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US embassy seeks permission to attend Gershkovich trial on July 18

"We were able to observe his last hearing on the 26th of June, we weren't able to talk and engage with Evan, but we at least had some people from the Embassy who were able to get eyes on," US special presidential envoy for hostage affairs told

Evan Gershkovich AP Photo

Evan Gershkovich

WASHINGTON, July 18. /TASS/. Staffers of the US Embassy in Russia will seek a permission to attend the July 18 court hearing into The Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich’s suspected spying activities, said Roger Carstens, US special presidential envoy for hostage affairs.

"The US embassy will make an attempt to try to get in and observe. We were able to observe his last hearing on the 26th of June, we weren't able to talk and engage with Evan, but we at least had some people from the Embassy who were able to get eyes on," he told the annual Aspen Security Forum.

The Sverdlovsk Regional Court held the first hearing in the case on June 26. The session was held behind closed doors.

According to Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, "acting as an agent for the American side, collected top-secret data about the activity of an enterprise of the Russian military-industrial complex." In this connection, the journalist was detained in Yekaterinburg at the end of March 2023; criminal proceedings were initiated against him under Article 276 of the Russian Criminal Code ("Espionage"). He pleads not guilty.

China, US fail to make progress in discussing Ukraine crisis — security adviser

"So ultimately it’ll be up to Ukraine to decide how it wants to proceed with diplomacy and negotiations," Jake Sullivan said

Russian forces destroy about 30 Azov militants planning assault on Makeyevka in LPR

The Ukrainian militants who had survived realized that the idea held no prospects and returned to their positions, military expert Andrey Marochko reported

US mercenary tells about chaos in Ukrainian army in Kursk Region

The American spoke on condition of unanimity but ABC said it had identified him

Belarus President Lukashenko says has nothing against detention of Durov in France

According to Alexander Lukashenko, Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier told him about details of his previous conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron, when they discussed human rights situation both in Minsk and Paris, where protests staged by yellow vests were in full swing in France

Durov detained in France over his refusal to 'censor truth,' Tucker Carlson believes

"Darkness is descending fast on the formerly free world," the journalist said

Russian consulate in Istanbul confirms deaths of Russian seamen onboard Russian ship

Russian diplomats are "in contact with the relevant authorities, the agent company and the captain of the ship to coordinate steps to prepare the necessary documents and repatriate the bodies of the victims to the Russian Federation"

Beijing demands Washington halt 'military collusion' with Taiwan's army

Vice Chairman of China's Central Military Commission Zhang Youxia emphasized that Beijing has always strived to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, two things which are not compatible with the island’s separation from the rest of the country

Kremlin calls transfer of income from Russian assets to Kiev theft

Dmitry Peskov stressed that these actions "will definitely have legal consequences"

IN BRIEF: What is known about case against Telegram founder Pavel Durov

According to the Paris prosecutor's office, he could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of 500,000 euros

Foreign mercenaries involved in attack on Kursk Region — Foreign Ministry spokeswoman

Maria Zakharova pointed out the shameless attempts of the Ukrainian propaganda to "forge fake materials about the allegedly harmless, careful" invaders

Washington used Telegram against unwanted regimes — former official

According to Mike Benz, thanks to Telegram, Washington could fund "political groups or political dissidents, get tens of thousands of people to their cause with relative impunity"

France could not have detained Durov without agreeing this with US — US journalist

French President Emmanuel Macron "could or would have done that without the encouragement or at least agreement of the Biden administration," Tucker Carlson said

Zelensky says Ukraine tests its own ballistic missile

It is noted that the Palianytsia can reach targets at a distance of up to 600 kilometers

Press review: IAEA chief pays visit to Kursk NPP and Kiev looks to get offensive

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, August 28th

Ukraine’s 2014 coup was CIA’s political mistake — Putin

The Russian president noted that the US agency had achieved its goal of changing the government but failed to see what it would evolve into

Russia’s unemployment rate reaches 2.4% in July

In July 2024, women accounted for 50.6% of the unemployed aged 15 and older and the unemployment rate for women (2.5%) was higher than the unemployment rate for men

Attack on Kursk Region leads to tension in CSTO zone of responsibility — defense official

According to Andrey Serdyukov, the CSTO is seen by Western countries as a springboard for the purposeful projection of conflict potential against Russia and its allies

Russia offers safe haven for people trying to escape Western liberal ideals

Under the document, such foreign nationals will have the right to apply for temporary residence in Russia "outside the quota approved by the Russian government and without providing documents confirming their knowledge of the Russian language, Russian history and basic laws"

French foreign ministry was against granting French citizenship to Durov — newspaper

Thus, according to the newspaper, diplomats who considered Durov’s application filed with the French consulate in Dubai doubted that he would promote "a better image of France", Le Monde said

Russian army good in winter fighting — Trump

Ex-US President and Republican Party nominee for the presidential election Donald Trump said that Russia is not easy to beat, and they're a massive military

French leaders afraid of political consequences of ‘Durov case’ — newspaper

Durov’s detention has stirred up a "shockwave" across the globe, Le Figaro reported

Russian forces wipe out Ukrainian troops north of Rabotino in Zaporozhye Region

"The target’s coordinates came from artillery reconnaissance and drones," a crew commander of the Battlegroup Dnepr with a call name Astra said

Durov’s attorney slams charges against his client as absurd

"Telegram complies in all respects with European rules concerning digital technology," said David-Olivier Kaminski

F-16s may have been hit in Russian strike on hangar in Ivano-Frankovsk — resistance

According to the report, fuel tanks were also hit in the strike

SS horrors in WWII Ukraine exposed: 110kg of gold looted from burned bodies — archives

The SS division raced to destroy the bodies of its victims amid the successful advances of the Red Army as Nazi German troops retreated in panic

Ukrainian troops leaving positions in Krasnoarmeysk area without fight — lawmaker

Maryana Bezuglaya stressed that "the fragmentation of the front is increasing" and that the rotations taking place "lead to breaches and deaths"

Unrecovered bodies of European mercenaries litter Kursk fields — Russian MP

According to Viktor Vodolatsky, the West needed the Ukrainian incursion into the borderline Russian region of Kursk to test how well Russia’s border is protected

Volchansk may be completely destroyed due to massive Ukrainian attacks — administration

Vitaly Ganchev pointed out that the Ukrainian troops are actively using drones

Ukraine’s military short of troops for battles near Kremennaya in LPR, says expert

The Ukrainian military has been forced to reduce the number of troop rotations due to growing casualties

One killed, two more injured in Ukrainian attack on Shebekino in Russia’s Belgorod Region

A man and a woman have been hospitalized with shrapnel wounds, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said

Netherlands bans Ukraine from attacking Russian civilian targets with F-16 jets

At the same time, Ukraine has the right to attack military targets in Russia, according to the Netherlands

Israeli policy of escalation to lead to dangerous consequences — Palestinian authorities

"The escalation in the West Bank, which is taking place in parallel with the war in Gaza, will have disastrous consequences that will affect everyone without exception," Nabil Abu Rudeineh said

Online retailer Ozon resumes sales of expensive electronics from China

Notebooks, smartphones, tablets, and other goods with delivery from China are available on the marketplace again

Russia’s gold output rises by 5.9% in January-July

At the same time, in July, the figure increased by 10.1% compared to July last year and increased by 26.2% compared to June of this year

2024 Summer Paralympic Games in Paris declared open

The opening ceremony was held in the heart of the French capital of Paris on Wednesday night

Ukraine’s refusal of Russian gas to damage seriously European consumers — Kremlin

Due to this decision, Europe will have to pay "a far higher price" for gas, which will make the industry of the continent’s countries less competitive, Dmitry Peskov noted

Russian diplomat slams Kiev for demanding withdrawal of Belarusian troops from border

Maria Zakharova stressed that Minsk had drawn "the right conclusions from Ukrainian Banderites’ attack on Russia’s Kursk Region"

Ukrainian troops failed to achieve its goals in Kursk Region, unable to advance — envoy

Andrey Kelin named the capture of the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant or of a "substantial swath of land" west of Ukraine

US to continue using Ukraine against Russia even after elections — diplomat

Maria Zakharova underscored that Washington is interested in Ukraine only as an "instrument for infliction of a strategic defeat on Russia"

Russian forces gain control of commanding height in Sudzha district

Russian servicemen have already repelled six attacks by the enemy, who tried to attack in small groups

Russia to succeed in special operation contrary to Kiev's 'victory plans' — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov stressed that Moscow is aware of the "essence" of the Kiev regime

Russian forces press forward in Seversk area, eye Slavyansk — commander

It is also noted that the main goal in the area was to reach the town of Seversk

Response for US involvement in Ukrainian attack on Kursk Region to be harsher — MFA

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov emphasized that "practical consequences of what is not an accusation but an obvious fact are observed"

Kalashnikov gunmaker ramps up production of components for air-launched rockets

The Izhevsk Mechanical Plant (part of the Kalashnikov Group) has improved the technological process of producing sets of mechanical parts for this type of weapons

Over 40 countries and territories confirm participation in Russia’s Eastern Economic Forum

Anton Kobyakov noted that the forum will introduce investors to the potential of the Far Eastern regions, which are important for international economic cooperation

After attack on Kursk Region no negotiations with Kiev possible — MFA

Maria Zakharova emphasized that "this lawlessness is taking place with the full connivance of the West and its encouragement of terrorist activities by the Kiev regime"

Russia’s passenger car production rises by 55.2% to 391,000 over seven months

Passenger car production increased by 23.6% in July 2024 compared to July 2023, but decreased by 7.2% compared to June 2024

Ukraine on brink of destruction thanks to Zelensky — opposition leader

According to Viktor Medvedchuk, when the Ukrainian armed forces attacked the Kursk Region, Zelensky "sealed the fate of the Ukrainian statehood once and for all," drastically reducing the possibility of peace talks and keeping the country alive, "even though with territorial losses, but without being divided or absorbed by other states"

New electronic warfare systems aboard F-16s won’t help Kiev repel Russian strikes — report

According to the news website, the 68th Electronic Warfare Squadron was tasked with reprogramming the electronic warfare system aboard F-16s

Hungarian foreign minister opposes any Ukrainian long-range strikes on Russia

Peter Szijjarto urged an end to the "insanity" and called against new supplies of weapons to Ukraine

Indonesia may block Telegram, minister says — Jakarta Globe

Communications and Informatics Minister Budi Arie Setiadi dismissed the responses from Telegram and Bigo Live as "inadequate"

4 Ukrainian drones, 3 unmanned boats destroyed near Sevastopol

The attack by Ukrainian troops was repelled "in the Black Sea at a considerable distance from the coast"

BRICS facing task to keep energy transition from turning into West’s scam — MFA

The West makes "the world move to the system of accelerated energy transition in the interests of those companies that are currently involved in solar and wind energy," Dmitry Birichevsky noted

Kiev doesn’t expect new military aid packages from current US administration — lawmaker

Yegor Chernyov said Ukraine would count on new aid in 2025

Ukrainian forces trying to break through into Russia’s Belgorod Region — authorities

According to Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov, Russian servicemen are carrying out routine work

Russia delivers overnight precision strike at Ukrainian military airfields

Russia’s Battlegroup Center liberated the community of Orlovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) over the past day

US about to give Kiev free hand to use Western weapons for strikes on Russia — MFA

"The impression is that the US establishment has generally abandoned common sense forever," Maria Zakharova stated

US firms, companies controlled by Moldovan president transport biomaterials from Ukraine

The Russian general also named those who work for Ukrainian and US companies and are directly involved in the export of biomaterials

Ukrainian troops building defensive lines in some Kursk areas — Akhmat commander

Apty Alaudinov said earlier that Russian forces were thwarting the Ukrainian army’s breakthrough attempts

Ukrainian troops unable to maintain defense near Dimitrov — law enforcement

According to the source, the Ukrainian battlegroup in this area has significantly decreased in recent weeks

Numerous explosions heard in Kiev, witnesses say

Explosions reportedly occurred in the outskirts of the capital

US never wished to see Ukraine in NATO — Ukrainian MP

Sergey Rakhmanin recalled that Washington's representatives repeatedly told Kiev back in the 1990s that Ukraine’s admission to the alliance was not on the agenda

Russia’s special operation upended perceptions of combat tactics, Medvedev says

According to the official, when the participants of the meeting start a new chapter of their lives and careers, it will also change them

Mexican embassy confirmed death of Mexican national in Ukraine

It was confirmed that Carlos Jesus Gonzalez Mendoza was not a soldier of the Mexican armed forces, the Mexican foreign ministry said

Ukrainian servicemen surrender: situation in Kursk Region

In total, Kiev has lost up to 7,000 personnel since fighting started in the region

Akhmat commandos liquidate several Polish, German mercenaries in Kursk Region

Russian FPV-drones hit one US-made Stryker and two Hummer vehicles

Russian forces liberate Kamyshevka community in Donbass region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup Dnepr inflicted roughly 50 casualties on Ukrainian troops in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Durov not questioned in child abuse case after detention — prosecutors

The office declined to comment on the details of the investigation, saying it reached out to Switzerland to see if they had put in place a "legal procedure"

Journalist Hersh says US won’t achieve Russia’s defeat in Ukraine

Earlier, Hersh wrote about the "paradox" of the current US administration's foreign policy, which is funneling money to Kiev, even though Ukraine is obviously not going to prevail, while at the same time refusing to engage in talks that could end the conflict

Russia has alternative routes for supplying gas to European countries — Kremlin

According to Dmitry Peskov, "there are plans to create a hub in Turkey, this work is in progress"

Russian diplomat blames West for sponsoring terrorism

According to Maria Zakharova, Kiev’s Western handlers "obsessively keep pushing their Kiev puppets to continue the Ukrainian army’s insane and suicidal escapade in the Kursk Region"

No preconditions for peace talks on Ukraine, says Kremlin spokesman

"The Indian side consequently occupies the position of a supporter of peace, peaceful settlement by political and diplomatic means," Dmitry Peskov pointed out

Press review: Kiev sends SOS to NATO and legacy of USSR's first atom bomb test

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, August 29th

Moscow demands cessation of airstrikes on Syria — Russia's UN mission

Dmitry Polyansky noted that the key to peace in Syria could be "the West's abandonment of its hard-headed anti-Damascus attitudes and the establishment of normal, equal and mutually respectful relations with the Syrian Arab Republic"

Foreign tourists made 4 mln trips to Russia in the first half of the year — Rosstat

Tourists from non-CIS countries made 1.6 mln trips to Russia in the first half of the year

Russia’s drone production should increase fivefold by 2030 — PM Mishustin

Mikhail Mishustin explained that the new national projects pay special attention to achieving technological leadership

Ukraine’s military suffers heavy casualties in Kursk area over past day — commander

"The frontline has not undergone any significant changes and yesterday our adjacent units liberated and mopped up two communities," Major General Apty Alaudinov said

Russian forces cut off two key Ukrainian supply routes in Ugledar area

According to security officials, when moving along unpaved roads, enemy troops will now face minefields, which will complicate the situation for them

Telegram founder Pavel Durov shows up in court — news agency

The Paris prosecutor’s office suspects him of complicity in drug trafficking, fraud crimes against children committed through Telegram

Ukraine’s commander-in-chief says attack on Kursk failed to distract Russian forces

A few hours earlier, Verkhovna Rada member Aleksey Goncharenko (blacklisted as a terrorist and extremist in Russia) said that the situation for the Ukrainian army near Krasnoarmeisk was close to disaster

Ukrainian troops leave some positions near Krasnoarmeisk in DPR

Several dozen Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in that frontline area over the past 24 hours, the defense circles said

Kuleba, Sikorski discuss steps to use NATO air defenses to take down targets over Ukraine

In the military sphere, we focused on the issue of MIG jets and agreed on further steps to create the possibility for Ukraine's neighbours to intercept from their territory Russian missiles and drones in the Ukrainian airspace, Foreign Ministers of Ukraine said

Russia steadily replaces imports in its drone industry — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov was responding to a question how China’s restrictions on the export of some drones and their components, which are scheduled to kick in on September 1, will affect the domestic drone industry

Belarusian president slams proposals to turn away from Russia, side with Ukraine

Alexander Lukashenko said he would like the Belarusian people to understand the situation they lived in

Telegram founder Durov under investigation in Switzerland for child abuse — media

According to Forbes, the court in Geneva initially declined to hear the criminal suit because more than three months had passed since the alleged violence by Durov

Lavrov slams as blackmail Kiev's demands for letting it use Storm Shadow against Russia

The Russian top diplomat warned that the West was playing with fire whenever it started discussions on this topic

Houthis confirm that Sounion tanker can be towed

"After several international organizations, especially European ones, contacted us, they were allowed to tow the burning Sounion oil tanker," Ansar Allah spokesman Muhammad Abdel Salam said

Ukraine's attack on Kursk Region just postpones Kiev's inevitable surrender — expert

Tony Kevin noted that Kiev failed to "create a good news information narrative of Ukraine taking the ‘fight to the enemy,’ after constant depressing news of the Ukrainian steady retreat on the central Donbass front"

Russian commander reports presence of active NATO soldiers in Kursk area

Apty Alaudinov specified that he referred to active NATO servicemen

Borrell wants more air defenses given to Kiev, restrictions on use of Western arms lifted

He accused Russia of retaliatory strikes on Ukraine's civilian infrastructure, which, he said, would "put Ukraine into the dark and cold"

BRICS NDB Board of Governors meeting begins in Cape Town

The meeting will be attended by delegates from all the four NDB member nations, namely Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Russia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates

Moscow court arrests two Colombian mercenaries for fighting against Russian troops

The Lefortovsky Court ruling satisfied the request of preliminary investigation bodies for arrest of Ante Alexander and Medin Arand Jose Aron, suspected of mercenarism until October 22

Russian researcher sees little potential for Ukraine to build mid-range ballistic missile

Earlier, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky asserted that Kiev had allegedly tested "the first Ukrainian ballistic missile"

Kiev says range of its new ballistic missile is 600-700 kilometers

However, expert Vasily Lata doubts Ukraine’s ability to develop a ground-based medium-or shorter-range ballistic missile

Russia permanently bans entry to 92 US nationals including reporters — MFA

The ban applies to some reporters from the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post and the New York Times, according to the statement

Paratroopers disrupt rotation of Ukrainian forces with Kornet anti-tank missile system

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, six Ukrainian servicemen were killed

Macron invited Telegram CEO to move company to Paris — newspaper

Pavel Durov was detained at Le Bourget Airport outside Paris on August 24

Kiev would consider Russia’s peace proposals if it was committed to ending conflict — MFA

"Recent events have once again underscored the true Nazi nature of the current authorities in Kiev, as well as those who back them," Maria Zakharova said

Russia-India dialogue on Ukraine to be resumed after PM Modi’s visit to Kiev — MFA

"In this regard we proceed from the fact that they are well aware of Russia’s stance which had repeatedly been brought to New Delhi at the highest levels," Maria Zakharova said

Lukashenko says he will never order troops to fight outside Belarus — BelTA

According to the report, the Belarusian president made the statement when speaking about the Ukrainian crisis

Durov leaves court after facing charges

Journalists waiting outside the court building failed to reach him for comments