📆 On January 12, 1943, the Soviet command launched a major offensive later codenamed Operation Iskra (Spark). Its objective was to break the siege of the Russian city of Leningrad.

At 9:30 a.m. more than two thousand Soviet guns opened fire on Nazi positions. Artillery of the Leningrad Front shelled the left bank of the Neva River for two hours and twenty minutes. Following the barrage, soldiers of four first-echelon divisions advanced across the frozen river.

By late January, the forces of the Volkhov and Leningrad fronts delivered powerful converging strikes, breaking through the Wehrmacht’s defenses and pushing the enemy 12 kilometers away from Lake Ladoga.

German losses amounted to approximately 30,000 killed, wounded, and missing.

🌟 Although the siege of Leningrad was completely lifted only on January 27, 1944, Operation Iskra made it possible to partially unblock the city, significantly improving living conditions for the besieged population.

#Victory81

🎙 Statement by Russia’s Permanent Representative Vassily Nebenzia at a UNSC Briefing on Ukraine

Key takeaways:

From January 3-9, the Russian army conducted one massive and four group air strikes, damaging infrastructure supporting Ukraine’s military-industrial complex, as well as temporary deployment sites of Ukrainian troops and foreign mercenaries.

❗️These strikes were a response to attacks by the Kiev regime on the Russian President’s residence and civilian infrastructure.

Our Western colleagues continue to speak about civilian casualties, yet most were caused by the operation of Ukraine’s own air defense, a fact widely known, including in Ukraine. The Russian Armed Forces do NOT target civilians.

At the same time, Western countries ignore crimes committed by the Kiev regime, which deliberately strikes Russian regions, civilian facilities, and civilians. In December 2025 alone, at least 367 civilians were injured and 56 killed by Ukrainian strikes.

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🇷🇺🌍 The Russian Academy of Sciences highlights Russia’s successful cooperation with Africa in 2025

The year 2025 proved to be highly successful in strengthening ties between Russia and the countries of the African continent, with Russia-Africa trade turnover rising to $27.7 billion, said Irina Abramova, Director of the Institute for African Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, in an interview with RIA Novosti.

“In my opinion, 2025 was a successful year in terms of strengthening relations between Russia and African countries. A great deal was accomplished: over the past year, trade turnover increased to $27.7 billion. I believe that growth will continue,” Abramova noted.

She also emphasized that interest in Africa in Russia has emerged at all levels – from regional authorities and private companies to ministries and government agencies. The Russian Academy of Sciences has been actively cooperating with African countries in the scientific field.

#RussiaAfrica

🗞 January 13 marks the Day of the Russian Press

In 1703, by decree of Peter the Great, the first Russian printed newspaper Vedomosti was published. Since then, it has become a powerful tool for modernization, education, and disseminating news of military triumphs, technology, and foreign affairs, it also reflected the problems of civil life, laying the groundwork for Russia's 🇷🇺 rich press history.

Peter the Great actively participated in the preparation of Vedomosti, supervising materials and choosing topics for publications, relying on official documents and reports.

MFA Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova: “The Russian school of journalism is based on the high standards of integrity, honesty and objectivity, as well as readiness to take risks to fulfill one’s duty. The noble mission of the members of the press is to chronicle the age and record the course of history while acting as the voice and moral yardstick of society.

#RussianPressDay