UN chief calls for halt to attacks on civilian infrastructure, including in Russia Spokesman Stephane Dujarric said that Antonio Guterres remains deeply concerned by the continued escalation of the Ukrainian conflictUNITED NATIONS, August 20. /TASS/. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is deeply concerned about the continued escalation of the conflict in Ukraine, including its spread to Russian territory, and calls for an immediate halt to attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, his Spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. "I can tell you that the secretary-general remains deeply concerned by the continued escalation of this conflict, including onto the territory of the Russian Federation. Attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure are a clear violation of international humanitarian law wherever they occur, and they must stop immediately," Dujarric stated. Bulgaria restricts operation of Kozloduy NPP due to low water level in Danube — ministryThe capacity of Unit 5 will be scaled down by 120 megawatts on August 21 to avert a potential emergencyRead moreFACTBOX: Putin’s statements on positive economic growth, impact of Ukrainian attacksBoosting investment activity is the primary condition for economic growth in Russia, the head of state saidRead moreNATO vows to defend US bases in Europe — ReutersEarlier, the anonymous sources claimed that Iran is allegedly prepared to launch strikes against US bases not only in the Middle EastRead moreUkraine’s Zelensky should resign before he is forced into it — German dailyThe author of the German-based Berliner Zeitung article believes that instability and weakening of negotiating positions are not the main threat to the countryRead moreRussian aircraft to begin firefighting in Serbia on August 20 — group headAircraft Commander Andrey Vilkov says the city of Nis "is welcoming us with open arms and wonderful people"Read morePoland flaunts its remilitarization — Russian Foreign MinistryAccording to Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, everyone saw the purpose for which all of this was undertakenRead moreKiev to return to talks with Russia on terms worse than those in 2022 — magazineAccording to The American Conservative, the Ukrainian armed forces are facing a shortage of manpower, and their stockpile of Patriot interceptor missiles "is at, or approaching, zero"Read moreTrump says North Korea has 57 'very powerful' nuclear weaponsDonald Trump added that he would not have allowed it, had he been president earlierRead moreRada may change location for safety reasons — agencyThe Rada building is located in the center of KievRead moreRussian ambassador says German MFA’s statements on FAZ journalist case unfriendlySergey Nechayev emphasized that German Foreign Ministry spokesman Martin Giese’s remarks effectively excused Michael Martens and overlooked the broader contextRead moreFACTBOX: What to know of Omsk oil refinery intel sharing, foiled terrorist attack in LPROfficers detained two men in the Lugansk People’s Republic, who helped the Security Service of Ukraine plan a terrorist attack against the republic’s interior ministerRead moreTrump leaves open possibility of further sanctions on IranThe US president said "very draconian sanctions" were being consideredRead moreRussian forces deliver strike on Antonov plant assembling Lyuty UAVs in Kiev — top brassThe enterprise also developed and manufactured various types of manned aircraftRead moreEuropean gas storage facilities could be depleted by April 2027 — HandelsblattIf the pace of purchases remains unchanged, storage facilities will be only 69% full by November 1, in which case they could be depleted by April, when Europe’s heating season ends, the newspaper said Read moreRussian envoy cautions US, West against triggering arms race in outer spaceAccording to Gennady Gatilov, individual Western countries and blocs directly mention near-Earth space as "yet another field for hostilities in their documents regarding space policy"Read moreKremlin reacts to 'fishing in troubled waters' in Ukraine, potential Wikoff, Kushner visitDmitry Peskov stressed that Russia highly values the efforts of all countries that sincerely seek to contribute to settling the Ukraine conflictRead morePutin has no plans for now to meet with head of Vatican's diplomatic service — KremlinPaul Richard Gallagher's visit to Moscow will take place from August 25 to 28Read moreIN BRIEF: What we know about Russia’s massive attack targeting defense-tech sites in KievRussian forces struck a Fire Point plant, a Kiev-based assembly site owned by the Antonov aircraft manufacturing factory and an arsenal with M-900 thermobaric bombs and munitions for Baba-Yaga dronesRead moreUS Golden Dome has offensive capabilities despite defensive claims — envoyAccording to Gennady Gatilov, the project envisages "the development and deployment of space-based interceptors"Read moreDate for new Russia-US contacts on removing ‘irritants’ being agreed upon — diplomatMaria Zakharova added that Russia is ready to cooperate with the US partners "to move toward substantive discussions on the issues that are of priority for us"Read more20 Brazilian mercenaries eliminated in special military operation zoneAn official in Russian law enforcement structures said that after being recruited via social networks, they came to Colombia and signed contracts with the Ukrainian armyRead moreTehran virtually halts oil exports to foreign markets — central bank governorAbdolnaser Hemmati says that the country has foreign exchange reservesRead moreUkraine cannot sell 61 mln tons of grain due to ports’ shutdowns — Rada deputy90% of Ukrainian grain used to be exported via sea routesRead moreJapan indulging in dangerous experiments in sphere of nuclear policy — Chinese diplomatZhang Hanhui noted that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi avoids clearly stating that her country will not import nuclear weaponsRead moreKiev building up forces to fight for Dobropolye in Donetsk region — Russian combatantAccording to the serviceman, the Russian troops are operating in a coordinated manner, eliminating enemy forces attempting to redeploy to better positionsRead moreJapan has enough plutonium to make 5.500 nuclear warheads — Chinese ambassadorZhang Hanhui concluded that Japan's "transformation into a nuclear power no longer looks like a fantasy"Read moreTrump announced unprecedented economic war against IranThe US president said that Tehran 'failed' to seize the opportunity to make a dealRead moreUltranationalist groups hunting Poles in Ukraine — underground resistanceThe source said that law enforcement agencies are aware of what is happening and could be overseeing such raidsRead moreFrench politician calls Fyodorov's speech disaster for ZelenskyFlorian Philippot advised that the former Ukrainian defense minister watch his safetyRead moreLarge-scale NATO air force activity recorded near Kaliningrad — Russian war correspondentYevgeny Poddubny reported that multiple reconnaissance aircraft operated simultaneously close to the Russian borderRead moreUN deputy chief declines to assess Ukraine coordinator’s remarksTom Fletcher's statement followed a question about whether he considered Matthias Schmale’s actions to be a violation of Article 100 of the UN Charter, which requires UN staff to be impartial and independentRead moreTrump says pipelines can reduce Hormuz Strait's importanceRecord numbers of pipelines are being built, the US president addedRead moreNo proposals on new contacts with US negotiators so far — Russian diplomatMaria Zakharova said that Moscow is "ready to hear Washington’s constructive initiatives" on the settlementRead moreFyodorov's statements undermine Zelensky's position — mediaThe former minister's address also deepened skepticism toward Kiev in Washington, the newspaper wroteRead moreZelensky’s office unhappy with US appointment of its people to key positions in UkraineDeputy head of Vladimir Zelensky’s office Irina Mudraya expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of control over head of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office Alexander KlimenkoRead moreRussia, China to oppose Japan’s attempts to obtain nuclear weapons — Chinese ambassadorZhang Hanhui also said that Moscow and Beijing think it necessary to "resolutely oppose Japan's accelerated remilitarization"Read moreUkrainian women in EU must now prove compliance with military duties — ECThe measure was initially expected to apply only to men of conscription ageRead moreKiev never asked for air defense systems from EU, only strike weapons — ECAccording to European Commission Spokesman Balazs Ujvari, so far, the requests have been centered on drones, missiles and fighter jetsRead moreEx-deputy head of Zelensky’s office Mudraya detained — lawmakerIrina Mudraya is currently under an investigative procedure at the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of UkraineRead moreNorth Korea’s Kim Yo Jong warns Japan of strike in response to possible threatKim Yo Jong stated that the DPRK is closely monitoring Japan’s attempts to build up its military capabilitiesRead moreNovak, Siluanov comment on Russia’s GDP growth, additional support for regionsTASS has compiled the key statements on the economic situation in RussiaRead moreTrump says blockade of Hormuz Strait was successful, now it is open"No boats have gotten into Iran" since the blockade started, the US president saidRead moreChina, Russia insist that results of WW II regarding Japan are indisputableZhang Hanhui says Beijing and Moscow think it essential "to resolutely oppose any erroneous actions or statements aimed at rewriting the history of Japanese colonial aggression"Read moreJapan begins converting ships into aircraft carriers — Chinese ambassador to RussiaFor the first time, the country has re-exported Patriot missiles and begun exporting military frigates, Zhang Hanhui notedRead moreRussian Su-25 plane safely returns to airfield in Ukraine sortie after Stinger strikeThe aircraft is "quite survivable in combat conditions", a navigator of a Russian air squadron notedRead moreNorth Korea launches approximately 10 missiles toward Sea of Japan — South Korean militaryThe Joint Chiefs of Staff stated that they "maintain vigilance for additional launches"Read moreDialogue with US to be fruitless, unless Iran combat ready — Majlis speakerMohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said "it is Washington and the war it unleashed that are causing instability in the region and disrupting normal trade routes"Read moreRussian forces strike logistics center in Kiev Region with Geran UAVs — top brassThe strike destroyed the targetRead moreFuel imports to Russia: statements by Novak and overview of market situationRussian authorities expect a number of oil refineries to complete maintenance work soon, leading to a significant improvement in the fuel market situationRead moreRussia is China’s most reliable supplier of energy sources — Russian senatorAndrey Denisov says oil supplies from Russia to China grew by 92% in the first seven months amid the crisis around the Strait of HormuzRead moreZelensky’s position threatened most since 2022 by Fyodorov’s comment — WSJAccording to the publication, Mikhail Fyodorov’s words are interpreted in Kiev "as the opening gambit in a potential run for the presidency"Read moreUS fighter jet flies over Baltic Sea near Russia’s Kaliningrad Region — sourceThe aircraft flew in from Reykjavík, passing through the airspace of Norway and Sweden along the way, and also flying over Poland Read moreRussia to respond proportionately to Kiev’s terror attacks — diplomatMaria Zakharova pointed out that the Kiev regime demonstrated a complete inability to negotiateRead moreRussia has no plans at present to sever agreements with NATO, EU, WTO or IMF — politicianGarry Minkh explained Russian ministries’ position, saying that the aforementioned documents, including the Russia-EU agreement, "have not exhausted their potential" in the context of conducting dialogue with the WestRead moreUpgraded Kuryer robotic system evacuates wounded while providing drone coverThe vehicle not only transports people, but is also capable of automatically engaging enemy drones, providing fire cover for the evacuated personnelRead moreLiberation of Kudiyevka creates logistical difficulties for Ukrainian troops — officialThe Russian Defense Ministry reported that the Kudiyevka settlement was liberated on August 16Read moreRussia not going to terminate agreements with NATO, EU, WTO, IMF — envoyGarry Minkh says these documents can still be used as instruments for dialogue with the WestRead moreWestern countries on UNSC refuse to compromise on peace, security issues — Russian envoyVasily Nebenzya stated that decisions that are not adopted unanimously do not carry the same weight on the ground as consensus resolutionsRead moreUkraine plans to legalize disposal of missing soldiers' bodies as surgical waste — sourceAccording to the Russian security source, the measure is being considered in part because Ukrainian morgues are overcrowded with unidentified remainsRead moreUS establishes corridor in Strait of Hormuz for covertly transporting oil — news outletAccording to sources cited by Axios, between 15 and 20 tankers pass through the strait’s southern channel along the coast of Oman every day, exporting roughly half of the pre-war level of oil from the Middle EastRead moreUS economic pressure threatens entire global financial system — Iran’s MFAAccording to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, the so-called economic ‘D-Day’ is a diversion from America’s own crisisRead moreCivilians injured, 726 UAVs downed: aftermath of attacks on Russian regionsAccording to the Russian Defense Ministry, the Ukrainian drones were intercepted over 19 Russian regionsRead moreRussian troops clear 400 buildings of Ukrainian forces in liberating VodyanskoyeAccording to the Russian Defense Ministry, the settlement was liberated on August 19Read moreCollective Security Treaty Organization, CIS border troops drill interaction in crisesAccording to the CSTO, the main objective of the joint command-staff exercise was to improve coordination between border guard and other agencies of the CIS member statesRead moreDrone shot down over Latvia on August 14 belongs to Ukraine — Defense MinistryThe drone was destroyed by a NATO fighter jetRead moreRussia only country in world with expertise across entire nuclear energy sector — PutinThese competitive advantages enable the country to hold a leading position in the market for the construction of nuclear power plants abroad, the Russian leader stressedRead moreRussia’s Battlegroup South confidently advancing after liberating Nikolaipolye in DPRThe liberation of the settlement became possible thanks to the coordinated efforts of reconnaissance units, artillery crews, and UAV operators from the unmanned systems forcesRead moreSome EU countries whipping up Russophobic hysteria to delegitimize elections — diplomatMaria Zakharova said it was not ruled out that such media campaigns might complicate the situation around the votingRead moreRussian troops liberate Vodyanskoye community in Donetsk region over past day — top brassRussia’s Battlegroup Center inflicted roughly 380 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed six enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reportedRead moreLiberation of Matyashevo opens way for Russian forces’ advance in Dobropolye areaThe settlement was liberated by Pskov Guards Airborne Forces formationRead moreRussia reminds Japanese ambassador that it paid huge price for Kurils — MFARussia summoned the Japanese ambassador following Tokyo’s protest against Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to the Kuril Island of IturupRead moreRussia entitled to view UK as party to Ukrainian conflict — LavrovThe Russian foreign minister said he feels sorry for the UK if it stays with Ukraine until the very endRead moreUkraine's cabinet initiates suspensions of Sense Bank leaders amid scandalThe bank is mentioned in newly released recordings by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of UkraineRead moreZelensky's office dismisses possibility of holding elections in UkraineMikhail Podolyak, an adviser to Vladimir Zelensky’s office, cited ongoing hostilities, "occupied territories," and the displacement of citizens as obstaclesRead moreKhmara appointed defense minister by decision of Zelensky’s Western patrons — expertSergey Yurchenko added that the situation at the front and on the international stage will not change after this appointment, since it is too late for Ukraine to make any changesRead moreUkraine’s losses from port shutdowns exceed $2 blnVessel traffic data show that large foreign commercial ships are not entering Odessa, Chernomorsk and YuzhnyRead moreKusturica slams blocking of his YouTube channel as 'war on truth'Official reason for the channel's removal was not specifiedRead moreCyprus taking precautions against potential threats — news agencyThe source said that four Greek Air Force F-16 fighter jets, as well as the Nikiforos Fokas frigate, are currently stationed in CyprusRead moreSome 250 drones were flying toward Moscow Region during nightMayor Sergey Sobyanin says most of them were destroyed at distant locationsRead moreSlavyansk, Kramatorsk, Druzhkovka turned into ‘ghost cities’ by Ukrainian army — expertAndrey Marochko said that Ukrainian militants are using abandoned civilian facilities for military purposesRead moreRussian Emergencies Ministry aircraft arrives in Serbia to help fight major wildfiresThe aircraft landed at Nis airport Read moreRussia’s Battlegroup West downs 124 Ukrainian dronesSpokesman Ivan Bigma said that the battlegroup had also destroyed 98 Ukrainian hexacopters and five HIMARS projectilesRead moreIran has enough currency to buy goods, medicine in coming months — Central BankAbdolnasser Hemmati says Iran is using "alternative solutions to ensure a sustainable supply of resources"Read morePress review: Ukraine crisis nears peak as Israel-Turkey tensions rise over SyriaTop stories from the Russian press on Thursday, August 20thRead moreJapan seeks to integrate into NATO, Chinese ambassador to Russia saysAccording to Zhang Hanhui, the official Tokyo's steps are steadily eroding the peaceful nature of the Japanese ConstitutionRead moreRussian forces hit Ukraine’s military warehouses in Chernomorsk, Yuzhny ports — top brassTargets were hit on the evening of August 19Read moreDovod delivery platform for FPV drones to have greater payload capacityCurrently, the platform is capable of carrying up to four FPV drones at a timeRead moreMoscow to respond to any hostile actions by Helsinki — MFAMaria Zakharova noted that Finland, starting in 2022, "has become one of the most ardent sponsors of the Kiev regime"Read moreLithuania seeking to take Russians hostage by tightening transit from KaliningradChairman of the region’s Legislative Assembly Andrey Kropotkin noted that such moves were driven by a political agenda of further pressure on RussiaRead moreTrump says he is only US president to establish contact with KimThe US president added that Japan, South Korea, and other nations are "a lot safer if I'm president than somebody else is president"Read morePutin stresses need to strengthen Russia’s sovereigntyThe president highlighted that Russia was already implementing a plan for structural changes in the economyRead moreRussian troops liberate two communities in Donetsk region over past day — top brassRussia's Battlegroup South and Battlegroup Center units liberated settlements of Nikolaipolye and Matyashevo in the Donetsk People’s RepublicRead moreIsrael won't put up with Turkey's military presence in Syria — NetanyahuThe Israeli prime minister said that the prior warnings on the issue were not heard "clearly enough"Read moreRussia has begun importing fuel to boost domestic supplies — NovakThe Russian government earlier decided to extend the import damper mechanism to diesel fuel, a move intended to provide additional economic incentives for supplying imported diesel to the domestic market if necessaryRead moreRussia is sole guarantor of Ukraine's sovereignty — MFARussian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova criticized Western policies, suggesting that the West has little genuine interest in Ukraine as an independent or prosperous nationRead moreRussia’s trade infrastructure resilient despite terrorist attacks — PutinThe Russian president admitted that operations are running under intense pressureRead moreCuba wants to become BRICS’ full-fledged member — embassyAccording to the embassy, this step is a top priority for the country amid the unprecedented escalation of the US economic war against itRead moreNew mobilization rules forcing Ukrainians into servitude, driving them to front — diplomatMaria Zakharova stressed that Ukrainian leaders offered no explanation to ordinary people about how they are supposed to surviveRead moreUkrainian army facing serious shortages of Patriot missiles — Russian defense sourceThe source noted that the global shortage of Patriot interceptor missiles had intensified following their large-scale use in the Middle EastRead moreChina calls on Japan not to play with fire on nuclear weapons matters — ambassadorZhang Hanhui said that a nuclear arms race in the region could erupt at any moment if Tokyo decides to develop nuclear weaponsRead moreRussian forces hit Fire Point facility manufacturing attack drone components in KievThe enterprise also assembled and stored boosters used in Flamingo cruise missilesRead more
Russian Il-76 aircraft drops ten loads of water on active fire sites in Serbia — ministry
• What happened: A Russian Il-76 aircraft conducted five sorties and dropped ten loads of water on active fire sites in Serbia, assisting local firefighting eff...