russia has no such obligation with regard to intermediate-range missiles," Dmitry Peskov emphasized

Russia’s Oreshnik has no analogues worldwide — Putin

"We know what kind of developments are being carried out there, but this will happen tomorrow or in a year or two, but we have such a system already today," the president said

Russia, CSTO partners to discuss West’s authorization of strikes on Russia — TASS source

"A top-level session of the CSTO Collective Security Council will be held in the near future, and this matter will naturally be addressed", the source told TASS

Kremlin clarifies notification process for Oreshnik missile launch

"An automated warning was sent 30 minutes before the launch," Dmitry Peskov said

US, European officials suggest returning nukes to Ukraine — NYT

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Oreshnik missile to go into serial production, Putin says

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Ukrainian army admits loss of 40% of territories it controlled in Kursk Region — agency

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Gazprombank’s UnionPay cards no longer serviced in several countries

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Zelensky fine with conflict continuing due to Western help — Slovak PM

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Lukashenko tells Putin situation is "starting to get tense with Wagner"

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Russian embassy warns UK about dangers of calling for Moscow’s ‘defeat’

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Weapons supplied to Ukraine cannot reach Russian territory, Spanish defense minister says

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Conflict in Ukraine no longer regional war — German defense minister

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Gas supply by Gazprom for Europe through Ukraine totals 42.4 mcm via Sudzha

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US admiral says Washington should be ready for talks with Russia, China

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NATO countries engaged in full-fledged war against Russia — Medvedev

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Biden’s actions on Ukraine meant to 'muck things up' for Trump — Lavrov

According to the Russian foreign minister, such behavior is "typical of the Democrats"

Ukraine should consider territorial concessions to Russia in return for peace — magazine

Foreign Policy pointed out that Western officials should stop insisting in public speeches on the need to achieve a strategic defeat for Russia

France, UK will have to pay for their helping Ukraine strike inside Russia — diplomat

Russia’s Permanent Representative to the Vienna-based international organizations Mikhail Ulyanov said that what has been done by the White House is very dangerous

Germany to start supplying Ukraine with 'mini-Taurus' attack drones in December — report

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Putin stays open to contacts to reach 'peaceful track' — Kremlin

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Russia entitled to use weapons against military sites of states attacking it — Duma

"Russia has repeatedly stated that such actions will receive a response – and it will be a stronger one," Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin stressed

34 rounds fired by Ukrainian troops at Kherson Region’s left bank settlements

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Ukraine loses up to 160 troops in battlegroup East’s responsibility area — top brass

Units of the Russian battlegroup East continue fulfilling military tasks in the area of the special military operation

NATO enters conflict, Russia has every right to attack its targets now — expert

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Putin invites Tajik leader to attend celebration of 80th anniversary of victory in WWII

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Attempted infiltration of Syrian government army positions by saboteurs foiled in Idlib

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West irrational, fails to understand it cannot intercept Russia's new missiles — Kneissl

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NATO secretary general, US President-elect hold first meeting

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Oreshnik missile to change course of Ukrainian conflict, Medvedev believes

Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said it in an interview

Press review: Russia fires missile at Ukraine plant and Biden forgives Kiev $4.65 bln debt

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IDF verifying Hamas’ allegations about death of Israeli hostage in Gaza

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Progress cargo spaceship docks to ISS

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Press review: Uranium costs soar as Moscow updates nuclear doctrine and US OKs attacks

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Russia to view F-16 fighter jets in Ukraine as threat in nuclear sphere — Lavrov

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Russian ambassador says UK prime minister doesn’t understand situation in Ukraine

Turning to the Labour Party’s domestic policies, Andrey Kelin said Starmer’s plans to spur the economy were "not met with applause by the population