Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
President of the Russian Federation, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Vladimir Putin visited an auxiliary command post of the Joint Force, where he chaired a meeting with the General Staff leadership and the commanders of the groups of forces (July 3, 2026)
Read the remarks in full
💬 Vladimir Putin: Сomrades,
Today we are holding a regular working meeting to assess the current situation in the special military operation zone, as well as to review and evaluate the latest combat results. <...>
The liberation of the Lugansk People’s Republic has recently been completed in full.
Meanwhile, operations to eliminate formations of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Donetsk People’s Republic, as well as in the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions, are underway. The establishment of a security zone in the border areas of the Kharkov, Sumy, and Dnepropetrovsk regions of Ukraine is also progressing according to plan.
👉 Enemy troops are attempting to maintain their positions, but under the pressure of our forces they are sustaining heavy losses and are being forced to withdraw.
Since the beginning of this year, Russian forces have liberated 133 settlements and established control over more than 3'000 square kilometres of our territory in #Donbass and #Novorossiya. <...>
I would like to note the positive momentum in the actions of our forces, as well as the increasing pace of the advance by units and formations of the Russian Armed Forces along the entire front line. I can see this on a daily basis, both in your reports and in those submitted by other commanders.
In recent months, the security zone along our border with Ukraine has also expanded considerably. Forces of the East and Dnepr groups of forces are advancing successfully in the Zaporozhye Region, the liberation of the Donetsk People’s Republic is continuing, and, as you have reported, the South and Centre groups of forces are continuing their westward advance while inflicting defeats on the enemy.
In June, Ukrainian Armed Forces units were expelled from six settlements, including the city of Konstantinovka, which has been brought back under Russian control. <...>
***
I would like to emphasise that the capture of Konstantinovka represents only the first, but a highly significant, step toward defeating the Ukrainian Armed Forces units currently holding what you referred to as the Slavyansk–Kramatorsk–Konstantinovka fortified area.
There, the enemy has built a deep, layered system of defensive fortifications, effectively turning the cities of Slavyansk, Kramatorsk, Druzhkovka, and Konstantinovka into a single defensive stronghold.
With Konstantinovka now under our control, I believe it is no longer appropriate to refer to the Slavyansk–Kramatorsk– Konstantinovka line. <...>
***
The more strikes the enemy attempts against our civilian infrastructure — and, of course, our foremost priority is to do everything necessary to protect these facilities and the civilian population <...>
❗️ The Russian Armed Forces continue to firmly maintain the strategic initiative in the special military operation zone, and the liberation of Konstantinovka is of major strategic significance. <...>
The city is a key transportation hub and a major industrial centre in Donbass. <...> The capture of Konstantinovka by the South group of forces opens a direct route for further advances toward Kramatorsk and Slavyansk, as well as other fortified areas in Donbass.
It is undoubtedly a key step toward the liberation of the entire Donetsk People’s Republic.
☝️ A decisive role in these achievements undoubtedly belongs to our soldiers and officers, who, in the course of combat operations, continue to demonstrate the finest qualities of the Russian warrior — selfless devotion and love for the Motherland.
Read in full
Read the remarks in full
💬 Vladimir Putin: Сomrades,
Today we are holding a regular working meeting to assess the current situation in the special military operation zone, as well as to review and evaluate the latest combat results. <...>
The liberation of the Lugansk People’s Republic has recently been completed in full.
Meanwhile, operations to eliminate formations of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Donetsk People’s Republic, as well as in the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions, are underway. The establishment of a security zone in the border areas of the Kharkov, Sumy, and Dnepropetrovsk regions of Ukraine is also progressing according to plan.
👉 Enemy troops are attempting to maintain their positions, but under the pressure of our forces they are sustaining heavy losses and are being forced to withdraw.
Since the beginning of this year, Russian forces have liberated 133 settlements and established control over more than 3'000 square kilometres of our territory in #Donbass and #Novorossiya. <...>
I would like to note the positive momentum in the actions of our forces, as well as the increasing pace of the advance by units and formations of the Russian Armed Forces along the entire front line. I can see this on a daily basis, both in your reports and in those submitted by other commanders.
In recent months, the security zone along our border with Ukraine has also expanded considerably. Forces of the East and Dnepr groups of forces are advancing successfully in the Zaporozhye Region, the liberation of the Donetsk People’s Republic is continuing, and, as you have reported, the South and Centre groups of forces are continuing their westward advance while inflicting defeats on the enemy.
In June, Ukrainian Armed Forces units were expelled from six settlements, including the city of Konstantinovka, which has been brought back under Russian control. <...>
***
I would like to emphasise that the capture of Konstantinovka represents only the first, but a highly significant, step toward defeating the Ukrainian Armed Forces units currently holding what you referred to as the Slavyansk–Kramatorsk–Konstantinovka fortified area.
There, the enemy has built a deep, layered system of defensive fortifications, effectively turning the cities of Slavyansk, Kramatorsk, Druzhkovka, and Konstantinovka into a single defensive stronghold.
With Konstantinovka now under our control, I believe it is no longer appropriate to refer to the Slavyansk–Kramatorsk– Konstantinovka line. <...>
***
The more strikes the enemy attempts against our civilian infrastructure — and, of course, our foremost priority is to do everything necessary to protect these facilities and the civilian population <...>
❗️ The Russian Armed Forces continue to firmly maintain the strategic initiative in the special military operation zone, and the liberation of Konstantinovka is of major strategic significance. <...>
The city is a key transportation hub and a major industrial centre in Donbass. <...> The capture of Konstantinovka by the South group of forces opens a direct route for further advances toward Kramatorsk and Slavyansk, as well as other fortified areas in Donbass.
It is undoubtedly a key step toward the liberation of the entire Donetsk People’s Republic.
☝️ A decisive role in these achievements undoubtedly belongs to our soldiers and officers, who, in the course of combat operations, continue to demonstrate the finest qualities of the Russian warrior — selfless devotion and love for the Motherland.
Read in full
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⚠️ Накануне саммита НАТО и сессии Исполсовета ОЗХО Лондон отметился очередным санкционным выпадом. Нелегитимные ограничения введены против российских научно-исследовательских учреждений.
За неимением свежих идей в разработку взято излюбленное здешними властями «химдосье» – набор извлечённых из нафталина обвинений в отравлении Скрипалей, Д.Стерджесс и А.Навального, а также в разработке химоружия в нарушение Конвенции о запрещении химического оружия.
Категорически отвергаем подобные утверждения. Россия неукоснительно соблюдает нормы международного права, включая положения Конвенции о запрещении химического оружия. Отсутствие химического оружия в арсеналах наших Вооружённых сил подтверждено результатами международных инспекций.
Обвинения в применении пресловутого «Новичка» несостоятельны изначально: британская сторона сама отказалась от предусмотренного КЗХО взаимодействия с Россией и до сих пор не представила ответов на ключевые вопросы в связи с «делом Скрипалей» и гибелью Д.Стерджесс.
Не получившая юридического закрепления даже в британских инстанциях клевета продолжает использоваться местным руководством как доказательство существования мнимой «российской угрозы». Цель – усиление конфронтации с нашей страной и обоснование непопулярных решений в ущерб британскому населению. История с эпибатидином развивается по тому же сценарию: громкие заявления без единого доказательства.
☝️ В данном вопросе необходимо руководствоваться здравым смыслом, мыслить критически, не принимая на веру ничего из того, что заявляет британское правительство в отношении России.
За неимением свежих идей в разработку взято излюбленное здешними властями «химдосье» – набор извлечённых из нафталина обвинений в отравлении Скрипалей, Д.Стерджесс и А.Навального, а также в разработке химоружия в нарушение Конвенции о запрещении химического оружия.
Категорически отвергаем подобные утверждения. Россия неукоснительно соблюдает нормы международного права, включая положения Конвенции о запрещении химического оружия. Отсутствие химического оружия в арсеналах наших Вооружённых сил подтверждено результатами международных инспекций.
Обвинения в применении пресловутого «Новичка» несостоятельны изначально: британская сторона сама отказалась от предусмотренного КЗХО взаимодействия с Россией и до сих пор не представила ответов на ключевые вопросы в связи с «делом Скрипалей» и гибелью Д.Стерджесс.
Не получившая юридического закрепления даже в британских инстанциях клевета продолжает использоваться местным руководством как доказательство существования мнимой «российской угрозы». Цель – усиление конфронтации с нашей страной и обоснование непопулярных решений в ущерб британскому населению. История с эпибатидином развивается по тому же сценарию: громкие заявления без единого доказательства.
☝️ В данном вопросе необходимо руководствоваться здравым смыслом, мыслить критически, не принимая на веру ничего из того, что заявляет британское правительство в отношении России.
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🧑🎨 On this day in 1887, Marc Chagall was born – a famous Russian-French painter whose work fused modernism and the avant-garde, drawing together strands of surrealism, symbolism and expressionism into a unique visual language. Beyond painting, Chagall became one of the great masters of stained glass, bringing the same luminous imagination to glass as he did to canvas.
Britain holds a special place in that legacy. Chagall created the stained-glass windows for All Saints’ Church in Tudeley, where every window is his work, and later designed the magnificent Psalm 150 window for Chichester Cathedral. These commissions reflected his belief that art could transcend borders, religions and cultures.
Britain holds a special place in that legacy. Chagall created the stained-glass windows for All Saints’ Church in Tudeley, where every window is his work, and later designed the magnificent Psalm 150 window for Chichester Cathedral. These commissions reflected his belief that art could transcend borders, religions and cultures.
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⚠️ On the eve of the NATO summit and the OPCW Executive Council session, London has introduced yet another raft of sanctions. Illegitimate restrictions have been imposed on Russian research institutions.
Lacking any fresh ideas, the UK authorities have dusted off their favourite "chemical dossier" – a set of stale accusations concerning the poisoning of the Skripals, Dawn Sturgess and Alexey Navalny, as well as the alleged development of chemical weapons in violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).
We categorically reject these allegations. Russia strictly adheres to the norms of international law, including the CWC provisions. International inspections have confirmed that the Russian Armed Forces do not possess chemical weapons.
The accusations regarding the use of the notorious "Novichok" are fundamentally baseless. The British side itself refused to cooperate with Russia as set out in the Chemical Weapons Convention and has failed to answer key questions relating to both the Skripal case and the death of Dawn Sturgess.
Despite not having been legally proven in British courts, this slander continues to be used by the UK leadership as proof of an imaginary "Russian threat". The aim is to intensify confrontation with Russia and to justify unpopular decisions at the expense of the British public. The epibatidine story is following the same pattern: loud allegations without a shred of evidence.
In this matter, one must be guided by common sense and think critically, rather than accepting anything the British government claims about Russia at face value.
Lacking any fresh ideas, the UK authorities have dusted off their favourite "chemical dossier" – a set of stale accusations concerning the poisoning of the Skripals, Dawn Sturgess and Alexey Navalny, as well as the alleged development of chemical weapons in violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).
We categorically reject these allegations. Russia strictly adheres to the norms of international law, including the CWC provisions. International inspections have confirmed that the Russian Armed Forces do not possess chemical weapons.
The accusations regarding the use of the notorious "Novichok" are fundamentally baseless. The British side itself refused to cooperate with Russia as set out in the Chemical Weapons Convention and has failed to answer key questions relating to both the Skripal case and the death of Dawn Sturgess.
Despite not having been legally proven in British courts, this slander continues to be used by the UK leadership as proof of an imaginary "Russian threat". The aim is to intensify confrontation with Russia and to justify unpopular decisions at the expense of the British public. The epibatidine story is following the same pattern: loud allegations without a shred of evidence.
In this matter, one must be guided by common sense and think critically, rather than accepting anything the British government claims about Russia at face value.
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❤️ In Russia, 8 July is celebrated as the Day of Family, Love and Fidelity.
The date wasn't picked at random – it comes from the Russian Orthodox Church's commemoration of Saints Peter and Fevronia of Murom, an example of true love.
Legend has it that Prince Peter was struck with incurable leprosy after killing a magical serpent. A village girl named Fevronia agreed to heal him – but only if he married her. He promised, was healed – then broke his word, and the disease returned. Repentant, he kept his promise, and they married.
When Peter's time came to rule Murom, the boyars didn't want a commoner as their princess and forced the prince to choose between the throne and love. Without hesitation, he chose Fevronia, and they left Murom together. But soon the boyars begged him to return, and the couple ruled wisely ever after.
In old age, he became a monk and she a nun, and together they prayed to die on the same day and be buried side by side. Their wish was granted: their remains were moved to separate churches twice, and twice they miraculously ended up together again.
Today, their relics rest in Murom's Holy Trinity Monastery, where believers from across Russia come to pray for family happiness.
ℹ️ For more on the story of Peter and Fevronia, check out this article by Gateway to Russia.
The date wasn't picked at random – it comes from the Russian Orthodox Church's commemoration of Saints Peter and Fevronia of Murom, an example of true love.
Legend has it that Prince Peter was struck with incurable leprosy after killing a magical serpent. A village girl named Fevronia agreed to heal him – but only if he married her. He promised, was healed – then broke his word, and the disease returned. Repentant, he kept his promise, and they married.
When Peter's time came to rule Murom, the boyars didn't want a commoner as their princess and forced the prince to choose between the throne and love. Without hesitation, he chose Fevronia, and they left Murom together. But soon the boyars begged him to return, and the couple ruled wisely ever after.
In old age, he became a monk and she a nun, and together they prayed to die on the same day and be buried side by side. Their wish was granted: their remains were moved to separate churches twice, and twice they miraculously ended up together again.
Today, their relics rest in Murom's Holy Trinity Monastery, where believers from across Russia come to pray for family happiness.
ℹ️ For more on the story of Peter and Fevronia, check out this article by Gateway to Russia.
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💬 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov: The West's expansion of military production and investment in industrial capacity is driven by two factors.
The first is the desire to continue supplying the Zelensky regime for as long as possible, so that Ukraine can do Europe's work of exhausting Russia, as many representatives of the European political echelon have openly stated.
The second factor is that without such measures, the deteriorating state of the European economy would be impossible to conceal. Social programmes have been impacted, benefits are being cut and industry is relocating from Europe to the United States, which offers much better business conditions. In these circumstances, allocating budget funds to weapons production is one way of keeping the economy afloat.
However, if they wish to militarise to the hilt, they will simply lose their own race for superiority.
Excerpt from Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks and answers to media questions following consultations with Chairperson of the African Union Commission Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Addis Ababa, 7 July 2026
The first is the desire to continue supplying the Zelensky regime for as long as possible, so that Ukraine can do Europe's work of exhausting Russia, as many representatives of the European political echelon have openly stated.
The second factor is that without such measures, the deteriorating state of the European economy would be impossible to conceal. Social programmes have been impacted, benefits are being cut and industry is relocating from Europe to the United States, which offers much better business conditions. In these circumstances, allocating budget funds to weapons production is one way of keeping the economy afloat.
However, if they wish to militarise to the hilt, they will simply lose their own race for superiority.
Excerpt from Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks and answers to media questions following consultations with Chairperson of the African Union Commission Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Addis Ababa, 7 July 2026
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