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Serbian interior minister hospitalized in grave condition — TV

According to the TV channel, Ivica Dacic has been placed on life support

BELGRADE, February 25. /TASS/. Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic has been hospitalized in serious condition, Blic TV reported, citing a source.

According to the channel, the minister’s condition has sharply worsened in recent hours due to previously diagnosed bilateral pneumonia. Blic also reported that Dacic has been placed on life support.

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Tisza may become first "trash river" in Europe — environmentalist

"Rivers are used to deliver waste to the ocean instead of dump trucks in certain poor Asian countries," head of Green Patrol organization’s environmental projects Roman Pukalov said

US ultimatum to Kiev could end conflict in one day — British politician

"Until Trump does that, the war will continue," Leader of the Workers Party of Britain George Galloway said

Iran ready to engage with US or respond to its threats — parliament’s speaker

Iran makes it clear to the Americans in a direct and decisive way that all options are being considered, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said

Kiev is failing to stabilize the front near Slavyansk — Russian military expert

Andrey Marochko says that Ukrainian servicemen are unable to contain the advance of the Russian army

US to authorize conditional Venezuelan oil resale to Cuba — OFAC

The favorable licensing policy is directed towards transactions that support the Cuban people, including the Cuban private sector, OFAC said

Russia initiated third stage of Eastern Range upgrade — PM

The second phase of the program was designed until late 2024

Ukrainian troops facing difficulties due to Starlink shutdown — commander

According to communications platoon commander of the 49th Combined Arms Army of the Battlegroup Dnepr, the Ukrainian reconnaissance drones and FPV drones are now flying less frequently and the operation of their live monitoring and recording systems has been significantly reduced

Bank of Russia sets dollar rate at 76.46 rubles for February 26

The official euro rate was lowered by 26.1 kopecks to 90.3211 rubles

Plans by Paris, London to give Kiev nuclear arms show they lost touch with reality — envoy

They are mistaken in hoping to avoid responsibility, Gennady Gatilov said

Consequences of using nuclear bomb, Russian developments: Putin's statements

The Russian president said that Russia has promising defense and civilian developments, and some of them have not yet been publicly presented

Iranian president says ready to speak to student protesters

Government officials should visit universities and strengthen the spirit of dialogue, Masoud Pezeshkian said

If Kiev rejects talks, Russia to oust Ukrainian troops from new regions by force — envoy

Gennady Gatilov pointed out that Kiev "has to recognize the incorporation of the new regions into Russia and withdraw its armed forces from these territories"

Russia’s position on North Korea remains unchanged — source

North Korea carried out its new missile test early on November 29 after a 75-day pause

IN BRIEF: Putin speaks at Future Technologies Forum

Russia is proud that its scientists made a "sound contribution" to biosciences, the Russian leader said

Russia considering proposal to help Cuba with fuel — Novak

"The intergovernmental commission for development of trade and economic cooperation between Russia and Cuba is dealing with that," the deputy prime minister said

Consequences of Ukrainian attacks: seven people die, medical unit destroyed

Kiev struck the Kurkovichi village in the Bryansk Region using kamikaze drones

Russian General Staff: Air strikes convince terrorist sponsors their efforts are hopeless

The Russian pilots have made 1,631 combat sorties and delivered air strikes at 2,084 terrorist facilities since the military operation started

Trump states that United States seeks dominance in Western Hemisphere

The US president pledged to protect national interests, defend the country from "violence, drugs, terrorism, and foreign interference"

Russian Army clears Berestok in Donbass region of Ukrainian troops — expert

Andrey Marochko says Russian fighters are advancing in three sectors

US-registered boat enters Cuban waters, opens fire — Cuban interior ministry

As a result of the clash, four Americans were killed and six were wounded

Ukrainian troops suffer heavy losses in Dnepropetrovsk Region — Russian security official

According to the source, the enemy is attempting to resist the advance of Russian troops, relying on surprise and taking advantage of weather conditions

IN BRIEF: Russia’s stance on UK, French plans to hand over nuclear weapons to Kiev

Paris and London’s plans to transfer nuclear technologies to Kiev for the purpose of creating a bomb as bordering on insanity, Dmitry Peskov said

US Coast Guard refrains from comments on incident in Cuban waters

Earlier, the Cuban interior ministry said that a US-flagged boat entered Cuban waters and opened fire at approaching Cuban military

Russian coal exports up 7% annually in 2025 — Energy Minister

Russian coal exports totaled 211 mln tons in 2025

Ukrainian attacks kill 35, injure 239 people in Belgorod Region since start of year

Сompared to 2025, the number of vehicles hit in attacks by the Ukrainian armed forces has doubled

Russia to start production of Tu-214 airplane — PM

The certification of the medium-range airliner Tu-214 was completed in December 2025

Giatsint-B howitzer crews disrupt rotation of Ukrainian troops in Dobropolye area

During airborne reconnaissance, an unmanned aerial vehicle operator of the group’s unmanned systems troops located hidden enemy positions

Russia develops first tactical guided munition with range of over 100 km

The system was created in record time based on the experience of active deployment of guided munitions in the special military operation zone

Inflation decline in Russia creates base for economic growth — Novak

"Inflation dropped from 9.5% to 5.6% as of the end of the last year," the deputy prime minister noted

EC has sharply upgraded its 2023 GDP dynamics outlook for Russia to 2% from 0.9%

Russia’s GDP growth in each of 2024 and 2025 is expected at 1.6%, according to the report

Russian tech firm to feature versatile underwater drone at Urals industrial show

The submersible vehicle is outfitted with precision navigation equipment, a communications system, and a broad range of tools to cope with various tasks under water

Iran calls Trump’s comment about Tehran's nuclear ambitions 'empty chatter'

Esmaeil Kousari, General of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, said that before the February 26 negotiations on the nuclear dossier in Geneva Iran must maintain a high degree of readiness and "constantly monitor the actions of the enemy"

Top Iranian diplomat outlines provisions of potential deal with US to Omani counterpart

Abbas Araghchi is leading the Iranian delegation to the third round of Oman-mediated talks with the United States

New Dutch cabinet missed opportunity to restore dialogue with Russia — embassy

The Russian embassy stressed that Russia has "duly taken note" of this signal from the kingdom’s authorities

Ukraine to resume oil supplies to Slovakia in March at the earliest — Fico

Kiev has repeatedly postponed the time for the restart of oil deliveries to Bratislava, with February 26 indicated as the latest deadline before

Russia creates global level solutions for digital platforms — Putin

Russia is proud that its scientists made "a sound contribution" to bioscience, the head of state added

National ensigns flown on Arctic rescue vessels

The vessels' equipment is 70% Russian-made

United States making progress with both Russia, Ukraine — Vance

The US vice president also noted that the US administration is continuing diplomatic efforts to bring the negotiations to a point at which both Russia and Ukraine will consider their objectives sufficiently achieved and bring the conflict to an end

West wants to escalate Ukraine conflict to global level — Russian delegation in Vienna

Those who are obstructing peace in Ukraine and sponsoring the war there cannot expect a place at the negotiating table to end it, Yulia Zhdanova added

Sanctions, support of population, tasks for 2026: Mishustin’s report to State Duma

The premier mentioned six tasks facing the state in 2026

Serbian interior minister hospitalized in grave condition — TV

According to the TV channel, Ivica Dacic has been placed on life support

Ukraine suffers more than 1.5 million casualties since Russia launched special military op

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Ukraine has lost about 65,000 servicemen since the beginning of 2026

West’s goal is to give Zelensky time to rearm his forces — Russia’s OSCE envoy

Dmitry Polyansky says that this tactics is compatible with "today’s version of the so-called European values"

Litasco may go to arbitration due to external management of assets in Bulgaria

The measures taken by Bulgaria constitute breaches of its obligations under the applicable bilateral investment treaty and the Energy Charter Treaty, the company said

Motorcade leaves Vnukovo-2 airport amid reports of Witkoff's arrival

The motorcade is heading towards Moscow

Russian troops liberate Grafskoye community in Kharkov Region over past day — top brass

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,345 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

German defense minister confirms no supplies of Taurus missiles to Ukraine

"Taurus will not resolve and will not end this war," Boris Pistorius underscored

Qatar’s investments in Russia exceed $13 bln, ambassador says

Sheikh Ahmed bin Nasser Al-Thani noted that the Qatar Investment Authority invested "18.9% into the Russian oil company Rosneft, 24.99% into the St. Petersburg Western High Speed Diameter Project, 25% into Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg, and another 25% into Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport"

US abstains from voting on anti-Russian General Assembly resolution on Ukraine

A total of 107 countries voted in favor, while 12 were against, including Russia, Belarus, Iran and North Korea

Russia to test digital ruble use soon — PM

This is a challenging case, Mikhail Mishustin added

Tucker Carlson trying to talk Trump out of war with Iran — US expert

Andrew Napolitano believes that Trump's use of force against Tehran is practically predetermined

Russian PM outlines key goals for government in 2026

"The first and the key task is to preserve and increase our people," Mikhail Mishustin said

Guterres announces to Lavrov his intention to attend BRICS summit in Kazan — MFA

Earlier, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin stated that Guterres' participation in the BRICS summit would provide "an interesting and substantial interaction with a power bloc in international relations that is visibly gaining authority"

Situation in Russian fuel market stable — Novak

According to the official, fuel production volumes in Russia are above the requirements

UK, France readying to arm Ukraine with nuclear bomb — Foreign Intelligence Service

According to the SVR, the British and the French realize that their plot is "a gross violation of the international law, first of all the Non-Proliferation Treaty, and carries the risk of destroying the global non-proliferation system"

Vietnamese PM wants to boost economic ties with Russia

Pham Minh Chinh said that Vietnam-Russia relations have entered a new era of development

Msta-S crew hits Ukrainian fort in Dnepropetrovsk with Krasnopol shell

Live recording confirmed a direct hit on permanent firing positions and dugouts buried deep underground, as well as the destruction of enemy personnel and communications equipment

Yet-to-be created low-enriched uranium bank in Kazakhstan to be IAEA-managed

The bank’s operation will be liable to the legal and regulatory requirements of the host country, but all management functions will be performed by the International Atomic Energy Agency

Press review: EU delays Ukraine association as US businesses demand Trump tariff refunds

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, February 25th

Russian coal exports to remain at 200 mln tons in 2026 — expert

The Asian coal market is currently experiencing a local reduction in output in China, as well as temporary supply disruptions in Australia due to flooding and plans to restrict production in Indonesia

British army, air force begin preparations for deployment to Ukraine — Defense Secretary

Defense Secretary John Healey stressed he had already accelerated the allocation of $270 million so that the forces have the necessary equipment for deployment

Trump claims Iran has not promised to US to give up nuclear weapons

The US leader also says he will not allow Tehran to obtain the weapons

Russia’s Krasnopol-M2 guided shell exceeds Western analogues in accuracy — Rostec

The use of these guided munitions turns self-propelled artillery units and towed howitzers from area suppression weapons into a tool for the precise destruction of enemy targets, Rostec representatives said

Russian UAV crews cut off power to Ukrainian facilities on Dnieper’s right bank

Despite difficult weather conditions and the enemy’s electronic warfare systems, Russian military personnel successfully completed their mission

Peace plan options, signals to Trump: what Putin aide said after Kremlin talks

The sides discussed several options for a peace plan, including territories, and agreed to continue contacts

Larry Summers to resign from Harvard over Epstein ties — CNN

Harvard spokesperson Jason Newton said Summers has also resigned from his role as co-director of the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government

Sanya airport's passenger traffic can reach 10 mln in 2020

Tehran ready for both peaceful and military scenarios — Iran’s top diplomat Araghchi

Abbas Araghchi said that his country is capable of effectively defending itself

Ukraine’s military unhappy with ineffective UAVs supplied by Western countries — media

The Ukrainian officer admitted that Ukraine’s allies were unaware of how quickly the situation changes during the conflict

Russian diplomat sees UK, France flirting with Kiev over nukes

Maria Zakharova noted that, over the past week, the media had downplayed the news by diverting global attention

Switzerland to apply paragraphs of 19th EU sanction package against Russia

Measures include the complete ban on purchases and imports of Russian liquefied natural gas and the ban on transactions with certain cryptocurrencies pegged to the Russian ruble

Zelensky, Trump discuss upcoming meeting between US, Ukrainian delegations in Geneva

According to Vladimir Zelensky, US Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff and Donald Trump’s son in law Jared Kushner also joined the call

Poland has no reason to place anti-personnel mines on Russia-Belarus border — envoy

According to Boris Gryzlov, the question of how this will help Poland improve its security is more rhetorical than practical

Ukraine turned conflict with Russia into profitable business model — Szijjarto

According to the Hungarian top diplomat, Ukraine receives from funds of the European Union more money than the entire Ukrainian economy may give

Ukrainian army preparing Odessa region for all-round defense

Denis Nosikov, head of the regional department of the South territorial defense forces, noted that various fortifications are being constructed around the region

US lawmakers expects authorities to share details about incident with boat off Cuba

The Representative from Florida Maria Elvira Salazar noted that she is closely monitoring reports

China, Germany support UN and development of green technologies

Beijing and Berlin confirmed that they will encourage the expansion of interpersonal contacts and boost culture and sports cooperation

US president mentions Russia twice in record State of the Union address

Donald Trump spoke of Russia in the context of the Ukrainian conflict and as he made a reference to the presence of Russian weapons off Venezuelan coast

Russian troops liberate Rizdvyanka community in Zaporozhye Region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup East inflicted roughly 170 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed four enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Those who blew up Nord Streams now blocking Druzhba pipeline — top Hungarian diplomat

Peter Szijjarto called it a disgrace that the EU has not yet completed its investigation into the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines, which, he recalled, constitutes an act of state terrorism

Merz says he asked China to use its influence to end conflict in Ukraine

The German chancellor said that signals from China are taken very seriously in Moscow

Moldova, Transnistria to resume negotiations on February 26 after lengthy pause

The delegations will be led by Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister Valeriu Chiveri and Transnistrian Foreign Minister Vitaly Ignatiev

Ukrainian army trying to divert attention from failures to Odessa defenses — expert

Retired Colonel Timur Syrtlanov noted that all cities located in the combat area were always preparing for defense

Sixty-one foreign air carriers flying to Russia — Transport Minister

Plans for 2026 are to continue working on the upgrade of airport infrastructure and commission passenger terminals in Barnaul, Blagoveshchensk and Orenburg in particular, Andrey Nikitin added

Kurchatov Center’s chief shows Putin model of lunar settlement, small nuclear power plant

Mikhail Kovalchuk noted that while developing the model, the researchers had an idea of covering it with a special cap

Iranian foreign minister arrives in Geneva to participate in talks with US

The Foreign Ministry also said the Iranian delegation plans to meet with Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi this evening to outline Tehran's position "on sanctions and the nuclear program"

Syrian forces repel Nusra Front attack in Latakia Province

According to Russian Reconciliation Center for Syria deputy head Counter Admiral Vadim Kulit, Nusra Front militants shelled Syrian forces’ positions in the Idlib de-escalation area twice in the past 24 hours

Battlegroup West destroy 59 heavy combat quadcopters of Kiev troops in one day

The fighters also eliminated 39 drone control points, Spokesman for the Battlegroup West Ivan Bigma says

China to support development of Germany, other countries — Xi Jinping

The Chinese leader stressed that was still following the path of peaceful development

Budget revenues from Sber Group over $17 bln — CEO

Herman Gref said that Sber Group paid $7.1 bln of income tax as of 2025 year-end

Zaporozhye NPP operating normally in wake of Ukrainian attack on thermal power facility

According to acting Energodar Mayor Maxim Pukhov, Ukrainian troops launched 15 artillery strikes on the city adjacent to the ZNPP

Europe has imported over 60 bcm of LNG since start of heating season

Total fuel volume in UGS facilities equals around 33.8 bcm now

Tisza may become first "trash river" in Europe — environmentalist

"Rivers are used to deliver waste to the ocean instead of dump trucks in certain poor Asian countries," head of Green Patrol organization’s environmental projects Roman Pukalov said

Vietnam-Russia ties model of healthy international relations — Vietnamese PM

Pham Minh Chinh said that Vietnam "consistently attaches great importance and strives for a steady development of traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership with the Russian Federation in all areas"

British, French embassies make cliched statements about nukes for Kiev

According to Federation Council Deputy Speaker Konstantin Kosachev, there was no responsible, serious, or official high-level reaction

Trump says he is working hard to facilitate Ukrainian conflict settlement

The conflict wouldn't have happened during his presidency, the official says

Medvedev meets with Xi in Beijing

Last time the deputy head of the Russian Security Council came to China was in December 2022

Total capacity of Russian ports gain 25 mln tons in 2025 — PM

Transport Minister Andrey Nikitin said earlier this month that the capacity of Russian seaports would add 21 mln

Share of oil, gas revenues in Russian budget to be less than 20% — Finance Minister

The Russian budget indicators for this year may be amended subject to the market situation, Anton Siluanov noted

Iran says to be more careful in talks with US, taking into account past experience

On February 26, Geneva will host the third round of indirect talks between Iran and the United States to resolve the situation around the republic's nuclear program

Russia could launch nuclear strikes on France, UK if they arm Kiev with nukes — Medvedev

"This is the proportional response that Russia has the right to," the Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman stressed