🛫 Aeroflot turns 1️⃣0️⃣3️⃣

✈️ On March 17, 1923, the company “Dobrolet” was founded — marking the beginning of what would become Russia’s largest airline.

Its early history involved prominent figures of the era: Kazimir Malevich, Alexander Rodchenko, and Vladimir Mayakovsky.

🇷🇺Today, Aeroflot stands as a symbol of Russian civil aviation, combining tradition with modern technology.

🎞 Take a look back at the atmosphere of past flights with a vintage Aeroflot commercial from the 1970s.

⚡️ Russian MFA statement on the escalation of tensions around Cuba:

We express serious concern over the escalation of tensions around Cuba and the growing external pressure on the Island of Freedom.

Amid an artificially fuelled atmosphere of confrontation, Russia reaffirms its unwavering solidarity with the Government and the brotherly people of Cuba.

We strongly condemn attempts at gross interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign state, intimidation, and the use of unlawful unilateral restrictive measures.

Today, the Island of Freedom is facing unprecedented challenges – a direct consequence of the long-standing US trade, economic, financial, and, more recently, energy embargo against Cuba.

We are confident that the heroic Cuban people – who have repeatedly demonstrated their commitment to the ideals of freedom, independence, and social justice, as well as exceptional resilience and courage in the face of external threats – will uphold their inalienable right to choose their own path of development.

🤝 For our part, we will continue to provide Cuba with the necessary support, including material assistance.

#RussiaCuba

🇷🇺🇹🇷📞 On March 17, 2026, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye Hakan Fidan held a telephone conversation.

Key elements of the bilateral agenda were discussed, emphasising the necessity for establishing conditions to ensure the uninterrupted functioning of strategic Russian-Turkish energy projects. In particular, in light of the Kiev regime’s persistent attempts to damage the infrastructure of the Blue Stream and TurkStream gas pipelines, special attention was paid to the unequivocal importance of ensuring comprehensive security of these pipelines.

Issues of cooperation on multilateral platforms, including the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, were also addressed. Sergey Lavrov underscored the imperative of a measured and objective approach when discussing various matters and aspects of collaboration within this framework.

Views were exchanged regarding the situation around Iran. Russia’s principled stance was outlined, emphasising the need for the earliest possible de-escalation of the crisis triggered by strikes by Israel and the United States against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and a focus on non-military political and diplomatic methods. The readiness of our country to facilitate settlement efforts in every possible way – including coordination with Türkiye – to reduce regional tensions, was reaffirmed.

Both Parties expressed a commitment to maintaining constructive and substantive high-level bilateral contacts.

#RussiaTürkiye

🇷🇺 #CrimeaIsRussia

1️⃣2️⃣ years ago – on March 18, 2014 – President of Russia Vladimir Putin, Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Crimea Sergey Aksyonov, Chairman of the State Council of Crimea Vladimir Konstantinov and Head of Sevastopol Alexey Chaly signed the Agreement on the Accession of the Republic of Crimea in the Russian Federation and on Forming New Constituent Entities within the Russian Federation.

🗳 This historic moment was preceded by the all-Crimean referendum (March 16, 2014), in which an overwhelming majority of voters (96.77%) supported Crimea’s accession to the Russian Federation. In Sevastopol, 95.6% voted in favour of reunification with Russia.

The outcome of the referendum is an essence a just and long-awaited joint decision for both the people of Crimea and all citizens of our country.

🇷🇺 The long-awaited reunification of the peninsula with Russia became a milestone event in modern history – for Crimeans and for all citizens of our country – embodying the right of peoples to self-determination, as enshrined in the UN Charter.

Over the past 12 years, our opponents have made numerous attempts to punish Crimeans for their free choice – for their return to their home harbour. The residents of the peninsula have withstood not only water, energy, food and transport blockades, but also sanctions pressure and legal aggression unleashed by the Kiev regime with the support of NATO countries.

💬 Address by President of Russia Vladimir Putin (March 18, 2014):

“In the hearts and minds of people, Crimea has always been and remains an integral part of Russia. This conviction, grounded in truth and justice, has been unwavering – passed down from generation to generation – beyond the reach of time or circumstance.

The overwhelming majority of Crimeans and the absolute majority of citizens of the Russian Federation support the reunification of the Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol with the Russian Federation”.

Since reunification with the Russian Federation, life in Crimea has improved significantly. Transport and engineering infrastructure has been comprehensively modernized:

• In 2018, the Crimean Bridge was opened – a unique project and a powerful symbol of Crimea’s reunification with Russia;
• A new Simferopol International Airport and the modern Tavrida highway have been built;
• The Balaklavskaya (Sevastopol), Tavricheskaya (Simferopol district) and Saky thermal power plants have been commissioned, ensuring the peninsula’s energy independence;
• Large-scale construction of gas infrastructure, including the Krasnodar Territory-Crimea gas pipeline;
• Housing construction is expanding;
• Social infrastructure – including sports facilities – is being actively developed;
• Agriculture is growing, including winemaking, while the resort and tourism sector has significantly strengthened its position.

It is precisely these successes of Crimea and Sevastopol that provoke hostility, expressed in continued aggression by the Kiev regime and those backing it.

💬 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the 10th anniversary of the “Crimean Spring” (March 16, 2024):

“The question of who Crimea and Sevastopol belong to is closed.
The peninsula is an integral part of the Russian Federation”.

It can be stated with confidence that any attempts by adversaries to question Crimea’s status only underscore their detachment from reality – only cementing Crimeans’ confidence in their historic decision.

Russia and Crimea – one shared, indivisible destiny ❤️🇷🇺

#TogetherForever

#InMemoryOfDiplomats

🗓 On March 18, 1856, an outstanding diplomat, Aleksander Izvolsky, who served as Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Empire in 1906-1910, was born in Moscow.

In 1875, he graduated from the famous Alexandrosvky Lyceum and entered service in the Chancellery of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

📍 In 1876, Izvolsky was appointed to the Russian mission in Rome. He subsequently worked at the Consulate General in Eastern Rumelia (an autonomous province of the Ottoman Empire, effectively under Bulgarian control), as well as at the Embassies in Romania and the United States. From 1894 to 1897, he served as Minister-Resident to the Holy See; from 1897 to 1906, he was envoy to Serbia, Bavaria, Japan, and Denmark.

In 1906, he was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Izvolsky regarded the main task of foreign policy as stabilizing the country’s international position, restoring its military and political potential, and concluding bilateral agreements with the great powers.

In a report to Emperor Nicholas II on negotiations with European statesmen dated November 6, 1907, the Minister noted:

“Russia’s temporary weakening in the international arena, as a result of the revolutionary movement and the diversion of our military forces to the Far Eastern war, has exposed the European balance to very serious dangers and has led to a regrouping of powers dangerous for the preservation of general peace.”

Izvolsky secured the signing of the Anglo-Russian and Russo-Japanese agreements, which delineated spheres of influence between Russia and Britain in Central Asia and with Japan in the Far East. He also sought to intensify Russia’s policy in the Balkans and to change the status of the Bosporus and the Dardanelles.

In 1910, he continued his diplomatic service as Ambassador to France. Recognizing the inevitability of a pan-European war, he contributed to the political and military consolidation of the Entente both on the eve of and during the First World War.

A year after his resignation, in July 1911, he wrote to Pyotr Stolypin:

“I can say in good conscience that I placed Russia in more advantageous conditions than those in which it stood before me, provided it with all the points of support that could be found, and safeguarded it from all contingencies in the Far and Middle East.”

#HistoryOfDiplomacy

💬 Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova:

Former UK Prime Minister John Major, speaking at King’s College London, strongly criticized the US-Israel military operation against Iran, saying: “There was no diplomatic attempt to obtain a UN resolution to give legality to the war”.

Apparently, John Major has conveniently forgotten how, in 2003, he told the BBC that the US-UK invasion of Iraq was about “restoring normal life” in the country – despite the absence of any UN Security Council resolution authorizing the use of force.

Yes, the Anglo-Saxons did try to “secure” backing of the Council. But he seems to have also forgotten the disgraceful spectacle of Colin Powell at the UN, waving a vial of white powder as “proof” of Iraq’s alleged WMDs.

And now, criticizing US-Israeli aggression against Iran, he would have us believe this has never happened before?

No – this is a case of “ah, golly – here we go again”.

What staggering hypocrisy.

⚡️ On March 19, RT correspondent Steve Sweeney and his cameraman received shrapnel injuries in an Israeli attack in southern Lebanon. Both are conscious and currently receiving medical treatment.

💬 Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova:

In light of the hundreds of journalists killed in Gaza, today's attack cannot be described as accidental.

Moreover, the missile did not strike a “key strategic military facility”, but the site of a news report.

We wish the RT journalists a speedy recovery.

We expect a response from international organizations.

***

💬 Russian Delegation to UNESCO:

A targeted missile strike hit journalists in press uniforms while they were filming a report.

We call on #UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enani, in accordance with relevant decisions of the General Conference and Executive Board on Safety of Journalists, to condemn this crime.

🎙 Comment by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova regarding the remarks of US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on US “space dominance” (March 19, 2026)

💬 The US policy in the field of space exploration and space security is becoming increasingly aggressive. Officials in Washington openly declare ambitions to achieve military dominance in outer space.

A vivid example is the remarks by the US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, delivered during his “Arsenal of Freedom” tour of US defense enterprises.

In particular, the ambitious goal of ensuring absolute and unquestionable US dominance in outer space has been set. Outer space is declared as “the single most decisive battlefield of this century and centuries to come”, the fight for which becomes “the fight for the future of the world”. According to Washington, “whoever controls the high ground controls the fight”. At the same time, the possibility of “orbital equity” or “parity” of states is categorically rejected.

Thus, this confirms our concerns regarding the rapidly deteriorating situation in the field of space security and the increasing risk of outer space being transformed into an arena of armed confrontation. One can clearly see Washington’s determination to promptly implement dangerous doctrinal principles. Space supremacy is regarded by the US as a guarantee of achieving advantage in any conflict against any potential enemy. The US plans to deploy weapon systems in outer space are beginning to take real shape.

It is clear that such actions should not remain without a response from the international community. The implementation by Washington of its course to deploy and build up force capabilities in near-Earth orbit could lead to an arms race in outer space, as well as undermine global security and strategic stability.

❗️ At the same time, the US ignores the obvious: any armed conflict in orbit will have catastrophic consequences for the long-term sustainability of outer space activities and prospects for space exploration for all states without exception.

We have not yet passed “the point of no return” in keeping outer space peaceful and free of weapons and conflicts.

Much depends on urgent and coordinated actions of the international community. Today, initiatives on the prevention of an arms race in outer space (#PAROS), primarily on elaborating a relevant international legally binding instrument, are more in demand than ever. The Russian-Chinese draft treaty on the prevention of the placement of weapons in outer space, as well as the threat or use of force against outer space objects, can serve as its basis. An important intermediate step towards such a legally binding instrument on PAROS is the international initiative/political commitment of “No First Placement of Weapons in Outer Space”, which already comprises 37 states.

☝️ We will continue constructive efforts to enhance space security in the interests of all humankind.