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Lukashenko visits central air force, air defense command post — BelTA

On May 9, Alexander Lukashenko attended the Victory Day Parade in Moscow

MINSK, May 15. /TASS/. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has arrived at the central air force and air defense command post, where he will be briefed on the performance of air defense objectives, BelTA reported Monday.

"The head of state is visiting the central air force and air defense command post," the news agency reported.

"No lengthy reports, please. Let’s take a look at what is going on around our country," Lukashenko said, opening the meeting with the military, according to the Pul Pervogo Telegram channel, which is close to the president’s office.

On May 9, Lukashenko attended the Victory Day Parade in Moscow. Upon returning to Minsk, he attended the flower-laying ceremony at Victory Square, but did not deliver a speech. Under his orders, Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin addressed the crowd. Lukashenko was also not seen in public during the celebration of the Day of the Belarusian flag, coat of arms and anthem on May 14. Consequently, a number of media started spreading rumors about Lukashenko’s health.

Scholz says Germany not to send Kiev missiles ‘capable of reaching as far as Moscow’

German Chancellor emphasized the need to explore ways in order to peacefully resolve the Ukraine conflict

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

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Russia’s battlegroup West repels three Ukrainian counterattacks in past day

The Ukrainian army losses in the responsibility zone of the group include a tank, three armored combat vehicles, six vehicles, a Bogdana 155mm self-propelled artillery mount and roughly 600 servicemen

Iran warns about pending response to Israel after Hamas leader Haniyeh’s killing

The head of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s office slammed human rights activists for practicing double standards, when they are "silent while 41,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, mostly women and children, have been killed by the cruel Zionist regime"

Russian diplomat says Nuland’s statements prove US played role in disrupting Ukraine deal

"The West has never been interested in a political and diplomatic settlement of the Ukrainian crisis," Maria Zakharova noted

Battlegroup North liberates two settlements in Kursk Region this week

Apart from that, according to the report, Russian aircraft struck areas of deployment of manpower and weapons of the Ukrainian army’s three mechanized, one tank, and two assault brigades

Israel’s military says it conducts strike on Beirut

The strike was carried out in the wake of the escalation along the Lebanese-Israeli border, which was triggered by a wave of detonations of thousands of communication devices belonging to members of the Shiite movement Hezbollah in Lebanon

US to step up efforts to limit Russia’s fuel exports, defense imports – White House

Sanctions and export controls are "our tools", US Deputy National Security Advisor for International Economics Daleep Singh said

Putin has no plans to attend Mexican president's inauguration — Kremlin

Earlier, the Mexican embassy in Moscow stated that the Russian president had received an invitation to Sheinbaum's inauguration ceremony

Finland’s territory not to be used to attacks against Russia — General Staff

Finnish Defense Forces General Staff noted that it monitors the situation around the attack of Ukrainian drones in the Murmansk Region

No more red lines for Israel, any Hezbollah radical is legitimate target — PM’s office

The Israel Defense Forces said earlier that a pinpoint strike was delivered on Beirut that killed Hezbollah Shiite militia commander Ibrahim Aqil and several other Hezbollah commanders

Russia sanctions likely to dilute US dollar’s dominance, IMF says

Radical restrictive measures imposed by Western countries may contribute to the emergence of small currency blocs based on trade between certain groups of states, IMF’s first deputy managing director Gita Gopinath pointed out

Ukrainian troops attack two settlements in Russia’s Belgorod region, leaving no casualties

Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov added that in the settlement of Murom, the Shebekinsky district, the windows of a private house were broken out, the roof and fence were damaged due to a drone attack

Ministerial meeting in Turkey within 3+3 platform on South Caucasus in the works — MFA

The six-party platform for regional cooperation in the South Caucasus was initiated by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in late 2020

Only Lebanese hospitals, kindergartens used exploded pagers — Iranian ambassador

Multiple explosions of communication devices occurred in Lebanon on September 17 and 18

TASS reporter onboard ISS Oleg Kononenko assumes command of space station

During the ceremony, the Danish astronaut handed over to the Russian colleague the symbolic key to the station and the crew rang the ship’s bell

Russian forces take control of two settlements in Kursk Region

According to Major General Apty Alaudinov, the entire frontline in moving forward, with Ukrainian soldiers surrendering

Russia, China, countries of global South seek just world order — Putin

"We will do everything to prepare relevant decisions on the basis of consensus, customary in our relations," the Russian leader stressed

Russians abroad cast their votes for Putin, Kremlin spokesman notes

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Gazprom warns Naftogaz about possible Russian sanctions if transit trial continues

Gazprom also believes that the current circumstances deprive it of its fundamental right to a fair and impartial hearing in court

Theft of Russian assets to nullify trust towards EU — MFA

Maria Zakharova pointed out that the European Union had lost independence

Strikes at Beirut and shelling of Lebanon: escalation on Lebanese-Israeli border

The IDF has also intensified the hostilities in the northern direction and started carrying out massive airstrikes at Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon

Ukraine's budget deficit next year will reach 19.4% of GDP

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Russian Federation Council Speaker calls detonations in Lebanon a 'heinous attack'

Valentina Matviyenko noted that Russia’s position regarding the ongoing escalation in the Middle East was "clearly stated by the Russian Foreign Ministry and the Russian Representative to the UN"

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"It has been decided that we will switch to the domestic VK-800 engine," Anton Alikhanov said

Hezbollah handing out pagers hours before their detonation — agency

The sources said that the Shiite movement did not have any specific suspicions about these pagers and their "checks had been part of a routine 'sweep' of its equipment to find any indications that they were laced with explosives"

Russia to accept advanced robotic mine-clearing vehicles in 2018

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Hezbollah attacks Israeli military headquarters in Ein-Zeitim

The statement said that the Shiite units conducted these operations in response to the Israeli Air Force strikes on Lebanese populated localities

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"A real dialogue between the parties, aimed at strengthening mutual trust and solving pressing issues of interaction, is needed now rather than just idle declarations," Maria Zakharova stated

Report on alternative payment systems will be prepared by BRICS summit in Kazan — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister also drew attention to the growth of trade in national currencies between Russia and other countries

Russia's newest satellites to change course of Ukrainian conflict — former UN inspector

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Russian prime minister approves list of countries imposing destructive attitudes

It includes the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan and other states

Stoltenberg's statements on use of long-range missiles against Russia senseless — MFA

According to the outgoing NATO Secretary-General, Ukraine's use of long-range missiles will not lead to the alliance being drawn into a conflict with Russia

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Russia is committed to Israel’s security, but not at others’ expense — Lavrov

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Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, September 20th

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"Most positions around the city, including those at the most important sites and heights are Russian, the whole city is exposed to fire," the sources explained

Russian Chess Federation head urges not to turn world of chess into battlefield

"Under current conditions, the Ukrainian Chess Federation should become an example of improving and fostering peaceful co-existence instead of opening new frontlines, and serve as an example for their political elite," President of the Chess Federation of Russia Andrey Filatov said

Over 6,200 Kursk Region residents evacuated from border areas over week

Around 11,000 people are currently staying in temporary accommodation centers across 32 Russian regions

Russia's military to restore control of all districts of Kursk Region — Kremlin

"The situation in those areas which are under the control of the Ukrainian militants is extraordinary, of course," Dmitry Peskov stated

Media people from global majority to gather at BRICS Media Summit in Moscow

Panel discussions will cover the role of the BRICS media community in bolstering stability in a multipolar world

Senior Hezbollah commander killed in Beirut was injured in Sep 18 walkie-talkie blast — TV

Ibrahim Aqil was appointed to replace Fuad Shukr, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike on the southern suburb of Beirut on July 30

Attempts made to provoke Hezbollah with aim of US interference in war — Lavrov

Lavrov pointed put that without this, recurrent outbreaks of violence will never stop in the Middle East

Telegram marks Trump’s channel with over 550,000 subscribers as fake

The account was not verified by Telegram’s administration. There were no comments about the channel’s authenticity from the White House

Diplomat slams statements that CSTO 'did not protect Armenia' as untrue

Maria Zakharova emphasized that Russia in its relations with Armenia continues to advocate "for full-scale bilateral dialogue, for cooperation, for a return from manipulative rhetoric to real full-fledged interaction, including in the work of the CSTO"

Turkish banks want to stop transactions with Russia, transfer them to one bank — source

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Russia fully ready to defend its interests in Arctic — Lavrov

The minister to say that NATO is becoming increasingly interested in the Arctic region

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Over 30 foreign leaders invited to BRICS summit in Kazan, 18 RSVP — Kremlin

"We have not organized such a large-scale international event in quite a long time," Yury Ushakov underlined

Moscow issues note of protests to Yerevan after Armenian diplomat’s visit to Bucha

Following inadmissible statements against Russia and made there and assistance for the needs of the Ukrainian army, we have sent a note of protest to the Armenian foreign ministry, said Maria Zakharova

Ukrainian forces in difficult situation in Kursk Region, try gain foothold — commander

Major General Apty Alaudinov added that, on Thursday, he visited the rightmost flank of the Russian troops on the Kursk direction - near cities of Rylsk and Lgov

Procedure to enter Russia for foreigners not sharing Western values simplified

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Cases against Ukrainian servicemen: situation in Kursk Region

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According to the NOS television channel, the attack occurred near the Erasmusbrug bridge in the city center

Florida court rules to arrest Russian citizen Postovoy, take him to Washington

The date of the next court hearing, to take place in Washington, has not been set yet

West’s attempts to turn UNGA into pro-Ukrainian show doomed to fail — Russian MFA

"The UN General Assembly always encompasses a very broad agenda," Sergey Ryabkov stressed

Lavrov says he agrees with Trump about destructiveness of sanctions for US dollar

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Russia will not 'shoot itself in the foot' by halting gas supplies — Lavrov

According to the top Russian diplomat, for many decades, since the times of the Soviet Union, since the 1970s, Moscow has been establishing mutually beneficial cooperation in gas supplies

Russia wants no nuclear war — Lavrov

The foreign minister still assured that Russia possesses weapons "that will have serious implications for the handlers of the Ukrainian regime"

Ukrainian drones attack Kamenka-Dneprovskaya in Zaporozhye Region

"Another cynical attack by terrorists for whom nothing is sacred," Governor Yevgeny Balitsky said

Senior Russian lawmaker warns that calls for long-range strikes open way to nuclear war

Vyacheslav Volodin commented on a recent resolution of the European Parliament to allow strikes inside Russia with Western weapons

Kiev still plans to attack Kursk NPP — Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova pointed out that the US and the UK were behind all of Kiev's crimes

Zelensky may be overthrown if Ukraine fails to hold elections — Ukrainian MP

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Hezbollah commanders wanted to repeat October 7 in northern Israel — General Staff

The IDF said that it had conducted a targeted strike in Beirut, adding that Ibrahim Aqil, a military commander of Hezbollah’s militia, was killed along with other top brass

Ukrainian breakthrough attempts thwarted: developments in Kursk Region

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Russia to explain risks of cooperation with NATO to post-Soviet countries — MFA

"No doubt, such voyages of representatives of the aggressive military bloc do not contribute to regional stability and security," Maria Zakharova said

Hezbollah fires anti-tank missiles at Israeli positions in Metula

According to the broadcast, at least three of them hit targets

UN human rights commissioner slams blasts in Lebanon as war crime

The UN official called for bringing those behind these blasts to responsibility under international law and protecting civilians in conflict zoes

EU will grant loan to Kiev that will be paid from frozen Russian assets — EC president

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Russia firmly committed to principles of UN Charter unlike West — Lavrov

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As many as 750 wildfires leave 24 houses burned in DPR over past 5 days

A total of 800 employees of the Russian Emergencies Ministry and more than 150 units of special equipment are involved in firefighting effort

Two-thirds of Abrams tanks in Ukraine already destroyed — Russia’s deputy OSCE envoy

As Maxim Buyakevich noted, the discussion is afoot in the West about the possibility of using high-accuracy long-range weapons against facilities deep inside Russian territory

Tver region governor says no serious injuries in drone attack on Toropets

Earlier reports said a fire occurred at the scene where drone fragments fell in Toropets

Kadyrov send two more Cybertucks to special military operation zone

"The electric car’s mobility, comfort and maneuverability are what is needed here," the Chechen leader said

West is persuading Ukraine to give up claims to 1991 borders — legislator

Yegor Chernev shared a "feeling" that the Western world is ready to declare as a victory for Ukraine at least the fact that "Kiev has not fallen" and that it "has not lost its sovereignty"

Russian aviation wipes out base of Ukrainian militants in DPR — expert

The Russian Aerospace Forces delivered a strike with a glide munition

Mexico's Interjet refutes media reports it's 'cannibalizing' SSJ-100 planes

Earlier this month, Bloomberg reported about the so-called "cannibalization" of the SSJ-100 aircraft within the Interjet fleet

US volunteer Russel Bentley missing in Donetsk killed — RT editor-in-chief

Bentley came to Donbass from the United States in 2014

North Korea convinced Russia to win special military operation in Ukraine — top diplomat

"The North Korean people express their support for the Russian people in their just struggle," Choe Son Hui stressed

Russian Central Election Commission reveals number of polling stations outside of Russia

Pavel Andreyev noted that, under elections law, polling stations outside of Russia can be set up in exceptional cases by the heads of foreign institutions no later than five days before the first day of voting

Zelensky says Ukrainian troops in extremely difficult situation in two DPR areas

The situation on the frontline remains extremely difficult, Ukrainian President said

Putin instructs authorities to support small producers of drones

The Russian leader noted that products manufactured by small enterprises, including drones, are not inferior in quality to those made by large ones

Ukrainian forces lost up to 520 troops in Battlegroup West zone of responsibility

The enemy also lost six vehicles, a UK-made 155-mm Braveheart self-propelled howitzer, two 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer and two electronic warfare stations

Hollywood actor Alec Baldwin lauds Russian figure skater’s ‘gift of heart-stopping beauty’

Kamila Valieva secured first place in the short and free programs as part of the team tournament

Six Hezbollah elite unit Radwan commanders killed by Israel’s airstrike o Beirut

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West switches to open support for Kiev's terrorist attacks against civilians — MFA

"The West continues to supply arms and money to the Kiev regime, propose pseudo-peace initiatives, and try to rally as many countries as possible to their side," Maria Zakharova said

Russia cautions Chisinau against involvement in Ukrainian conflict — Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova drew attention to the speculations about Romania's plans for redirecting to Moldova the mobile maintenance stations for F-16 fighter jets received by Bucharest for their subsequent deployment at the Marculesti airbase

Pentagon seeks repeal of ban on ‘Azov’ funding from US military budget — Lavrov

US President Joe Biden signed the $858 billion defense budget for fiscal year 2023 on Friday

Scholz says Germany not to send Kiev missiles ‘capable of reaching as far as Moscow’

German Chancellor emphasized the need to explore ways in order to peacefully resolve the Ukraine conflict

In case of deep strikes Russia to respond with more powerful weapons — Duma speaker

According to Vyacheslav Volodin, it is crucial for the parliaments of the United States and European countries to "understand and realize what can happen"

Russian units strike energy facilities of Ukrainian military-industrial complex

Russia’s battlegroup Center has continued to advance into enemy defenses and wiped out more than 500 Ukrainian servicemen over the past 24 hours, the Defense Ministry said

Ukrainian forces create concentration camps in Russian border areas — diplomat

Maria Zakharova pointed out that one of the Ukrainian prisoners of war reported an attack on a passenger train being prepared in the Kursk Region

Kremlin slams Poland's idea to revise Crimea's status 'absurd'

"Russian territory and Russian regions cannot be the subject of any discussion or transfer to anyone," Dmitry Peskov emphasized

US seeks to drive wedge between Russia, Argentina — ambassador

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Russia’s Akhmat special force destroys military storage facility in Kursk direction

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Physicists from Russia to be banned from Large Hadron Collider from December 1 — Nature

At the same time, CERN will continue to work on projects already underway with about 270 employees of the Russian Joint Institute for Nuclear Research