❗️ On this day nine years ago, Ukrainian writer and opposition journalist Oles Buzina was assassinated in front of his home in Kiev.

He became one of the many victims of the Kiev criminal regime because he posed a threat to it – he publicly criticised and exposed the true nature of the neo-Nazi forces that had gained power as a result of the bloody coup d'état in Ukraine.

Buzina urged the then Ukrainian leadership to establish a dialogue with the inhabitants of Donbass and spoke about the need to consolidate the rights of the Russian language, which seriously irritated the post-coup officials in Kiev. He also received threats from Ukrainian radicals because his interpretation of Ukraine's historical path did not coincide with the nationalist ideology.

☝️ Such an active and firm civil position of Oles Buzina cost him his life.

A few days before his death, the journalist's personal data, including his home address, appeared on the Myrotrvorets (Peacemaker) extremist website, which contains personal information about all public figures undesirable to the Kiev regime. <...>

Despite the fact that condemnation of the murder, condolences to the victim's family and demands for a comprehensive investigation were voiced by the UN Secretary General, OSCE and US State Department officials and many civil society organisations, the perpetrators of his murder were never identified and the suspects were released.

After almost a decade, it is clear that the situation with freedom of speech in Ukraine has degraded to a critical level.

All media outlets in opposition to the Kiev regime are banned, and any manifestations of dissent are brutally suppressed and erased from the information space. Unwanted journalists, primarily Russian ones, are being hunted down with all possible weapons. <...>

❌ Terrorist methods are being used to implement these criminal plans, while Ukraine's Western handlers and biased human rights organisations continue to turn a blind eye to these evil deeds.

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Russian MFA Spox Maria Zakharova:

💬 When asked at today’s briefing if Antonio Guterres thinks that the UN should know who is responsible for the strikes at the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant, Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General Stephane Dujjaric said they do not have a forensic capability of reporting on these strikes, nor does the IAEA. Nor do we have an investigative mandate, he added.

What about his conclusions on Bucha two years ago?

At the briefing on April 7, 2022,Stephane Dujjaric said they wanted to see a transparent investigation. He said there are various mechanisms within the UN system to ensure accountability for what could be very serious crimes. Those mechanisms are currently underway, he added.

So, are these mechanisms underway or is the mandate missing?

🎙 Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s remarks during a meeting of the United Russia General Council’s Commission on International Cooperation and Support for Compatriots Abroad

📍 Moscow, April 16, 2024

#Election2024

• The high interest in voting [during the 2024 Presidential election] was overwhelming, which was confirmed by high turnout as well as the large number of journalists, public figures and representatives from compatriot organisations who observed the elections.

• The electoral process took place amid the hybrid war against Russia unleashed by the collective West. <...> Nevertheless, the Russian Foreign Ministry and its foreign missions have coped with the task. Hundreds of thousands of Russians got the chance to exercise their constitutional right.

#BRICS

• The action plan [of Russia’s current BRICS chairmanship] envisages active work in three main areas, including politics and security, the economy and finance, and cultural and humanitarian contacts. <...> The key priority now is to ensure the new members’ harmonious integration into the strategic partnership architecture and to preserve the effective operation of all existing BRICS mechanisms.

• In addition to working on the partner states category, the BRICS members are going to deepen dialogue with friendly countries in the BRICS Plus/BRICS Outreach format. They are planning to involve our associates in the EAEU, CIS, CSTO and the SCO by using this format.

• We are interested in enhancing the role of the BRICS states in the currency, financial and trade systems, developing interbank cooperation, expanding the use of their national currencies in mutual trade and pooling efforts in creating a rating agency and the association’s exchange.

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🗓 On April 19, 1783, Empress Catherine the Great signed a manifesto on the accession of Crimea, Taman Island and Kuban region into the Russian Empire.

Prince Grigory Potemkin, Governor-General of Novorossiya, played one of the key roles in the accession and development of Crimea. In June 1783, on top of Mount Aq Qaya, he personally received the oath of allegiance to Russia from the Crimean nobility and common people.

The results of the 2014 Crimean referendum once again confirmed the desire of Crimeans to remain part of our country and led to the long-awaited reunification of Crimea with Russia.

#CrimeaIsRussia

🎥 © Russian Military Historical Society / Commemorative Dates