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Moscow court sentences rights activist Ponomaryov to 5.5 years in prison in absentia

The court also banned him from administering websites for nine years

MOSCOW, July 9. /TASS/. Moscow's Khoroshevsky Court has sentenced human rights activist Lev Ponomaryov (recognized as a foreign agent in Russia) to five years and six months in a general regime penal colony in absentia in a case of evading the duties of a foreign agent and organizing the activities of an undesirable organization, a TASS correspondent reports from the courtroom.

"To sentence Ponomaryov to imprisonment for five years and six months in a general regime colony. The appointed punishment is considered to be in absentia. The term of punishment should be calculated from the moment of Ponomaryov's extradition or his detention on the territory of the Russian Federation," the judge read the verdict.

Besides, the court banned him from administering websites for nine years.

Earlier, the state prosecutor asked to sentence the human rights defender to six years and five months in a penal colony in absentia.

Over ten million people take part in farewell ceremonies for Khamenei in Iraq

The supreme committee expressed "deep gratitude and appreciation to all official institutions, holy shrines, security forces and armed forces, including the Shiite Popular Mobilization Forces, thousands of volunteers and all the people of Iraq"

NATO's aggressive actions and countering Patriot systems: Kremlin's statements

Dmitry Peskov noted that the Russian government is doing everything necessary to protect the country

Trump says doesn’t know if full-scale conflict with Iran could be resumed

The president added that in such a case the United States will "win it very quickly"

US strikes Iran bridge on transport corridor connecting it with Russia, China — Fars

The strike targeted a railway bridge in the Akkala area of Golestan province near the Turkmen border

Russia fully aware of US actively supplying weapons to Kiev, has no delusions — Kremlin

The decision for the US to transfer a license for the production of Patriot systems to Ukraine was announced yesterday by US President Donald Trump

NATO summit sought to draw Trump into conflict with Russia — diplomat

Rodion Miroshnik emphasized that maintaining strategic uncertainty is one of the main features of European policy, in particular, "against this backdrop, it is very easy to make high-profile statements that have no real outcome"

FACTBOX: NATO countries' military assistance to Ukraine

A number of NATO member states began transferring weaponry to Ukraine as early as 2014, when a coup d'etat in Ukraine resulted in a change of power

Trump tells NATO allies he wants to keep US in alliance — Reuters

According to the source, at a closed-door meeting Donald Trump said the United States is ready to continue selling weapons to its allies, regardless of how they will be used

Iran-US memorandum not built on trust from start — Iranian embassy in Moscow

The Memorandum of Understanding between Iran and the US was built on a clear mechanism of 'commitment in exchange for commitment'

Lavrov arrives in Mozambique as part of his African tour

Russian Foreign Minister ’s previous visit to Mozambique took place in May 2023

Iran cannot ignore US presence near its borders under Trump Route — ambassador

Khalil Shirgolami drew attention to the methods used by the United States, citing Washington's violation of ceasefire agreements with Iran as an example

Kiev’s refusal to take back soldiers’ bodies unprecedented in history — Russian diplomat

Maria Zakharova emphasized that "it has always been considered mandatory to retrieve the bodies of one’s fallen warriors from a battlefield in any way

Trump makes no specific commitments on Ukraine behind closed doors at NATO summit

According to the news outlet, the US leader is focused on Iran

Press review: NATO summit pledges 140 bln euros for Ukraine and US ends Iran peace efforts

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, July 9th

US completes another wave of strikes against Iran — CENTCOM

"U.S. forces struck approximately 90 Iranian military targets including air defense systems, coastal surveillance assets, missile and drone storage sites, naval capabilities, and military logistics infrastructure along Iran’s coastline," the US Central Command said

Trump’s proposals on Ukrainian airspace closure represent something new for Moscow

Dmitry Peskov stressed that the proposal voiced by the American president contradicted one of the set objectives of the Russian special military operation

Serbia will never agree to relinquish Kosovo — minister

Nenad Popovic noted that Belgrade feels Russia’s constant support on international platforms

Air defenses destroy 111 Ukrainian UAVs over Russian regions within 12-hour period

In particular, drones were shot down over the Belgorod, Bryansk, Kursk, Oryol, Tula, Kaluga, Moscow, Krasnodar Regions, the Republic of Crimea, the Republic of Bashkortostan and the Republic of Tatarstan

Washington kicking Kiev Patriot license is bargaining ploy — Russian MP

According to Konstantin Basyuk, even if the license is transferred immediately, setting up full-scale production, training specialists, and establishing component supplies will take a long time

Europe speculates about Russia's alleged defeat to justify militarization — diplomat

The notion that Russia, suffering defeat, might suddenly strike NATO territory tomorrow is utterly illogical, Anna Yevstigneyeva emphasized

Iranian army reports cruise missile attack on US vessels off Bahrain coast

According to the report, a US destroyer was among those targeted

Russia’s Scorpion bomber drone covers record 35 km with TM-62 mine

This is currently the only drone in Russia that is fully integrated with the TM-62 mine

Baku, Yerevan delimit about 13 km of state border — Azerbaijani MFA

The process of delimitation and demarcation is underway, Jeyhun Bayramov said

IN BRIEF: FSB foils major series of terrorist attacks targeting Russian service members

As a result of operations conducted by law enforcement officers, a terrorist accomplice, a Russian female citizen, was detained

Single Russian Lancet drone crew destroys 20 pieces of Ukrainian equipment in DPR

The targets hit included a Bogdana self-propelled gun, a T-62 tank, and armored combat vehicles transporting Ukrainian troops and ammunition to the front lines

Czech president says West has two-month 'window' to restart Russia talks — The Telegraph

Petr Pavel also called for further militarizing Europe

Hungary’s president rejects constitutional amendment allowing his removal from office

Tamas Sulyok believes the document violates the principles of the rule of law, democracy, and separation of powers

Spain 'nobody’s lackey,' Spanish minister says in response to Trump

Pablo Bustinduy emphasized that he wasn't ruffled by the US president’s latest remarks

Unified drone system to become key driver of Russian economic growth — expert

Aviation Project Director at GLONASS Sergey Kukarev noted that the system is already starting to work in logistics

Khamenei's coffin arrives in Iraq's holy Shiite city of Karbala

Eyewitnesses report that millions participated in the funeral procession

Russia fields world’s largest air defense system — Defense Ministry

On July 8, the Russian Armed Forces celebrate Anti-Aircraft Missile Troops Day of the Aerospace Forces

Russia as threat, support for Ukraine, US strikes on Iran: NATO chief’s statements

Mark Rutte called the recent US strikes against Iran "absolutely necessary"

Iran increases Strait of Hormuz capacity to 50% of pre-war level — IRGC

The naval forces also noted that US interference "in determining movement routes" is "seriously disrupting the process of gradually resuming operations" of the strait

Serbia not to impose visas for Russians — minister

Russian citizens "are the most welcome guests in our country," Nenad Popovic said

Disappointment with NATO, refusal to negotiate with Iran: Trump’s key statements

The US president said that he has no intention of negotiating with Iran and also insulted the country’s leadership

NATO changes mandate of Baltic Air Policing Mission to combat mission

The new military format will enable alliance fighters to participate directly in combat operations

Lavrov says Russia agreed to US proposals at Alaska summit

The Russian top diplomat said that any other interpretations were irrelevant

Trump says US received share of Ukrainian land through mineral deal

Discussing the possibility of Ukraine's reconstruction, the US leader expressed confidence that the country had "tremendous potential"

Lockheed Martin to create Patriot complex maintenance facility in Europe — Trump

The president said that US firms had clinched $3 billion of defense contracts at NATO summit

West does not care how many people killed in Russia, Ukraine — Russian diplomat

Russia's Acting Permanent Representative to the UN Anna Yevstigneyeva stated that "deaths of innocent civilians, killings of women, children and the elderly will not stop them"

Europe's worst mistake, Donbass liberation, nuclear escalation: Kremlin comments

Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov says European countries still believe that they can inflict a strategic defeat on Russia and added that this is "the greatest mistake ever"

Europe openly prepares for war with Russia — representative to OSCE

Dmitry Polyansky said that only "shock therapy" could potentially shake the West out of its "militaristic psychosis"

AfD leader describes NATO as machine for financing Ukraine conflict

Tino Chrupalla urged efforts to find impetus for the peaceful coexistence of nations in Europe

Strait of Hormuz to open only on Iran’s terms, but under US’ threats — parliament speaker

According to Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, threats and breaking promises "are no longer cost-free"

Support of Kiev by Europe and US direct participation in war against Russia — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov emphasized that because of this, the conflict has ceased to be a special military operation

US deploys some 20 warships, auxiliary vessels in Arabian Sea — TV

According to Fox News, the group includes the USS Abraham Lincoln and USS George H.W. Bush strike groups, and the USS Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) with a total of around 20,000 seamen and mariners

British singer Bonnie Tyler dies at 75

The singer passed away in a hospital in Portugal following an illness for which she was undergoing treatment

Durov questioned in Paris for six hours — agency

"Nearly two years after the criminal case against Pavel Durov was opened, there is still no evidence to support the charges," AFP cited his lawyers

Trump says Russia and Ukraine know what US peace proposals are

The US leader expressed opinion that the peoples of Russia and Ukraine would later be able to establish normal relations

Foreigners helped Kiev make drone for attempt on life of senior Russian officer — FSB

This follows from an audio recording of a telephone conversation between a Russian detained in Krasnodar and his Ukrainian handler

Press review: NATO summit sets Ukraine support as EU resists sanctions critics in EU bloc

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, July 8th

Key statements from President Putin's meeting with Cabinet on fuel situation

The president noted that Russia's current fuel difficulties are temporary, adding that the country's energy sector possesses a high margin of safety

Russia’s Battlegroup North destroys 354 Ukrainian UAVs during past day

The enemy also lost 42 drone control centers, the battlegroup’s spokesman Alexander Tikhomirov said

Yolka drone effective against new AI-equipped Ukrainian drones — BARS-Bryansk

"Bars-Bryansk unit fighters destroyed a Ukrainian fixed-wing drone using the Yolka system, which caught up with and hit its target in just 20 seconds

Iran was able to ‘smash’ US, Israel, despite NATO involvement in conflict — MP

Alaeddin Boroujerdi highlighted that the Americans saw it as their goal to interfere in the affairs of every independent country and bring war to it

Russian forces advancing simultaneously in two areas in DPR — expert

Andrey Marochko added that Russian troops are also advancing southwest of Kutuzovka along the Byk River

Serbia facing pressure due to refusal to impose sanctions against Russia — minister

The Serbs and Russians are the two closest peoples in the world, which is why people in Serbia know that these sanctions are unjust, Nenad Popovic noted

US security guarantees for Kiev could include closing Ukrainian airspace — Trump

At the same time, the US leader did not rule out that Ukraine may not receive any security guarantees at all

Ukrainian drone strike on Krasnodar-Melitopol passenger bus: what we know

No one was injured, and everyone on board managed to evacuate safely

UAC delivers Su-30SM2, Su-34 fighter jets to Russian Defense Ministry — Rostec

The aircraft have completed the entire cycle of required ground and flight factory tests and have departed for their duty stations

Funeral of Iranian leader Khamenei in Mashhad postponed due to ceremonies in Iraq

"Due to the mass and solemn farewell ceremonies for the late Leader Ali Khamenei that took place in the Iraqi cities of Najaf and Karbala, the arrival of Khamenei's coffin in Mashhad has been postponed," the funeral committee said

Iran uses Soviet-era fighter jets to provide security at Khamenei's funeral

The jets conducted patrols to secure the airspace over Mashhad as part of heightened security measures

IN BRIEF: Overnight drone attacks on Russia kill civilian, damage tankers

One civilian was killed and several others were injured in a Ukrainian drone attack on the Saratov Region

Russia has sufficient potential to continue special military operation — Kremlin

Russia is ready for a peaceful resolution but has enough capability to act independently, Dmitry Peskov stressed

Africa undergoes 'second awakening,' Lavrov says

Russian Foreign Minister pointed out that in 1960, the United Nations adopted the declaration on decolonization, and the bulk of African countries gained political independence

World’s governing volleyball body FIVB lifts sanctions against Russia — statement

The Russian national teams will be restored to the World Ranking with the same World Ranking points as they had at the time that their points were frozen by the decision of the FIVB Board of Administration

No phone call from Trump yesterday, but Putin always glad to speak — Kremlin

Speaking on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Turkey’s Ankara on July 8, US President Trump announced that he intended to hold a telephone call with Russian President Putin later that day

London, Stockholm courts issue unlawful rulings on Russian companies — Putin

Head of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sergey Katyrin stressed that they were politically motivated

Germany, US agree at NATO summit on Berlin's purchase of Tomahawk missiles — Merz

As the German Chancellor noted, the agreement closes "an important strategic gap in the country's defense"

Lavrov, Niger's president hold talks

The talks were preceded by four-party talks involving the foreign ministers of Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali

Ukrainian troops abandon weapons, ammunition made in Poland, France, Italy in Vasilyevka

Commander Mikhail Knyazkin says "a huge amount" of weapons and ammunition was left behind

Russian human rights commissioner speaks on prisoner swap plans, return of Kursk civilians

International organizations have begun to acknowledge evidence of Kiev’s crimes against civilians, Yana Lantratova said

NATO reconnaissance aircraft detected over Black Sea

The aircraft departed from an airfield in Constanta

Russian troops strike Ukrainian army’s logistics centers, transport sites in past day

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,450 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

IN BRIEF: What is known about drone attack on Krasnodarskaya compressor station

The attack was aimed at disrupting the uninterrupted flow of Russian gas to Turkey, but prompt measures prevented any supply interruptions, the company said

EU may approve 21st sanctions package against Russia on July 13 — French Foreign Minister

The 21st sanctions package will deal a blow to Russia's financial sector and further reduce energy revenues, Jean-Noel Barrot said

Trump's statements confirm US non-compliance with MOU — Iranian Foreign Ministry

It is noted that this step once again underscores "the treachery, baseness, and militarism" of the US ruling elite

New wave of US strikes, Iran's response: situation in Middle East

US President Donald Trump called the new wave of strikes on Iran retaliation for alleged attacks on vessels

Trumps says US will deliver 20 strikes on Iran in response of each of its attacks

"They hit actually three boats, not two, and when they hit, we hit back much harder," the president said

Malyutka interceptor drone with automatic target acquisition unveiled at Kazan expo

The Malyutka has a range of up to 12 km and is capable of reaching a maximum speed of 250 km/h

Possibility of Putin-Trump conversation, US duplicity — topics of Peskov's briefing

Russia believes US President Donald Trump was mistaken in suggesting that an escalation of military operations between Russia and Ukraine could contribute to an early settlement, Dmitry Peskov stated

Russia as long-term threat and obligations to Ukraine: NATO summit declaration

In the final declaration, the NATO countries declared their commitment to Article 5 on collective defense

Russia’s massive strikes have pushed Ukraine back months in UAV production — expert

Dmitry Kuzyakin noted that production capacity in Ukraine remained considerable

Lavrov extends Putin’s invitation to Sahel leaders to attend Russia-Africa summit

The third Russia-Africa summit will take place in Moscow in October

NATO leaders fail to acknowledge role in fueling nuclear tensions with Russia — ICAN

According to ICAN Executive Director Melissa Parke, "NATO outspends Russia 10 times on nuclear weapons and yet still feels threatened by Moscow"

Trump calls Ukraine's strikes deep into Russia escalation of conflict

According to the US leader, it is an escalation that could lead to an end to the conflict

Ukraine NATO bid offers pretext for conflict escalation with Russia — expert

Any political prospects for joining the ‘friendly European family’ or the ‘reliable North Atlantic bloc’ were not foreseeable from the very beginning for the Kiev regime and its leaders, Alexander Stepanov noted

Press review: US, Europe may clash over Ukraine as China missile alarms Pacific region

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, July 7th

New round of US strikes on Iran could last up to one month — media

According to the media outlet, "the current escalation could last a day or two, a week or a month," depending on what steps Iran takes

Death toll from earthquake in Venezuela up to 3,811

According to President of the National Assembly of the Bolivarian Republic Jorge Rodríguez, 16,740 people were injured

Israel notified by US about plans to attack Iran — media

US President Donald Trump said earlier that the ceasefire with Iran was no longer in effect

Russia to begin importing petroleum products in July — Deputy PM Novak

The official noted that the government is taking measures to stabilize the situation

Patriot license transfer to Kiev aimed at securing US firms in Ukraine — expert

Alexander Stepanov added that the technology transfer implies setting up costly production lines

Russian government extends temporary diesel export ban to producers

The decision was made to maintain a stable situation in the domestic fuel market

Russian troops strike Ukrainian army’s logistics centers, energy sites in past day

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,385 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

German parliament rejects Greens’ initiative to deliver Taurus missiles to Kiev

Only 79 lawmakers voted in support of the document

IRGC announces strikes on 85 US military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait

According to the statement, the targets were located in Salman Port, the US 5th Fleet area in Bahrain, and Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait

Mali finds evidence of Ukraine-trained terrorists operating in country

Vice President of the Defense Commission of the country's Transitional Council Fousseynou Ouattara emphasized that all the drones used by the terrorists are of Ukrainian origin

Serbia thankful to Russia for reliable gas supplies — minister

It is important especially today, "when the global market is facing constant changes, structural and price-related," Nenad Popovic said

Civilian killed in Ukrainian attack on Crimea, regional leader says

Sergey Aksyonov extended his condolences to the victim’s family and said the regional authorities would provide them with the necessary assistance

Oil base reservoir in Tver Region catches fire after Ukraine’s drone attack

The fire has been localized, no casualties were reported, Vitaly Korolev said