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WADA chief Banka ‘spilled the tea’ in talk with pranksters — ROC head Pozdnyakov

As part of their prank show, ‘Vovan’ and ‘Lexus’ spoke earlier in the week with Witold Banka, who told them that he would do everything to make sure that as few foreign athletes as possible come to Russia for the 2024 World Friendship Games this fall

MOSCOW, March 29. /TASS/. President of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Witold Banka spilled the tea in a conversation with Russian pranksters Vladimir Kuznetsov ("Vovan") and Alexey Stolyarov ("Lexus"), the president of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) told TASS on Friday.

"I believe that Banka said some things he should and shouldn’t have. They got him good," Pozdnyakov said. "Certainly, he spilled the tea on things we usually only talk about in private."

As part of their prank show, ‘Vovan’ and ‘Lexus’ spoke earlier in the week with WADA chief Banka, who told them that he would do everything to make sure that as few foreign athletes as possible come to Russia for the 2024 World Friendship Games this fall.

Banka also told the Russian pranksters that the Russian Chess Federation should be watched more closely after it switched from the European Chess Union (ECU) to the Asian Chess Federation (ACF).

2024 World Friendship Games

Moscow and Yekaterinburg in Russia’s Urals region are slated to co-host the 2024 World Friendship Games on September 15-29.

In December 2023, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) cautioned National Olympic Committees (NOCs) against participating in the World Friendship Games in Russia next year, as this would violate the global Olympic body’s recommendations.

Last November, WADA chief Banka warned that certain sanctions could be in place against international athletes willing to participate in the 2024 World Friendship Games. He said in particular that: "The possible participation in those competitions of those who are parties to the WADA Code, may have certain consequences.".

Russia’s Degtyarev proposes holding biennial Russia-North Korea Summer Games

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Scholz vows to continue supporting Ukraine following his chancellor nomination

The German chancellor listed supporting Ukraine at the top of his priorities should the SPD win and form a government

Russia acted responsibly in warning US about Oreshnik missile launch, Kremlin says

The US was notified automatically 30 minutes before the launch by Russia's Nuclear Risk Reduction Center

Georgescu wins first round of Romania’s presidential vote as ballot tally ends

Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, who leads the Social Democratic Party, ended up third with 19.15% of the vote

Retreating Ukrainian troops leave dozens of bodies behind in Chasov Yar

According to the sources, some of these makeshift morgues were destroyed by retreating Ukrainian troops

Zelensky begs ‘for his country to be flattened’ — US journalist

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Western air defense systems unlikely to intercept Russian missiles — France’s Le Monde

According to the French military source, Russia's recent use of the Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile should be taken in the context of possible negotiations regarding the ongoing Ukrainian conflict

FACTBOX: Cargo aircraft crashes into apartment building in Vilnius, Lithuania

Twelve local residents have been evacuated from the scene

Rome plans to arrange Ukraine conference with Russia's participation

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga is set to attend the G7 foreign ministers' meeting on November 26, marking the end of Italy’s presidency of the informal group

Lebanon wary of reports of potential ceasefire with Israel

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Europe's 'hotheads' for sending troops to Ukraine, but there is no unity — Kremlin

"Earlier, of course, such ideas were heard from different European capitals, but various counterarguments were also voiced not in favor of this idea," Dmitry Peskov noted

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

The Belarusian leader noted that they want to go to Warsaw

France, UK may deploy troops to Ukraine following ceasefire — expert

According to Elie Tenenbaum, European countries may send troops to east Ukraine to ensure the observation of a ceasefire regime and guarantee Kiev’s security

Press review: Russian air defenses can down Western missiles as EU conducts live exercise

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German activists demand compensation from Ukraine for Nord Stream explosion

The statement’s authors stressed that blowing up the Nord Stream pipelines was not aimed at Russia alone but "above all, was directed against Germany, its interests, and economy"

'Western vector' leaves Ukraine poorest country in Europe — politician

Ukrainians have never seen the promised freedom, Viktor Medvedchuk noted

Ukraine’s military loses nearly 10,000 troops at LPR borders over week — military expert

Over the reporting period, Russian forces also destroyed 11 tanks, 89 field artillery guns, 16 electronic warfare and counterbattery radar stations, 33 field ammunition depots and more than 230 combat vehicles of the Ukrainian army in those frontline areas, Andrey Marochko said

Putin appoints envoy for international criminal and legal cooperation

Ilya Rogachev is the first person to ever hold this office

Russia gave OPCW over 30 reports proving Ukraine used banned substances, official says

Kirill Lysogorsky noted that "the Kiev regime continues to systematically use toxic chemicals and chemical riot control agents"

Fire at warehouse in southern Moscow completely extinguished

The firefighters were able to stop the fire from spreading to the adjacent building, where freon is stored

US, European officials suggest returning nukes to Ukraine — NYT

US officials believe that ramping up weapons supplies to Ukraine is unlikely to change the situation in the combat zone short term, but it may help Kiev strengthen its stance in case a truce is reached

Russian diplomat doesn’t rule out missile deployment in Asia as response to US’ actions

Sergey Ryabkov warned Russia’s adversaries against settling into a "false sense of security"

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

British mercenary claims he was sent to Russia’s Kursk Region against his will

The captive explained that he had served as a private in a battalion for four months

Turkey to investigate causes of Russian Superjet emergency at Antalya airport

The Turkish side will also provide information on the progress of the investigation

Russia delivers 1,200 tons of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan over past year

Such work will continue, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu said

Russian official describes OPCW note on use of chemicals in Ukraine as absurd

According to Kirill Lysogorsky, who leads the Russian delegation at the OPCW conference, Moscow is checking the information and will report on the outcome through its permanent mission to the OPCW

Shooting of Selidovo residents by Ukrainian troops meant to repeat Bucha provocation

The shooting of civilians could have been meant to "simply intimidate people who want to continue living on their soil," Russian foreign ministry’s ambassador at large, Rodion MIroshnik said

Independent candidate Georgescu leading first round of presidential election in Romania

Georgescu is reserved about Romania’s NATO membership and he has been cautiously pushing for normalization with Russia

Warehouse catches fire in southern Moscow, over 2,500 square meters on fire

According to the emergency response services, the fire is spreading rapidly

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

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, November 22nd

UK mercenary taken prisoner in Russia’s Kursk area — source

"A mercenary from Britain has been taken prisoner in the Kursk area," the person said

Europe resumes talks of troop deployment to Ukraine — newspaper

According to the sources, this is driven by the fact that Washington may scale back support for Ukraine after Donald Trump returns to office as US president on January 20, 2025

Western countries to ignore ICC arrest warrant for Netanyahu — expert

Asked whether the ICC warrant might cause a rift among Western countries with different approaches to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Andrey Baklanov replied he was skeptical this might ever happen

Russian national Nikita Zhuravel sentenced to 14 years in prison for high treason

Nikita Zhuravel was detained in May 2023 in Volgograd for setting fire to the Quran in front of a mosque, and during questioning, he confessed that he did it for money, under instructions from Ukrainian intelligence

Russians liberate about 8 square kilometers east of Velikaya Novosyolka in Donbass region

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US Justice Department drops federal cases against Trump — transition team

"Today's decision by the Department of Justice ends the unconstitutional federal cases against President Trump, and is a major victory for the rule of law," Steven Cheung, Communications Director of the polician’s transition team, said

Guterres condemns supply of anti-personnel landmines to Ukraine

The UN Secretary-General urged world leaders to join the Ottawa Convention

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Apart from that, one violation of the deconfliction protocols of December 9, 2019 linked with the flights by the US-led coalition unmanned aerial vehicles was reporte

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Many experts believe this is the best tank of our time, compared to Western counterparts in particular, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council said

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According to Daniel Davis authorizing US long-range weapons to be used against Russia is "foolhardy to the highest order," "especially because there is no military upside for doing so"

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Russia may soon push Kiev troops out of Kursk Region — Ukrainian battalion commander

It is noted that Russia has about three times as many men as the Ukrainians in the Kursk Region and six times as many explosive drones

Senior envoy sees Putin’s statement as signal of Russia’s readiness for military responses

Sergey Ryabkov stressed that Russia has its underlying security interests "that will be ensured by every means that we have at our disposal"

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

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"When we have more to provide, we will," Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said

US needs Ukraine's rare earth metals, including lithium — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister noted that American companies had already bought up most of the fertile land

Romanian presidential candidate vows to end military aid to Ukraine

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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

French politician calls for protests against deployment of Western troops to Ukraine

Florian Philippot called on his supporters to rally "in support for peace and against this madness" on December 1

Conflict in Ukraine no longer regional war — German defense minister

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Ciolacu, Lasconi to face off in presidential runoff in Romania next month — exit polls

Voter turnout in the election stood at 52.41%

Gazprom, Moldova plan to continue discussing gas supplies from January 1, Moldova's debt

The company also noted that Gazprom CEO Alexey Miller and Moldovan Energy Minister Victor Parlicov discussed cooperation in the gas sector at a working meeting

British military instructor captured, Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

In total, the enemy has lost more than 35,510 troops since the fighting began in the region

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," Dmitry Peskov said

No int’l restrictions on deployment of Oreshnik systems — senior Russian diplomat

When asked if the 1998 Russian-US memorandum of understanding on notifications of missile launches remained in effect, Sergey Ryabkov answered in the affirmative

US 'stains' reputation by vetoing UNSC resolution on Middle East — Russian diplomat

Russia "will continue insisting on the most resolute measures to stop the bloodshed in Gaza," Dmitry Polyansky added

Ukrainian commander-in-chief reports threats to troops in Zaporozhye Region

Earlier, it was reported that the Russian forces had advanced for over 2 km near Malaya Tokmachka in the Zaporozhye Region

Russia’s Medvedev warns Europe could face 'catastrophic damage' from Oreshnik missile

The Russian Security Council deputy chairman also commented on Vladimir Zelensky’s "resilience plan"

Defense contractor delivers new batch of Su-34 bombers to Russia’s Aerospace Forces

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Russia’s launch of new missile illustrated assured retaliation capability, lawmaker says

Andrey Kartapolov also noted that the enemy currently has no defenses against the Oreshnik.

No existing missile defense system can counter Oreshnik — US expert

Theodore Postol also vehemently rejected suggestions that the Oreshnik system represents previous outdated developments of Moscow

Russia to develop bilateral cooperation with Afghanistan — Shoigu

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Ukraine abandons Selidovo, laying mines in wells — security services

The Ukrainian armed forces used various modified Western-made mines and improvised explosive devices during the process

Netanyahu convenes security cabinet amid talks on Lebanon

Dmitry Gendelman, an adviser to the Prime Minister's Office, noted that "the agenda of the meeting will be announced at a later date"

Large number of Ukrainians to lose mobilization exemption after February 28 — deputy

In recent months, the number of Ukrainian employees with exemptions from military service has increased from 900,000 to 1.6 million

London intensifies anti-Russian campaign in face of impending ‘Ukrainian project’ failure

The realization of the impending failure of the ‘Ukrainian project’ London has been staking on in hopes of capitalizing on plans to inflict a ‘strategic defeat’ on our country by proxy is now as clear as ever," the embassy said

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Dmitry Peskov said that he himself did not know about this work before Russian President Vladimir Putin announced it

Kremlin refrains from predicting outcome of Romanian elections

Dmitry Peskov noted that Russia is well aware of Romania’s current government’s policy

Russia’s Progress MS-28 cargo spacecraft diverts ISS from collision with space debris

It is reported that the Progress resupply ship fired its thrusters at 12:49 p.m. Moscow time (9:49 a.m. GMT) for about three minutes

Explosion occurs at oil refinery in western Turkey, cause being investigated — TV

According to preliminary information, the incident occurred at about 8 p.m. (local time)

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

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Erdogan vows unwavering support for Palestine

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Press review: Russia to mass-produce Oreshnik missiles and EU gas prices reach record high

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, November 25th

US did not contact Russia after use of Oreshnik missile — Deputy Foreign Minister

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Kiev has ‘no chance’ of retaking lost territories — Blackwater founder

Erik Prince noted that it was necessary to end the Ukrainian conflict as soon as possible

Timing for commissioning entire Akkuyu NPP needs to be clarified — Russian ambassador

Alexey Erkhov also recalled Russia's interest in participating in the implementation of the second NPP in Turkey

Fire at Tupras oil refinery extinguished

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Oreshnik can reach targets across entire Europe — missile troops commander

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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

Putin has high hopes for cancer vaccine being developed in Russia

Head of the Federal Medical-Biological Agency Veronika Skvortskova briefed the Russian President on the vaccine's development

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According to Russian security council deputy chairman, this primarily concerns drones

US gives Ukrainian servicemen guidance on selecting targets for ATACMS — White House

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

Ukrainian officer says 90% of fellow servicemen have no desire to fight

According to Vyacheslav Khomenko, soldiers in his platoon don’t have required combat experience

Potential deployment of intermediate-range missiles depends on US moves — Russian diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov stressed that "any escalation scenarios, if they start to materialize, will be a direct consequence of the reckless" and "inhumane policy that is pursued by Washington and leading European countries"

NATO spies study damage from Oreshnik at Yuzhmash — expert

Alexander Stepanov emphasized that both Kiev and its Western allies are closely scrutinizing the consequences of the strike on the plant

Russia encircles largest Ukrainian fortification in southern DPR — security services

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Ukraine sustains almost 65,000 casualties from Russia’s Battlegroup North since May

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Cargo plane crashes near Vilnius Airport in Lithuania

One of the pilots reportedly survived the crash, while no information is currently available about the other people on board

Russian forces pound Ukrainian military airfields, energy sites over day — top brass

It is specified that the Ukrainian army’s losses in the area of responsibility of Russia’s Battlegroup North in the Kharkov Region over the past 24 hours amounted to 30 personnel, two armored combat vehicles and four motor vehicles

Citizens of Poland, Germany, Italy apply for residence permit in Lugansk Republic

The decisions will be made in response to these applications in the near future

FACTBOX: What is known about Russian flight incident at Antalya Airport

A Russian Sukhoi Superjet 100 operated by the Azimuth airline caught fire as the plane landed at Antalya Airport on Sunday, TASS has compiled the key facts about the situation

Restrictions under New START treaty don’t apply to Oreshnik missile — Russian diplomat

"As for New START, you are well aware of our decision to suspend it," Sergey Ryabkov said

Russia will respond 'in every way' to Seoul’s arms supply to Kiev — MFA

Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Andrey Rudenko called on South Korean to soberly assess the situation and refrain from "reckless steps"

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FMBA plans to roll out new cancer vaccine in 2025

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Netanyahu may accept ceasefire in Lebanon to stop Hezbollah bombings — diplomat

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Denmark, its neighbors hold talks with China about damaged cables under Baltic Sea-report

The Chinese ship is currently anchored in international waters in the middle of the Kattegat Strait off the Bjare Peninsula