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CIA sees no signs of Russia’s preparations to use nuclear weapons — head

"We do not see today any concrete preparations for the potential use of nuclear weapons," William Burns said

CIA Director William Burns Al Drago/ Pool via AP

CIA Director William Burns

© Al Drago/ Pool via AP

NEW YORK, July 21. /TASS/. The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of the United States sees no signs of Russia’s preparations to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine, CIA Director William Burns has told the Aspen Security Forum.

"We do not see today any concrete preparations for the potential use of nuclear weapons," he said, adding that "the nuclear saber rattling <…> is reckless and deeply irresponsible."

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in late September 2022 that all situations where Russia may potentially use nuclear weapons had been clearly spelled out in its military doctrine.

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Middle East conflict

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

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

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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

FMBA plans to roll out new cancer vaccine in 2025

Veronika Skvortsova noted that parallel studies are being conducted on vaccines for various cancers, including melanoma, skin cancer, and glioblastoma, a malignant brain tumor

US, European officials suggest returning nukes to Ukraine — NYT

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Putin, Turkish president hold phone talks — Kremlin

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Russia encircles largest Ukrainian fortification in southern DPR — security services

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

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Ukraine abandons Selidovo, laying mines in wells — security services

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NATO spies study damage from Oreshnik at Yuzhmash — expert

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Any escalation scenario possible in Ukraine conflict — Medvedev

According to the politician, Western nations need to understand that they are fighting on Ukraine’s side

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

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, November 19th

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

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

According to al-Maliki, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is the only obstacle to a ceasefire in Gaza

Turkey to investigate causes of Russian Superjet emergency at Antalya airport

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

Three Ukrainians almost freeze to death trying to flee into Hungary across Tizsa

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Europe unable to wage war attrition on Russia — Ukraine’s ex-commander-in-chief

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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"

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

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

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Ukrainian army mercenaries from Colombia linked to US-controlled drug cartels — expert

Commenting on the motivation of Colombian fighters to join the hostilities in Ukraine, Alexander Stepanov explained that it is linked to the situation in the South American drug trafficking market

Romanian presidential candidate vows to end military aid to Ukraine

It is pointed out that Simion’s popularity has propelled him to number two in the polls after Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu

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

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"

Putin appoints envoy for international criminal and legal cooperation

Ilya Rogachev is the first person to ever hold this office

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

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

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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

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

Ukrainians have never seen the promised freedom, Viktor Medvedchuk noted

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

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

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Moscow doing everything to bring Russian citizens back home — Kremlin spokesman

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Fire at Tupras oil refinery extinguished

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France, UK will have to pay for their helping Ukraine strike inside Russia — diplomat

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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

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.

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

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Emergence of new weapons changed canons of war, Medvedev says

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US-led coalition aircraft violate Syrian airspace 16 times in past day

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