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SCO states to continue coordinating steps on combating drugs at UN platform — declaration

The member states "underscored the importance of the implementation of international conventions on drug control and the corresponding SCO legal documents"

ASTANA, July 4. /TASS/. Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states will continue to coordinate its actions on combating drug trafficking at UN platforms, says the Astana declaration of the SCO Heads of State Council.

"The member states will continue to coordinate their positions on drug-related issues in relevant UN bodies and other international organizations and structures," says the document, published by the Kremlin press office. In this context, the SCO states "welcome another special event of the SCO and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime in Vienna on March 20, 2024."

The member states "underscored the importance of the implementation of international conventions on drug control and the corresponding SCO legal documents" and "decided to establish cooperation between the SCO Secretariat and the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre for combating the illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors (CARICC) via signing a corresponding memorandum."

Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Israel hits Hamas weapons manufacturing facility in school territory in Gaza

Simultaneously, the IDF struck a Hamas weapons manufacturing facility embedded by the terrorist organization in the area of the school

Slovakia’s PM says would have joined Orban on Moscow visit — AFP

Robert Fico addressed the nation for the first time after the May 15 attack

Bulgaria to propose Russia-Ukraine peace talks at NATO summit — PM

Dimitar Glavchev doubted that Bulgaria could expect a mediator’s status as both sides should be willing to accept this

Forty Ukrainian drones attacked Belgorod region over past 24 hours — governor

In the Prokhorovsky district, the Ukrainian armed forces launched two UAVs in the village of Prokhorovka and the village of Beregovoye-Pervoye

Russia urges to end Ukraine conflict, not to put it on hold — Putin

According to the Russian leader, "this should not be merely a truce or a temporary ceasefire, nor some kind of pause that the Kiev regime could use to recover losses, regroup and get rearmed"

As US allows hitting Russian regions, Ukraine goes on mass killing of civilians — diplomat

Rodion Miroshnik mentioned how a shell fell on a section of an apartment building, completely destroying it, in the Belgorod Region and how a long-range ATACMS missile hit a crowded beach in Sevastopol on June 23 in a terrorist attack

Russia to take into account only concrete actions by Ukrainian leaders — Lavrov

We will look at concrete actions and judge by them, Lavrov said

Russian combat aircraft destroying military targets over Black Sea — governor

Mikhail Razvozhayev urged city residents and guests to remain calm, observe security measures and stay in temporary shelters or safe places

Russian forces liberate Sokol village in DPR

According to the military agency, units from Battlegroup Center liberated the village and improved their tactical position

Open fire of forest cover extinguished near Alushta

The fire area stood at 4,172 sq m," the Russian Ministry of Emergencies said

Much is to be done to reach peace between Russia, Ukraine — Hungarian PM

The talks between Vladimir Putin and Viktor Orban lasted for two and a half hours and were also attended by the two countries’ foreign ministers and other members of delegations

Change of Prime Minister in the UK does not arouse optimism in Moscow — Kremlin

According to Dmitry Peskov, the UK Labour Party is not "inclined to any kind of flexibility and are not inclined to be creative in normalizing the British-Russian bilateral relations"

Putin congratulates Pezeshkian on his election as Iranian president — Kremlin

Putin noted that Moscow and Tehran "efficiently coordinate efforts in resolving the pressing issues of the international agenda"

Orban rejects EU leaders’ criticism of his visit to Moscow

Hungarian Prime Minister said that EU bureaucracy has done nothing to promote the normalization between the conflicting sides

Putin unlikely to congratulate Starmer on election win — Kremlin

Keir Starmer took over as head of cabinet following the parliamentary elections held on July 4

Third Patriot system arrives from Germany to Ukraine — ambassador

According to Martin Jaeger, the crew of the system had completed training in Germany

Putin says discussed principles of Europe’s future security architecture with Orban

The talks between Vladimir Putin and Viktor Orban lasted for two and a half hours and were also attended by the two countries’ foreign ministers and other members of delegations

French Prime Minister voted in second round of early elections — BFM TV

At a polling station in the commune of Vanves on the upper reaches of the Seine, the Prime Minister, who came to the polls on foot, refused to talk to journalists waiting for him at the entrance

Slovak prime minister supports Orban’s moves for peace in Ukraine

Robert Fico warned of a risk for tensions to escalate in Ukraine

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

Hamas gives tentative approval of ceasefire deal with Israel — Associated Press

Israeli forces would have to pull out of Gaza’s densely populated areas and allow displaced people to return to their homes in northern Gaza

Pentagon to release new data on Sentinel missile development next week

The Reuters news agency said that the development program became almost $65 bln more expensive

US uses sanctions and dollar as weapon for political goals — Russian Ambassador to China

Igor Morgulov stressed that Western countries neglect the basic principles of the market economy, free trade and the inviolability of private property

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

Erdogan says Putin looking at holding meeting on Syria in Turkey

The Turkish leader said on Friday that he is looking at inviting the Russian and Syrian presidents to Turkey to discuss the potential normalization of relations between Ankara and Damascus and the settlement of the situation in Syria in general

Aeroflot stabilizes Sheremetyevo flight schedule

The departure time was changed for 172 flights out of 263 flights scheduled for July 6

Ukraine’s barbaric acts against Russia don’t remain without response, says diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov pointed out that "the rabid clique in Kiev is apparently driven by a totally different logic of warfare, but they will get what they deserve"

Russia’s Battlegroup East wipes out roughly 120 Ukrainian troops in past day

"During active operations, the battlegroup's units foiled enemy attempts to strengthen their positions along the front line and reinforce strongholds by rotating troops as they improved their forward edge positions," Battlegroup Spokesman said

Hungarian PM leaves Moscow before rainstorm — diplomatic source

Orban held two-hour talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow

US mass media pretended not knowing about Kiev’s abuse in Donbass

Official spokeswoman of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova said that "all the facts were furnished by the Russian side"

West’s powerful structures, finances behind Navalny’s actions, diplomat says

The Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said the scheme envisaged astronomical sums of money to be invested to rock the boat in Russia

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

Tankman who hijacked Ukrainian tank gets Russian citizenship

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

Serbia vows unwavering Russian support despite Western pressure — deputy PM

Aleksandar Vulin stressed that the republic will not agree to join anti-Russian sanctions

Reformist Pezeshkian leads in Iran’s presidential run-off — Reuters

The country’s Election Office will publish the outcome of the run-off presidential vote in the next few hours

Chechnya’s Kadyrov meets with Ingushetia’s Kalimatov

Mahmud-Ali Kalimatov said the meeting was held in a friendly atmosphere

Motorboat with five people capsizes in Khabarovsk — Emergencies ministry

According to preliminary data, the people on the boat were not wearing life jackets

Israeli military says it killed prominent member Hezbollah’s air defense force

Maytham several times flew to Iran, where he gained his knowledge

Russian forces using drones to destroy Ukrainian army’s logistics — Ukrainian soldier

Russian troops destroy dozens of Ukrainian transport vehicles every day

Russia reduces gasoline supplies to friendly countries by 70% in July

The Ministry of Energy believes that the current production volumes of gasoline and diesel fuel are sufficient to fully meet the demand during the high season

Hamas rejects presence of foreign forces in Gaza

According to the statement, Hamas "will not tolerate any patronage or solutions imposed from outside"

US official sees China-Russia ties posing long-term challenge to European security

US official said that theNATO’s summit communique would have "strong language" on China

Ukrainian S-300 missile launcher wiped out with Russia’s Iskander missile system

Motor vehicles and artillery personnel were also wiped out

Pezeshkian wins Iranian presidential race — electoral body

Voter turnout reached 49.8%, the election official said

Orban says Putin rules ‘real empire’

Orban said that talking with the Russian president was "special"

Lavrov calls election campaign in United States ‘a pitiful sight’

"And if the system of so-called American democracy produces such results or such a course of the election campaign, everyone could draw their own conclusions about how it’s all orchestrated, how it’s arranged," Russian Foreign Minister said

Orban says Putin more than 100% rational person

According to Orban, Russian president is a coolheaded, "very cautious" and punctual politician

UK government shift to have no bearing on dialogue with Moscow — senior official

Lord Richard Balfe also emphasized that the West will have to "come to terms with the reality," admitting that Crimea and Donbass are now Russian constituencies

US to announce steps to enhance Ukrainian air defenses at NATO summit — official

Washington will be looking "to announce significant enhancements for Ukraine's defense capabilities," high-profile US official specified

Warehouse caught fire in Voronezh Region after drone attack

According to preliminary data, nobody was injured

Russia’s nuclear doctrine may become more specific over time — senior diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov noted that Russia’s approach to the issue may change if its adversaries continue the escalation

Gas distributor on fire in Crimea

Thirty-four people and eleven vehicles are engaged in fire extinguishing

Large group of Democratic donors call on Biden to end his reelection bid — WP

The authors of the letter said that a potential second term of the former president, Republican Donald Trump, posed "profound risks" to America

Russia to respond to attacks on its regions with use of Western weapons — Lavrov

The United States and NATO keep on saying that they are not at war with Russia, Lavrov said

Is Gaddafi's gloom prophecy in regard to Europe bound to be fulfilled?

As Europe’s migrant crisis grows far and wide, many Russian media are recalling the late Libyan leader Muamar Gaddafi’s gloom prophecy made several months before his violent death

State of emergency introduced in village in Voronezh region due to UAV attack — governor

Alexander Gusev added that the residents of the village are being evacuated due to the detonation of explosive objects after an attack by Ukrainian drones

New Russian combat equipment in 2024

One third of all downed Ukrainian manned aircraft was destroyed by MANPADS — general

Andrey Semyonov added that crews of radar stations and anti-aircraft missile systems have been constantly adapting to new threats, improving the existing ways of countering air-borne enemy capabilities and developing new ones

Consultations on Gaza to be held next week in Cairo — TV

The Egyptian side will also continue consultations with representatives of the Hamas movement, Al Qahera Al Ekhbariya television reports.

Orban says he prepared his visit to Russia under veil of secrecy

His trip to Russia became public knowledge when a Hungarian government plane requested permission to enter Polish airspace

Dutch football team reaching Euro 2024 semifinals

The Netherlands beat Turkey 2:1

Russia becomes largest economy in Europe, 'being right in hot pursuit of Japan' — aide

Maxim Oreshkin stressed that the gradual loss of all these elements leads to long-term stagnation of the European economy

Gas supply by Gazprom for Europe through Ukraine totals 42.1 mcm via Sudzha

The request for pumping through Sokhranovka had been rejected by the Ukrainian side

Liberation of Chigari near Gorlovka in DPR to help reduce intensity of Ukraine’s attacks

The Russian defense ministry said earlier that Russian forces had liberated Chigari in the DPR

Voting in second round of parliamentary elections starts in France

In the overseas departments, voting began on Saturday and in most of them it has already ended or is coming to an end, as in the case of New Caledonia

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

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

Joint Armenian-US Eagle Partner drills to be held in Armenia July 15-24

The exercise will focus on stabilization tasks between conflicting parties during a peacekeeping mission

Kazakhstan ready to provide venue for Armenia-Azerbaijan talks

We are ready to provide a site for peace negotiations between Baku and Yerevan, the Kazakh presidential press service said

Russian Armed Forces start using new Irbis radar — defense ministry

It is carrying reconnaissance up to 150-odd kilometer depth

Russian aviation delivered 50 strikes against Ukrainian army

The enemy lost up to 415 servicemen, spokesman of the Russian Battlegroup Center Alexander Savchuk said

Russia, Iran finalize integration of national payment systems — Iran’s Central Bank head

Bank cards of Iran’s Shetab system can be used as Amber smart cards in all ATMs across Russia

Orban says he suggested that Putin consider ceasefire in Ukraine

Orban said that he had earlier made the same proposal during a meeting with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, who rejected the idea

Orban says his visit to Moscow aimed to find path toward peace in Ukraine

The Hungarian Prime Minister highlighted he was the first Western leader to visit Moscow since April 2022

Parliamentary elections in France ‘do not very much resemble democracy’ — Lavrov

"When some candidates can withdraw their candidacies - they are talked into it to clear the way for the victory of, as they say, conservatives or populists. This is not very reminiscent of democracy," the minister stressed

Biden says is able to counter Putin, contain China

US President also said that he is the only persone, who can hold the North Atlantic Alliance together

Iskander crew strike destroys two launchers of Patriot air defense system near Odessa

A Giraffe radar was also destroyed as the result of the strike

Three coalitions to challenge leadership in second tour of parliament elections

Voting has already started in overseas departments of France

Putin, Orban discuss Ukraine, resumption of broad dialogue

Russia and Hungary continue to cooperate based on the principles of pragmatism and mutual benefit in a number of areas, primarily in the energy sector

Russia may nationalize property of US, EU citizens in response to sanctions — Medvedev

He noted that Russia is being threatened with arrests of assets of Russian citizens and companies abroad - "just like that, without any sanctions," "in a blanket fashion," "out of spite"

20 Russian children returned to Russia from Syria

Upon their arrival the children underwent a medical checkup at one of the Moscow centers

Russian wrestlers turn down invitations to compete at Paris Olympics — source

A total of 16 wrestlers qualified for the Olympic tournament

Program of Modi’s visit to Russia to be extensive — Kremlin

Modi will travel to Russia on an official visit on July 8-9

Belarus vows joint response with allies to any border provocations — General Staff

According to Vladimir Kupriyanyuk, Belarus has not and will not "raise tensions in any way" despite a difficult situation on the border with Ukraine

Ukrainian army loses 444,000 troops during military operation — Shoigu

According to the Russian defense minister, the liberation of several residential settlements in Donbass, disclosed Kiev attempts to prevent the collapse of the front

Russian forces slowly advance in all areas of special operation — senior officer

Major General Apty Alaudinov said Akhmat units had spent about a month in the Kharkov area

Georgia’s Defense Ministry regrets its joint exercise with US postponed indefinitely

The document emphasizes that the Georgian-US exercises are beneficial for both countries

Erdogan says Putin is considering a meeting on Syria in Turkey

Turkish President expressed hope that thanks to this Turkish-Syrian relations will be on the same level as in the past

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"

West is not wrong paying great attention to Modi’s upcoming visit to Russia — Kremlin

"They are jealous - that means they are closely monitoring it," Dmitry Peskov said

Brazil fails to reach Copa America semifinals

Uruguay won the penalty shootout with the 4:2 score

Improvement of Russia’s positions to push West to talks on Ukraine — UN envoy

Vasily Nebenzya does not believe that the potential election of Donald Trump as the next US president will cardinally change the American policy in this area

Russia's Kalashnikov arms producer to build 20-tonne reconnaissance and attack robot

The concern Kalashnikov also has plans for building drones and exporting gunboats

London to increase spending on defense, support for NATO, Ukraine — defense secretary

Government now is totally committed to 2.5% of Defense spending, to NATO, to the nuclear deterrent and to support for Ukraine

Thousands of Israelis rally in Tel Aviv to demand elections, release of hostages

The Hostage and Missing Persons Families Forum group, one of the organizers of the protests, said the hostages have been held by Palestinian radicals for nearly nine months

Battlegroup North repels five enemy attacks in Kharkov region — Defense Ministry

The enemy lost up to 175 military personnel, a Kozak and a US-made HUMVEE armored fighting vehicles, as well as three cars

Euro 2024 semifinalists known

The Netherlands will play with England, Spain with France

Ukrainian missiles shot down over Melitopol, with falling fragments causing fires

Clouds of smoke are seen in the places of explosions in Melitopol

Russian Northern Fleet to restore unique crane to recover sunken WWII transporter

Recovering the sunken equipment is one of the most complex operations which the Northern Fleet rescuers have ever undertaken

Four people killed in shooting at Kentucky home

The injured people were taken from the crime scene in Florence to a hospital in critical condition

Israel’s air force, artillery attack Hezbollah facilities in southern Lebanon

The IAF struck Hezbollah terror infrastructure sites and observation posts in the areas of Houla and Odaisseh

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