Explosion reported in southern Ukrainian city of Odessa

The city is witnessing a partial blackout, a local media outlet says

MOSCOW, February 17. /TASS/. An explosion has occurred in the southern Ukrainian city of Odessa, the RBC Ukraine news agency reported.

According to the media outlet, the city has been partially left without power.

Air raid warnings are currently in effect for Ukraine's Dnepropetrovsk, Kirovograd, Poltava, Sumy, Chernigov, Cherkasy, Kharkov, and Odessa regions.

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Ukraine crisis

Series of explosions rocks southern Ukrainian city of Odessa

Air raid warnings are in effect in the region

Russian delegation heading to Geneva and difficult dialogue with US: Ryabkov's statements

As the Russian senior diplomat reiterated, Moscow proceeds from the understanding that agreements on the Ukrainian settlement must eliminate the root causes of the conflict and be durable in nature

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The ministry noted that during the liberation of Tsvetkovoye, the enemy lost a large number of personnel and military equipment

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Russia increases mackerel imports by 14% in value terms in 2025

Russian mackerel imports in 2025 reached 70,000 tons worth $160 mln

Scientists forecast complete melting of glacier, which they use to analyze climate

The Aldegonda Glacier has lost about 20% of its mass, scientists say

Canadian ice-hockey legend Esposito eyes Moscow trip to receive his Friendship Award

The two-time Stanley Cup champion vowed to come to Moscow and receive the award personally from the Russian president

Europe defenseless the US nuclear shield — German foreign minister

Johann Wadephul noted that Europe should focus on fulfilling the commitment to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP

Loss of Kupyansk-Uzlovoi strips Kiev of chance to counterattack from the south — official

Igor Kimakovsky noted that Kupyansk-Uzlovoi served as the primary logistical hub for Ukrainian operations in this sector of the front

Swiss embassy issues visas to Russian journalists for negotiations in one day

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Explosion reported in southern Ukrainian city of Odessa

The city is witnessing a partial blackout, a local media outlet says

Battlegroup East takes control of Staroukrainka, Pridorozhnoye, Zaliznichnoye, Tsvetkovoye

Battlegroup South troops are advancing towards Slavyansk, they are liberating Reznikovka, Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Army General Valery Gerasimov, said

Head of Armenian regulator backs idea of connecting to power systems of Turkey, Azerbaijan

The operation of power systems of the two countries will provide greater flexibility to control from the engineering standpoint and will provide economic benefits, Mesrop Mesropyan noted

Russian delegation to arrive in Geneva on February 17 — source

According to the source, the delegation will fly back on Wednesday evening

Ukraine loses 2,000 mercenaries, elite forces personnel in Gulyaipole — expert

Andrey Marochko noted that, having neutralized all enemy threats, Russian fighters created fire pockets for them in this sector of the front, destroying a large group of the Ukrainian armed forces

SpaceX to donate over 100 Starlink terminals to Armenian government — minister

Mkhitar Hayrapetyan noted that these terminals will be used to address Internet access issues in a number of the country’s high-altitude regions and educational institutions

West’s role in bloody coup in Ukraine must be remembered — Peskov

Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized that after 2014 everything changed

Bank of Russia to study AI effect on economy, competition

The regulator is going to look at the consequences of broad application of these methods for the economy and its structure, innovations and productivity, the labor market and inequality across households in terms of incomes

Russia trying to find common ground in relations with US — senior diplomat

It's been tough going, Sergey Ryabkov said

Ukrainian army carries out two attacks on Donetsk People’s Republic in past day

Local authorities say, one civilian was injured, some road-building equipment was damaged

Russia, Mali football teams to play each other in March - source

According to the source, the match has been tentatively slated for March 27

Ukrainian forces suffer significant losses they unable to replace — Russian military chief

The Ukrainian armed forces are relying primarily on drones, Valery Gerasimov said

Senior Russian MP advises Polish president against flexing ‘nuclear muscles’

Poland, in his words, will never be able to obtain nuclear weapons "either from the political or military-technical point of view"

Lukashenko denies rumors Putin barred him from attending Board of Peace meeting in US

The Belarusian president noted that when he talked with Putin, he did not yet know that he had been invited to the Board of Peace

Press review: Ukraine talks in Geneva shape settlement as Russia explores MERCOSUR deal

Claims of Navalny's poisoning are Western propaganda hoax — Russian MFA

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has dismissed claims that blogger Alexey Navalny was poisoned with frog-derived poison

Two new mpox cases confirmed in Russian tourists returning from Thailand

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Over 600 Palestinians killed in Gaza Strip as result of ceasefire violations by Israel

According to the enclave’s health ministry, two people were killed and eleven sought medical assistance during the past day

Russia-China contacts yield visible results — Chinese ambassador

Zhang Hanhui says he hopes for a growth of the tourist flow amid a mutual abolition of visa requirements

Europe chooses to remain deceived due to dependence on US — Chinese political scientist

Wang Yiwei said transatlantic ties would be more accurately compared not to relations between spouses but between parents and children

Europe's transgender policies will lead to serious tragedy — top lawmaker

Vyacheslav Volodin noted that in almost 20 European countries, there are no age or medical restrictions for gender transition

Russian deputy foreign minister cautions against 'locking' Russian fleet

Sergey Ryabkov said that "if somebody assumes 'experiments' may be continued, it may have a sad end"

At 46 and 18, mother and son make Olympic history by both competing in Milan

Sarah Schleper earlier became the first ever female alpine skier to compete in seven Winter Olympic Games

EU needs statements about Navalny's poisoning to ‘cover up’ Epstein affair — diplomat

Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova says Westerners overhyped the Navalny topic with "an element of detective work"

Israel tests David's Sling air defense system from naval surface ship

According to the Israeli Defense Ministry, the system underwent a series of tests designed to assess its effectiveness in various combat scenarios against current and future threats

US Department of Justice publishes list of 300 celebrities who appear in Epstein files

Prince Harry, Kim Kardashian, Kurt Cobain, and Bruce Springsteen are among the names mentioned

Moscow Exchange transfers ruble-dollar pair trading from OTC to CETS

The trades with the currency pair will be made from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm Moscow time

Geneva talks to cover all key issues, including territories — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov said this is why the presence of Russia's chief negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, is required

Press review: Ukraine seeks EU accession in 2027 and Germany urges Russian energy return

Georgia holds televised debates on potential EU membership

The event was initiated by the opponent of Georgia joining the EU, NATO Vakhtang Shakarisjvili

Trump's decree on Cuba's oil blockade is 'completely insane' — ambassador

The decree absolutely contradicts international law, Viktor Koronelli said

Russian troops liberate two communities in Ukraine operation over past day — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup North inflicted more than 170 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed 18 enemy motor vehicles in its areas of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

First Russian athletes return home from 2026 Winter Games in Italy

Russian lugers Daria Olesik and Pavel Repilov with their assisting staff arrived at the Moscow Vnukovo airport

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The trade turnover between the two countries totaled $411.813 mln in the reporting period

Cabinet in Russia discussing biometric age verification with marketplaces

The system allows the buyer to be remotely identified through a facial image or fingerprint

Hockey legend Phil Esposito says 'it's a disgrace' Russia not at Olympics

In February 2022, the IIHF suspended Russia and Belarus from participation in international competitions

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Deputy head of the Russian presidential administration Maxim Oreshkin became the head of the committee

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The effect of online trade and marketplaces on rigidity of prices and transmission of price shocks of producers will also be assessed

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The Russian delegation for the upcoming negotiations in Geneva will be expanded

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Dmitry Peskov stressed that it was impossible to interpret the situation any other way

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Sergey Nechayev said there are too many in the West who are all-in on conflict with Russia

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Gazprom directors will also consider development of the company’s mineral and feedstock base and prospects of gas production in Russia

Russia, Ukraine discuss return of Kursk Region residents — ombudswoman

Tatyana Moskalkova said that the Ukrainians rescued by Russia from the war zone and taken to a safe place have already left for their homeland, provided they had documents

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Zelensky's accusations cannot force Hungary to approve Ukraine's EU accession — PM

Viktor Orban warned that his government would not change its stance on the issue

Russian e-commerce turnover surge six-fold recently — PM

Mikhail Mishustin said that digital platforms are proactively developing, linking sellers and buyers

Moscow to return all historically Russian lands to their 'rightful home' — Lavrov

The top Russian diplomat stressed that linguistic, cultural and religious rights of those who remain under Kiev’s authority must be restored

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Head of the regional agency for fisheries Yury Maslov said the stock of this fish species gives rise to concerns

Russia response to Putin residence attack hit Ukraine military facilities — Galuzin

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Moscow, Astana discuss dates for Putin’s 2026 visit to Kazakhstan — ambassador

Russia’s ambassador to Astana Alexey Borodavkin also pointed out that work is underway on the substantive agenda of the talks

UN chief condemns Israel’s decision to resume land registration in West Bank

According to Antonio Guterres, this policy "is eroding the prospect for the two-State solution"

Ukraine's foreign mercenaries commit worst abuses against Kharkov residents

Vitaly Ganchev, head of the Kharkov Military-Civil Administration, added that the foreigners avoid open clashes with the Russian army

Russian troops cut off Ukrainian army’s logistics in Konstantinovka — DPR head

Russian troops have advanced towards Dobropolye, Denis Pushilin added

So far, only Russia has allocated $1 billion to Palestine — Kremlin

"This fact is of great significance and should not be overlooked," Dmitry Peskov said

Ukrainian fighters blame command after bulk of their regiment destroyed — source

Local militants blame the staff command for leaking coordinates to the Russian side

Russia still trying to nail down Board of Peace mission — senior diplomat

According to Sergey Ryabkov, Moscow has been quite open about its position on the Board of Peace

West succeeded in making Ukraine European in terms of Nazism — diplomat

Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova says that Moscow has always regarded Ukraine "as a sovereign, independent state"

Japan’s Miura, Kihara win Olympic gold in pairs figure skating

Georgia’s Anastasia Metelkina, Luka Berulava won the silver

Sergey Ivanov removed as permanent member of Russia’s Security Council

In early February, Sergey Ivanov was relieved of his post as special representative of the head of state on environmental protection, ecology and transport

EU to save face by using frozen Russian assets to rebuild Gaza Strip — RSPP head

Alexander Shokhin noted that such a project could involve the participation of Russia, the United States, and the European Union

Epstein’s files mention Zelensky in connection with human trafficking from Ukraine

Vladimir Zelensky appears in Epstein's files several dozen times, most prominently in connection with the Jean-Luc Brunel case

Russian stock indices in the green on Monday — market data

The ruble-denominated MOEX Russia Index gained 0.23% to 2,782.6 points, while the dollar-denominated RTS Index ticked up by 0.98% to 1,144.06 points

Large Flamingo missile production line destroyed in Ukraine, Zelensky admits

Vladimir Zelensky added that he could speak about this because the incident occurred some time ago

Ukrainian army chief points to difficult situation in Gulyaipole area

Russia’s Defense Ministry earlier reported having thwarted the rotation of Ukrainian soldiers

Rosatom delivered uranium, gold mining target for 2025

First Deputy CEO of Rosatom Nedra Alexey Shemetov said that commercial operation of the Severnoye goldfield in Yakutia kicked off

US blogger calls London’s idea of allowing children to change gender identity madness

In the United States, Schutzman built a successful career in the IT sector, holding high positions at corporations such as Microsoft, Oracle and Red Hat

Estonia Foreign Ministry summons Russian ambassador over Putin’s comments on Narva

On June 9, the Russian President said that Peter I did not seize any Swedish territories during the Great Northern War but "got them back"

Bryansk Region withstands heaviest UAV attack

"The Ukrainian army’s terrorist actions resulted in damage to energy infrastructure facilities," the region's governor stated

European leaders deluding themselves hoping for Ukraine’s victory over Russia — Orban

The hungarian prime minister says that Western politicians are firmly committed to supporting Ukraine "until Russia is exhausted"

SpaceX, xAI compete for Pentagon contract to develop autonomous drone swarms — Bloomberg

The winning project with a $100 mln investment can end up with a technology using voice commands for multiple drones

Ukraine evacuates Kupyansk residents as Russian army advances — administration head

Vitaly Ganchev said said the Kharkov Regional State Administration with the help of the military is in touch with the civilians, trying to provide them with everything they need or organize an evacuation