EU might revise sanctions against Russia depending on situation in Ukraine

Until the end of September the EU Council is to make a comprehensive survey of the implementation of the peace plan coordinated in Minsk

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Vucic says he did not discuss Serbia-Ukraine military cooperation between with Zelensky

The Serbian president did not rule out such a dialogue after the end of the conflict

Ukraine’s budget deficit to reach record-high 35% of GDP in 2026

The deficit is expected to amount to over $70 billion

Ukrainian land checkpoints see huge traffic jams as seaports go idle

The majority of the vehicles – 6,835 – are at the border with Poland

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

Russian forces delivered two massive and 12 combined strikes by precision-guided weapons and unmanned aerial vehicles on Ukrainian military sites over the week

Zelensky’s visit to Serbia works against Belgrade, harms relations with Russia

Milos Jovanovic, chairman of the opposition New Democratic Party of Serbia, said the Serbian people "have personal experience witnessing the destructiveness of interventions on behalf of Western powers"

Zaluzhny heads trust ratings in Ukraine amid spat with Zelensky

According to a poll by the Ukrainian sociological group Rating, 68% of respondents trust the former commander in chief of the Ukrainian armed forces

Russian Deputy files petition to disqualify Yabloko party from Duma elections

Rodina party Chairman and State Duma Deputy Alexey Zhuravlev said that investigators had uncovered "a great many legal violations," primarily related to funding

Trump reports progress in settling Russia-Ukraine conflict

The US president did not specify what kind of progress he was referring to

Russia seeks sustainable peace in Ukraine conflict — Kremlin spokesman

According to Dmitry Peskov, The Ukraine process is currently on hold

Since morning of August 1, nearly 2,000 UAVs detected on approach to Moscow region

The majority were neutralized by air defense forces on the distant approaches, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said

Russian stock market ends week lower as major indices decline

The yuan edged up by 0.16 rubles to 12.24 rubles

Press review: NATO expands Black Sea presence and raises risks as Hormuz deal sparks hope

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, August 7th

Russia calls incident with drone at Leipzig airport hastily concocted provocation

According to the statement, the main threat to Germany today is not the notorious "hybrid attacks" by Moscow, which do not exist, but politicians who enthusiastically develop scenarios for an imminent war with Russia

US preparing for possible aggression — Cuba’s permanent representative to UN

Ernesto Soberon Guzman also pointed to contradictions in US officials' statements about Cuba

Bank of Russia raises official dollar rate to 82.17 rubles for August 8-10

The official euro rate was raised by 77.81 kopecks to 94.8366 rubles

Russian embassy says anti-Russian hysteria restarts in Germany as drone found in airport

The embassy says that statements about "an act of war against Germany and NATO and the need for Berlin to take retaliatory measures" have started to appear after the incident

Fire breaks out at south Russian refinery after drone attack, 5 wounded

First responders and security services are working in the area

Houthis say attacked military base of pro-Saudi forces in Yemen

The targeted strike was dealt with the use of numerous missiles and drones

More people may be added to list of potential candidates to head UN — diplomat

Alexander Alimov says this will depend on the dynamics of the indicative vote that will continue at the UN Security Council

US Senate passes bill tightening sanctions on Russia and Iran

The House of Representatives is expected to review the legislation in September

Wildberries facility fire, 203 UAVs downed: aftermath of attacks on Russian regions

On-duty air defenses intercepted Ukrainian drones over 18 Russian regions

Europe needs to hold security dialogue with Russia — former Finnish president

Sauli Niinisto said that during the Cold War, the presence of nuclear weapons forced the USSR and the US to begin negotiations to keep the situation under control

Unlike Ukraine, Georgia drew conclusions from 2008 events — politician

Former South Ossetian President Eduard Kokoity clarified that Georgia decided not to start a war against Russia even under pressure from the West

NATO directly involved in strikes on Russian territory, hackers say citing files

According to available information, a NATO intelligence-linked hybrid warfare specialist, Bart de Wachter, provided the coordinates of oil and gas terminals in the Leningrad and Kaliningrad regions to Ukraine’s Security Service

Musk denies Kiev assistance in targeting strikes against Russia — magazine

According to The Atlantic, the US entrepreneur keeps saying that it’s time to make a deal

Total Ukrainian military casualties amount to nearly 2.5 million — Russian commander

Apty Alaudinov said that the Kiev regime buries the bodies of Ukrainian servicemen handed over by Russian forces without forensic examination and do not return these bodies to their families and loved ones

Armenia's blackmail, West’s support of attacks on Russia: Foreign Ministry comment

Alexey Fadeyev, deputy director of the information and press department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, added that Kiev had not proposed to resume diplomatic contacts

Pentagon removes from command US general who coordinated military aid to Ukraine — TV

The reasons behind his dismissal are unknown

BRICS countries support Russia’s initiatives on metallurgy, critical minerals

According to Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Alexey Gruzdev, Russia's proposals are comprehensive and extend far beyond raw material supplies

Iceland, Montenegro could join EU together in 2028 — media

The European official said simultaneous accession was a highly likely scenario

Abelardo de la Espriella sworn in as president of Colombia

The ceremony was attended by the presidents of Argentina, Chile, and Ecuador

West’s first hybrid war involving Ukraine took place in 2008 in South Ossetia — politician

Eduard Kokoity separately said that NATO countries were turning Georgia into the most militarized state in the post-Soviet space

House of Representatives unlikely to approve tougher anti-Russian sanctions — journalist

Andrew Desiderio called the chances of approval "iffy"

Two wounded by drone fragments in Central Russia’s Lipetsk Region

The drone fell in the city of Zadonsk

Intervision song contest will be definitely held in 2026, says Russian presidential envoy

According to Mikhail Shvydkoy, Saudi Arabia is not backing out of hosting the contest

Eleven civilians injured in Ukraine’s drone attacks on DPR

Two children were among the wounded

Kiev’s bet on West’s ‘wonder weapons’ against Russia expectedly fails — govenor

According to Vladimir Saldo, Russia is growing stronger and finding countermeasures for everything

Russian deputy PM states need to establish railway link to Indian Ocean

Russia’s construction industry currently demands long-term financing, the official stressed

Zelensky not welcome in Serbia, his visit not in its interests — Serbian politician

Aleksandar Durdev says the reason for this sentiment is that Vladimir Zelensky is "a person representing a state that supplied Croatia with weapons and ammunition in the 1990s"

Duma deputy likens Kiev regime to terrorist organizations in Caucasus in late 1990s

Adalbi Shkhagoshev clarified that the Kiev regime’s 40-day plan aimed at obtaining additional support from Western allies, is "a modern analogue of the ultimatums issued by various terrorist organizations" back then

Key US missile stockpiles run 'extremely low' amid Iran conflict — TV

According to the source, particular concern was focused on dwindling inventories of long-range offensive missiles, including ATACMS and PrSM

Zelensky’s visit to Belgrade jeopardizes Serbia’s relations with Russia — opposition

The opposition parliamentary group stressed that Serbia "largely depends" on cheap Russian gas but no long-term deal on its supplies has been signed so far due to the government’s policy

ISU grants neutral status to Russian figure skaters Valieva, Ignatova — statement

Neutral statuses were also granted by the ISU to a number of other Russian figure skaters as well

Russian to stand trial for passing intel about killed soldiers to Kiev's secret services

Authorities say the man's illicit activities commenced in October 2024

Kiev, West trying to drag Tbilisi into bloody adventures in South Caucasus — Russian MFA

A real contribution to stabilizing the situation in the border areas should be the launch of the process of delimitation of the Georgian-South Ossetian and Georgian-Abkhaz state borders, followed by their demarcation, the ministry said

Zelensky arrives in Serbia with visibly ramped up security

One of the agents was holding a bulletproof briefcase

Russian forces strike defense enterprise, fuel depot in Kiev

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the group strike involved high-precision land-based weapons

Spanish specialist behind disclosure of 400 spies linked to NATO, Ukrainian intelligence

According to Enrique Arias Gil, among these 400 people were officers holding the ranks of brigadier general, colonel and lieutenant colone

Kiev promises US not to attack CPC infrastructure in Black Sea — Bloomberg

Kiev will refrain from striking Caspian Pipeline Consortium infrastructure and vessels approaching the terminal if they are not linked to Russia, not sanctioned by Ukraine and do not transport Russian cargo, the agency reported

Russia’s Smolensk Region declares state of emergency after severe weather kills two

About 15,000 consumers remain without electricity across the Smolensk Region

Russia, Kazakhstan always have alternatives for cooperation amidst sanctions — MFA

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin stressed that Moscow and Astana consider these sanctions illegitimate, aimed at securing geoeconomic advantages through unfair competition

Ukraine asks EU for 220 million euros to assist farmers hurt by port blockade

Agricultural products exports in the 2026-2027 marketing year may decrease from 64.4 million tons to 29.6 million tons because of the prolonged blockage of ports, the Ukrainian Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food said

Traffic via Novorossiya highway mostly restored — deputy PM

Marat Khusnullin says that about 7,000 cars travel via it daily, including 3,000 trucks

Su-30SM2 fighters destroy mock enemy with missiles during exercise near Kaliningrad

About 10 fighter crews participated in the exercise

Danube navigation suspended between Romania’s Giurgiu, Bulgaria’s Ruse — radio

Many vessels are carrying flammable or toxic cargo, including chemical fertilizers and coal, creating a significant hazard of incidents

Leader of Germany’s ruling parliamentary group rejects rumors of Merz’s early resignation

Thorsten Frei said that "the chancellor’s authority" had not been damaged

FIFA denies Infantino's relationship with former UEFA employee

Any insinuation of inappropriate conduct or violation of statutes or regulations is defamatory, the statement emphasized

With Starmer already gone, Merz could be next to go — Russian presidential envoy

According to Kirill Dmitriev, only 13% of Germans are satisfied with warmongering Friedrich Merz

Iran withdraws its S-300 lawsuit against Russia — Kremlin

Tehran lodged a $4 billion lawsuit at an international court in Geneva against Russia’s arms export agency after Dmitry Medvedev in 2010 banned the supply of S-300 systems to Iran

NATO specialist supplies Ukraine with coordinates of Russian oil terminals — hackers

According to the information obtained by hackers, Bart De Wachter currently is affiliated with Hybrid Analyze Vigilant Network, an organization connected to Special Operations Forces and NATO intelligence

Pashinyan says Armenia understands simultaneous membership in EAEU, EU impossible

The Armenian prime minister said the strategic goal of adopting the law initiating the process of the republic’s accession to the EU is to create an alternative for the country

Drones attack industrial site in Volga Area — governor

Vyacheslav Fedorishchev said that information about casualties is being verified

Instead of weakening Russia, EU ends up depleting its own arsenals — Russian MP

Alexander Voloshin said that virtually all of the surplus conventional weapons accumulated over decades had already been transferred to Kiev

Chair of US Joint Chiefs of Staff in search for ‘off-ramp’ from Iran war — TV

According to the report by CNN, over the past few weeks, Dan Caine privately made clear to other top president's advisers that airstrikes alone will not be enough to achieve the goals set by the US leader, while an escalation would backfire

Two Russian Olympic gymnastics champs to skip 2026 European Championships in visa denial

According to the Russian Gymnastics Federation, the recent developments put into question the equal conditions of participation in qualifying competitions for athletes of all national federations

Russia’s Su-35S jets disable US F-16s, French Mirages in Ukraine operation — Rostec chief

Sergey Chemezov said the Su-35S engages targets at distances of hundreds of kilometers

Kiev troops attack DPR territory 30 times in past day, 11 wounded

Two children were among the injured

Concerned Ukrainians help Russian troops deliver more accurate strikes — underground

According to the activists, people have begun to take a greater interest in underground movements

Unknown drones spotted over Bundeswehr base in western Germany — newspaper

Sueddeutsche Zeitung reported that employees of a private security firm documented six drone flights between Thursday evening and Friday morning and promptly alerted police

One hundred Serbian activists sign letter of protest against Zelensky’s visit to Belgrade

According to the document, the invitation could break "centuries-long brotherly relations with the Russian people and the Russian state forever"

Russia hits three dry cargo ships, destroys Ukrainian army train: results of new strikes

A Geran drone destroyed a locomotive of the Ukrainian military train in the Kharkov Region

Japanese earthquake death toll rises to 39

A total of 23 people remain in hospitals

The former president of South Ossetia named the date of the West's first hybrid war

This happened in August 2008, said Eduard Kokoity

IN BRIEF: Pashinyan admits impossibility of Armenia’s simultaneous membership in EAEU, EU

According to the Armenian PM, strengthening cooperation with EAEU countries is one of Armenia’s priorities

Moroccan police put on high alert near Ceuta — media

The sources said that these measures were taken after posts began circulating on social media about preparations for a new mass attempt to illegally cross the border with Ceuta

US redirects over 50 commercial ships since maritime blockade on Iran resumed — CENTCOM

The Central Command reported that two ships had been disabled and two others boarded

Iraqi paramilitary groups postpone attack on neighboring country

Al Hadath TV previously reported that Shiite groups are planning to launch drone strikes on neighboring countries in the next two days.

Relocating Russian embassy in Warsaw to rupture in relations — Polish MFA

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said that no EU or NATO country has yet severed relations with Russia

Russia, Pakistan work to launch first rail cargo route — ambassador

Albert Khorev says an opportunity of involving Belarus into the project is also being worked out

US assisted purchases of Serbian ammunition for Ukraine — former US ambassador to Belgrade

According to Christopher Hill, the deliveries were made through intermediaries in Poland or the Czech Republic

Number of civilians hurt in Ukraine’s drone attack on Belgorod up to seven

According to the regional crisis center, damage was done to four apartment houses

Russian official calls Western $200 bln funding for Kiev ‘Project Anti-Russia’

Corruption is deeply rooted in Ukraine, chairman of Crimea’s State Council Vladimir Konstantinov pointed out

Press review: US halts Iran strikes as Pentagon develops nuclear plan for Russia, China

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, August 6th

Naftogaz facilities sustain serious damage, halt operations

According to the company, overnight, damage was done to seven oil and gas production facilities in the east of the country

Ukraine completely stops exporting agricultural products via Black Sea — minister

According to Ukrainian Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Taras Vysotsky, prior to July, approximately 85% of Ukrainian agricultural exports were routed through Black Sea ports

Russia comes out with test kit for diagnosing Bundibugyo virus — sanitary watchdog

According to the Rospotrebnadzor, the test kit provides high sensitivity and specificity even in the early stages of infection

Russia proposes civil drone technology cooperation to BRICS nations

Deputy Industry and Trade Minister Alexey Gruzdev emphasized that Russia is keen to share its operational expertise in deploying unmanned aerial vehicles across different industries

Zelensky acknowledges Ukraine faces difficult situation near Slavyansk

According to him, the Ukrainian military needs to do a better job on this direction of the front

Trump says he could be last Republican president in US

The US president also stood firm in his belief that the GOP would come out on top, but said the Senate will have to "get smart" for that to happen

Russia invites BRICS countries to participate in Northern Sea Route development

Russian Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Alexey Gruzdev said the Northern Sea Route has the potential to become an effective alternative to traditional maritime routes

Russia strikes dry cargo ship east of Odessa transporting weapons for Ukrainian military

The strike was delivered by a Geran-4 Seeker unmanned aerial vehicle

Pentagon to buy laser anti-drone equipment worth $400 million — Bloomberg

The US military has signed the first contract with tech company AeroVironment

Russian hackers find documents on Ukrainian strikes against oil terminals

According to the hackers, the correspondence and documents reveal who supplied the precise coordinates of the facilities and who "incited Ukraine to commit acts of terror" in Russian regions

Russia expects to secure firm contract with India for Il-114, SJ-100 aircraft in a year

Russian Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Alexey Gruzdev said New Delhi is also showing interest in the potential localization of aircraft assembly

ADNOC says at least 15 ships attacked in Strait of Hormuz since start of conflict

One crew member was killed and 20 were wounded as a result of these attacks, the company reported

Pentagon wants to complete first trials of its Golden Dome system in 2026 — Bloomberg

According to the report, the US military is planning to launch flight demonstrations of the system in 2027

Russian forces establish control over Ivanovka in Kharkov region

The Russian Defense Ministry reported that Russian troops over the past 24 hours struck transport, energy and logistics infrastructure facilities used in the interests of Ukraine, enemy UAV storage depots, as well as deployment points of Ukraine and foreign mercenaries

Pentagon releases fifth batch of its UFO files

This batch contains several videos made in the Middle East

Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan to consider attack on one country as attack on all

A joint statement issued after the Mecca summit emphasizes that the agreement is aimed at strengthening joint deterrence against any aggression

Spanish Navy bolsters presence in Ceuta amid migration crisis — newspaper

The two frigates joined the patrol vessel Rayo and a logistics support ship that docked in Ceuta’s port on Thursday

Trump’s executive order causes humanitarian crisis in Cuba — envoy to UN

According to Ernesto Soberon Guzman, claims that the Cuban government has billions of dollars but refuses to spend them on fuel purchases are "absurd lies"