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Pakistan-Afghanistan clashes

China ready to offer mediation in Afghanistan-Pakistan conflict settlement — MFA

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Mao Ning called on Kabul and Islamabad to "remain calm, exercise restraint, and return to resolving their current differences through dialogue and negotiations as soon as possible to prevent further escalation"

BEIJING, February 27. /TASS/. Beijing is ready to provide mediation efforts to resolve the escalating conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Mao Ning said during a briefing.

"China has always acted as a mediator in the conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan through its own channels and is ready to continue playing a constructive role in order to de-escalate tensions and stabilize relations between the parties," she said.

The diplomat also called on Kabul and Islamabad to "remain calm, exercise restraint, and return to resolving their current differences through dialogue and negotiations as soon as possible to prevent further escalation."

On the evening of February 26, fighting broke out again along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. Kabul said it was conducting a military operation in response to recent Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan territory. Islamabad reported that more than 130 Afghan soldiers were killed and about 80 military vehicles destroyed during the Pakistani operations.

Number of Ukrainian refugees climbs to 5.6 million since 2022 — study

According to the research, the number grew by 400,000 in 2026 compared to late 2024

Russian diplomat calls incident in Cuban waters 'aggressive US provocation'

As Maria Zakharova stressed, the move is aimed at escalating the situation and triggering conflict

Putin thanks Special Operations Forces for their courageous operations behind enemy lines

The Russian leader expressed his gratitude to the personnel and veterans for their exemplary combat performance, professional skills, and personal bravery

Ex-UK ambassador to Russia warns of horribly complex process of Ukraine’s EU accession

Anthony Brenton noted that it is "very difficult" to determine any timeframe for this process, as demanded in Kiev

Iran rejected all of US demands during Geneva talks — WSJ

According to the newspaper, Iran rejected the idea of handing over its uranium stockpiles to a foreign country, stopping enrichment and demolishing its nuclear facilities

Demanding that China join disarmament dialogue unfounded — Foreign Ministry

US Secretary of State and presidential national security adviser Marco Rubio recently commented that "for arms control agreements to be meaningful in the 21st century, China must be involved"

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 troops fighting in outskirts of Svyatogorsk in Donetsk region — military expert

Andrey Marochko added that Ukrainian troops are still controlling some commanding heights near Svyatogorsk, which impedes the Russian army’s advance and the town’s liberation

Possible US strike on Iran unlikely to cause longstanding regional conflict — Vance

US Vice President JD Vance stressed he does not know what Donald Trump will decide to do about Iran

Russian troops advancing to Siminovka in Kharkov Region — expert

Andrey Marochko said that personnel of the Russian Armed Forces had pushed Ukrainian troops back more than 12 kilometers from the state border

Hungary sends helicopters to Ukrainian border to protect energy infrastructure

Defense Minister Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky stressed that military units protecting critically important energy infrastructure will be provided with electronic warfare equipment in sufficient amounts

At least 600 foreign mercenaries enlist in Ukrainian army every month

Currently, more than 10,000 foreign volunteers from 75 countries serve in the Ukrainian Ground Forces

Russian lawmakers adopt appeal over risk of nuclear weapon transfer to Ukraine

State Duma deputies call on the parliaments of France and Great Britain, the European parliament, and also specialized organizations and agencies within the system of the United Nations Organization to take urgent measures to avert a potential nuclear conflict

Uruguay becomes first to ratify Mercosur-EU trade agreement — MFA

On January 17, a free trade agreement was signed between the European Union and Mercosur countries in Paraguay

US First Lady to chair UN Security Council meeting on March 2 — Fox News

Melania Trump is expected to deliver a speech about the importance of the educational system in ensuring global peace

Hungary to block anti-Russian sanctions until gets defense loan — media

The European Commission denies blocking the defense loan under the EU’s SAFE militarization program

Six killed, around 20 wounded in gas explosion at cafe in Kazakhstan

Rescuers are currently clearing the debris at the site of the accident

Ex-PM of Ukraine dismisses claims of territorial concessions by Kiev negotiators

Nikolay Azarov added that the entire Kiev administration is a puppet regime

UK ready to fully ban maritime services for Russian oil shipments — Foreign Office

London said that it continues to discuss this with Europeans

US House to examine resolution banning strike on Iran without congressional approval

The resolution warns that delivering new strikes on Iran "without a full understanding of all the attendant risks to US service members and to escalation, is reckless"

Pakistani authorities say 72 Afghan servicemen killed in border clashes

Also, Pakistani troops destroyed 36 tanks, artillery guns and armored personnel carriers

US ultimatum to Kiev could end conflict in one day — British politician

"Until Trump does that, the war will continue," Leader of the Workers Party of Britain George Galloway said

Iran, US agree to resume talks after consultations in capitals — Oman's Foreign Ministry

He also thanked all participants in the process for their efforts, including the negotiators from Iran and the US, representatives of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and the Swiss government for organizing the meeting

Poland only harmed itself by closing Russian consulates, embassy says

According to Russia’s Charge d’Affaires in Poland Andrey Ordash, the workload on the embassy's consular section increased significantly after Poland expelled 45 Russian diplomats in March 2022

US positive about talks with Iran in Geneva — Axios

Earlier, journalist Barak Ravid wrote with reference to anonymous sources that the US president’s Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and entrepreneur Jared Kushner were disappointed by remarks made by members of the Iranian delegation

Press review: Trump pushes Iran strike plans and Israel threatens Gaza as Hamas vote nears

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

Kiev unwilling to get bodies of fallen soldiers to avoid paying compensations — Rada

According to Anna Skorokhod, a member of the Verkhovna Rada, it is a social issue, because when people see so many bodies being returned, they become even more negative about mobilization

Russia delivers massive overnight strike on Ukrainian military sites — top brass

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,115 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

British politicians start to see Brexit as mistake — ex-envoy to Russia

According to Tony Brenton, turned out to be economically and politically damaging

Those planning to transfer nuclear weapons to Kiev should be brought to justice — speaker

Vyacheslav Volodin noted that France and Great Britain began to make "clumsy attempts" to explain their actions

Pakistan government says 133 Afghan servicemen killed, 200 wounded in clashes

Pakistani troops also destroyed over 80 tanks, artillery guns and armored personnel carriers

US, Ukraine discuss economy, security guarantees in Geneva — Umerov

The secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov noted that the next round is being prepared

Some 22 Afghan soldiers killed in fighting, with 40 casualties on Pakistani side

According to the report, fighting along the border is ongoing, with the Pakistani army employing small arms, artillery, and strike drones

FACTBOX: What we know about incident with US-registered speedboat in Cuban waters

According to Cuba’s Interior Ministry, four people aboard the Florida-based speedboat were killed, and another six were injured

Telegram restrictions do not impede work of Russian soldiers — military officer

According to the serviceman, Russia has its own internal military communications system

Rotterdam Port throughput falls for the fourth year in a row amid EU steel crisis

According to the report, in 2025, the port’s total cargo throughput amounted to 428 million tons, which is down 1.7% year-on-year

Afghanistan announces completion of military operation against Pakistan

The statement noted that the operation was a response to "the violation of Afghanistan's territorial integrity and the deaths of women and children" resulting from the Pakistani military's actions

UK sanctions on Rosatom entities won’t affect construction of NPP in Kazakhstan — agency

The Agency for Atomic Energy noted that work on the NPP project continues as planned

Series of explosions rocks Afghan capital Kabul — TOLO News

No casualties or damage have been reported

Putin closely monitors situation with budget deficit — Kremlin

According to Dmitry Peskov, the head of state is discussing this issue with both the government and the Central Bank

Poland has provided Ukraine with $4.7 bln in aid — Russian charge d'affaires

Andrey Ordash said there is no discussion in the Polish public space about forcibly transferring Ukrainian men to Kiev for mobilization

Explosive device activated near railway terminal in Moscow had yield of 300 grams of TNT

One policeman received fatal wounds, while wo more policemen were hospitalized

North Korean leader announces development of new secret weapons, anti-satellite technology

Kim Jong Un specified that work will begin on intercontinental ballistic missile systems for ground and submarine launch, AI-powered unmanned attack systems

At least 95 Ukrainian drones downed over Russian regions, seas overnight

Five of them were destroyed over the Moscow Region

EU’s aspirations for seat at Ukraine settlement talks’ table are ungrounded — Zakharova

A recent decision to cut short the staff of the Russian diplomatic mission in Brussels confirms this, the Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman said

Iran presents US with evidence of no intention to acquire nuclear weapons — TV

According to the official, the Iranian initiative is "politically serious and technically creative" and contains everything necessary to reach an agreement immediately

Britain's attempts to prevent Ukraine settlement: Foreign Ministry statements

Maria Zakharova said that there are no talks on strategic stability between Russia and the United States in Geneva

At least 58 Afghan servicemen killed in clashes on Pakistan’s border — TV

About 100 troops were wounded

US, Iranian technical groups to begin consultations in Vienna on March 2 — minister

According to Abbas Araghchi, the sides plan to reconcile technical aspects with political demands

NATO troops in Ukraine to remain unacceptable for Russia — Ex-UK ambassador

Former UK Ambassador to Moscow Anthony Brenton opined that progress on this issue requires not just the passage of time, but also "a sharp change of attitude" by one side or the other, including based on the situation on the battlefield

Moscow outlines requirements for next UN Secretary-General candidate

The term of the current Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, expires on December 31

Duma adopts law on refusing extradition of foreigners who fought in Russian army

The bill was introduced by the Russian government in November 2025

Finland's plans to review property deals aimed against Russians — Russian Foreign Ministry

Earlier, the media reported citing Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen that the government was considering a review of real estate transactions signed by foreigners over the past 20 years

Ukrainian troops deploy additional UAV crews to Dimitrov — Russian serviceman

The assault team fighter of the 5th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade said the Ukrainian armed forces are thus unsuccessfully attempting to hamper the logistics of the Russian Armed Forces

Cuba is no threat to anyone, but will defend itself from aggression — president

Miguel Diaz-Canel made this clear in response to an incident involving a boat with an American registration that occurred Wednesday within Cuban territorial waters

Iran, US achieve progress in Geneva, discussing elements of agreement — Araghchi

Iranian Foreign Minister clarified that the parties exchanged messages through Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi

US may approve restart of reactor in Tehran — media

The newspaper notes that the US negotiating team "could be open to allowing Iran to restart a nuclear reactor in Tehran that can process very low enrichment for medical purposes"

Kiev’s military used POWs as dummies for medical experiments — Russian MFA

Instead of proper care, local medical staff used the wounded as live dummies to instruct medical trainees in intricate and dangerous procedures

Russian troops advancing nearly 1 km along Seversky Donets River — military expert

The Russian Defense Ministry reported on February 25 that assault teams of the 82nd Motorized Rifle Regiment of Battlegroup North took the Grafskoye settlement under control

Lukashenko calls Russia-Belarus integration unprecedented

The Belarusian president also said that trade in services between Russia and Belarus is developing at an accelerated pace

No discussions on UN Security Council meeting over Afghan-Pakistani border clashes

Clashes erupted on the Afghan-Pakistani border on Thursday evening

Iran to thoroughly discuss sanctions issue at next meeting with US — foreign minister

Abbas Araghchi pointed out that during Thursday’s consultations, the Iranian delegation "made its position clear" on this issue

Natural resources ministry expects Russia’s oil, gas reserves to be replenished in 2026

Russia's oil and condensate reserves increased by 640 mln tons, while gas reserves gained 670 bln cubic meters in 2025, the ministry said earlier

If Kiev rejects talks, Russia to oust Ukrainian troops from new regions by force — envoy

Gennady Gatilov pointed out that Kiev "has to recognize the incorporation of the new regions into Russia and withdraw its armed forces from these territories"

Starlink sells user terminal data to US intelligence agencies — expert

Dmitry Kuzyakin emphasized that disseminating sensitive information to the general public abroad is unacceptable

Russian troops apply pressure on Ukrainian forces in Krasny Liman — expert

Andrey Marochko noted that the enemy had partially succeeded in stabilizing the situation in Krasny Liman

US Treasury allows talks about sale of Lukoil's foreign assets until April 1

The license was initially valid until January 17 and was later extended until February 28

Germany to build the world's first commercial fusion power plant

"Another milestone in Bavaria’s high-tech success story: nuclear fusion represents an entirely new technology capable of delivering baseload, CO-free, clean electricity in virtually unlimited quantities," Dr. Markus Soder, Minister-President of Bavaria, said

UK, French paratroopers prepare for deployment to Ukraine — newspaper

The newspaper noted that the strength of the UK Armed Forces was approximately 70,000, which is the lowest figure in more than 200 years

Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada says Russian ballistic missiles are its army’s biggest problem

Ukraine continues to voice concerns over the insufficient supply of both air defense systems and the ammunition needed to operate them effectively

Putin establishes presidential commission on AI development

The commission’s tasks will include coordinating activities and improving interaction among federal authorities, the Bank of Russia, regional authorities and other government bodies and interested organizations on the creation, development and implementation of AI technologies

Kiev still fails to set date for restart of Druzhba oil supplies — top Hungarian diplomat

Hungary’s Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Peter Szijjarto believes that Kiev wants to create an emergency situation in Hungary in the run-up to the elections

Joint UK-Ukraine drone production legitimate target for Russian forces — Mema

"Supplying weapons to a country at war is a violation of international law, and selling weapons for this purpose is illegal," a member of the Finnish national-conservative party "Freedom Alliance" said

Kiev troops carry out one shelling attack on DPR in past day, civilian wounded

The attack occurred in the Gorlovka area

Bank of Russia sets official dollar rate at 77.12 rubles for February 27

The official euro rate was increased by 70.7 kopecks to 91.0281 rubles

Russian icebreakers help Finnish ships trapped in ice

The Finnish transport infrastructure agency pointed out that this is being done in accordance with routine practices of winter navigation

Bank of Russia cites tight monetary policy as one of factors affecting ruble

The ruble exchange rate continued to be shaped by cyclical and structural factors, the regulator said

Putin instructs government to set standards for drone experiment success

The government will consider establishing "experimental legal regimes necessary for the use of ground-based autonomous systems on public roads and sidewalks"

Russia’s Medvedev through to 2026 Dubai Tennis Championships semifinals

Medvedev, 30, spent sixteen weeks as the world’s number one player in 2022

Russia calls on Afghanistan, Pakistan to stop confrontation, return to talks — MFA

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova urged Kabul and Islamabad to resolve all differences through political and diplomatic means

Zelensky hopes for new round of trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi in early march

Vladimir Zelensky noted that it is necessary to finalize everything that has already been achieved in terms of real security guarantees

State Duma approves appeal to Bundestag over risk of nuclear weapons transfer to Kiev

The decision is adopted unanimously

Russia interested in resumption of flights to Cuba — Transport Minister

According to Andrey Nikitin, the issue depends on the availability of fuel in Cuba and the possibility of refueling

Russia may develop lunar nuclear power plant within 5-7 years — Kurchatov Institute head

Mikhail Kovalchuk expressed confidence that Russia would be the first to build the lunar nuclear power plant

Resisting sanctions, responding to challenges: statements by Putin, Lukashenko

The geopolitical situation orders two nations to be ready to tackle any challenges jointly

Sibur posts IFRS net profit up 4.5% YOY in 2025

Sibur’s EBITDA margin totaled 35.2% in 2025, compared to 40.7% a year earlier

Hungarian PM disputes Zelensky claims over Druzhba pipeline

According to Viktor Orban, Vladimir Zelensky is lying when he says it is impossible to resume oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline

Poland may keep Russian archaeologist in jail for several months — diplomat

Poland has no limits on the time spent in pretrial detention before the verdict is pronounced, Russia’s Charge d'Affaires in Poland Andrey Ordash said

Two Russians in St. Petersburg planned terrorist attack against senior military official

According to the Russian Federal Service, the suspects have been detained and have confessed to their involvement

British troops in Ukraine mean increase in major military conflict risks — Russian MFA

Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova pointed to UK Defense Minister John Healey's misconception

UN resolution hampers negotiations on Ukraine — Russian Foreign Ministry

"The specious points of the resolution, including the ceasefire, should mislead no one," Maria Zakharova said

Putin highlights creation of common trademark of Russia and Belarus

According to the Russian president, the trademark grants access to government procurement and other additional preferences

Pakistani defense minister warns about start of confrontation with Afghanistan

Khawaja Asif stressed that the Pakistani military knows its opponent well

Russian presidential envoy declines to comment on talks with US in Geneva

Kirill Dmitriev left the Four Seasons hotel in Geneva, where bilateral negotiations between the US and Ukraine were taking place

Special Operations Forces act fearlessly in special military op — Russian Defense Chief

February 27 marks Special Operations Forces Day in the Russian Armed Forces

Imports of motor vehicles to Russia down 59% in 2025 — Avtostat

Imports declined across all vehicle segments, with heavy-duty trucks the most affected as their imports fell by 90%

US would prefer diplomatic solution on Iran’s nuclear dossier — Vance

US Vice President emphasized that "it really depends on what the Iranians do and what they say"

Russia's oil and gas revenues declining, partially offset by other revenues — Kremlin

Russia’s federal budget revenues from the oil and gas sector amounted to $5.1 bln in January 2026, which is 50.2% lower than in the same period last year

Russia, Belarus stand together against sanctions in support of multipolar world — Putin

The Russian president also expressed confidence that joint efforts would further strengthen the Russian-Belarusian partnership and alliance

About 10,000 US troops currently deployed in Poland — Russian diplomat

Andrey Ordash noted that most of US servicemen deployed on the rotational basis

IN BRIEF: What is known about escalation between Afghanistan and Pakistan

The Afghan Defense Ministry announced the completion of a retaliatory military operation against the Pakistani armed forces