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Military operation in Ukraine

Ukraine unlikely to join EU, NATO in near future because of corruption — media

According to Foreign Policy, "NATO experts have helped Ukraine establish institutional tools to check corruption in defense procurement"

WASHINGTON, July 30. /TASS/. Ukraine will not be able to join the European Union and NATO in the foreseeable future because of the large scale of corruption in the country, Foreign Policy magazine writes, citing sources.

According to the media outlet, Ukraine’s strategy of "joining the West’s political community and security institutions has been undermined by its continued struggles with corruption, a problem that is still far beyond Western standards."

"The issue extends to the center of the Ukrainian state," Foreign Policy notes, adding, however, that "Ukraine made some progress in correcting its corruption problem." Still, Foreign Policy writes, citing Ukrainian, US and European officials that the country "has a lot more to accomplish before it can fully enter the Western community and receive the support that it desires." The media outlet points out that top Ukrainian judges, politicians, and officials have faced corruption charges, "and the Ministry of Defense has been at the heart of many corruption scandals."

A Pentagon official "admitted that political considerations were a factor, but said that corruption, lack of civilian oversight over the armed forces, and limited transparency in government institutions was a major hindrance" to Ukraine’s EU and NATO accession. "There has been particular concern around defense procurement," the official said, as cited by Foreign Policy. "There have been cases where we have seen favorable awarding of contracts to people close to certain leaders," the official added.

According to the magazine, "NATO experts have helped Ukraine establish institutional tools to check corruption in defense procurement." Four agencies in Ukraine are tasked with detecting corruption cases but "activists have said that there are concerns over independence of at least two of those agencies."

Ukraine is facing an acute issue of corruption. Western partners, whose military and financial assistance is crucial to Kiev, expect the Ukrainian authorities to show tangible results in the fight against corruption and insist on the need to provide more independence to anti-corruption agencies.

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Military operation in Ukraine

Military operation in Ukraine

Scholz says it is time for discussing ways out of conflict in Ukraine

At the same time, he pledged that Germany would continue its assistance to Kiev but admitted that the results of the regional elections in Germany, where parties opposing weapons supplies to Ukraine won the majority, "stem from the fact that some people are against support for Ukraine."

Putin congratulates city residents on Moscow City Day

The Russian President called Moscow a symbol and a reliable stronghold of Russian statehood

Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

According to the report, the Russian military repelled two attacks by enemy assault groups towards Matveyevka and Olgovka, and foiled Ukrainian attempts to attack three settlements

Paris sees 26,000 people take to streets protesting against Macron’s policy — prefecture

Against this backdrop, Jean-Luc Melenchon, founder of the leftist France Unbowed party, said about the onset of the "right of the strongest" in France and called on supporters for a "long-term struggle" against Macron’s policy

Collapse of Operation Citadel 2.0

First Starships to Mars to launch in two years, Musk says

If those landings go well, then the first crewed flights to Mars will be in 4 years

More than 500,000 Israelis protesting in Tel Aviv — organizers

Similar protests took place in Jerusalem, Haifa, Kfar Sava, Be'er Sheva, Netanya, Rehovot and Rishon LeZion

Syrsky to be fired over fallout from attack on Kursk Region, says Ukrainian politician

Ukraine’s former Interior Minister Yury Lutsenko said that the best Ukrainian units and equipment had been deployed to the Kursk Region

INTERVIEW: Russia to address issue of efficient use of ports for energy export

Currently, in Russia, only 50-60% of the port capacity for energy exports is used

Conflict in Ukraine to be settled through talks — Pentagon chief

"We are going continue to work to put Ukraine in the best possible position" for peace talks, Lloyd Austin pledged

Ukraine runs out of money to pay its military — Rada committee

Roksolana Pidlasa clarified that the difficulties regarding the payments arose as the US did not provide military assistance to Kiev in the first quarter of 2024 due to delays in the approval of the relevant bill in Congress

Expert who predicted Biden, Trump victories says Harris to win

American historian and political scientist Allan Lichtman explained that he bases his predictions on his own system, which takes into account 13 key factors

Four villages in Belgorod Region attacked by Ukrainian drones

According to the governor, a minivan was damaged in the village of Dronovka, two single-family houses were damaged by in the villages in Novopetrovka and Murov

German fighter jets practice landings in Finland, 180 km from Russian border

The German Air Force told the newspaper that the German fighter jets had been practicing landings in Finland since September 4

Russian Air Defense shoots down 4 HIMARS MLRS missiles, 3 Hammer bombs, 30 Ukrainian UAVs

The Russian Defense Ministry added that since the beginning of the special military operation, Russian troops have destroyed 17,953 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 14,226 field artillery pieces and mortars, and 25,766 special military vehicles

Putin didn’t pass along new information about potential unrest, Kremlin spokesman says

"We continue to have regular communication at various levels, including in very, very sensitive areas," Dmitry Peskov noted

INTERVIEW: Ban on export of gasoline not to cause decline in its production — minister

The ban on export of gasoline from Russia has been extended from September 1 until the end of 2024

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

Germany to do its utmost to investigate Nord Stream pipelines blasts — Scholz

In an interview with the ZDF television channel, he was asked whether he trusted Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky following reports about Kiev’s involvement in the blasts

US, Europe working on substitutes for S-300 system, R-27 missile — Pentagon chief

Earlier, Western media outlets reported that Ukraine had failed to fully replace Soviet-made S-300 missile systems with Western-manufactured ones

Final day of regional, municipal elections starts in Russia

Residents of 25 Russian regions will have an opportunity to cast their ballot in an online vote

Former NASA chief hopes for US-Russia-China cooperation in outer space

"I'm one of these guys, it's kind of odd, my hope is that at some point we'll reach out and bring the Chinese into the collaboration, the partners in space flight," the former chief of the US space agency said

Putin says Russia 'backs' Harris post-Biden exit

The Russian president joked that Harris’ "laughter is so expressive and contagious," that you can assume "she’s doing well"

Foreign aid to Ukraine a money laundering scheme, head of Chechnya says

Ramzan Kadyrov noted that there is no need to worry about hostilities currently happening on Russian territory

Medvedev touts Russia as global leader in drone warfare thanks to special op

The Russian Security Council deputy chairman pointed out that no one could have imagined that drone usage would become so widespread before the special military operation

Ukraine may receive about 2 million FPV-drones by year-end — expert

"According to open sources, in 2023, about 40 billion rubles was allocated to finance the Ukrainian project Drone Army," a representative of the Center for Unmanned Competences said

Ingushetia's People's Assembly re-elects Kalimatov regional head for second term

The number of votes cast for Mahmud-Ali Maksharipovich Kalimatov is 25, chairman of the counting commission Batyr Khamkhoev said

Ukraine loses over 11,220 troops since start of hostilities in Kursk area

Russian servicemen repelled five Ukrainian attacks, the Russian Defense Ministry said

Iranian President plans to attend BRICS Summit in Kazan — Ambassador

There Masoud Pezeshkian plans to meet with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, Kazem Jalali said

Serbia sees how high Putin values it — deputy PM

The deputy prime minister pointed out that the presence of high-ranking officials at the meeting was meaningful for Serbia

Top Spanish diplomat says Venezuelan opposition figure Gonzalez on his way to country

Jose Manuel Albares also added that the Spanish government is "committed to respecting the political rights and physical integrity of all Venezuelans"

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"

Three civilians wounded in Ukrainian shelling attack on borderline Belgorod Region

The governor added that two houses and four outbuildings caught fire after shells hit them

Press review: Mongolia shoves Putin's arrest warrant and big deals abound at EEF

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, September 4th

Durov declines Russian, Emirati diplomatic assistance — Politico

"The person concerned refused Russian consular protection and an Emirati consular visit but agreed that the Emirati embassy be kept up to date on his situation," the official said

EU officials focus on serving US energy interests, Russian diplomat says

Maria Zakharova noted that the EU distorted facts and spread direct disinformation to portray Russia as an unreliable energy supplier

Landing humans on Mars needs international collaboration — former NASA chief

However, the former chief of the US space agency was skeptical about the prospect of a private company’s capability of sending humans to Mars alone

Houthis down US MQ-9 Reaper drone — rebel representative

This is the eighth drone of the US air forces of this type downed by the rebels over the airspace of Yemen since the start of escalation

There should be less talk about militarization of space, says former NASA chief

According to Charles Bolden, he felt that his job was to to maintain peace

Friendly football match between Russia and Thailand canceled — source

The match was scheduled to take place on September 7, but was canceled due to bad weather

Russia already won special military op — army official

"Our next task is to do everything possible to ensure that we remain a united family ready for future challenges," Apty Alaudinov said

Germany does not give Russia reliable information on Nord Stream sabotage case — envoy

Ambassador to Berlin Sergey Nechayev emphasized that the project involves not only Russia, but also many other countries as well

Russian forces advance in some areas in Kursk direction, senior commander says

According to Apty Alaudinov, while there has been "heavy fighting since this morning," Russian forces "have been gradually eliminating the enemy, driving them out, while pressing forward"

Ukraine’s 80th Brigade mopped up Kursk Region villages — captured solder says

Oleg Ivanenko surrendered to the Akhmat special forces on August 16

Russia to continue raising topic of West’s involvement in attacks on Kursk Region at UN

According to Zakharova, such contacts are maintained via the foreign ministry, "via embassies, via exchanges of notes, via isolated targeted missions."

Gazprom gas supplies to Europe through Ukraine reach 42.1 mln cubic meters

Earlier, Gazprom spokesman Sergey Kupriyanov said that the events in the Sudzha area of the Kursk region have already led to a sharp increase in the price of natural and liquefied gas

Russia’s elections going on correctly, apart from individual party representatives — CEC

Central Election Commission Chairwoman Ella Pamfilova added that the CEC also registered unsuccessful attempts by pro-Western opponents to destabilize the election through the information space

Kiev’s allies worried Ukraine could be pushed out of Kursk border area in a few months

Bloomberg reported that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said that Kiev could use the situation in the Kursk Region "as a bargaining chip in talks"

Fire area in Chernobyl exclusion zone in Ukraine exceeds 2,600 hectares

The radiation background in the area is normal, with critical infrastructure facilities not at threat

Chernobyl would pale in comparison to strike on Kursk NPP — Rosatom chief

On August 8, fragments of downed Ukrainian projectiles were discovered on the premises of the Kursk NPP

Kremlin not yet started preparations for Putin's Direct Line Q&A session

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the Direct Line session would be held closer to the New Year and would again be combined with the year-end press conference

West escalates situation in Ukraine, does not want a ceasefire — Iranian Ambassador

The ambassador stressed that "this is the West's approach not only to Ukraine".

German-made Leopard tanks prove inefficient on battlefield, says DPR

According to Yan Gagin, Ukrainian servicemen perish both in operations as Leopard 2 crews and in attempts to evacuate the armor from the battlefield

China interested in cooperation with Russian technology companies

"China also has its own experience in creating technology parks built with private investment," lawmaker Alexey Govyrin said, adding that "this experience is also very useful" for Russia

US cannot confirm downing of MQ-9 Reaper drone by Houthis

The movement’s military spokesman Yahya Saree said earlier that a US MQ-9 drone had been downed when it was carrying out hostile actions over the airspace of the Marib province

Striking Ukrainian reserves: situation in Kursk Region

Over the day, the Ukrainian military lost up to 370 servicemen and 17 armored vehicles

Press review: Big bucks flow at EEF and Macron's PM pick has left talking impeachment

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, September 6th

Russian units expand offensive bridgehead in DPR over week

According to the report, the Russian forces liberated several residential areas in the region

Scholz says it is time for discussing ways out of conflict in Ukraine

At the same time, he pledged that Germany would continue its assistance to Kiev but admitted that the results of the regional elections in Germany, where parties opposing weapons supplies to Ukraine won the majority, "stem from the fact that some people are against support for Ukraine."

Kiev reiterates hopes for Moscow’s attendance of second peace conference

"It is very difficult to end this war diplomatically without the Russian side," Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said

Russia says its Grad MLRS destroys Ukrainian positions near border in Kursk Region

The ministry said that, in cooperation with forward reconnaissance teams and unmanned aircraft, Grad crews strike enemy locations, strongholds and observation posts

French war correspondent says country had hand in planning attack on Kursk

It is reported that France strategically calls its military specialists in Ukraine mercenaries to avoid responsibility

Kremlin won’t help US 'decipher' Putin's remarks on Harris

Dmitry Peskov noted that unfortunately the issue of Russia is an integral part of the political struggle in the United States

Putin convinced Russia to keep boosting ties with Tajikistan

Putin pointed out that relations between the two countries are "making progress in the spirit of strategic partnership and alliance."

Russian sanitary watchdog sees no grounds for beginning of new coronavirus pandemic

"However, our main task is to be ready for any developments as the virus mutates and it will continue mutating," head of the service Anna Popova said in an interview with TASS on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum

Ukrainian forces daily send troops to Kursk area, suffering losses — commander

In particular, three Baba Yaga drones and three mortars were destroyed during the day

EAEU, SCO, BRICS can become backbone of global economic regulatory system

According to him, it is necessary to remove existing legislative barriers, primarily in the area of taxation and currency control

Russian forces wipe out Ukrainian training center with NATO instructors in Poltava

Vladimir Saldo stressed that the military bloc is providing both financial and administrative support for the operation of such centers

Russian forces liberate DPR’s Novogrodovka

Also the Defense Ministry said that Russian servicemen have hit a temporary deployment site of Ukraine’s Special Operations Center South

Trump says he was offended by Putin’s ironic remark about endorsing Harris

Earlier, the Russian leader said ironically that after incumbent US President Joe Biden "had been withdrawn" from the presidential race, Moscow came "to back" his successor Kamala Harris

BRICS countries may present instruments for mutual settlements at summit in Kazan

The key principles in designing the new financial system are decentralization of international interaction and the use of digital technologies, Andrey Mikhailishin said

Russian forces use drones in road mining to wipe out enemy vehicles — businessman

According to Alexey Chadayev, the new method has an advantage in that a mining device can be produced directly at the site of combat

Russian government orders to set up embassy in Dominican Republic

According to the order, the Russian Foreign Ministry is to determine the number of the embassy staff and to endorse the schedule

Turkey's entry into BRICS will encourage other countries to join association — expert

It is reported that Turkey's corresponding decision stems from its intention to enhance its status in the changing geopolitical order amid the world’s irreversible drift to multipolarity

Over 100,000 people take to streets in France protesting against Macron’s policy

Apart from Paris, massive rallies took place in Nantes, Nice, Marseille, Rennes and other major cities

Russian missile cruiser Varyag enters Mediterranean Sea

The ship's crew continues to fulfill the mission it was given for the long-range voyage

IAEA intends to increase cooperation with Russia

"I hope everybody understands the work of the IAEA, the technical basis of what we do, and our un-relentless compromise with nuclear safety," Director General Rafael Grossi stressed

Kremlin spokesman denies Russia meddles in US elections

"This is not the first time that Russia has been blamed for interfering into America’s elections," Dmitry Peskov told

Putin calls West's policy to ban Russia from dollar settlements ‘stupid’

The head of state noted that in this situation, Russia and its friendly countries are switching to national currencies in their mutual settlements

Author of "My Heart Will Go On" hit dies in US

He had been in declining health for the past 5-6 years

Belarusian tennis player Sobolenko wins US Open

The match ended 7-5, 7-5 in favor of Arina Sobolenko, who was seeded number two at the tournament

North Korea sending trash balloons to South Korea for the second day

On Wednesday evening, Pyongyang launched nearly 420 trash balloons

Putin slams Germany's refusal to turn on Nord Stream 2 as lunacy, nonsense

If Nord Stream 2 is brought back online, 27.5 bln cubic meters of gas would immediately go to Europe, the Russian leader stressed

US allocates new $250 million military aid package to Ukraine — Pentagon

According to the statement, the package includes RIM-7 missiles and air defense support, ammunition for HIMARS multiple rocket launchers, artillery shells of 155 mm and 105 mm caliber, Stinger MANPADS, Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems

White House irked by Putin’s ironic comment about US elections

Earlier the Russian leader said ironically that after incumbent US President Joe Biden "had been withdrawn" from the presidential race, Moscow came "to back" his successor Kamala Harris

Trump puzzled by Putin’s ironic comment about supporting Harris

Puyin said ironically that after incumbent US President Joe Biden "had been withdrawn" from the presidential race, Moscow came "to back" his successor Kamala Harris

Ukrainian shell hits residential house in Belgorod Region, two children injured

A 9-year-old boy with a head injury and a laceration of the left shin and his 7-year-old brother with a closed head injury are in serious condition, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reported

Ukraine’s troops cling to outskirts of Krasnogorovka, sustain daily losses — DPR head

Denis Pushilin said Russian soldiers were very resourceful in selecting methods and tactics of liberating the city, as well as rescuing the local population

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

Russian Su-34 jet hits Ukrainian forces in Kursk border area with aerial bombs

According to the Defense Ministry, after receiving confirmation from the intelligence service that the targets had been destroyed, the crew returned safely to the airfield

Scholz wants to know who is behind Nord Stream blasts — government spokesman

According to Steffen Hebestreit, the topic of the Nord Steams act of sabotage is still on the agenda, including in contacts with Kiev

Russian Defense Ministry announces liberation of Kalinovo settlement in DPR

The Armed Forces of Ukraine lost up to 810 servicemen in the area of responsibility of Russia’s South battlegroup over the day

Iran’s mission to UN denies country supplies weapons to sides of conflict in Ukraine

The statement followed a report by the Wall Street Journal that alleged, citing unnamed US and European officials, that Iran supplied short-range ballistic missiles to Russia

BRICS summit in Kazan to bring together leaders of important, powerful countries — Vucic

Vucic specified that during his conversation with Ambassador Botsan-Kharchenko, they touched upon economic cooperation issues, including "the construction of the Russian Railways’ dispatch center

Russia plans to create 90 nm lithography machine — minister

The first commercial specimen of the lithographic printer operating on the 350 nm topology already appeared this year

Ruslan Kukharuk elected governor of Khanty-Mansiysk Region

Thirty-three out of 36 deputies voted for him

Press review: Putin goes to Mongolia and Berlin gives Kiev free run to use its weapons

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, September 3rd

Ukrainian ambassador’s visit to Yasukuni Shrine 'affronts' Asian peoples — Chinese daily

The newspaper also recommended Sergey Korsunsky not to forget about China's peacekeeping efforts to resolve the Ukrainian conflict

Lavrov says his only meeting with Kuleba lacked constructiveness

The minister noted making an exception while visiting Antalya - there were no plans to participate in this diplomatic conference, because it did not fit into the schedule

Starliner undocks from ISS, returns to Earth without crew

The undocking occurred at 6:04 p.m. US East Coast time on Friday

Ukraine loses over 600 men after Russian attack on Poltava military school — politician

Igor Mosiychuk noted that the blame for what happened lies mainly with the Ukrainian military authorities, who allowed such a large number of servicemen to gather in one place