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France, Oman to jointly participate in mine clearance operations in Hormuz — Macron

According to the French president, the two leaders also agreed to continue efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions in the Middle East

PARIS, June 29. /TASS/. France and Oman have agreed to jointly participate in mine clearance operations in the Strait of Hormuz, French President Emmanuel Macron said following talks with Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq Al Said.

"We have decided, together and in coordination with our partners, to take part in mine clearance operations in the waterway in order to ensure the security of maritime routes and guarantee free and unconditional passage through the Strait of Hormuz," Macron wrote on X.

According to the French president, the two leaders also agreed to continue efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Guterres says terrorists learn to new technologies

"Terrorists have grown adept at exploiting emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, digital platforms, and unmanned weapons," the UN secretary general said

Kiev, West not intending to implement Minsk Agreements — Putin

The Russian president added that it is important that Belarus has always provided its venue for talks

Temperature record broken in Hungary — weather service

Temperature in Budapest rose to 40 degrees Celsius on June 28

Putin commends participants in special military operation as Russia’s true elite

"We should certainly create conditions so that such people who, as I have repeatedly stated, form the true elite of Russia can continue to serve the country - in civilian spheres, in politics", Putin said

Russia standing firm on its feet, ready to fight for its core interests — Putin

"Russia is standing firm <…> on its feet, as it declares its fundamental, core interests and is ready to fight for them and our future, way of living, sovereign ideology, foundations, and living principles," the president stated

Time isn’t ripe yet for talks between EU, Russia, Finland’s top diplomat says

Elina Valtonen added there should be no impression "that we in Europe are desperately seeking talks to achieve peace, regardless of the conditions"

Canadian national team qualifies for FIFA World Cup 1/8 finals

The team defeated South Africa 1-0

War with Iran increases risk of US, Israel using nuclear weapons — Taylor Greene

The former US House of Representatives member emphasized that the situation in the Middle East could spiral out of control

Frontline developments reinforce confidence that Russia’s goals to be achieved — Kremlin

Russia's position on the settlement is well known and remains consistent, Dmitry Peskov said

Kremlin delivers remarks on Putin-Lukashenko talks, Ukraine dialogue channels

Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov stressed that Russia's position on Ukraine, outlined by Vladimir Putin during his address at the Russian Foreign Ministry two years ago, remains unchanged

Armenia to have to take into account Russia’s view on Trump Route — MFA

The Trump Route will pass through an area guarded by Russian border troops, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin said

Russian forces strike drone storage facility in Kharkov

Secondary detonations were detected at the facility, which confirmed that the premises of Megasklad were used for military purposes in the interests of the Ukrainian armed forces

Senior Iranian diplomat denies reports of consultations with US in Doha on June 30

Consultations with Qatar continue as usual, Kazem Gharibabadi said

Europe 'getting a taste' for producing UAVs for Ukrainian strikes against Russia — expert

Dmitry Kuzyakin highlighted that Ukraine itself no longer hosts significant large-scale UAV manufacturing facilities

Kiev builds up cooperation with Mexico’s largest drug cartels — Russia’s SVR

According to the press release, Ukrainian security agencies deliberately show indulgence toward the increased drug transit from Latin America to Europe

Russian artillery crew destroys Ukraine’s heavy drone command post in Krasny Liman

Reconnaissance units reports that a Baba Yaga drone has landed, and operators rushed to fetch it

Spanish gas hub chief calls on EU to postpone Russian LNG ban — newspaper

Ivan Jimenez believes US President Donald Trump could keep pressure on the EU to maintain the Russian gas ban, given the boost it would provide to US exports to Europe

"Michael" movie becomes highest-grossing biopic in history

According to Variety, the movie earned over $977 million

Press review: Ceasefire strain amid US-Iran tensions and Finnish nuclear plans near Russia

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, June 29th

NATO no longer needed today — descendant of Otto von Bismarck

Alexander von Bismarck says many people in Germany share this opinion

Navigation recovery in Hormuz Strait to take months due to mines

The available routes are extremely limited, CEO of Japan’s NYK Line Takaya Soga says

Russia succeeds in creating strike UAV industry comparable to nuclear industry — expert

Dmitry Kuzyakin underscored that the integration of drones into modern warfare marks a fundamental shift from previous conflicts

United States, Iran agreed to stop strikes — Axios

Washington and Tehran also reached an agreement to hold consultations in Doha on Tuesday

Israel announced destruction of underground Hezbollah facility

Israel notified the US and the American representative in Lebanon in advance of the operation, according to a statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz

Russia ready to continue discussing Anchorage modalities with US — Putin

The president added that Moscow is ready to continue the talks

Russian PM Mishustin joins Putin-Lukashenko talks as economy takes focus — Kremlin

The agenda was primarily focused on bilateral relations, trade and economic cooperation, Dmitry Peskov said

Refineries operating at maximum capacity, Russian market becoming saturated with fuel

All major suppliers are carrying out seaborne shipments of diesel and gasoline to the Kaliningrad Region

Mayor of Zaporozhye nuke plant host city dismisses evacuation reports

According to Maxim Pukhov, the city’s authorities and all services continue to operate normally

Head of International BRICS Forum sees growing interest in Russian culture

According to Purnima Anand, "the Indians like Russian culture very much, and people in Russia like the Indian one"

Russia living through crucial time — Putin

"The United Russia party, our leading political party, is holding a congress at a crucial time for the country as the entire world, too, is undergoing a radical, systemic transformation," the Russian head of state said

Russian artillery destroys two Ukrainian army deployment sites near Konstantinovka

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, artillery crews of the 6th Motor Rifle Division are conducting combat operations in the Konstantinovka direction round-the-clock

Russian troops liberate Bogodarovka community in Dnepropetrovsk Region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup East inflicted more than 485 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed an enemy armored combat vehicle in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

UK, France, Germany chose unacceptable approaches to Ukraine — senior diplomat

Mikhail Galuzin emphasized that he had articulated Russia’s stance to ambassadors to the European trio during a recent meeting in the Foreign Ministry

Global ocean shipping rates hit two-year high due to US tariffs — FT

According to digital shipping platform Freightos, the cost of shipping a standard 40-foot container from China to the US East Coast surged to $7,880

Russia plans to complete clinical trials of tuberculosis vaccine by end of 2026

Scientists intend to register it in 2027, Irina Vasilyeva, Director of the National Medical Research Center for Phthisiopulmonology and Infectious Diseases, says

Europe risks entering heating season with lowest gas reserves in 15 years — FT

The current shortage is driven by the fallout from the conflict between the US and Iran, which halted liquefied natural gas supplies through the Strait of Hormuz and reduced production in Qatar and the UAE

Protection against UAV attacks, AI use: statements by Russia’s defense chief

Andrey Belousov said that Russia is actively introducing artificial intelligence systems in its air defenses and the results will be seen by November

IRGC delivers retaliatory strike on key US infrastructure in Kuwait, Bahrain

The IRGC also warned that Tehran’s future response to potential US aggression will be even more decisive

Emergency outage covered significant part of Zaporozhye Region

Damage assessment is underway, Governor Yevgeny Balitsky says

Work on biological safety in Ukraine served as cover for biological weapons development

According to Viktor Medvedchuk, only an absolutely transparent investigation with granted access to documents and facilities, which the Ukrainian authorities have avoided and feared for many years, can resolve this problem

Kiev loses 10,000 troops, mercenaries over week — military expert

According to Andrey Marochko, the trend towards the growth of losses among the Ukrainian military personnel has been observed for the sixth consecutive week

Commissioner informs Putin on Kursk Region residents return, foreign media in Starobelsk

The Russian president noted that Yana Lantratova has actively started working as the commissioner for human rights

Number of ships crossing Strait of Hormuz falls by 80% amid escalation — Bloomberg

This is due to carriers' concerns over the latest escalation of the conflict between the US and Iran

Ukraine as transit hub, Kiev’s cooperation with drug cartels: statements by SVR

Ukraine’s security agencies "deliberately show indulgence towards the increasing drug transit from Latin America to Europe"

Saudi Aramco helicopter crash kills 14 people

An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the crash

EU discussing new loan to Ukraine of 30-45 billion euros after 2027

The financing will be provided in the event that the conflict continues after 2027, Pekka Toveri, member of the European Parliament, says

Iran warns third countries against interfering in Hormuz Strait — top diplomat

According to Abbas Araghchi, navigation through the Strait of Hormuz could return to pre-conflict levels within 30 days, provided all existing obstacles were removed

UK’s outgoing PM Starmer eyeing role of NATO secretary general — weekly

Starmer’s plans would need some sustained government backing, the weekly wrote

Russian, Chinese warplanes conducted joint six-hour patrol

Fighter air cover was provided along the entire joint patrol route by Su-30SM and Su-35S aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces and Jian-16 aircraft of the Chinese Air Force

IN BRIEF: Putin’s key statements on proposal to limit combat zone, special op progress

The Russian president said that Ukrainian strikes on Russia’s infrastructure do not affect the situation at the front or the position along the line of engagement

Putin describes reliance on traditional values as powerful basis for national unity

"It is obvious to all statesmen and politicians that reliance on traditional values forms a solid ideological foundation that unites Russian society," the Russian leader said at a United Russia party congress

Russia’s security, inviolability of its borders to be guaranteed — Putin

"The West has preferred to turn a blind eye to all this Kiev’s terrorist attacks", Putin said

Seoul, Tokyo reaffirm commitment to Korean Peninsula denuclearization

Notably, North Korea has repeatedly stressed that its nuclear status is non-negotiable

US in search of quick, low-cost missile production options after Iran operation — media

The Financial Times points out that "the US Air Force has requested some $12 bln over the next five years for 28,000 missiles"

Russia adjusting plans based on situation, will implement strategic ones in full — Putin

"Naturally, we have been adjusting certain plans, based on the situation", Putin said

IN BRIEF: Putin comments on Russia’s strategic goals, security, Duma election

Russia is living through a crucial time, the head of state said, as he pledged that the security of the nation will be ensured

Putin appoints new members of commission on Russia’s participation in G20

Denis Agafonov, head of the expert department of the presidential administration and the Russian sherpa in G20, was appointed chair of the commission

Press review: NATO drills rehearse Ukraine logistics and quake strengthens Venezuela power

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, June 26th

Medvedev describes Western interference in Armenian election campaign as unprecedented

Russian Security Council deputy chairman pointed to the Armenian authorities’ persecution of Gagik Tsarukyan, leader of the Prosperous Armenia party

Qatari, Russian Defense Ministries agree to establish direct communication channel

Vice Admiral Viktor Kalganov, deputy head of the National Defense Control Center, signed the document on behalf of the Russian Defense Ministry

Putin pledges to bring Russian economy to new technological level

"We will bring the Russian economy to a brand new technological level across all key spheres", Putin said

Iran proves it can control Hormuz Strait, former US lawmaker says

Marjorie Taylor Greene believes that it affected America's standing in the world

Drones that attacked Moscow assembled through cooperation of NATO countries — expert

The origins of the components and systems powering the examined drones have been identified, the unmanned aircraft expert and general designer at Russia’s Center for Integrated Unmanned Solutions Dmitry Kuzyakin said

Serbia will not give up friendship with Russia but will honor EU commitments — president

Aleksandar Vucic added that Serbia values "these friendly ties"

Yerevan may delay referendum on EAEU in current circumstances — senior diplomat

Mikhail Galuzin noted that Moscow does not understand why the Armenian leadership is in no hurry to ask the residents about their views on this important issue

Maduro sends solidarity to his nation as he quotes from Bible — CNN

The earthquake struck Venezuela late on June 24, when about 40 seconds separated two series of tremors of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5

Ukrainian authorities once again report difficult situation in Druzhkovka

The city has absolutely no gas, water and power supply, Vadim Filashkin said

Russia destroys two Ukrainian MiG-29 aircraft at Voznesensk airfield in Nikolayev region

Russian Armed Forces used Geran-4 Seeker UAVs

Meeting with E3 ambassadors, Gyumri base, referendum on EAEU: senior diplomat’s statements

Contacts through the human rights commissioners of Russia and Ukraine have turned out to be the only channel through which humanitarian issues can be discussed, Mikhail Galuzin noted

Relations between Russia, China should evolve without regard to secondary sanctions

Deputy General Director of the Russian International Affairs Council Dmitry Kiku added that a new page in relations between the two countries is needed

Russia destroys up to platoon of Ukrainian troops in Novoskelevatoye

Assault units of the 36th separate motorized rifle brigade of the 29th army of Battlegroup East have liberated Novoskelevatoye

All districts in Kherson Region suffer power outage

Energy workers and emergency services are working on sites, Governor Vladimir Saldo says

No signs of nuclear infrastructure being deployed in Finland — Russian embassy

According to the statement, even the theoretical possibility of its appearance seriously affects security in the region

Russia under unprecedented pressure from Western elites — Putin

"Russia is under rude and unprecedented pressure from Western elites," the Russian leader noted

Russian troops liberate two settlements in Dnepropetrovsk, Zaporozhye regions

Units of Battlegroup East moved deeper into enemy defenses, liberating the settlement of Pisantsy and the settlement of Novosyolovka

Kiev resorts to terrorism as Ukrainian troops retreat on battlefield — Putin

"The Kiev regime is retreating along the entire line of engagement, and therefore it has resorted to openly terrorist activities," the Russian leader said, referring to deliberate attacks on civilians

West fails to defeat Russia on battlefield, attempts to destabilize nation futile — Putin

"Russia is under rude and unprecedented pressure from Western elites", Putin said

Twenty-eight US-affiliated biolabs set up in Ukraine under Yanukovich — politician

Viktor Medvedchuk stressed that the Ukrainian government at that time attempted to examine the issue of a cholera outbreak and studied it for three years

Finland lifting its ban on nukes requires Russian response, diplomat says

Maria Zakharova lambasted the move as unfounded, given repeated statements from leading Finnish politicians and relevant agencies in the Nordic country that Russia does not pose a direct military threat to Finns

Iran, China unlikely to be thrilled about creation of Trump Route in Armenia — Russian MFA

According to Mikhail Galuzin, recent events demonstrate that the prospects for implementing the Trump Route project are mixed

What is known about largest Ukrainian drone attack on Moscow Region in two years

According to Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin, air defenses downed more than 190 drones since the start of the day

Belarusian president embarks on East, Southeast Asia tour

Alexander Lukashenko will visit a number of countries and hold high level talks

Russia, US have much more in common, than apart — former US lawmaker

Marjorie Taylor Greene called for strengthening Russia-US ties in such fields as politics, economics and trade

US no longer treats Israel as special ally — media

Politico points out that Vice President JD Vance has become the face of changes in Washington's approach to Israel

Most US citizens want to restore relations with Russia — Marjorie Taylor Greene

When asked why Washington is taking virtually no meaningful action to improve relations with Moscow, even though US President Donald Trump has repeatedly declared his willingness to do so, the former House of Representatives member replied that people constantly call him and demand meetings

Under Zelensky US biolabs in Ukraine start to conduct human experiments — politician

Viktor Medvedchuk noted that human experiments began in 2019

IN BRIEF: No injuries reported as Russia downs total of 209 Ukrainian drones overnight

As many as 29 UAVs were downed in Sevastopol over the past day, Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev said

Pakistani security forces eliminated 29 militants at the border with Afghanistan

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar also reported the destruction of three targets including weapons and ammunition depots

Zelensky moves to real terror against Belarus — deputy foreign minister

Mikhail Galuzin said the Kiev regime intentionally attacked an absolutely peaceful object

What to know about FSB thwarting arson attack on synagogue in Yaroslavl

According to Russia's Federal Security Service, the perpetrator purchased components and chemicals to manufacture incendiary devices on instructions from a handler in Syria

Eleven people killed in light aircraft crash in France — media

According to the L'Est Republicain newspaper, the victims include five instructors, five amateur parachutists and the pilot

Iraq ready to host meeting between Iran, Gulf Arab nations — top diplomat

According to Hussein, as Iraq maintains "perfect relations with the United States," Baghdad "expresses its readiness to help both Tehran and Washington put an end to the war between them."

Iran, Qatar agree to unfreeze $6 bln in Iranian assets in emirate — Pezeshkian

The Iranian president said the necessary work to return the remaining portion of the funds is also continuing

Large Hadron Collider officially finishes its scientific work — CERN

Over that period, the LHC will undergo a major upgrade and will be turned into a new scientific installation, High-Luminosity LHC

Russia reports downing 72 Ukrainian drones over its regions, Sea of Azov during 12 hours

Alert air defense capabilities intercepted and destroyed drones over the Belgorod, Bryansk, Kaluga, Krasnodar, Kursk, Moscow, Oryol, Smolensk, and Tver Regions as well as the Republic of Crimea

Ukraine hopes to get at least $154 billion from its Western allies by 2030

The Finance Ministry estimates that the country will need $46.4 billion in 2026 to maintain the functioning of its governmental bodies

No war between Europe and Russia, descendant of Otto von Bismarck says

Alexander von Bismarck also warned that it was dangerous to direct threats toward Moscow

Belarusian Deputy Foreign Minister tells Ukraine not to cross border 'red line'

Igor Sekreta emphasized that in case of a border violation, Belarus would respond with full force

Putin orders to minimize impact from Kiev’s terrorist attacks on civilian infrastructure

"I would like to reiterate that the impact from terrorist attacks on our civilian facilities and infrastructure should be minimized," the Russian head of state said

Putin convenes meeting of government officials, Russian oil majors on fuel situation

The Russian president authorized efforts to minimize the impact of Ukrainian terrorist attacks on Russian civilian facilities

Witkoff, Kushner to travel to Doha for talks with Iran this week — White House

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt added that technical talks will also be held in Doha