🚀 Today marks the 92th birthday anniversary of Yury Gagarin, the Earth’s first space pilot. His flight aboard the Vostok spaceship went down in history as the humankind’s greatest breakthrough in science and technology and showed the entire world the intellectual and scientific might of our country and Soviet specialists’ audacity and top professionalism.
Yury Gagarin was born in the village of Klushino, Gzhatsk District, the Smolensk Region, on March 9 1934. It was here that in 1941, in the midst of the Great Patriotic War, young Yury first saw Soviet airplanes on sorties to defend the homeland and began dreaming about flying.
In 1954, while in industrial college, Gagarin enrolled in the Saratov flying club and made the final decision to dedicate his life to aviation. After graduating from the flying course with honours in 1955, Yury Gagarin entered an aviation academy to become a Northern Fleet air force pilot since 1957.
In 1959, Gagarin learnt about volunteers being recruited for a forthcoming space flight and submitted a report asking to enlist him in the cosmonaut team.
Head of the country’s main design bureau Sergei Korolev wanted the first cosmonaut to be a fighter pilot: “He is a pilot, navigator, communications officer, and flight engineer.”
In 1959, cosmonaut candidates began to be secretly selected in the units of the USSR Air Force: the commission reviewed the documents of 3,461 fighterpilots. Out of about 3,500 jet pilots, just 20 volunteers were selected.
In 1959, along with 19 other pilots, Yury Gagarin arrived at the Star City 25 kilometres away from Moscow. There he had both theoretical and practical flight training, and experienced artificial weightlessness and overload in a centrifuge. In October 1960, a team of six people began training on the Vostok spacecraft simulator at a research institute in Zhukovsky.
Following arduous training, exams and tests, Yury Gagarin was shortlisted to become cosmonaut Number One.
***
YuryGagarin’s legendary flight into space, which marked the start of the manned space exploration era, took place on April 12, 1961.
On that day, at 9:07 am at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Yury Gagarin uttered his famous “Off we go!” and the first Vostok spacecraft with a man on board was launched. Gagarin spent 1 hour and 48 minutes in space orbiting the Earth and safely landed in the Saratov Region. The newsflash about the flight instantly circled the world.
Thousands of people greeted Gagarin in Moscow with flowers and welcome posters.
***
🌐 Within two years of that historic event, Yury Gagarin visited over 30 countries, including Britain, France, Cuba, Japan, India, and Liberia, where he was honoured as a hero. The tour was unofficially called the “Peace Mission.” The famous Gagarin’s smile captured the entire globe, aroused sympathy and respect for the Soviet man.
🕯 The first cosmonaut tragically lost his life on March 27, 1968, when he died in a crash during a training flight on a MiG-15UTI aircraft. Gagarin’s death shocked people all over the world and became an irreparable loss for all mankind.
***
🎖 The memory of the space pilot, Hero of the Soviet Union Yury Gagarin is immortalized in the names of localities and outer space objects. The urn with his ashes was buried in the Kremlin wall next to the ashes of designer Sergei Korolev and other prominent figures of the USSR. Monuments and busts continue to be erected all over the world in honour of the great trailblazer. The Russian Foreign Ministry and Russian foreign missions are actively contributing to this. In recent years, the sculptural image of Yury Gagarin has decorated Brasilia, Islamabad, and Doha.
Yury Gagarin was born in the village of Klushino, Gzhatsk District, the Smolensk Region, on March 9 1934. It was here that in 1941, in the midst of the Great Patriotic War, young Yury first saw Soviet airplanes on sorties to defend the homeland and began dreaming about flying.
In 1954, while in industrial college, Gagarin enrolled in the Saratov flying club and made the final decision to dedicate his life to aviation. After graduating from the flying course with honours in 1955, Yury Gagarin entered an aviation academy to become a Northern Fleet air force pilot since 1957.
In 1959, Gagarin learnt about volunteers being recruited for a forthcoming space flight and submitted a report asking to enlist him in the cosmonaut team.
Head of the country’s main design bureau Sergei Korolev wanted the first cosmonaut to be a fighter pilot: “He is a pilot, navigator, communications officer, and flight engineer.”
In 1959, cosmonaut candidates began to be secretly selected in the units of the USSR Air Force: the commission reviewed the documents of 3,461 fighterpilots. Out of about 3,500 jet pilots, just 20 volunteers were selected.
In 1959, along with 19 other pilots, Yury Gagarin arrived at the Star City 25 kilometres away from Moscow. There he had both theoretical and practical flight training, and experienced artificial weightlessness and overload in a centrifuge. In October 1960, a team of six people began training on the Vostok spacecraft simulator at a research institute in Zhukovsky.
Following arduous training, exams and tests, Yury Gagarin was shortlisted to become cosmonaut Number One.
***
YuryGagarin’s legendary flight into space, which marked the start of the manned space exploration era, took place on April 12, 1961.
On that day, at 9:07 am at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Yury Gagarin uttered his famous “Off we go!” and the first Vostok spacecraft with a man on board was launched. Gagarin spent 1 hour and 48 minutes in space orbiting the Earth and safely landed in the Saratov Region. The newsflash about the flight instantly circled the world.
Thousands of people greeted Gagarin in Moscow with flowers and welcome posters.
***
🌐 Within two years of that historic event, Yury Gagarin visited over 30 countries, including Britain, France, Cuba, Japan, India, and Liberia, where he was honoured as a hero. The tour was unofficially called the “Peace Mission.” The famous Gagarin’s smile captured the entire globe, aroused sympathy and respect for the Soviet man.
🕯 The first cosmonaut tragically lost his life on March 27, 1968, when he died in a crash during a training flight on a MiG-15UTI aircraft. Gagarin’s death shocked people all over the world and became an irreparable loss for all mankind.
***
🎖 The memory of the space pilot, Hero of the Soviet Union Yury Gagarin is immortalized in the names of localities and outer space objects. The urn with his ashes was buried in the Kremlin wall next to the ashes of designer Sergei Korolev and other prominent figures of the USSR. Monuments and busts continue to be erected all over the world in honour of the great trailblazer. The Russian Foreign Ministry and Russian foreign missions are actively contributing to this. In recent years, the sculptural image of Yury Gagarin has decorated Brasilia, Islamabad, and Doha.
Forwarded from Russian Mission Vienna
🇷🇺 Statement by the Delegation of the Russian Federation at the 66th Session of the Working Group on Verification of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization
📍Vienna, March 9, 2026
Today we are witnessing how the architecture of the nuclear non-proliferation and arms control regime, which functioned for many decades, is going through a period of historic rupture. It is collapsing under the pressure of lawlessness, blatant double standards, and unprovoked aggression carried out under the false pretext of allegedly defending the goals of nuclear non-proliferation.
The carefully built technical capabilities of relevant international organizations, including the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO PrepCom), are being used by certain countries for opportunistic political purposes in order to level unfounded accusations against those whom they choose as their opponents. The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) is becoming a victim of irresponsible statements by the United States regarding the resumption of nuclear testing, as well as Washington’s manipulation of data from stations of the International Monitoring System (IMS).
The argumentation of senior representatives of the U.S. Department of State, based on information from a single IMS seismic station, relies on a biased and unequivocal interpretation of the event recorded on 22 June 2020 as a nuclear test. Anyone even slightly familiar with the subject of nuclear test detection understands that it is impossible to draw conclusions about the nature of an event based not merely on isolated but on single-source data. This is precisely why, during the drafting of the CTBT, a carefully balanced decision was taken that the technological component of its verification mechanism would include four monitoring technologies, as well as the mechanism of on-site inspections (OSI).
It is therefore not surprising that the attacks by the United States did not receive support from the expert community. The Executive Secretary of the CTBTO PrepCom also clearly stated that no conclusions can be drawn regarding the event in question.
The United States must cease the practice of manipulating facts and data and stop twisting them for its own purposes. We are not particularly concerned with the unprofessional light in which the Americans present themselves. However, we do care about the fate of the CTBT, to which such unfounded and untenable statements cause enormous damage by undermining confidence in the Treaty itself and in its verification mechanism.
If the United States truly wishes to see a fully functioning instrument for monitoring nuclear tests, it should not twist the facts but instead make efforts to ratify the CTBT in the interest of its earliest entry into force. In that case, the IMS together with OSI would make it possible, with high precision, to confirm or dispel the doubts and concerns of all States Parties to the Treaty regarding its compliance.
🔗 Read in full
📍Vienna, March 9, 2026
Today we are witnessing how the architecture of the nuclear non-proliferation and arms control regime, which functioned for many decades, is going through a period of historic rupture. It is collapsing under the pressure of lawlessness, blatant double standards, and unprovoked aggression carried out under the false pretext of allegedly defending the goals of nuclear non-proliferation.
The carefully built technical capabilities of relevant international organizations, including the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO PrepCom), are being used by certain countries for opportunistic political purposes in order to level unfounded accusations against those whom they choose as their opponents. The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) is becoming a victim of irresponsible statements by the United States regarding the resumption of nuclear testing, as well as Washington’s manipulation of data from stations of the International Monitoring System (IMS).
The argumentation of senior representatives of the U.S. Department of State, based on information from a single IMS seismic station, relies on a biased and unequivocal interpretation of the event recorded on 22 June 2020 as a nuclear test. Anyone even slightly familiar with the subject of nuclear test detection understands that it is impossible to draw conclusions about the nature of an event based not merely on isolated but on single-source data. This is precisely why, during the drafting of the CTBT, a carefully balanced decision was taken that the technological component of its verification mechanism would include four monitoring technologies, as well as the mechanism of on-site inspections (OSI).
It is therefore not surprising that the attacks by the United States did not receive support from the expert community. The Executive Secretary of the CTBTO PrepCom also clearly stated that no conclusions can be drawn regarding the event in question.
The United States must cease the practice of manipulating facts and data and stop twisting them for its own purposes. We are not particularly concerned with the unprofessional light in which the Americans present themselves. However, we do care about the fate of the CTBT, to which such unfounded and untenable statements cause enormous damage by undermining confidence in the Treaty itself and in its verification mechanism.
If the United States truly wishes to see a fully functioning instrument for monitoring nuclear tests, it should not twist the facts but instead make efforts to ratify the CTBT in the interest of its earliest entry into force. In that case, the IMS together with OSI would make it possible, with high precision, to confirm or dispel the doubts and concerns of all States Parties to the Treaty regarding its compliance.
🔗 Read in full
⚡️ Comment by Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov following the telephone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump (March 9, 2026)
💬 Yuri Ushakov: On the evening of March 9, a telephone conversation took place between the Presidents of Russia and the US.
Donald Trump called Vladimir Putin to discuss a number of pressing issues related to the current international situation. Naturally, particular attention was given to the conflict around Iran and the trilateral negotiations on the Ukrainian settlement currently underway with the participation of US representatives.
I would like to note that the conversation was businesslike, candid and constructive in nature – as is typically the case in dialogue between the Russian and American Leaders. They had not spoken by phone for quite some time, the last conversation took place in late December 2025. Today’s call lasted about an hour. The US President emphasized that, as previously agreed, such contacts should be maintained on a regular basis, and both Leaders confirmed their readiness to do so.
Vladimir Putin outlined a number of considerations aimed at achieving the earliest possible political and diplomatic settlement of the conflict around Iran, including in light of his recent contacts with the Leaders of the Persian Gulf states, the President of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian and the Leaders of several other countries.
For his part, the US President shared his assessment of developments in the context of the ongoing US-Israeli operation. I would note that a rather substantive and, I believe, useful exchange of views took place on this matter.
President Trump once again expressed his interest in seeing the conflict in Ukraine concluded as soon as possible by reaching a ceasefire that would pave the way for a long-term settlement.
On the Russian Side, a positive assessment was expressed of the mediation efforts undertaken by Donald Trump’s team and by him personally.
An overview was also provided of the current situation along the line of contact, where Russian forces are advancing successfully. It was noted that this factor should encourage the Kiev regime to finally move towards negotiations aimed at settling the conflict.
The Presidents also touched upon Venezuela, primarily in the context of the situation on the global oil market.
Overall, I would reiterate that the conversation proved to be substantive and will undoubtedly have practical significance for further cooperation between the two countries across various areas of international policy.
#RussiaUSA
💬 Yuri Ushakov: On the evening of March 9, a telephone conversation took place between the Presidents of Russia and the US.
Donald Trump called Vladimir Putin to discuss a number of pressing issues related to the current international situation. Naturally, particular attention was given to the conflict around Iran and the trilateral negotiations on the Ukrainian settlement currently underway with the participation of US representatives.
I would like to note that the conversation was businesslike, candid and constructive in nature – as is typically the case in dialogue between the Russian and American Leaders. They had not spoken by phone for quite some time, the last conversation took place in late December 2025. Today’s call lasted about an hour. The US President emphasized that, as previously agreed, such contacts should be maintained on a regular basis, and both Leaders confirmed their readiness to do so.
Vladimir Putin outlined a number of considerations aimed at achieving the earliest possible political and diplomatic settlement of the conflict around Iran, including in light of his recent contacts with the Leaders of the Persian Gulf states, the President of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian and the Leaders of several other countries.
For his part, the US President shared his assessment of developments in the context of the ongoing US-Israeli operation. I would note that a rather substantive and, I believe, useful exchange of views took place on this matter.
President Trump once again expressed his interest in seeing the conflict in Ukraine concluded as soon as possible by reaching a ceasefire that would pave the way for a long-term settlement.
On the Russian Side, a positive assessment was expressed of the mediation efforts undertaken by Donald Trump’s team and by him personally.
An overview was also provided of the current situation along the line of contact, where Russian forces are advancing successfully. It was noted that this factor should encourage the Kiev regime to finally move towards negotiations aimed at settling the conflict.
The Presidents also touched upon Venezuela, primarily in the context of the situation on the global oil market.
Overall, I would reiterate that the conversation proved to be substantive and will undoubtedly have practical significance for further cooperation between the two countries across various areas of international policy.
#RussiaUSA
🎙Statement by President of Russia Vladimir Putin at a meeting on the situation in the global oil and gas markets (March 9, 2026)
Key points:
• Russia has repeatedly warned that attempts to destabilize the situation in the Middle East would inevitably put the global fuel and energy sector under pressure, drive up oil and gas prices, restrict supplies of these resources worldwide, and disrupt long-term investment plans. Judging by what is happening now, this is precisely what we are witnessing.
• Oil production linked to the use of the Strait of Hormuz risks coming to a complete halt as early as within the next month. It has already begun to decline, while storage facilities in the region are filling up with oil that cannot be exported, or can only be exported with great difficulty or at extremely high cost. It is obvious that a full rerouting of Middle Eastern oil supplies without using the Strait of Hormuz is unrealistic – at least for the time being.
• A similar situation is unfolding on the global gas market. Supplies of liquefied natural gas from the Middle East have sharply declined. Production capacity in the region has fallen, and restoring it will take weeks, if not months. It is impossible to quickly compensate for the missing volumes. As a result, global gas prices are also rising – in my view, even faster than oil prices.
❗️ I would like to emphasize – under the current conditions, competition among buyers for energy suppliers and for stable, predictable deliveries of oil and gas is intensifying. In this context, I cannot but stress that Russian energy companies have always been distinguished precisely by their reliability and stability.
• We will certainly continue supplying oil and gas to those countries that themselves remain reliable counterparties. I mean not only our partners in the Asia-Pacific region but also states in Eastern Europe, such as Slovakia and Hungary.
• I would like to remind you that the countries of the EU plan to introduce additional restrictions on purchases of Russian hydrocarbons, including liquefied natural gas, from April 25, up to a full ban on such supplies by 2027.
👉 In this regard, the Russian Government has already been tasked with assessing the possibility and feasibility of terminating supplies of our energy resources to the European market – rather than waiting for the door to be demonstratively slammed in our face. Instead, we should consider doing this now and redirect these volumes from the European market to more promising destinations.
• If European companies and European buyers were to reconsider and ensure long-term, stable cooperation with us – free from political fluctuations – then of course we remain open to working with European partners. We have never refused such cooperation. But we need signals from them that they are also ready and willing to work together and will ensure stability and predictability in our relations.
Read in full
Key points:
• Russia has repeatedly warned that attempts to destabilize the situation in the Middle East would inevitably put the global fuel and energy sector under pressure, drive up oil and gas prices, restrict supplies of these resources worldwide, and disrupt long-term investment plans. Judging by what is happening now, this is precisely what we are witnessing.
• Oil production linked to the use of the Strait of Hormuz risks coming to a complete halt as early as within the next month. It has already begun to decline, while storage facilities in the region are filling up with oil that cannot be exported, or can only be exported with great difficulty or at extremely high cost. It is obvious that a full rerouting of Middle Eastern oil supplies without using the Strait of Hormuz is unrealistic – at least for the time being.
• A similar situation is unfolding on the global gas market. Supplies of liquefied natural gas from the Middle East have sharply declined. Production capacity in the region has fallen, and restoring it will take weeks, if not months. It is impossible to quickly compensate for the missing volumes. As a result, global gas prices are also rising – in my view, even faster than oil prices.
❗️ I would like to emphasize – under the current conditions, competition among buyers for energy suppliers and for stable, predictable deliveries of oil and gas is intensifying. In this context, I cannot but stress that Russian energy companies have always been distinguished precisely by their reliability and stability.
• We will certainly continue supplying oil and gas to those countries that themselves remain reliable counterparties. I mean not only our partners in the Asia-Pacific region but also states in Eastern Europe, such as Slovakia and Hungary.
• I would like to remind you that the countries of the EU plan to introduce additional restrictions on purchases of Russian hydrocarbons, including liquefied natural gas, from April 25, up to a full ban on such supplies by 2027.
👉 In this regard, the Russian Government has already been tasked with assessing the possibility and feasibility of terminating supplies of our energy resources to the European market – rather than waiting for the door to be demonstratively slammed in our face. Instead, we should consider doing this now and redirect these volumes from the European market to more promising destinations.
• If European companies and European buyers were to reconsider and ensure long-term, stable cooperation with us – free from political fluctuations – then of course we remain open to working with European partners. We have never refused such cooperation. But we need signals from them that they are also ready and willing to work together and will ensure stability and predictability in our relations.
Read in full
🎙 Statement by Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the UN Vassily Nebenzia at UNSC Briefing on Afghanistan (New York, March 9, 2026)
💬 Vassily Nebenzia: Contrary to the grim predictions by Western countries, Afghanistan has stood firm after the reckless withdrawal of foreign troops.
The Afghan authorities are banking on developing diversified regional cooperation with a view to building an independent and self-reliant state, and this strategy is already yielding tangible results.
It is evident that, despite all the difficulties and suffocating sanctions, painstaking work is being underway to resolve the problems accumulated over the years of occupation. However, this is not a swift process.
☝️ A country that has been dependent on international aid for twenty years now needs our collective, non-politicized support more than ever. <...>
We note the selfless efforts of humanitarian agencies and their staff: under most difficult conditions, they continue providing assistance to Afghans in need.
We call on UNAMA to deal with its direct tasks, namely to intensify efforts to unfreeze assets and promote development.
We address Western donors: if you truly want to help the women and girls of Afghanistan not just with words but with deeds, then help create conditions for them to live in a stable and developed country. <...>
The Russian Federation does sincerely support the aspirations of the Afghan people to live in a peaceful and prosperous country, free from drugs and terrorism. Stability in the region as a whole largely hinges on how the situation in Afghanistan is developing.
We call on the UN to ensure our cooperation with those Afghans who directly represent the real authorities and who indeed bear responsibility for what is happening in the country.
👉 This is the only way to solve the existing problems and make Afghanistan truly reintegrated into the international community.
Read in full
💬 Vassily Nebenzia: Contrary to the grim predictions by Western countries, Afghanistan has stood firm after the reckless withdrawal of foreign troops.
The Afghan authorities are banking on developing diversified regional cooperation with a view to building an independent and self-reliant state, and this strategy is already yielding tangible results.
It is evident that, despite all the difficulties and suffocating sanctions, painstaking work is being underway to resolve the problems accumulated over the years of occupation. However, this is not a swift process.
☝️ A country that has been dependent on international aid for twenty years now needs our collective, non-politicized support more than ever. <...>
We note the selfless efforts of humanitarian agencies and their staff: under most difficult conditions, they continue providing assistance to Afghans in need.
We call on UNAMA to deal with its direct tasks, namely to intensify efforts to unfreeze assets and promote development.
We address Western donors: if you truly want to help the women and girls of Afghanistan not just with words but with deeds, then help create conditions for them to live in a stable and developed country. <...>
The Russian Federation does sincerely support the aspirations of the Afghan people to live in a peaceful and prosperous country, free from drugs and terrorism. Stability in the region as a whole largely hinges on how the situation in Afghanistan is developing.
We call on the UN to ensure our cooperation with those Afghans who directly represent the real authorities and who indeed bear responsibility for what is happening in the country.
👉 This is the only way to solve the existing problems and make Afghanistan truly reintegrated into the international community.
Read in full
#Announcement
🎙 On Thursday, March 12, Russia’s Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova will hold her weekly briefing on current foreign policy issues.
🕙 10:00 am MSK
🕗 8:00 am GMT
🕘 9:00 am CET
🕓 4:00 pm CST
For accreditation inquiries, please contact the MFA Press Centre. Accredited journalists will receive details on the technical aspects of submitting questions.
The Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman will answer media questions received by the call centre.
❗️ Accreditation is open until March 11, 9.00 am MSK
🎙 On Thursday, March 12, Russia’s Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova will hold her weekly briefing on current foreign policy issues.
🕙 10:00 am MSK
🕗 8:00 am GMT
🕘 9:00 am CET
🕓 4:00 pm CST
For accreditation inquiries, please contact the MFA Press Centre. Accredited journalists will receive details on the technical aspects of submitting questions.
The Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman will answer media questions received by the call centre.
❗️ Accreditation is open until March 11, 9.00 am MSK
🇷🇺🇮🇷📞 On March 10, Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Lavrov and Foreign Minister of Iran Abbas Araghchi had a telephone conversation.
The Sides continued their exchange of views on the situation in the Middle East, which has sharply deteriorated following the unprovoked aggression by the US and Israel against Iran.
Sergey Lavrov reiterated Russia’s principled position in favour of the earliest possible de-escalation and a return to political and diplomatic settlement, with Russia standing ready to assist these efforts provided that the security interests of Iran and its regional neighbours are duly taken into account.
#RussiaIran
The Sides continued their exchange of views on the situation in the Middle East, which has sharply deteriorated following the unprovoked aggression by the US and Israel against Iran.
Sergey Lavrov reiterated Russia’s principled position in favour of the earliest possible de-escalation and a return to political and diplomatic settlement, with Russia standing ready to assist these efforts provided that the security interests of Iran and its regional neighbours are duly taken into account.
#RussiaIran
#Announcement
🌿 On May 15-22, the Open International Biology Olympiad (#OIBO) will take place at the Sirius Federal Territory.
This modern and rapidly developing competition aims to foster school students’ interest in studying and addressing contemporary biological and biotechnological challenges, with the support of leading industry partners. It also contributes to strengthening international cooperation and the exchange of experience among participants.
The Olympiad consists of three rounds, held on different days:
• theoretical (individual)
• practical (individual)
• project-based (team)
School students aged 14-18 may participate as part of teams of 2 to 6 members. Each team may be accompanied by one adult team leader and up to two observers.
Each country may be represented by one team, while the host country may enter two teams.
The working languages of the Olympiad are Russian and English.
Competition materials will be provided to participants in Russian and English, as well as in national languages where translations are available. Delegations from participating countries will also have the opportunity to translate the Olympiad tasks into their national languages.
👉 REGISTER FOR PARTICIPATION
👉 LEARN MORE (FAQ)
🌿 On May 15-22, the Open International Biology Olympiad (#OIBO) will take place at the Sirius Federal Territory.
This modern and rapidly developing competition aims to foster school students’ interest in studying and addressing contemporary biological and biotechnological challenges, with the support of leading industry partners. It also contributes to strengthening international cooperation and the exchange of experience among participants.
The Olympiad consists of three rounds, held on different days:
• theoretical (individual)
• practical (individual)
• project-based (team)
School students aged 14-18 may participate as part of teams of 2 to 6 members. Each team may be accompanied by one adult team leader and up to two observers.
Each country may be represented by one team, while the host country may enter two teams.
The working languages of the Olympiad are Russian and English.
Competition materials will be provided to participants in Russian and English, as well as in national languages where translations are available. Delegations from participating countries will also have the opportunity to translate the Olympiad tasks into their national languages.
👉 REGISTER FOR PARTICIPATION
👉 LEARN MORE (FAQ)
#KievRegimeCrimes
⚡️ Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rodion Miroshnik:
💬 The number of civilians injured by the actions of Ukrainian militants over the past week has exceeded 180 people, including 10 children. This is the highest number of civilian casualties recorded since the beginning of 2026.
Among the victims are entire families. In the DPR, a family of four, including a 7-year-old boy, was killed in a drone strike. In the Zaporozhye Region, parents were killed, while their 6-year-old son was injured.
The largest number of civilian casualties was recorded in the Belgorod, Kherson and Zaporozhye regions, as well as in the DPR. In these regions, civilian infrastructure and the civilian population were subjected to drone, missile and artillery strikes by Kiev’s militants.
From March 2-8, a total of 183 civilians were affected by shelling carried out by Ukrainian forces: 153 people were injured, including 9 minors, while 30 people were killed, including one child.
Over the past seven days, Ukrainian militants fired at least 3,563 munitions at civilian targets on Russian territory.
⚡️ Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rodion Miroshnik:
💬 The number of civilians injured by the actions of Ukrainian militants over the past week has exceeded 180 people, including 10 children. This is the highest number of civilian casualties recorded since the beginning of 2026.
Among the victims are entire families. In the DPR, a family of four, including a 7-year-old boy, was killed in a drone strike. In the Zaporozhye Region, parents were killed, while their 6-year-old son was injured.
The largest number of civilian casualties was recorded in the Belgorod, Kherson and Zaporozhye regions, as well as in the DPR. In these regions, civilian infrastructure and the civilian population were subjected to drone, missile and artillery strikes by Kiev’s militants.
From March 2-8, a total of 183 civilians were affected by shelling carried out by Ukrainian forces: 153 people were injured, including 9 minors, while 30 people were killed, including one child.
Over the past seven days, Ukrainian militants fired at least 3,563 munitions at civilian targets on Russian territory.
🇷🇺🇮🇷📞 On March 10, President of Russia Vladimir Putin and President of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian spoke over the phone.
They continued the conversation on the situation in the Middle East region in connection with the Israeli-US aggression against Iran.
Vladimir Putin reaffirmed Russia’s principled position in favour of the earliest possible de-escalation of the conflict and its settlement through political means.
Masoud Pezeshkian expressed gratitude for Russia’s support, including the provision of humanitarian assistance to Iran.
#RussiaIran
They continued the conversation on the situation in the Middle East region in connection with the Israeli-US aggression against Iran.
Vladimir Putin reaffirmed Russia’s principled position in favour of the earliest possible de-escalation of the conflict and its settlement through political means.
Masoud Pezeshkian expressed gratitude for Russia’s support, including the provision of humanitarian assistance to Iran.
#RussiaIran
Forwarded from Russian Mission Geneva
📍 March 10, 2026, Geneva
☝️ Russia consistently advocates for the adoption of a uniform international definition of terrorism. We believe that its absence creates legal, political, and operational challenges at the global level, hindering cooperation between States and the effective countering of the threat of terrorism. Differences in national legislation allow terrorists to exploit "safe havens," including States where their actions are not subject to criminal prosecution.
❗️This complicates bringing terrorists to justice and enforcing international conventions, such as the 1999 International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism. Ukraine's lawsuit against Russia, filed with the International Court of Justice for allegedly violating the Convention, is an example of such manipulation. On January 31, 2024, the International Court of Justice completely rejected approximately 40 accusations made by Ukraine.
📝 We believe that developing a universal definition of terrorism could be an important step toward creating a comprehensive system to counter the terrorist threat. We are convinced that agreeing on a universal definition of terrorism should be carried out primarily at the UN, which plays a central and coordinating role in the fight against terrorism. In this regard, we support continued work on the draft Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.
#HRC61
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🔴 #LIVE: Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks at the First Ministerial Conference of the International Organization for the Russian Language
🔴 Russia's MFA Website
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⚡️ Spokeswoman of Russia's Investigative Committee Svetlana Petrenko:
A criminal case has been opened following the massive shelling of the city of Bryansk by Ukrainian militants on March 10.
The Main Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of Russia has initiated a criminal case on charges of a terrorist act (Clause “b”, Part 3, Article 205 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) in connection with an attack carried out by Ukrainian militants on the city of Bryansk.
On March 10, 2026, representatives of Ukrainian armed groups carried out a massive strike on residential areas and other civilian infrastructure in the Bryansk Region using missile weapons with high destructive capacity.
❗️ As a result of strikes and explosions involving at least eight missiles in Bryansk, no fewer than four civilians were killed and at least 42 people were injured. More than 70 infrastructure facilities and vehicles were also damaged, including premises of a civilian enterprise.
Investigators and forensic specialists are continuing their work at the scene, documenting and collecting evidence of the crime, while emergency services are dealing with the aftermath of the explosions and clearing damaged structures.
According to the investigation, the terrorist attack was carried out with the participation of servicemen from the Main intelligence directorate of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence, the armed forces of Ukraine and other Ukrainian military formations, as well as representatives of Ukraine’s senior military and political leadership. They acted as part of a criminal group with the aim of intimidating the population and attempting to destabilize the functioning of Russia’s state authorities.
Investigative measures are underway to identify the specific individuals among Ukrainian armed formations involved in organizing and carrying out this heinous crime against civilians.
A criminal case has been opened following the massive shelling of the city of Bryansk by Ukrainian militants on March 10.
The Main Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of Russia has initiated a criminal case on charges of a terrorist act (Clause “b”, Part 3, Article 205 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) in connection with an attack carried out by Ukrainian militants on the city of Bryansk.
On March 10, 2026, representatives of Ukrainian armed groups carried out a massive strike on residential areas and other civilian infrastructure in the Bryansk Region using missile weapons with high destructive capacity.
❗️ As a result of strikes and explosions involving at least eight missiles in Bryansk, no fewer than four civilians were killed and at least 42 people were injured. More than 70 infrastructure facilities and vehicles were also damaged, including premises of a civilian enterprise.
Investigators and forensic specialists are continuing their work at the scene, documenting and collecting evidence of the crime, while emergency services are dealing with the aftermath of the explosions and clearing damaged structures.
According to the investigation, the terrorist attack was carried out with the participation of servicemen from the Main intelligence directorate of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence, the armed forces of Ukraine and other Ukrainian military formations, as well as representatives of Ukraine’s senior military and political leadership. They acted as part of a criminal group with the aim of intimidating the population and attempting to destabilize the functioning of Russia’s state authorities.
Investigative measures are underway to identify the specific individuals among Ukrainian armed formations involved in organizing and carrying out this heinous crime against civilians.
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#KievRegimeCrimes
💬 Russia's Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova:
The Kiev regime deliberately struck the civilian population in Bryansk. The UN Secretariat, which regularly comments on the situation surrounding the Ukrainian crisis, cannot pretend not to see this. Nor can it ignore the number of civilians killed and wounded.
Russia’s Permanent Mission will certainly bring this information to the attention of the UN as well. Will the Secretary-General and his representatives once again remain silent?
***
💬 Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Foreign Ministry Rodion Miroshnik:
The tragedy in Bryansk can only be qualified as a serious violation of the norms and principles of international humanitarian law. The Kiev regime resorted to this act in an attempt to draw the attention of its European patrons, who have become increasingly distracted by developments in the Middle East.
A missile strike on a location with a large concentration of civilians cannot be justified under any circumstances. Responsibility lies not only with the Ukrainian militants who committed the atrocity, but above all with the political leadership of the Kiev regime. Such strikes are not carried out without direct instructions from the top leadership.
Zelensky’s heinous act cannot remain without universal condemnation and a military response.
***
💬 Russian Commissioner for Human Rights, Tatiana Moskalkova:
I condemn yet another vile crime of the Nazi regime – barbaric strikes against the civilian population of Bryansk.
The regional authorities are doing everything possible to provide prompt assistance to the victims. My deepest condolences go to the families and loved ones of those killed. I wish a speedy recovery to all those injured.
I call on international organizations to respond firmly to this inhumane crime committed by the Kiev regime against civilians.
💬 Russia's Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova:
The Kiev regime deliberately struck the civilian population in Bryansk. The UN Secretariat, which regularly comments on the situation surrounding the Ukrainian crisis, cannot pretend not to see this. Nor can it ignore the number of civilians killed and wounded.
Russia’s Permanent Mission will certainly bring this information to the attention of the UN as well. Will the Secretary-General and his representatives once again remain silent?
***
💬 Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Foreign Ministry Rodion Miroshnik:
The tragedy in Bryansk can only be qualified as a serious violation of the norms and principles of international humanitarian law. The Kiev regime resorted to this act in an attempt to draw the attention of its European patrons, who have become increasingly distracted by developments in the Middle East.
A missile strike on a location with a large concentration of civilians cannot be justified under any circumstances. Responsibility lies not only with the Ukrainian militants who committed the atrocity, but above all with the political leadership of the Kiev regime. Such strikes are not carried out without direct instructions from the top leadership.
Zelensky’s heinous act cannot remain without universal condemnation and a military response.
***
💬 Russian Commissioner for Human Rights, Tatiana Moskalkova:
I condemn yet another vile crime of the Nazi regime – barbaric strikes against the civilian population of Bryansk.
The regional authorities are doing everything possible to provide prompt assistance to the victims. My deepest condolences go to the families and loved ones of those killed. I wish a speedy recovery to all those injured.
I call on international organizations to respond firmly to this inhumane crime committed by the Kiev regime against civilians.
🇷🇺🇸🇦📞 On March 10, Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Lavrov and Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud had a telephone conversation.
The Ministers discussed the unprecedented escalation of tensions in the Middle East resulting from the unprovoked US-Israeli aggression against Iran.
Both Sides stressed the importance of an immediate cessation of all hostilities and abandoning the use of force to resolve the conflict, which is leading to civilian casualties and causing serious damage to civilian infrastructure both in Iran and in the Arab countries of the Persian Gulf. These states are not involved in the unlawful actions of the US and Israel and should not be subjected to strikes.
They also emphasized the need to consolidate the efforts of the international community in order to swiftly reduce military-political tensions and prevent further deterioration of the situation in the Middle East.
#RussiaSaudiArabia
The Ministers discussed the unprecedented escalation of tensions in the Middle East resulting from the unprovoked US-Israeli aggression against Iran.
Both Sides stressed the importance of an immediate cessation of all hostilities and abandoning the use of force to resolve the conflict, which is leading to civilian casualties and causing serious damage to civilian infrastructure both in Iran and in the Arab countries of the Persian Gulf. These states are not involved in the unlawful actions of the US and Israel and should not be subjected to strikes.
They also emphasized the need to consolidate the efforts of the international community in order to swiftly reduce military-political tensions and prevent further deterioration of the situation in the Middle East.
#RussiaSaudiArabia
🇷🇺🇦🇿📞 On March 11, President of Russia Vladimir Putin and President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev had a telephone conversation.
Vladimir Putin thanked Ilham Aliyev for the efficient assistance in organizing the evacuation of Russian nationals from Iran and in ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Iranian people from Russia via Azerbaijani territory.
In an exchange of views on the current situation in the Middle East, the Leaders spoke in favour of an early cessation of hostilities and resolving the acute conflict through political and diplomatic means.
They also touched upon a number of topical issues on the bilateral agenda. Both Sides reaffirmed their commitment to further developing Russian-Azerbaijani cooperation across various fields on the principles of strategic partnership and alliance.
#RussiaAzerbaijan
Vladimir Putin thanked Ilham Aliyev for the efficient assistance in organizing the evacuation of Russian nationals from Iran and in ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Iranian people from Russia via Azerbaijani territory.
In an exchange of views on the current situation in the Middle East, the Leaders spoke in favour of an early cessation of hostilities and resolving the acute conflict through political and diplomatic means.
They also touched upon a number of topical issues on the bilateral agenda. Both Sides reaffirmed their commitment to further developing Russian-Azerbaijani cooperation across various fields on the principles of strategic partnership and alliance.
#RussiaAzerbaijan
🇷🇺🇦🇪 📞 On March 11, President of Russia Vladimir Putin and President of the United Arab Emirates Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan had a telephone conversation.
Vladimir Putin warmly congratulated Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on his 65th birthday, wishing him sound health, prosperity and further success. He also noted his significant personal contribution to strengthening the strategic partnership between Russia and the UAE.
Both Sides noted with satisfaction that the friendly Russian-Emirati relations are developing dynamically across all areas.
The Leaders continued their exchange of views on the dangerously deteriorating situation in the Middle East, which is having serious consequences for Iran as well as for Arab countries. The President of Russia stressed the need to prevent further escalation of the conflict and to resolve it through negotiations.
Vladimir Putin also expressed special gratitude to the President of the UAE for the assistance and support provided to the Russian citizens who are currently in the Emirates.
#RussiaUAE
Vladimir Putin warmly congratulated Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on his 65th birthday, wishing him sound health, prosperity and further success. He also noted his significant personal contribution to strengthening the strategic partnership between Russia and the UAE.
Both Sides noted with satisfaction that the friendly Russian-Emirati relations are developing dynamically across all areas.
The Leaders continued their exchange of views on the dangerously deteriorating situation in the Middle East, which is having serious consequences for Iran as well as for Arab countries. The President of Russia stressed the need to prevent further escalation of the conflict and to resolve it through negotiations.
Vladimir Putin also expressed special gratitude to the President of the UAE for the assistance and support provided to the Russian citizens who are currently in the Emirates.
#RussiaUAE
🇷🇺🇪🇬📞 On March 11, Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Lavrov and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty spoke over the phone.
The Ministers expressed deep concern over the dangerous situation unfolding in the Middle East, which has sharply deteriorated as a result of the unprovoked aggression by the US and Israel against Iran.
They called for the swiftest possible end to the conflict, which is causing civilian casualties and damaging civilian infrastructure.
The Russian and Egyptian Foreign Ministers stressed the need to promptly resume political and diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving lasting stability and security in the region.
🤝 It was agreed to continue contacts and foreign policy coordination at the UN and other international platforms.
The Ministers also touched upon issues related to the further development of Russia-Egypt cooperation, including the schedule of upcoming bilateral events.
#RussiaEgypt
The Ministers expressed deep concern over the dangerous situation unfolding in the Middle East, which has sharply deteriorated as a result of the unprovoked aggression by the US and Israel against Iran.
They called for the swiftest possible end to the conflict, which is causing civilian casualties and damaging civilian infrastructure.
The Russian and Egyptian Foreign Ministers stressed the need to promptly resume political and diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving lasting stability and security in the region.
🤝 It was agreed to continue contacts and foreign policy coordination at the UN and other international platforms.
The Ministers also touched upon issues related to the further development of Russia-Egypt cooperation, including the schedule of upcoming bilateral events.
#RussiaEgypt
⚡️ Russia's Foreign Ministry statement on the missile strike of the Ukrainian militants on Bryansk
On March 10, the neo-Nazi Kiev regime committed yet another heinous crime against the civilian population of Russia, carrying out a missile strike on Bryansk.
We strongly condemn this deliberately planned terrorist attack.
A busy business district in the city’s Sovetsky District came under targeted fire. The area is located near Bryansk State Engineering and Technology University, apartment buildings, commercial and industrial enterprises, catering establishments and children’s goods stores.
▪️ As a result of the attack, seven people were killed and 42 injured. One child, born in 2009, has been hospitalized in the regional children’s hospital.
The authorities are providing all necessary medical and other assistance and support. We extend our sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to those injured.
According to available information, the strike was carried out using approximately seven British long-range Storm Shadow missiles. The head of the Kiev regime, Zelensky, has already publicly reported to his handlers about this barbaric act, calling it a “successful operation” by the AFU and cynically thanking the command for its execution.
As we have repeatedly pointed out, the use of high-tech Western weapons is impossible without the direct involvement of foreign specialists who ensure their operation and targeting, as well as without the provision of the necessary intelligence data by certain NATO countries.
❗️ Western handlers of Kiev bear full responsibility for the consequences of this strike, which resulted in civilian casualties.
It is obvious that, having completely lost itself in geopolitical games and seeking to assert itself as the informal leader of the European “hardliners” on the Ukrainian track and an irreconcilable opponent of Russia, Britain has stepped beyond the bounds of international law and is ready, through the hands of its puppets, to move the conflict to a fundamentally new level in terms of destruction and human casualties.
We also note that the use of British weapons systems is taking place amid intensified political and diplomatic efforts in the Russia-US-Ukraine trilateral format aimed at resolving the Ukrainian crisis.
The goal of London and other Western capitals is obvious – to derail the peace process through a large-scale provocation involving civilian casualties and trigger an escalation of hostilities. This tactic is not new and is used by the sponsors of the Kiev regime every time a real prospect for settlement emerges.
It is no coincidence that the timing of this attack coincides with signals from Washington, expressing hope that negotiations on the Ukrainian settlement have reached a “turning point” and that achieving peace is quite realistic.
☝️ We call on relevant international organisations – first and foremost the UN, whose leadership has been informed of the situation but has so far refrained from commenting – to provide an adequate assessment of yet another criminal act of the Kiev regime and its violation of the norms of international humanitarian law.
Silence will be perceived as nothing less than tacit complicity in the criminal actions of Zelensky and his handlers, who are intent on escalating the conflict.
On March 10, the neo-Nazi Kiev regime committed yet another heinous crime against the civilian population of Russia, carrying out a missile strike on Bryansk.
We strongly condemn this deliberately planned terrorist attack.
A busy business district in the city’s Sovetsky District came under targeted fire. The area is located near Bryansk State Engineering and Technology University, apartment buildings, commercial and industrial enterprises, catering establishments and children’s goods stores.
▪️ As a result of the attack, seven people were killed and 42 injured. One child, born in 2009, has been hospitalized in the regional children’s hospital.
The authorities are providing all necessary medical and other assistance and support. We extend our sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to those injured.
According to available information, the strike was carried out using approximately seven British long-range Storm Shadow missiles. The head of the Kiev regime, Zelensky, has already publicly reported to his handlers about this barbaric act, calling it a “successful operation” by the AFU and cynically thanking the command for its execution.
As we have repeatedly pointed out, the use of high-tech Western weapons is impossible without the direct involvement of foreign specialists who ensure their operation and targeting, as well as without the provision of the necessary intelligence data by certain NATO countries.
❗️ Western handlers of Kiev bear full responsibility for the consequences of this strike, which resulted in civilian casualties.
It is obvious that, having completely lost itself in geopolitical games and seeking to assert itself as the informal leader of the European “hardliners” on the Ukrainian track and an irreconcilable opponent of Russia, Britain has stepped beyond the bounds of international law and is ready, through the hands of its puppets, to move the conflict to a fundamentally new level in terms of destruction and human casualties.
We also note that the use of British weapons systems is taking place amid intensified political and diplomatic efforts in the Russia-US-Ukraine trilateral format aimed at resolving the Ukrainian crisis.
The goal of London and other Western capitals is obvious – to derail the peace process through a large-scale provocation involving civilian casualties and trigger an escalation of hostilities. This tactic is not new and is used by the sponsors of the Kiev regime every time a real prospect for settlement emerges.
It is no coincidence that the timing of this attack coincides with signals from Washington, expressing hope that negotiations on the Ukrainian settlement have reached a “turning point” and that achieving peace is quite realistic.
☝️ We call on relevant international organisations – first and foremost the UN, whose leadership has been informed of the situation but has so far refrained from commenting – to provide an adequate assessment of yet another criminal act of the Kiev regime and its violation of the norms of international humanitarian law.
Silence will be perceived as nothing less than tacit complicity in the criminal actions of Zelensky and his handlers, who are intent on escalating the conflict.