{{dayPoint.date | date : 'd MMMM yyyy'}}

{{newsPoint.title}}

{{newsPoint.title+ ' '}}

{{newsPoint.subtitle}}

Updated at:

Zelensky sanctions former head of his office Bogdan

Andrey Bogdan currently resides in Austria, where he often criticizes Vladimir Zelensky both publicly and in private conversations, according to Ukrainian media

MOSCOW, May 2. /TASS/. Vladimir Zelensky slapped sanctions on Andrey Bogdan, who once served as the head of his office, on Saturday.

Under a decree released on Zelensky’s website, 17 restrictions imposed on Bogdan, a Ukrainian national, include blocking of his assets, suspension of financial obligations, and a ban on the purchase of land plots. All of his state awards were also stripped from him indefinitely.

Bogdan currently resides in Austria as he often criticizes Zelensky both publicly and in private conversations, the Strana news website specified.

Verkhovna Rada members surmised that Zelensky may have sanctioned Bogdan amid rumors that the former senior official may be implicated in the fresh release of audio recordings related to the Mindich case.

Bogdan was the head of the Ukrainian presidential office in 2019-2020. Before Zelensky issued the decree imposing sanctions, Bogdan wrote on his Facebook (banned in Russia due to its ownership by Meta designated as extremist) account that many in the past three days had warned him about measures being prepared by Zelensky.

In November, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and Ukraine’s Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) announced an investigation into a major corruption scheme in the energy sector, dubbed Operation Midas. According to investigators, participants in the scheme laundered around $100 million. Zelensky’s close friend, businessman Timur Mindich, was identified as the coordinator of the schemes. He left the country several hours before raids began.

Tags

Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky

Kremlin sees no condemnation of Ukrainian strikes on LPR college from West

According to Dmitry Peskov, Moscow has not seen any actions that could be interpreted as condemnation of this barbaric terrorist attack on young people

Iran will emerge from war with US with its head held high — Hezbollah leader

Sheikh Naim Qassem emphasized that Iran "will become a pillar for all freedom-loving people in the world"

World to face crisis like in 2008 if Strait of Hormuz remains closed — Bloomberg

Acccording to the analysis by Rapidan Energy Group, if the Strait reopens in July, an average oil demand reduction of 2.6 million barrels a day and the spot-market price for benchmark Brent crude peaking near $130 a barrel over the summer could be expected

Zaporozhye NPP operating normally amid ongoing Ukrainian attacks on Energodar

All process parameters remain under control

EU preparing for possible energy supply crisis due to conflict in Iran — Spanish newspaper

The EC assures that there is currently no risk to supplies, though markets are feeling the impact of rising Brent crude oil prices, which has led to higher gas and oil prices in Europe

Kiev troops bombard Donetsk People’s Republic 12 times over past day

Five civilians were wounded

Trump doesn’t rule out Iran wanting to join Abraham Accords in future

The relationship with Teheran is becoming a much more professional and productive one, the US president said

US may resume operation against Iran, if talks fail — Rubio

The President of the US Donald Trump wants to make sure that Iran never has a nuclear weapon, the US Secretary of State said

Upper house speaker slams US-Israeli operation against Iran as geopolitical mistake

Valentina Matviyenko emphasized that this intervention has destabilized the Middle East, triggering an energy crisis, yet it ultimately changes nothing

Pezeshkian asks global community to judge which side, Iran or US, actually favors dialogue

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian invited the world to judge which side engages in terrorism

Europe's 'indulgence' for Kiev prompts strikes on civilian targets — Russian envoy

Rodion Miroshnik noted that at the current stage, European states are deliberately ignoring violations of international and humanitarian law by Ukraine

Moscow to appeal to UN Court over violations of Russians' rights in Baltic states — MFA

All attempts to resolve the differences through negotiations have proven fruitless, the Russian Foreign Ministry said

Over 50 foreign journalists from 19 countries set off to LPR’s Starobelsk — diplomat

They include media representatives from Austria, Brazil, Britain, Hungary, Venezuela, and Germany

Russia remains integral part of global economic system — Putin

The President noted that Russia remained open to constructive interaction with all partners who shared the principles of mutual respect and were ready to build honest long-term relations

Former Prince Andrew under investigation for inappropriate behavior — newspaper

According to sources cited by The Sunday Times, the incident possibly occurred during the Royal Ascot horse racing event near London in 2002

Russia determined to retake driver’s seat in space exploration

Russia’s State Space Corporation is determined to make sure that Russia regains its leadership in space, the corporation’s head says

Belarussian President Lukashenko speaks with French President Macron over phone

The telephone call took place at the initiative of the French side

Russian air defenses intercept 320 Ukrainian UAVs over past day — top brass

Seven guided aerial bombs and six Czech-made Vampire MLRS rockets were also destroyed during the day

Russia restricts shipments from Ecuadorian banana exporter — watchdog

Rosselkhoznadzor has been forced to impose restrictive measures on banana imports from an Ecuadorian exporter due to the continued detection of quarantine pests, Sergey Dankvert said

Progress MS-29 undocks from ISS

The spaceship undocked at 9:43 p.m. Moscow time and will stitch on its engines at 00:46 p.m. a.m. Moscow time on July 2 to leave the ISS orbit and enter the Earth atmosphere

Over 140 delegations from 120 countries to take part in int’l security forum in Russia

According to the Russian Security Council, there will be unofficial representatives from 12 unfriendly countries, who "stand for the development of constructive relations with Russia", among the participants

Ukrainian attack on village in Bryansk Region leaves one civilian dead

A fire and rescue service employee was wounded

Kremlin closely following developments after US airstrikes in Syria

Earlier on February 26, the US carried out airstrikes near the Syrian-Iraqi border

Oman, Iran discuss principles of safe navigation in Strait of Hormuz

Omani Foreign Minister Bard al-Busaidi received the senior Iranian diplomat, who conveyed a verbal message from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi about "the ongoing Pakistani-mediated Iranian-US negotiations", аccording to the Omani foreign ministry

Bion-M biological satellite descent module touches down in Orenburg Region

The spacecraft was launched from Baikonur on August 20

Trumps says will not agree on deal with Iran if it doesn’t dismantle its nuclear program

According to the journalist Jennifer Jacobs, Donald Trump also insists on removing the enriched uranium from Iran's territory

Cargo traffic via Northern Sea Route expected to reach 70 mln tons by 2030

First Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council Vladimir Yakushev stressed that the Far East and the Arctic are not only about geography and resources, but above all about the people who live, work, serve and raise children in these territories

FACTBOX: Russia’s Oreshnik missile strike, breached Ukrainian air defenses

Ukrainian air defenses failed to counter Russian missile strikes on military installations in Kiev and the Kiev Region

Kiev seeks to whitewash attack on LPR college using media — military expert

Last week, many Ukrainian media outlets published reports aimed at discrediting Russia’s military and political leadership, while also spreading fabricated materials intended to justify the actions of Ukrainian militants

Russia set record volume of LNG supplies to Europe in January 2026

EU imports of Russian LNG amounted to 2.276 billion cubic meters, according to TASS calculations based on data from the European analytical center Bruegel

Russia’s Battlegroup North shows best results in special op zone last week — expert

Andrey Marochko added that units of the Battlegroup East operating in the Dnepropetrovsk and Zaporozhye Regions inflicted the greatest damage on the Ukrainian armed forces’ manpower in their area of responsibility

ADNOC uses ‘shadow transit’ to ship oil through Strait of Hormuz — Bloomberg

Vessels pass through the strait with their transponders switched off

US troop buildup near Iran not sign of any new decisions — White House

The United States and Israel launched a military operation against Iran on February 28

Tehran to strike enemy infrastructure similar to that attacked in Iran — top diplomat

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said that Iran will attack US infrastructure in the Persian Gulf region

US cites disagreement on Iran as reason for lack of final NPT conference document

US Department of State Spokesperson Tommy Pigott also added that "the inability of some NPT States Parties to take Iran’s threat to global nonproliferation seriously will be addressed by the United States in its continuing engagements"

Fragments of drones that attacked Starobelsk college demonstrated to foreign reporters

The journalists also inspected the damaged and destroyed buildings of the educational institution, including the dormitory where students were staying at the time of the strike

Press review: EU must recognize Ukraine crimes as US-Iran deal unlikely end conflict

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, May 25th

China launches Shenzhou-23 spacecraft — TV

The spacecraft was blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, China’s Central Television reported

Peace deal, nuclear program to be discussed within 60 days — Iranian MFA

According to Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei, a 14-point memorandum of understanding focuses on ending the war is being discussed at this stage

US expects Iran to approve peace agreement within several days — media

The official said there are still several details to close, Axios and Israel’s Channel 12 correspondent Barak Ravid said

US leader leans toward resuming strikes on Iran — Axios

Sources cited by the news portal say Donald Trump has grown "increasingly frustrated about the negotiations with Iran"

Ten people remain in hospitals after deadly drone attack on college dorm in LPR

First responders said 32 people had been discharged for out-patient treatment

11 civilians killed in Israel’s strike on Nabatieh — Lebanon’s health ministry

Nine more people, including four children and one woman, were injured

Death toll from Ukrainian attack on Starobelsk college rises to 16

Four more bodies have been recovered from under the rubble, spokesperson for the Russian Emergencies Ministry said

US fighter jet downed over Iran likely conducted strikes on ground targets — media

According to CBS News national security analyst Aaron MacLean, the pilots of the downed fighter had sidearms

Three people killed, 18 missing in building collapse in Philippines — GMA News

Authorities said that the search and rescue operation is ongoing, with 26 people rescued so far

Ukraine loses 7,830 soldiers, mercenaries in special military op over week — expert

Andrey Marochko added that during the aforementioned period, Russian forces also destroyed more than 4,000 Ukrainian fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles, which is almost double the amount from the previous week

Lavrov highlights need to achieve goals of Russia’s special military operation

Russia’s friends and neighbors, as well as its opponents and enemies, are keeping the closest eye on it, the foreign minister said

EU aid to Ukraine frozen — Borrell

The ex-chief of EU diplomacy said the situation is similar with the approval of new sanctions against Russia

Israel eliminates Hamas sniper who took part in October 7 attack — IDF

The terrorist posed an immediate threat to IDF troops, the Israeli military said

6.9-magnitude earthquake rocks Morocco

There was no information about casualties or damage

Macron calls on Minsk to refrain from dragging into Ukrainian conflict

The French president also called on his Belarusian counterpart AlexanderLukashenko to take necessary measures to improve relations between Belarus and Europe

Serbian president may step down as Balkan nation faces protests

A major anti-government rally took place in Belgrade’s Slavija Square on the afternoon of May 23

US-Israeli strike on humanitarian aid aircraft in western Iran reported

The Civil Aviation Organization of the Islamic Republic called on all international bodies to take appropriate measures in response to this incident

US interested in calling on Arab nations to help pay for cost of Iran operation — official

The United States and Israel launched a military operation against Iran on February 28

Press review: Cuba readies for US attack as Moscow outlines ties with Washington

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, May 22nd

No Iran-US agreement expected anytime soon — Iranian Foreign Ministry

According to Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei, frequent changes in the US position are complicating the negotiation process

Roscosmos to bring US astronaut back to Earth March 30 as scheduled

Earlier, some US media expressed doubts if Russia would agree to take US astronaut Mark Vande Hei back to Earth amid the sanctions imposed on Russia over the situation in Ukraine

Progress MS-27 fragments that survived re-entry land in Pacific — Roscosmos

The spaceship undocked from the ISS at 3:53 p.m. Moscow time (12:53 a.m. GMT) on Tuesday, brought its engines to a halt and switched to a free flight

Israel, US attack amusement park in central Iran

No information on casualties or damage has been reported yet

Persian Gulf countries running out of interceptor missiles - Bloomberg

Iran has fired almost 1,200 ballistic missiles and 4,000 Shahed drones at the Gulf states since the start of the war

Finnish president says Europe may engage in dialogue with Russia this year

When asked whether he can act as a mediator, the Finnish president said that if he is asked, "it will probably be difficult to say ‘no"

Iran divides countries into three categories based on use of Strait of Hormuz — TV

According to the TV channel, all states are divided into three categories — "hostile," "neutral," and "friendly"

Ukrainian forces lose 67 heavy hexacopters to Battlegroup West operations over past day

Three electronic warfare stations, 54 UAV control centers, a Starlink satellite communications station, 20 ground robotic complexes, and three enemy field ammunition depots were also detected and destroyed.

Preliminary data shows Luna-25 lunar probe collided with Moon’s surface – Roscosmos

Automatic station "Luna-25" ceased to exist, noted in the state corporation

Draft US-Iran memorandum stipulates 60-day ceasefire extension — Axios

During the truce, navigation via the Strait of Hormuz will resume, and Iran will be able to sell its oil freely

Six parties to have seats in Cyprus’ new parliament

After counting 99.8% of ballots, the center-right Democratic Rally party garnered 72.1% of voted

Israel suffering losses in Lebanon, killing civilians in response — Hezbollah leader

Naim Qassem called on Israel to stop its aggression, withdraw its troops, and release prisoners

Ukrainian forces continuously attacking Energodar since Sunday — Zaporozhye NPP

No casualties have been reported

Russian MP warns of nuclear proliferation risk if Israel uses nukes against Iran

Alexey Pushkov noted that the question of whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will use nuclear weapons in Iran has been actively discussed on American television in recent days

Death toll from railroad blast in Pakistan rises to 24 — media

More than 50 people were injured, the Pakistan Observer reported

Trump says Iran has 48 hours to make deal or open strait

Time is running out: 48 hours remain before all hell rains down on them, US President said

Roscosmos invites NASA chief to Russia

The US Senate unanimously voted to appoint Nelson to the post of NASA chief in late April

Casualty in Yaroslavl Region, 173 UAVs target Russia: aftermath of new Ukrainian attack

Five civilians were injured in a Ukrainian drone strike on the Kalininsky District of Gorlovka in the DPR

Death toll at Starobelsk college up to 21; search operations over — ministry

All the bodies of the victims have been recovered from the rubble

Iran to hit more targets if US attacks Kharg Island — ambassador

Tehran’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe Amir Hossein Hosseini also expressed hope that the conflict would be resolved diplomatically

Israeli army says it simultaneously struck over 200 targets in Iran and Lebanon

In Lebanon, the strikes targeted military facilities of the Shiite organization Hezbollah

NBC News publishes name of suspected White House shooter

Sources told the channel that the suspect had unspecified mental disorders on his medical record

Trump calls on several countries to normalize relations with Israel — Axios

The US leader expressed hope that after the end of the Iran conflict, countries that are not party to the Abraham Accords or do not have a peace treaty with Israel would normalize their relations with Tel Aviv

US-Iran framework agreement is 95% complete — Fox News

According to the TV channel, US President Donald Trump could give the agreement another 5-7 days to finalize it

Putin: Russia stands for demilitarization of Ukraine

Russian President said he wished the Donbass problem could be settled through talks and the implementation of the Minsk agreements, but "regrettably, this is no longer relevant"

Donbass Dome air defense system intercepts 39 Ukrainian drones in past day

Air defense forces and combined mobile fire groups were deployed

Tanker with Iranian oil change course, heading to China — PTI

The change in the destination of Pin Shun appears to be payment-related, Sumit Ritolia, Lead Research Analyst at Kpler, noted

Israeli army storms Palestinian town of Tubas in West Bank

Earlier, the IDF press service reported the completion of a 60-hour raid in the city of Jenin

Trump says deal with Iran not yet fully negotiated

The US leader stressed that he doesn't make bad deals

India’s Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft lands on Moon

According to an ISRO live broadcast, the spacecraft has successfully completed a soft landing on the Moon’s surface

Hungary views China as pillar of multipolar world — Orban

Hungarian prime minister recalled that Hungary has always adhered to the ‘one China’ principle

Ukraine military strikes train in Lgov district of Kursk Region, one carriage is ablaze

According to unconfirmed information, there have been no reports as of yet regarding possible casualties, Kursk Region Governor Alexander Khinshtein stated

Iran sees no need to react to Trump’s social media threats — MFA

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei emphasized that Tehran was focused on promoting and protecting its national interests

A 'no-money world' and things for free? Japanese billionaire views our future from space

Top US diplomat sees good chances for agreement with Iran

According to Marco Rubio, Washington also has a good chance of launching talks on Iran’s nuclear program

Another strike hits area near Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant in Iran

One of the facility’s security guards was killed, Iran’s AEOI said

US military aircraft struck by Iran makes it to Kuwait — TV

Iran also fired at two US UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters conducting a search and rescue operation

Ukrainian media report air defense system failure in Kiev

The Russian Defense Ministry earlier reported that during a massive strike with Oreshnik, Iskander, Kinzhal, and Tsirkon missiles in Kiev and the Kiev region, the Russian Armed Forces hit Ukrainian military-industrial complex facilities

Iran calls on Saudi Arabia to ‘eject’ US troops from region

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stressed that Iran respects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and considers it a brotherly nation

General HQ of Iranian army warns of potentially larger strikes on Tel Aviv

The Iranian military also advised "host countries of US military bases to force the Americans to leave their territory, if they want to avoid damage"

Kiev doing everything possible to provoke Minsk, draw it into conflict — politician

According to Viktor Medvedchuk, dragging Belarus into the conflict would only worsen the situation for the Ukrainian military

US to explore alternatives if fails to reach diplomatic solution with Iran — top diplomat

According to Marco Rubio, the parties are still working on potential agreements

IRGC calls for US Air Force chief to resign after aircraft downed in Iran

The IRGC Navy also congratulated the air defense forces of the Islamic republic’s army on intercepting an US F-15E fighter jet and an A-10 attack aircraft in the skies over Iran

Russia uses Oreshnik weapon to strike Ukrainian military command posts

That was response to terrorist attacks by the Ukrainian military against civilian facilities located on the territory of the Russian Federation, the Russian Defense Ministry reported

US president threatens strikes on Iran’s energy, civilian infrastructure

Donald Trump called on Iranian leaders to open the Strait of Hormuz, claiming that otherwise the country "will be living in hell