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At least 19 civilians killed, 26 injured in Pakistani strikes on Afghan provinces

According to Hamdullah Fitrat, the Taliban government's deputy spokesman, mostly women and children were affected

DOHA, February 28. /TASS/. At least 19 civilians have been killed and 26 injured in Pakistani strikes on the territory of Khost and Paktika provinces in Afghanistan, Hamdullah Fitrat, the Taliban government's deputy spokesman, said.

"Pakistan’s military regime has again targeted civilian houses in Khost and Paktika, killing 19 and injuring 26 civilians," he wrote on social media X. According to the statement, most of the dead and injured are women and children.

Iran's nuclear program

Access of UN inspectors to Iran can be coordinated in three months — Omani MFA

Badr al-Busaidi says that this period is sufficient to find the nuclear program scale that "remains acceptable to the United States and to the Iranians"

Russia to start production of Tu-214 airplane — PM

The certification of the medium-range airliner Tu-214 was completed in December 2025

French nuclear umbrella over EU to destroy nation-states — French politician

According to Florian Philippot, French President Emmanuel Macron will announce the plans on the European nuclear umbrella on March 2

Ukraine reports reaching understanding with Russia, US on control mechanisms

According to the official, agreement has been reached on "terminology," namely, "what constitutes a ceasefire, who will monitor its observance, what constitutes a line of separation, and where it should be drawn"

NASA cancels Moon landing as part of Artemis III mission

According to NASA head Jared Isaacman, Artemis III will target launch in 2027 and it will no longer be a Moon landing

Yars ICBM launchers embark on combat patrols in central Russia drills

During the exercise, the missile forces will sharpen the skills of bringing the missile launchers to field positions, their equipping and organizing camouflage measures and combat security

Battlegroup West destroys 46 Ukrainian drone control centers, 5 Starlink stations

The battlegroup’s air defense units shot down 39 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones, battlegroup’s spokesman added

New targeting system to double range of Russia's Pantsir air defense system

The range of fire of the current system Pantsir-S1 is about 20 kilometers, while the next generation, Pantsir-SM can hit targets 40 kilometers away

Russian people civilization together with all peoples of Russia — Kremlin

There are more than 100 nations and nationalities living in Russia, Dmitry Peskov noted

Russian watchdog blacklists US legal entity Anti-Corruption Foundation as terrorist

Additionally, Lithuanian citizen Andrejus Trofimovas, who is currently on the international wanted list, has been incorporated into the registry

Poland conceals its role in 1938 Munich Agreement — Russian charge d'affaires

Historical narratives that cast Poland in a negative light are being deliberately suppressed, Andrey Ordash said

Enemy stands no chance of crossing to Dnieper’s left bank in Kherson region — governor

Despite the difficulties associated with the operational situation, the region continues to develop, Vladimir Saldo noted

Putin presents condolences to Kazakh president over plane crash

Russian President conveyed the words of support and compassion to the families and relatives of the dead

Kiev’s Energodar attack sought to put pressure on staff, repair workers — Zaporozhye plant

The Ukrainian troops launched a drone attack on the Sovremennik palace of culture in the city earlier on Friday

British forces in Ukraine constitute legitimate target for Russian army — Russian envoy

Earlier, the UK Defense Ministry reported that a headquarters unit of the so-called multinational forces for Ukraine has begun work as part of preparations for sending troops to Ukrainian territory from the countries which have declared themselves part of the Coalition of the Willing, after the end of the conflict

Future belongs to human, machine symbiosis — Russian official

"Anything related to creative work will rely on this symbiosis, which will play a very large role," Russian Presidential Administration Deputy Chief of Staff Maxim Oreshkin said

Voter turnout in presidential election across Russia rises to 65% — CEC

The data excludes the number of online voters

Musk accuses company Anthropic of anti-Western hatred

Earlier, US Deputy Secretary of Defense Emil Michael stated that previously, Anthropic’s AI model adhered to the principle of avoiding answers that could offend non-Western cultures

Afghanistan launches new strikes on Pakistani border posts — TV

No information on casualties has been provided

Russia’s Battlegroup Center destroys Ukraine’s fortified positions near Kransoarmeysk

UAV operators destroyed dug-outs with Ukrainian personnel

Poland launched campaign to fully 'cancel' Russia, says embassy

Russia’s Charge d’Affaires in Poland Andrey Ordash noted that 2022-2023 brought a notable increase in discrimination against Russian citizens in Poland

Trump says he would seek lifting sanctions on Russia in Ukraine peace deal

The US president did not elaborate on whether any top-level contact on the issue was in the pipeline

Afghanistan strikes 'nuclear facility' in Pakistan — TV

According to Ariana News, "hundreds of dead and injured" have been taken to a hospital in Islamabad

Danish firm arms heavy hexacopter with two large-caliber guns

The system was unveiled at the Enforce Tac 2026 exhibition in Nuremberg, Germany

First batch-produced Su-57 delivered to regiment in Southern Military District — source

The source added that another four such jets would be provided for the Aerospace Force in 2021

Russian Security Council blames London for escalation between Pakistan, Afghanistan

The Security Council is concerned about the situation and has called for conflicts to be settled peacefully

Ukraine used Druzhba to pump its oil — Reuters

According to the report, Kiev pumped about 40,000 metric tons of oil monthly into the oil pipeline before the halt of supplies

Global grain production exceeds 3 bln tons for the first time ever — FAO

Igor Shpakov, consultant for the UN Food and Agriculture Organization liaison office in Russia, attributed this achievement to a record grain harvest in China

Kremlin takes note that expropriation of Russia's assets is no longer on EU agenda

Dmitry Peskov said there are also a number of other countries that are aware of the inevitable negative consequences of such a decision to expropriate Russia's assets

All 25 crewmembers of tanker on fire in Black Sea rescued

"Rescue boats, tugs and an emergency and rescue vessel were dispatched immediately to the incident site," the Turkish Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure noted

Russia’s electricity to China total 300 million kWh in 2025

Inter RAO also exported 4.3 billion kWh of electricity to Kazakhstan

Human rights activist urges probe into Zelensky's wife involvement Epstein case

Alexander Brod argued that if there is credible evidence of Ukrainian elite complicity, the investigation should be pursued by US and British authorities

Deputy commander-in-chief of Russian Navy arrives at Massawa port in Eritrea

The visit is part of the events marking the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and Eritrea

BRICS chaired by India to continue dialogue on trade relations development — Russian envoy

"We hope that the countries of the association will continue their efforts to create an alternative financial infrastructure," Denis Alipov added

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

Exhumation of Soviet soldiers in Lvov 'degradation bordering on savagery' — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister emphasized that despite the OSCE's declared commitment to defending and protecting human rights as one of the organization's fundamental aims, Western countries maintained a deathly silence while watching the actions of the Kiev regime

Russia, India discussing Il-76 airplanes upgrade

UAC is also ready to consider the opportunity of renewing the fleet of Il-78 aerial tankers made on the Il-76 base

FACTBOX: Putin calls for faster adoption of autonomous systems

The Russian president recommended that the Moscow city government share its experience in the use of unmanned technologies and artificial intelligence with other Russian regions

Russian container market plunge 10.5% in January — Fesco

Imports declined by 15% to 221,000 TEU and exports lost 4% to 151,000 TEU, the group said

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"

Arrest of Russian ex-prosecutor in Poland prolonged

Alexander Ignatenko has already spent more than nine months in a Polish prison

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

Fighting broke out along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border on the evening of January 26

Moscow outlines requirements for next UN Secretary-General candidate

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

Russian ambassador to OSCE refutes West’s allegations about Russia’s isolation

Dmitry Polyansky says he is ready to challenge any false narrative in an "honest, fact-based discussion, open or closed"

At least 19 civilians killed, 26 injured in Pakistani strikes on Afghan provinces

According to Hamdullah Fitrat, the Taliban government's deputy spokesman, mostly women and children were affected

Russia boost electricity supplies to Turkey in 2025 — Inter RAO

Russian electricity exports plunged by 12.8% in the reporting period

Afghan chief of General Staff reports 'large number' of Pakistani soldiers killed

Qari Fasihuddin Fitrat said that a significant number of enemy posts had been captured

Press review: Iran offers oil deals as US sets deadline and Iceland eyes EU entry

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

Over 4,000 Special Operations Forces personnel receive state awards — newspaper

Three Special Operations Forces units were awarded the honorary title of Guards as recognition of the high achievements and merits of the Special Operations Forces personnel’s services to the country

Diplomat advises Russian Paralympic athletes to ignore Western bullying

Maria Zakharova said she had no doubt about their strong willpower

Senior diplomat presents Russia’s approach to Ukraine settlement to Indian envoy — MFA

The Russian Foreign Ministry noted that the talks were held in a "friendly atmosphere typical of the Russia-India specially privileged strategic partnership"

Russia to roll out Su-57 fifth-generation fighter with 2nd-stage engine in 2022

Flight tests of the second-stage engine aboard the aircraft are underway, according to the head of Russia’s state tech corporation Rostec

Top Omani diplomat hopes for progress on Iranian issue in coming days

Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi earlier met with US Vice President JD Vance

Netherlands, Czech Republic, France ignored Kiev request on Butyagin — Russian embassy

Russian archaeologist and State Hermitage Museum employee Alexander Butyagin was detained on December 4, 2025, at a hotel in Warsaw

US seeking a takeover of Cuba — Trump

On January 29, the United States signed an executive order making it possible for Washington to impose tariffs on goods from countries supplying oil to Cuba

Russia lodges protest with Finnish ambassador over flag burning incident near embassy

"The Russian side emphasized that it considers the incident a blatant and blasphemous act against the state symbol of Russia," the Russian Foreign Ministry added

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

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

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

Battlegroup West captures 29 Ukrainian soldiers in one week — DPR official

Earlier, Igor Kimakovsky reported that soldiers from the Battlegroup West had eliminated the Ukrainian General Staff’s security brigade and more than 200 pieces of enemy equipment

Ukraine’s largest steel mill to close foundry production

The exorbitant price of electricity in Ukraine is the cause of halting production, the company added

Ukrainian attack leaves almost 30,000 customers without power in Zaporozhye Region

Balitsky noted that energy personnel were "working non-stop" to restore supplies as soon as possible, but the weather was complicating repair efforts

Special op, nuclear forces, Oreshnik and Burevestnik: what Putin told defense officials

The Russian president noted that Russia’s strategic nuclear forces will continue to play a key role in deterring aggression and maintaining the global balance of power

Despite ceasefire in Zaporozhye NPP area, Ukraine attacks Energodar

The enemy drone exploded in the courtyard of the Sovremennik Palace of Culture

Ukrainian military uses sophisticated attacks on civilian targets — Kherson governor

"The Russian Armed Forces are doing everything possible to diminish the Ukrainian military’s firepower," Vladimir Saldo stated

Russia’s Pacific Fleet to commission corvette Unbeatable in first half of 2017

At present, the ship is doing seaworthiness trial tests under the control of the Fleet’s military specialists on armament systems, communications air defenses, radioelectronic warfare

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

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

Armenia, Russia discuss restoration of railways to Turkish, Azerbaijani borders

The sides also discussed cooperation in the areas of motor and air transport and agreed to consider these consultations

Yandex co-founder Volozh renounces Russian citizenship

According to the report, Arkady Volozh has the Israeli passport and is living there for more than a decade

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

CSTO to conduct rescue exercises on October 13-15

According to the Committee for Emergency Situations and Civil Defense under the Government of Tajikistan, the exercise will primarily focus on earthquake response activities

IAEA chief says he discussed Iran with senior US official

The sides exchanged opinions on issues of arms nonproliferation

Series of explosions rocks Afghan capital Kabul — TOLO News

No casualties or damage have been reported

FACTBOX: International Polar Bear Day

The polar bear is one of the Earth’s largest terrestrial predators

Share of friendly countries reach 94% in Russian oil exports

Exports of petroleum products from Russia to friendly nations grew from 26% in 2021 to 86% in 2025

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

Russia to upgrade Ka-52 ‘Alligator’ attack helicopter considering Syrian experience

The ‘Alligator’ is furnished with modern avionics

Russia’s international reserves down $8.9 bln over week — Central Bank

Russia's international reserves as of the close of business on February 20, 2026 stood at $797.2 bln

EC in contact with Kiev about sending a mission to assess condition of Druzhba pipeline

EC Spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen said the commission believes the pipeline was damaged

One dead, three injured in UAV attack on car service center in Kursk

Governor Alexander Khinshtein said that emergency services are working at the scene

Death in Kursk, balcony collapse in Taganrog: new attacks on Russian regions

Emergency responders are currently working at the scene

Colombian police arrest Russian citizen wanted by US

According to US investigators, between October 2024 and March 2025, the detainee allegedly "participated in a conspiracy to murder or kidnap two prominent figures in Europe"

Revenues from sales of Venezuelan oil will reach $2 bln by end of February — Reuters

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated that Venezuelan hydrocarbons were sold to consumers in Asia and Europe

Russian troops liberate four communities in Ukraine operation over week — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup North inflicted more than 1,485 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed five enemy armored combat vehicles in its areas of responsibility over the week, the Defense Ministry reported

Board of Peace first meeting: What is known about organization at this point

The Board of Peace is currently focused on settling the conflict in the Gaza Strip

Inflation in Russia accelerates to 0.19% over week — statistics

Consumer prices in the country ticked up by 0.51% from early February

US considers it possible to reach deal on Ukraine soon — president

Donald Trump emphasized that "it's a question of when"

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

Ukraine joining EU to impact all spheres of union’s life — Russian lawmaker

According to Alexey Pushkov, the EU's economy would be flooded with "cheap Ukrainian agricultural goods," while Ukraine would lay claim to subsidies

Future Technologies Forum gathers 1,800 participants from over 50 countries — Roscongress

Bioeconomics has become the focus of a separate national project in 2026, Executive Secretary of the forum’s organizing committee Anton Kobyakov noted

English-speaking mercenaries show declining desire to fight for Ukraine — commander

Lieutenant General Apty Alaudinov noted that most of the mercenaries, fighting on Ukraine's side, were Spanish-speakers at present

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

EU wants to join talks on Ukraine to derail them — Russian diplomat

Ambassador to the UK Andrey Kelin says that London and its allies "have nothing to propose" in the negotiations

Annual inflation in Russia down to 5.81% over week — Economy Ministry

Foods had the price increase by 0.13%

China keeps annual base rate for coming month flat at 3%

It also left the rate unchanged for five-year loans at 3.5%

New Dutch cabinet doesn’t rule out sending troops to Ukraine after peace is reached

According to Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius, when exploring this option, it is necessary to take into account the concrete situation, the operation’s format and the relevant mandate

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

The bill was introduced by the Russian government in November 2025

Zaporozhye nuke plant says it views Energodar drone attack as terror attack

A local ceasefire has been in effect since 7:00 a.m. Moscow time on Friday in the area surrounding the ZNPP

Tretyakov Gallery to present projects in Kazakhstan, Hong Kong, Beijing in 2026

According to Olga Galaktionova, this project, timed to the Days of Russian Culture in Kazakhstan, will be dedicated to the 20th century art, from Avant-Garde to Socialist Realism

Fico says has different views with Zelensky on Druzhba pipline’s technical condition

The Slovak prime minister recalled that Zelensky did not allow either the Slovak ambassador or EU ambassador to Ukraine to inspect the pipeline

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

IN BRIEF: What is known about establishing local ceasefire regime near Zaporozhye plant

According to Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev, the agreement on the ceasefire regime was reached with the participation of IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi