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Belarus, Poland hold ‘5-on-5’ prisoner swap, including Russian nationals — media

According to the agency, participants involved in negotiations launched talks on the possible exchange as early as September 2025

MINSK, April 28. /TASS/. A ‘five-on-five’ exchange of detained nationals from Belarus, Russia, and member states of the Commonwealth of the Independent States (CIS) took place on Tuesday at the Pererov-Bialowieza border checkpoint, BelTA news agency reported.

"On 28 April, at the Pererov-Bialowieza border crossing on the Belarusian-Polish border, the State Security Committee of Belarus (KGB) and Poland’s Foreign Intelligence Agency conducted an exchange of five individuals convicted of espionage in Belarus and the Russian Federation for five citizens who had been detained in various EU countries and other states," the Belarusian news agency reported.

"Among those returned to their home countries are citizens of Belarus, Russia, and other CIS nations. All of them have received necessary basic medical and humanitarian assistance," the agency pointed out.

"The State Security Committee of Belarus expresses its gratitude and acknowledges the particular contribution of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) in carrying out the operation, noting the high level of cooperation with the leadership and personnel of the Russian intelligence service in resolving the most difficult issues that arose during the preparation of the operation. Thanks to this, a positive outcome was achieved," the news agency added.

According to the agency: "The event marks the culmination of a complex and lengthy negotiation process between Belarus’ State Security Committee (KGB) and Poland’s Foreign Intelligence Agency, which was carried out on the direct orders of the president of Belarus."

The agency added that participants involved in negotiations launched talks on the possible exchange as early as September 2025.

"The starting point for organizing them was an appeal made to the Belarusian president by several leaders of countries friendly to Belarus," BelTA stated. "The head of state issued corresponding instructions to the State Security Committee of Belarus. Aleksander Lukashenko personally took part in discussing the details of the exchange during bilateral contacts with our allies.".

Israeli attacks kill 2,534 Lebanese citizens since March 2 — Health Ministy

The ministry added that 7,863 people were injured

Russia is eternal, Putin says as he urges more legislative flexibility

The country is facing unprecedented challenges and risks, and it should overcome them with dignity, the Russian head of state said

Iran to adopt law on Strait of Hormuz after parliament reconvenes — MP

"Many meetings were held to consider the legal and international aspects of the Strait of Hormuz Security Plan," Alaeddin Boroujerdi said

Trump sceptical about Iran’s proposal for talks — WSJ

According to the newspaper, the US leader did not reject Tehran’s proposal outright but voiced concerns that Iran was unwilling to meet Washington’s key demand of abandoning uranium enrichment

US secretary of state calls straits economic equivalent of nuclear weapons

About a fifth of global oil exports pass through the Strait of Hormuz

Kazakhstan to reroute 260,000 tons of oil to Germany via Russia in May

According to the Kazakh Energy Ministry, adjusting the delivery schedule will not affect Kazakhstan’s annual oil production plan

Iran may have tens of thousands of drones, missiles — senior Russian MP

According to Alexey Pushkov, this conflict is a matter od survival for Iran and it will "hold out to the last"

Europeans openly discussing preparations for armed conflict with Russia — senior diplomat

Mikael Agasandyan noted that the Europeans were trying to increase their economic, humanitarian and military presence in countries that are adjacent to Russia to "cordon it off"

NATO, hurt by US, intends to abandon annual summits — Reuters

Thus, the bloc tries to "avoid a potentially tense encounter with U.S. President Donald Trump in his final in office

Trump claims Iran’s oil pipelines may explode in three days due to US blockade

According to the US leader, as a result, Iran may lose half of its oil production capacity

Man charged with attempted assasination of Trump faces life sentence — attorney general

Todd Blanche said the suspect had booked a room in advance at the hotel where the reception with the US President was scheduled and was supposed to stay there from April 24 to 26

Iran gives US new proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz — media

The new proposal was given to the US via Pakistani mediators

Kremlin recommends journalists inquire of Malian president’s whereabouts in Bamako

Some media outlets claimed that Assimi Goita had been evacuated from the main presidential residence, located at a military base in the Kati suburb of the capital Bamako, during an attack by radical militants

Ukrainian attacks, attempt on Trump's life: new briefing from Kremlin

Vladimir Putin has always condemned acts of violence and attempts on the lives of heads of state, including the recent plot against Donald Trump, Dmitry Peskov said

Kiev destabilizes global energy market by attacks against oil storages in Tuapse — Peskov

The oil from the storage facility was intended for export operations, Dmitry Peskov emphasized

Russian diplomat calls for dropping hawkish plans to resume Middle East war

According to Vasily Nebenzya, following the US and Israel’s aggression against Iran, "attempts were made to place all the responsibility on Iran, as though it was Tehran who attacked its neighbors"

Middle East peace, strategic partnership: Putin meets with Iranian foreign minister

The Russian leader noted that the Iranian people are fighting "courageously and heroically" for their sovereignty

Attempt made to seize power in Mali — PM

The government forces "managed to neutralize hundreds of terrorists throughout the country", Prime Minister for the transitional period Abdoulaye Maiga said

Source of drone threat identified by special services — Kremlin

The discussion arose in the context of drone attacks on the Urals

Finnish activist says Nazi tendencies exist in EU

According to Salli Raiski, she has actively supported Russia since 2014 and had already noticed anti-Russian sentiment among Europeans at that time

Kalashnikov Group delivers Granat-4-E UAV surveillance system to customer

The defense manufacturer said the UAV system provides laser target acquisition for precision-guided munitions with passive laser guidance in the close-in tactical zone

Transfer of enriched uranium to Russia to help Iran reach agreement with US — expert

Ruhollah Modabber suggested that had Tehran initially accepted Moscow's mediation offer and supplied half of its enriched uranium to Russia, the negotiation process with Washington might have progressed more swiftly

Russia’s Battlegroup North FPV drones eliminate Ukrainian strongholds in Sumy Region

According to the Russian UAV crew commander, Ukrainian armed forces attempted to counter the drones with electronic jamming, but without success

IMO chief calls for UN’s more active role in deescalating situation around Iran

Arsenio Dominguez also noted that 20,000 seafarers are trapped now

Russia invites over 180 foreign delegations to first international security forum

The forum will host a presentation of Russian products for the protection of the population, installations, and land, Rosoboronexport specified

Zelensky's attempts to become Europe's ‘defender’ will not end well — Lavrov

Vladimir Zelensky has already established an openly Nazi regime in Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister said

Control of Taratutino to enable Russian troops to destroy Ukrainian forces on vital route

Russia’s Defense Ministry reported earlier on April 27 that its Battlegroup North had liberated the settlement of Taratutino

US believes Iranian supreme leader is alive — secretary of state

Thus Marco Rubio said when asked if the Iranian supreme leader was alive

Google’s forcibly recovered debts in Russia exceed $560 million

A total of 62 enforcement proceedings have been opened against the company

Press review: Putin, Araghchi hold talks as Mali war challenges Russia’s Africa Corps

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, April 28th

Iran retains half of its missile arsenal — US secretary of state

Marco Rubio stressed that Tehran has lost its production capacity and no longer has any naval forces

Russian troops strike Ukrainian mobile fire group by Geran drones in Dnepropetrovsk Region

The strike was carried out near the city of Dneprodzerzhinsk

Moldova can't withdraw from CIS and still reap benefits of membership — Russian envoy

Oleg Ozerov noted that traditional CIS markets remain crucial for certain categories of goods, primarily agricultural products

Progress MS-34 cargo spacecraft successfully docks with ISS

The spacecraft carries about 2.5 tons of cargo

Spirit of Elbe symbolizes what US, Russia can accomplish when they work together — MFA

Alexander Gusarov, head of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s North Atlantic Department, emphasized that the Russian side "sacredly honors the fearlessness and valor" of Soviet and US soldiers

Coup attempt thwarted in Mali: Russian Defense Ministry’s statements

Approximately 12,000 militants were involved in the attempted coup

Russian Foreign Ministry delivers note of protest to German Ambassador Lambsdorff

The ministry stressed that the German side had been warned in advance about "the detrimental nature" of a German parliament’s member meeting the head of a terrorist organization banned in Russia

Russia needs to find optimal AI regulation model — Putin

"A sound legal foundation is required for advanced sectors of technology leadership, for comprehensive development of territories of the Russian Federation," the Russian ledaer added

Russia blacklisted EU representatives — Foreign Ministry

Designations include representatives of European institutions, EU member-states and other European countries carrying the activity aimed at undermining Russian territorial integrity, responsible for anti-Russian sanctions, inflicting damage to Russian relations with third countries

Ukrainian counterintelligence officer rejects repatriation

Sergey Mikhailov emphasized that he would prefer to stay in Russia

Russia’s Foreign Ministry expects IAEA to stand firm against Ukraine's lawlessness

Russia is convinced that the international community is obliged to impose a well-deserved and harsh sentence on the Kiev regime, forcing it to stop attacks on the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant and other peaceful nuclear facilities, Maria Zakharova said

Kiev mines border with Transnistria for troop redeployment — senior Moldovan official

Valeriu Chiveri claimed that the operational group of Russian troops in Transnistria posed a threat to the security of both Moldova and Ukraine

Attempts to divide Russian society and unprecedented challenges: Putin’s statements

According to the Russian leader, those who sought to divide and destabilize Russian society failed because they do not understand the country

Iran conflict shows NATO unprepared for confrontation with Russia — newspaper

One of the alliance’s vulnerabilities is its limited capacity to produce ammunition quickly and on a large scale

By taking Taratutino Russian army penetrates 7 km deep into Ukrainian defenses — expert

The area around Taratutino represents the most significant advancement in Russia's military operations within the Sumy Region

Trump unlikely to accept Iran’s latest proposal to resolve conflict — TV

CNN said the proposal leaves questions about Tehran’s nuclear program for later negotiations

It took three days to organize Iran-requested Araghchi meeting with Putin — Kremlin aide

It was quite easy to organize it, Yury Ushakov said

Rebels capturing Mali’s Kidal pose major problem — senior Russian diplomat

Armed clashes continue in some regions of the country

EU’s 21st package of anti-Russia sanctions to target energy resources — Estonian minister

Margus Tsahkna said the restrictions will be "quite tough"

Rebel attack in Mali results in casualties among Russia’s Africa Corps — diplomat

According to Georgy Borisenko, the attacks were repelled in most locations, including Bamako

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

Russian troops struck energy infrastructure sites used by the Ukrainian army and enemy deployment areas over the past 24 hours, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported

US has no defense against hypersonic weapons, advanced cruise missiles — Pentagon

Mark Berkowitz noted that the US has a very limited ground-based single-layer homeland defense system that was specifically designed against a small-scale rogue attack from North Korea

EU sanctions against Iran reveal bloc's hypocrisy — Iranian Foreign Ministry

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei stressed that the EU's rhetoric on the restrictions "hastens Europe’s embarrassing descent into irrelevance"

IN BRIEF: Redirection of oil supplies from Druzhba pipeline may hit Germany, Ukraine

The termination of Kazakh oil supplies to Germany via the Druzhba pipeline could lead to dire consequences for Berlin and Kiev, Politico reported

Brazil condemns killing of its citizens in Israeli strike on Lebanon — MFA

The ministry was referring to the incident that took place on April 26 in the Bint Jbeil District, when an 11-year-old Brazilian child, his mother, who also held Brazilian citizenship, and his Lebanese father were killed

US, Iran discussing return to pre-conflict status quo — CNN

According to the TV channel, although the second round of talks has not yet taken place, the two sides "are not as far apart as they seem"

US secretary of state says he never spoke with Iranian foreign minister

Marco Rubio recalled that for a long time there was a prohibition in the Iranian system against speaking directly to Americans

Russian troops expanding control zone at Grishino amid Ukrainian counterattacks — expert

Andrey Marochko said that "heavy fighting" is underway near Grishino

Extremely unstable global situation, arms suppliers to Kiev: Belousov's statements

The production and logistics chains for Western arms supplies to Kiev are being closely monitored and exposed to the general public, Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov said

Kiev starts using new types of radar at Konstantinovka in DPR — expert

In addition, the Russian military have noticed the enemy's use of an American mobile electronic countermeasure and electronic warfare station AN/TPQ-36 near Izhevka, Andrey Marochko said

Putin sees West losing its dominance, giving way to new growth centers

The Russian leader added that modern global challenges require a joint response and collective efforts

Russia’s Battlegroup East destroys 29 Ukrainian UAV control centers over past 24 hours

Mikhail Gerasimov also said that two Starlink satellite communications stations and 19 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles were destroyed

Finland’s refusal to build Hanhikivi NPP contradicts legal norms, common sense

According to Rosatom CEO Alexey Likhachev, practice shows that in such a sensitive and capital-intensive field as energy, decisions made under the influence of political conjuncture quickly collide with reality

Trump breaks royal protocol by tapping King Charles III on shoulder

The violation of the unwritten rule that one should not be the first to initiate physical contact with a member of the royal family happened as the royal couple arrived at the White House on the first day of their state visit

Russia supports Iran's sovereignty and territorial integrity — defense minister

Russia advocates for a diplomatic resolution of the conflict in Iran, Andrey Belousov said

EU being dragged deeper into Ukraine conflict — Russian defense chief

Andrey Belousov stressed that Russia was closely monitoring production and supply chains related to the weapons the West provided to Ukraine

Middle East, Ukrainian settlement, V-Day parade: Kremlin’s statements

Dmitry Peskov expressed confidence that over time diplomatic efforts on the Ukrainian direction would intensify

West's wish to control Balkans, key to Ukraine peace: Foreign Ministry statements

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko emphasized that the position taken by the European Union "simply excludes a peaceful settlement"

US shouldn't view Putin-Araghchi meeting in a negative way — Kremlin aide

This is part of regular diplomatic work, Yury Ushakov said

Liberating Ilyichovka, Russian troops to be able to advance to Slavyansk — expert

Andrey Marochko believes that the main objective of the advance near Ilyichovka is to reach the Seversky Donets

First flight from Iran arrives in Moscow after resumption of air service

The flight was operated by Iranian airline Mahan Air

Iranian envoy to UN says US naval blockade amounts to piracy

Amir Saeid Iravani also emphasized Tehran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz were "grounded in Iran's right and obligation under the law of the sea and its national laws and regulations"

Former NATO chief urges UK to spend on 'guns vs butter'

George Robertson opined that the responsibility of government is the defense and safety of its population, and that must come first, then other items of public expenditure come later

Ukrainian drone strike at ZNPP kills employee, nuclear safety questioned — expert

Renat Karchaa noted that human errors often can create the risk of a nuclear incident, so the psychological condition of the plant’s personnel was crucial

Malian military eliminates over 2,000 terrorists while repelling April 25 attacks — portal

More than 10,000 Malian troops were deployed to repel the terror attacks

Archaeologist Butyagin’s release: what we know about swap on Belarusian-Polish border

Alexander Butyagin was detained in Poland on December 4, 2025

First LNG tanker since start of Iran conflict passes through Strait of Hormuz — agency

According to Bloomberg, the Liberian-flagged tanker Mubaraz loaded a cargo from Abu Dhabi National Oil Co.’s Das Island facility in the UAE

Russian Baltic Fleet ships destroy mock enemy submarine

The ships’ mine and torpedo warfare specialists practiced laying bottom and floating mines

Moldova supplies drones to Ukrainian army despite its neutral status — Russian ambassador

Oleg Ozerov said that drones are produced in the city of Vadul lui Voda

Total of 186 UAVs attack Russian regions: what we know about consequences

A fire broke out at an oil refinery in Tuapse in Russia’s Krasnodar Region after it was hit by debris from a downed drone

Number of Colombian, South American fighters in Ukrainian army 'rapidly growing' — expert

According to a verified list of foreign fighters compiled by Laurent Braillard, Colombians rank first with 1,725 individuals

Russia may help US, Iran work on technical details of new nuclear deal — expert

Adlan Margoyev, an expert on Iranian affairs and a researcher at the Institute of International Studies at the Russian Foreign Ministry's Institute of International Relations, noted that decentralized mediation is currently being observed

US authorities probe possible left-wing ties of suspect in attempted attack on Trump

US authorities are investigating reports that the suspect may have been connected to The Wide Awakes organization

Moldova assembles EW systems, UAVs for Ukraine, risking becoming conflict party — expert

According to Dmitry Sorokin, the transfer of production facilities from Ukraine to Moldova was prompted by the systematic destruction by Russian troops of Ukrainian weapons depots

FACTBOX: Russian response to 20th package of EU sanctions

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, new European sanctions are incapable of influencing the foreign policy of Russia

Another spiral of US-Iran escalation risks to be much wider — Russian expert

The 40-day war in Iran, as it is called by Iranian specialists, has ended in a fragile balance, said Adlan Margoyev, an expert on Iranian affairs and a researcher at the Institute of International Studies at the Russian Foreign Ministry's Institute of International Relations

Chancellor Merz ranks last in German politicians' popularity ranking — newspaper

The German chancellor’s declining popularity is seen not only nationwide but also within his own electorate

Press review: US-Iran talks stall as Trump may seek gain after assassination attempt

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, April 27th

Russia develops system to counter fiber-optic drones

According to the patent description, during a large-scale attack, the system can activate a "wall of fire" extending tens of kilometers

Russia could mediate in Middle East, but will not impose itself — ex-prime minister

Sergey Stepashin noted that Russia has excellent relations with all Middle Eastern countries

ZNPP confirms first employee death resulting from Ukraine’s attacks

The ZNPP said earlier that a Ukrainian drone attack on the facility’s transport department left a driver killed

Ukrainian strikes kill over 20 civilians in past week — Russian diplomat

According to Rodion Miroshnik, the enemy continues to lay mines in Russian regions remotely, violating international humanitarian law

Washington seeks deal with Iran that is 'good' for US, world — White House

White House Spokeswoman Olivia Wales said that Washington had been clear about its red lines

Serbian president urges West to stop demonizing Russia

Aleksandar Vucic pointed out that "there are many grey nuances, it's not everything that is black and white"

Kiev deploying hidden ground platforms on engagement line — expert

Andrey Marochko added that Kiev has used so-called "meat assaults" in several areas over the past week and suffered heavy losses

Copenhagen has no interest in truth about Nord Stream pipelines’ sabotage — ambassador

According to Vladimir Barbin, the Danish authorities have halted their own investigation of the crime and are hiding its results from the public

Russian troops in Tajikistan thwart mock enemy act of sabotage against Russian base

During the exercise, personnel practiced covert movement between firing positions, firing from various positions and cover, and engaging in crossfire

Ukraine’s army suffers heavy losses near Taratutino in Sumy Region — defense source

Ukrainian forces were eliminated in their botched counterattack attempt, the defense source added

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

Battlegroup North units gained control of the settlement of Taratutino in the Sumy Region and Battlegroup West units liberated the settlement of Ilyichovka in the DPR

Europe closer to 'nuclear winter' amid nuclear ban lift in Finland — human rights activist

According to Florian Eblenkamp, more and more nuclear weapons in Europe "don't make the region safer"

Halted supplies of Kazakh oil to affect Germany, Ukraine — Politico

Supplies will be terminated amid the global energy crisis that particularly affected the German economy