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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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Unless de-escalation is reached through diplomacy, Israel will have no other choice except to use all means for protection of its citizens, Danny Danon said

Theft of Russian assets to nullify trust towards EU — MFA

Maria Zakharova pointed out that the European Union had lost independence

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

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Russia welcomes normalization of Iran’s relations with Arab countries — Lavrov

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Medvedev allows use of nuclear weapons by Russia when ‘patience runs out’

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Israel to continue operations in northern areas until all residents return to their homes

On September 17, the Israeli military political cabinet said that the return of residents, who were evacuated from Israeli settlements near the border with Lebanon amid Hezbollah shelling attacks, was added to the list of official objectives of Israel’s military campaign

Ten Ukrainian drones destroyed over Russia’s Bryansk Region — governor

There are no casualties or damage

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Hezbollah handing out pagers hours before their detonation — agency

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Ukrainian forces create concentration camps in Russian border areas — diplomat

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Russian prime minister approves list of countries imposing destructive attitudes

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Vasily Nebenzya stressed that Russia was waiting for the UN to "send a clear signal to Western donors regarding the need to lift unilateral illegal sanctions and actively support long-term development reconstruction"

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

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Russia wants no nuclear war — Lavrov

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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

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

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

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

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

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Cases against Ukrainian servicemen: situation in Kursk Region

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Explosions in Lebanon pose interest for Russian intelligence — Kremlin spokesman

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

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Hezbollah fires anti-tank missiles at Israeli positions in Metula

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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

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According to Reuters, the new package will include patrol boats, additional munitions for high-mobility artillery rocket systems

Evacuation starts in Kuban settlement due to explosion after drone fragments fall

Two unmanned aerial vehicles have been downed near Tikhoretsk

Serbian citizens sincerely appreciate Putin - deputy PM

According to Aleksandar Vulin, the Russian president "is appreciated because he fights for the values we believe in"

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

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

Only Lebanese hospitals, kindergartens used exploded pagers — Iranian ambassador

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

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

Twenty Hezbollah commanders killed in Israeli strike on Beirut — Axios

The news website cited a senior Israeli official who confirmed that Israel had not informed the US in advance of the preparations for the attack on Beirut, "but briefed senior US officials on the matter immediately after it was carried out"

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

Russia, China do not need to create military alliance — Lavrov

Those relations are the best in the whole history of ties that existed between two countries, Foreign Minister added

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"

Nazi Germany’s Gestapo officers accompanied Katyn commission

Аs follows from testimonies by a laboratory technician, the German Army’s Senior Ensign Ludwig Schneider, contained in the declassified FSB archive materials

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

Ursula von der Leyen stressed that 35 billion euros is the part which the European countries will contribute to the 45 billion euro loan approved by the G7 in Italy in the summer

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

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

Ukrainian troops captured: situation in Kursk Region

In total, the enemy has lost over 11,800 servicemen since fighting began in the region

Press review: US shifts rhetoric on Ukraine and walkie-talkie explosions rock Lebanon

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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"

Russia delivers urgent assistance to Mali — portal

The delivery was organized as part of military cooperation between Russia and Mali to boost defense and security ties

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

The country's Finance Ministry reported earlier that Ukraine's national debt has grown by $3.2 bln in three months to $155.36 bln

EP resolution regarding strikes on Russia madness, EU seeks war — French politician

According to Florian Filippot, France should urgently withdraw from the EU and advocate for a peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian conflict

EU plans to extend the freeze of Bank of Russia’s assets for 36 months from January 2025

The European official stressed that for this decision to come into force, all EU countries must unanimously approve it by the end of the year