Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
8️⃣0️⃣ years ago, on April 11, 1944, the Soviet troops liberated Kerch, one of the oldest Russian cities located on the eastern tip of the Crimean Peninsula, from Nazi invaders. During the Great Patriotic War, it was the site of the most brutal fighting between the Soviet and Nazi troops; it was captured back and occupied again, but never truly surrendered.
The German troops first captured the city in November 1941, but the next month, it was liberated during the Kerch-Feodosia landing operation. In May 1942, despite the desperate resistance put up by the city’s defenders, the Nazis took Kerch again.
▪️ The invaders almost wiped Kerch off the face of the earth, destroying more than 85 percent of the buildings. The population decreased from 70,000 to 6,500 people. The anti-tank trench near the local village of Bagerovo earned a sinister reputation as a war crime scene. In November and December 1941, 7,000 people were shot and tortured there, including 245 school-age children. The Nazis cynically fed them poison during a “picnic.”
The Soviet soldiers who defended the Adzhimushkay Quarry north of Kerch went down in history as true heroes. They protected the numerous civilians, who took refuge in the catacombs. According to various estimates, from 10,000 to 15,000 people were trapped underground. The German forces laid siege to their shelter, bombed them and used poisonous gas trying to bury them alive. Almost the entire garrison of Adzhimushkay perished, but was not defeated.
🌟 In April 1944, the Soviet troops began the Crimean Offensive, which ended with the complete liberation of the peninsula from the invaders. The fact that a Soviet landing force managed to seize the bridgehead on the northeastern outskirts of Kerch in late 1943 contributed to the success.
🎖 For the outstanding heroism shown by its defenders, Kerch was awarded the honorary title of Hero City. More than 140 people who demonstrated exceptional courage in the battles for Kerch were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
The German troops first captured the city in November 1941, but the next month, it was liberated during the Kerch-Feodosia landing operation. In May 1942, despite the desperate resistance put up by the city’s defenders, the Nazis took Kerch again.
▪️ The invaders almost wiped Kerch off the face of the earth, destroying more than 85 percent of the buildings. The population decreased from 70,000 to 6,500 people. The anti-tank trench near the local village of Bagerovo earned a sinister reputation as a war crime scene. In November and December 1941, 7,000 people were shot and tortured there, including 245 school-age children. The Nazis cynically fed them poison during a “picnic.”
The Soviet soldiers who defended the Adzhimushkay Quarry north of Kerch went down in history as true heroes. They protected the numerous civilians, who took refuge in the catacombs. According to various estimates, from 10,000 to 15,000 people were trapped underground. The German forces laid siege to their shelter, bombed them and used poisonous gas trying to bury them alive. Almost the entire garrison of Adzhimushkay perished, but was not defeated.
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Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🤝 On April 10, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland.
They had an in-depth discussion on the current situation in the zone of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, primarily the Gaza Strip. Speaking about the unfolding humanitarian disaster, the Parties reaffirmed the importance of an immediate ceasefire, safe and free access to people in need and the injured, as well as the release of hostages. Sergey Lavrov pointed out that Hamas’s attack on October 7 deserved to be condemned but could not and should not be used as a pretext for the collective punishment of millions of Palestinians.
☝️ The Officials focused on the possibility of relaunching a peaceful Palestinian-Israeli settlement after the end of the hot phase of the conflict. They emphasised the lack of alternatives to the two-state solution, which involves the establishment of a sovereign and independent State of Palestine within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, living in peace and security alongside Israel.
They also exchanged views on the overall situation in the Middle East in light of growing tensions between Israel and Lebanon, arbitrary Israeli attacks targeting Syria, and instability in the Red Sea.
They had an in-depth discussion on the current situation in the zone of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, primarily the Gaza Strip. Speaking about the unfolding humanitarian disaster, the Parties reaffirmed the importance of an immediate ceasefire, safe and free access to people in need and the injured, as well as the release of hostages. Sergey Lavrov pointed out that Hamas’s attack on October 7 deserved to be condemned but could not and should not be used as a pretext for the collective punishment of millions of Palestinians.
☝️ The Officials focused on the possibility of relaunching a peaceful Palestinian-Israeli settlement after the end of the hot phase of the conflict. They emphasised the lack of alternatives to the two-state solution, which involves the establishment of a sovereign and independent State of Palestine within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, living in peace and security alongside Israel.
They also exchanged views on the overall situation in the Middle East in light of growing tensions between Israel and Lebanon, arbitrary Israeli attacks targeting Syria, and instability in the Red Sea.
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🎙 Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova (Moscow, April 10, 2024)
🔹 FM Sergey Lavrov’s schedule
🔹 The situation around the Zaporozhskaya NPP
🔹 The Ukrainian crisis
🔹 International Court of Justice’s provisional measures
🔹 Western cyberattacks on Russian critical infrastructure facilities
🔹 Attacks on the Russian Embassy in Lithuania
🔹 BRICS Council on Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism
🔹 Russia’s CIS chairmanship
📰 Read in full
📺 Watch in full
***
#ZaporozhskayaNPP
❗️Since April 7, 2024, Europe’s largest Zaporozhskaya Nuclear Power Plant has been subjected to systematic Ukrainian attacks using unmanned combat aerial vehicles.
An emergency session of the IAEA Board of Governors will soon be convened on our initiative. The issue of Ukrainian attacks on the NPP will also be raised at a UN Security Council briefing. We intend to urge specialised international organisations to recognise current developments around the Zaporozhskaya NPP and Ukraine as a whole.
#Donbass
▪️ Kiev launched its “counterterrorist operation” in Donbass almost a decade ago.
In effect, this was a civil war unleashed by Kiev against its then compatriots in the country’s southeast. People there demanded only one thing – respect for their lawful rights to speak the native tongue and teach children in it, know history and pay tribute to their heroes who saved the world from fascism almost 80 years ago.
During all these years, we have known very well and said this publicly that the accusation of Donbass of terrorism is a fake. <...> Now the UN International Court of Justice has confirmed this. <...> This verdict refuted Kiev’s main argument in justifying the war it unleashed against civilians.
🔹 FM Sergey Lavrov’s schedule
🔹 The situation around the Zaporozhskaya NPP
🔹 The Ukrainian crisis
🔹 International Court of Justice’s provisional measures
🔹 Western cyberattacks on Russian critical infrastructure facilities
🔹 Attacks on the Russian Embassy in Lithuania
🔹 BRICS Council on Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism
🔹 Russia’s CIS chairmanship
📰 Read in full
📺 Watch in full
***
#ZaporozhskayaNPP
❗️Since April 7, 2024, Europe’s largest Zaporozhskaya Nuclear Power Plant has been subjected to systematic Ukrainian attacks using unmanned combat aerial vehicles.
An emergency session of the IAEA Board of Governors will soon be convened on our initiative. The issue of Ukrainian attacks on the NPP will also be raised at a UN Security Council briefing. We intend to urge specialised international organisations to recognise current developments around the Zaporozhskaya NPP and Ukraine as a whole.
#Donbass
▪️ Kiev launched its “counterterrorist operation” in Donbass almost a decade ago.
In effect, this was a civil war unleashed by Kiev against its then compatriots in the country’s southeast. People there demanded only one thing – respect for their lawful rights to speak the native tongue and teach children in it, know history and pay tribute to their heroes who saved the world from fascism almost 80 years ago.
During all these years, we have known very well and said this publicly that the accusation of Donbass of terrorism is a fake. <...> Now the UN International Court of Justice has confirmed this. <...> This verdict refuted Kiev’s main argument in justifying the war it unleashed against civilians.
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
⚡️ Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova’s comment on the successful launch of the Angara A5 carrier rocket from the Vostochny Cosmodrome marking Cosmonautics Day
🚀 The day before Russia’s Cosmonautics Day, Russia successfully launched its brand new Angara A5 space rocket carrying the Orion upper stage and a mass simulator. Importantly, this was the first Angara A5 launch from the Vostochny Cosmodrome. The rocket’s successful launch has confirmed the Russian Federation’s status as a leading space power that fully ensures its sovereignty in terms of space launches from its territory.
✅ We reaffirm our commitment to the exclusively peaceful use of space. We advocate the progressive development of space-related science and technology, and equal and mutually beneficial cooperation with all interested parties in the exploration and use of near-Earth space for peaceful purposes.
📸 Roscosmos
🚀 The day before Russia’s Cosmonautics Day, Russia successfully launched its brand new Angara A5 space rocket carrying the Orion upper stage and a mass simulator. Importantly, this was the first Angara A5 launch from the Vostochny Cosmodrome. The rocket’s successful launch has confirmed the Russian Federation’s status as a leading space power that fully ensures its sovereignty in terms of space launches from its territory.
✅ We reaffirm our commitment to the exclusively peaceful use of space. We advocate the progressive development of space-related science and technology, and equal and mutually beneficial cooperation with all interested parties in the exploration and use of near-Earth space for peaceful purposes.
📸 Roscosmos
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
#Opinion by Maria #Zakharova
💬 Zelensky announced a plan of a new counteroffensive.
The Russian Ministry of Defence recalled the results of the previous plans and counteroffensives. I won’t repeat this.
I will comment on the political background of this statement.
Zelensky’s public burps like this happen for three reasons.
First, he wants to show his Western sponsors his resolve to continue the bloodshed and his urgent need to receive new financial injections and arms supplies.
Second, he needs to regularly remind the world about himself, about Zelensky: don’t forget that I still exist.
Third, the main goal is to play up to the White House in the election race – to demonstrate the viability of Biden’s project named “Ukrainian democracy.”
What will all this lead to? Zelensky will finally exterminate the Ukrainians.
https://t.me/MariaVladimirovnaZakharova/7833
💬 Zelensky announced a plan of a new counteroffensive.
The Russian Ministry of Defence recalled the results of the previous plans and counteroffensives. I won’t repeat this.
I will comment on the political background of this statement.
Zelensky’s public burps like this happen for three reasons.
First, he wants to show his Western sponsors his resolve to continue the bloodshed and his urgent need to receive new financial injections and arms supplies.
Second, he needs to regularly remind the world about himself, about Zelensky: don’t forget that I still exist.
Third, the main goal is to play up to the White House in the election race – to demonstrate the viability of Biden’s project named “Ukrainian democracy.”
What will all this lead to? Zelensky will finally exterminate the Ukrainians.
https://t.me/MariaVladimirovnaZakharova/7833
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🚀 On April 12, 1961, at 09:07 Moscow time, the Vostok spacecraft with pilot-cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin on board blasted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, marking the beginning of the space age in the history of mankind.
Yuri Gagarin spent 108 minutes in space, making a complete orbit around the Earth, and successfully landed near the village of Smelovka in the Saratov Region.
While in orbit, he maintained radio contact with Earth, made observations through a porthole, controlled the operation of the ship's systems, and carried out simple experiments.
📰 The news about Yuri's flight came out only 55 minutes after the launch of the Vostok rocket, becoming the most quoted report in the world. Overnight, the Soviet citizen became the most famous man on Earth.
Two days later, many thousands of people with flowers and welcome posters took to the streets of Moscow, honouring the cosmonaut who had arrived in the capital. At the end of April, our compatriot went on a foreign tour, travelling through more than 30 countries in two years, where he was welcomed as a hero.
💬 Sergey Lavrov: For billions of people around the world, Yuri Gagarin continues to serve as an example of heroism and selflessness, inspiring them to overcome any obstacles in pursuit of the most ambitious and noble goals (Minister's video message on the occasion of the 60th Anniversary of Yuri Gagarin's space flight).
Gagarin's flight embodied the triumph of Soviet science and technology and was of crucial importance for further development of space exploration and the mankind.
🌐 In 1968, the 61st General Conference of the International Aviation Federation decided to celebrate April 12 as the World Day of Aviation and Astronautics, and in 2011, at the initiative of Russia, the UN General Assembly proclaimed April 12 as the International Day of Human Space Flight.
#CosmonauticsDay
Yuri Gagarin spent 108 minutes in space, making a complete orbit around the Earth, and successfully landed near the village of Smelovka in the Saratov Region.
While in orbit, he maintained radio contact with Earth, made observations through a porthole, controlled the operation of the ship's systems, and carried out simple experiments.
📰 The news about Yuri's flight came out only 55 minutes after the launch of the Vostok rocket, becoming the most quoted report in the world. Overnight, the Soviet citizen became the most famous man on Earth.
Two days later, many thousands of people with flowers and welcome posters took to the streets of Moscow, honouring the cosmonaut who had arrived in the capital. At the end of April, our compatriot went on a foreign tour, travelling through more than 30 countries in two years, where he was welcomed as a hero.
💬 Sergey Lavrov: For billions of people around the world, Yuri Gagarin continues to serve as an example of heroism and selflessness, inspiring them to overcome any obstacles in pursuit of the most ambitious and noble goals (Minister's video message on the occasion of the 60th Anniversary of Yuri Gagarin's space flight).
Gagarin's flight embodied the triumph of Soviet science and technology and was of crucial importance for further development of space exploration and the mankind.
🌐 In 1968, the 61st General Conference of the International Aviation Federation decided to celebrate April 12 as the World Day of Aviation and Astronautics, and in 2011, at the initiative of Russia, the UN General Assembly proclaimed April 12 as the International Day of Human Space Flight.
#CosmonauticsDay
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🇷🇺🇧🇾 President Vladimir Putin met in the Kremlin with President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko who arrived in Moscow on a working visit (April 11, 2024)
💬 We have never rejected a peaceful settlement of disputes. Moreover, this is what we were inclined to do. It was not Russia that started this war in 2014. Everything began with a coup d’etat in Ukraine. <…>
Now, as you know, the idea of holding some kind of conference in Switzerland is being promoted. We are not invited there. Moreover, they think that we have nothing to do there, and at the same time they say that nothing can be solved without us. Since we are not going there (it has now turned into a kind of nonsense), they say that we refuse to negotiate. We were not invited, but they say that we refuse.
It would be funny if it were not so sad. Once again, I would like to emphasise that we are in favour of talks. But not in the format of being imposed any schemes that have nothing to do with reality. <…>
we have recently seen a series of strikes on our energy facilities, and we had to respond. I would like to emphasise that in winter time, guided by humanitarian considerations, we did not launch any strikes on energy facilities. I mean, they wanted to have our social institutions, hospitals and so on left without power supply. But after a series of strikes on our energy facilities, we had to respond. <…> Above all, we proceed from the fact that in this way we directly impact the military-industrial complex of Ukraine. <…>
The opposite side – has driven itself into a corner, to a certain extent, by refusing to negotiate, expecting to defeat Russia on the battlefield, to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia. Now, having understood that this is impossible and having refused to negotiate, they have found themselves in a predicament.
Our goal is not putting everyone in a tough spot. Just the opposite: we are ready for constructive efforts. But clearly, nothing detached from reality can be imposed on us.
📄 Read in full
💬 We have never rejected a peaceful settlement of disputes. Moreover, this is what we were inclined to do. It was not Russia that started this war in 2014. Everything began with a coup d’etat in Ukraine. <…>
Now, as you know, the idea of holding some kind of conference in Switzerland is being promoted. We are not invited there. Moreover, they think that we have nothing to do there, and at the same time they say that nothing can be solved without us. Since we are not going there (it has now turned into a kind of nonsense), they say that we refuse to negotiate. We were not invited, but they say that we refuse.
It would be funny if it were not so sad. Once again, I would like to emphasise that we are in favour of talks. But not in the format of being imposed any schemes that have nothing to do with reality. <…>
we have recently seen a series of strikes on our energy facilities, and we had to respond. I would like to emphasise that in winter time, guided by humanitarian considerations, we did not launch any strikes on energy facilities. I mean, they wanted to have our social institutions, hospitals and so on left without power supply. But after a series of strikes on our energy facilities, we had to respond. <…> Above all, we proceed from the fact that in this way we directly impact the military-industrial complex of Ukraine. <…>
The opposite side – has driven itself into a corner, to a certain extent, by refusing to negotiate, expecting to defeat Russia on the battlefield, to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia. Now, having understood that this is impossible and having refused to negotiate, they have found themselves in a predicament.
Our goal is not putting everyone in a tough spot. Just the opposite: we are ready for constructive efforts. But clearly, nothing detached from reality can be imposed on us.
📄 Read in full
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
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🇷🇺🤝🇧🇾 Foreign Ministers of Russia and Belarus Sergey Lavrov and Sergey Aleinik shared a warm handshake ahead of the CIS Foreign Ministers Council meeting
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
📸 #FamilyPhoto ceremony of the Heads of delegations ahead of the CIS Foreign Ministers Council meeting
📍 Minsk, April 12
📍 Minsk, April 12
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🕯 The CIS Foreign Ministers Council meeting in Minsk started with a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the March 22 terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall concert venue
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🎙 Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova’s answer to a media question about the Swiss government’s decision to host a high-level conference on Ukraine
❓Question: On April 10, the Swiss government announced its decision to hold a high-level Ukraine peace conference in June. Will Russia participate in it?
💬 Maria Zakharova: We have repeatedly expressed our extremely negative attitude to this “conference.” Russia will not take part in it, even if we receive an invitation, which we haven’t so far.
Switzerland is trying to peddle the compromised Zelensky formula under the guise of good offices and keep the failed Copenhagen process going, in a new package this time.
☝️ Any events that ignore Russia’s position and are based on the ultimatum-like Zelensky formula’s provisions are detached from reality and have no future.
The intention voiced by the organisers of the “conference” to take common components out from other countries’ initiatives is nothing but a trick. It is well known that the Zelensky formula does not imply compromises or alternative solutions and completely ignores the proposals put forward by China and Brazil, as well as African and Arab states.
We have no confidence in Switzerland, either. It stands on the positions of Ukraine, supports the Kiev regime, imposes anti-Russian sanctions, and adopts strategies that exclude Russia from the system of supposedly existing European security. By definition and given the circumstances, Switzerland cannot act as a neutral host, let alone a mediator.
The West needs the Global South countries to take part in the “conference” only to give weight to a certain “collective ultimatum” that they are going to present to Russia.
👉 We hope our partners in Asia, Africa and Latin America will be vigilant and will not let themselves be drawn into yet another anti-Russian reckless scheme.
❓Question: On April 10, the Swiss government announced its decision to hold a high-level Ukraine peace conference in June. Will Russia participate in it?
💬 Maria Zakharova: We have repeatedly expressed our extremely negative attitude to this “conference.” Russia will not take part in it, even if we receive an invitation, which we haven’t so far.
Switzerland is trying to peddle the compromised Zelensky formula under the guise of good offices and keep the failed Copenhagen process going, in a new package this time.
☝️ Any events that ignore Russia’s position and are based on the ultimatum-like Zelensky formula’s provisions are detached from reality and have no future.
The intention voiced by the organisers of the “conference” to take common components out from other countries’ initiatives is nothing but a trick. It is well known that the Zelensky formula does not imply compromises or alternative solutions and completely ignores the proposals put forward by China and Brazil, as well as African and Arab states.
We have no confidence in Switzerland, either. It stands on the positions of Ukraine, supports the Kiev regime, imposes anti-Russian sanctions, and adopts strategies that exclude Russia from the system of supposedly existing European security. By definition and given the circumstances, Switzerland cannot act as a neutral host, let alone a mediator.
The West needs the Global South countries to take part in the “conference” only to give weight to a certain “collective ultimatum” that they are going to present to Russia.
👉 We hope our partners in Asia, Africa and Latin America will be vigilant and will not let themselves be drawn into yet another anti-Russian reckless scheme.
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🤝 Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov took part in the 7th Russia – Central Asia Foreign Ministers meeting
📍 Minsk, April 12, 2024
📍 Minsk, April 12, 2024
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
⚡️ Foreign Ministry statement in connection with the attack on Israeli territory
💬 In the early hours of April 14, a large number of missiles and drones were launched at the territory of Israel.
According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, this attack was undertaken as part of the right to self-defence stipulated in Article 51 of the UN Charter in response to the attacks on Iranian targets in the region, including the strike on the consular section of the Iranian Embassy in Damascus on April 1, which our country strongly denounced.
Unfortunately, due to the position adopted by its Western members, the Security Council was unable to provide a proper response to the strike on the Iranian consular mission.
We express our extreme concern at yet another dangerous escalation in the region. We have repeatedly warned that the numerous unresolved crises in the Middle East, primarily in the area of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, which are often fueled by irresponsible provocative actions, will exacerbate tensions.
☝️ We call on all parties involved in the conflict to exercise restraint. We expect the regional states to resolve the existing problems through political and diplomatic means. We believe it is important for the constructively-minded international players to contribute to this effort.
Read in full
💬 In the early hours of April 14, a large number of missiles and drones were launched at the territory of Israel.
According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, this attack was undertaken as part of the right to self-defence stipulated in Article 51 of the UN Charter in response to the attacks on Iranian targets in the region, including the strike on the consular section of the Iranian Embassy in Damascus on April 1, which our country strongly denounced.
Unfortunately, due to the position adopted by its Western members, the Security Council was unable to provide a proper response to the strike on the Iranian consular mission.
We express our extreme concern at yet another dangerous escalation in the region. We have repeatedly warned that the numerous unresolved crises in the Middle East, primarily in the area of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, which are often fueled by irresponsible provocative actions, will exacerbate tensions.
☝️ We call on all parties involved in the conflict to exercise restraint. We expect the regional states to resolve the existing problems through political and diplomatic means. We believe it is important for the constructively-minded international players to contribute to this effort.
Read in full
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
📅 On April 16, 1945, the Berlin Strategic Offensive Operation was launched. It led to the final rout of the main German Nazi forces, the seizure of Berlin and the linking up with the troops of the Western allies. Over 3.5 million people took part in this large battle for the future of Europe.
The main Soviet forces were those of the 2nd Byelorussian Front under the command of Marshal Konstantin Rokossovsky, the 1st Byelorussian Front under the command of Marshall Georgy Zhukov and the First Ukrainian Front under the command of Marshall Ivan Konev. The Dnieper Military Flotilla, part of the forces of the Baltic Fleet and the 1st and 2nd Armies of the Polish Armed Forces were also involved in the hostilities.
The operation started with a night attack during which 143 searchlights were used to blind the enemy. Soviet attack forces quickly broke through the first line of enemy defences but later on, the troops of the 1st Byelorussian Front under Marshal Zhukov were faced with strong resistance on the Seelow Heights.
After fierce fighting on the approaches to the city on April 25, the troops of the 1st Ukrainian Front and the 1st Byelorussian Front linked up to the west of the Third Reich capital, having completed the encirclement of the German group. The fighting for Reichstag began on April 29.
By the late hours of May 5, the enemy resistance was finally suppressed and 134,000 German soldiers and officers surrendered. On the night of May 9, Marshal Zhukov together with representatives of the British, American and French commands accepted unconditional surrender of German troops in Karlshorst. The war in Europe was over.
☝️ During the Berlin operation, Soviet troops not only surrounded and defeated one of the Wehrmacht’s largest groups but also liberated about 200,000 prisoners of Nazi camps in the zone of hostilities. Over 600 participants in the operation were awarded with the title of the Hero of the Soviet Union.
#Victory79
The main Soviet forces were those of the 2nd Byelorussian Front under the command of Marshal Konstantin Rokossovsky, the 1st Byelorussian Front under the command of Marshall Georgy Zhukov and the First Ukrainian Front under the command of Marshall Ivan Konev. The Dnieper Military Flotilla, part of the forces of the Baltic Fleet and the 1st and 2nd Armies of the Polish Armed Forces were also involved in the hostilities.
The operation started with a night attack during which 143 searchlights were used to blind the enemy. Soviet attack forces quickly broke through the first line of enemy defences but later on, the troops of the 1st Byelorussian Front under Marshal Zhukov were faced with strong resistance on the Seelow Heights.
After fierce fighting on the approaches to the city on April 25, the troops of the 1st Ukrainian Front and the 1st Byelorussian Front linked up to the west of the Third Reich capital, having completed the encirclement of the German group. The fighting for Reichstag began on April 29.
By the late hours of May 5, the enemy resistance was finally suppressed and 134,000 German soldiers and officers surrendered. On the night of May 9, Marshal Zhukov together with representatives of the British, American and French commands accepted unconditional surrender of German troops in Karlshorst. The war in Europe was over.
☝️ During the Berlin operation, Soviet troops not only surrounded and defeated one of the Wehrmacht’s largest groups but also liberated about 200,000 prisoners of Nazi camps in the zone of hostilities. Over 600 participants in the operation were awarded with the title of the Hero of the Soviet Union.
#Victory79
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🇷🇺🇮🇷📞 On April 14, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had a telephone conversation with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran Hossein Amir-Abdollahian at the initiative of the Iranian side.
The main topic of discussion centred around the situation in the Middle East. The Iranian Foreign Minister informed his Russian counterpart about the actions taken by Tehran in response to the Israeli airstrike on the consular section of the Iranian Embassy in Damascus on April 1, which resulted in the death of Iranian officials.
As noted, any further escalation of the situation in the region and any new dangerous provocative actions could lead to an escalation of tensions in the Middle East. Preventing such scenarios and eliminating their root causes should be a primary concern for the UN Security Council.
The Ministers reaffirmed their support for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, underscoring the urgency of resolving pressing humanitarian problems, and expressed their commitment to establishing lasting conditions for direct negotiations in accordance with the UN resolutions on a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
The main topic of discussion centred around the situation in the Middle East. The Iranian Foreign Minister informed his Russian counterpart about the actions taken by Tehran in response to the Israeli airstrike on the consular section of the Iranian Embassy in Damascus on April 1, which resulted in the death of Iranian officials.
As noted, any further escalation of the situation in the region and any new dangerous provocative actions could lead to an escalation of tensions in the Middle East. Preventing such scenarios and eliminating their root causes should be a primary concern for the UN Security Council.
The Ministers reaffirmed their support for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, underscoring the urgency of resolving pressing humanitarian problems, and expressed their commitment to establishing lasting conditions for direct negotiations in accordance with the UN resolutions on a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🎙 Russia's Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova’s answer to a media question regarding Switzerland losing its neutral status
❓ Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that “We aren’t counting on Switzerland’s services. Thanks to its neutral status, Switzerland has traditionally been a venue for peace conferences and talks to reach compromises and agreements. But it has lost this status.”
In connection to this, does Russia intend to transfer the International Geneva Discussions on Security and Stability in the South Caucasus to another country? Which countries could host discussions on the South Caucasus?
💬 We have repeatedly pointed out to the Swiss side that its irresponsible commitment to the collective West’s openly unfriendly policy towards Russia, including the fact that it has joined all the “packages” of EU sanctions against Russia (there are 13 of them to date), as well as its total solidarity with the Kiev regime, are at variance with its much vaunted “neutrality.” <...>
Regrettably, the Swiss authorities have failed to heed our concerns. Moreover, in recent months, they have actively promoted certain destructive initiatives, such as their own proposal to host an “international conference” on Ukraine, an idea that is completely detached from reality, as well as their efforts to develop a legal framework for a mechanism that would allow for the confiscation of Russia’s state assets deposited in their country.
Given these circumstances, Russia has been forced to put into practice its intention to transfer the International Geneva Discussions on Security and Stability in the South Caucasus to a country whose authorities would refrain from any actions that could damage the interests of any participating party in this negotiation format <...>
The only thing worth noting is that Russia intends to continue its efforts to achieve consensus on transferring the talks from Geneva with active support from our Abkhazian and South Ossetian allies, who fully share Moscow’s perspective on this matter.
❓ Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that “We aren’t counting on Switzerland’s services. Thanks to its neutral status, Switzerland has traditionally been a venue for peace conferences and talks to reach compromises and agreements. But it has lost this status.”
In connection to this, does Russia intend to transfer the International Geneva Discussions on Security and Stability in the South Caucasus to another country? Which countries could host discussions on the South Caucasus?
💬 We have repeatedly pointed out to the Swiss side that its irresponsible commitment to the collective West’s openly unfriendly policy towards Russia, including the fact that it has joined all the “packages” of EU sanctions against Russia (there are 13 of them to date), as well as its total solidarity with the Kiev regime, are at variance with its much vaunted “neutrality.” <...>
Regrettably, the Swiss authorities have failed to heed our concerns. Moreover, in recent months, they have actively promoted certain destructive initiatives, such as their own proposal to host an “international conference” on Ukraine, an idea that is completely detached from reality, as well as their efforts to develop a legal framework for a mechanism that would allow for the confiscation of Russia’s state assets deposited in their country.
Given these circumstances, Russia has been forced to put into practice its intention to transfer the International Geneva Discussions on Security and Stability in the South Caucasus to a country whose authorities would refrain from any actions that could damage the interests of any participating party in this negotiation format <...>
The only thing worth noting is that Russia intends to continue its efforts to achieve consensus on transferring the talks from Geneva with active support from our Abkhazian and South Ossetian allies, who fully share Moscow’s perspective on this matter.