31 Jan, 15:26

Russian Voislav Torden to stay in custody in Finland until sentencing on March 7

Torden's lawyer, Heikki Lampela, stated that the accused denies all charges of war crimes

STOCKHOLM, January 31. /TASS/. A court in Finland has ordered that Russian national Voislav Torden, also known as Yan Petrovsky, shall due remain in custody until his sentencing on March 7, the Helsingin Sanomat newspaper has said.

According to the report, the hearing in the District Court of Helsinki concluded with a final statement by the defense, which requested Torden’s release. The court turned down this motion, which means that Torden will remain in custody until the sentencing due on March 7.

Trial proceedings began in the district court of Helsinki on December 5, 2024. Torden's lawyer, Heikki Lampela, stated that the accused denies all charges of war crimes.

According to the arrest warrant the alleged crimes took place in 2014 and 2015. Torden, who previously went by the name Yan Petrovsky, was apprehended by Finnish border guards on July 20, 2023. Ukraine is seeking his extradition on charges of crimes allegedly committed in Donbass. The Russian embassy in Finland has stated that its diplomats are closely monitoring the situation and are prepared to protect Torden's rights.

Middle East conflict

Israel endorses Trump’s special envoy’s temporary ceasefire proposal — Netanyahu's office

"On the first day of this plan, half of the living and deceased hostages will be released," the statement said

22 Feb 2022, 18:06

Minsk agreements cease to exist — Putin

The Russian president recalled that Kiev authorities have publicly said they were not going to implement this document

Yesterday, 12:59

Ukraine’s fertile soil more important than minerals — ex-Austrian foreign minister

Karin Kneissl pointed out that like Russia, Ukraine was rich in fertile lands, and major investment houses such as BlackRock, as well as Chinese investors, had expressed an interest in it

Yesterday, 02:52

Trump not interested in reviving Ukraine minerals deal now — Reuters

Representatives of the Ukrainian delegation began "begging" to sign the deal immediately after being told to leave the White House, according to the report

Yamandu Orsi takes office as president of Uruguay

Uruguay's new leader promised to implement measures to combat child poverty and strengthen the agricultural sector

Yesterday, 04:52

Trump leaves question on possible suspension of military aid to Ukraine unanswered

"It doesn't matter what I'm considering," he told reporters

12 Jan 2024, 20:14

Tucker Carlson reports on death of American reporter in Ukrainian custody

Gonzalo Lira was in prison because of criticism of the governments of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky and US President Joe Biden, the TV presenter said

Yesterday, 00:30

Trump says Zelensky overplayed his hand, has to say he wants to make peace

"We're not looking to go into a ten-year war and play games," US leader said

Two days ago, 11:37

Musk believes JD Vance on track to become US president

NBC previously reported that some supporters of US President Donald Trump were studying the possibility of amending the Constitution to allow him to run for another term

2 Dec 2024, 09:17

Ukrainian forces abduct children in Selidovo — member of parliament

Anna Kuznetsova shared a story of a child being forcibly taken away by Ukrainian servicemen while walking with his grandmother outdoors

Two days ago, 18:17

Trump says stupid to ask whether US sides with Ukraine

Reporter asked if Zelensky thought the US was on his side

Putin says European elites eventually to be "at Trump’s feet wagging their tails"

Russian President has expressed confidence that his US counterpart Donald Trump will quickly establish order among European elites

Yesterday, 03:16

Operators of Battlegroup East’s drones destroy 14 Ukrainian tanks in one month — top brass

The operstors also destroyed more than 40 armored combat vehicles, the Russian Defense Ministry reported

Two days ago, 20:06

Russia, China underscore importance of diplomatic solution for Ukrainian crisis

The Secretary of the Russian Security Council and the President of China also noted the need to continue coordinating efforts at key international platforms, in the first instance in BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization

Yesterday, 13:39

Hungarian PM urges for direct talks with Russia on ceasefire in Ukraine — FT

According to the newspaper, Viktor Orban opposed Brussels’ attempts to find a consensus on Ukraine among the bloc’s 27 member states

Yesterday, 08:28

Zelensky's attempt to act like ‘tough guy’ at meeting with Trump insulted everyone — media

"Now Zelensky will have to figure out how to fix this on his own. We can’t fix it for him," senior US official said

Yesterday, 14:40

Top Russian diplomat informs Turkish colleague of attack on TurkStream

Hakan Fidan has assured that the necessary measures will be taken," the Foreign Ministry added

Yesterday, 06:24

Russian Battlegroup South inflicts damage on Ukraine’s Azov nationalist battalion

"The Ukrainian army lost over 170 troops, a tank, two armored combat vehicles, three pickups, and six field branch artillery weapons, with two of them produced in the West," battlegroup spokesman said

Two days ago, 11:28

Macron urges Europe to reject subservient dependency on US

According to Emmanuel Macron, Europe has to evolve "in order to regain power"

Two days ago, 17:31

Trump, as he meets Zelensky, says US-Russia talks have been 'very great'

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Trump spoke by phone on February 12, discussing such issues as the prospects for a settlement in Ukraine

Two days ago, 12:43

Consulate attack result of France fomenting hate against Russia — diplomatic mission

The consulate was outraged by the ruling of the French court, which sentenced the attackers to eight months in prison, to be served at home under electronic monitoring

Two days ago, 19:44

Zelensky interjects, engages in disputes, makes rude remarks to media at Trump meeting

Zelensky ignored the question about the chance of holding elections in Ukraine

Yesterday, 09:56

No talks underway on second phase of Gaza ceasefire deal — Hamas official

Movement Spokesman Hazem Qassem stressed that Hamas remained committed to the three-phase Gaza ceasefire deal

Two days ago, 09:35

Trump sends sobering message on Ukraine to Europe — media

At a White House meeting on February 27, the US president dismissed the possibility of the United States providing military support for a potential European peacekeeping mission in Ukraine

Two days ago, 12:12

IN BRIEF: Key takeaways from latest round of Russia-US talks in Istanbul

The Russian Foreign Ministry’s North Atlantic Department Director Alexander Darchiyev headed the Russian delegation

Trump extends anti-Russian sanctions linked to Ukraine for one year

"These restrictive measures "must continue in effect beyond March 6, 2025," the US president said

Two days ago, 18:29

US to withdraw support for Kiev if Zelensky fails to seek peace — Trump

"And if we're out, you'll fight it out," the US president pointed out

9 Feb 2024, 02:04

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

Ukrainian army selling US weapons to Mexican cartels, Tucker Carlson says

Earlier, Carlson said that "the Ukrainian military is selling about half of the arms they get from the United States into international black markets

Yesterday, 06:25

Battlegroup Dnepr inflicts damage on six Ukrainian brigades in 24 hours

The Ukrainian army lost up to 95 troops, six cars, two artillery weapons, two counterbattery stations, and an electronic warfare station, battlegroup spokesman said

6 Dec 2024, 18:33

Russia’s new ambassador to US faces persistent work with 'Trumpists' — diplomat

Earlier this year, Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed Anatoly Antonov as Russia’s Ambassador to the United States

Two days ago, 13:01

Industries in eastern Germany count on return of Russian gas supplies — Bloomberg

According to the report, resumption of supplies from Russia would allow businesses in Germany, which are facing many problems due to rising energy prices after refusing Russian gas, to restore their competitiveness

Lukashenko says no one can resolve Ukraine conflict without Kiev

Earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the United States and Russia have not yet begun formal negotiations to resolve the crisis in Ukraine

11 Nov 2024, 09:24

US plans to remove 'arrogant' Zelensky and stage 2025 elections in Ukraine — SVR

"At the initial stage, it is planned to encourage entities within the Ukrainian civil society under their control, through US 'democratization' foundations and think tanks, to come up with a corresponding initiative," the statement reads

Russian army 7 km away from Kupyansk — head of Kharkov regional military-civil authority

Vitaly Ganchev noted that the front line in the Kupyansk area was gradually widening

Yesterday, 05:58

German car industry has no prospects on Russian market — Kneissl

"The demand for expensive German cars will remain niche, for a small group of people who consider them as a status symbol," the head of the "G.O.R.K.I." center of the St. Petersburg State University thinks

Press review: UK undermines Russia-US talks as top Russian diplomat talks Syria, Ukraine

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, February 27th

Press review: White House limits Kiev’s allies as Europe faces challenges without US nukes

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, February 26th

Two days ago, 22:15

Argument between Trump, Zelensky to exacerbate conflict in Ukraine — expert

An "absolutely new political situation emerged that can trigger unpredictable consequences," Andrey Bystritsky, board chairman of the Valdai International Discussion Club’s Development and Support Foundation, said

Yesterday, 11:07

Ukraine loses over 220 troops in Kursk Region in past day — Russian Defense Ministry

"An infantry fighting vehicle, an armored personnel carrier, 11 armored combat vehicles, 12 motor vehicles, and seven artillery pieces were destroyed," the Ministry said

Kiev must sign mineral deal to avoid total collapse of US-Ukraine ties — Chinese expert

Although a deal offered to Ukraine by the European Union "may be fairer than that of the US, it comes too late," Zhang Hong believes

US gives large funds to Delegation in Georgia for demonstrations — SVR

According to the SVR, the EU aims to "bring Georgia back to the path of democracy and European integration" at any cost

Two days ago, 15:03

Musk jumping the gun by saying that ISS should be deorbited — Russian cosmonaut

Oleg Artemyev speculated that Musk's suggestion to abandon the ISS was made "in haste, without sufficient consideration"

Brazil to work on BRICS secure payment systems — Lula da Silva

The Brazilian leader also urged BRICS countries to boost bilateral trade for the association to have even stronger ties

Two days ago, 20:51

Russian official says Zelensky prone to ‘bloody provocations’ after White House spat

According to Yevgeny Primakov, Kiev has few ways to save face, and "to spill a lot of innocent blood at once and then blame it on Russia is one of the easiest ones"

Two days ago, 13:09

FACTBOX: What is known about rare earth metals

The term "rare" refers to the supposed scarcity of these minerals and "earth" comes from an old name for oxides, the chemical form for these elements in the mineral

Yesterday, 04:14

Trump says ceasefire in Ukraine could take place immediately

"If you want to end the war, you sign up an agreement that's going to take a period of time," he said

Zelensky offers Europe to 'buy' war Washington refused — Medvedchuk

Leader of the Other Ukraine movement added that the new Washington administration had not just refused to "purchase the war," but saw it as a scam that European politicians had not yet "seen through"

Yesterday, 20:58

NATO chief tells Zelensky to restore relations with Trump

"I think it was very unfortunate," Mark Rutte said about the incident in the White House

Yesterday, 05:30

Relations between Trump, Zelensky may be ‘irreparable’ — media

According to US official, what happened at Trump’s meeting with Zelensky at the White House was "disastrous"

Yesterday, 08:26

Europe may face street protests, former top Austrian diplomat warns

Kneissl stressed that in Europe, "politics has turned into a business where people make profits and build ties in order to get high posts"

21 May 2024, 06:04

Ukraine’s Zelensky should be tried for war crimes, DPR head says

Denis Pushilin pointed out that it was Zelensky who gave criminal orders and took a position that seriously endangered both the residents of Donbass and the population of the rest of Ukraine

Two days ago, 20:04

White House confirms US, Ukraine didn’t sign minerals deal

The American leader said Zelensky could come back when he was ready for peace

Ukraine attacks 34 Russian regions since February 2022 — top investigator

"These are regions located beyond the territory of the military operation," Alexander Bastrykin noted

Two days ago, 08:42

Ukraine's accession to EU unthinkable at present — Hungarian PM

Viktor Orban noted that he "openly opposes" Ukraine's joining the union, but at the same time does not claim that such a situation "will remain forever"

Yesterday, 20:43

Rotation of IAEA observers takes place at Zaporozhye nuke plant

Tthe rotation route went via Russian territory for the first time, the press service of Russia’s Rosatom State Nuclear Energy Corporation said

11 Nov 2024, 14:27

Trump to rely on forces that brought him to power — Russian presidential aide

Nikolay Patrushev agreed that Trump, when he was still a candidate, "made many statements critical of the destructive foreign and domestic policies pursued by the current administration"

Two days ago, 15:53

Four African countries to create trade corridor

According to the media, the goal is to strengthen regional integration by creating a land corridor connecting participating countries

Yesterday, 00:36

Musk says time to find out what happened to aid to Ukraine

"Time to find out what really happened to the hundreds of billions of dollars sent to Ukraine," he said

Tucker Carson urges to ‘start blaming’ Zelensky for serious war crimes

"Over the past three years, with the tacit support of its western patrons, the Ukrainian government has committed a remarkable number of serious crimes," the journalist said

Yesterday, 03:26

US not to tolerate political games, disrespect of country — homeland security secretary

Secretary of the US Department of Homeland Security Kristi Noem thanked US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance "for standing up for America"

Yesterday, 19:54

About 20 armed individuals attack polling station in Abkhazia

Following the incident in the town of Tsandrypsh, the election committee said that the situation was under control

Two days ago, 08:12

US to recognize new Russian regions out of economic interests — Ukrainian politician

Viktor Medvedchuk warned that Ukrainian resources which Washington would own as a result of a resource deal will yield profits only if the new owners cooperate with Russia

Yesterday, 12:10

IN BRIEF: What is known about Kiev’s attack on TurkStream infrastructure

TASS has gathered the key information about the attack

23 Jan 2023, 19:07

Ukraine run by CIA, MI-6 specialists, not Zelensky — former PM

Ukraine’s former Prime Minister (2010-2014) Nikolai Azarov said the Ukrainian authorities are fulfilling ready-made plans "under supervision from Western specialists"

Ukraine doesn’t acknowledge any debt to US — Zelensky

According to Vladimir Zelensky, the US-proposed minerals deal is a "new agreement," which has no relation to the assistance to Kiev, which has already been provided

Two days ago, 18:43

Trump says Zelensky not ready for peace

"He can come back when he is ready for peace," the US president said

Missing plane found crashed in Alaska, all 10 people aboard killed — report

It is unclear yet what caused the accident

5 Apr 2024, 11:20

Russian tanks outfitted with electronic warfare systems to counter drones — manufacturer

Uralvagonzavod fully implemented the defense procurement plan in the first three months of this year, it said

Yesterday, 20:20

‘Unprecedented dressing down’: Russian diplomat on Trump-Zelensky meeting

It "is also indicative of the political weakness and extreme moral degradation of the European leaders who continue to support the maniac leader of the Nazi regime who has lost touch with reality," Maria Zakharova said

Two days ago, 19:43

Rare minerals deal between the US, Ukraine canceled — reporter

"Ukrainians were begging to reset," Fox News reporter Jacqui Heinrich added, citing the White House officials

NATO continues supplying Ukrainian forces for counterattacks — expert

According to Colonel Vitaly Kiselyov, the movement of a large number of equipment and manpower of the Ukrainian armed forces is reported in the Kursk and Krasnoarmeysk directions

Yesterday, 00:52

US may halt all military aid to Ukraine — The Washington Post

The decision, if made, would apply "to billions of dollars of radars, vehicles, ammunition and missiles awaiting shipment to Ukraine through the presidential drawdown authority," according to the publication

Yesterday, 12:30

Europe turns into secondary player on international stage — ex-top Austrian diplomat

Karin Kneissl, former Austrian foreign minister, also noted Europe was showing "a disastrous approach to history"

Yesterday, 07:36

Kurdistan Workers’ Party expresses readiness to declare ceasefire — media

The party added that it would respect the ceasefire only if its units were not attacked

Two days ago, 10:00

Press review: Russia, US take another step to mend ties as Kiev tries to outwit Washington

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, February 28th

Two days ago, 20:55

US halts Ukraine’s energy grid restoration support plan — NBC News

In addition to ending the Ukraine Energy Security Project, USAID is also dramatically downsizing its presence in Ukraine

Yesterday, 02:48

Rubio says Zelensky should apologize for fiasco in White House

"You start to perceive that maybe Zelensky doesn’t want a peace deal," US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said

Yesterday, 12:03

Trump may end even indirect support for Kiev following meeting with Zelensky — newspaper

Moreover, "the final shipments of ammunition and equipment authorized and paid for during the Biden administration could be canceled imminently," New York Times writes

31 Jan 2023, 14:12

US played key role in ousting Ukrainian president in 2014, researcher says

Jeffrey Sachs noted that the course of NATO expansion to Ukraine and Georgia was adopted by US President George Bush Jr. back in 2008

Yesterday, 19:14

Up to 150 Ukrainian militants eliminated in Russian strike on testing ground

Russian forces used an Iskander missile system, the Russian Defense Ministry said

Yesterday, 17:19

Trump wants to stop ‘meat grinder, ’ Zelensky needs money to continue — Musk

On February 28, Vladimir Zelensky had a meeting with the US President at the White House

27 Oct 2023, 23:22

About 20% of weapons sent to Kiev end up on black market – Russia’s UN mission

Dmitry Polyansky said that some of the weapons supplied to Kiev are "in the darknet, which means that it is available to anyone"

Yesterday, 01:48

Zelensky refused to apologize for heated exchange with Trump

"I’m not sure that we did something bad," Vladimir Zelensky said

Israel endorses Trump’s special envoy’s temporary ceasefire proposal — Netanyahu's office

"On the first day of this plan, half of the living and deceased hostages will be released," the statement said

Two days ago, 13:12

Russian troops liberate eight communities in Ukraine operation over week

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted more than 1,340 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed 34 enemy artillery guns in its area of responsibility over the week, the ministry reported

24 Jan 2024, 15:08

Zelensky leads Ukraine to terrible finale, killing his own people — Russian MFA

Maria Zakharova compared the Ukrainian president with a drug baron from classic US movies

Yesterday, 16:52

Top Russian diplomat informs Hungarian colleague of terror attack on TurkStream

The conversation took place at the initiative of the Hungarian side

Yesterday, 02:45

Trump believes peace deal to precede security guarantees to Kiev

That doesn't mean security guarantees "can't happen as part of that negotiation, but you have to have an agreement," US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said

Two days ago, 07:32

US-Ukraine minerals deal to trigger Ukraine’s split — Medvedchuk

Zelensky has been actively trying to sell Ukraine in bulk and retail since 2024, the Ukrainian opposition politician noted

Musk blames Zelensky for murder of journalist Gonzalo Lira

The reporter was detained in Kharkov in May 2023 and was accused of supporting the Russian special military operation in Ukraine

Yesterday, 16:20

Less than 28,000 Ukrainians mobilized in February with losses of 38,900 troops

Ukraine’s desperate attempts to improve the situation with replacing losses on the line of combat engagement have been unsuccessful, the Russian Defense Ministry said

2 Sep 2024, 11:31

Ukraine will lose in Kursk — Putin

The Russian leader noted that the Kursk attack was meant to stop the Russian advance in Donbass

Zelensky uses foul language, blames West for not providing help

In his opinions, Western partners were to attempt to "intimidate" Moscow by sanctions and arms supplies to Kiev even before February 24, 2022

Zelensky's digs at Trump part of broader impeachment plot, says Ukrainian lawmaker

Alexander Dubinsky emphasized that Trump’s opponents wanted to take revenge against the US president for his public criticism of "the Democratic leadership, consistently portraying them as incompetent"

Yesterday, 11:48

Russian forces foil Kiev’s attempt to attack TurkStream gas pipeline’s infrastructure

According to the ministry, Russian air defenses downed all three Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles at a safe distance from the station

Yesterday, 04:34

Russia has won special military operation — Kneissl

"No one expected Russia to be so stable," former Austrian Foreign Minister said

31 Jan 2017, 08:25

Production of Ka-52 helicopters to double to meet high export demand

Last year Russia had signed a contract with Egypt for providing 46 Ka-52 Alligator helicopters

17 Mar 2024, 01:35

Houthis cooperate with Russia, China to destroy idea of unipolar world — politburo

According to the Houthi representative, the shift towards the multipolarity in the global balance of powers happened after the beginning of Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine and accelerated during the current escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict

Yesterday, 18:36

Trump’s entire team supports halting talks with Zelensky — US national security advisor

Mike Waltz added that productive negotiations and a minerals deal would have been a "positive moment for Ukraine

12 Dec 2023, 17:19

West overlooks crimes by Zelensky’s gangland regime — European Parliament member

Thierry Mariani said Zelensky "behaves like a mafioso, ready to eliminate those whom he considers a threat to his own power"