🎖 June 7, 1887, marked the birth of Sidor Kovpak – a recipient of the Cross of St George (3rd and 4th degrees), twice Hero of the Soviet Union, legendary guerrilla commander, and one of the most outstanding leaders of popular resistance against Nazi occupation during the Great Patriotic War.

During World War I, Kovpak served in the 186th Aslanduz Infantry Regiment, where he repeatedly demonstrated unconventional approaches to mission execution and personal bravery. He distinguished himself in the Battle of Kraśnik and during the famed Brusilov Offensive.

🏅 Kovpak began preparing for guerrilla warfare against the invaders literally from the first days of the war: as early as July 3, 1941, with his involvement, the decision was made to form four resistance units, one of which he led, becoming a true nightmare for the Nazi invaders and their collaborators. Under his command, fighters carried out a series of audacious raids deep behind enemy lines.

A defining chapter in his biography was the 1943 Carpathian Raid – one of the largest and most successful guerrilla campaigns. Over a hundred days, Kovpak’s unit fought its way across more than 2’000 kilometres through Nazi-held territory, eliminating or wounding as many as 5’000 enemy soldiers and officers, derailing 19 supply trains, and destroying oil depots and a railway hub in Ternopol.

These operations severely disrupted German troop movements towards Kursk and significantly influenced the outcome of the Battle of Kursk.

💬 At the October celebrations in 1943, Kovpak summarised 26 months of relentless warfare behind enemy lines:

Guerrillas fought across 10’000 kilometres through 18 regions of Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus, exterminated 18’000 fascists, derailed 62 railway supply trains, blew up 256 bridges, destroyed 96 warehouses stocked with food, uniforms, and ammunition, two oilfields, over 50’000 tonnes of oil, more than 200 kilometres of telegraph and telephone lines, 50 communication hubs, up to 500 vehicles, 20 tanks, and armoured cars.

In today's Ukraine under the Kiev regime's heel monuments to Kovpak – like those of many other distinguished anti-Nazi fighters – are being vandalised by local nationalists. The Kiev regime seeks to erase the memory of genuine heroes, replacing them with figures of collaborators and Nazi accomplices, the very forces Kovpak fought against.
 
#FacesOfVictory #Victory80

#SPIEF2025

✍️ President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin sent greetings to the participants, organisers, and guests of the 28th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (June 9, 2025)

The message reads, in part:

💬 I would like to welcome you to the opening of the 28th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (#SPIEF).

During the plenary session, panel discussions and roundtables, the Forum participants, including politicians and representatives of the business community, academia and expert circles from around the world, will explore key trends in the development of both the Russian and global economies. They will assess recent challenges and accomplishments and share their outlook for the future.

It is fitting that St. Petersburg, a city where past and present, tradition and innovation are deeply intertwined, has become the place where the agenda for the future is shaped and ideas with the potential to change the world for the better are born.

The main theme of this year’s Forum is “Shared Values: The Foundation of Growth in a Multipolar World”.

☝️ Russia consistently upholds the principles of sovereign development and respect for the cultural and civilizational identity of nations and peoples. Together with our partners, particularly within the #BRICS Group, we remain committed to building an effective system of equal and mutually beneficial international cooperation, free from any form of discrimination, dictate, and sanctions pressure.

The central focus of the Forum’s programme is on technology and digital transformation as key drivers of leadership in the modern world and as essential foundations for creating a comfortable living environment and enabling personal fulfilment.

Participants will also exchange views on issues related to demographics, labour productivity, science and education, healthcare, and social protection.

I am confident that your discussions will be productive and will contribute meaningfully to addressing the pressing challenges facing humanity.

VLADIMIR PUTIN

🗓 On June 5-6, Nizhny Novgorod hosted the Global Digital Forum.

The event was organised on instructions of Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin with the support of the Presidential Executive Office, Russia's Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media. Nizhny Novgorod Region Governor Gleb Nikitin and the regional government played a key role in the successful organisation of the event.

🌐 The Forum brought together over 1'000 delegates from more than 100 countries, including senior officials of international organisations and leading Russian developers of information and communication technologies.

During the Forum’s plenary and thematic sessions, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin, as well as Deputy Ministers of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media Bella Cherkesova, Alexander Shoitov and Sergey Tsvetkov, presented Russia’s position on key ICT issues, including artificial intelligence. These approaches are being promoted at the United Nations, the International Telecommunication Union and other international platforms.

Particular emphasis was placed on major Russian-led initiatives, such as the UN Convention against Cybercrime and the Global Intergovernmental POCs Directory for Exchange of Information on Computer Attacks/Incidents. The Russian Side reaffirmed its commitment to developing new norms of international law aimed at building a fair and equitable system for ICT governance based on respect for national sovereignty and in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter. The need for fair and balanced standards and requirements within the framework of the International Telecommunication Union was also highlighted as a priority.

💬 Russia's Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova addressed participants of the Forum’s special session Responsible Fact-Checking in the Post-Truth Era: New Opportunities for Cooperation. The session focused on digital transformation and Russia’s achievements, including the use of media technologies in 2020 to assist the return of Russian citizens from abroad. The discussion also covered the role of the collective West in the digital environment. It was noted that public trust in mainstream Western media is currently at a historic low. The importance of supporting expert civil initiatives that defend objective reality, promote truth and facts, and expose disinformation in an evolving digital landscape was strongly emphasised.

On the sidelines of the Forum, Sergey Vershinin held talks with UN Under-Secretary-General and the Secretary-General's Envoy on Technology Amandeep Singh Gill, as well as Head of the Secretariat of the UN Internet Governance Forum Chengetai Masango. The meetings featured in-depth discussions on various aspects of the digital agenda. The Sides emphasised the leading role of the United Nations in multilateral efforts to bridge the digital divide and strengthen ICT capacity in the Global South.

⚡️ Russia’s Defence Ministry:

On 9 June, in accordance with Russian-Ukrainian agreements reached on 2 June in Istanbul, the first group of Russian servicemen under the age of 25 was returned from the territory controlled by the Kiev regime.

A similar number of AFU prisoners of war were returned as a result of the exchange.

At present, the Russian servicemen are on the territory of the Republic of Belarus, where they are provided with the necessary psychological and medical assistance.

All released servicemen will be taken to the Russian Federation for treatment and rehabilitation in medical institutions of the Russian Defence Ministry.

🎙 Briefing by Russia's Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova (Moscow, June 4, 2025)

🔹On the outcomes of the second round of Russia-Ukraine negotiations in Istanbul
🔹 On accusations against Russia of child abductions
🔹 Kiev regime crimes
🔹 On plans by Swedish municipal authorities to expropriate a church from the Russian Orthodox community in Västerås
🔹 On the opening of the Alley of Eternal Friendship between Kazakhstan and Russia in Astana
🔹 On the launch of a section on the Russia's Foreign Ministry’s website dedicated to the 80th Anniversary of Victory
🔹 On anti-Russian statements by the Moldovan Foreign Ministry
🔹 On Baerbock’s election as President of the 80th UN General Assembly Session

📰 Read
📺 Watch

***

#UkraineCrisis #Istanbul #Negotiations

On June 2, the second round of direct bilateral talks with Ukraine was held in Istanbul; the talks were resumed at Russia’s initiative.

As agreed on May 16, the Russian Side presented the Ukrainian delegation with a detailed two-part memorandum outlining our vision of ways to achieve long-term peace and a possible full-fledged ceasefire. Kiev took a break to consider that document’s provisions. In turn, we received a draft of the Ukrainian version, which will also be studied in detail.

Our delegation received a list of 339 Ukrainian children who have lost contact with their parents or legal representatives due to various circumstances. The Russian Side intends to thoroughly review their cases.

As we can see, Ukraine has failed to provide any proof confirming the “20'000 abducted children,” something the Kiev regime previously alleged. In fact, they insisted on this at every level. Russia is rescuing children from under the shelling of Kiev’s artillery and evacuating them from combat zones to safety when necessary. This primarily refers to orphans and minors who have been left without the care of their legal guardians. Our country is doing everything possible to have children reunite with their families. This process is making great strides.

The Russian Side will approach the implementation of all existing agreements with utmost responsibility.

#KievRegimeCrimes #terrorism

The Kiev regime and its EU Western sponsors have exerted considerable effort to derail another round of negotiations in Istanbul, thereby sabotaging the nascent peace process. They have resorted to their favoured terrorist methods.

On June 3, the Investigative Committee of Russia classified the monstrous crimes – the blowing of the bridges in the Bryansk Region (May 31, 2025) and the Kursk Region (June 1, 2025) – as acts of terrorism.

It is evident the terrorists, acting on the orders of the Kiev regime, meticulously planned their attacks to maximise civilian casualties, including children.

The reaction of the Ukrainian Nazis to these events [in Bryansk and Kursk regions] was predictably marked by open gloating. This once again underscores the misanthropic essence of the Kiev junta.

#UNGA #Baerbock

Unfortunately, this high-profile position [President of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly], is unlikely to improve her [Baerbock's] reputation. Many remember her previous remarks about the need to change position “by 360 degrees” and references to “hundreds of thousands of kilometres” supposedly separating countries, along with numerous other questionable assertions.

Regrettably, all of this has occurred during the UN’s anniversary year, commemorating the Victory over Nazism. We vividly recall how Baerbock praised her grandfather, who was associated with the Third Reich.

🎙 Interview of Dmitry Birichevsky, Director of the Department of Economic Cooperation of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with RT News TV Channel (June 8, 2025)

Key talking points:

• The forthcoming 28th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (#SPIEF) is a milestone event in our country. Almost three decades of its existence, it has shown popularity with lots of visitors and delegates. Last year we had 21'800 delegates at the Forum from 139 countries. This year we expect to have more delegations from all over the world. It proves again that no one can isolate our country.

• American companies have always attended the St. Petersburg Economic Forum. Even after the launch of the special military operation, they were always present. This time, I'm sure, they will come again. They are looking for opportunities to enter the Russian market because it has huge benefits.

• The government and the presidential administration elaborate the conditions under which foreign companies — Western companies — could make a possible comeback. If a company left with the start of the special military operation and abandoned all obligations, it will be very difficult for them to make a comeback. Those who want to come back will need to prove credibility. And they will have to look at the niches that are vacant. Not only Russian companies occupied those niches but firms from China, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, India.

• More than 75% of our exports now go to friendly countries. This is a good example of how we reoriented from non-friendly states to the Global South and Global East. More than 90% of payments are in national currencies, more than 95% with China and CIS countries. We are orienting our exports and foreign economic policy towards the Middle East, ASEAN, Latin America and Africa.

• We do not recognise illegal sanctions. They are not approved by the UN Security Council. These are unilateral, illegal, hostile measures. Many countries have enough courage, sovereignty and dignity to say that they will never stop cooperation with Russia when it's in their national interest. Sanctions don’t work. With a country like Russia, it’s absolutely impossible.

• Cooperation with (and within) #BRICS is a natural process which is going quite successfully, despite the resistance and pressure of the collective West. BRICS now has more GDP value than the G7. They’re building alternative financial mechanisms. Nobody will be able to dictate to us what to do.

✉️ Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s greetings to organisers and participants of the 5th International Conference, Global Threats to Biological Security: Problems and Solutions (June 10, 2025)

✍️ I warmly welcome the organisers and participants of the 5th International Scientific and Practical Conference, Global Threats to Biological Security: Problems and Solutions.

Your conferences have established themselves as an authoritative platform in the field of biological security. The key to their success lies in the participation of highly professional experts from the World Majority countries and representatives of relevant international and non-governmental organisations.

You focus specifically on the issues raised by the Convention on the Prohibition of Biological and Toxin Weapons. This year marks the 50th anniversary of its entry into force. Russia, as the depositary state of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (#BTWC), considers the Convention an important element of the global security architecture. We have put forward a number of initiatives aimed at strengthening it.

We stand ready to expand specific international cooperation in biosafety. To this end, we are expanding the dialogue in the format of bilateral interdepartmental consultations with the stakeholder countries. We also attach great importance to cooperation within various regional associations.

🤝 I am confident that this time, too, your discussions will be constructive. I wish you every success in your work and all the best.

SERGEY LAVROV

🇷🇺🇧🇾 On June 9-10, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held talks with Foreign Minister of the Republic of Belarus Maxim Ryzhenkov, who was on his first official visit in Moscow.

The talks were held in a traditionally trust-based and truly comradely atmosphere. The Ministers discussed a wide range of key issues of Russia-Belarus strategic partnership and alliance. They focused on diplomatic support for the integration process in the Union State. They voiced coinciding or quite similar positions, while considering current international and regional issues, including the resolution of the Ukraine crisis.

The Sides exchanged opinions regarding their future collaboration to forge a Greater Eurasian Partnership and new Eurasian security architecture. Following the meeting, Sergey Lavrov and Maxim Ryzhenkov signed a joint address to the foreign ministers of Eurasian states on drafting the Charter of Eurasian Diversity and Multipolarity in the 21st Century. The Ministers reviewed, in great detail, issues of future integration within the framework of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (#CSTO), the Eurasian Economic Union (#EEU), the Commonwealth of Independent States (#CIS) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (#SCO), as well as mutual collaboration at the United Nations Organisation and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (#OSCE).

Addressing a joint news conference, the Foreign Ministers of Russia and Belarus discussed, in great detail, the agreements reached by them.

#RussiaBelarus #UnionState

🎙 Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s statement and answers to media questions at a joint news conference following talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus Maxim Ryzhenkov (Moscow, June 10, 2025)

💬 Firstly, I would like to once again extend my sincere gratitude to Maxim Ryzhenkov for accepting our invitation to visit the Russian Federation. This marks his inaugural official visit to Russia in his capacity as Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus. <...>

Over the past two days, we discussed further strengthening the strategic partnership and alliance between Russia and Belarus, particularly in terms of providing foreign policy support to integration efforts within the Union State. We highlighted the pivotal coordinating role of bilateral intergovernmental mechanisms established by presidential decisions. <...>

We are united in the belief that robust diplomatic support must underpin political dialogue at the highest level, as well as intergovernmental, interparliamentary, interregional, and interagency cooperation. The coordinating role of our ministries, as mandated by our Presidents – including within the Union State – remains clear. Among our key priorities is reinforcing the international standing of the Union State.

We note the steady implementation of a unique document in bilateral relations: the Programme for Coordinated Actions in Foreign Policy of the member states of the Treaty on the Creation of the Union State. This Programme is far from the first of its kind. The current iteration, adopted for 2024–2026, envisages close coordination, mutual support, and the joint defence and promotion of shared interests on the international stage. <...>

We addressed pressing issues on the international agenda, reaffirming our mutual commitment to advancing joint efforts towards establishing an architecture of equal and indivisible security in Eurasia.

🌐 We will enhance collaboration within Eurasian integration frameworks: the EAEU, CIS, CSTO, and SCO. We assured Belarus of Russia’s full support for its programme of EAEU chairship this year and stand ready to assist our Belarusian friends in deepening their engagement with #BRICS, where Belarus has attained partner status. Our cooperation within the SCO remains close.

We synchronised our positions on current agenda items at the UN, OSCE, and other international bodies. We will continue to support each other in developing political and economic ties with Global South and East nations, and adhere to agreed approaches regarding those countries and associations currently led by unfriendly representatives.

☝️We underscored the counterproductivity of politicising international cultural, humanitarian, scientific, and sporting exchanges. Our shared stance opposes the sanctions and legal aggression of the collective West against our nations and many others. <...>

I briefed Maxim Ryzhenkov on the progress of Russia-Ukraine negotiations. We are grateful to our Belarusian friends for their support of all aspects related to the causes and conduct of the special military operation, for understanding our clear approaches to a peaceful settlement, and for their readiness to provide mediation services at any time, offer Belarusian territory for talks, facilitate exchanges, and assist in resolving humanitarian issues.

🤝 I consider these negotiations to have been highly productive. We have reaffirmed our shared commitment to further strengthening coordination across the full spectrum of bilateral and international agenda items.

Read in full

#RussiaBelarus
#UnionState

⚡️ Statement by Foundation for the Support and Protection of the Rights of Compatriots Living Abroad

📃 Recently, the Foundation for the Support and Protection of the Rights of Compatriots Living Abroad has once again become the target of a massive provocative campaign launched by a group of European media under the guise of a “journalistic investigation.”

For the third year in a row, it has been flooded by slander and misinformation that distort the actual goal and practices of its activities which are to assist Russian compatriots in protecting their legitimate interests in their respective countries of residence.

The choice of time for launching another dirty attack on the Russian human rights organisation was not accidental: obsessed with the idea of rescuing the criminal Kiev regime, the leaders of a number of European countries are trying to actively cobble up an anti-Russia front in all areas, and to wipe out everything that is Russian or “pro-Moscow.” This caveman-like goal is extrapolated to human rights, including the ethnic minority issues.

Millions of Russian compatriots living abroad, who, in their overwhelming majority, support Russia’s policy, the goals of the special military operation of the Russian Federation to demilitarise and denazify Ukraine, and to protect the civilians of Donbass have been targeted. Attempts are being made to have them change their minds, to intimidate them, to make ridiculous political accusations against them, to deport, or even to imprison them.

Each time, these propaganda campaigns are becoming increasingly aggressive and deceitful, as they repeat old tired clichés about the Foundation allegedly “funding spies, criminals, and propagandists.” Most of the accusations come down to the long-winded assertion of its “cooperation with Russian special services in conducting influence operations in the EU countries.”

❗️ It is quite obvious that these publications are based on a mixture of outright lies, covered up by speculation that has already been worn out from repeated use, which once again confirms the open participation of foreign special services in plotting this provocation, which fact, incidentally, is reported by some of the journalists involved in it. The “investigators” use not only publicly available information about the activities of our NGO, but also publish materials obtained illegally from electronic correspondence used by the Foundation for communication with its partners. The results of such a brazen hack of the Foundation’s email by special services are presented as a leak.

Through their publications, these media outlets, the list of which has almost doubled compared with last year, reveal the true goals of this campaign which are to compromise the Foundation, to push it out of Europe, to intimidate its foreign partners, and to force our compatriots to refuse to interact with it. <...>

Reacting to yet another “revelation,” we reaffirm that the Foundation has never cooperated with any special services, nor has it ever employed any members of the special services engaged in influence operations in Western countries, including the EU.

All the media’s assertions to this effect represent a gross lie and a blatant provocation.

☝️ We emphasise that the main purpose of the Foundation’s activities, as enshrined in its Charter and the regulatory legal documents of the Russian Federation governing its functions, is to provide assistance to our compatriots living abroad in order to ensure their human rights and freedoms and to protect their legal interests. <...>

We reserve the right to hold liable organisers and perpetrators of this provocative campaign targeting our NGO and publicly making false accusations against the Foundation, its employees and our partners in a number of EU member countries.

Read in full