{{dayPoint.date | date : 'd MMMM yyyy'}}

{{newsPoint.title}}

{{newsPoint.title+ ' '}}

{{newsPoint.subtitle}}

Ex-WBA heavyweight title challenger cuts career short, now working as driver

Alexander Ustinov won 35 fights (26 by knockout) and lost four

MOSCOW, April 25. /TASS/. Russian boxer Alexander Ustinov, who was a contender for the World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight title in 2017, has ended his career in the ring and started working as a driver.

"That’s how it is, that's how life turned out," Ustinov told TASS. "I moved from Minsk to Moscow; friends helped me. Now, I’ve started working as a driver and chauffeur for a senior vice president at a bank. I’m satisfied with my boxing career," the former athlete said.

"If you look at it on a global scale, I saw an absolutely different life owing to sports. I was the world and European champion, traveled across the globe and saw many countries. I interacted with people and established plenty of contacts. I am happy with my [sports] career, although, certainly, I probably would have liked [to achieve] more," the retired pugilist added.

Ustinov, 46, is an ex-WBA title challenger. The boxer won 35 fights (26 by knockout) and lost four. He also has 53 wins, nine defeats and one draw in kickboxing.

Andreeva’s game-pattern differs from Sharapova, Kournikova — Russian tennis chief

Anna Kournikova said that Mirra Andreeva displays her own individual style and distinctive qualities in the game

Pashinyan declares victory in Armenia's parliamentary elections

The official says that the Civil Contract party will single-handedly form the government

Magnitude 8.1 earthquake strikes off Philippines, tsunami warning issued

The epicenter was located 51 kilometers north of the city of General Santos

AfD’s popularity rooted in Chancellor Merz’s erroneous policy — RDIF CEO

"Merz is Biden," Kirill Dmitriev said

Israeli army announces end of large-scale strike on Iran

According to the Israeli military, dozens of Israeli Air Force fighter jets targeted "strategic defense systems"

Trump says ground operation against Iran is unlikely

The US president also said that he doesn’t consider the US contingent of around 50,000 soldiers deployed to the Middle East to be "in danger"

Israeli military ready to strike Iran upon receiving orders — General Staff

According to Eyal Zamir, the military has not yet received such an order

Embassy in Myanmar reports another Russian citizen released from scam call center

The Russian citizen is currently staying at a Myanmar deportation center and is in contact with the Russian side

Gap narrows slightly between Pashinyan's party and Karapetyan's bloc — Armenia’s CEC

Prime minister's Civil Contract maintains its lead with 51.8%

Iran warns Israel of retaliation after its attack on Beirut — MP

"Look at the sky over the occupied lands tonight," spokesman for the Iranian Parliamentary National Security and Foreign Policy Committee Ebrahim Rezaei wrote on X

Moscow maintaining private contacts with Kiev — Kremlin aide

Open communication was maintained when we held several rounds of talks, Yury Ushakov said

US-Israeli strike on humanitarian aid aircraft in western Iran reported

The Civil Aviation Organization of the Islamic Republic called on all international bodies to take appropriate measures in response to this incident

Finnish leader dismisses intel allegations about Russia plotting to attack Baltic states

Alexander Stubb emphasized that he “reads all reports from special services” and does so “very carefully”

Russian troops advance near Sumy's Ryasnoye on 15-km-wide front — expert

Andrey Marochko says Russian forces "have improved their tactical positions and expanded their zone of control"

Armenian opposition leader claims authorities halted vote count as they face defeat

Samvel Karapetyan says the ruling party declared victory with only 30% of the data processed

Trump says Iran has 48 hours to make deal or open strait

Time is running out: 48 hours remain before all hell rains down on them, US President said

Explosions heard in southern, western Tehran — TV

Iran’s state broadcaster did not provide any details on where exactly the blasts happened

Pashinyan’s party gains right to independently form cabinet: results of Armenian elections

The ruling Civil Contract party of Nikol Pashinyan, according to preliminary data from the Central Election Commission based on all 2,005 polling stations, is receiving 49.81% of the vote

Iran threatens even more massive strikes if Israel retaliates — military command

Israel's state broadcaster Kan earlier stated that the country intended to respond to missile strikes from Iranian territory

Israel, US attack amusement park in central Iran

No information on casualties or damage has been reported yet

Press review: Putin cites global economic shift as OPEC+ keeps steady pace of oil output

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, June 8th

US shows no interest in returning to understandings reached in Alaska — Lavrov

According to the Russian foreign minister, the Russian president has recently confirmed that Moscow was ready to follow the understandings outlined at the Anchorage meeting

Israel comes under new Iranian missile attack, explosions heard in center — IDF

Earlier overnight, the Israeli Air Force conducted strikes against Iran, targeting military installations

Chisinau acting against its people seeking unification with Romania — senior diplomat

According to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, the majority of Moldova’s population "identify their country as an independent and sovereign state and view themselves as citizens of an independent state"

Trump calls on Iran to stop attacking Israel, get back to talks — media

The US president says Washington and Tehran are close to a deal

Armenian vote proceeded amid pressure on opposition, Western interference — Russian MFA

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stressed that the preliminary results indicate that the Civil Contract party of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan "did not receive a monopoly on power"

Iran calls on Saudi Arabia to ‘eject’ US troops from region

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stressed that Iran respects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and considers it a brotherly nation

Israel to respond to any attacks from Iran, Lebanon — official

Dmitry Gendelman specified that any attack from Lebanon will lead to a strike on Dahieh

Zelensky’s impolite letter and woman as UN chief: Lavrov’s statements

The fact that Vladimir Zelensky’s letter was made public indicates that Ukraine is not interested in talks, the Russian foreign minister said

Russia has world’s cheapest energy for AI — envoy

That Russia can take the lead in this sphere is key, Kirill Dmitriev, Special Representative of the Russian President for Investment and Economic Cooperation with Foreign Countries and Head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund said

Iran divides countries into three categories based on use of Strait of Hormuz — TV

According to the TV channel, all states are divided into three categories — "hostile," "neutral," and "friendly"

OPEC+ reaffirms commitment to existing oil production agreement through 2026

The OPEC and non-OPEC countries also endorse the plan developed by OPEC Secretariat to achieve the objectives of the Charter of Cooperation

Voting at Armenia’s parliamentary elections over

According to the country’s Central Electoral Commission, vote turnover at 5:00 p.m. local time was 48.92%

Israel strikes city in western Iran — authorities

The deputy governor of Hamadan Province, Hamze Amrani, said there were no casualties

Israel goes too far by trying to uncover US position on Iran through espionage — media

According to the newspaper, the Jewish state is particularly interested in information regarding US President Donald Trump’s strategy in negotiations with Tehran

Ukraine lost 20% of international reserves year-to-date

Currency interventions of the Ukrainian central bank became the largest item of expenditures

Houthi rebels claim strike on Tel Aviv, announce ban on Israeli shipping in Red Sea

The Houthi military claimed that all targets of the missile strike had been precisely hit

General HQ of Iranian army warns of potentially larger strikes on Tel Aviv

The Iranian military also advised "host countries of US military bases to force the Americans to leave their territory, if they want to avoid damage"

Press review: Israel-Hamas truce starts today and NATO drills raise the alarm in Russia

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, November 23rd

Persian Gulf countries running out of interceptor missiles - Bloomberg

Iran has fired almost 1,200 ballistic missiles and 4,000 Shahed drones at the Gulf states since the start of the war

US fighter jet downed over Iran likely conducted strikes on ground targets — media

According to CBS News national security analyst Aaron MacLean, the pilots of the downed fighter had sidearms

Oreshnik missile system used in special military op to confirm its accuracy — expert

"This analysis was necessary for developing a more targeted strike policy against the enemy, including the destruction of critical military and government control facilities, as well as infrastructure in urban Ukraine," Igor Korotchenko said

Lavrov to discuss cooperation, global agenda with Bangladeshi counterpart

Khalilur Rahman is visiting Russia for the first time in his current capacity

Canada covers up systematic attacks by Kiev forces on Zaporozhye NPP — Russian Embassy

According to the embassy, Ottawa also demonstrates astonishing speed in leveling baseless accusations against Moscow

Israeli army strikes petrochemical complex in Iran's Khuzestan Province

The Iranian news agency confirmed the strike on the facility and reported "partial damage"

Iran to strike US, Israeli oil, gas sites if attacks continue — agency

According to Fars, the list of potential targets will particularly include facilities belonging to US oil and gas companies in the Middle East

EAEU mulls free trade agreements with Tunisia, Pakistan — ministry

Deputy Industry and Trade Minister Roman Chekushov says the ministry is also identifying a pool of promising regions in Africa

New attacks on Beirut make US, Israeli bases legitimate targets for Iran — MP

Through the naval blockade and violations of the agreements regarding Lebanon, they have shown that they only understand the language of force, Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said

Israel says intercepted all missiles launched from Iran

According to the Israeli military, additional launches fired toward Israel have been identified

US to transfer Iranian assets to its Persian Gulf allies — Reuters

The United States will make Iranian assets available to Gulf allies to support rebuilding and repairs for future damage caused by Iran"

FACTBOX: UAV attack on Moscow-Simferopol passenger train

The train’s passengers were not injured

Russia to unveil latest uncrewed boats at Fleet 2026 maritime defense show

Rosoboronexport will additionally showcase advanced Russian surface ships, submarines and boats, as well as coastal defense systems

EU authorizes ships in Mediterranean to detain tankers carrying Russian oil — Kallas

The EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy said the main objective of the measure is to "curb Russia from funding" its military operation in Ukraine

Pashinyan's ruling party drops below 50% threshold — CEC

Businessman Samvel Karapetyan's Strong Armenia bloc has secured 23.68% of the vote

Rubio’s rhetoric on Ukraine taken into account, Trump’s peace push appreciated — Kremlin

Naturally, team members have different perspectives, Dmitry Peskov said

Mirra Andreeva wins French Open

She defeated Poland’s Maja Chwalinska

Russian troops liberate Khimik community in Donetsk region over past day — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted more than 180 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed three enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

IDF identifies two missile launches from Iran in 15 minutes

The strikes targeted areas in northern Israel, where air raid warnings were issued

Explosions heard in central Israel after Iran launches another missile attack

Air raid alerts were also issued in some areas in northern Israel

EU aid to Ukraine frozen — Borrell

The ex-chief of EU diplomacy said the situation is similar with the approval of new sanctions against Russia

Top Russian senator advises Zelensky to cancel his ban on negotiations with Moscow

According to Valentina Matviyenko, achieving peace requires a real dialogue while Europe has proposed a mock negotiation

US military aircraft struck by Iran makes it to Kuwait — TV

Iran also fired at two US UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters conducting a search and rescue operation

IN BRIEF: Kremlin spokesman’s remarks on Crimean train strike, Armenian polls

Dmitry Peskov said the Ukrainian armed forces’ strike on a passenger train in Crimea makes the start of the peace process more difficult

At least one killed, four injured in magnitude 7.8 earthquake in southern Philippines

The tremors affected many buildings in General Santos City, Master Sergeant Robert Dagon said, as cited by ABS-CBN

Iran carries out strikes on energy facilities in Israel’s Haifa — IRGC

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that enemy attacks on energy infrastructure could have dangerous consequences for the whole global economy

Iran attacks two Israeli airbases, IRGC says

The attacks targeted Nevatim Airbase in southern Israel and Tel Nof Airbase near Tel Aviv

Russia’s parallel imports total $6.3 bln in January-April — Deputy Minister

According to Roman Chekushov, parallel imports have stabilized at around $1.5 billion per month so far in 2026

Officer critical of Ukrainian army chief Syrsky killed — security forces

He worked as a lawyer and fought corruption within the Ukrainian Security Service

Iran confident Israel coordinates military operations with US — MFA

According to Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei, it happens despite the opposite statements of US officials

Trump says ‘not happy’ about Israel’s attack on Beirut — media

According to the US leader, Israel’s strikes on the Lebanese capital city had not been coordinated with the US

Zelensky’s letter handed over to Putin in due order — Kremlin

We bureaucrats do things in due order, he said

Kiev troops shell DPR 10 times in 24 hours

Five civilians have been wounded

Russian forces take control of Shevchenko in Kharkov Region

At the same time, the Ukrainian armed forces lost about 1,275 service members over the past day as a result of actions by Russian force groupings in the special military operation zone

Another strike hits area near Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant in Iran

One of the facility’s security guards was killed, Iran’s AEOI said

Kiev loses 9,300 soldiers, mercenaries in week of combat — expert

The Ukrainian army suffered the heaviest casualties in the responsibility zone of Russia's Battlegroup East, operating in the Dnepropetrovsk and Zaporozhye regions

Trump ready to consider commando raid on Iran if negotiations fail

The US leader believes that the current round of escalation between Israel and Iran will not affect the US-Iran negotiation process

One killed, one injured as Ukrainian drone hits Moscow-Simferopol train — head of Crimea

According to Sergey Aksyonov, an enemy drone strike has injured the driver and killed the assistant driver of the train

Jazz festival featuring over 1,000 artists kicks off in Moscow

As part of the festival, the second international Jazz Across Borders forum, dedicated to the development of the jazz industry, will take place

FACTBOX: 310 UAVs target Russia, fire at transshipment facility in Novorossiysk

In the Volgograd Region, falling debris from drones caused a fire at a linear production and dispatch service facility

Kiev regime resorts to all possible tools to stall Ukraine’s peaceful settlement — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov emphasized that Moscow remained open to this process

Russia’s Aerospace Forces strike Ukrainian positions in Dnepropetrovsk, Kherson regions

They have destroyed Ukrainian troop concentrations and a UAV control site

EU preparing for possible energy supply crisis due to conflict in Iran — Spanish newspaper

The EC assures that there is currently no risk to supplies, though markets are feeling the impact of rising Brent crude oil prices, which has led to higher gas and oil prices in Europe

Passengers on all trains in Crimea evacuated following drone attack — operator

Passengers from three trains are being transported by bus

Marine drone that exploded in Romania's Constanta port belonged to Ukraine — president

Responding to journalists’ questions, Nicusor Dan said he could not explain how a maritime drone was able to enter the port

Ukrainian army killed mercenaries that surrendered to Russian military

Russian law enforcement agencies noted that Ukrainian drones have been trying for a long time to control the area where foreigners surrendered

Israeli air force strikes military targets in Iran overnight — IDF

The Israel Defense Forces said the operation targeted facilities in the western and central regions of the Islamic Republic

China conducted special law enforcement operation east of Taiwan

According to the news agency, this operation was a necessary response to the unilateral statement by Japan and the Philippines to begin negotiations on the delimitation of the maritime border east of Taiwan Island

Personnel of Iran's Karoon oil refinery evacuated after Israeli strike — media

According to the earlier reports, a petrochemical plant in Khuzestan Province have been damaged in Israeli strikes

Iran to hit more targets if US attacks Kharg Island — ambassador

Tehran’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe Amir Hossein Hosseini also expressed hope that the conflict would be resolved diplomatically

Russia plans to scrap visas with three countries in 2026 — official

According to Economic Development Ministry's department head Nikita Kondratyev, the ministry wants to complete the negotiation process with Malaysia, Indonesia, and Kuwait this year

US to take out Iran’s enriched uranium, regardless of talks’ outcome — Trump

"And we will go with them, or without them. But we won’t have people shooting at us," US President said

International businesses continue operating in Russia despite sanctions — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov noted that Russia remained interested in attracting foreign investment

Seven OPEC+ nations to increase daily oil production in June by 188,000 barrels

The next meeting will be held on July 5

Russian air defenses down 500 Ukrainian drones over past day — top brass

Over the past day, Ukrainian troops sustained more than 1,300 casualties across all sector of the line of engagement, according to data from the Russian Defense Ministry

Russia is part of Europe, it cannot be wiped off map — top senator

It cannot be wiped off map, Valentina Matviyenko said

Shiraz Airport in Iran comes under Israeli fire — TV

The authorities said the facility had not been hit

Piranha drone that destroyed first Abrams tank in special military op upgraded — developer

The drone recieved modular design and the ability to use four control frequencies simultaneously

Armenia’s opposition parties garner 52.9% of votes, outstripping PM Pashinyan’s party

According to an exit poll results released on the Telegram channel of the news. am portal, the prime minister’s Civil Contract party won 32.7% of votes, while the opposition bloc Strong Armenia scored 29%, the Armenia bloc - 13.2%, the Prosperous Armenia party - 6.1%, and the Wings of Unity party - 4.6%

Death toll from Israeli attacks on Lebanon exceeds 3,610 — health ministry

At least 20 people died and 82 more were injured after Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon during the past day

IN BRIEF: New attacks, ban on Israeli shipping in Red Sea, Middle East developments

The Iranian attack on Israel on Sunday evening served only as a warning to force the Jewish state to stop strikes on Beirut, Iranian Supreme Leader adviser Mohsen Rezaei said

IAEA to monitor de-mining of Zaporozhye NPP’s territory to repair its power line

The repairs of the ZNPP’s main 750 kilovolt power line are expected to get under way in coming days after de-mining of the frontline area has been completed, the Agency said