Premature to draw conclusions about new Afghan authorities, dialogue needed - Matviyenko- TASS

A working dialogue should be conducted with the Taliban (outlawed in Russia), who have come to power in Afghanistan, but it is still early to draw conclusions about how its new government will work, Valentina Matviyenko, Speaker of the Federation Council (the lower house of Russia’s parliament), told reporters on Wednesday.

NATO Calls on Russia to Be Transparent with Military Exercises at Shared Border - Tasnim News Agency

(Tasnim) – NATO’s secretary general called on Russia to be open about its "Zapad-2021" military exercises and the troop numbers involved as alarm grows in Poland, the Baltics and Ukraine about Moscow's intentions.

Russian diplomat wonders if US knew about ISIS facility locations after Biden remark - TASS

Spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova has raised the question whether the US is aware about the location of leadership and facilities of ISIS.

Turkey’s refusal to recognize Crimean Peninsula as Russian is now main thorn in side of partnership between two nations – Kremlin — RT

 Despite blossoming ties between Moscow and Ankara, relations now risk being derailed by Turkey’s decision to back Ukraine’s claims over the status of Crimea, after the country sent its top diplomat to Kiev in a show of support.

Turkish Foreign Minister To Attend Crimea Platform Summit In Kiev - Ankara - UrduPoint

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu will take part in the Crimea Platform summit in Kiev, the ministry said on Sunday.

US imposes fresh sanctions against Russia over Navalny, Nord Stream 2 - China.org.cn

The United States on Friday announced new sanctions against Russian individuals and entities over the alleged poisoning of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny and the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project.

Syrian air defenses downed 22 Israeli missiles fired from Lebanese airspace – Russian Defense Ministry — RT

 Syria’s air defenses shot down 22 of 24 Israeli missiles fired during recent air raids near Damascus, the Russian military said. Launched from Lebanese airspace, the strikes have prompted vocal objections from officials in Beirut.

Nine people survived a helicopter crash in Kamchatka - regional Health Ministry - TASS

Nine people survived the crash of an Mi-8 helicopter in the Kronotsky Nature Reserve in Kamchatka, acting Health Minister of the region Marina Volkova told TASS.

Russia’s Il-76 plane to start extinguishing wildfires in Greece after dawn — authorities - TASS

Russia’s Il-76 plane, which arrived to Greece late on Tuesday, will join the effort to extinguish wildfires in the country shortly after sunrise on Wednesday, a Greek official who is welcoming Russian planes told reporters at Athens International Airport.

Navies of 21 countries kick off US-led drills in Southeast Asia | Al Jazeera

The United States-led Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) military exercises are under way in Singapore and online.

Rain makers | Airborne firefighters seed clouds to trigger rain over wildfire-hit Siberian forests

 

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Sergey Shoigu: Crimea ‘Always Has Been’, ‘Always Will be’ Russian Land - FARS

(FNA)- Crimea has been and will always be part of Russia, the country’s Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu stated on Friday, responding to a claim by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that the peninsula's return to Kiev’s control is a “matter of time".

Russia sends troops to Armenian border with Azerbaijan after cry for help from Yerevan following altercations with Azeri forces — RT

 Armenia has confirmed reports that border guards from Russia have been deployed on the country’s frontier with Azerbaijan, as part of Moscow’s agreement with its allies in Yerevan to help bolster the Caucasian nation’s defenses.

Western Countries In UNSC Urge Russia To Reverse Recognition Of Abkhazia, South Ossetia - UrduPoint

Seven western countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom and France, in a joint statement on Wednesday called on Russia to reverse its recognition of the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and withdraw its military forces from the disputed territories.

The US has no right to lecture Russia over Crimea while it wholeheartedly backs Israel’s illegal occupation of Syria’s territory — RT

 If all are equal before international law, it’s clear some are more equal than others. That much is plain from the fact Washington is driving condemnation of Russia’s reabsorption of Crimea, while defending Israel’s occupations.

Georgian demands to reverse Russia’s recognition of Abkhazia baseless - Foreign Ministry - TASS

Abkhazia’s Foreign Ministry has called Georgia’s calls on Russia to reverse its recognition of Abkhazia’s independence and its "de-occupation" baseless, according to the agency’s commentary published on Monday night.

Entre Moscou et Tokyo, la dispute des îles Kouriles refait surface

 

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Moscow: Situation in Black Sea Being Artificially Ratcheted Up by Outside Powers - FARS

(FNA)- Outside powers are artificially inflating tensions in the Black Sea, and Moscow will be closely monitoring the implementation of the Montreux Convention regulating the transit of warships into and out of the body of water, the Russian Foreign Ministry indicated.

ECHR Says Registered Russias Complaint Against Ukraine - UrduPoint

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has registered Russia's first interstate complaint against Ukraine, the court's communique says.

Russian-made air defense systems shot down ALL Israeli missiles targeting Syria’s Homs – military — RT

 All four missiles fired by Israeli warplanes at Syria’s Homs province early on Thursday were shot down by the Syrian Army using Russian-made ‘Buk’ air defense systems, the Russian military has revealed.