{{dayPoint.date | date : 'd MMMM yyyy'}}

{{newsPoint.title}}

{{newsPoint.title+ ' '}}

{{newsPoint.subtitle}}

Presidential runoff kicks off in Iran

The two candidates on the ballot are former Health Minister Masoud Pezeshkian, 69, and the supreme leader’s representative in the Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili, 58

DUBAI, July 5. /TASS/. Polling stations opened in the second round of Iran’s presidential election at 8:00 a.m. local time (4:30 a.m. GMT).

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was the first to cast his ballot. He addressed the country’s people, urging them to more actively participate in the presidential runoff.

The two candidates on the ballot are former Health Minister Masoud Pezeshkian, 69, and the supreme leader’s representative in the Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili, 58. In the first round of the presidential election, Pezeshkian and Jalili received 44% and 40% of the vote respectively. Voter turnout was 40%, the lowest in Iran’s history.

South Korean president doomed his country, Kim Jong Un’s sister says

Kim Yo Jong stated that the intra-Korean relations are currently at the worst point ever

Moscow grateful to Abuja for Nigeria’s understanding about situation in Ukraine — Lavrov

The foreign minister also noted that during his talks with Nigeria’s top diplomat, he discussed the situation in the Middle East

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

Macron opts not to address nation on July 7 after parliament elections — media

According the newspaper, the president "would like to wait for more exact data on the distribution of mandates in the new parliament to make necessary decisions."

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

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

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

Russian aviation delivered 50 strikes against Ukrainian army

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

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

World sport degrading in absence of Russian athletes — Russian diplomat

The 2024 Summer Olympic Games will be hosted by the French capital of Paris between July 26 and August 11

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

Pezeshkian wins Iranian presidential race — electoral body

Voter turnout reached 49.8%, the election official said

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

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

Paris to continue arming Ukraine, parliamentary elections to change nothing — politician

According to the French politician, the French authorities’ rhetoric concerning Russia is unlikely to change

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

Three coalitions to challenge leadership in second tour of parliament elections

Voting has already started in overseas departments of France

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

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

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

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

Smoke reported in engine of plane landed in St. Petersburg, no injuries caused

Passangers were disembarked

Russian forces liberate Sokol village in DPR

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

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

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

Orban says Putin more than 100% rational person

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

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

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

Three Syrian soldiers wounded as terrorists’ drone drops explosive device

According to Popov, eight violations of the deconfliction protocols of December 9, 2019 linked with the flights by the US-led coalition unmanned aerial vehicles were reported in Syria in the past 24 hours

SCO member countries see risks linked with use of US dollars — Russian deputy PM

Nearly all of the speakers noted the necessity of increasing the share of national currencies in mutual settlements, Alexey Overchuk said

Aeroflot stabilizes Sheremetyevo flight schedule

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

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"

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"

Russian Armed Forces start using new Irbis radar — defense ministry

It is carrying reconnaissance up to 150-odd kilometer depth

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

Chechnya’s Kadyrov meets with Ingushetia’s Kalimatov

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

20 Russian children returned to Russia from Syria

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

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

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

Tankman who hijacked Ukrainian tank gets Russian citizenship

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

Ex-French President Hollande opposes public announcement of support measures for Ukraine

"Talk less and act better," Francois Hollande said

Nigeria’s President Tinubu reelected ECOWAS chairman

Bola Tinubu reelected for one more year amid the current situation within the community

Hungarian PM presumably on his way to China — news portal

According to the news portal, now the Hungarian prime minister is heading to Beijing, where he is expected to arrive "at dawn on Monday."

Unaware of decline of its military industry US gets trapped in Ukraine — French historian

Emmanuel Todd believes that "one of Washington's goals is to prevent a rapprochement between Russia and Germany"

Russia in talks with partners on joint production of Su-57 fifth-generation fighter

The Su-57 AI system assumes some of the pilot’s functions, including piloting and preparations for the use of weapons

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

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

Akkuyu NPP construction continues in Turkey despite US sanctions — Rosatom CEO

The system of mutual settlements is at risk

Two Ukrainian drones shot down over Voronezh Region — defense ministry

The Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were destroyed over the Voronezh Region

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

Former Polish Foreign Minister Sikorski thanks US for damaging Nord Stream

According to Radoslav Sikorsky, it limits Russia's room for maneuver

Hungary’s Orban announces his arrival in China to continue his ‘peace mission’

Prime Minister posted a photo from the airport

Some 400 US citizens killed in hostilities in Ukraine — former Pentagon official

"We know that at least 400 Americans have died whether they are contractors or in uniform. Our administration won't say this," he said

Euro 2024 semifinalists known

The Netherlands will play with England, Spain with France

Orban says Putin rules ‘real empire’

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

French PM Attal says will tender his resignation on Monday morning

At the same time, he said that he would be ready to continue as prime minister as long as necessary

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

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

Medvedev urges to turn life in West into 'permanent nightmare' in response to sanctions

"We should try every day to do as much damage as possible to those countries that have imposed these restrictions on our country and all our citizens," the senior Russian official stressed

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"

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

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

Leftist New Popular Front leading at France’s parliamentary elections

The television channel notes that neither of the political blocs has managed to win an absolute majority of 289 seats in the lower house of parliament, which is needed to form a government of its own

National Rally leading parliamentary election in France, unlikely to win absolute majority

According to the television channel’s forecast, Marine Le pen and Jordan Bardells’s party may count on from 210 to 228 seats in the 577-seat legislature

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

Motor vehicles and artillery personnel were also wiped out

Warehouse caught fire in Voronezh Region after drone attack

According to preliminary data, nobody was injured

BRICS has potential to create new, more fair world order — South African leader

Cyril Ramaposa notes that BRICS unites about 40% of the world's population

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

Gaza ceasefire deal to make it possible for Israel to release its hostages — PM

The Israeli prime minister insists that "there will be no smuggling of weapons to Hamas from Egypt to the Gaza border"

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

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

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

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

Putin to meet with Indian Prime Minister Modi in Moscow

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov spoke about the anticipation of this "important, full-format visit"

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

Iran looking at joining agreement on civil aviation — IAC

According to Strochevoy, the IAC plans t expand its activities, despite the political problems

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

Hamas confirms death of Gaza’s deputy labor minister in Israeli strike

According to Hamas, al-Ghussein was killed in an Israeli raid on the city of Gaza

Four Ukrainian soldiers cross Dnieper on makeshift raft to surrender to Russia

According to Saldo, it was the right choice, since this is a bad idea "to die for the puppet regime and its overseas patrons."

US Democrats view Kamala Harris as only possible replacement for Biden — WSJ

There will be some discontent, because Kamala Harris also lags behind Donald Trump in polls

Ukrainian drones attack several settlements in Belgorod Region

An FPV drone detonated in the territory of a farm

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"

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

Russian troops destroy dozens of Ukrainian transport vehicles every day

France’s ex-President Hollande elected to lower house of parliament

Hollande, 69, scored 43% of votes in the second round of voting in the Tulle commune in the central French department of Correze

New Russian combat equipment in 2024

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

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

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

French police use tear gas during left rally in downtown Paris

The radicals started throwing stones and bottles at the police

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

Russia strikes Ukrainian military-industrial, energy sites over week — top brass

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 13,525 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past week, according to the Defense Ministry’s latest data

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

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

South Korean president doomed his country, Kim Jong Un’s sister says

Kim Yo Jong stated that the intra-Korean relations are currently at the worst point ever

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

Press review: SCO summit ushers in new deals and zooming in on Russia-India ties

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, July 5th

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"

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

Gas distributor on fire in Crimea

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

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

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

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

US is plotting another pandemic — Russian Defense Ministry

"We do not rule out the United States may use so-called defensive technologies for offensive purposes, as well as for global governance by creating crisis situations of biological nature," lieutenant general Igor Kirillov stressed

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

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