🚀👩 Today, on the eve of South Africa’s National Women’s Day, we celebrate the achievements of pioneering Soviet and Russian female cosmonauts who have boldly ventured beyond Earth’s atmosphere.
🔹Valentina Tereshkova (1963) became the 1st woman to make a flight into space, which took place aboard the Vostok 6 spacecraft on June 16, 1963. Tereshkova, who was 26 at the time, was selected from more than 400 candidates.
🔹 Svetlana Savitskaya (1982) twice Hero of the Soviet Union, became the 1st woman in history to fly to space twice, in 1982 and 1984, and to conduct a spacewalk in 1984.
🔹 Elena Kondakova (1994) traveled into outer space twice. During her first mission, she spent a total of 169 days orbiting Earth, setting a record for all female spaceflight.
🔹Anna Kikina (2022) is the first Russian woman to fly in space on the American Crew Dragon spacecraft in 2022 after 10 years of pre-flight training. She spent 157 days in space before returning to Earth in March 2023,
#RussiaInSpace #WomensDay2025
🔹Valentina Tereshkova (1963) became the 1st woman to make a flight into space, which took place aboard the Vostok 6 spacecraft on June 16, 1963. Tereshkova, who was 26 at the time, was selected from more than 400 candidates.
🔹 Svetlana Savitskaya (1982) twice Hero of the Soviet Union, became the 1st woman in history to fly to space twice, in 1982 and 1984, and to conduct a spacewalk in 1984.
🔹 Elena Kondakova (1994) traveled into outer space twice. During her first mission, she spent a total of 169 days orbiting Earth, setting a record for all female spaceflight.
🔹Anna Kikina (2022) is the first Russian woman to fly in space on the American Crew Dragon spacecraft in 2022 after 10 years of pre-flight training. She spent 157 days in space before returning to Earth in March 2023,
#RussiaInSpace #WomensDay2025
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🗞 17 years ago Western audiences learned breaking news. Russia was allegedly “attacking its weaker neighbor Georgia” with tanks and warplanes.
❗️This is how mainstream media reported what in fact was Georgia’s aggression against the republics of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
After a shelling making no distinction between military and residential targets, on 8 Aug 2008, the Georgian army, supported by tanks and armoured vehicles as well as the special operations forces of the Interior Ministry, entered Tskhinval.
The fact that it was Georgia which launched the aggression was later officially confirmed by the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Conflict in Georgia, established by the Council of the EU.
☝️ In a situation where the international community had distanced itself from attempts to stop the aggressor, Russia was the only country that gave a timely and adequate response to this treacherous attack.
READ IN FULL
#080808
❗️This is how mainstream media reported what in fact was Georgia’s aggression against the republics of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
After a shelling making no distinction between military and residential targets, on 8 Aug 2008, the Georgian army, supported by tanks and armoured vehicles as well as the special operations forces of the Interior Ministry, entered Tskhinval.
The fact that it was Georgia which launched the aggression was later officially confirmed by the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Conflict in Georgia, established by the Council of the EU.
☝️ In a situation where the international community had distanced itself from attempts to stop the aggressor, Russia was the only country that gave a timely and adequate response to this treacherous attack.
READ IN FULL
#080808
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🌸 Happy National Women’s Day, South Africa!
Today, we honour the strength, courage, and unity of the approximately 20,000 women who marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria on 9 August 1956. With a petition carrying more than 100,000 signatures, they stood up against the oppressive pass laws that restricted the movement of South Africans classified as “black” under apartheid.
This day serves as a powerful reminder of the vital role women have played – and continue to play – in shaping South Africa’s democracy and driving social progress.
First observed as a public holiday in 1995, and commemorated with a reenactment in 2006 to mark its 50th anniversary, National Women’s Day stands as a symbol of unity, resilience, and the ongoing fight for freedom and equality.
#WomensDay2025
Today, we honour the strength, courage, and unity of the approximately 20,000 women who marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria on 9 August 1956. With a petition carrying more than 100,000 signatures, they stood up against the oppressive pass laws that restricted the movement of South Africans classified as “black” under apartheid.
This day serves as a powerful reminder of the vital role women have played – and continue to play – in shaping South Africa’s democracy and driving social progress.
First observed as a public holiday in 1995, and commemorated with a reenactment in 2006 to mark its 50th anniversary, National Women’s Day stands as a symbol of unity, resilience, and the ongoing fight for freedom and equality.
#WomensDay2025
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Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
⚡ Comment by Aide to the President of Russia Yuri Ushakov on the upcoming meeting between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump 🇷🇺🇺🇸
💬 The American Side has just announced that an agreement was reached to hold a meeting between Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia and Donald Trump of the United States next Friday, August 15, in Alaska.
Russia and the United States are close neighbours, they share borders. So it does make sense if our delegation simply crosses the Bering Strait and if such an important and expected meeting between the two Leaders takes place specifically in Alaska.
Incidentally, it is in Alaska and in the Arctic that the economic interests of our countries converge and prospects for implementing large-scale mutually beneficial projects arise.
However, the Presidents will undoubtedly focus on discussing ways to reach a sustainable settlement to the Ukraine crisis.
Looking ahead, we would naturally expect the next meeting between the Presidents to be held on Russia's territory. An invitation to that effect has already been made to the President of the United States.
In conclusion, I would like to note that in the next few days, Moscow and Washington will of course be working vigorously and hard on the practical and political parameters of the Alaska summit. We expect this process will not be simple, but we will be engaged in it actively and consistently.
💬 The American Side has just announced that an agreement was reached to hold a meeting between Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia and Donald Trump of the United States next Friday, August 15, in Alaska.
Russia and the United States are close neighbours, they share borders. So it does make sense if our delegation simply crosses the Bering Strait and if such an important and expected meeting between the two Leaders takes place specifically in Alaska.
Incidentally, it is in Alaska and in the Arctic that the economic interests of our countries converge and prospects for implementing large-scale mutually beneficial projects arise.
However, the Presidents will undoubtedly focus on discussing ways to reach a sustainable settlement to the Ukraine crisis.
Looking ahead, we would naturally expect the next meeting between the Presidents to be held on Russia's territory. An invitation to that effect has already been made to the President of the United States.
In conclusion, I would like to note that in the next few days, Moscow and Washington will of course be working vigorously and hard on the practical and political parameters of the Alaska summit. We expect this process will not be simple, but we will be engaged in it actively and consistently.
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❗️On Aug 9, 1945, three days after dropping an atomic bomb on #Hiroshima, the US targeted the city of #Nagasaki with another nuclear attack
It was 11:02 am when the "Fat Man" – plutonium-core bomb – exploded over the city, killing over 70,000 people and turning Nagasaki into a huge pile of ash and rubble. There were also almost 100,000 people who slowly died of radiation poisoning in later years.
☝️ The Nagasaki attack was the final stage in a monstrous test of a new kind of weapon of mass destruction by targeting urban areas, infrastructure and people.
💬 Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's statement at the memorial ceremony in Hiroshima on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the atomic bombing (August 6, 2020):
#NoStatuteOfLimitations
It was 11:02 am when the "Fat Man" – plutonium-core bomb – exploded over the city, killing over 70,000 people and turning Nagasaki into a huge pile of ash and rubble. There were also almost 100,000 people who slowly died of radiation poisoning in later years.
☝️ The Nagasaki attack was the final stage in a monstrous test of a new kind of weapon of mass destruction by targeting urban areas, infrastructure and people.
💬 Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's statement at the memorial ceremony in Hiroshima on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the atomic bombing (August 6, 2020):
The #US was the first and only country to use this type of weapons of mass destruction. We must join our efforts to ensure that the terror and pain of Hiroshima and Nagasaki will never repeat. The tragedy left a deep imprint on the hearts of the Russian people.
#NoStatuteOfLimitations
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🎗August 9 marks a Day of Military Glory in Russia commemorating the conclusion of the Battle of Leningrad in 1944
✍️ On this day, Commander of the Karelian Front Army General Kirill Meretskov signed an order to end the offensive in the Vyborg-Petrozavodsk operation, which finalised the Battle of Leningrad (July 10, 1941 – Aug 9, 1944)
Six fronts, the Baltic Fleet, three flotillas, long-range aviation units, air defense troops, and partisan formations took part in the Battle of Leningrad at different stages. Over 50 enemy divisions were routed during the battle.
The result of the Battle of Leningrad was removal of threats to the city, liberation of Leningrad, Pskov, Novgorod regions and Karelia, as well as elimination of the "Finnish blockade link".
☝️ The recognition of August 9 as the day of military glory of Russia emphasizes the military-strategic significance of the Battle of Leningrad as the longest battle of the Great Patriotic War and perpetuates the feat of the defenders of Leningrad.
#Victory80
✍️ On this day, Commander of the Karelian Front Army General Kirill Meretskov signed an order to end the offensive in the Vyborg-Petrozavodsk operation, which finalised the Battle of Leningrad (July 10, 1941 – Aug 9, 1944)
Six fronts, the Baltic Fleet, three flotillas, long-range aviation units, air defense troops, and partisan formations took part in the Battle of Leningrad at different stages. Over 50 enemy divisions were routed during the battle.
The result of the Battle of Leningrad was removal of threats to the city, liberation of Leningrad, Pskov, Novgorod regions and Karelia, as well as elimination of the "Finnish blockade link".
☝️ The recognition of August 9 as the day of military glory of Russia emphasizes the military-strategic significance of the Battle of Leningrad as the longest battle of the Great Patriotic War and perpetuates the feat of the defenders of Leningrad.
#Victory80
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🏜️🌵Think the most breathtaking deserts only belong in #Africa? From Siberia to Dagestan, #Russia is also home to some of the world’s most unexpected & stunning deserts
👉 Here are a few must-see sandy wonders:
😍 Chara Sands (Siberia)
Golden dunes in the middle of snowy mountains & taiga — surreal and stunning, with dunes up to 80m high!
😍 Ryn Desert (Astrakhan)
A textbook desert on the border with Kazakhstan. Sandstorms, 13m dunes, and ancient shells from a long-lost lake.
😍 Chornye Zemli (Kalmykia)
Europe’s only man-made desert, caused by overgrazing. Now partially protected as a nature reserve for rare wildlife.
😍 Dyunnye Vskholmleniya (Voronezh)
A tiny desert surrounded by forests & lakes, once rapidly expanding before being reined in.
😍 Saamys-Kumaga (Yakutia)
A desert in the permafrost zone! These tukulan dunes stretch for 5 km in the Lena Pillars Reserve.
😍 Sary-Kum (Dagestan)
One of Europe’s highest dunes (up to 260m), featured in Soviet cinema, formed from crumbling sandstone.
#DiscoverRussia
👉 Here are a few must-see sandy wonders:
😍 Chara Sands (Siberia)
Golden dunes in the middle of snowy mountains & taiga — surreal and stunning, with dunes up to 80m high!
😍 Ryn Desert (Astrakhan)
A textbook desert on the border with Kazakhstan. Sandstorms, 13m dunes, and ancient shells from a long-lost lake.
😍 Chornye Zemli (Kalmykia)
Europe’s only man-made desert, caused by overgrazing. Now partially protected as a nature reserve for rare wildlife.
😍 Dyunnye Vskholmleniya (Voronezh)
A tiny desert surrounded by forests & lakes, once rapidly expanding before being reined in.
😍 Saamys-Kumaga (Yakutia)
A desert in the permafrost zone! These tukulan dunes stretch for 5 km in the Lena Pillars Reserve.
😍 Sary-Kum (Dagestan)
One of Europe’s highest dunes (up to 260m), featured in Soviet cinema, formed from crumbling sandstone.
#DiscoverRussia
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🌟 The 8th session of the international program “Artek Brings Friends Together” has come to a close at the International Children's Center #Artek in Russia’s Crimea.
This gathering brought together over 3,000 children from across all regions of Russia and 66 countries worldwide including South Africa 🇿🇦
💬 Musa Nyalungu, a 15-year-old participant from South Africa, shared his impressions with the Embassy of Russia:
"What impressed me most was how clean and well-kept everything was – everywhere we went was spotless. I made amazing new friends, and everyone was so kind and welcoming. I learned so much, especially through sports activities, and I had the best time traveling by train! Now, I really want to become a train engineer. I even told my parents I wish we could all move to Russia – or at least spend our December holiday there. I really hope I can come back to Artek next year and the year after!"
❤️ Musa’s parents expressed their gratitude:
“As parents, we are sincerely grateful for this rare and meaningful opportunity that was given to our son. His joy and growth during this journey mean the world to us. Our warmest regards and words of appreciation to the Russian Embassy for giving our son such an opportunity."
#Artek2025 #SouthAfricansInRussia
This gathering brought together over 3,000 children from across all regions of Russia and 66 countries worldwide including South Africa 🇿🇦
💬 Musa Nyalungu, a 15-year-old participant from South Africa, shared his impressions with the Embassy of Russia:
"What impressed me most was how clean and well-kept everything was – everywhere we went was spotless. I made amazing new friends, and everyone was so kind and welcoming. I learned so much, especially through sports activities, and I had the best time traveling by train! Now, I really want to become a train engineer. I even told my parents I wish we could all move to Russia – or at least spend our December holiday there. I really hope I can come back to Artek next year and the year after!"
❤️ Musa’s parents expressed their gratitude:
“As parents, we are sincerely grateful for this rare and meaningful opportunity that was given to our son. His joy and growth during this journey mean the world to us. Our warmest regards and words of appreciation to the Russian Embassy for giving our son such an opportunity."
#Artek2025 #SouthAfricansInRussia
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