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🎙 Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s interview with RT (Moscow, February 5, 2026)
Read in full
Key talking points:
#Europe #EU #Germany
• Over the past 45 days, many European politicians have addressed relations with the Russian Federation. Until recently, they were united in demanding firmness, not scaling back support or weapons supplies to Ukraine, and financing it to make sure Russia suffers a “strategic defeat” on the battlefield.
• Recently, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz made a comment describing Russia as the largest country in Europe. I must correct this immediately. Russia is the largest country in Eurasia – and in the world.
• The Americans have never wanted, and still do not want, to leave the Europeans to their own devices. Their goal is for Europeans to finance all their own military preparations by buying US weaponry, while the US naturally retains control and the role of ‘guardian’ over its NATO allies.
• As Euro-Atlantic structures have weakened (the EU having become a mere appendage of NATO, a status even formalised in documents) Germany’s rising profile has caused alarm, not only in our country but in many EU capitals. There is growing resentment and a palpable desire to prevent Germany from subjugating all others once more, especially as Germany’s being “back on track,” proclaimed by Friedrich Merz and his government, is openly linked to the country’s rapid militarisation and preparations for war.
• We do maintain contacts with some European leaders. They call and ask us not to publicise the conversations. Some engage in ‘undercover’ contacts here.
• I see no coherent position from Europe. They are trapped by their own rhetoric, locked into an uncompromising stance: ‘Russia’s strategic defeat,’ ‘Ukraine cannot lose, and Russia cannot win, otherwise Europe loses face.’
#NATO
• We have indeed been “burned” by our trust in those who swore that NATO would not expand eastwards, that Russia would not be marginalised, and that we would forge a common space from Lisbon to Vladivostok – a vast continent of peace and security.
• NATO first lost its reason for existence, then found renewed purpose in Afghanistan. When that purpose was publicly, shamelessly trampled before the eyes of the international community, action was needed. So, they regrouped, convened, and contrived the situation we witness today – declaring Russia a “pariah” and identifying Ukraine as the “optimal material” with which to provoke us, a pliable entity to be shaped as they saw fit.
#Ukraine
• This is nonsense and a quite telling one. What do I mean? For the past year, the West (Europe) has been saying the same thing over and over: there must be solid guarantees of security and an immediate ceasefire. But without addressing issues pertaining to settlement, these security guarantees will implicate that the ceasefire will be exploited to funnel more arms into Ukraine. They did not hear this reasoning; neither did they respond in any way.
• What kind of Ukraine we are willing to see as a neighbour for the long, even eternal term? It must be a friendly Ukraine. Not necessarily an ally, but a neutral and benign state. This, of course, implies respect not only for the rights of the people in the territory that will remain part of Ukraine, not only respect for their rights to access basic necessities, such as warmth, food, and water, but also respect for their, if you will, fundamental human rights, including language, education, and religion.
• That man [Zelensky] is devoid of shame or conscience, who thinks of nothing but his own survival. For that, he feels compelled to perform some scripted ‘sketches’ on the international stage, which he actually treats as a theatre.
• In Anchorage, we accepted the Trump administration’s proposal concerning Ukraine. If everything was as straightforward and decisive as presented, then it would imply that Ukraine had been set aside from our bright path towards future cooperation and prosperity.
Read in full
Key talking points:
#Europe #EU #Germany
• Over the past 45 days, many European politicians have addressed relations with the Russian Federation. Until recently, they were united in demanding firmness, not scaling back support or weapons supplies to Ukraine, and financing it to make sure Russia suffers a “strategic defeat” on the battlefield.
• Recently, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz made a comment describing Russia as the largest country in Europe. I must correct this immediately. Russia is the largest country in Eurasia – and in the world.
• The Americans have never wanted, and still do not want, to leave the Europeans to their own devices. Their goal is for Europeans to finance all their own military preparations by buying US weaponry, while the US naturally retains control and the role of ‘guardian’ over its NATO allies.
• As Euro-Atlantic structures have weakened (the EU having become a mere appendage of NATO, a status even formalised in documents) Germany’s rising profile has caused alarm, not only in our country but in many EU capitals. There is growing resentment and a palpable desire to prevent Germany from subjugating all others once more, especially as Germany’s being “back on track,” proclaimed by Friedrich Merz and his government, is openly linked to the country’s rapid militarisation and preparations for war.
• We do maintain contacts with some European leaders. They call and ask us not to publicise the conversations. Some engage in ‘undercover’ contacts here.
• I see no coherent position from Europe. They are trapped by their own rhetoric, locked into an uncompromising stance: ‘Russia’s strategic defeat,’ ‘Ukraine cannot lose, and Russia cannot win, otherwise Europe loses face.’
#NATO
• We have indeed been “burned” by our trust in those who swore that NATO would not expand eastwards, that Russia would not be marginalised, and that we would forge a common space from Lisbon to Vladivostok – a vast continent of peace and security.
• NATO first lost its reason for existence, then found renewed purpose in Afghanistan. When that purpose was publicly, shamelessly trampled before the eyes of the international community, action was needed. So, they regrouped, convened, and contrived the situation we witness today – declaring Russia a “pariah” and identifying Ukraine as the “optimal material” with which to provoke us, a pliable entity to be shaped as they saw fit.
#Ukraine
• This is nonsense and a quite telling one. What do I mean? For the past year, the West (Europe) has been saying the same thing over and over: there must be solid guarantees of security and an immediate ceasefire. But without addressing issues pertaining to settlement, these security guarantees will implicate that the ceasefire will be exploited to funnel more arms into Ukraine. They did not hear this reasoning; neither did they respond in any way.
• What kind of Ukraine we are willing to see as a neighbour for the long, even eternal term? It must be a friendly Ukraine. Not necessarily an ally, but a neutral and benign state. This, of course, implies respect not only for the rights of the people in the territory that will remain part of Ukraine, not only respect for their rights to access basic necessities, such as warmth, food, and water, but also respect for their, if you will, fundamental human rights, including language, education, and religion.
• That man [Zelensky] is devoid of shame or conscience, who thinks of nothing but his own survival. For that, he feels compelled to perform some scripted ‘sketches’ on the international stage, which he actually treats as a theatre.
• In Anchorage, we accepted the Trump administration’s proposal concerning Ukraine. If everything was as straightforward and decisive as presented, then it would imply that Ukraine had been set aside from our bright path towards future cooperation and prosperity.
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#Victory81
🏅 In January 1944, Leningrad was completely liberated from the Nazi siege, which had lasted 8️⃣7️⃣2️⃣ days.
During this time, the city endured severe hunger, constant shelling, and bombing.
◾️ Facts about the genocide of the Soviet people in Leningrad 👉 More than 1 million people fell victim to the genocide. Of these, over 600,000 residents — children, women, the elderly, soldiers wounded and maimed at the front — died of hunger, cold, exhaustion, and disease.
Leningraders saw death all around them every day, but they did not lose their dignity and faith in Victory.
The memory of the Leningrad siege is preserved by museums, memorials, and the Piskarevskoye Cemetery, and the stories of survivors remind us of the courage and resilience of the city's residents.
#WeRemember
🎥 The film was produced by the Information Department of the Administration of the Governor of St. Petersburg, commissioned by the Government of St. Petersburg, with the support of JSC "GATR" and the Archives Committee.
During this time, the city endured severe hunger, constant shelling, and bombing.
◾️ Facts about the genocide of the Soviet people in Leningrad 👉 More than 1 million people fell victim to the genocide. Of these, over 600,000 residents — children, women, the elderly, soldiers wounded and maimed at the front — died of hunger, cold, exhaustion, and disease.
Leningraders saw death all around them every day, but they did not lose their dignity and faith in Victory.
The memory of the Leningrad siege is preserved by museums, memorials, and the Piskarevskoye Cemetery, and the stories of survivors remind us of the courage and resilience of the city's residents.
#WeRemember
🎥 The film was produced by the Information Department of the Administration of the Governor of St. Petersburg, commissioned by the Government of St. Petersburg, with the support of JSC "GATR" and the Archives Committee.
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🎙President of Russia Vladimir Putin took part in a ceremony to launch the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia (5 February 2026)
Key takeaways from his speech:
• We must recall where we all come from, and how Russia came to be, how the ethnic groups forming it were born, including the Russians, as a nation and a people.
• What we have now stems from a patchwork of Slavic ethnic groups who lived their separate ways and came together only when they acquired a shared territory and had to cater, as we would now say, to shared economic interests, under a single government and guided by a single set of spiritual values.
• The Russian nation is young, dynamic, driven by a sense of purpose and oriented towards the future.
• Russia, our multi-ethnic country, gradually took shape on the same foundations as various peoples merged into it. What is important and interesting here? Russia took different paths as it took shape, but what has always been the most important element? A boundless respect for all the ethnicities that became part of Russia, full respect for their culture and traditions, as well as their spiritual values.
• Russia witnessed all kinds of events and dramatic developments throughout its history. The fact that the effort to defend Moscow and with it the Russian statehood during the Time of Troubles came from the grassroots level is truly amazing. <...>
☝️ The same happened later when Napoleon and Hitler invaded Russia. Armies formed by various nations moved against us. There was a sense of unity among them too, but for them, it was based on a different set of principles. They came together for the sake of gain, to get their piece of the pie from us, to conquer, destroy and invade. Meanwhile, we were united by the desire to preserve and defend everything, including our shared land, our families, our culture, and our traditions.
We are witnessing the same processes today as our fighters, our frontline heroes in the special military operation zone call each other brothers, regardless of their ethnic background or religious affiliation.
❗️This has exceptional importance, demonstrating our invincible unity. This is what underpins our achievements in various domains, and our victories too.
🇷🇺 I declare the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia open.
Key takeaways from his speech:
• We must recall where we all come from, and how Russia came to be, how the ethnic groups forming it were born, including the Russians, as a nation and a people.
• What we have now stems from a patchwork of Slavic ethnic groups who lived their separate ways and came together only when they acquired a shared territory and had to cater, as we would now say, to shared economic interests, under a single government and guided by a single set of spiritual values.
• The Russian nation is young, dynamic, driven by a sense of purpose and oriented towards the future.
• Russia, our multi-ethnic country, gradually took shape on the same foundations as various peoples merged into it. What is important and interesting here? Russia took different paths as it took shape, but what has always been the most important element? A boundless respect for all the ethnicities that became part of Russia, full respect for their culture and traditions, as well as their spiritual values.
• Russia witnessed all kinds of events and dramatic developments throughout its history. The fact that the effort to defend Moscow and with it the Russian statehood during the Time of Troubles came from the grassroots level is truly amazing. <...>
☝️ The same happened later when Napoleon and Hitler invaded Russia. Armies formed by various nations moved against us. There was a sense of unity among them too, but for them, it was based on a different set of principles. They came together for the sake of gain, to get their piece of the pie from us, to conquer, destroy and invade. Meanwhile, we were united by the desire to preserve and defend everything, including our shared land, our families, our culture, and our traditions.
We are witnessing the same processes today as our fighters, our frontline heroes in the special military operation zone call each other brothers, regardless of their ethnic background or religious affiliation.
❗️This has exceptional importance, demonstrating our invincible unity. This is what underpins our achievements in various domains, and our victories too.
🇷🇺 I declare the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia open.
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Russian Embassy in South Africa
Diplomacy with a sense of humor Ahead of Diplomats’ Day, celebrated on February 10, we’d like to share a selection of the most sharp, memorable and witty quotes by Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Viktorovich Lavrov. 🤩 Known for his brilliant intellect,…
💬 Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov:
#DiplomatsDay2026 #LavrovSpeaks
“Attempts to blame someone else for their own sins are the lot of weak politicians.”
#DiplomatsDay2026 #LavrovSpeaks
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🎙 Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Germany’s military presence in Ukraine and neighbouring countries:
• The German authorities have stopped concealing the fact that their policy towards our country is driven by an obsession with revanche for past defeats. They are attempting to consign to oblivion a process of fundamental importance for Europe’s destiny – the historical reconciliation between the peoples of Russia and Germany.
• Under the pretext of a supposedly looming “Russian threat” to Europe, they persist in fuelling an aggressive campaign of Russophobic hysteria and demonisation of our country.
• Another manifestation of this revanchism and of the desire to defeat our country, economically or on the battlefield, is the unqualified support for the Kiev regime under the slogan “as long as it takes”.
❗️ German equipment, weapons and ammunition have long been supplied to Ukraine on a massive scale, and 80 years after the end of the Great Patriotic War these are once again being used to fire on Russian territory.
• As for the deployment of German forces in a #NATO country, it is well known that a Bundeswehr tank brigade is already being deployed in Lithuania. From time to time, discussions also resurface about Germany’s defence industry launching production of certain types of weapons, military equipment and ammunition in Ukraine.
• Any foreign military contingents, including German units, if deployed in Ukraine, would become legitimate targets for the Armed Forces of Russia, as has been repeatedly stated publicly by our country’s leadership.
☝️ Attempts by representatives of the German authorities to speak to Russia in the language of ultimatums and from a position of strength are inherently absurd and doomed to failure.
• The German authorities have stopped concealing the fact that their policy towards our country is driven by an obsession with revanche for past defeats. They are attempting to consign to oblivion a process of fundamental importance for Europe’s destiny – the historical reconciliation between the peoples of Russia and Germany.
• Under the pretext of a supposedly looming “Russian threat” to Europe, they persist in fuelling an aggressive campaign of Russophobic hysteria and demonisation of our country.
• Another manifestation of this revanchism and of the desire to defeat our country, economically or on the battlefield, is the unqualified support for the Kiev regime under the slogan “as long as it takes”.
❗️ German equipment, weapons and ammunition have long been supplied to Ukraine on a massive scale, and 80 years after the end of the Great Patriotic War these are once again being used to fire on Russian territory.
• As for the deployment of German forces in a #NATO country, it is well known that a Bundeswehr tank brigade is already being deployed in Lithuania. From time to time, discussions also resurface about Germany’s defence industry launching production of certain types of weapons, military equipment and ammunition in Ukraine.
• Any foreign military contingents, including German units, if deployed in Ukraine, would become legitimate targets for the Armed Forces of Russia, as has been repeatedly stated publicly by our country’s leadership.
☝️ Attempts by representatives of the German authorities to speak to Russia in the language of ultimatums and from a position of strength are inherently absurd and doomed to failure.
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🇷🇺🌍 Russia aims to boost non-resource exports to Africa by 2030
Russia plans to expand its non-resource, non-energy exports to the African countries and expects the region to make a significant contribution to achieving its export goals by 2030, TASS media agency reported, citing Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Roman Chekushov.
He added that African countries represent “a new, still largely untapped macro-region,” which will be a key focus for promoting Russian products in the coming years.
The Deputy Minister also noted that the geography of Russian exports has changed significantly in recent years.
Chekushov highlighted continued growth in shipments to the CIS countries, China, and India, with India showing “very strong performance” by the end of the year.
In October 2025, Minister Anton Alikhanov stated that Russia plans to increase funding in 2026 for developing new international logistics routes, including those connecting to African countries.
#RussiaAfrica
Russia plans to expand its non-resource, non-energy exports to the African countries and expects the region to make a significant contribution to achieving its export goals by 2030, TASS media agency reported, citing Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Roman Chekushov.
"Africa offers strong growth potential in the non-resource, non-energy export sector. We expect that by 2030 this region will make a noticeable contribution to our non-resource export targets," Chekushov said at the nationwide conference “Made in Russia. Chosen Worldwide” in Kazan.
He added that African countries represent “a new, still largely untapped macro-region,” which will be a key focus for promoting Russian products in the coming years.
The Deputy Minister also noted that the geography of Russian exports has changed significantly in recent years.
“Non-resource, non-energy exports have been redirected from the EU and the USA to friendly countries in the Eastern region,” he emphasized.
Chekushov highlighted continued growth in shipments to the CIS countries, China, and India, with India showing “very strong performance” by the end of the year.
In October 2025, Minister Anton Alikhanov stated that Russia plans to increase funding in 2026 for developing new international logistics routes, including those connecting to African countries.
#RussiaAfrica
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🎙️Key statements by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on the outcomes of the trilateral talks on Ukrainian conflict resolution in Abu Dhabi (5 February 2026):
▪️The recent talks in Abu Dhabi touched upon the future of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START).
▪️The trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi constitute constructive and complex work that will continue.
▪️The Kremlin wants the talks between Tehran and Washington on the Iranian nuclear issue to be productive and lead to de-escalation
▪️Military commanders, officials, and other specialists are under threat during the special military operation; ensuring their safety is the special services’ job.
▪️Russia and the United States acknowledge the urgent need to engage in dialogue on the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), both sides will take a responsible approach.
▪️The recent talks in Abu Dhabi touched upon the future of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START).
▪️The trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi constitute constructive and complex work that will continue.
▪️The Kremlin wants the talks between Tehran and Washington on the Iranian nuclear issue to be productive and lead to de-escalation
▪️Military commanders, officials, and other specialists are under threat during the special military operation; ensuring their safety is the special services’ job.
▪️Russia and the United States acknowledge the urgent need to engage in dialogue on the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), both sides will take a responsible approach.
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🎥 Ahead of Diplomatic Workers' Day celebrated in Russia on February 10, watch the State Historical Museum video tour dedicated to Artamon Matveyev(1625–1682), an outstanding Russian statesman and diplomat of the 17th century.
Artamon Matveyev entered state service at a young age and gradually rose to prominence at the court of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich. In 1669, he was appointed head of the Posolsky Prikaz, the institution that served as Russia’s early foreign ministry.
Matveyev held this position until 1676, playing a key role in shaping Russia’s diplomatic relations with European powers during a crucial period of state development.
This video tour explores key stages of Matveyev’s life and career, highlighting his contribution to the development of Russian diplomacy and offering insight into the dramatic events of the late 17th century that shaped the country’s history.
#DiplomatsDay #DWR2026
Artamon Matveyev entered state service at a young age and gradually rose to prominence at the court of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich. In 1669, he was appointed head of the Posolsky Prikaz, the institution that served as Russia’s early foreign ministry.
Matveyev held this position until 1676, playing a key role in shaping Russia’s diplomatic relations with European powers during a crucial period of state development.
This video tour explores key stages of Matveyev’s life and career, highlighting his contribution to the development of Russian diplomacy and offering insight into the dramatic events of the late 17th century that shaped the country’s history.
#DiplomatsDay #DWR2026
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#KievRegimeCrimes
📄 The Final Report on the crimes committed by the Kiev regime in 2025 has been published, prepared by the Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rodion Miroshnik.
In 2025 alone, Ukrainian armed groups fired at least 130,627 munitions at Russian civilian facilities – over 42,000 more strikes than in 2024 (when the number of attacks reached at least 87,885). The average daily number of shelling incidents in 2025 exceeded 350.
The increase in Ukrainian attacks on civilian infrastructure in Russia was observed primarily during periods when attempts were being made to advance a negotiation process to resolve the conflict, including US initiatives.
❗️ Such actions may be viewed as a systematic approach by Kiev aimed at undermining peace initiatives.
◼️ Over 12 months, at least 6,483 civilians were affected by the criminal actions of Ukrainian militants. Of these, at least 5,418 were injured or maimed, and no fewer than 1,065 civilians were killed.
At least 293 minors were affected – 22 children were killed and 271 injured. The youngest injured child was just 3 months old.
Since February 2022, as a result of decisions taken by the Ukrainian political leadership and the execution of criminal orders by militants of the Kiev regime, at least 7,746 civilians have been killed.
The total number of civilians affected since the start of the special military operation amounts to at least 26,148 people, including no fewer than 18,402 injured or maimed.
◼️ The “hunt” for Russian journalists has become an important element of the criminal strategy of the Kiev regime, aimed at preventing the disclosure of reliable information about the real situation along the line of contact and the war crimes of Ukrainian militants.
In 2025, there was a significant increase in attacks on Russian journalists. During the reporting period, 7 media representatives were killed and 10 were wounded to varying degrees of severity.
◼️ The Kiev regime continued to deliberately obstruct the rescue of civilians injured by UAF attacks. Over the past 12 months, 5 rescuers were killed and 78 were injured as a result of Ukrainian shelling.
◼️ Over the year, at least 81 cases of shelling of medical facilities were recorded. In addition, militants of the UAF disabled no fewer than 56 units of specialized medical transport.
As a result of UAF attacks on ambulances, medical facilities and individual medical teams, 50 healthcare workers were affected – 10 were killed while performing their professional duties, and 40 were injured to varying degrees of severity.
☢️ The Ukrainian side repeatedly attempted strikes on facilities whose destruction could lead to the “release of hazardous elements”, first and foremost nuclear power plants.
During the period under review, at least 29 attempted strikes on Russia’s nuclear energy facilities were recorded. The Zaporozhye NPP was attacked 23 times, while the Novovoronezh, Kursk and Smolensk NPPs were each attacked twice.
Due to UAF shelling of the Zaporozhye NPP territory, #IAEA observer rotations were disrupted twice. Moreover, because of continuous Ukrainian strikes on power transmission lines supplying the plant, the NPP operated in isolated mode without connection to the energy grid for one and a half months.
⚖️ Russian investigative authorities are consistently and systematically taking measures to bring Ukrainian militants to criminal responsibility.
In 2025, the Investigative Committee of Russia initiated 3,208 criminal cases related to crimes committed by Ukrainian armed formations.
To date, 874 criminal cases have been referred by prosecutors to the courts against accused Ukrainian servicemen and mercenaries. Courts have already issued convictions in 810 cases, involving 1,078 individuals.
👉 Full version of the report (PDF)
📄 The Final Report on the crimes committed by the Kiev regime in 2025 has been published, prepared by the Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rodion Miroshnik.
In 2025 alone, Ukrainian armed groups fired at least 130,627 munitions at Russian civilian facilities – over 42,000 more strikes than in 2024 (when the number of attacks reached at least 87,885). The average daily number of shelling incidents in 2025 exceeded 350.
The increase in Ukrainian attacks on civilian infrastructure in Russia was observed primarily during periods when attempts were being made to advance a negotiation process to resolve the conflict, including US initiatives.
❗️ Such actions may be viewed as a systematic approach by Kiev aimed at undermining peace initiatives.
◼️ Over 12 months, at least 6,483 civilians were affected by the criminal actions of Ukrainian militants. Of these, at least 5,418 were injured or maimed, and no fewer than 1,065 civilians were killed.
At least 293 minors were affected – 22 children were killed and 271 injured. The youngest injured child was just 3 months old.
Since February 2022, as a result of decisions taken by the Ukrainian political leadership and the execution of criminal orders by militants of the Kiev regime, at least 7,746 civilians have been killed.
The total number of civilians affected since the start of the special military operation amounts to at least 26,148 people, including no fewer than 18,402 injured or maimed.
◼️ The “hunt” for Russian journalists has become an important element of the criminal strategy of the Kiev regime, aimed at preventing the disclosure of reliable information about the real situation along the line of contact and the war crimes of Ukrainian militants.
In 2025, there was a significant increase in attacks on Russian journalists. During the reporting period, 7 media representatives were killed and 10 were wounded to varying degrees of severity.
◼️ The Kiev regime continued to deliberately obstruct the rescue of civilians injured by UAF attacks. Over the past 12 months, 5 rescuers were killed and 78 were injured as a result of Ukrainian shelling.
◼️ Over the year, at least 81 cases of shelling of medical facilities were recorded. In addition, militants of the UAF disabled no fewer than 56 units of specialized medical transport.
As a result of UAF attacks on ambulances, medical facilities and individual medical teams, 50 healthcare workers were affected – 10 were killed while performing their professional duties, and 40 were injured to varying degrees of severity.
☢️ The Ukrainian side repeatedly attempted strikes on facilities whose destruction could lead to the “release of hazardous elements”, first and foremost nuclear power plants.
During the period under review, at least 29 attempted strikes on Russia’s nuclear energy facilities were recorded. The Zaporozhye NPP was attacked 23 times, while the Novovoronezh, Kursk and Smolensk NPPs were each attacked twice.
Due to UAF shelling of the Zaporozhye NPP territory, #IAEA observer rotations were disrupted twice. Moreover, because of continuous Ukrainian strikes on power transmission lines supplying the plant, the NPP operated in isolated mode without connection to the energy grid for one and a half months.
⚖️ Russian investigative authorities are consistently and systematically taking measures to bring Ukrainian militants to criminal responsibility.
In 2025, the Investigative Committee of Russia initiated 3,208 criminal cases related to crimes committed by Ukrainian armed formations.
To date, 874 criminal cases have been referred by prosecutors to the courts against accused Ukrainian servicemen and mercenaries. Courts have already issued convictions in 810 cases, involving 1,078 individuals.
👉 Full version of the report (PDF)
🇷🇺🤝🇱🇸 Russia - Lesotho: Partnership Built on Respect and Shared Values
Key takeaways from the article by Ambassador Roman Ambarov, published in the "Public Eye" newspaper on 6 February 2026:
• On 1 February 2026, the Russian Federation and the Kingdom of Lesotho marked the 46th anniversary of diplomatic ties, rooted in friendship, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to sovereignty.
• The diplomatic relations between our countries date back to 1980, with agreements concluded in culture, education, science, and economics. These ties continue to guide cooperation today.
• Russia-Lesotho relations have never been shaped by colonialism or external pressure - a key source of mutual understanding and trust.
• Moscow and Maseru often hold similar positions on international issues, standing for genuine sovereignty and independent development paths.
• Russia-Africa Summits and Russia-Africa Partnership Forum have created a solid framework for political, economic, and humanitarian cooperation across the continent.
• Russia-Africa trade exceeded $27 billion in 2024 and continues to grow, with new opportunities for cooperation with Lesotho.
• Food security remains one of the most pressing global challenges. Russia makes a consistent contribution to addressing this issue in Africa through regular supplies of grain, fertilizers, and fuel, including the urgent humanitarian deliveries.
☝️In recent years, 200,000 tons of Russian wheat and more than 100,000 tons of fertilizers have been donated to the African countries in need.
• Over 32,000 African students study in Russia today. Lesotho students are warmly invited, especially in sustainable development fields.
• Russia supports Africa’s modern struggle for sovereignty and works with African partners at the UN to counter all forms of neo-colonialism.
#RussiaLesotho
Key takeaways from the article by Ambassador Roman Ambarov, published in the "Public Eye" newspaper on 6 February 2026:
• On 1 February 2026, the Russian Federation and the Kingdom of Lesotho marked the 46th anniversary of diplomatic ties, rooted in friendship, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to sovereignty.
• The diplomatic relations between our countries date back to 1980, with agreements concluded in culture, education, science, and economics. These ties continue to guide cooperation today.
• Russia-Lesotho relations have never been shaped by colonialism or external pressure - a key source of mutual understanding and trust.
• Moscow and Maseru often hold similar positions on international issues, standing for genuine sovereignty and independent development paths.
• Russia-Africa Summits and Russia-Africa Partnership Forum have created a solid framework for political, economic, and humanitarian cooperation across the continent.
• Russia-Africa trade exceeded $27 billion in 2024 and continues to grow, with new opportunities for cooperation with Lesotho.
• Food security remains one of the most pressing global challenges. Russia makes a consistent contribution to addressing this issue in Africa through regular supplies of grain, fertilizers, and fuel, including the urgent humanitarian deliveries.
☝️In recent years, 200,000 tons of Russian wheat and more than 100,000 tons of fertilizers have been donated to the African countries in need.
• Over 32,000 African students study in Russia today. Lesotho students are warmly invited, especially in sustainable development fields.
• Russia supports Africa’s modern struggle for sovereignty and works with African partners at the UN to counter all forms of neo-colonialism.
#RussiaLesotho
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Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🎙 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s statement following talks with OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of the Swiss Confederation Ignazio Cassis, and OSCE Secretary General Feridun Sinirlioglu (Moscow, February 6, 2026)
Key points:
• As you are aware, the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty expired yesterday. A vacuum has emerged. Our position was articulated comprehensively in a special statement issued by our Ministry. We will proceed from the understanding that Russia is prepared for any eventuality. We favour dialogue and will await indications that the United States is similarly ready to engage.
• The reasons [of a major crisis in the OSCE] clearly lie in what NATO and EU countries are doing. Long ago, well before the events in Ukraine, they set about bringing the Organisation to heel. After the special military operation began, their goal expanded to include putting the Organisation at the service of the hybrid war against the Russian Federation and supporting the hot war against our country unleashed by the hands of the Ukrainian regime.
• Almost the entire OSCE agenda, with very rare exceptions, has been Ukrainised, including the areas that should have been devoted to mutually advantageous cooperation and the quest for specific generally acceptable projects in transport, communications, logistics, investment, and humanitarian matters.
• We discussed, in a broader context, things we could do to ensure that the OSCE retains its importance and stays alive. We updated our colleagues in detail on President Putin’s initiative to form a Greater Eurasian Partnership, which would serve as a material foundation of Eurasian architecture of equal and indivisible security open to all countries and associations of our common Eurasian continent.
• Across all three OSCE “baskets” – the military and political, economic, and humanitarian dimensions – there is either complete stagnation or Ukrainisation.
• Our colleagues, particularly OSCE Secretary General Feridun Sinirlioğlu, have actively supported our position that it is unacceptable for an entity described as an organisation to lack a formal charter. The institutions that have developed within its framework operate without universally agreed rules, despite the OSCE’s proclaimed adherence to the principle of consensus.
• Nearly twenty years ago, in 2007, the Russian Federation, together with its CIS and CSTO partners, circulated specific proposals, including a draft charter and draft documents setting out the principles and procedures governing the work of all OSCE institutions. Back then, the West did everything possible to obstruct this effort.
• The advice we gave to our counterparts was not to pursue sweeping global ambitions such as transforming the OSCE into the central institution for nearly all developments in this part of Eurasia, but instead to begin by restoring the normal functioning of the military-political mechanisms that have become inactive, through no fault of our own, as well as those in the economic and humanitarian dimensions. We concluded our discussions here with an agreement to maintain contact.
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Key points:
• As you are aware, the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty expired yesterday. A vacuum has emerged. Our position was articulated comprehensively in a special statement issued by our Ministry. We will proceed from the understanding that Russia is prepared for any eventuality. We favour dialogue and will await indications that the United States is similarly ready to engage.
• The reasons [of a major crisis in the OSCE] clearly lie in what NATO and EU countries are doing. Long ago, well before the events in Ukraine, they set about bringing the Organisation to heel. After the special military operation began, their goal expanded to include putting the Organisation at the service of the hybrid war against the Russian Federation and supporting the hot war against our country unleashed by the hands of the Ukrainian regime.
• Almost the entire OSCE agenda, with very rare exceptions, has been Ukrainised, including the areas that should have been devoted to mutually advantageous cooperation and the quest for specific generally acceptable projects in transport, communications, logistics, investment, and humanitarian matters.
• We discussed, in a broader context, things we could do to ensure that the OSCE retains its importance and stays alive. We updated our colleagues in detail on President Putin’s initiative to form a Greater Eurasian Partnership, which would serve as a material foundation of Eurasian architecture of equal and indivisible security open to all countries and associations of our common Eurasian continent.
• Across all three OSCE “baskets” – the military and political, economic, and humanitarian dimensions – there is either complete stagnation or Ukrainisation.
• Our colleagues, particularly OSCE Secretary General Feridun Sinirlioğlu, have actively supported our position that it is unacceptable for an entity described as an organisation to lack a formal charter. The institutions that have developed within its framework operate without universally agreed rules, despite the OSCE’s proclaimed adherence to the principle of consensus.
• Nearly twenty years ago, in 2007, the Russian Federation, together with its CIS and CSTO partners, circulated specific proposals, including a draft charter and draft documents setting out the principles and procedures governing the work of all OSCE institutions. Back then, the West did everything possible to obstruct this effort.
• The advice we gave to our counterparts was not to pursue sweeping global ambitions such as transforming the OSCE into the central institution for nearly all developments in this part of Eurasia, but instead to begin by restoring the normal functioning of the military-political mechanisms that have become inactive, through no fault of our own, as well as those in the economic and humanitarian dimensions. We concluded our discussions here with an agreement to maintain contact.
📄 Read in full