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

{{newsPoint.title}}

{{newsPoint.title+ ' '}}

{{newsPoint.subtitle}}

2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy

IOC bans Ukrainian athlete from wearing 'propaganda' helmet at 2026 Olympics

Earlier in the week, the IOC banned another Ukrainian athlete, skeleton racer Vladislav Geraskevich, from wearing a controversial lid

MILAN, February 11. /TASS/. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has prohibited Ukrainian freestyle skier Yekaterina Kotsar from wearing a helmet with political "propaganda" on it at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy, the Obshchestvennoye news website reported citing the athlete.

"About a week before the Olympics started, I received an email stating that the International Olympic Committee considers this helmet propaganda and that I would not be able to compete at the Games [if I wore it]," Kotsar was quoted as saying.

"Due to a lack of experience, knowledge and, probably, self-confidence, I simply changed my helmet, and now there's only a small flag of Ukraine on it," the Ukrainian athlete added.

Earlier in the week, the IOC banned another Ukrainian athlete, skeleton racer Vladislav Geraskevich, from wearing a controversial lid. His helmet featured images of fallen Ukrainian athletes which, the IOC claimed, contradicts the Olympic Charter.

The 2026 Winter Olympic Games are taking place in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, from February 6-22, 2026.

2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy

Figure skater Gumennik in 12th place after short program at Olympics

US' Ilya Malinin wins the competition, Japan's Yuma Kagiyama scores second

Macron's statements about dialogue with Russia aimed at provoking US ‘jealousy’ — senator

The same can be said about Europe's recently intensified contacts with China, Konstantin Kosachev 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

Norway’s army chief speaks in favor of setting up military hotline with Moscow

Eirik Kristoffersen also added that Norway and Russia still maintain some direct contact over search and rescue missions in the Barents Sea

Russia never received 20-point 'document' on Ukraine, Lavrov says

The Russian foreign minister noted that only fragments of it appeared in the media

Venezuela resumes oil supplies to Israel — Bloomberg

The cargo is transported for Bazan Group, the top crude oil refiner in Israel

One killed in college shooting in southern Russia

The regional branch of Russia’s Interior Ministry reported earlier that a student had opened fire in the lobby of an educational facility

Russia to take tit-for-tat measures in case of Greenland’s militarization — Lavrov

At the same time, the Russian foreign minister recalled Russian President Vladimir Putin’s position that the issue of Greenland "does not directly concern" Moscow

Norway leads Olympic medal standings after four days

Germany and Sweden share second place

EU perpetuates Biden’s 'failed' policies even after his retirement — Russian special envoy

US Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna stated that European countries deserve to have their sovereignty respected, while the EU often punishes the states that refuse to follow its policy

Telegram hardly serves as provider of communication between front line fighters — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov said that it is difficult to imagine such a scenario

Kremlin experience unique yet has similarities with diplomatic service, spokesman says

Dmitry Peskov noted that these are both forms of public service

Azerbaijan, US to create working groups to implement Charter on Strategic Partnership

The list of working groups' areas of expertise includes trade, defense, AI

Szijjarto calls latest EU sanctions proposal targeting Russian energy ‘outrageous’

Peter Szijjarto stated that he did not believe Western sanctions could influence Russia

Russia-Armenia relations enter new phase amid 'challenging' realities — diplomat

Sergey Kopyrkin expressed hope that the recent visit to Moscow by speaker of Armenia’s parliament Alen Simonyan on February 5 and 6 will give an impetus to further movement on this track

Press review: Epstein files hit UK government as Russia seeks role in Trump peace route

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, February 10th

FACTBOX: Drone attack on southern Russia causes plant fire, apartment damage

Emergency services are conducting operations to locate and dispose of possible drone debris

Russia’s UAZ plant releases Hunter all-terrain vehicle for special military operation

"The People's Front interacts with soldiers in all areas, so it understands their needs," Irina Kim said

Lavrov says Russia, US found balance of interests in Anchorage, Europe rethinking it all

The United States at that time sincerely wanted to help resolve the crisis, the Russian foreign minister noted

Baku, Washington to cooperate on transit of critical minerals

The agreement envisages both public and private investments in infrastructure development

Lavrov talks US reluctance to follow through with peace proposals, security architecture

While Russia and the United States could have embraced broader cooperation following the summit in Anchorage, the opposite trend has been observed

Europe wants to establish contacts with Russia on Ukraine, saying nothing new — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister pointed out that the statements made by French President Emmanuel Macron and former German Chancellor Olaf Scholz during their previous contacts with Russian leader Vladimir Putin were consistent with their public statements

Press review: France aims to join Ukraine talks as EU weighs frozen Russian assets move

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, February 11th

Iran, Russia to sign two documents on Rasht — Astara railway construction

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian at a last-year meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin said that Iranian authorities had already purchased more than 100 kilometers of the 160-kilometer Rasht–Astara railroad section

Ten people killed in shooting at school in western Canada — TV

Another 25 people are undergoing examination at a medical facility

Russia will not sign unfavorable peace treaty, but compromises possible — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister also emphasized that after the establishment of peace, Moscow will not tolerate "any threats to the security of Russia"

Trump demands half ownership of bridge between US, Canada

The US leader stressed that otherwise he will not allow this bridge to open

US license for Venezuelan oil prohibits deals with persons from Russia, Iran, DPRK, Cuba

This also applies to persons from the People’s Republic of China

Europe, Kiev proposing 'treaty of tolerance' instead of human rights protection — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister recalled Washington's proposals for resolving the Ukrainian crisis, noting that "the American proposals included the need to restore the rights of Russian-speaking people"

Russia’s advanced Su-35S fighter jet: premier performance over Syrian skies

Russia’s Su-35S aircraft, considered among the most dangerous fighter jets in the world today, have been redeployed to Syria

Paris manipulates data to portray itself as tech leader — report

According to the Global Fact-Checking Network, behind Paris' loud proclamations lies "a substitution of actual budgets with long-term promises"

Azerbaijan, US to develop Middle Corridor, Trump Route

The two countries intend to expand cooperation to promote economic growth and regional connectivity

5 civilians killed, 9 wounded in Ukraine’s attacks on Zaporozhye Region during day

The head of the municipal area says the attacks targeted a bread delivery truck with a visible sign, a man on a bicycle

US seeks to advance its interests globally, not to divide zones of influence, says Lavrov

As the Russian foreign minister the US has declared that Washington has other concerns in the Western Hemisphere besides European security issues

'Wrong when one country strangles another' — Kremlin on US-induced fuel crisis in Cuba

Dmitry Peskov says that it is bad when there is no fuel for medicine delivery, patient transportation

Board of Peace cannot replace UN, Lavrov says

The Russian Foreign Minister also called the UN Secretariat a highly politicized instrument of the world organization "a highly politicized instrument"

New batch of BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles delivered to Russian Defense Ministry

Rostec representatives noted that today’s standard BMP-3 configuration differs significantly from the vehicles delivered to the main customer before the start of the special military operation in Ukraine

Lavrov says after Alaska summit it was possible to agree on peace treaty on Ukraine

In Anchorage, the sides found approaches that were based on the American initiative, American proposals, and opened the way to peace, the Russian foreign minister said

Russia outpaces NATO in applying combat experience gained in Ukraine — commander

According to Pierre Vandier, at this point Ukraine is seeing a drones and robotics battle

Air defenses intercept 108 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions overnight

29 of them were destroyed over the territory of the Rostov Region

Russian troops push frontline westward from Gulyaipole after liberating Zaliznichnoye

Units of Russia's Battlegroup East advanced by more than 5 km west of Gulyaipole

Figure skater Gumennik in 12th place after short program at Olympics

US' Ilya Malinin wins the competition, Japan's Yuma Kagiyama scores second

Ukraine reports destruction of its key drone plant with damages reaching $35 mln — media

Ukrainian air force Deputy Commander Pavel Yelizarov did not specify when exactly the plant was destroyed

Understandings reached at Alaska summit on Ukraine still relevant — Lavrov

The foreign minister stressed that Moscow would "make political and diplomatic efforts to achievie all the goals and objectives of the special military operation"

Orban calls EU's new plan for Ukraine's accession declaration of war against Budapest

The Hungarian prime minister argues that those advocating for Ukraine’s EU membership aim to bring the opposition Tisza party to power

Court's 2018 decision to block Telegram still not overturned — source

The executives of the messenger appealed against the ruling, but the plea was dismissed

Russian troops liberate Zaliznichnoye community in Zaporozhye Region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup East inflicted roughly 420 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed an enemy tank and three armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Zelensky may announce holding elections, referendum in Ukraine — FT

According to the report, both votes may take place before May 15

Former Toyota and Volkswagen plants in Russia to resume car production in 2026 — minister

Anton Alikhanov also added that the Industry and Trade Ministry is proposing to develop additional tools to protect Russian business investments in the event of the possible exit of foreign automakers

Algeria on the brink of rupture with France in wake of TV program — GFCN

Kamel Mansari, a GFCN expert and editor-in-chief of the Algerian publication Le Jeune Independent, said that the situation has never been worse

Europe’s, Kiev’s interference with US peace plan, Russia’s security: Lavrov’s statements

The Russian foreign minister pointed out that Russia is always ready to search for a balance of interests but will never sacrifice its own security

Ukraine’s army attacks Russia’s Belgorod Region with nearly 170 UAVs in past day

According to the regional crisis response center, the Ukrainian military attacked the Shebekinsky district with 45 UAVs, killing a man and wounding a woman who continues medical treatment on an outpatient basis

IN BRIEF: What is known about current issues with Telegram’s operation in Russia

There have been more than 11,000 complaints from Russian users regarding Telegram’s operations over the past 24 hours, according to Downdetector’s data

Achieving special op goals to help build Eurasian security architecture — Lavrov

The Russian Foreign Minister added that Moscow prioritizes "promoting cooperation through multilateral associations involving Russia"

Work of Russian houses in Europe facing restrictions — cooperation agency head

Yevgeny Primakov says that the activities of the Russian House are suspended in certain European states

Sheremetyevo Airport's passenger traffic could total 43.1 mln people in 2026

The figure could decline by less than 1% compared to 2025

US Treasury authorizes supply of oil, gas exploration goods, technology to Venezuela

The authority also exempted the operations on the maintenance of ports, airports from sanctions

French president calls on European leaders to resume dialogue with Russia

Emmanuel Macron sees the need "to arrange the resumption of European discussions with the Russians"

Moscow seeking options to resume work of Russian House in Baku — cooperation agency head

Yevgeny Primakov says that Moscow, Baku still have an intergovernmental agreement on cultural centers in force

Kremlin confirms Moscow’s contacts with France

Dmitry Peskov pointed out that Moscow took note of French President Emmanuel Macron's statements about the need to resume relations with Russia

Kremlin spokesman expresses regret Telegram fails to comply with Russian legislation

Dmitry Peskov opined that it would be better if Telegram and other restricted services complied with the requirements of Russian legislation

India started reducing Russian oil purchases — US Trade Representative

Russia continue to be the largest oil supplier to India despite West’s attempts to meddle in this cooperation, Russian Ambassador in New Delhi Denis Alipov told TASS earlier

Russia’s new R-SAVER-1 boat control range is virtually unlimited — manufacturer

The twin-engine boat is capable of reaching speeds of up to 55 knots over a distance of up to 350 nautical miles

Figure skater Gumennik introduced as Russia’s champion before performing at Olympics

Russian athletes are competing under a neutral flag and are prohibited from displaying any connection to their country

Russian troops fit Kuryer ground robot with flamethrower — defense source

The system has demonstrated high effectiveness

Ukraine targets funeral procession in Zaporozhye Region: what we know

Russian Foreign Ministry Ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik called the attack a despicable act by Satanists in the Ukrainian military

US attempts to link trade to Ukraine conflict unacceptable — senior Russian diplomat

"There should be no place for such sanctioning and such linkages," Sergey Ryabkov said

Russian House in Chisinau to operate until summer of 2026 — cooperation agency head

Yevgeny Primakov recalled that in December 2025, Moscow was officially notified by the Moldovan side about the decision not to renew the agreement on the establishment and operation of cultural centers

Putin doesn't use messaging apps, only specialized communication — Kremlin

"He's the head of state," Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said

Israel seeks US push for Iran to halt missile program — newspaper

According to the report, Israel is also advocating for a halt to uranium enrichment and the removal of existing stockpiles outside the Islamic Republic

German-British startup announces successful test of hypersonic missile prototype

Serial production of the HS1 is planned to be launched by 2029

Kiev's forced evacuation of children tears families apart — ombudswoman

Maria Lvova-Belova said it was especially shameless that Ukraine was threatening to take away parental rights

Lavrov tells US to keep out of regions that don't concern it

The foreign minister stressed that despite Washington's statements that its only area of interest is the Western Hemisphere, the US is actually "working hard to push its interests" in other regions too

Diplomat says he hopes India-US deal will cause no trouble in Moscow’s ties with New Delhi

Trade volumes between India and Russia have been reasonably high, but potential is even higher, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said

Syrian government army being withdrawn from Kurdish-populated Hasakah city

According to the statement, units of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces are leaving the city to return to their bases outside it

State Duma to hear Lavrov's speech, discuss ban on credit card betting

In accordance with the corespondent bill, credit card issuers may bear responsibility for the betting with the use of their products

Chinese diplomat hopes Russia, US to soon resume dialogue on New START

Beijing hopes that the US responds to the international community’s expectations

Top EU diplomat plans to propose list of concessions to demand from Russia

According to Kaja Kallas, everybody has to understand that the sides need Europe to have a peace deal

Kiev’s attacks against CPC is cause for major concerns — Russian ambassador

Alexey Borodavkin said the situation had recently evened out and the consortium continued its operations

Baku, Washington agree to expand defense, security cooperation

The Charter on Strategic Partnership lauds Azerbaijan’s contribution to international peacekeeping missions and reaffirms the countries’ commitment to cooperation in the areas of cybersecurity and protection of critical infrastructure

Russia grateful to DPRK for help in liberating Kursk Region from Kiev’s militants — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister noted that the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty with North Korea makes a "significant contribution to the creation of a Eurasian security architecture"

Domodedovo Airport to undergo restructuring

Sheremetyevo Airport CEO Mikhail Vasilenko did not specify the number of companies that could be liquidated or consolidate

Ukrainian ground robotic systems have low survivability — Russian security experts

According to the sources in Russia’s security agencies, the effectiveness and economic feasibility of the enemy's use of these systems is currently highly questionable

US studies possibility of capturing tankers with Iranian oil — newspaper

According to the newspaper, in this way, Washington wants to try to induce Tehran to strike a deal limiting its nuclear program

All guarantees discussed with Ukraine in Istanbul now null, void — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minster pointed to how these guarantees were formulated

Moscow to return all historically Russian lands to their 'rightful home' — Lavrov

The top Russian diplomat stressed that linguistic, cultural and religious rights of those who remain under Kiev’s authority must be restored

Moscow notes positive changes in conditions for Russian House in US — agency head

Yevgeny Primakov says it is too early to announce a recovery of full-scale operations of the center

Su-57 fighters delivered to Russian Aerospace Forces got new tracking sensors — experts

One of the main changes in the modernized Su-57 aircraft is the upgraded 101KS onboard optical-electronic self-defense system, the experts said

EU to blacklist former Russian Olympic chief, chess federation head

EU sanctions imply a ban on trips to EU countries and the immobilization of assets in European banks

Zelensky’s circle denies report about plans to hold elections soon — media

"As long as there is no security, there will be no announcements regarding elections," the source said

Russia ready to go as far in relations with India as New Delhi wants — senior diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov noted that Russia and India "have several projects in the pipeline, many of them with no parallel that others might have"

Domodedovo's new runway may require investment for reconstruction

Sheremetyevo Airport CEO Mikhail Vasilenko emphasized that the new runway was constructed in violation of construction norms and regulations

Europe has withdrawn 95% of gas it pumped into storage facilities for heating season

Gas withdrawal from UGS facilities in EU countries amounted to around 623 mln cubic meters on February 9

Russian forces hammer Ukrainian army’s energy, transport infrastructure over past day

Kiev loses 1,255 troops along engagement line in past day

Russian scientists create most powerful computer in country

The operating principle of the quantum computer is based on collective oscillations of the ion chain, the developers said

Epstein case reveals real face of Western elites seeking to rule world — Lavrov

"It is unnecessary to explain to any normal person that this is pure Satanism and is beyond human comprehension," the Russian Foreign Minister added

Drone attack damages multi-story building in Russia’s Volgograd Region

The regional governor says a kindergarten and a factory were also damaged

Colombian president reports assassination attempt against him

His helicopter had to change the route due to the threat of being fired upon, Gustavo Petro says

Egyptian president receives Russian foreign intel chief

During the talks, the sides discussed recent developments in the region and in the world and agreed on the "necessity of strengthening Russian-Egyptian cooperation to prevent new spirals of escalation in the Middle East"

Russia to boost production of Supercam drones in 2026 — Unmanned Systems

The Supercam S350 reconnaissance drone is one of the primary unmanned aerial vehicles used by Russian troops in the special military operation zone in Ukraine

Macron calls for common borrowing tool for EU countries to 'defeat dollar hegemony'

The French president assured that the initiative he proposed would not apply to existing state debt