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Congo Republic interested in Russia’s experience in responding to challenges — minister

Vice Admiral Jean-Dominique pointed out that he would focus on participating in the forum’s sessions on national security, cybersecurity, the fight against terrorism, and new hybrid threats

MOSCOW, May 23. /TASS/. The Republic of the Congo is interested in Russia’s experience in addressing new security challenges, Vice Admiral Jean-Dominique Okemba, secretary general of the central African nation’s National Security Council, said in an interview with TASS ahead of the International Security Forum hosted by Russia’s Security Council.

Okemba pointed out that he would focus on participating in the forum’s sessions on national security, cybersecurity, the fight against terrorism, and new hybrid threats.

"Our goal is to further strengthen our cooperation with Russia in the field of professional training, expertise transfer, cybersecurity, and strengthening national capacity to prevent and respond to new security threats," Okemba emphasized.

The Congolese official pointed out that his visit would provide him with the opportunity to hold a number of bilateral meetings with heads of government agencies and strategic partners.

Russia’s Security Council will hold the International Security Forum on May 26-29.

Pakistani senator sees Yalta as appropriate place for Putin-Trump-Xi meeting

hese three must sit across the table, as has happened in history, and they must come up with a solution for peace, Aimal Wali Khan said

New type of war well underway in Eurasia — Lavrov

"It is well underway in Eurasia following the Western-plotted Ukrainian aggression against Russia and another attempt to weaken our country and remove it from the ranks of major global players," the Russian foreign minister said

US extends sanctions against Belarusian leadership for another year

The sanctions were imposed in 2006 and expanded on August 9, 2021

Nebenzya responds to doubts about attack on Starobelsk voiced by Denmark’s envoy

Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN says the Ukrainian army’s General Staff confirmed the attack

Situation with Islam in Russia remarkable unlike in US, Europe — UN

Miguel Angel Moratinos, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General, High Representative for the UN Alliance of Civilizations, believes Russia can be proud of its achievements in interreligious and interfaith dialogue

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

Krona SAM system trials proceeding according to plan — Kalashnikov

The group’s CEO Alan Lushnikov expressed confidence that the tests would be completed within the shortest possible period of time

Maritime board chief notes importance of exchanging experience with Vietnam

Nikolay Patrushev highlighted that signs of a burgeoning global naval arms race are evident

Number of victims in Ukrainian attack on Starobelsk college rises to 39 — regional head

Leonid Pasechnik said that fatalities were also reported

Russian 7.62x54mm cartridge still viable despite being more than century old — Chukavin

The 7.62x54mm rifle cartridge was first introduced in 1891

Putin condemns strike on Starobelsk as act of pure terror by Ukraine

The Russian president said that everything that could and should be said has been said

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

Qatar sends negotiating team to Tehran in coordination with US — agency

According to the agency, until now Doha has been refraining from playing a mediatory role in this conflict amid strikes on its territory during this conflict

UN SC to convene emergency meeting in wake of Starobelsk attack later on Friday

Four people have been reported killed, while the number of those injured has climbed to 39

Tehran, Washington not yet close to agreement to end war — Iranian diplomat

Esmaeil Baghaei emphasized that "the main focus of the negotiations is on ending the war"

Western Europeans must accept world has changed — UN Under-Secretary-General

Miguel Angel Moratinos says there are others that "want to really share and participate, and to be at the same level"

Starship prototype rocket launched on its 12th test flight

The flight is expected to last about an hour

West should consider launching military mission in Strait of Hormuz — Rubio

The US Secretary of State is not sure that this would necessarily be a NATO mission

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

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

Russia’s Battlegroup North inflicted more than 1,260 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed six enemy armored combat vehicles in its areas of responsibility over the week, the Defense Ministry reported

US aviation regulator detects anomaly during Starship rocket test flight

There have been no reports of public injuries or property damage

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

Drone attack leaves civilian injured in Russia’s Belgorod Region

The man was preliminarily diagnosed with blast-related injuries and acoustic barotrauma, the regional crisis center said

Ukrainian strike on college in LPR, punishment for Kiev: new briefing by Kremlin spokesman

The Ukrainian strike on the college in Starobelsk in the Lugansk People's Republic is a horrible crime, Dmitry Peskov said

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

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

US National Intelligence Director resigns due to her husband’s illness — TV channel

Tulsi Gabbard's last day on the job is expected to be June 30

UAC to unveil Il-114-300 aircraft during St. Petersburg International Economic Forum

Denis Pogodin, First Deputy Director of the P.A. Voronin Lukhovitsy Aircraft Plant, noted that the national aircraft industry has been tasked by the government to ensure technological sovereignty and produce new domestic aircraft

BBC declines to visit site of Ukrainian attack on college in Starobelsk — Russian diplomat

"CNN must be on vacation," Maria Zakharova added, making it clear that no requests had been received from the US media outlet

Putin slams Kiev regime as thieving illegitimate junta

The Ukrainian troops earlier launched a drone attack on the Starobelsk college building and dormitory

Kalashnikov working to make Chukavin rifle more corrosion-resistant — designer

According to Andrey Chukavin, as part of the rifle’s modernization, the gas system has been slightly modified to make disassembly more convenient, and the stock has been improved to eliminate any looseness

Russia has right to respond forcefully to EU for its siding with Ukraine — politician

Viktor Medvedchuk noted that Vladimir Zelensky was counting on a direct military conflict between Europe and Russia and was doing everything to achieve that

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

World Wrestling Championship relocated from Bahrain to Kazakhstan — UWW statement

This decision has been made after careful and responsible consideration of the current geopolitical situation in the region

Russia to arrange visit of foreign reporters to site of Starobelsk attack — diplomat

“I hope BBC and CNN reporters won’t happen to be on vacation,” Maria Zakharova said

Russian stock market indexes end lower following Friday's trading

The MOEX Index fell by 1.48% to 2,624.83 points, while the dollar-denominated RTS Index dropped by 2.06% to 1,161.2 points

Death toll from Ukrainian attack on Starobelsk college rises to 12

According to the Russian Emergencies Ministry, nine more people remain under the rubble

Ukraine deliberately attacks civilian facilities — senior Russian lawmaker

Ukraine’s terrorist neo-Nazi regime carries out strikes with full knowledge that it’s targeting hospitals, educational institutions and residential buildings Vyacheslav Volodin, said

Pakistani army commander arrives in Tehran to mediate between Iran, US

According to the report, Pakistan’s efforts are aimed at resolving existing differences

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

Explosion reported in Ukraine’s Odessa Region

An air raid warning is currently in effect for the region

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

Kalashnikov unveils Kub-10ME guided munition with range of over 100 km

According to the arms manufacturer, the key features of the new system include an optoelectronic guidance system that enables the engagement of moving targets, and improved protection against electronic warfare and air defense systems

Russia requests UNSC extraordinary meeting after Kiev’s attack on Starobelsk college

The Ukrainian troops earlier launched a drone attack which left 4 people dead and 39 people injured

Ombudswoman puts number of college children affected by Ukrainian attack in LPR at 36

Regional children’s rights commissioner Inna Shvenk said that 18 families are awaiting the results of a search and rescue operation at the scene of the attack

Kiev regime suffers frontline failures — Putin

The Russian president said the reasons for criminal behavior by the Kiev regime are clear

Europe faces 'bad outcome', Russia remains independent state — foreign minister

According to Sergey Lavrov, Europe will repeat the mistakes of the past if its elites maintain their course toward armed confrontation with Russia

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

West to sacrifice Baltic states, Finland, Poland, Romania after Ukraine — diplomat

According to Rodion Miroshnik, the approach to warfare on the part of the Western countries is deeply cynical

Global platforms where Western countries have advantage lost credibility — Medvedev

The Security Council deputy chairman emphasized that inclusive multilateral cooperation platforms, including the CSTO, CIS, SCO, ASEAN, and other forums, will play a significant role in shaping an interconnected Eurasian security architecture

Newest Kub-SM recon and strike system fully ready for testing — Kalashnikov

The group unveiled the Kub-SM reconnaissance and strike system with guided munitions at the IDEX-2025 international arms exhibition and conference in the UAE in February 2025

FSB thwarts suicide bombing in Russia’s Belgorod Region

A woman was instructed to retrieve an explosive device from a cache, bring it to a crowded place, and activate it, the FSB said

NPT Review Conference fails to agree on final document — chairman

Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN Do Hung Viet expressed deep regret that the conference was not able to reach consensus after consultations

Fire breaks out at oil depot in Novorossiysk due to falling UAV debris

There were no casualties

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"

Response to attack on Starobelsk, Time of Heroes, frontline situation: Putin’s statements

The president said he instructed the defense ministry to submit proposals on a potential response

Some 350 European companies continue to operate in Russia despite challenges — AEB

The statement was made at the Second International Socio-Political Hearings on Eurasian Security, currently being held in the city

Gagauzia head Gutsul may be removed from post after court hearing on May 28 — lawyer

If the court of appeal upholds the sentence, it will become enforceablе, Sergey Moraru said

Russia-Africa summit to open up great opportunities — Republic of Congo official

Jean-Dominique Okemba says Moscow remains an important historical partner for a number of African countries

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"

Coal mine blast kills over 80 people in northern China

A rescue operation is underway

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"

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

Air defenses shoot down 17 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions in two hours

They were destroyed over the Bryansk, Kaluga, Kursk and Ryazan regions between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. Moscow time

Further phases of BRICS expansion will follow, says South African president

It is noted that the membership will take effect from January 1, 2024

Likelihood of nuclear weapons being used in Ukrainian conflict increasing — diplomat

Rodion Miroshnik said that Europe is currently producing massive quantities of weapons, launching a huge number of new factories, and essentially openly preparing for war

Kiev loses two companies of troops in battle for Verkhnyaya Tersa in Zaporozhye area

The Ukrainian army also lost six armored combat vehicles, 17 pickup trucks, 15 all-terrain vehicles, over 30 ground robotic vehicles and more than 60 heavy R-18 hexacopters

EU will not return to Russian oil and gas purchases under any circumstances

European Commissioner for Economy Valdis Dombrovskis said the largest gas supplies for the European Union now come from Norway

Air defenses destroy two drones heading for Moscow — mayor

Response teams are working at the site where debris fell, Sergey Sobyanin said

Russian exporters interested in supplying beef to Indonesia — watchdog

As soon as pricing is agreed upon with the Indonesian colleagues, shipments will start immediately, Sergey Dankvert said

Russia knows West supplying Ukrainian forces with intelligence — envoy to UN

According to Vasily Nebenzya, Western countries are assisting the Ukrainian military with targeting

Death toll from Ukrainian attack on student dorm in LPR rises to ten

As many as 11 students remain unaccounted for after the attack, Lugansk leader Leonid Pasechnik said

Pentagon, US intelligence community preparing for strikes on Iran this weekend — CBS

The TV channel added that no final decision on strikes had been reached as of Friday afternoon

UN agrees with Russia, dialogue on state of affairs globally absolutely necessary

UN Under-Secretary-General Miguel Angel Moratinos says the world today is more than the P5

China expresses concern over attack on Starobelsk college — envoy to UN

Fu Cong says: "China condemns any attacks targeting innocent civilians"

Strike on Starobelsk college carried out to maximize number of casualties — envoy to UN

Vasily Nebenzya says the strike on a civilian facility, where children study and live, was deliberate

EU turning into NATO twin, Western aggression has no limits: Lavrov’s statements

The Russian foreign minister noted that the Western aggressive policy mixes direct military intervention with sanctions

Sixteen people hurt in explosion on barge in New York — TV

CBS reports, citing the New York City Fire Department, that two firefighters and one civilian suffered serious injuries

Brazil proposes US convene UNSC members in Washington to discuss organization’s reform

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva says more large countries must become members of the Security Council

Death toll in coal mine explosion in China’s Shanxi Province rises to 90

A search and rescue operation continues at the site

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

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

Request for UNSC meeting and new terror chapter: reaction to attack on LPR college

No leniency will be shown to anyone guilty of the attack on the college in Starobelsk, the Russian foreign ministry said

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

Israel, US attack amusement park in central Iran

No information on casualties or damage has been reported yet

Nuclear component being added to US, South Korea, Japan’s military drills — Lavrov

This is seriously irritating the situation on the Korean Peninsula, the Russian foreign minister said

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

US not changing its program for supplying weapons to Kiev — top US diplomat

Marco Rubio said that Ukraine is getting more support than ever through the PURL program

Dirty Games: US to host first 'Steroid Olympics'

On May 23-25 of this year, athletes from around the world will compete enhanced with drugs banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency

Ukrainian Forces lose over 90 Starlink stations near Kharkov since early May — commander

According to the report, the Russian Armed Forces can easily detect Ukrainian Starlink stations due to their poor camouflage

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

Death toll from Ukrainian attack on college in Starobelsk rises to 11 — LPR head

As many as 41 people suffered injuries, Leonid Pasechnik said

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

Russia could become part of new impetus for Alliance of Civilizations — UN

High Representative for the alliance Miguel Angel Moratinos called Russia a big partner and a big actor in the international arena

Sweden suspects its citizen of espionage, conspiracy to commit murder in Moscow

This individual was previously remanded in custody by the Stockholm district court on suspicion of espionage

US attacks on Raul Castro on eve of his 95th birthday unite Cubans — President

Cuba does not threaten, challenge, or provoke the United States or any other country in the world, Diaz-Canel emphasized

E3 vows to step up support for Ukraine following Starobelsk attack

According to the statement, "the leaders confirmed they would double down on their support" for the Ukrainian authorities "in the coming months"

IN BRIEF: What we know about US move to send 5,000 troops to Poland

The US leader did not elaborate on exactly what US Army units will be deployed to Poland

Agricultural trade between Russia and Egypt up 15% in January-April 2026 — ministry

Traditionally, Russia exports grain, oilseeds, and pulses to Egypt

Putin condemns Ukraine’s attack on college in Starobelsk

The Russian president called this incident tragic

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