UN nuclear agency to probe Russia claim of `dirty bombs'
The U_N_ nuclear chief says he is sending inspectors to two locations in Ukraine where Russia alleged that activities related to the possible production of โdirty bombsโ was taking place and expects them to reach a conclusion โin days -- very fast.โ.
Russia's defense chief warns of 'dirty bomb' provocation
Russiaโs defense chief has alleged that Ukraine was preparing a โprovocationโ involving a radioactive device, a stark claim that was strongly rejected by Ukrainian and British officials amid soaring tensions as Moscow struggles to stem Ukrainian advances.
Russia sends warplanes to Syria for huge naval drills in Med
The Russian military has deployed long-range nuclear-capable bombers and fighter jets carrying state-of-the-art hypersonic missiles to Syria for massive naval drills in the Mediterranean Sea amid the soaring tensions with the West over Ukraine.
Sliver of hope: Kremlin sees a diplomatic path on Ukraine
The Kremlin is signaling it is ready to keep talking with the West about security grievances that led to the current Ukraine crisis, offering hope that Russia might not invade its beleaguered neighbor within days as the U.S. and Europe increasingly fear.
Russia rejects UK claim of trying to replace Ukraine leader
Russia's Foreign Ministry has rejected a British claim that Russia is seeking to replace Ukraineโs government with a pro-Moscow administration and that former Ukrainian lawmaker Yevheniy Murayev is being considered as a potential candidate.
Russia criticizes US refusal to hold quick Putin-Biden call
In this photo made available on Sunday, March 21, 2021, Russian President Vladimir Putin looks at a photographer in a taiga forest in Russia's Siberian region. Putin and Russia Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu are spending the weekend in Siberia, said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. In taking a tough stance on Russia, Biden has said the days of the U.S. โrolling overโ to Putin are done. Last week, the U.S. national intelligence directorโs office released a report finding that Putin authorized influence operations to help Trumpโs reelection bid. The Biden administration warned that Russia would face sanctions soon over its attempt to influence the election and the massive SolarWinds hacks.
Putin to get coronavirus vaccine shot in Russia on Tuesday
Putin said he will get vaccinated against the coronavirus on Tuesday, months after widespread vaccination has started in Russia. (Alexei Druzhinin, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)MOSCOW โ President Vladimir Putin said he will get a coronavirus vaccine shot on Tuesday, several months after widespread vaccination started in Russia. Putin, 68, told a meeting with government officials and vaccine developers on Monday that he will get his shot โtomorrow,โ without specifying which coronavirus vaccine out of the three authorized for use in Russia he will take. Dozens of countries have approved the use of Sputnik V and signed deals with Russia to get shipments of the shot. Even despite deliberate discrediting of our vaccine, various hoaxes and sometimes outright nonsense, more states all around the world express interest in our vaccine," Putin said.
Azerbaijani leader: Cease-fire may improve Armenia relations
Ethnic Armenians return to a normal life after a Russia-brokered cease-fire was signed between Armenia and Azerbaijan. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)MOSCOW โ The president of Azerbaijan said Saturday he hopes the ceasefire that ended a six-week war with Armenia this month will lead to improving relations between the countries. The delegation, which included Russia's foreign and defense ministers, also visited the Armenian capital, Yerevan. Russia and Azerbaijan also agree on the need to create conditions for ethnic conciliation in the region, Lavrov said. Azerbaijan has been angered to discover the wholescale ruination of towns that came under Armenian control in the 1990s war.
Russian spymaster accuses US of fomenting Belarus protests
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko speaks during a meeting with the country's political activists in Minsk, Belarus, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020. Sergei Naryshkin, director of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service, claimed in a statement carried by Russian news agencies Wednesday that the U.S. has funded the Belarusian opposition and encouraged the protests. The Belarusian opposition has condemned Moscow for offering the Belarusian strongman a financial lifeline, warning that it would tarnish future ties between the countries. โLukashenko is the legitimate president of Belarus,โ Peskov said in a conference call with reporters. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu arrived in Belarus Wednesday for talks on deepening military cooperation.
Russia publishes virus vaccine results, weeks after approval
Scientists said the frozen vaccine would be suitable for current global vaccine supply chains while the freeze-dried version could be used in hard-to-reach areas. In the context of regulatory approval, the design and size of (an early) study is not anywhere near sufficient for widely recognized standards of approval. It remains unclear whether they were among the volunteers in clinical trials or accessed the vaccine in some other way. Michael Head, a senior research fellow in global health at Britains University of Southampton, agreed the Russian vaccine appeared to be promising, but that further studies were needed. Head was not linked to the Russian research.
Putin attends naval parade, promises new ships to navy
Russian President Vladimir Putin, second left, and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, left, arrive to attend the military parade during the Navy Day celebration in St.Petersburg, Russia, Sunday, July 26, 2020. (Alexei Druzhinin, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)MOSCOW President Vladimir Putin said the Russian navy will get 40 new ships and vessels this year, as he attended a naval parade in St. Petersburg on Sunday marking the Navy Day in Russia. The parade in St. Petersburg and the nearby town of Kronshtadt featured 46 ships and vessels and over 4,000 troops and aimed to demonstrate the growing power of our navy, Putin said Friday. He said 40 ships and vessels of different classes will enter service this year, and that the Russian navy will be equipped with hypersonic weapons to boost its combat capabilities. Opening the parade, he said that six more vessels for the far-sea zone were laid down at Russia's three leading shipyards in the past few days.
Putin confirms Russian fire-hit submersible was nuclear-powered
(CNN) - A deepwater submersible that caught fire Monday was nuclear-powered, according to Russia's President Vladimir Putin. According to a Kremlin transcript released Thursday, Putin asked Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu about the status of the vessel's "nuclear power unit." "Mr. President, the nuclear power unit has been sealed off," Shoigu, who had visited Severomorsk, replied. In the Kremlin transcript released Thursday, he told the President that assistance measures were being given to the sailors' families. Twenty people were killed on board a Russian nuclear submarine in 2008, when a fire extinguishing system was triggered accidentally.
Fire on Russian submersible leaves 14 crew members dead
(CNN) - A fire aboard a Russian deepwater submersible killed 14 Russian crew members, state news agencies reported Tuesday, citing the Ministry of Defense. The fire was later extinguished, Tass reported, hailing the "selfless actions of the team" on board. An investigation into the incident is being carried out by the Russian navy's commander-in-chief, state news agency RIA-Novosti reported. Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to oversee the probe, Tass reported. Twenty people were killed on board a Russian nuclear submarine in 2008, when a fire extinguishing system was triggered accidentally.