Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🕯 On August 6, 1945, exactly 80 years ago, humanity witnessed one of the most horrific events in history, when the United States dropped an atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima, targeting civilians for the first time.
◼️ At 8.15 am the hands of the clock in Hiroshima stood still. The “Little Boy” atomic bomb, weighing 4.4 tons, exploded at an altitude of 576 metres above ground, instantly incinerating over 80'000 people. The temperature at the epicentre of the explosion reached nearly 4'000 degrees Celsius, destroying everything within an 800-metre radius. Tens of thousands more residents of the city died in the following months from radiation sickness and other impacts of radiation exposure.
The development of the deadly weapon commenced in the United States as early as 1939, before the launch of the secret Manhattan Project in 1942, led by nuclear physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer and General Leslie R. Groves, Jr. The creation of the nuclear arsenal cost a staggering $2 billion (equivalent to roughly $45 billion today), and involved more than 130'000 specialists. The US leadership sought to acquire an ultimate weapon that would enable them to impose their will on the entire world.
By the summer of 1945, three atomic bombs had been produced: the “Gadget” for testing, the “Little Boy,” and the “Fat Man”. The latter two were designed to intimidate Japan and to showcase the growing power of the United States to the Soviet Union.
☝️ Western historians are still trying to justify this barbaric act as necessary to force Japan to surrender. However, by early August 1945, the Japanese troops were already on the brink of exhaustion, and the Soviet Union’s entry into the war on August 8 played a key role in defeating militarist Japan.
The bombing of Hiroshima was a brutal demonstration of American force in an attempt to justify the huge financial investment in the nuclear programme.
🕯 Survivors of the atomic bombing, known in Japan as “hibakusha” (literally, “people affected by exposure”), lived for decades with severe physical and psychological consequences. According to Japan’s Health Ministry, approximately 200'000 Hibakusha were still alive in 2012.
💬 Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov:
(excerpt from Sergey Lavrov’s message to the participants of the memorial ceremony in Hiroshima on the 75th anniversary of the atomic bombing).
Neither President Harry Truman nor his successors ever apologised for the suffering inflicted on the residents of Hiroshima and their descendants. Moreover, Japanese officials have chosen to silence the fact that the United States was responsible for the tragedy.
#NoStatuteOfLimitations
◼️ At 8.15 am the hands of the clock in Hiroshima stood still. The “Little Boy” atomic bomb, weighing 4.4 tons, exploded at an altitude of 576 metres above ground, instantly incinerating over 80'000 people. The temperature at the epicentre of the explosion reached nearly 4'000 degrees Celsius, destroying everything within an 800-metre radius. Tens of thousands more residents of the city died in the following months from radiation sickness and other impacts of radiation exposure.
The development of the deadly weapon commenced in the United States as early as 1939, before the launch of the secret Manhattan Project in 1942, led by nuclear physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer and General Leslie R. Groves, Jr. The creation of the nuclear arsenal cost a staggering $2 billion (equivalent to roughly $45 billion today), and involved more than 130'000 specialists. The US leadership sought to acquire an ultimate weapon that would enable them to impose their will on the entire world.
By the summer of 1945, three atomic bombs had been produced: the “Gadget” for testing, the “Little Boy,” and the “Fat Man”. The latter two were designed to intimidate Japan and to showcase the growing power of the United States to the Soviet Union.
☝️ Western historians are still trying to justify this barbaric act as necessary to force Japan to surrender. However, by early August 1945, the Japanese troops were already on the brink of exhaustion, and the Soviet Union’s entry into the war on August 8 played a key role in defeating militarist Japan.
The bombing of Hiroshima was a brutal demonstration of American force in an attempt to justify the huge financial investment in the nuclear programme.
🕯 Survivors of the atomic bombing, known in Japan as “hibakusha” (literally, “people affected by exposure”), lived for decades with severe physical and psychological consequences. According to Japan’s Health Ministry, approximately 200'000 Hibakusha were still alive in 2012.
💬 Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov:
To this day, the terrible death of innocent civilians strikes a chord with millions of people on our planet. It is hard to fully understand what the masterminds and perpetrators of such an inhumane act were guided by.
(excerpt from Sergey Lavrov’s message to the participants of the memorial ceremony in Hiroshima on the 75th anniversary of the atomic bombing).
Neither President Harry Truman nor his successors ever apologised for the suffering inflicted on the residents of Hiroshima and their descendants. Moreover, Japanese officials have chosen to silence the fact that the United States was responsible for the tragedy.
#NoStatuteOfLimitations
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Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
#Victory80
🌟 80 years ago, on August 9, 1945, the Soviet Union, in accordance with its commitments to the Allies, entered the war against militarist Japan.
The Manchurian Strategic Offensive Operation of the Soviet forces in the Far East commenced. Its goal was to defeat the enemy’s Kwantung Army and to drive the Japanese occupants from northeastern China and Korea.
***
After the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany and its satellites, Japan remained the only 'Axis' power still at war with the Allies. It possessed significant military capabilities to wage war, including offensive operations.
In the summer of 1945, the Japanese kept near the Soviet borders an almost one million-strong Kwantung Army, ready to treacherously invade our country at any moment.
Moreover, militarist Japan still occupied huge territories — the Korean Peninsula, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaya, and a portion of China, as well as Burma, and the Philippine Islands.
Thus, Japan posed a threat not only to our country’s security, but also to the emerging post-war world order, which was taking shape after the defeat of Nazi Germany and was based on the decisions and agreements of the leaders of the victorious Allied powers.
For example, Japan rejected the demand made by China, the United States, and UK on July 26, 1945 (paragraph 13 of the Potsdam Declaration) for the unconditional surrender of its armed forces. After that, the Allied powers officially appealed to the Soviet government to repel Japanese aggression.
***
In early August 1945, the Supreme High Command of the Soviet Union approved a plan for military operations against Japan. The planning of the operation was entrusted to the specially created Main Command of the Far Eastern Forces led by Marshal of the Soviet Union Alexander Vasilevsky.
On August 9, the Red Army launched an offensive in Manchuria. The Soviet units, supported by aviation and the navy, advanced rapidly. Strikes were delivered on targets on land, at sea, and in the air. Combat operations unfolded along the front line that was over 5'000 kilometres wide.
Within a month, the Soviet forces liberated Harbin, some territories of Northeastern China and Northern Korea, and took South Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands. The breakthrough of the Red Army deep into Manchuria deprived the Japanese command of the opportunity to use bacteriological weapons against our country — Tokyo had been nurturing that plan during #WWII (👉 learn more)
By August 20, Japan’s ability to offer resistance to the Red Army was shattered. Almost everywhere, enemy soldiers were surrendering. The million-strong Kwantung Army was defeated.
By September 1, 1945, the Soviet army had completed the assigned objectives. In just 23 days of combat, they crushed the Japanese militarist machine, thus making a decisive contribution to ending WWII in the Far East.
☝️ Our country regained South Sakhalin, which had been seized by Japan from the Russian Empire in 1905, took the Kuril Islands, and restored lease rights to the Kwantung Peninsula with Port Arthur and Dalian.
On September 2, 1945, the Act of Unconditional Surrender of Japan was signed aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. From the Soviet Union, the Act was signed by General Kuzma Derevyanko. This signing marked the end of WWII.
📖 Read more about the Manchurian Strategic Offensive Operation and the heroism of the Soviet soldiers in liberating northeastern China and Korea in our in-depth historical feature.
#WeRemember #OurVictory
The Manchurian Strategic Offensive Operation of the Soviet forces in the Far East commenced. Its goal was to defeat the enemy’s Kwantung Army and to drive the Japanese occupants from northeastern China and Korea.
***
After the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany and its satellites, Japan remained the only 'Axis' power still at war with the Allies. It possessed significant military capabilities to wage war, including offensive operations.
In the summer of 1945, the Japanese kept near the Soviet borders an almost one million-strong Kwantung Army, ready to treacherously invade our country at any moment.
Moreover, militarist Japan still occupied huge territories — the Korean Peninsula, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaya, and a portion of China, as well as Burma, and the Philippine Islands.
Thus, Japan posed a threat not only to our country’s security, but also to the emerging post-war world order, which was taking shape after the defeat of Nazi Germany and was based on the decisions and agreements of the leaders of the victorious Allied powers.
For example, Japan rejected the demand made by China, the United States, and UK on July 26, 1945 (paragraph 13 of the Potsdam Declaration) for the unconditional surrender of its armed forces. After that, the Allied powers officially appealed to the Soviet government to repel Japanese aggression.
***
In early August 1945, the Supreme High Command of the Soviet Union approved a plan for military operations against Japan. The planning of the operation was entrusted to the specially created Main Command of the Far Eastern Forces led by Marshal of the Soviet Union Alexander Vasilevsky.
On August 9, the Red Army launched an offensive in Manchuria. The Soviet units, supported by aviation and the navy, advanced rapidly. Strikes were delivered on targets on land, at sea, and in the air. Combat operations unfolded along the front line that was over 5'000 kilometres wide.
Within a month, the Soviet forces liberated Harbin, some territories of Northeastern China and Northern Korea, and took South Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands. The breakthrough of the Red Army deep into Manchuria deprived the Japanese command of the opportunity to use bacteriological weapons against our country — Tokyo had been nurturing that plan during #WWII (👉 learn more)
By August 20, Japan’s ability to offer resistance to the Red Army was shattered. Almost everywhere, enemy soldiers were surrendering. The million-strong Kwantung Army was defeated.
By September 1, 1945, the Soviet army had completed the assigned objectives. In just 23 days of combat, they crushed the Japanese militarist machine, thus making a decisive contribution to ending WWII in the Far East.
☝️ Our country regained South Sakhalin, which had been seized by Japan from the Russian Empire in 1905, took the Kuril Islands, and restored lease rights to the Kwantung Peninsula with Port Arthur and Dalian.
On September 2, 1945, the Act of Unconditional Surrender of Japan was signed aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. From the Soviet Union, the Act was signed by General Kuzma Derevyanko. This signing marked the end of WWII.
📖 Read more about the Manchurian Strategic Offensive Operation and the heroism of the Soviet soldiers in liberating northeastern China and Korea in our in-depth historical feature.
#WeRemember #OurVictory
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#Антифейк
☝️ Обратили внимание на то, что посол Украины в Лондоне Валерий Залужный в недавней статье для издания Vogue пустился в рассуждения на тему идентичности, единства и исторических уроков для украинцев. Под броской «упаковкой» скрывается лишь стремление автора на публику эксплуатировать искусственно возведённые разделительные линии в нынешнем украинском обществе, а также бесстыдно манипулировать нашим общим прошлым в угоду антироссийской повестке киевских властей.
Парадоксально, но говорящий о единстве В.Залужный фактически оправдывает и поощряет проводимую режимом Зеленского человеконенавистническую линию на языковую, культурную, а также религиозную сегрегацию на Украине.
По сути, подтверждает, что после госпереворота 2014 года к власти в Киеве пришли те, кто решил строить украинскую государственность на отрицании всего русского, дискриминации многомиллионного русскоязычного населения страны, равно как и проживающих в ней нацменьшинств – в нарушение её Конституции и международных обязательств. Именно это стало одной из первопричин, которые привели к многолетнему кризису и впоследствии вынудили нашу страну начать специальную военную операцию.
Любой честный разговор об исторических уроках также обязан затронуть вопрос, как и почему за прошедшее десятилетие под неонацистскими лозунгами Украина была превращена в инструмент для нанесения России «стратегического поражения» в руках западных кураторов. И чем подобная геополитическая «неразборчивость в связях» обходится самому украинскому народу <...>
Россия была и остаётся открытой для урегулирования украинского конфликта политико-дипломатическим путём. При этом речь должна идти о прочном и долгосрочном мире, который может быть достигнут лишь путём искоренения первопричин кризиса.
❌ На этом фоне отмечаем непрекращающиеся попытки Лондона и некоторых его партнёров сорвать выход на мирное разрешение конфликта. Это наглядно демонстрируют заявления и развитая британским руководством активность в преддверии российско-американской встречи на высшем уровне на Аляске. Такая линия лишний раз подтверждает конъюнктурность подхода европейских столиц, рассчитывающих и далее использовать Украину в качестве антироссийского тарана.
Читайте полностью
☝️ Обратили внимание на то, что посол Украины в Лондоне Валерий Залужный в недавней статье для издания Vogue пустился в рассуждения на тему идентичности, единства и исторических уроков для украинцев. Под броской «упаковкой» скрывается лишь стремление автора на публику эксплуатировать искусственно возведённые разделительные линии в нынешнем украинском обществе, а также бесстыдно манипулировать нашим общим прошлым в угоду антироссийской повестке киевских властей.
Парадоксально, но говорящий о единстве В.Залужный фактически оправдывает и поощряет проводимую режимом Зеленского человеконенавистническую линию на языковую, культурную, а также религиозную сегрегацию на Украине.
По сути, подтверждает, что после госпереворота 2014 года к власти в Киеве пришли те, кто решил строить украинскую государственность на отрицании всего русского, дискриминации многомиллионного русскоязычного населения страны, равно как и проживающих в ней нацменьшинств – в нарушение её Конституции и международных обязательств. Именно это стало одной из первопричин, которые привели к многолетнему кризису и впоследствии вынудили нашу страну начать специальную военную операцию.
Любой честный разговор об исторических уроках также обязан затронуть вопрос, как и почему за прошедшее десятилетие под неонацистскими лозунгами Украина была превращена в инструмент для нанесения России «стратегического поражения» в руках западных кураторов. И чем подобная геополитическая «неразборчивость в связях» обходится самому украинскому народу <...>
Россия была и остаётся открытой для урегулирования украинского конфликта политико-дипломатическим путём. При этом речь должна идти о прочном и долгосрочном мире, который может быть достигнут лишь путём искоренения первопричин кризиса.
❌ На этом фоне отмечаем непрекращающиеся попытки Лондона и некоторых его партнёров сорвать выход на мирное разрешение конфликта. Это наглядно демонстрируют заявления и развитая британским руководством активность в преддверии российско-американской встречи на высшем уровне на Аляске. Такая линия лишний раз подтверждает конъюнктурность подхода европейских столиц, рассчитывающих и далее использовать Украину в качестве антироссийского тарана.
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#Antifake
☝️ We have taken note that in a recent article for Vogue Valery Zaluzhny, the Ukrainian Ambassador in London, dwells on the identity, unity and historical lessons for Ukrainians. Beneath the glossy "packaging" lies nothing more than the author's desire to exploit the artificially constructed divisions within today’s Ukrainian society for public consumption and to shamelessly manipulate our shared past in order to serve the Kiev regime’s anti-Russian agenda.
Paradoxically, while speaking of unity, Mr Zaluzhny effectively condones and encourages the misanthropic course pursued by Zelensky’s regime — a policy marked by linguistic, cultural and religious segregation in Ukraine.
In essence, he confirms that, following the 2014 coup d’état, those who came to power in Kiev sought to build Ukrainian statehood upon the denial of everything related to Russia and upon the discrimination against millions of Russian-speaking citizens living in the country, as well as against its national minorities — in violation of the Constitution and international obligations. This, in turn, became one of the root causes that led to a protracted crisis and subsequently compelled our country to launch the special military operation.
Any candid discussion of historical lessons must also address how and why Ukraine — under the neo-Nazi slogans — has been transformed over the past decade into a tool for its Western sponsors to inflict a "strategic defeat" on Russia. It must also consider the cost of such "geopolitical promiscuity" to the Ukrainian people themselves, who continue to be regarded by their foreign patrons solely as "expendable material". <...>
Russia has always been open to resolving the Ukraine conflict through political and diplomatic means. Yet such a settlement must lead to a durable and lasting peace, which can only be achieved by eradicating the root causes of the crisis.
❌ Against this backdrop, we are witnessing the ongoing attempts by London and some of its partners to hinder finding a peaceful solution to this conflict. This is evident from the statements and actions of the British leadership in the lead-up to the Russia-US summit in Alaska. They confirm once again the opportunistic approach of European capitals, who intend to continue exploiting Ukraine as an anti-Russian battering ram.
Read in full
☝️ We have taken note that in a recent article for Vogue Valery Zaluzhny, the Ukrainian Ambassador in London, dwells on the identity, unity and historical lessons for Ukrainians. Beneath the glossy "packaging" lies nothing more than the author's desire to exploit the artificially constructed divisions within today’s Ukrainian society for public consumption and to shamelessly manipulate our shared past in order to serve the Kiev regime’s anti-Russian agenda.
Paradoxically, while speaking of unity, Mr Zaluzhny effectively condones and encourages the misanthropic course pursued by Zelensky’s regime — a policy marked by linguistic, cultural and religious segregation in Ukraine.
In essence, he confirms that, following the 2014 coup d’état, those who came to power in Kiev sought to build Ukrainian statehood upon the denial of everything related to Russia and upon the discrimination against millions of Russian-speaking citizens living in the country, as well as against its national minorities — in violation of the Constitution and international obligations. This, in turn, became one of the root causes that led to a protracted crisis and subsequently compelled our country to launch the special military operation.
Any candid discussion of historical lessons must also address how and why Ukraine — under the neo-Nazi slogans — has been transformed over the past decade into a tool for its Western sponsors to inflict a "strategic defeat" on Russia. It must also consider the cost of such "geopolitical promiscuity" to the Ukrainian people themselves, who continue to be regarded by their foreign patrons solely as "expendable material". <...>
Russia has always been open to resolving the Ukraine conflict through political and diplomatic means. Yet such a settlement must lead to a durable and lasting peace, which can only be achieved by eradicating the root causes of the crisis.
❌ Against this backdrop, we are witnessing the ongoing attempts by London and some of its partners to hinder finding a peaceful solution to this conflict. This is evident from the statements and actions of the British leadership in the lead-up to the Russia-US summit in Alaska. They confirm once again the opportunistic approach of European capitals, who intend to continue exploiting Ukraine as an anti-Russian battering ram.
Read in full
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🎙 Comment by Aide to the President of Russia Yury Ushakov on the upcoming meeting between President Vladimir Putin and President Donald Trump
💬 Preparations for the meeting between the Presidents of Russia and the United States have entered their final stage. <...>
The programme for the leaders’ meeting has been agreed upon. As you are all well aware, this meeting will take place in Alaska, specifically in Anchorage, with one of the facilities at the Elmendorf-Richardson Joint Military Base serving as the venue. The proceedings are scheduled to begin tomorrow, August 15, at approximately 11:30 local time with a conversation between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump. <...>
On the Russian side, the delegation will include:
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov,
• Aide to the President for Foreign Policy Yury Ushakov,
• Defence Minister Andrei Belousov,
• Finance Minister Anton Siluanov,
• Special Presidential Representative for Investment and Economic Cooperation with Foreign Countries Kirill Dmitriev.
Upon concluding the negotiations, Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump will hold a joint news conference to summarise the outcomes of the discussions.
Regarding the summit’s agenda, it is evident to all that the central topic will be the settlement of the Ukraine crisis <...>
However, broader issues related to ensuring peace and security, as well as pressing international and regional matters, will also be addressed. An exchange of views on the further development of bilateral cooperation – particularly in the trade and economic spheres – is also expected.
Read in full
💬 Preparations for the meeting between the Presidents of Russia and the United States have entered their final stage. <...>
The programme for the leaders’ meeting has been agreed upon. As you are all well aware, this meeting will take place in Alaska, specifically in Anchorage, with one of the facilities at the Elmendorf-Richardson Joint Military Base serving as the venue. The proceedings are scheduled to begin tomorrow, August 15, at approximately 11:30 local time with a conversation between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump. <...>
On the Russian side, the delegation will include:
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov,
• Aide to the President for Foreign Policy Yury Ushakov,
• Defence Minister Andrei Belousov,
• Finance Minister Anton Siluanov,
• Special Presidential Representative for Investment and Economic Cooperation with Foreign Countries Kirill Dmitriev.
Upon concluding the negotiations, Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump will hold a joint news conference to summarise the outcomes of the discussions.
Regarding the summit’s agenda, it is evident to all that the central topic will be the settlement of the Ukraine crisis <...>
However, broader issues related to ensuring peace and security, as well as pressing international and regional matters, will also be addressed. An exchange of views on the further development of bilateral cooperation – particularly in the trade and economic spheres – is also expected.
Read in full
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🎙 Excerpt from Russian MFA Deputy Spox Alexey Fadeyev's briefing on topical foreign policy issues (Moscow, 13 August)
💬 Although the European Union pays lip service to supporting Washington and Moscow's diplomatic efforts to resolve the Ukraine crisis, it is actually torpedoing them.
The EU's rhetoric about its purported backing for a peaceful settlement is merely another attempt to delay and undermine the negotiation process. Brussels makes no secret of this, emphasising that, regardless of the outcome of the Russian-US summit, the EU will continue flooding the Kiev regime with weapons and funding, just as it persists in escalating sanctions pressure against our country.
We believe that for certain European governments and Brussels bureaucrats further escalation of the Ukrainian conflict is the only way to justify to their public the unprecedented political and financial investments being poured into Europe's accelerated militarisation – as well as the economic stagnation the EU now faces due to its sanctions spiral and the current leadership's failed socio-economic policies.
☝️ We will closely monitor European countries' actions in the run-up to the summit and expect that no steps will be taken to obstruct its proceedings or the achievement of constructive agreements.
Read in full
💬 Although the European Union pays lip service to supporting Washington and Moscow's diplomatic efforts to resolve the Ukraine crisis, it is actually torpedoing them.
The EU's rhetoric about its purported backing for a peaceful settlement is merely another attempt to delay and undermine the negotiation process. Brussels makes no secret of this, emphasising that, regardless of the outcome of the Russian-US summit, the EU will continue flooding the Kiev regime with weapons and funding, just as it persists in escalating sanctions pressure against our country.
We believe that for certain European governments and Brussels bureaucrats further escalation of the Ukrainian conflict is the only way to justify to their public the unprecedented political and financial investments being poured into Europe's accelerated militarisation – as well as the economic stagnation the EU now faces due to its sanctions spiral and the current leadership's failed socio-economic policies.
☝️ We will closely monitor European countries' actions in the run-up to the summit and expect that no steps will be taken to obstruct its proceedings or the achievement of constructive agreements.
Read in full
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Forwarded from Kremlin. News
Media is too big
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Full video of Vladimir Putin's remarks during the joint news conference with Donald Trump
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1️⃣8️⃣0️⃣ years ago, the Russian Geographical Society (RGS) was founded by the imperial decree.
One of the world's oldest learned societies, it has helped shape how we see the planet. From charting Siberia's endless wilderness to expeditions across Central Asia, the Caucasus, Iran, India, New Guinea and the polar frontiers, its explorers pushed the boundaries of knowledge and imagination.
Over the years, its ranks have included legendary scientists, statesmen, adventurers and even monarchs – Pyotr Semyonov-Tyan-Shansky, who revealed the Tien Shan to the world; Nikolai Vavilov, the visionary geneticist who mapped the origins of cultivated plants; Vladimir Vernadsky, father of biogeochemistry; and Vladimir Dahl, lexicographer of the Russian language. The story stretches far beyond Russia too, with Roald Amundsen, Fridtjof Nansen and Thor Heyerdahl counted among its members.
That spirit of discovery lives on today – in Arctic clean-ups and Amur tiger protection, in youth expeditions, film archives, photo contests and cultural projects. With Europe's largest geographical library at its heart in St Petersburg and more than 27,000 members worldwide, the RGS continues to inspire travellers, scientists and dreamers alike.
🗺 For 180 years it has reminded us: the map is never finished – there is always more to learn, more to protect, more to explore.
One of the world's oldest learned societies, it has helped shape how we see the planet. From charting Siberia's endless wilderness to expeditions across Central Asia, the Caucasus, Iran, India, New Guinea and the polar frontiers, its explorers pushed the boundaries of knowledge and imagination.
Over the years, its ranks have included legendary scientists, statesmen, adventurers and even monarchs – Pyotr Semyonov-Tyan-Shansky, who revealed the Tien Shan to the world; Nikolai Vavilov, the visionary geneticist who mapped the origins of cultivated plants; Vladimir Vernadsky, father of biogeochemistry; and Vladimir Dahl, lexicographer of the Russian language. The story stretches far beyond Russia too, with Roald Amundsen, Fridtjof Nansen and Thor Heyerdahl counted among its members.
That spirit of discovery lives on today – in Arctic clean-ups and Amur tiger protection, in youth expeditions, film archives, photo contests and cultural projects. With Europe's largest geographical library at its heart in St Petersburg and more than 27,000 members worldwide, the RGS continues to inspire travellers, scientists and dreamers alike.
🗺 For 180 years it has reminded us: the map is never finished – there is always more to learn, more to protect, more to explore.
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💬 Russian MFA Spox Maria Zakharova: Against the backdrop of the genuine commitment demonstrated by the leadership of Russia and the United States in Anchorage to achieve a comprehensive, just, and sustainable solution to the Ukraine conflict – including the eradication of its root causes – London continues to issue statements that not only clash with the efforts of Moscow and Washington but are patently designed to undermine them.
For instance, in a joint statement dated 17 August, following yet another online meeting of the so-called "coalition of the willing" chaired by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, the participants revived a demonstrably unviable proposal to deploy Western military contingents in Ukraine should a ceasefire agreement be reached. Earlier, on 15 August, British Defence Secretary John Healey explicitly declared London's readiness to equip military personnel for deployment in Ukraine to enforce a ceasefire once it takes effect.
Britain's role in fanning the flames of the Ukrainian conflict is well-documented. Even before the start of the special military operation, London made no secret of viewing Ukraine solely as a geopolitical instrument aimed against Russia.
For years, the UK has strained to assert leadership in propping up Kiev's puppet regime and rallying foreign aid for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. By emboldening their protégés in Kiev, the British steadfastly keep them on a Euro-Atlantic and anti-Russian trajectory, one that is ruinous for the Ukrainian people.
❌ London remains obsessed with relentlessly escalating the conflict, pushing its NATO allies towards a dangerous threshold beyond which a renewed global confrontation looms.
We reiterate our long-standing position of unequivocally rejecting any scenarios involving the deployment of NATO military contingents in Ukraine, as this risks uncontrollable escalation with unpredictable consequences. Statements to this effect by certain European nations, including Britain, lay bare their overtly provocative and predatory ambitions in the Ukrainian theatre.
These bellicose tirades – which amount, de facto, to cynical incitement to prolong hostilities – merely confirm that London has no interest in resolving the situation and is doing everything possible to prolong the bloodshed. Through its policies, Britain is effectively denying Kiev any chance of exiting the conflict through negotiations, arrogantly and self-assuredly prolonging the suffering of the Ukrainian people as a matter of habit.
It is highly doubtful that the authorities of the UK, which has long since departed from the "premier league" of global politics, are capable of grasping the full weight of responsibility they have unilaterally assumed, along with the potentially catastrophic repercussions of their chosen destructive policies for international and regional security.
❗️ In this regard, we call upon London to abandon its reckless and poorly conceived geopolitical gambits and, at the very least, refrain from obstructing the painstaking efforts of Russian and American negotiators.
For instance, in a joint statement dated 17 August, following yet another online meeting of the so-called "coalition of the willing" chaired by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, the participants revived a demonstrably unviable proposal to deploy Western military contingents in Ukraine should a ceasefire agreement be reached. Earlier, on 15 August, British Defence Secretary John Healey explicitly declared London's readiness to equip military personnel for deployment in Ukraine to enforce a ceasefire once it takes effect.
Britain's role in fanning the flames of the Ukrainian conflict is well-documented. Even before the start of the special military operation, London made no secret of viewing Ukraine solely as a geopolitical instrument aimed against Russia.
For years, the UK has strained to assert leadership in propping up Kiev's puppet regime and rallying foreign aid for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. By emboldening their protégés in Kiev, the British steadfastly keep them on a Euro-Atlantic and anti-Russian trajectory, one that is ruinous for the Ukrainian people.
❌ London remains obsessed with relentlessly escalating the conflict, pushing its NATO allies towards a dangerous threshold beyond which a renewed global confrontation looms.
We reiterate our long-standing position of unequivocally rejecting any scenarios involving the deployment of NATO military contingents in Ukraine, as this risks uncontrollable escalation with unpredictable consequences. Statements to this effect by certain European nations, including Britain, lay bare their overtly provocative and predatory ambitions in the Ukrainian theatre.
These bellicose tirades – which amount, de facto, to cynical incitement to prolong hostilities – merely confirm that London has no interest in resolving the situation and is doing everything possible to prolong the bloodshed. Through its policies, Britain is effectively denying Kiev any chance of exiting the conflict through negotiations, arrogantly and self-assuredly prolonging the suffering of the Ukrainian people as a matter of habit.
It is highly doubtful that the authorities of the UK, which has long since departed from the "premier league" of global politics, are capable of grasping the full weight of responsibility they have unilaterally assumed, along with the potentially catastrophic repercussions of their chosen destructive policies for international and regional security.
❗️ In this regard, we call upon London to abandon its reckless and poorly conceived geopolitical gambits and, at the very least, refrain from obstructing the painstaking efforts of Russian and American negotiators.
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🎙 Russian MFA Spox Maria Zakharova's comment on the third anniversary of the assassination of Darya Dugina
💬 Three years ago, a terrorist act orchestrated by Ukrainian intelligence agencies cut short the life of Russian journalist, political commentator and public figure Darya Dugina (Platonova).
Neither Western pseudo-democracies nor the international organisations obedient to them deigned to react to this treacherous murder, just as they turned a blind eye to other bloody crimes committed by Ukrainian neo-Nazis against journalists and war correspondents.
Under the patronage of their handlers, the Kiev regime continues to methodically eradicate any dissent, waging nothing short of a hunt against representatives of the Russian media sphere. We honour the sacrifice of all media workers who have perished in the line of duty, and we will do everything in our power to hold those responsible for these atrocities to account.
The tragic fate of Darya Dugina has become, for millions, a symbol of selfless devotion to the Motherland, unwavering dedication and loyalty to one's ideals. <...>
☝️ The crime against Darya Dugina knows no statute of limitations. Those guilty of committing it will be found and will face inevitable punishment.
Read in full
💬 Three years ago, a terrorist act orchestrated by Ukrainian intelligence agencies cut short the life of Russian journalist, political commentator and public figure Darya Dugina (Platonova).
Neither Western pseudo-democracies nor the international organisations obedient to them deigned to react to this treacherous murder, just as they turned a blind eye to other bloody crimes committed by Ukrainian neo-Nazis against journalists and war correspondents.
Under the patronage of their handlers, the Kiev regime continues to methodically eradicate any dissent, waging nothing short of a hunt against representatives of the Russian media sphere. We honour the sacrifice of all media workers who have perished in the line of duty, and we will do everything in our power to hold those responsible for these atrocities to account.
The tragic fate of Darya Dugina has become, for millions, a symbol of selfless devotion to the Motherland, unwavering dedication and loyalty to one's ideals. <...>
☝️ The crime against Darya Dugina knows no statute of limitations. Those guilty of committing it will be found and will face inevitable punishment.
Read in full
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🎙 Excerpt from Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's interview with VGTRK (Moscow, 19 August 2025)
💬 [The Russia-US summit in Alaska] showed beyond doubt that the US leader and his team are sincere in their commitment to achieving tangible, lasting and sustainable results. This is what sets them apart from the Europeans who, at the time, shouted at every corner that they would not accept anything but a ceasefire, while continuing to supply weapons to Ukraine even after it is declared. [...]
One of the root causes [of the Ukraine conflict] lies in Russia's security concerns. They have arisen from decades of systematic violations of commitments made to Russia regarding NATO's eastward expansion. [...]
When these [European] delegates in Washington insisted that efforts must begin with formulating security guarantees for Ukraine — and, as emphasised by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, for Europe too — not once did they mention Russia's security concerns. [...]
The patronising disregard for international law, for pledges often made deceitfully and formalised on paper, remains evident in these officials' approach to the Ukraine crisis. Without respect for Russia's security interests, without full recognition of the rights of ethnic Russians and Russian speakers in Ukraine, no lasting agreements are possible, as these are precisely the issues requiring urgent resolution in the context of the crisis settlement.
The Alaska summit demonstrated that the US administration is genuinely committed to ensuring this crisis never recurs, guaranteeing the lawful rights of all states and peoples in the region, rather than rearming Ukraine for war as occurred after the Minsk agreements.
Read in full
💬 [The Russia-US summit in Alaska] showed beyond doubt that the US leader and his team are sincere in their commitment to achieving tangible, lasting and sustainable results. This is what sets them apart from the Europeans who, at the time, shouted at every corner that they would not accept anything but a ceasefire, while continuing to supply weapons to Ukraine even after it is declared. [...]
One of the root causes [of the Ukraine conflict] lies in Russia's security concerns. They have arisen from decades of systematic violations of commitments made to Russia regarding NATO's eastward expansion. [...]
When these [European] delegates in Washington insisted that efforts must begin with formulating security guarantees for Ukraine — and, as emphasised by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, for Europe too — not once did they mention Russia's security concerns. [...]
The patronising disregard for international law, for pledges often made deceitfully and formalised on paper, remains evident in these officials' approach to the Ukraine crisis. Without respect for Russia's security interests, without full recognition of the rights of ethnic Russians and Russian speakers in Ukraine, no lasting agreements are possible, as these are precisely the issues requiring urgent resolution in the context of the crisis settlement.
The Alaska summit demonstrated that the US administration is genuinely committed to ensuring this crisis never recurs, guaranteeing the lawful rights of all states and peoples in the region, rather than rearming Ukraine for war as occurred after the Minsk agreements.
Read in full
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⚛️ In 2025, Russia marks 80 years since the birth of its nuclear industry — a journey that began on 20 August 1945 with the creation of a Special Committee to oversee the development of atomic energy.
What started as a response to global challenges soon evolved into a story not just of defence, but of discovery, innovation and peaceful ambition.
Our country became a pioneer in unlocking the atom's potential for humanity. The first nuclear power plant in Obninsk opened the door to clean energy, the first nuclear-powered icebreaker pushed the boundaries of Arctic exploration, and the first tokamak set the stage for fusion research.
These milestones, forged by visionary scientists and engineers like Igor Kurchatov and Yulii Khariton, transformed atomic energy from a symbol of fear into one of progress and possibility.
Today, Rosatom carries that legacy forward as a global leader in nuclear technology. With projects in over 60 countries — from large-scale power plants to the world's first export project for small modular reactors — the corporation is shaping the future of energy, medicine, advanced materials and quantum innovation.
It is a story of pride, inspiration and ambition, but also one with a very human dream at its heart: a longer, healthier life for people everywhere, powered by safe and sustainable atomic energy.
What started as a response to global challenges soon evolved into a story not just of defence, but of discovery, innovation and peaceful ambition.
Our country became a pioneer in unlocking the atom's potential for humanity. The first nuclear power plant in Obninsk opened the door to clean energy, the first nuclear-powered icebreaker pushed the boundaries of Arctic exploration, and the first tokamak set the stage for fusion research.
These milestones, forged by visionary scientists and engineers like Igor Kurchatov and Yulii Khariton, transformed atomic energy from a symbol of fear into one of progress and possibility.
Today, Rosatom carries that legacy forward as a global leader in nuclear technology. With projects in over 60 countries — from large-scale power plants to the world's first export project for small modular reactors — the corporation is shaping the future of energy, medicine, advanced materials and quantum innovation.
It is a story of pride, inspiration and ambition, but also one with a very human dream at its heart: a longer, healthier life for people everywhere, powered by safe and sustainable atomic energy.
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