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US undercover operatives conduct anti-drug operation in Venezuela targeting Maduro — AP

The operation was reportedly carried out "unilaterally and without notifying Venezuelan officials"

WASHINGTON, February 1./TASS/. The US Drug Enforcement Administration planted undercover agents in Venezuela "to surreptitiously record and build drug-trafficking cases against the country’s leadership," including President Nicolas Maduro, according to a secret memo obtained by The Associated Press (AP).

According to the document, the US was for years conducting "this operation unilaterally and without notifying Venezuelan officials," the AP said, adding that the investigation "targeted dozens of people, including Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro."

The DEA and Justice Department declined to answer the news agency’s questions about the document.

"While there's no clear mechanism to hold the United States accountable legally, the revelation threatens to roil already fraught relations with Maduro’s socialist government," the AP went on to say.

Last week, Maduro accused the CIA and DEA of trying to destabilize the country. In his view, these agencies "act independently as imperialist criminal organizations."

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Iran to vote in presidential election runoff

The results are expected to be known in the morning of July 6

US and its satellites’ unceremonious policy provoked crisis in Ukraine — Putin

"We have repeatedly put on the negotiations table our concrete proposals regarding this issue," the Russian president noted

Tucker Carlson announces interview with Zelensky

The exact date when the interview will be published was not disclosed

Ukraine uses ATACMS missiles against civilian targets as well — Russian general

Ukraine is using ATACMS missiles as well in an attempt to intimidate its people, Andrey Semyonov said

Erdogan not a possible mediator in Ukraine talks — Kremlin spokesman

Dmitry Peskov confirmed that at today’s meeting, Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Vladimir Putin touched upon the conflict in Ukraine

First regiment of S-500 air defense systems to defend Moscow — source

The S-500 will replace the S-400 Triumph air defense system

Putin takes part in SCO summit in Astana

The participants will recap the organization’s work in 2023-2024

Zelensky rejects idea of ceasefire

According to the Ukrainian president, a ceasefire would only freeze the conflict, not end it, so there needs to be a clear plan about what comes next

US, UK delivered 19 strikes on Yemen in one week — Houthi leader

The leader of the Ansar Allah movement, Abdel Malek al-Houthi, advised Arab and Muslim countries to show caution so that Washington could not launch its attacks on Yemen from their sovereign territories

Apple blocked 25 mobile apps of VPN services — regulator

The ban on distributing information in the Internet that advertises or popularizes tools to bypass blockings is effective in Russia since March 1 of this year

US-made Patriot systems failed even to protect themselves — Russian general

In the course of the special military operation, Russian air defense systems confirmed their potential to repel strikes by all types of enemy air attack capabilities, Andrey Semyonov said

US national Woodland sentenced to 12.5 years in prison for attempted drug sale

During the hearing, the prosecutor asked for 12 years in a penal colony

US military destroys Houthi radar station in Yemen

They US military destroyed two Iranian-backed Houthi uncrewed surface vessels

US-led coalition’s Typhoon fighter comes dangerously close to Russian An-30 in Syria

In all, aircraft of the US-led international coalition violated Syrian airspace in the Al-Tanf zone 12 times over the past 24 hours

Russian troops destroy first Tunguska anti-aircraft missile system in Ukraine operation

Russia’s Southern Battlegroup inflicted roughly 450 casualties on the Ukrainian army and destroyed two enemy tanks in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Lukashenko sounds alarm on Ukrainian troop movements near Belarusian border

Earlier, Minsk reported Ukrainian troops amassing on the border with Belarus. General Chief-of-Staff Pavel Muraveiko noted the active movement of Ukrainian forces, periodic drone flights across the border and the activization of reconnaissance of Belarusian territory

Russian air defense troops downed over 550 planes, 120 helicopters during special op

"The battlefield and point air defense of the Russian military has shown itself to be up to the task during large-scale combat operations in the zone of the special military operation," Russian Air and Missile Defense Forces Commander Lt. Gen. Andrey Semyonov said

Ukrainian military bringing reserves to Kharkov area amid heavy losses — expert

According to Vitaly Kiselyov, the Ukrainian military will be amassing forces and capabilities at its alternate positions in the Kharkov frontline area

Much-vaunted Patriots can’t even defend themselves

In the course of the special military operation, it was confirmed that Russian air defense systems have the potential to repel strikes by all types of enemy air attack capabilities

Russian forces destroy another US-made Abrams tank in Ukraine

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, it was destroyed in the Avdeyevka area with the use of a Msta-S self-propelled gun

Kanye West leaves Moscow

Designer Gosha Rubchinskiy was seeing him off

Russia develops single-use combat drone to intercept enemy UAVs

It is noted that before destroying an enemy UAV, the Vogan must get a corresponding command from an operator who makes a decision based on the image from the drone’s video camera

Transnistria accuses OSCE PA of waging hybrid war against unrecognized republic

The Foreign Ministry slammed the statement that "the unresolved status of the region has led to the strengthening of local repressive mechanisms" and that "the 5+2 format is not functional"

Israel declares 1,270 hectares in West Bank 'state lands' — human rights activists

"The declaration of state land is one of the main methods by which the State of Israel seeks to assert control over land in the occupied territories," the human rights organization Shalom Achshav said

Iran’s acting president offers discussing SCO single currency creation

Tehran views the SCO as a major instrument for increasing the factor of multilateralization in the region, Mohammad Mokhber noted

Russian economy deviates from base case scenario — Central Bank

According to regulator's Governor Elvira Nabiullina, discussions on the rate increase will be on the agenda in July

Russian commander predicts Ukraine conflict will end this fall

According to Apty Alaudinov, officials in Kiev have figured out that the war is nearing an end

Press review: Kiev puts out negotiation feelers and Moscow to put OSCE membership on ice

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, July 2nd

US experts brief UN journalists about their visit to Donbass

The briefing was organized by Russia’s permanent mission to the United Nations

Houthi leader says group attacked more than 160 ships in Red, Arabian Seas so far

According to the report, six ships came under attack over the past week alone, with weapons including ballistic and cruise missiles, drones and speed boats

Gazprom Export wins court ruling to halt Axpo Solutions' arbitration abroad

The court ruled that the Austrian company will have to pay Gazprom Export about 623.2 mln euros, if it violates the ban

US intelligence interrogated RT reporter at New York airport for several hours - embassy

Konstantin Rozhkov came to the USA to shoot a documentary about America in the run-up to the presidential election

One of biggest Democratic donors says Biden should step aside

US President have to to allow a vigorous Democratic leader to beat Donald Trump at the elections, Reed Hastings said

Russia ready to start producing short-range, medium-range missiles — Putin

Moscow can give a mirror-like response in case US short-and medium-range missiles are placed in any region of the world, the Russian leader noted

Tankman who hijacked Ukrainian tank gets Russian citizenship

Maxim Likhachev described it as a "long-awaited document"

Russian defense ministry reports losses among Russian troops during special operation

Konashenkov also said that several Russian soldiers have been taken prisoner

Two Syrian servicemen wounded in militant attack in Idlib

In a separate development, the Russian military police conducted patrol missions in the provinces of Raqqa and Al Hasakah

India seeks to join planetary mission ahead of Apophis asteroid passing close to Earth

The Indian space agency eyes an opportunity of studying the object when it is 32,000 km away from Earth in 2029

Putin did not discuss idea to hold peace summit on Ukraine with Xi Jinping — Kremlin

Russian president and his chinese counterpart held negotiations in Astana on July 3

Financial isolation may occur only if world does not need Russian goods — Central Bank

"Payments are made while they are needed, and economic entities in many countries need our market; the economic interest is in place," Governor Elvira Nabiullina said

Russia faces unprecedented air defense challenges during special op — general

The use of factory-made and improvised unmanned aerial vehicles, which are made with special composite materials to reduce their visibility and are capable of flying at extremely low altitudes, has become unprecedented, Andrey Semyonov said

Ukraine needs some 200,000 recruits to address troop shortages — newspaper

In order to address its troop shortage, Kiev reportedly needs to recruit at least 50,000 people every quarter

Port infrastructure damaged in Odessa Region — mayor

Earlier, the media reported explosions in Odessa, as well as in the port of the city of Chernomorsk

List of countries interested in cooperation with BRICS constantly growing — MFA

Sergey Ryabkov pointed out that one of the key priorities of Russia's BRICS chairmanship in terms of the association's expansion is to ensure "the smooth integration of new participants into the existing cooperation system"

Iran to vote in presidential election runoff

The results are expected to be known in the morning of July 6

Six hospitalized after drone attack on south Russia’s Primorsko-Akhtarsk

A three-storey apartment building and a power substation were damaged

Ashgabat ready to build up hydrocarbon supplies to SCO countries — Turkmen leader

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow also invited the SCO countries to participate in the implementation of energy and communications projects in Afghanistan

Beijing opposes Germany's politicization of economic cooperation — Chinese MFA

"We hope Germany will provide a fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment for companies from China and elsewhere in the world," Mao Ning said

Bank of Russia has all data of OTC operations for currency rates

"We are going to post detailed methodology in the near time," Elvira Nabiullina said

Press review: Putin takes meetings with world leaders and Biden donors run for the hills

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, July 4th

SCO urges development of cooperation on energy security — declaration

The document notes that interested member states that have opted for the use of peaceful nuclear energy will develop cooperation on voluntary and mutually agreed terms in the field of research, innovation, development and implementation of civil nuclear technologies in accordance with national legislation

Putin doesn’t see chance of reaching agreement on Ukraine through mediator

The Russian leader doubted any mediator would be delegated enough powers to bring the matters to signing the final documents

US analyst says Biden, Trump misinformed about situation in Ukraine

Both politicians appear to be incompetent about some important issues, according to the professor of political science at the University of Rhode Island Nicolai Petro

Hezbollah claims Israeli division headquarters in Golan Heights destroyed

According to the statement, this operation was carried out in response to the assassination of Hezbollah military commander Mohammed Naame Nasser by an Israeli drone

Russian diplomat blasts Kiev’s reaction to Orban’s peace initiative as smokescreen

After his talks in Kiev on Tuesday, Viktor Orban proposed that Ukraine consider a ceasefire as a step toward starting talks with Russia to settle the armed conflict at a press briefing

Combating terrorism, national currencies: key takeaways from Putin’s SCO comments

Russia attaches great importance to cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which "continues to develop progressively on the principles of equal rights, consideration of each other's interests"

Belarus officially joins SCO as 10th member

In this regard, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated his Belarusian counterpart, Alexander Lukashenko

Russia has unified air defense system on its entire territory, including special op zone

"It can be said now that none of the world's other militaries has experience in creating air defense concentrations of this magnitude," Russian Air and Missile Defense Forces Commander Lt. Gen. Andrey Semyonov said

Cashless payments in Russia expected to reach 84-85% — Central Bank

"We see growth and that its pace is maintained," the regulator pointed out

Conflict in Ukraine could be stopped if strong foundation for peace is created — Erdogan

According to the statement, the Turkish leader affirmed Ankara's intention to "continue to strive for peace"

Russian stock market indices in the red on Thursday — market data

The MOEX Russia Index lost 2.16% to 3,133.81 points, while the RTS Index plunged by 2.35% to 1,120.31 points

Ukraine’s military admits retreat in Chasov Yar in DPR

DPR defense circles told TASS on July 3 that Ukrainian troops had abandoned their positions in the east of Chasov Yar and were trying to reinforce defenses in the town’s western part. Russia’s Defense Ministry reported on July 3 that Russian troops had fully liberated the Novy neighborhood in Chasov Yar

Talks about common parliament, currency in Russia and Belarus premature — Putin

"Nobody says in general that this is impossible or this should not be or need not be done," the Russian leader pointed out

Russia uncertain if Ukraine would reciprocate with ceasefire — Putin

The Russian president said that Moscow ultimately "faced deception again as all agreements [involving the troops withdrawal], which had been reached in Istanbul, were thrown in the trash"

Biden to drop out of election race, to be replaced by Harris, Trump thinks

The US presidential candidate said that it will be easier to compete against Harris whom he considers "pathetic"

Multipolar world becomes reality, Putin says

The Russian president noted that "an increasing number of countries are calling for a fairer world order and express determination to defend their legitimate rights and traditional values; new centers of power and economic development are emerging and growing stronger"

Use of power methods rising in global politics — SCO declaration

The document starts from stating that "tectonic shifts are underway" in global politics, economy and other areas now

Russia developing new Kh-95 long-range hypersonic missile

Colonel-General Vladimir Zarudnitsky noted that such advanced and upgraded armaments were being developed to achieve supremacy in the aerospace, which is a vital condition for ground and naval groupings of forces to conduct combat operations successfully

Istanbul principles could launch dialogue, but Kiev rejects them — Kremlin spokesman

The spokesman pointed out Moscow’s principal position, which says that these agreements may become a basis for the settlement, which, however, "does not mean that they may become a basis point by point"

Russia, Iran have almost identical approaches to key global issues — Putin

The Russian president asked Mohammad Mokhber to "pass along his wishes for good health and prosperity to Iran's Supreme Leader" Ali Khamenei

Zambia interested in fuel supplies from Russia — Russian ambassador

Azim Yarakhmedov also noted that Zambia is very interested in attracting Russian business and investment

US defense weapons plant rocked by explosion, casualties reported — AP

According to the news agency, the plant manufactures 105mm to 155mm artillery shells

Russian Navy to receive advanced Futlyar torpedoes

The new torpedoes will equip the Project 955A Borey-A (NATO reporting name: Dolgorukiy-class), Project 885 Yasen-class (Severodvinsk-class) and Project 885M Yasen-M in the first place

Labour Party has solid lead in UK parliament elections — exit poll

The opposition party is projected to win 410 seats in the parliament

FSB declassifies document shedding light on SS atrocities in 1941 Ukraine

Isenmann testified during his interrogation that his platoon, part of the Wiking Division, arrived in Lvov immediately after the Germans occupied it - at the end of June and the beginning of July 1941

SCO countries to deepen cooperation in information security

It is reported that SCO's members consider it important to ensure equal rights for all countries to regulate the Internet as well as their sovereign right to manage it as they wish within their borders

Putin’s visit to Turkey remains on agenda — spokesman

Exact dates are not known at this point, they are yet to be agreed upon, Dmitry Peskov said

Putin insists Ukraine rejected peace talks on US instructions

"It was Ukraine that rejected negotiations, and it did so publicly and on direct instructions" from London and Washington, the Russian leader stressed

Armenia ready for strategic partnership with US — PM

According to Nikol Pashinyan, "Armenia greatly values the role of the United States in the peace-building process in our region and deeply appreciates the US support for the sovereignty, independence, democracy, territorial integrity and inviolability of the borders of the Republic of Armenia in accordance with the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration"

Transformation of Russian economy is marathon with barriers — Central Bank chief

"We therefore need to estimate forces and understand how we work with constraints," Elvira Nabiullina added

Russia strikes Ukrainian military-industrial sites, oil refinery over past day — top brass

Russia’s Dnepr Battlegroup inflicted roughly 140 casualties on the Ukrainian army in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported

Labour Party leads UK parliament election with 10% of ballots counted

According to preliminary results, Labour Party members have already won 55 parliament seats, the Conservative Party got only six

Almost 70% of Chasov Yar liberated — lawmaker

There is concrete, there are concrete fortifications, as it is not a bare steppe, said Viktor Vodolatsky

Russian court bans Slovak company from conducting legal dispute with Gazprom Export abroad

In case of violation of the ban, the court ruled to recover 3.62 mln euros from the Slovak company in favor of Gazprom Export

Reasonable people in West to consider Putin’s plan in the future — Kremlin spokesman

Meanwhile, according to Dmitry Peskov, "this does not mean that more reasonable people in the collective West and in Ukraine itself have not considered this plan"

Russian Pacific Fleet corvette sails together with Chinese naval ships in joint patrol

The Russian-Chinese joint naval group is set to conduct anti-submarine and air defense drills and practice search and rescue measures at sea during their joint patrol, the Fleet’s press office specified

Effect of fiscal changes on inflation neutral — Central Bank

According to Governor of the Central Bank Elvira Nabiullina, the budget rule does not change

US-based F1 Team Haas to return race car to Russia’s Uralkali by court ruling

Uralkali has already sent a letter to Haas with details for delivery of the race car used in the 2021 season

Russia makes efforts to settle crisis in Middle East — Putin

According to the Russian president, the situation "could be resolved in principle only if the corresponding UN decisions are implemented"

India’s Modi to visit Russia on July 8-9 — Kremlin

Russian Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov tod a press briefing that the Kremlin views the visit as a key priority

Russian air defenses engage aerial targets above Rostov — governor

Details are being verified

Scholz vows Germany will never be party to Ukraine conflict

Germany is Ukraine’s second largest military equipment donor after the United States

US surveillance drones can be stopped by MiG-31 jets, air defense systems — analyst

Igor Korotchenko said the most effective way to fight such targets is to use long-range surface-to-air missile systems, such as the S-400 or S-300V, which are armed with long-range SAMs, as well as use air-to-air missiles carried by MiG-31s

Russia’s plan on Ukraine could immediately end hostilities, Putin reiterates

The Russian leader also thanked SCO member countries for their efforts in pursuit of the same goal

China, Turkey share similar views on Ukrainian issue — Xi Jinping

The Chinese president underscored the need for close contacts between Beijing and Ankara

Security of member states remains central to SCO’s mission — Putin

The Russian president emphasized that a special cooperation program approved at the Astana summit would facilitate the fight against separatism and extremism in the SCO countries

Iskander missiles destroy Ukrainian MiG-29 at Dolgintsevo air base — defense ministry

Ballistic missile delivered at the base in the Dnepropetrovsk region

Icon replicas Putin gifted to military bought from private US collection — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov highlighted the special significance of icons in Russian military history and added that the image of Savior Not Made by Hand has been the protective icon of Russian troops over several centuries

Bank of Russia sees complication of situation with cross-border payments

Elvira Nabiullina added that the business is adapting to the situation and the Central Bank is helping it in this aspect

Press review: Orban heads to Kiev to make bid for peace and what's behind Turkey protests

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, July 3rd