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2018 FIFA WORLD CUP IN RUSSIA

Russia gears up for 2018 FIFA World Cup

The 2018 FIFA World Cup kicks off in 22 days with the opening match in the Russian capital of Moscow

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Gustavo Llanos (also known as 'El Cole'), a legendary fan of Columbia's national football team, seen by a figure of Wolf Zabivaka, the official mascot of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, in 2018 FIFA World Cup Football Park in Kazan

© Yegor Aleyev/TASS

A figure of Wolf Zabivaka, the official mascot of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, in Kazan

© Yegor Aleyev/TASS

A girl kicking a ball at the opening of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Football Park in St. Petersburg

© Peter Kovalev/TASS

Playing teqball in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Football Park in St. Petersburg

© Peter Kovalev/TASS

A direction sign to Saint Petersburg Stadium, a venue of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, by the Hermitage Museum

© Peter Kovalev/TASS

Manezhnaya Square decorated ahead of the 2018 FIFA Wolrd Cup

© Sergei Bobylev/TASS

FIFA Venue Ticketing Centre in Zhitnaya Street in Moscow

© Sergei Bobylev/TASS

One of the transformer vaults built for the 2018 FIFA World Cup near Luzhniki Stadium and spray painted by foreign artists

© Maxim Grigoryev/TASS

People near Luzhniki Stadium, a venue of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Moscow

© Sergei Bobylev/TASS

A three dimensional billboard with a ball in the net promoting the forthcoming FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 at the Sheremetyevo International Airport

© Sergei Bobylev/TASS

Moscow's Myasnitskaya Street decorated with a goal net and a soccer ball

© Sergei Bobylev/TASS

A volunteer holds stuffed toys of Wolf Zabivaka, the official mascot of the 2018 FIFA World Cup

© Yegor Aleyev/TASS

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Russia's stadiums whip into shape to welcome 2018 FIFA World Cup

The 2018 FIFA World Cup will be held between June 14 and July 15, 2018. Russia selected 11 host cities to be the venues for the matches of the 2018 World Cup and they are Moscow, St. Petersburg, Sochi, Kazan, Saransk, Kaliningrad, Volgograd, Rostov-on-Don, Nizhny Novgorod, Yekaterinburg and Samara. The matches of the 2018 World Cup will be held at 12 stadiums located in the 11 mentioned above cities. Two of the stadiums are located in the Russian capital. See how Russia gears up for this historic event.

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2018 World Cup in Russia

Japan grants entry visas to Russians for 2024 World Para Athletics Championship

The 2024 World Para Athletics Championships for Paralympic track and field athletes is scheduled to be held in Kobe, Japan on May 17-25, 2024

Involvement of US nuclear potential in drills around DRPK affects Russia’s interests

Vasily Nebenzya noted the militarization of the region with direct involvement of Washington and other NATO member states, "located tens of thousands of kilometers away from North Korea"

State Duma bans foreign agents from acting as candidates, observers during elections

Currently, top officials, Duma deputies, governors, their direct subordinates, judges and prosecutors, members of commissions with a right of deciding vote cannot act as observers at elections

Blasts reported in Kharkov

An air raid alert has been declared in the Kharkov Region

Russia not initiating severing of relations with Baltic States — diplomat

"It is highly undesirable to come to this point," Maria Zakharova said, adding that Russia would continue to use diplomatic measures of influence

Diplomats from friendly countries only invited to May 9 parade — Kremlin aide

The heads of structures of the CIS, the Union State of Russia and Belarus, the CSTO, the EAEU, the SCO, "heads of diplomatic missions of friendly states, as well as military attaches from friendly states" have been invited to attend, Yury Ushakov said

Poland has no plans to send troops to Ukraine, defense minister says

Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz noted that Warsaw would continue providing military assistance to Ukraine, training its troops and supplying weapons as a member of various coalitions of Kiev’s Western partners

President of Laos to visit Russia on May 7-11 — Foreign Ministry

The presidents of Russia and Laos last met on October 17, 2023, in Beijing, where they both participated in the Belt and Road International Forum

US election results to not affect desire to inflict strategic defeat on Russia — Lavrov

No matter who wins the election, Russia is "by and large the enemy," the minister said

Zelensky's authority dwindling as term clock ticks down — Russian intel agency

The SVR pointed out that the US does not care "who heads Ukraine"

Russian Foreign Ministry tells French ambassador Paris’ policies destructive

Pierre Levy was told that the French authorities' attempts to create some kind of "strategic uncertainty" for Russia with their "irresponsible statements about the possible dispatch of Western military contingents to Ukraine are doomed to fail"

Russia looking into reports about sending of French troops to Ukraine — Kremlin

Earlier, media reports said that France had sent 1,500 troops in support of Ukrainian forces in Slavyansk, citing a statement by Stephen Bryen, a former US Deputy Under Secretary of Defense

Infrastructural facility damaged after Ukrainian drone attack — official

Emergency teams will start recovering efforts after agreeing upon with the Russian Defense Ministry, Vyacheslav Gladkov noted

Kyrgyz president to attend SEEC meeting, Victory Day parade in Moscow

According to Muratbek Azymbakiev, report "on the implementation of strategic directions for Eurasian economic integration until 2025" will be presented to the heads of state at the SEEC meeting

US creating NATO bases in Ukraine under guise of training centers — Belarusian president

"Unfortunately, the Ukrainian authorities don't care a bit about their own people and they don't hear our concerns," Alexander Lukashenko noted

Ukrainian troops attack Easter procession near monastery in DPR

It is noted that there have been no casualties

Ukraine hits Belgorod Region again to stymie first response efforts following first attack

Earlier on Monday, in the vicinity of the village of Berezovka, Ukrainian kamikaze drones attacked vehicles with employees of agricultural enterprises

French ambassador arrives in Russian foreign ministry

Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said earlier in the day that French President Emmanuel Macron has initiated a new spiral of tension and slammed his statement on a possibility of sending troops to Ukraine as a very dangerous rhetoric

Any aggression against Crimea to be met with crushing retaliation — Russian MFA

In recent days, Maria Zakharova continued, Ukrainian forces "have been seen using several US-made ATACMS long-range missiles, which were secretly received a month ago, against Crimea"

Russian troops repulse over 120 Ukrainian attacks at LPR frontiers in April — expert

In April, Russian troops destroyed 29 Ukrainian tanks, 72 armored combat vehicles and 419 other vehicles, Andrey Marochko said

UK ambassador leaves Russian MFA after being summoned

The diplomat, who spent more than 30 minutes at the ministry, provided no comment as he was leaving

Russia holds final rehearsal of Victory Day Parade on Moscow’s Red Square

Participants in the special military operation in Ukraine will also march across Red Square

EU's handling of Ukrainian refugee issue could lead to new crisis, says Russian official

According to Vyacheslav Volodin, European Union countries would like "to get rid" of refugees because supporting them has taken a toll on the economy

West’s latest escalation in Ukraine requires Russian response — Kremlin

"Deploying NATO soldiers to confront the Russian military in the latest escalation of tensions is an unprecedented move, and, of course, it requires special attention and special measures," Dmitry Peskov said

Russia's opponents tried to destroy it from within, but failed — Putin

The President stressed that the result of anti-Russian sanctions turned out to be "exactly the opposite of what was expected"

Russian mortars destroy Ukrainian stronghold in Donetsk area — top brass

After the first round, the drone operator made an adjustment, followed by the second and third rounds, and the target was hit, the Russian Defense Ministry said

Russia puts Ukraine’s former top security official, ex-top diplomat on wanted list

The Russian Interior Ministry’s database does not specify the crime of which Alexey Danilov is suspected

Lavrov slams Europe’s striving to isolate Russia as silly

It demonstrates the quality of decisions passed by European politicians in the west of the continent, Russian Foreign Minister said

Top UK diplomat knows nothing of repentance, Lavrov says

David Cameron "reiterated his position that British weapons can be used by the Ukrainians to attack any target on Russian territory," the minister emphasized

Niger says Russia supplied military equipment, humanitarian aid

According to the Tele Sahel TV channel, Russia has sent several instructors as well

Russia launches production of smartphones with protection against data leakage

A special feature of AYYA T1 is the impossibility of unauthorized data collection by cameras and microphone thanks to the option of their hardware shutdown

Putin congratulates Orthodox Christians on Easter Sunday

Russian President also emphasized the "constructive, productive activity of the Russian Orthodox Church and other Christian confessions" that preserve Russia's historical, cultural and spiritual heritage

FSB declassifies Hitler aide’s testimony how Red Army rescued Allies in Ardennes in 1945

Hitler's former adjutant Otto Guensche was captured during the battle of Berlin in April-May 1945 and, while being kept in custody in an investigative prison in Moscow, presented a firsthand account of what was happening at Hitler's headquarters in the last months of the war

China to look for ways of settling Ukrainian crisis jointly with France — Xi

Xi arrived on a state visit in France on Sunday

US not to send troops to Ukraine — Department of State spokesman

Matthew Miller commented on the statement by US House of Representatives Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who said that Washington would probably have to deploy its troops to the Ukrainian conflict zone in case of Kiev's defeat

Talking about sending troops to Ukraine Macron diverts public attention — Donetsk leader

Denis Pushilin highlighted that France needs to restore order, to deal with the sentiments, protests, changes that are now taking place in France itself

Russian military intel declassifies WWII documents, hands them over to Victory Museum

"This is the first time in history that reports of the heads of military intelligence and cipher telegrams from foreign hubs in Germany on preparations for an attack on the Soviet Union are shown here," Igor Kostyukov said

Ukraine’s Zelensky warns troops about 'new round of war' coming

Previously, Russian Defense Minister Sergey announced, that, in 2024, the Ukrainian armed forces lost over 111,000 troops and 21,000 weapons and vehicles

Russian troops liberate Ocheretino community in DPR — top brass

The Ukrainian army’s losses in the Avdeyevka area over the past 24 hours amounted to 380 personnel, a US-made Abrams tank, two infantry fighting vehicles, including a US-manufactured Bradley

Ukrainian army last weekend tried to regain positions near LPR's Svatovo — expert

Andrey Marochko noted that on Easter Ukrainian troops opened fire on the territory of the LPR and positions of Russian troops

Islamic Resistance in Iraq attacks Israeli airbase in Eilat

The news outlet said that on Saturday, the movement launched a missile at Israel’s port of Haifa on the Mediterranean

US may send troops to Ukraine if Kiev defeated, Democratic leader says

The US House of Representatives Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries also pointed out that a pro-Russian faction in the Republican Party is gaining momentum, which he accused of delaying the approval of additional funding for Kiev's military needs

Iran ready to share atomic energy technologies with other countries — AEOI chief

"Despite pressure from hegemonic powers to prevent the implementation of Iran’s peaceful nuclear program, the first ICNST received a warm welcome," Mohammad Eslami noted

Russian troops liberate two communities in Ukraine operation over past day — top brass

Russian air defense forces shot down a Ukrainian Su-27 fighter jet and 23 unmanned aerial vehicles over the past day

Medvedev gives warning amid talk of deploying Western troops to Ukraine

According to the politician, the cause of the discussion on dispatching Western troops to Ukraine, launched by French President Emmanuel Macron, is a "shameless calculation for political bonus points"

Putin says Russia had to use force to defend people in Donbass as peaceful means failed

"A little later it became clear that we were simply being led around by the nose, and we had to take extraordinary measures to protect these people with military force," the Russian leader said

Russian Interior Ministry declares ex-Ukrainian army chief wanted

Ruslan Khomchak served as commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian armed forces from March 27, 2020 to July 27, 2021

Trump develops plan on peaceful resolution in Ukraine — Telegraph

Former US President will not reveal it until the election, the Daily Telegraph reported

Israeli army begins evacuation of civilians from Rafah

Civilians are being urged to move to an expanded humanitarian zone in the al-Mawasi and Khan Younis areas, the paper notes

Russian troops seize Ukrainian T-64 tank near Ugledar in DPR

The Ukrainian crew had the time to leave the vehicle while the tank was evacuated and is currently under repairs

Russian troops wipe out German-made IRIS-T air defense system over past day

The Ukrainian army lost over 350 personnel and several items of military hardware in battles with Russian forces in the Kupyansk area over the past day, the ministry reported

French ambassador to represent Paris at Putin’s inauguration — source

According to the source, Paris "took note of the results of the presidential election in Russia" in March

West recognizes deteriorating situation in Ukraine — Lavrov

Western countries need to think how not to lose to Russia in the conflict, the minister said

Death toll from drone attack on minivans in Russia’s Belgorod Region rises to seven

Also, 15 employees sustained wounds of varying severity

Holy Fire from Jerusalem delivered to Christ the Saviour Cathedral

The service is conducted by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill

Russian President Putin attends Easter service at Christ the Savior Cathedral

Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin attended the service together with Putin

Putin is holding closing meeting with outgoing Cabinet

The government will step down tomorrow, on the presidential inauguration day

Kenya flood death toll reaches 228

The situation is expected to worsen in lowland and coastal areas, and landslides and mudslides may also occur in areas with steep slopes and ravines, the country's Interior Ministry said

Russian forces carry out 25 group strikes at energy, military industrial facilities

The Russian Defense Ministry noted that the strikes also hit temporary deployment locations of Ukrainian neo-Nazi militias and foreign mercenaries, as well as concentrations of military vehicles

Shiite units clam to have attacked Israel’s Haifa

Israel neither confirmed nor refuted this information

US confirms Russian troops enter US base in Niger

News of the Russian deployment to the airbase follows after Niger’s military rulers told Washington in March that it must withdraw the nearly 1,000 US military personnel stationed in the country

Press review: Israel, Hamas inch closer to elusive truce and Xi tries to charm EU on visit

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, May 6th

US concocting latest counter-offensive narrative to justify aid to Kiev — DPR head

Denis Pushilin stressed that Ukraine would not be able to launch a new counteroffensive before 2025

US intensifying efforts to find replacement for Zelensky — SVR

It is reported that all those politicians may be sought-after were the situation on the front line to deteriorate sharply or if the need arises to replace Zelensky as soon as possible

Macron’s remarks about troops in Ukraine mark unprecedented round of tensions — Kremlin

However, Dmitry Peskov pointed out that those reports "first need to be verified"

French President Macron says dialogue with Russia must be continued

Emmanuel Macron also said that technical capabilities and the striking range of Russian ballistic missiles endangered European countries

Putin’s trip to China will rivet world’s attention, Kremlin spokesman predicts

The countries will jointly announce the time of this trip, Dmitry Peskov said

China calls on US to stop supporting Taiwan

Lin Jian stressed that the principle of one China is unwavering

Moscow’s exhibition of captured Ukrainian combat vehicles enjoys high popularity — Kremlin

Commenting on the idea of extending the exhibition and organizing similar expositions in other cities, Dmitry Peskov said, "This is a question to our colleagues in the defense ministry as organizers"

Russian troops to practice employing non-strategic nuclear weapons in missile drills

The missile drills will aim to maintain troop combat posture and will also come as a response to inflammatory statements and threats by some Western officials against Russia, the ministry specified

French envoy leaves Russian Foreign Ministry building

The diplomat spent slightly over 30 minutes inside the ministry

DPR city significantly damaged in fighting, leader reports

According to Denis Pushilin, the enemy has installed major fortifications in Ocheretino

Russian forces knock out Ukrainian troops from two strongholds in LPR — expert

The situation near Belogorovka remains "stably tense," Andrey Marochko said

Europe does not create preconditions for interest-based dialogue with Russia — Lavrov

"If they are ready to base their cooperation not on the balance of power, but on the balance of legitimate interests, then a promising conversation can take place," the minister said

Russia engages TOS-2 flamethrowers in Ukraine

220mm TOS-2 is a successor to TOS-1A with improved characteristics

Macron’s Ukraine troop talk ego-driven, not strategic — Marine Le Pen

The head of the parliamentary faction said she is convinced that the conflict in Ukraine "is not a war for France," and stated that she opposes the admission of Ukraine to the European Union and NATO

Russian sniper reports elimination of Ukrainian serviceman wearing helmet with SS emblem

He specified that his group took the helmet as proof of the elimination

Macron denies death of French troops in Ukraine out of fear of protests — SVR head

According to Sergey Naryshkin, the French Army is "visibly concerned" over the growing number of French citizens killed in Ukraine

Russia working to bring senior Ukrainian officials before tribunal, diplomat says

According to Rodion Miroshnik, "the official process is underway with the Russian Interior Ministry beginning to determine those to be placed in the defendant pool"

Russia proposes its own draft of UNSC resolution on ending arms race in space

In April, Russia used its veto and blocked the draft resolution of the US and Japan on the non-deployment of nuclear weapons in space

French Foreign Ministry denies France sent troops to Ukraine

Earlier, media reports said that France had sent 1,500 troops to Ukraine, citing a statement by former US Deputy Under Secretary of Defense Stephen Bryen

End-of-conflict issue becomes stumbling block in Israel-Hamas deal — media

According to the Axios news outlet, Hamas wants guarantees that the fulfillment of all the terms of the deal will lead to a permanent cessation of hostilities, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not agree

Russia puts former former Ukrainian Interior Minister on wanted list

The Russian Interior Ministry’s database does not specify under which article Arsen Avakov is wanted

Russian Foreign Ministry summons British ambassador

The ministry did not specify its reasons for summoning the envoy

Israeli forces face resistance in West Bank raids

According to the Al Jazeera TV channel, the raids took place mainly in the cities of Silwan, Tubas, Tulkarem and Hebron

NATO wants 'hot war' with Russia which may destroy US, Carlson says

According to the journalist, everything that Washington does shows that it wants this war

Russia adds another former Ukrainian minister to its wanted list

The Russian Interior Ministry’s database does not specify under which article Yury Stets is wanted

Retaking Chasov Yar is just a matter of time for Russia — Ukrainian intelligence

Vadim Skibitsky admitted that the Russian forces now operate as a "single body, with a clear plan, and under a single command"

Czech government officially recalls ambassador from Russia — news agency

The foreign minister also said that Jan Ondrejka will not take part in the upcoming inauguration of Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 7, citing the current state of bilateral relations

Slovakia’s charge d'affaires to attend inauguration of Russian President — TASR

Meanwhile, according to the media, there will be no representative of Slovakia at the Victory Day celebrations on Red Square in Moscow

Lavrov characterizes Europe's economic problems due to US pressure as ‘monstrous’

Using Germany as an example, the minister recalled that the prosperity of the European industrial complex is largely based on Russian energy resources

Forty people, including 3 children, wounded in Ukrainian drone attack on Belgorod Region

Alexey Kuznetsov noted that Health Minister Mikhail Murashko was personally overseeing the medical care of the victims of the attack

Kremlin refrains from speculating on preferred successor to Zelensky

Earlier, the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) reported the US was in contact with several Ukrainan political leaders as possible successors to Vladimir Zelensky

After drone attack on Kremlin Russia has no choice but to eliminate Zelensky — Medvedev

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, according to Dmitry Medvedev, "is not even needed for signing an instrument of unconditional surrender"

New arms race in Europe already started, Ukrainian foreign minister believes

Dmitry Kuleba advocated switching to long-term contracts and planning in arms industry, for strengthening of cooperation of European and Ukrainian defense industry

Thousands of trucks crowding on EU and Russia borders — newspaper

The record high queue is registered at the moment at the Terekhovo - Burachki border crossing between Latvia and Russia

West plotted aggression against Russia on eve of special military operation — top brass

"History repeats itself," Chief of the Russian General Staff’s Main Intelligence Department, Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Hero of Russia Admiral Kostyukov said

At least 20 missiles fired by Hamas, Hezbollah at Israel, several people hurt — media

The Israel Defense Forces confirmed reports about the shelling attack on Kerem Shalom

Latvian Air Force chief says Ukraine could have to give up some territory for sovereignty

If that happens, NATO could reach an agreement with Russia for Ukraine to join the alliance, Viesturs Masulis noted

Ukraine presumably used US-made Excalibur shell for strike at Tokmak

Ministry of Emergency Situations employees continue to remove the debris

France not at war with Russia — Macron

"We are also not seeking a change of power in Russia," the French leader underscored