Donetsk militias encircle Ukrainian troops near Ilovaisk

The Ukrainian army earlier announced it had gained control of Ilovaisk

Ukrainian troops seen near the town of Ilovaisk

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Iran may start enrichment of uranium to 90% at its discretion, president says

Hassan Rouhani stressed that Iran by no means sought to create a nuclear warhead

CNN website replaces photo of 'Russian tanks' with Zelensky wearing body armor

Earlier, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova castigated CNN’s ploy to spread disinformation about Russia’s alleged preparations for war with Ukraine by pointing to the footage featuring Ukrainian tanks in the TV channel’s report which was purported to be 'Russian'

Russia’s Northern Fleet can efficiently counter threats in Arctic, says Defense Minister

Sergei Shoigu reminded that the Umka-2021 complex Arctic expedition ended last week

Lavrov urges German defense minister to answer questions about Navalny affair

It was at a Bundeswehr clinic that poisonous substances in the Russian blogger's body were detected, the top diplomat recalled

Biden considers phone call with Putin constructive, White House says

On Tuesday, Putin and Biden had the second phone call since Biden’s assumption of office as the US President

Production of Sputnik V vaccine launched in Serbia

Serbia has become the first country in Southern Europe to produce Sputnik V

President Aliyev: Baku awaiting answer on Iskander missiles allegedly used by Armenia

According to the Azerbaijani leader, Iskander missiles were used after Shusha’s liberation

Minsk says NATO deploying reconnaissance centers near borders of Russia and Belarus

The Alliance's activities include setting up transportation centers and upgrading military infrastructure facilities, the chief of the Belarusian General Staff said

Kremlin says premature to speak about details of Putin-Biden summit meeting

This is a new proposal and it will be studied and analyzed, the Kremlin spokesman said

Kremlin does not rule out Russia’s disconnection from Western payment systems

In one form or another, restrictions against Russia are used by a number of states that pursue the goal of containing Russia, the Kremlin spokesman noted

Turkey’s Istanbul Canal bid may undermine Russia’s support of its regional allies — expert

The pundit believes that the construction of the waterway is a continuation of Ankara’s policy aimed at establishing itself as a regional center of power

Russia vows to ensure its citizens’ safety if situation deteriorates in Ukraine

Kiev and its patrons in the West will bear full responsibility for such an escalation, Sergei Ryabkov said

Russian Army to set up first military unit armed with strike robots

Russia’s Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu inspected on Friday the fulfillment of the defense procurement plan at the 766th Production and Technological Enterprise in Nakhabino outside Moscow that develops and manufactures robotic vehicles of various designation

Lavrov says it’s still unclear what US military doing in Ukraine

Kremlin: Opinions on Ukraine aired on Russian TV don’t indicate Moscow's official position

According to the Kremlin spokesman, the events in Ukraine attract the attention of the Russian public

Turkey notifies Russia of US warships’ transit to Black Sea

A source in Turkey’s Foreign Ministry told TASS earlier on Friday that two US warships would enter the Black Sea through the Bosporus Strait on April 14 and 15 and stay there until May 4-5

Putin to address Federal Assembly with annual message on April 21

The Kremlin spokesman preferred to keep quiet about the themes of the forthcoming address

Press review: Biden calls Putin asking to meet and will new EU sanctions harm JCPOA talks

Top stories in the Russian press on Wednesday, April 14

Yuri Gagarin image lights up Dubai’s Burj Khalifa

The ceremony marked the 60th anniversary of the first space flight

Russian tech firm develops world’s first ‘diving’ patrol ship

It can be used for protection and as a rescue or research vessel, according to the developer

US will not participate in Donbass conflict but shift emphasis on Crimea, says expert

The deputy director of the Institute of CIS Countries predicts that the United States will be building up different pressures on Donbass, but at the same time refrain from interference in a military conflict there, should it flare up

Russia’s anti-hypersonic missile radar to enter combat duty in Arctic by July

Two more stations will enter service in the Arctic region by late 2021

Press review: Russia warns Erdogan not to embolden Kiev and restricts flights to Turkey

Top stories in the Russian press on Tuesday, April 13

Biden suggests Putin consider personal meeting in near future

The Kremlin press service stressed that the presidents expressed "readiness to continue the dialogue on key areas of ensuring global security which would meet interests of not just Russia and the US but the whole international community as well"

Moscow warns US to stay away from Crimea, Black Sea coast

Putin outlines approaches to political settlement in Ukraine to Biden

Earlier, the White House also reported that the two presidents had had a phone conversation

S7 suspends flights to Turkey from April 15 to June 1 until further notice

Earlier on Monday, Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova said Russia was restricting passenger air traffic with Turkey between April 15 and June 1 due to a new outbreak of coronavirus in that country

Erdogan tells Zelensky Turkey will not recognize ‘Crimea’s annexation’

Turkish President expressed support to Ukraine’s initiative of the Crimean Platform

Russia rules to denounce double tax treaty with the Netherlands

Earlier, press officer of the Dutch Finance Ministry Remco Raus told TASS that the Dutch government was still in talks with the Russian authorities on the revision of the agreement on avoiding double taxation

Putin suggests increasing cosmonauts’ salaries by 50-70%

The increase in salaries will have a positive impact on allowances, Putin noted

‘Hardly anything to rejoice about’: Moscow dismayed over Turkish drones in Donbass

Turkish exports to various countries are "a serious issue," Russia's deputy foreign minister said

Russia must uphold its status of leading nuclear and space power — Putin

The space sector is directly linked with defense, the president stressed

Biden calls for ‘de-escalation of tensions’ on Ukrainian border in phone call with Putin

In recent days, Western states repeatedly expressed their concerns over remarks made by Ukrainian military regarding the increase in Russian military presence near the Ukrainian border

US to announce sanctions linked with Russia’s sovereign debt — Reuters

The sanctions, according to The New York Times, will come into effect from June 14

Russia can cope with possible disconnection from Western payment systems - expert

The use of Mir payments system abroad can be limited under the sanctions regime, he said

Azerbaijan concerned about Armenia’s talks with Russia on modernizing its army

At the same time, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev did not rule out peaceful coexistence of Armenians and Azerbaijanis

Security chief warns Kiev may stage provocations to launch military actions against Crimea

With Washington’s backing, Ukraine has been voicing plans to establish control over Crimea’s soil by force ever more often, Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev said

Press review: Erdogan goes to bat for Ukraine and West irked by Kyrgyz constitutional vote

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, April 12th

Ukrainian steps in Donbass sparked by West’s connivance, Russian embassy in Paris says

Press Office Chief of the Russian Embassy in Paris Sergei Parinov dismissed claims that Russia is posing a threat to Ukraine

Russian troops to start receiving Okhotnik strike drone in 2024 — official

The official reiterated that these drones can operate under control of a fifth-generation Su-57 fighter jet pilot

Russia working towards stopping to use West-controlled payment systems — Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister stressed that Russia’s position concerning Washington’s sanction policy remained unchanged

Sputnik V tests in Slovakia are in favor of Russian jab — president

Slovak Prime Minister Eduard Heger called on Monday for a constructive dialogue in society and scientific community over the use of Russia’s vaccine

Diplomat slams CNN for palming off TV clip of Ukrainian tanks as Russia ‘readying’ for war

This is just inappropriate, Maria Zakharova said

Russian Navy warships eliminate enemy aircraft over Black Sea in drills

The teams of the shipborne air defense combat posts detected and identified adversary air targets. The aircraft were notionally destroyed by the warships’ air defense weapons as the air objects came within a destruction range

Russia restricts air service with Turkey from April 15 to June 1

The move is taken in view of the threat of the new coronavirus strain

Russia’s latest nuclear-powered sub proves its worth in Arctic ice, says Navy chief

The strategic nuclear-powered sub Knyaz Vladimir "fully justifies its designation and no damage was registered upon its surfacing," the Navy chief said

NATO concentrating over 40,000 troops near Russian border

The American troops are now redeploying from continental North America to Europe through the Atlantic, Russia’s Defense Minister Army General Sergei Shoigu said

Press review: Russia reinforces border and US’ anti-Nord Stream 2 crusade proven futile

Top stories in the Russian press on Friday, April 9

‘US policy is the polar opposite’: Diplomat fires back at Psaki’s ‘predictability’ remark

Over the past 10 years, the US has become the most unpredictable state, Maria Zakharova said

Russian embassy castigates US State Department for erasing memory of Gagarin

Earlier, the US State Department posted on its Facebook a statement on occasion of the 60th anniversary of the first human space flight, without mentioning Gagarin’s name

Russia forced to take measures over NATO’s stepped-up Black Sea activity, says official

Under these conditions, Russia "is forced to take measures to ensure the security of its territory," but at the same time, "is interested in conducting negotiations on a political settlement of the situation," Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev added