Coronavirus pandemic

15 Sep 2021, 11:06

Sputnik V shows 97.2% efficacy during vaccination in Belarus — RDIF

According to the Fund, the efficacy of Sputnik V was measured based on data from more than 860,000 people vaccinated between January and July 2021

MOSCOW, September 15. /TASS/. Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine demonstrated 97.2% efficacy against coronavirus and a high safety profile during vaccination in Belarus, according to the statement from the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF).

"The Russian vaccine has demonstrated 97.2% efficacy against coronavirus in Belarus. The efficacy of Sputnik V was measured based on data from more than 860,000 people vaccinated between January and July 2021," the statement said.

Belarus was the first foreign country to register Sputnik V and use it for vaccination of the population, the Fund noted.

According to the report, "RDIF and partners have facilitated the technology transfer to localize the production of Sputnik V by Belarus’s Belmedpreparaty company, which is successfully manufacturing Sputnik V. In April 2021 the vaccine produced in Belarus was authorized by the Ministry of Health."

A single-component vaccine Sputnik Light (the first component of the Sputnik V vaccine) has also been registered in Belarus.

Middle East conflict

Israel continues operations in southern, northern Gaza Strip

"In northern Gaza, IDF troops struck and dismantled terrorist infrastructure and tunnel shafts, and eliminated during an airstrike several terrorists who attempted to plant an explosive device in the ground," IDF said

Two days ago, 17:11

Lavrov arrives in Turkey for diplomatic conference

The top Russian diplomat came from Almaty after a meeting of the CIS Council of Foreign Ministers

Given hostile rhetoric, Vienna’s idea to host Ukraine talks is ridiculous — diplomat

"Austria is a solid part of the European Union’s anti-Russian paradigm," Dmitry Lyubinsky said

Yesterday, 22:40

Germany’s likely next chancellor against inviting Kiev to NATO, EU during conflict

"A country in a state of war cannot be a member of NATO or the European Union," Friedrich Merz said

Two days ago, 12:49

US exploits Zelensky to gain access to minerals, then kicks him to curb — Russian MFA

"Zelensky’s curators used him and are now wiping their dirty and blood-covered hands of him," Maria Zakharova wrote

Yesterday, 17:18

Tehran, Washington to hold second round of talks in Oman on April 19 — Iran’s top diplomat

According to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, next week, the two negotiating teams may embark on discussions toward "a general framework of a future deal"

Two days ago, 18:40

Little chance of direct confrontation between Russia, EU, NATO — Russian diplomat

According to Mikhail Ulyanov, European countries "are used to live in comfortable conditions and can hardly imagine themselves as a party to a conflict"

Kremlin spokesman says Russia, US make good progress in re-establishing relations

According to Dmitry Peskov, talks between the two counrtries have a lot of "nuances" related to the resumption of normal operation of their diplomatic missions

US-Iranian talks proceed well — Trump

"Nothing matters until you get it done," that is why, US leader said, he does not like talking about it

Yesterday, 15:19

Russia’s Battlegroup East inflicts up to 155 casualties on Ukrainian army in past day

Ukranian army also lost two armored combat vehicles, four motor vehicles, four field artillery guns, a French-made 155mm Caesar self-propelled artillery system, a US-made 155mm M777 howitzer and a fuel-storage depot

Yesterday, 13:59

World Press Photo withdraws invitation to TASS photojournalist to attend awards ceremony

"As a consequence Mikhail Tereshchenko is no longer invited to the winners programme and the award ceremony," the press release reads

Russia hopes to develop cooperation with India in many areas — MFA

According to the ministry, bilateral relations are characterized by reliability, high intensity of political interaction and a particularly privileged strategic partnership

Two days ago, 10:08

French troops plan operations against Russia on border with Ukraine, Moldova — media

According to Colonel Guillaume Schmidt, the unit's commander, troops need to be prepared to continue combat actions even when satellite signals are jammed

Yesterday, 00:22

Kellogg suggests Ukraine could be divided between West, Russia like postwar Berlin

UK and French troops could adopt zones of control in Ukraine’s west, forming a "reassurance force" for allegedly preventing the resumption of combat operations whereas Russia could control the east of the country, US Presidential Special Envoy said

Yesterday, 17:16

Trump extends package of anti-Russian sanctions for another year

On April 15, 2021, the Biden administration introduced executive order 14024, imposing sanctions on Russian individuals and entities that may have allegedly been engaged in cyber-enabled activities against the country

Iran may return to uranium enrichment at 2015 levels — WSJ

Accordingt to the newspaper, the Islamic Republic wants the United States to ease its sanctions, return access to immobilized foreign assets and stop pressure on Chinese buyers of Iranian oil

Yesterday, 23:33

Projectiles, presumably launched from Kurdish regions, fall in northeast Syria — TV

Other details, including damage and casualties, are yet unknown, according to Syria TV

2 Nov 2024, 17:19

Czech President Pavel imperiling citizens by sending them to Ukraine — Zakharova

Czech President Petr Pavel earlier authorized 60 Czech citizens to join the Ukrainian army

Two days ago, 09:00

Trump administration understands that Zelensky hates Russians — Lavrov

"The Trump administration has this understanding and it has repeatedly stated in public that Zelensky will have to accept the loss of land," Russia’s top diplomat said

Two days ago, 18:01

US sees Witkoff talks in Russia as step toward Ukrainian settlement — White House

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt did not provide additional details about these contacts

Yesterday, 13:50

Trump said to be ready for compromises to get a deal with Iran — Axios

If indirect talks between the United States and Iran yield a positive result, Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, may meet directly with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi after April 12 or April 13, the news outlet reported

Yesterday, 03:20

Russia’s Battlegroup Center destroys over 425 Ukrainian troops in 24 hours

Ukrainian army also lost six armored combat vehicles, including М113 and VAB armored fighting vehicles, as well as a Humvee armored combat vehicle, three cars, and five pieces of artillery

Yesterday, 01:07

Kellogg says he was not referring to partitioning of Ukraine

"I was speaking of a post-cease fire resiliency force in support of Ukraine’s sovereignty," US Presidential Special Envoy said

Yesterday, 23:12

Russia’s import-substituted SJ-100 plane rises to 12,200 meters during test flight

The flight lasted about three hours

Two days ago, 12:10

Lavrov promises access to alternative payment platforms to non-members of BRICS

"There is an opportunity to form payment platforms independent of external influence, one example being the financial messaging system of the Bank of Russia," the Russian foreign minister said

Yesterday, 17:57

Trump’s envoy Witkoff describes US-Iran talks as positive and constructive — NBC

Trump’s special envoy said he was returning to the United States today

Russian battlegroup West’s air defenses take down 18 drones in past day

The enemy lost over 250 servicemen in the reported period, the battlegroup’s spokesman Ivan Bigma said

Two days ago, 18:02

Deal between Trump, Zelensky impossible, Medvedchuk believes

He said that Washington's greed is clouding its judgement in the Ukrainian conflict

German military should be fully battle ready by 2029 — Bundeswehr’s Inspector General

Carsten Breuer also reiterated that the German military is currently short of about 100,000 soldiers

Yesterday, 20:52

World Press Photo advocates cancel culture by not inviting TASS photographer — lawmaker

Earlier, World Press Photo Foundation revoked the invitation to TASS photojournalist Mikhail Tereshchenko to next month’s award ceremony in Amsterdam, citing "the increased tensions on the European continent"

Two days ago, 16:16

German politician urges to support US effort on achieving peace in Ukraine

Earlier on Friday, upon arriving at the NATO headquarters for a meeting of a contact group on arms supplies to Ukraine, acting German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius vowed more military aid to Ukraine in the years to come

Apple ships 1.5 mln iPhones out of India to avoid US tariffs — Reuters

According to sources, Apple has chartered six cargo planes to ship 600 tons of gadgets

Yesterday, 13:52

Moscow, Washington discuss US proposal on joint projects — top Russian diplomat

"We are discussing bilateral relations beginning with the issue of normalizing the work of our embassies, the environment in which they operate," Sergey Lavrov said

Yesterday, 04:49

Chinese citizens not fighting in Ukraine — Russian MFA

"China’s position on settlement in Ukraine is quite balanced, and we are grateful to our friends for that," Andrey Rudenko noted

Russia says its air defenses shot down Ukrainian F-16

Russian army also shot down more than 200 drones over the past day

Russia says its forces struck 8 Ukrainian brigades near Gornal, Oleshnya in Kursk Region

Over the past day, Ukraine lost up to 190 servicemen, a tank, an infantry fighting vehicle, an armored fighting vehicle, 12 motor vehicles, four field artillery guns, three mortars and a BM-21 Grad multiple launch rocket system

Two days ago, 18:23

Polar Lithium may use concession to build road to deposit

The mining and concentration plant at the deposit is planned to be built and put into operation by 2031

US forces deliver multiple strikes on tech college in southwest Yemen — TV

No information on casualties is available at this point

Two days ago, 12:48

Russian troops liberate four communities in Ukraine operation over week — top brass

The Ukrainian military lost more than 10,000 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the week of April 5-11, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported

Two days ago, 14:11

Georgia fended off two calls to join Russia-Ukraine conflict in February 2022 — PM

Irakli Kobakhidze stressed that Tbilisi "had to enter into a political tug-of-war to defend Georgia’s national interests"

Yesterday, 01:55

Trump admits tariff exceptions for some countries

"Yeah, obviously, it could be a couple of exceptions, you know, but I would say 10% is the floor," the president noted

Two days ago, 17:11

Putin-Witkoff meeting continues for now — Kremlin

The beginning of the meeting, Dmitry Peskov emphasized, was "businesslike"

Yesterday, 15:18

Russian MFA slams World Press Photo’s move to revoke invitation to TASS photojournalist

Earlier, the organizers of the 2025 World Press Photo Contest revoked the invitation to TASS photojournalist Mikhail Tereshchenko to next month’s award ceremony in Amsterdam

Two days ago, 22:37

US to take control of Gazprom pipeline in Ukraine — Reuters

US and Ukrainian officials met on the draft proposal in Washington on Friday, the source said

Yesterday, 19:13

TASS blasts World Press Photo decision not to invite its photojournalist to award event

Europe has completely lost its sovereignty and that Russophobia has triumphed, the director general of Russia’s state-run news agency, Andrey Kondrashov, said

Yesterday, 13:34

Lavrov, his Turkish counterpart discuss Black Sea situation in Antalya — Russia’s MFA

The two top diplomats exchanged opinions on the pressing issues relating to the political dialogue between Russia and Turkey as well as cooperation in trade and energy

Russia-US talks not expected to bring swift results — Kremlin

"The problems are too complicated and they have been neglected too long," Dmitry Peskov told

Yesterday, 13:36

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicts up to 310 casualties on Ukrainian army in past day

Russian forces also destroyed 18 motor vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day in the special military operation in Ukraine

Two days ago, 10:24

Lavrov advises Central Asian countries to 'outlast' Kaja Kallas in her position

"It will probably be much easier than tolerating damage to their own people," the top Russian diplomat noted

Russian ambassador to London denies any Russian threat to UK

"I am not going to deny it, but I wonder whether we really have an interest in following all the British submarine with very old outdated nuclear warheads," Andrey Kelin said

19 Aug 2024, 13:11

Russia offers safe haven for people trying to escape Western liberal ideals

Under the document, such foreign nationals will have the right to apply for temporary residence in Russia "outside the quota approved by the Russian government and without providing documents confirming their knowledge of the Russian language, Russian history and basic laws"

Yesterday, 22:07

Russian-Brazilian yacht expedition starts its circumnavigation in Brazil

"Fraternity-2025 is not just a circumnavigation journey, it’s a symbol of unity in culture, science and international cooperation," said Ivan Krott, who heads the Omsk branch of the Russian Geographical Society

Witkoff, Trump's son, son-in-law, and Carlson engage with Ukrainian opposition — Politico

The sources said, some in the Trump world are "delusional in thinking they can anoint someone in Ukraine to be their partner and to electorally succeed in the short-to-medium term whenever elections take place"

Two days ago, 16:07

Pistorius says Germany can’t give Ukraine more Patriot air defense systems

Germany is the second-largest supplier of weapons to Ukraine after the US

Zhuravka liberation brings Russian troops closer to Ukrainian army’s hub in Sumy Region

Yunakovka is a logistics hub for the Ukrainian army to supply its combat group in Russia’s borderline Kursk Region

US did not suggest that Iran stop uranium enrichment completely — NYT

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, who led the US delegation, did not suggest that the Islamic Republic stop enriching uranium and instead "the focus was on the country not weaponizing its existing material", the newspaper reported

Two days ago, 14:14

Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Gavrilyuk resigns

Ivan Gavrilyuk has held the post since May 2024

Two days ago, 10:00

Press review: Russia, US move past Biden’s legacy as Kiev assures NATO of fight readiness

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, April 11th

OSCE degraded, no reasons for Russia to continue working with it — diplomat

Rodion Miroshnik stressed that Russia will not withdraw from this organization not to let the West use it to "tell its own truth and build its own reality"

Yesterday, 12:43

Kiev launches five attacks on Russian energy sites over past day — top brass

"Power outages led to electricity blackout in five settlements (about 1,650 people) in the region," Russia’s Defense Ministry said

Two days ago, 17:18

Germany's defense minister 'surprised' by reports weapons sent to Kiev not good enough

Boris Pistorius pointed out that he was "in constant contact with Ukrainian partners" and was not aware of complaints about German combat systems

Russia-China ties could get stronger amid global trade wars — senior Russian diplomat

The countries could reach a new high in bilateral trade, Andrey Rudenko said

Two days ago, 14:52

Putin begins meeting with US special envoy — Kremlin

The sides are to discuss the normalization of ties between Moscow and Washington and some aspects of the Ukrainian settlement

Russian diplomat says results of US-Iranian talks in Oman reassuring

"On the outcomes of today’s meeting in Oman, both the Iranians and the Americans described the negotiations as positive and constructive," Mikhail Ulyanov said

Yesterday, 21:34

Russia’s 130kg wrestler Semenov clinches gold in Senior European Championships

Earlier, Russia’s Emin Sefershaev beat Azerbaijan’s Eldaniz Azizli in the 55kg final

Yesterday, 15:21

Russia’s Battlegroup Dnepr destroys up to 60 Ukrainian troops in past day

Ukrainian army also lost two ammunition depots and a depot

Yesterday, 19:59

Hamas confirms sending negotiators to Cairo

Hamas delegates are expected to discuss "reaching a ceasefire agreement with negotiators from Egypt and Qatar"

Yesterday, 15:50

Officers detain Moldovan opposition blogger at Chisinau airport after his trip to Moscow

Calin visited the Russian capital to take part in an event organized by the Eurasia autonomous non-profit organization

Yesterday, 19:13

White House confirms US, Iran will meet for more talks next Saturday

Talks will resume in Oman on April 19

Two days ago, 16:04

Expert sees Trump's push to bring manufacturing back to US failing

According to Alexander Firanchuk, even if America decides to keep its tariffs in place for the majority of countries, it will take a long time to transfer part of the production to the United States

Two days ago, 11:05

The Times says UK deeply involved in Ukrainian conflict

The newspaper said that the country’s military specialists were secretly deployed to Ukraine in order to equip airplanes with the missiles and train Ukrainians in their use

France, UK preparing military intervention in Odessa — Foreign Ministry

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova dismissed the proposed "coalition of the willing" as nothing more than "a meme"

Yesterday, 17:58

Venezuela reaffirms solid strategic ties with Russia — top diplomat

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil Pinto also said Venezuela is strengthening bilateral ties through diplomacy of peace

Turkey ready to host talks on Ukraine — top diplomat

Turkey’s authorities have repeatedly expressed their support for all initiatives geared toward reaching a fair and lasting peace in Ukraine and their readiness to act as mediators in the settlement effort

Prince Vandal drone to have complete import substitution

The drone was tested in August 2024 during the invasion of the Ukrainian army into the Kursk Region

Two days ago, 18:27

Trump open to trade deal with China — White House

The tariff rate for China "remains where it was yesterday, at the 145% level," Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt noted

Two days ago, 05:34

Ukraine sustaining `colossal casualties’ in Oleshnya in Kursk region — security officer

The Ukrainian army has been struggling to control sectors of the settlement of Oleshnya toward which a group of paratroopers from near Yunakovka had been dispatched

Zelensky’s office official speaks in favor of military service for women

"Maybe we should examine Israel’s example," the deputy head of Vladimir Zelensky’s office, Pavel Palisa, said

Yesterday, 19:12

White House lauds today's talks with Iran as a `step forward’

"Special Envoy Witkoff underscored to Dr. Araghchi that he had instructions from [US] President [Donald] Trump to resolve our two nations’ differences through dialogue and diplomacy," the document reads

25 Oct 2021, 15:32

Putin grants Russian citizenship to actress and singer Natalia Oreiro and her son

Natalia Oreiro said in an interview that she had applied for Russian citizenship in June 2020

Hamas insists on ceasefire, hostage exchange as part of deal with Israel

Hamas delegation is currently in Cairo to discuss with the mediators "prospects for ending the war and opening checkpoints on the border with Gaza" to resume humanitarian deliveries to the enclave

Yesterday, 09:31

Kellogg’s idea on division zones in Ukraine may lead to new escalation — Russia’s diplomat

It is one of the options for freezing the conflict, Rodion Miroshnik said

Germany’s likely new chancellor says new government may begin work on May 6

Then we will have two months before the summer recess to quickly pass some decisions and to let people understand that something is truly changing," Friedrich Merz said

Yesterday, 10:52

Russia-US negotiations progress towards lifting American sanctions — expert

Jeffrey Sachs added that he saw no pressing risks for Russia at the moment regarding US President Donald Trump's policy on customs duties

Su-35S jet provides protection for Russian aviation in Kursk Region — Defense Ministry

"According to reconnaissance reports, the targets were successfully engaged," the ministry stated

Yesterday, 08:46

Putin congratulates space industry workers and veterans on Cosmonautics Day — Kremlin

The Russian president also praised the contribution of specialists from the country's rocket and space complex to the country’s special military operation

Yesterday, 21:51

Certain types of Western weapons proved to be useless in Ukraine — lawmaker

Yegor Chernev, who heads the Ukrainian parliament’s national security committee, said some of Western weapons were nothing but "partners’ money going to waste"

Russian Direct Investment Fund chief convinced Russia-US space cooperation will prevail

"NASA celebrating Gagarin," Kirill Dmitriev said

Number of Ukrainian servicemen who surrendered in Kursk exceeds 500

"There was one foreign mercenary, a Colombian citizen," sources in Russia’s law enforcement said

Two days ago, 22:15

Witkoff calls recognition of Russian regions fastest way to broker ceasefire in Ukraine

In the meeting with US leader Trump, US Presidential Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg pushed back against US special envoy, saying that Ukraine, though willing to negotiate some terms related to disputed land, would never agree to unilaterally cede total ownership of the territories to Russia

Two days ago, 13:56

Russia to allocate over $98 bln for naval development in next 10 years — Putin

The Russian president also noted that before the meeting he had a separate conversation on the issue with Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov

Two days ago, 21:32

Houthis report carrying out strikes on two military targets in Tel Aviv

"Yemen’s armed forces have carried out a military operation, attacking two Israeli military targets in the occupied district of Jaffa," the movement’s military spokesman Yahya Saree said

Two days ago, 14:32

Kallas, EU bodies out of talk on sending troops to Ukraine — UK defense minister

John Healey noted that preparations for a mission in Ukraine were well advanced

Russia-India arrange bike ride in New Delhi to commemorate WWII victory, bilateral ties

The event was organized by the Russian Embassy in India jointly with the Confederation of Indian Cyclists

Two days ago, 14:33

Advanced hardware makes up 100% in Russia’s naval strategic nuclear forces — Putin

Russia should maintain this share in the future as well, the head of state emphasized

Yesterday, 06:23

Trump calls US participation in G20 meetings in South Africa into question

On February 7, the US President signed an executive order cutting off aid to South Africa, citing what he perceived as racial discrimination against the country’s white residents and the threat of lands being confiscated from farmers

Russia says its forces liberated Yelizavetovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic

Russian forces hit a Ukrainian storage site of tactical missiles, an airfield and a training center for drone operators, the Russian Defense Ministry added

Two days ago, 18:03

EU could use Russia's frozen assets as bargaining chip in Ukraine talks — analyst

According to Mariano Gambaro, a return of Western banks to Russia could also be brought up in the potential talks

Yesterday, 03:47

Senegal conducting negotiations on joining BRICS — MFA

Senegal is able to play a positive role in the association, the country’s Foreign Minister Yassine Fall said

Russia has more tools to respond to Japan’s unfriendly policy — senior diplomat

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko recalled that Moscow had already taken "a lot of steps" in response to Tokyo’s unfriendly actions

Yesterday, 15:20

Kremlin slams World Press Photo's withdrawal of invitation to TASS photo correspondent

The organizers earlier said they could not invite Tereshchenko to the award ceremony to be held in May in Amsterdam due to "the increased tensions on the European continent"