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Olympic torch relay reaches Milan

The opening ceremony of the Games will be held at the San Siro stadium on February 6

MILAN, February 5. /TASS/. The Olympic torch relay has reached Milan, where the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will be held, a TASS correspondent reported.

The route passed through the city’s central streets and ended on Piazza del Duomo, where several hundred people gathered to greet the Olympic flame.

La Scala Theater’s prima ballerina, Nicoletta Manni, carried the torch to a pedestal in front of the city’s Cathedral, Duomo di Milano, and lit the Olympic cauldron. The ceremony was followed by a concert.

The opening ceremony of the Games will be held at the San Siro stadium on February 6.

World Aquatics allows Russian juniors to compete with flag, anthem

Adult Russian athletes compete under the auspices of World Aquatics in a neutral status

Russia’s National Wealth Fund totals $177 bln as of February 1 — Finance Ministry

The volume of the fund's liquid assets as of February 1 was $55.1 bln

Russia, Brazil find it important for BRICS to share experience on use of payment tools

The countries also recognized the high level of relations between the central banks of the two countries and supported strengthening dialogue in financial sector

West’s support of Kiev violates right of Crimea, Donbass for self-determination – Lavrov

Western diplomats and politicians “turn a blind eye” to the norm of international law “in an effort to reduce the entire background and essence of what is happening to the inadmissibility of violating territorial integrity,” noted the Russian Foreign Minister

Arktikugol upgrades port infrastructures on Spitsbergen

"Over the recent year, the Arktikugol Company has carried out a significant amount of work to upgrade the port infrastructures, to make the depth at the berth 13 meters and to commission a ship repair center," the company's CEO Ildar Neverov said

Lavrov warns Armenian speaker of risky rapprochement with West

The Russian Foreign Ministry also said that a frank and substantive exchange of views took place between the officials on topical issues of Russian-Armenian relations

Russia is doing its utmost to ensure negotiations on Ukraine continue — senior legislator

Senator Vladimir Dzhabarov also says that the negotiators for Kiev are showing unwillingness to stop the conflict

Russia returns 157 servicemen, three Kursk residents as part of prisoner swap — top brass

The Defense Ministry added that the Kiev regime returned three Russian citizens, residents of the Kursk Region

Russia surprised by US sanctions against oil companies after Anchorage

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov noted that sanctions still remain in force

Russia, Brazil need to boost payments in national currencies

Modern transport corridors should also be formed and new production and logistical chains need to be created, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin added

Russia, Brazil committed to Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and Brazilian Vice President Geraldo Alckmin noted the inadmissibility of attempts to use the treaty for achieving political goals not related to disarmament and non-proliferation

Norilsk Nickel reach target production of cobalt — First VP

According to Evgeny Fyodorov, it became possible due to completion of renovation of the cobalt plant at the Kola site

Russia, Brazil in talks on creating direct shipping lane — deputy premier

Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk emphasized that from the logistical point of view it will be very convenient and fast enough

Over 100 ultra-right Israeli activists try to break through border with Gaza

According to the Israel Defense Forces, several activists managed to get into the enclave, but they were apprehended by the military

UAE to continue efforts for peaceful settlement of conflict in Ukraine — Foreign Ministry

UAE will continue its efforts aimed at facilitating all initiatives to mitigate its humanitarian consequences, ministry said

Jennifer Lopez to perform in St. Petersburg on occasion of fiftieth birthday

The singer celebrated her birthday on July 24

Progress made: what we know about negotiations on Ukraine in Abu Dhabi

Head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund Kirill Dmitriev said that there is progress in the negotiations

US may slap Algeria with sanctions for purchasing Russian fighter jets — diplomat

The country has purchased several military jets from Russia

Cuba presents no threat to US, hosts no foreign bases — president

Miguel Diaz-Canel reaffirmed that his country’s military doctrine is purely defensive

Russia believes agreement on Ukraine should include Donbass recognition — TASS source

Russia sees the aspect concerning the recognition of Donbass by all countries as crucial, the source said

First concrete pouring at Paks II NPP is milestone event for nuclear industry — Rosatom

Rosatom CEO Alexey Likhachev noted that the main phase of work at the Paks construction site has now begun

Knife-wielding man attacks kindergarten in Orenburg Region: what we know

A 25-year-old used a side door to enter the building, wounded a teacher

London court sentences Russian captain Motin to six years in prison for ship collision

Vladimir Motin will be eligible for parole after 37 months

Lavrov to hold talks in Moscow with top OSCE officials

The talks will focus on the deep crisis facing the OSCE

Financial savings and venue scandals: 2026 Winter Olympics set to start in Italy

The International Olympic Committee as well as the organizers of this event in Italy thus decided to move away from the practice when the Olympics were hosted by a region in which the entire infrastructure had to be built from scratch

Russia effectively redirects gas supplies to new countries — foreign ministry

Maria Zakharova highlighted that Russia had effectively turned the main vector of gas supplies to new centers of global economic growth

Korean icebreaker Araon leads Russia trawler Sparta to clear water

On December 16, the trawler that collided with an iceberg got a hole 30 centimetres in diameter below the waterline

Kia’s share in Hyundai Motor plant in St. Petersburg to be sold — newspaper

Kia holds 30% in the plant, while Hyundai has 70% and both companies will transfer their shares, the newspaper added

Air defense takes down drone heading for Moscow — mayor

First responders are working on site

Press review: Trump sees Abu Dhabi talks as important and Pakistan mediates US-Iran

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, February 5th

Russian troops liberate two communities In Donetsk area, Zaporozhye Region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted roughly 235 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed four enemy artillery guns in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Ukraine reports conclusion of Abu Dhabi talks

The first round of the negotiations was held in the UAE capital in late January, the second one started Wednesday

Gerasimov says international security deteriorates as West wants to keep dominating

It is reported that the Russian forces keep the initiative and advance in the whole front despite colossal aid to Kiev from the West

Euroclear to transfer 3.3 bln euros of revenues from Russian assets to Ukraine

Out of this amount, Ukraine received 1.6 bln euro in July 2025

Lavrov points to inconsistency in Trump’s sanctions policy

The minister noted that in April 2025, after the Russian side established contact with the Trump administration, the "International Emergency Economic Powers Act" originally adopted under former US President Joe Biden was extended for another year

Dmitriev proposes investigating possible family ties between Tusk, Epstein

The special presidential envoy and Russian Direct Investment Fund CEO responded to Donald Tusk's statements that Jeffrey Epstein was allegedly a Russian spy

Expulsion of Russian firms from Venezuela, US sanctions after Anchorage: Lavrov statements

The Russian foreign minister added that certain actions by the US do not match its statements about the possibilities for economic cooperation with Russia

Armenian parliament speaker says Yerevan has no plans to leave EAEU

Alen Simonyan believes it is possible to find a solution that benefits both sides

One civilian killed, nine injured in Ukrainian attack on Belgorod Region — governor

The Ukrainian military, using a kamikaze drone, attacked a bus that was taking employees of an agricultural company home from work

Epstein files, Zelensky follows in Nazi footsteps: Foreign Ministry statements

According to Maria Zakharova, the Kiev regime is engaged in "a most real linguistic genocide" as it persecutes Russian-speaking people

Putin, Xi discussed negative consequences of New START’s expiration — Kremlin

The two countries' leaders held a video call on Wednesday

Ukrainian army chief admits commanders’ mistakes and need to deploy reserves

As Alexander Syrsky admitted, "a particularly tense situation has developed in the Avdeyevka and Zaporozhye directions"

West’s secret contacts, changing rhetoric, Ukraine’s future: Lavrov's statements

Europe is trying to "prevent and disrupt the negotiations" that are budding between Russia and the United States on a settlement, the Russian foreign minister said

Twelve foreign NGOs deemed undesirable in Russia in 2020

Special attention was paid last year to protection of the state interests from foreign interference

Ukrainian forces destroy 8 of 10 power lines at Zaporozhye NPP in three years — expert

From the very beginning, one of the Kiev regime's main aims was to destroy the Zaporozhye NPP's external power supply infrastructure, Renat Karchaa said

Russia bans import of wheat, sweets, vegetables, fruit and beer from Ukraine

The ban is also set on chocolate, ethyl alcohol, fruit juices, caviar, fish and canned fish, bread and bakery, equipment for processing of agricultural products, and certain other goods

Lavrov slams Financial Times article about security guarantees to Ukraine as nonsense

The next round of talks between the militaries of Russia and Ukraine began on February 4

Brazil intends to expand presence on Russian market — Vice President

The two countries have vast technological opportunities and large domestic markets

Olympic torch relay reaches Milan

The opening ceremony of the Games will be held at the San Siro stadium on February 6

Russia got burned by Western promises not to expand NATO — Lavrov

The minister said that Russia had created a Russia-NATO Council with Western countries "in an effort to establish a permanent dialogue and increase trust"

Epstein files show how West treats children — Russian Foreign Ministry

"The criminal regime in Kiev continues to be demonstratively supported and protected by its direct sponsors, who pay handsomely for all this - the murders of children in the first place," Maria Zakharova said

Sber intends to force bankruptcy of Dell’s division in Russia

The Dell subsidiary has been present in Russia since mid-2007

Russian companies openly forced out of Venezuela after events in republic — Lavrov

The US forces captured Venezuela's president in early January, President Donald Trump pledged to "run" the country for some period

Russian analog of Starlink to begin serial production in 2026 — Roscosmos CEO

He added that by 2027, an orbital constellation of more than 300 satellites will be deployed

Russia not imposing itself as mediator between Iran, US — Lavrov

The top diplomat confirms Russia's commitment to enforce any agreements between Israel, Iran

Zelensky says 55,000 Ukrainian troops killed since start of special military operation

Many more soldiers remain missing in action, Vladimir Zelensky admits

Moscow redeploys troops participating in Crimea drills back to their permanent bases

The drills involved more than 10,000 servicemen and 1,200 units of hardware

Zelensky suggests next round of trilateral talks could be held in United States

He also said he was waiting for the Ukrainian negotiators to brief him on the talks in Abu Dhabi

Court commutes sentence in Spartak fan murder case

Akhmedpasha Aidayev's sentence was reduced by two months, and Bekkhan Ibragimov's - by nine months

EU Council confirms refusal of Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia to fund Kiev — document

The EU Council clarified that 30 bln euros of the money will be used to finance Ukraine's budget, and 60 bln euros will go to arms purchases

Serbia will never recognize Kosovo’s independence, President Vucic vows

Serbian President said that "Kosovo and Metohija will never be granted independence, at least by Serbia"

Russian non-resource and non-energy exports to reach $150 bln as of 2025 year-end

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Roman Chekushov added that the plan for 2026 amounted to $155 bln

US goes no-contact with Polish speaker over slight against Trump — ambassador

Wlodzimierz Czarzasty refused to support the initiative of the speakers of the House of Representatives of the US Congress and the Israeli Knesset to award the American leader the Nobel Peace Prize

Macron's declared intention to call Putin are ‘miserable attempt at diplomacy’ — Lavrov

The Russian top diplomat emphasized that President Putin was always willing to listen to any proposals, provided they were serious

Russian Prime Minister Mishustin meets with President of Brazil

The talks between the Prime Minister and the Brazilian leader took place at the Itamaraty Palace, the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Bank of Russia sells yuan worth $228 mln with settlements on February 4

The Central Bank sold yuan on the domestic market in the amount of 17.7 bln rubles with settlements on February 3

Lavrov rejects any bargaining on linguistic, religious rights in Ukraine

Ukraine is a member of the United Nations and must comply with the charter of the organization, the Russian foreign minister said

US to discuss New START replacement with Russia — White House

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt noted that modernized treaty can last long into the future

Kremlin spokesman compares EU debates on Russian assets to gang operation

Dmitry Peskov stressed that such actions would not go unanswered

Security guarantees being floated for Ukraine preclude peace deal — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister said that he does not know what will be offered to Russian delegation in Abu Dhabi

Ukraine was first to attack Russian power facilities — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister noted that Russia never started such actions

Zelensky is attempting to stage provocation in Transnistria — expert

It was previously reported that, according to information received by Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, the first group of career military personnel from France and Britain had already arrived in Odessa

Russia explained to US that people, not territories were main issue for it — Lavrov

As the Russian foreign minister pointed out, the putschists who came to power in Ukraine as a result of a state coup in 2014 called the people in Crimea, Donbass and Novorossiya 'inhumans'

Kremlin spokesman says Russia's proposals at Istanbul talks were constructive, specific

"The agenda is constructive and specific, it is centered on substantive work that can lead to concrete results," Dmitry Peskov said

Cuba has friends, will withstand US pressure — president

Cuba will work to resist the imperialistic pressure, Miguel Diaz-Canel added

Over 1,100 houses remain without heat for third day in row in Kiev

First Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Denis Shmygal called the situation with Kiev's energy supply critical

Finance Ministry expects Sber dividends of at least 50% from 2023 net profit

Sberbank CEO Herman Gref said at the Eastern Economic Forum in September that the bank had no plans so far within the framework of the new strategy to reduce or increase the dividend distributions level

Bitcoin slumps below $65,000 for first time since October 15, 2024

By 20:20 GMT, the bitcoin accelerated its decline and was trading at $64,221

Russian FPV drone operators thwart attempted weapons delivery to Ukrainian positions

Apart from that, the battlegroup’s quadcopter dropped munition on Ukrainian positions near the village of Otradnoye

FACTBOX: Russia’s nuclear power projects abroad

Rosatom ranks first globally by the number of nuclear power plant construction projects abroad, with 41 power units in 11 countries worldwide

Russia, Brazil to improve communication between their agricultural watchdogs — statement

The parties stressed the importance of "increasing the volume and diversification of mutual trade in agricultural products"

Russia, Brazil to expand nuclear partnership in energy, healthcare

The countries gave high assessment to the collective work in various energy sector spheres

Russia’s Supreme Court bans International Satanism Movement

During the court session, representatives from the oversight agency noted that the movement’s activity aims to undermine the foundation of the constitutional order, promote violence and incite religious hatred

Russian troops strike Ukrainian army’s energy infrastructure over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup East inflicted more than 360 casualties on Ukrainian troops

Russian aviation authority sets up crisis center to return Russians from Turkey

The crisis center will be regularly informing the Russian Transport Ministry about the number of performed flights from Turkey to Russia, the number of transported citizens as well as the number of Russian citizens with issued flight tickets, the statement says

Trump promises to defend base on Diego Garcia Island militarily

I retain the right to Militarily secure and reinforce the American presence in Diego Garcia, said american leader

Brazil’s interested in Russia's experience in building high-speed rail lines — minister

Russian Transport Minister Andrey Nikitin stressed that Russia will share its developments with the Brazilian side

Russia covers about a quarter of Brazil’s needs of mineral fertilizers — Russian PM

Mikhail Mishustin noted that such mutually beneficial cooperation enables the countries to make a significant joint contribution to food security support

Russia’s Geoscan to launch mass production of new AI-powered educational drone

Pioneer Mini 2 has a maximum flight time of 11 minutes with a maximum horizontal flight speed of 15 km/h

Incompatibility of EAEU and EU, respect for Armenia’s choice: statements by Lavrov

The top Russian diplomat noted that Moscow sees Yerevan as an ally and strategic partner

IN BRIEF: What we know about new prisoner exchange between Russia, Ukraine

Russia has returned 157 of its servicemen from Ukrainian captivity, and 157 Ukrainian prisoners of war have been transferred in return

Russia’s State Duma to consider ratifying security treaty with Belarus on February 18

According to Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, the MPs’ objective is to implement the decisions made at the level of the Union State’s heads

New fiberoptic drone and mothership boat system tested out for first time in Black Sea

Proucer Ushkuynik plans the Knyaz Vandal of Novgorod drone to become a full-lifecycle product with own operator training program

Progress, agreement on POW swap: what is known about results of UAE talks

Russia, the US and Ukraine will agree on dates for new meetings on Ukraine, which will continue the dialogue started in the UAE

Russia regrets expiration of New START Treaty — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov noted that Moscow views the expiration of the treaty negatively

Russian PM arrives on visit to Brazil

Mikhail Mishustin is scheduled to meet with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva

Russia’s steel output down 6.9% YOY in May — WSA

Steel production in the country within five months of this year lost 5.2% to 29.2 mln metric tons

Nigerien military authorities accuse France of preparing to stage armed intervention

It is reported that Niger’s capital of Niamey hosts the largest French airbase in this part of the African continent

Russia, Brazil in talks on opening direct container line

Cooperation in the marine sphere is developing at this stage, Minister Andrey Nikitin noted

Epstein’s files mention Zelensky in connection with human trafficking from Ukraine

Vladimir Zelensky appears in Epstein's files several dozen times, most prominently in connection with the Jean-Luc Brunel case

Aurus Merlon electric motorcycle available for pre-order — acting Deputy PM

The Aurus Merlon made its public debut at the inauguration of the Russian President