Russia-Ukraine Conflict Dominates Geopolitical Landscape with Multiple Developments

Resident of Moscow region detained for intimidation acts against three servicemen — FSB

The suspect was recruited via Telegram and in May 2026 carried out intimidation acts at the servicemen's residential addresses

Vance departs for Switzerland for talks with Iran — aide

The US vice president said earlier on Saturday that he could travel to Switzerland "within a couple of days"

'The United States of America is our enemy,' says Medvedev

"What I can’t understand is the position of European leaders who are unable to make decisions that benefit Europeans. All of their decisions benefit either certain rival political groups or the Americans," the politician said

Activities of biolabs in Ukraine, US role: statements by Russian chemical troops

According to chief of the Russian army's Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Defense Troops Lieutenant General Alexey Rtishchev, American intelligence materials confirmed that biolabs in Ukraine were funded from the US state budget

Polish president angry that soldiers trained by Poland will serve under UPA banners

Karol Nawrocki called Kiev's decision to name one of the army’s units after the "heroes of the UPA" unacceptable

Russian regions compete for increasing domestic tourists — TASS Deputy General Director

Andrey Sokolov noted that even areas which wouldn’t traditionally be considered travel destinations have seen an uptick in interest from Russians

Possible change in US’ approach to Ukraine and Kiev’s terror attacks: Lavrov’s remarks

The Russian foreign minister said that Moscow remains committed to the settlement options discussed with Washington in Anchorage

VTB projects 1% increase in Russia’s oil production to 470 mln tons in 2025

According to the forecast, "production may be expected at 10.3 mln barrels per day"

Work of biolabs in Ukraine fits into Kiev's militaristic policy — State Duma deputy

Major General Alexey Rtishchev reported the labs researched pathogens of plague, anthrax, tularemia, Marburg and Ebola fevers, i.e. diseases with pandemic potential

Laos interested in connecting to Power of Siberia 2 — LNCCI chief

According to Oudet Souvannavong, the Lao government is currently developing an energy strategy for the country and is considering new energy sources

ZNPP completely cut off from external power for 20th time since start of conflict — IAEA

Emergency diesel generators were automatically started to provide backup power for the reactor core cooling systems and other functions critical to nuclear safety

Israel government orders army to cease fire in Lebanon, but remain in position — TV

The Israeli army will continue to hold its positions in southern Lebanon along the so-called Yellow Line

West has shunned Russian proposals for averting mid-air incidents for too long — diplomat

Konstantin Gavrilov said that Russia had established a restricted area for flights in connection with the special operation in Ukraine

Germany says moment to mull formats, participants of dialogue with Russia inappropriate

According to Federal Government Spokesperson Stefan Kornelius, such an issue is not on the agenda yet

General HQ of Iranian army warns of potentially larger strikes on Tel Aviv

The Iranian military also advised "host countries of US military bases to force the Americans to leave their territory, if they want to avoid damage"

IRGC calls for US Air Force chief to resign after aircraft downed in Iran

The IRGC Navy also congratulated the air defense forces of the Islamic republic’s army on intercepting an US F-15E fighter jet and an A-10 attack aircraft in the skies over Iran

Russia plans to widely use AI technologies in weapons systems

One of the principles underlying the new state program is the synchronization of design and development works, purchases of weapons and special equipment, and creating infrastructure and development of the testing-range base

Hungary rethinking role in NATO, PM says

Viktor Orban underlined that Budapest had no plans to participate in NATO’s actions that could drag member states into the conflict in Ukraine and lead to a direct confrontation with Russia

Iran divides countries into three categories based on use of Strait of Hormuz — TV

According to the TV channel, all states are divided into three categories — "hostile," "neutral," and "friendly"

Currencies of friendly countries account for about 80% of foreign trade payments

The yuan share in trading at the Moscow Exchange stood at 54% in May, the Bank of Russia said

EU demands Turkey does not supply Russian gas to union

As German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche noted, Turkey takes into account the great importance that the EU places "on weaning itself off Russian commodity supplies," but made it clear that replacing Russian supplies is impossible overnight

Large demonstration for peace with Russia marches through Berlin center

Several hundred people are participating under the slogan "Peace! Russia is not our enemy!" near the Brandenburg Gate

US interested in calling on Arab nations to help pay for cost of Iran operation — official

The United States and Israel launched a military operation against Iran on February 28

Deal with US shows that Iran did not lose the war, but Israel will take revenge — Medvedev

Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council noted that "the third participant - Israel - is offended in its expectations of the complete defeat of Iran's political regime, which means it will take revenge, and Trump cannot do anything about it"

Trump accuses Meloni of ingratitude, trying to 'boost her rating' with G7 photo

US President also stated that Meloni did not allow the US to use Italian landing strips and runways, creating "a great logistical inconvenience," despite the fact that Washington spends "hundreds of billions of dollars" annually to protect Italy and other "so-called NATO allies"

Yars ICBM launchers embark on combat patrols in Siberia drills

In the course of the drills in the Altai Region, the Strategic Missile Force’s personnel practiced the tasks of conducting a 100 km march, equipping their positions, camouflaging and providing combat security for materiel

Russian troops liberate five communities in Donetsk region over week — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicted more than 2,040 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed 18 enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the week, the Defense Ministry reported

Nationalists cook up provocations with toxic agents in Ukraine - Russian Defense Ministry

On the night of March 9, Ukrainian nationalists delivered about 80 tonnes of ammonia to the populated locality of Zolochev, northwest of Kharkov, Igor Konashenkov said

Russia liberates 94 buildings, destroys 95 Ukrainian soldiers in Konstantinovka

Servicemen of Battlegroup West destroyed up to 30 Ukrainian soldiers and one Dzhura armored vehicle in the settlement of Krasny Liman in the DPR over the past day, the Russian Defense Ministry reported

RF prez, Iraqi PM to discuss ways to step up bilateral relations

To develop cooperation in the oil and gas sector,and the electric power industry remains a priority in the two countries' relations

OPEC+ countries 0.5 mln bpd behind March oil output plan — IEA

The most behind schedule countries among those that have announced new oil output cuts from January 2024 include Iraq, the UAE, and Kazakhstan

Iran closes Strait of Hormuz over Israeli strikes on Lebanon — Command

The Iranian military stated that the decision is also related to the clear violation and non-fulfillment by the United States of the first paragraph of the memorandum on ending the war

Iran to retaliate if US reneges on obligations under memorandum — Foreign Ministry

Earlier on Saturday, Tehran closed the Strait of Hormuz citing Israel’s ongoing aggression against Lebanon in violation of the memorandum

IN BRIEF: CIS official condemns Kiev attack on bus with Belarusian kids as terrorist act

First Deputy Secretary General of the Commonwealth of Independent States Igor Petrishenko called on the entire world community to take necessary actions to ensure that an appropriate investigation is conducted

Pakistan’s PM, army commander go to Switzerland for US-Iran talks

The Pakistani Foreign Ministry said earlier that technical consultations between the US and Iran would take place in Burgenstock on June 21

US troop buildup near Iran not sign of any new decisions — White House

The United States and Israel launched a military operation against Iran on February 28

Gazprom raises estimate of profit from buying stake in Sakhalin-2 operator to $2.3 bln

As a result of the deal, Gazprom's stake in Sakhalinskaya Energiya increased to 77.5%

Trump says Iran has 48 hours to make deal or open strait

Time is running out: 48 hours remain before all hell rains down on them, US President said

China increased Russian LNG imports by 18.2% in 2025

As follows from the General Customs Administration statistics, the price of LNG imports for the reporting period amounted to $4.98 billion, same as in 2024

Ukraine’s backers growing weary of supporting Kiev, Lula says after G7 summit

According to the Brazilian leader, the G7 summit was the first time he had sensed a genuine desire among Western leaders to bring the conflict to an end

Putin bans export of foreign currency cash over $10,000 starting on March 2

The Kremlin press service reported on Tuesday that Putin had signed a document "On Additional Temporary Economic Measures to Ensure Russia’s Financial Stability"

Trump says US may charge ships for passage through Strait of Hormuz

The US president added that this would happen if Washington and Tehran did not reach final agreements

Ukraine cannot become EU member while at war — Merz

The German chancellor added that Ukraine could become an associate member of the EU and later a full member of the union

UN declares support for language diversity over Kiev’s law on Russian language

Vladimir Zelensky earlier signed a bill removing the Russian language from the list of languages protected under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages

Russia develops Strelets drone-mounted shotgun capable of engaging five drones per sortie

The developer company said that automatic firing minimizes missed shots, significantly enhancing operational accuracy

Fico says he will not miss opportunity to engage in dialogue with Russian president

The Slovak prime minister explained that the country "should be interested" in friendly and mutually beneficial relations with those who treat it in the same way

NATO, Russia direct confrontation may escalate into nuclear strikes’ exchange — Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister stressed that Europe’s course towards confrontation with Russia and further expansion poses serious threats to global security

There can no longer be any rules against Kiev attacking cities in Russia — Medvedev

Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council emphasized that "back then, it was not customary to steal or kill the leaders of even hostile countries"

Trump says threatened Thailand and Cambodia with new duties

US President said he was sure that the duties is an important tool in the foreign policy for his administration

US keen to resolve Ukrainian crisis — Trump

The US president says he thought the resolution of the conflict probably being "the easiest of all" but found out it "to be a little more difficult"