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Developments in eastern Ukraine

Ukrainian law enforcers build up forces around Donetsk

A convoy of 28 military trucks with servicemen on board has passed through the settlement of Solntsevo in the Starobeshevsky district, 50 kilometers south of Donetsk, and moved in the direction of Donetsk

© AP Photo/Petr Shelomovskiy

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DONETSK, May 22. /ITAR-TASS/. A convoy of 28 military trucks with servicemen on board has passed through the settlement of Solntsevo in the Starobeshevsky district, 50 kilometers south of Donetsk, and moved in the direction of Donetsk, the press service of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic told ITAR-TASS on Thursday.

"A convoy of 28 trucks with Ukrainian servicemen on board and three escort cars have passed the settlement of Soltsevo and moved in the direction of Donetsk," the source said.

On Wednesday, a convoy of military hardware belonging to Ukrainian law enforcers was seen moving from Kharkiv in the direction of Izum. A source from the headquarters of the self-defense forces said that the Ukrainian law enforcers had been building up their forces around Sloviansk and Donetsk.

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Donetsk Eastern Ukraine

Israeli-Palestinian conflict

US’ Blinken to visit Israel amid rising tensions between two countries — NYT

Israel’s military upcoming operation in Rafah will also be on agenda, the New York Times reported

Russia to hold next international security meeting in 2025 — top security official

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Russia vetoes US-backed UNSC resolution on banning nuclear weapons in outer space

The resolution gained 13 votes

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Hamas fighters have destroyed more than 400 Israeli vehicles — group’s senior member

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EAEU trade turnover reaches record high level of $8.7 bln in 2023 — Russian Prime Minister

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Russian aerospace forces hit two terrorists base in Syria’s Homs governorate

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Russian defense chief points to West’s double standards on right to self-defense

In this regard, Sergey Shoigu mentioned the operation that Tehran carried out "in retaliation for a blatant attack on the Iranian consulate building in Damascus"

China, US free to have their own friends, partners — President Xi

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West bends sanctions rules when it suits them — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov noted that, "according to some parameters, companies in Europe and other regions can hardly maintain their competitiveness if they completely abandon our products"

Press review: US tries to strong-arm China and Zelensky's bid to bring men home

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Russian defense minister dismisses his deputy Ivanov

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According to Vladimir Rogov, expected changes in Poland’s legislation may highlight the country’s interests in Ukraine and its possible territorial claims to parts of western Ukraine

Putin calls impending formation of new cabinet ‘crucial step’

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Blinken’s visit to China meant to shatter Russian-Chinese ties — senior Russian diplomat

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Ukraine’s army leaves first defensive line in Berdychi near Avdeyevka, says DPR

The Ukrainian military has suffered heavy casualties among personnel and military hardware in that community, Igor Kimakovsky said

Armenian police arrests people protesting against demarcation with Azerbaijan

Earlier, demonstrators in several regions of Armenia tried to block highways, including international ones

SCO expects Belarus to join the organization very soon — Shoigu

The Russian defense chief is certain that "this is an important moment in strengthening security in the SCO space"

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Swiss conference on Ukraine undermines European security — Russian diplomat

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Global community changing tune about how Ukraine conflict started — security official

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Abrams tanks easy targets for drones — Russian expert

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Over 60% of Russian companies continue using Microsoft services

57% of companies replaced at least one foreign service with a Russian one over the past few years, the analysts noted

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Maria Zakharova stressed that "the level of nuclear risks have risen dramatically as a result of the West’s destructive policy, which is fraught with a direct military confrontation between nuclear powers"

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Russian diplomat accuses US of facilitating chemical warfare in Ukraine

According to Russian Permanent Representative to the OPCW Vladimir Tarabrin, Russian troops have repeatedly recorded incidents where the Ukrainian army’s used chemical weapons, including riot control agents as means of warfare

Network of international conspirators plotted Crocus terrorist attack — watchdog

Yury Chikhanchin pointed out that the perpetrators of the attack were provided with money, weapons, transportation and ammunition

EU remains unreliable partner for Russia for now — Lavrov

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Zelensky's presidential powers to expire May 21 — Ukrainian legislator

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Kremlin spokesman describes European Parliament as 'Russophobic machine'

Dmitry Peskov added that the EP "has turned into a machine brimming with internal contradictions that keeps generating boorish statements"

Gagauzia against Chisinau’s policy of severing ties with Russia

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According to the news agency Tasnim, when speaking about NATO eastward expansion, Mohammad Reza Ashtiani emphasized that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states should utilize the SCO potential in order to neutralize common threats

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US stops hiding true purpose of sanctions on Moscow, Russian envoy says

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Erdogan’s May 9 visit to US postponed to more convenient date — Foreign Ministry

"The high-level dialogue between Turkey and the US will continue," the spokesman Oncu Keceli said

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Hungary sees Ukraine conflict entering new phase, NATO involvement rising

According to the minister Gergely Gulyas, the North Atlantic Alliance "wants to provide financial assistance, as well as supply weapons and train Ukrainian soldiers"

Kiev's attacks on ZNPP may trigger another Chernobyl — Zaporozhye governor

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Kiev may use ATACMS missiles to hit Crimean Bridge — Russian defense ministry official

Russian military will do its utmost to repel such attacks, Apty Alaudinov said

West reluctant to punish those responsible for Nord Stream blasts — Russian diplomat

According to Vasily Nebenzya, the situation is as though a year-long probe into a murder yielded a conclusion that "the victim was murdered"

Russian national Petrov arrested in Cyprus to appeal to Supreme Court — lawyer

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Putin signs law on holding World Friendship Games

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Istanbul accords could have stopped hostilities in Ukraine — German newspaper

The deal still looks advantageous even after two years of war, Welt am Sonntag said

Lithuania’s prime minister warns US may curtail aid to Ukraine

Ingrida Simonyte called for getting ready for such a turn of events right away, and not just watch and wait

Shoigu talks about ties with NATO, attacks on Zaporozhye NPP as he attends SCO meeting

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Pelosi's remarks about US protesters undemocratic, Russian diplomat says

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Erdogan moves back from May 9 his trip to US — report

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Russian troops wipe out military train with Western armaments in DPR over past day

Russian troops improved their tactical position and repelled eight Ukrainian army counterattacks in the Avdeyevka area over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Russian Economy Ministry expects trade balance surplus to decline

Exports of goods are expected to drop to $419.7 bln this year. Imports are forecast to grow to $315.7 bln in 2024

Russian troops destroy 89 Ukrainian UAVs, 5 boats in Kherson area over past day

"Battlegroup Dnepr units conducted active counterbattery warfare and destroyed enemy drones, manpower and equipment on the right bank of the Dnieper River," Governor Vladimir Saldo said

DPRK supports Russia in defending sovereignty, security — ambassador

The North Korean ambassador Sin Hong Chol praised the "sincere and excellent friendly relations" between Russian President Vladimir Putin and DPRK leader Kim Jong Un

Negative trends still on rise in US-China relations — top Chinese diplomat

The United States should not cross the red lines with regard to China’s sovereignty and security, Wang Yi added

Moscow slams NATO drills near Russian borders as inflammatory

"It is obvious that the upcoming combat training on the territory of Finland is part of a hybrid war against our country," Maria Zakharova said

US can send Ukraine Patriot air defense systems currently deployed in other regions

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan added that the his country had doubled artillery production in order to help Kiev

Russia ready to cooperate with all interested partners to ensure security — Putin

The Russian leader expressed confidence that the the 12th International Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues "will bolster cooperation for the mutual benefit of our countries and peoples"

Potential nuclear facilities in Poland to be military target for Russia — senior diplomat

According to Sergey Ryabkov, discussions around the deployment of NATO nuclear facilities in Poland are an "unfolding story"

Ukraine had to negotiate agreements with Russia with ‘three masters’ — Russian envoy

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Russia has many questions for UN chief, Russia’s envoy says

Vasily Nebenzya said that he has "good personal relations" with the secretary general

Russian athletes to play at next Chessboxing World Championship under national flag

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NATO bears direct responsibility for Ukraine crisis — Chinese Foreign Ministry

Spokesman Wang Wenbin stressed that China was not providing weapons to the conflicting parties and strictly controlled dual-use goods, including the export of drones

Insurers refuse to pay compensation for Nord Stream — Russian envoy to UN

Vasily Nebenzya stressed that insurers conclude on their own that the "explosion at the gas pipelines was made using an explosive devices, willfully and due to political motives," thereby confirming its terroristic nature

Russia, India plan to launch ‘green corridor’ project in trade shortly

The sides supported the early launch of the green corridor project aimed at the simplification of customs operations

Staff shortage cannot be covered by labor migration — Putin

Labor productivity requires a significant increase in all sectors of the economy, the President stressed

Ship receives damage in missile attack off Yemeni coast — UKMTO

The Master has reported two attacks

Russia’s natural population decline shrinks by 24% yoy in January-August — statistics

The Federal Statistics Service noted that mortality in the eight months of 2023 decreased by 9.8%, and the birth rate dropped by 2.5%

Scholz asks allies to find additional air defense capabilities for Ukraine

Germany is the second largest arms supplier to Ukraine after the US

UN bound to stay as unique world organization — Russian ambassador

"If the UN did not exist, it should have been created," Vasily Nebenzya said

Musk concurs that civil war looming in West

The US businessman commented on remarks by Gad Saad, a Canadian professor of Lebanese origin, who insisted that "the path that the West is taking will result in civil war"

Russia grateful to DPRK for unconditional support of special operation in Ukraine — MFA

Ivan Zhelokhovtsev said that the agreements that were reached during the DPRK leader's visit to Russia represent "evidence of the mutual desire of the sides to consistently implement and expand the rich heritage" that was passed down from previous generations

US effectively dooms Ukraine by its new decisions, Russian envoy says

"The American aid won’t save Zelensky. New weapons will be destroyed, and the special military operation goals will be achieved," Anatoly Antonov stressed

US-oriented structures try to reformat security system in Asia-Pacific region

Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu underlined that this is being done by strengthening "military-political structures such as QUAD, AUKUS and the US-Japan-Philippines triad"

Charles III to return to public duties soon — Buckingham Palace

The king, 75, and queen will host their majesties the emperor and empress of Japan for a state visit in June, according to the palace

French neo-Nazi ringleader liquidated near Avdeyevka — sources

There is confirmed evidence of his connections with French secret services

Poland practices transfer of mechanized brigade to Lithuania's Suwalki Corridor area

The exercise under the classified Orsha plan involves 1,500 military personnel from Lithuania's Zemaitija Motorized Infantry Brigade, Poland's 15th Mechanized Brigade, allied US and Portuguese units, as well as about 200 pieces of military equipment

US nukes in Poland to become target for Russia should confrontation with NATO occur — MFA

"The impression is that Warsaw is maniacally seeking to attract even more attention from military planners in the Russian General Staff," Maria Zakharova added

TotalEnergies to announce force majeure for Yamal LNG in case of EU sanctions

The company has two contracts for LNG supplies to Europe from the Yamal LNG project and one for Asia that requires closer consideration, CEO of the French energy company Patrick Pouyanne said

Russia's response to seizure of frozen assets in US to have no timeframe — chief delegate

Konstantin Gavrilov emphasized that the US will have to be brought to account for this decision

Medvedev warns that Russia’s default may entail Europe’s default

Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council added that the European Union’s financial system is not very stable and people are losing confidence

Russia appreciates Bolivia’s push to defend sovereignty, Lavrov says

The Russian foreign minister said that the sides would exchange opinions on how to develop bilateral relations along the path outlined by Bolivian President Luis Arce and Russian President Vladimir Putin

Ukraine turns into testing ground for future world order, says Belarus president

"The largest nuclear powers, albeit indirectly, are actually fighting on Ukrainian territory. And not indirectly," the president of Belarus noted

Chances of Baku-Yerevan conflict settlement higher than ever, Scholz says

The German chancellor emphasized that Berlin's "offer to lend support in finding a long-term and acceptable solution remains valid"

Putin’s inauguration to take place on May 7, senator says

According to the law, the president-elect takes office for six years

One more suspect in Crocus City Hall terror attack arrested — police

The detention was reported earlier by the media, which said that police had captured Tajik national Djumokhon Kurbonov

IAEA chief to have working contacts with Rosatom, no meeting with Putin is planned

Rafael Grossi may visit Russia in late May

About 20% of weapons sent to Kiev end up on black market – Russia’s UN mission

Dmitry Polyansky said that some of the weapons supplied to Kiev are "in the darknet, which means that it is available to anyone"

Russia fights West’s sanctions at UN for the sake of developing countries — envoy to UN

According to the diplomat, Russia is engaged in "fierce battles on this issue in different committees of the General Assembly"

Putin’s trip to China will rivet world’s attention, Kremlin spokesman predicts

The countries will jointly announce the time of this trip, Dmitry Peskov said

Iran announces establishment of Basij voluntary naval force

According to the commander, the unit has already recruited 55,000 members and has 33,000 small vessels that are equipped with 107mm missiles