Russia’s Samsonova through to third round of 2026 WTA Toronto Open tennis tournament The Russian is now set to play in the third round against Australia’s unseeded Maya JointWASHINGTON, August 6. /TASS/. Russia’s Lyudmila Samsonova defeated Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic in the second round match of the 2026 WTA Toronto Open tennis tournament in Canada. Unseeded Samsonova, who plays under neutral status internationally, took down the 22nd-seed Krejcikova in straight sets 6-1; 7-5. The Russian is now set to play in the third round against Australia’s unseeded Maya Joint. Samsonova, 27, is currently ranked 55th in the Women’s Tennis Association Rankings (WTA) and has five career WTA titles. Playing on the Grand Slam circuit, she has made it as far as Round 4 (2021 Wimbledon and 2022, 2024 US Open). In 2021, she won the Billie Jean King Cup as part of the Russian national team. Russian players’ neutral status at tennis tournaments On February 28, 2022, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) issued recommendations to international sports federations to bar athletes from Russia and Belarus from taking part in international tournaments, citing Moscow's special military operation in Ukraine as the reason. Following the IOC's recommendations in late February 2022, the majority of global sports federations decided to bar athletes from Russia and Belarus from all international sports tournaments. The International Tennis Federation (ITF) ruled on March 1, 2022 to suspend the membership of the Russian and Belarusian national tennis federations while also canceling all previously scheduled tennis tournaments in the two countries. On March 14, 2022, the ITF also confirmed its prohibition on the Russian and Belarusian national tennis teams from taking part in the 2022 Davis Cup and 2022 Billie Jean King Cup. Russia can't use national symbols at 2026 Rhythmic Gymnastics World ChampionshipsIn the event of a medal ceremony or a victory, the World Gymnastics flag will be displayed, accompanied by neutral musicRead moreTrump says European countries lack strong armed forces due to reliance on USThe US leader also noted that the administration of his predecessor, Joe Biden, had "badly jeopardized" the state of the US armed forcesRead moreUkraine’s losses from port blockade exceed $1 blnUkraine’s main commercial ports - Odessa, Chernomorsk and Yuzhny - remain idleRead moreIran agrees to open temporary Hormuz route in tentative deal with Oman — MFAAccording to the statement, in the current negotiations with Oman, the issue is being addressed in such a way that this temporary route may remain in effect for a longer periodRead moreUS presses on with Ukraine Patriot missile talks, despite Trump’s doubts — ReutersAccording to one of the sources, one option is to produce some missile components in Ukraine for final assembly elsewhere in EuropeRead moreIran, Oman discussing transit fee of 3% to 7% for Strait of Hormuz — ReutersThe Iranian side insists on introducing a fee of 5-7%Read moreRussian forces strike Ukrainian army’s infrastructure sites, logistics centers in past dayThe Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,395 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hoursRead moreRussia says Japan has to be plainspoken about US bombing of its citiesAlexey Fadeyev noted that the politicians were trying to link this topic with anti-Russian narratives in connection with the situation in UkraineRead moreFACTBOX: What we know about attack on Uraldronzavod CEO Vladimir TkachukVladimir Tkachuk, whose company produces Upyr drones and specializes in drone manufacturing, was injured in a car explosionRead moreGuterres makes no mention of who carried out Hiroshima atomic bombingUN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also never directly named the United States as the country that carried out the atomic bombings in similar messagesRead moreOver 1,000 port infrastructure facilities damaged in Odessa Region — portalCurrently all cargo, including agricultural products, is being shipped via the Danube River and by land, but these alternative routes are not enough to transport everythingRead moreTrump privately backs JD Vance as Republican successor — newspaperSome sources are uncertain though whether the US president would ultimately back JD Vance or Secretary of State Marco RubioRead morePutin signs law regulating digital currencies, digital rights in RussiaThe document establishes operational frameworks for crypto exchanges, digital depositories, and market participantsRead moreWhat is known about UK’s latest sanctions against RussiaTwelve companies, including seven banks, one individual, and six vessels, were added to the listRead moreKiev complains about pause in negotiation process involving USActing Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga emphasized Kiev’s desire for "greater involvement" from the United States in the peace talksRead moreSecurity guard for CEO of Russian drone producer killed in car blast in YekaterinburgThe man was inside the vehicle at the time of the explosionRead moreKiev seeks major man-caused disaster by attacking Zaporozhye NPP — Russia’s UN envoyVasily Nebenzya said that terrorist activities against the personnel of the Zaporozhye NPP are still underwayRead moreItalian opposition against arms supplies to KievLeader of Italy’s opposition Five Star Movement and a former prime minister Giuseppe Conte asserted that his party will seek to achieve a breakthrough in negotiations between the parties to the conflictRead moreZelensky blames Western partners for Ukraine’s failure to down missilesCommenting on the overnight developments, the head of Kiev regime stated that they were the result "of delayed supplies or unwillingness to provide interceptors"Read moreJapanese prime minister vows to maintain non-nuclear statusSanae Takaichi emphasized that the Japanese government would continue to uphold the three non-nuclear principles - not to possess, produce, or import nuclear weaponsRead moreMoscow-led bloc to hold Indestructible Brotherhood, Barrier drills in Belarus in OctoberThe drills are set to practice preparing and carrying out a peacekeeping operation by the CSTO peacekeeping forcesRead moreBorder of Spanish Ceuta calm, no more violations — EFEThe Spanish Civil Guard continues to monitor the area by sea and landRead moreMoscow sends more than 100,000 volunteers to special military op zone — mayorThe city also produces the best equipment, technical systems, military products, medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, and microelectronicsRead moreUN opposes attacks killing civilians and childrenUN Spokesperson Farhan Haq commented on the attacks of Ukrainian drones on a playground in the Belgorod Region and on the beach in Arkhipo-Osipovka near GelendzhikRead moreUkraine has network of underground UAV manufacturing facilities — British TVThe exact location has not been disclosedRead moreSwiss media propagates myth about 'Russian intervention' — Russian embassyThe diplomatic mission noted that , as evidence of "Russian interference," the Swiss press cites two "completely untenable" and "blatantly far·fetched" argumentsRead moreSeoul warns UK sanctions on Russia threaten its energy securityThe South Korean side noted that the European Union had previously granted an exemption for Seoul when adopting its 21st package of sanctions against RussiaRead moreIran, Oman agree on coordinates of new route via Strait of Hormuz — Foreign MinistryIranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei said that a joint statement of the two countries is now being at the final stages of approval and preparatory workRead moreRussian air defenses nearly match single-day record for downed Ukrainian UAVs — TASS tallyThe highest number of drones in a single day – 1,158 – was destroyed by Russia’s air defense facilities on August 2Read moreIN BRIEF: Russia delivers new strikes on Ukrainian military sites overnightA fire broke out in three districts of the Kiev Region after a series of explosionsRead moreEnergy Ministry explains relaxations of gasoline requirementsAccording to the Ministry, this decision will make it possible to allocate additional volumes of automotive gasoline to the domestic marketRead morePort blockade threatens half of Ukraine's iron ore exports, report saysUkraine could lose $60-70 million in foreign exchange earnings monthly, while iron ore production could plunge by up to 40%Read morePutin thanks Japarov for attention to strengthening mutually beneficial cooperationThe Russian president addressed participants of the 8th Russian-Kyrgyz Economic Forum and the 12th Russian-Kyrgyz Interregional Conference in a video messageRead moreAstronomer assesses risks of destroying asteroid with nuclear bombThe method involves first creating a deep hole on the surface of the celestial body using an unmanned spacecraftRead moreBattlegroup East neutralizes over 360 Ukrainian personnel, M198 howitzer over past dayThe Ukrainian army alo lost four armored combat vehicles, 14 motor vehicles and nine Starlink satellite communication terminalsRead moreUN says ISIS still serious threat to international securityAccording to the statement, the terrorist group remains resilient, with its affiliates united by a shared ideology Read moreFate of over 300 residents of Kursk border areas still unknown — ombudswomanRussian Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova said that finding local residents who had been out of contact has been one of the most difficult challenges from the first days of the incursionRead moreZaluzhny was not allowed to attend Zelensky’s meeting with British ministerVladimir Zelensky’s office said that ambassadors are not required to attend events at a level below that of the prime ministerRead moreHundreds of civilians killed or injured in US airstrikes on Yemen in 2025 — mediaDespite detailed reports from human rights organizations pointing to a potentially high death toll, the Pentagon has not acknowledged that the US air campaign against the Houthis in Yemen caused civilian deathsRead moreNATO confirms discovery of UAV near Ukrainian aircraft at Leipzig airport — news agencyThe security sources noted that the drone had been carrying explosives with a detonatorRead moreDiplomats monitor situation around detained Russian orientalist — ambassadorAnatoly Viktorov pointed out that the embassy received no requests from relatives, friends or colleagues of Russian orientalist Artyom KirpichenokRead moreUkrainian forces attack DPR 25 times over past dayOne civilian was killed and six were injuredRead moreNATO chief pledges Zelensky to urgently obtain interceptor missiles for Kiev — ReutersDuring the NATO summit in Ankara in early July, Mark Rutte said that the alliance’s members will urgently buy interceptor missiles from the United States under the PURL programRead moreRussia identifies Polish mercenaries by NATO uniforms in battles for KrasnoyarskoyeRussia's UAV operator said the mercenaries tried to escape from Krasnoyarskoye as soon as Russian troops entered the areaRead moreZelensky’s handlers turn blind eye to corruption, launder money through Ukraine — expertVitaly Kiselyov noted that Europe is arming Ukraine, while losing control of Vladimir ZelenskyRead moreRussian government allows sale of Euro·2, Euro·3, Euro·4 gasoline until July 2027The resolution also says that the previously adopted decision, which allowed the circulation of K5·class gasoline with a higher sulfur content until the end of 2026 is null and voidRead moreRussia awaits global response to Ukrainian drone strike on Zaporozhye NPP — MFAAs a result of the attack, the plant lost external power supply for an hourRead moreIranian army remains on full combat alert, spokesperson saysAccording to Mohammad Akraminia, the command continues efforts to enhance combat capacity by restoring damaged air defense systems, introducing new equipment and relying on domestic capabilitiesRead morePakistan to sign free trade agreement with EAEU, ambassador to Russia saysFaisal Niaz Tirmizi believes that, as part of the Eurasian region, Pakistan has to have more people-to-people and business-to-business contacts with all the countries of the EAEURead moreEpicenter company hit in Kiev sells drones, electronic warfare jamming modulesThe Ukrainian company also sells military gearRead moreColonel General Solodchuk put in charge of combat service supportHe has been appointed Deputy Minister of Defense of the Russian FederationRead moreKiev loses 80% of its ports, using remaining ones to deliver military cargoes — expertAccording to Vitaly Kiselyov, Kiev uses civilian port infrastructure to deliver fuel and NATO-issued uniforms, since maritime transport is "the shortest and cheapest route"Read moreFire reported aboard ship off Ukraine’s Odessa Region coastThe ship's hull was damagedRead morePress review: US halts Iran strikes as Pentagon develops nuclear plan for Russia, ChinaTop stories from the Russian press on Thursday, August 6thRead moreIran-Oman Strait of Hormuz agreement to create room for maneuver — expertLi Zixin cautioned that failing to resolve the issue of control over the Strait of Hormuz could, with a significant likelihood, lead to further escalation and potentially trigger a new conflictRead moreFACTBOX: Kiev’s drone attack on hospital in DonetskBrick fragments fell on hospital beds with patients, said Daniil Grigor, deputy head of the DPR People’s GuardRead moreAt least 10 merchant vessels pass through Strait of Hormuz in past day — TVSeven cargo ships sailed into the Persian Gulf and three into the Gulf of OmanRead moreNumber of Russian voters shrinks by 250,000 over past six monthsAccording to the commission, as of January 1, 2026, there were 111,287,092 votersRead moreTrump calls Venezuelan oil trophy won by USAccording to Donald Trump, the United States gained many times more from Venezuelan oil than it spent on the operationRead moreRussia’s Investigative Committee reveals details of Ukraine’s Kursk Region incursionAccording to Russian Investigative Committee Spokesperson Svetlana Petrenko, 640 civilians were killed and over 560 were woundedRead moreS-400 systems ‘triumphantly’ down 10 Ukrainian MiG-29s in one day in 2023 — journalAccording to Chief of the Air Defense Missile Forces of the Russian Aerospace Forces Major General Alexander Romanenkov, at that time, 24 aircraft were shot down in a week, using a new methodRead moreBattlegroup North destroys 347 Ukrainian fixed-wing UAVs, 8 ground robots over past dayAccording to the battlegroup’s spokesman Vasily Mezhevykh, combined arms units of the Battlegroup North, including crews of unmanned systems troops, neutralized up to 290 military personnelRead moreTrump believes Pentagon chief misleads him about weapons stockpiles — mediaAccording to the newspaper, the United States used more than 850 Tomahawk cruise missiles and over 1,000 THAAD and Patriot interceptors in the first weeks of the war against IranRead moreRussia’s Oniks missile can overcome virtually all modern air defenses — Pacific FleetDuring the ongoing naval drills, Bal and Bastion shore-based missile system crews deployed launchers to designated positioning areas along the coast in the Primorye Region, Kamchatka, Chukotka, and the Kuril IslandsRead moreIran warns Gulf countries of retaliatory strikes in event of US attacks — ReutersAccording to sources in the Persian Gulf, such steps are aimed at exerting additional pressure on the US through its allies to reach a peace agreement acceptable to IranRead moreInflicting defeat on Russia, powerful nuclear power, impossible — deputy foreign ministerMikhail Galuzin pointed out that the West is striving to do so through the hands of its Kiev puppetsRead moreUS developing new nuclear strategy for potential conflict with Russia, China — mediaAccording to the sources, the Pentagon has begun drafting a new US nuclear strategy that "emphasizes the possible use of shorter-range tactical weapons"Read moreKiev’s counterattacks near Krasny Liman unsuccessful — military expertUkrainian militants are also attempting further counterattacks near Drobyshevo and Stavki, where they are suffering losses, Andrey Marochko saidRead moreRussian deputy PM states need to establish railway link to Indian OceanRussia’s construction industry currently demands long-term financing, the official stressedRead moreRussian mission says UN OHCHR silently encourages attacks on RussiaThe mission said that it will keep urging relevant UN structures to react to these eventsRead moreZelensky bears personal responsibility for terrible state of Ukraine — former spokeswomanYulia Mendel said that Vladimir Zelensky doubles down on demands for funding instead of presenting a plan for de-escalationRead moreUkraine now mercenary state that exists, fights only while sponsored — MFAAccording to Rodion Miroshnik, Russia has to fight a serious and difficult war, advancing and prevailing step by step until virtually strangling its adversary because he understands no other languageRead moreIN BRIEF: What is known about Russia's latest military reshufflePersonnel changes in the Russian Defense Ministry are aimed at improving the systems of material and military-technical support for troopsRead moreDestruction of major hubs does major damage to Ukraine's military capabilities — expertAlexander Dudchak emphasized that the destruction of major hubs is part of the Russian Aerospace Forces’ consistent operation against Ukrainian military infrastructureRead moreRussia may begin using tanks equipped with FPV drones — expertAccording to Dmitry Kuzyakin, if active operations begin and the line of contact collapses, traditional drones cease to be the ultimate weaponRead moreArea of logistics hubs destroyed across Kiev, surrounding areas reaches 300,000 sq mFurther reports of damaged warehouses are continuing to come inRead moreUkrainian drone kills man in Kursk Region — governorSeven people were injured, Alexander Khinshtein saidRead moreMoldova’s departure from neutrality source of threat to people — Russian Foreign MinistryAccording to Alexey Fadeyev, the Moldovan authorities "clumsily cling to the theme of the non-existent ‘Russian threat’"Read moreAlmost 14,500 Ukrainian citizens enter Russia in January-June 2026The majority of crossings occurred via air travel, with 14,301 people arriving by planeRead moreUS not to ease restrictions against Iran after lifting sanctions on Fly BaghdadThe US Treasury clarified that the restrictions were lifted "as part of the normal administrative process upon review of the specifics related to" Fly BaghdadRead moreWest gives Kiev carte blanche to commit crimes, becomes complicit in them — Russian MFAAccording to the statement, leaders from Britain, France, and Germany issued a joint statement openly praising Ukraine’s innovative use of drone technology to strike deep into Russian territoryRead moreEnvoy calls statements about Russia’s interference in Swiss internal affairs insinuationsRussian ambassador in Bern Sergey Garmonin stressed that the Russian embassy in Bern, nor other Russian diplomatic missions in the confederation, nor the Russian Foreign Ministry interfere in Switzerland’s internal affairsRead moreRussia cripples Ukraine’s 'southern gateway,' Kherson Region official saysSince July 10, Russian forces have repeatedly targeted ports in Greater OdessaRead moreTrump says US in talks with Iran, hopes to reach dealThe US President said that he does not want to kill peopleRead moreAftermath of Ukrainian drone attack on Russian regions, 605 neutralized UAVsDrone debris fell on the logistics facility owned by Wildberries in the Tver Region, damaging its facadeRead morePress review: EU fails to resolve Ceuta crisis as Black Sea attacks disrupt shippingTop stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, August 5thRead moreMacron de facto orders Kiev to carry out terrorist attacks — Russian Foreign MinistryRussian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova drew attention to the French president’s words that "the EU and its partners will continue to increase pressure on Russia"Read moreOver 40 Russkoye Porechnoye residents tortured to death by Kiev’s forces in Kursk invasionThe residents of the village were tortured to death in basements, shot and killed with grenadesRead moreFormer Ukrainian ambassador’s mother house searched — Russian law enforcement officialAccording to the source, in October 2022, Olga Stefanishina’s mother purchased luxury housing at a price that was four times below the marketRead moreIran-Oman Strait of Hormuz deal may give Tehran control over shipping traffic — agencySuch an arrangement would mark one of the major concessions to Iran so far, the news agency saidRead moreKiev suffering enormously due to Russian strikes on port logistics — expertVitaly Kiselyov said the Russian army’s strikes against the enemy’s logistics, including port facilities, have reduced the enemy’s capabilities in the southern and central directionRead morePakistan prioritizes stronger relations with Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan — envoyPakistani Ambassador to Russia Faisal Niaz Tirmizi stressed that "Armenia, Azerbaijan and Caucasia have much in common with Pakistan"Read moreYerevan ‘flirts’ with Kiev, raising question of readiness for alliance with Russia — MFAAccording to Alexey Fadeyev, Moscow sees that the Armenian leadership perceives the prospects for the countries' relations as a one-way streetRead moreTrump administration refunds importers about $100 bln in previously collected tariffsThe refunded amount represents about 60% of the roughly $166 billion collected by the government under the tariffsRead moreCasualties, fire at Wildberries sorting center, 475 UAVs: aftermath of drone attacksOn-duty air defenses intercepted and destroyed Ukrainian drones over 17 Russian regionsRead moreRussia calls on US to focus on resolving situation in UkraineAlexey Fadeyev emphasized that Moscow would be able to achieve its goals under any circumstancesRead moreAbout 16,000 mercenaries from 72 countries fighting on Kiev’s side — authoritiesNearly 40% of them are citizens of Latin American countriesRead moreRussian troops liberate two communities in Ukraine operation over past day — top brassRussia’s Battlegroup East inflicted more than 360 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed four enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reportedRead moreHiroshima mayor criticizes Russia, makes no mention of US in bombing anniversary speechKazumi Matsui began his speech by accusing Russia of allegedly "using nuclear weapons as a tool of intimidation"Read moreOver 470 Ukrainian troops found guilty in Russia over Kursk incursionThe convicted individuals include 36 foreign mercenaries from 13 countriesRead moreSupreme commander-in-chief announces army reshuffles in special op zoneRussian President Vladimir Putin appointed Denis Lyamin, former chief of staff of the battlegroup Center, to oversee Russian unmanned systems forcesRead more
Head of The Vatican’s diplomatic service to visit Moscow late August — source
• What happened: Monsignor Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican Secretary for Relations with States, is set to visit Moscow on August 20, following a recent trip...