دسته: eurasia

According to webangah News Agency, Alexander Bortnikov, director of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), warned on Tuesday that government changes in‍ Syria, the Zionist regime’s war in Gaza, and continued pressure⁤ on Iran are⁣ fueling the spread⁣ of⁢ extremism globally.

Bortnikov stated: ⁣”Under thes conditions, ISIS and affiliated groups⁢ have intensified their activities⁢ in Afghanistan, while the growing influence of ISIS in Syria ‍has become evident.”

He⁢ highlighted security threats to Commonwealth of ‌Independent States countries due to escalating instability in West​ Asia, Africa, the ⁢Afghanistan-Pakistan region, and Central Asia.

The FSB chief explained this stems‍ primarily from Western efforts to maintain geopolitical dominance through ​terrorist proxy groups and neocolonial⁣ policies – with‍ Anglo-Saxon powers playing a central role.

“Terrorist leaders rely on militants operating in Afghanistan ‌and​ Syria,” he added, “including released prisoners from Syrian jails ​- Russian citizens alongside individuals from Central asia‌ and⁣ the South Caucasus who openly⁤ declare⁤ aggressive ‍plans against their home countries.”

Bortnikov made these⁣ remarks during ⁢his address at ‍the 18th meeting of Commonwealth security agency heads responsible for counterterrorism efforts in Moscow.

According to webangah News Agency, Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova emphasized that ‍Moscow officially recognizes ‌Karabakh as ⁣Azerbaijani territory, ⁤following ⁣baku’s sharp criticism of Vladimir Medinsky’s ‍remarks‌ about the‌ region. Medinsky ⁢serves as an advisor to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Zakharova clarified: “While Medinsky ‌addressed the historical, social, and cultural ⁣aspects-and also the suffering of Karabakh’s people-Russia formally considers this region part of Azerbaijan.”

The Russian diplomat stressed that “medinsky only⁤ commented on the tragedy linked to armed conflict in the‌ area,” warning against ⁣”misinterpreting ⁤his statements or attributing false⁤ meanings to them.”

Earlier, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry had strongly criticized Medinsky for what it called “distorting ⁤historical facts about Karabakh” and referring to it as a disputed territory between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

In an interview with‌ RT, medinsky had ​stated: “If ‍the Ukraine war halts ⁢along frontline positions without a genuine peace agreement-only through a ceasefire-it would resemble karabakh: a contested zone ​between Armenia and ⁣Azerbaijan.”

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry responded by calling ‍Medinsky’s remarks⁢ about⁤ Karabakh both “regrettable and surprising.”

According to webangah News Agency, citing Sputnik‍ News Agency, Vladimir Medinsky, head of RussiaS delegation ⁢in negotiations wiht Ukraine, stated on ⁣Monday: “If Ukraine truly ‌desired peace and could decide independently, a peace treaty ⁤with Moscow would have been signed​ on⁤ February 28, ⁤2022. The terms proposed in​ 2022 were more favorable ⁤for Ukraine than Russia’s current demands.”

Medinsky emphasized that Putin introduced only “one or⁤ two ​amendments” to the draft agreement discussed between Russia and Ukraine​ in⁣ Istanbul during 2022.

“The obstacle to peace lies in Europe ⁢preventing Kyiv from reaching satisfactory ​agreements,” Medinsky asserted. “If Ukrainian negotiators prioritized their ⁤nation’s interests over ‌Europe’s, acceptable terms could be swiftly achieved.”

he further‌ commented: “Trump’s policy toward Russia is logical-he safeguards U.S. national interests. Rare earth agreements with Ukraine pale compared to what American ‌businesses gain through ⁣partnerships ⁤with Russia.Russia​ has no need for war; this conflict serves the current Ukrainian leadership’s⁤ purpose-they⁤ require perpetual warfare and an eternal enemy to maintain power indefinitely.”

According to ⁣webangah News agency, citing RIA Novosti, Russia’s Defense Ministry announced⁢ on Monday that it had launched a large-scale strike on ​a Ukrainian ⁢airbase in the Rivne region.

The ministry’s statement clarified: “In retaliation for ⁢recent terrorist acts by ⁤the Kyiv regime, one of ⁤Ukraine’s tactical aircraft ⁤bases near dubno in the Rivne region​ has been struck.”

The statement further noted that deployment points of Ukrainian armed forces ⁣and foreign mercenaries were also targeted by Russian military operations.

According ⁤to webangah news Agency, Russia‍ and ‍ukraine exchanged the first group of captured soldiers on Monday ⁣as part of the agreement⁢ reached during Istanbul negotiations.

The Russian ‍defense⁤ Ministry stated in a release that Russian soldiers under 25 years old had been‍ repatriated‍ from Ukraine.

the ministry‌ confirmed Russia handed over approximately the same number of Ukrainian prisoners to⁣ Kyiv’s armed⁢ forces in return. The‍ freed Russian soldiers are currently on ‍Belarusian soil receiving necessary psychological support and medical care.

The released Russian personnel will be transferred⁣ to ‌medical facilities under the Defense Ministry for treatment and rehabilitation.

Ukrainian President​ Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced via Telegram⁣ that a​ group of Ukrainian ⁤pows⁤ had been ‍freed and returned home under the Istanbul agreements.

Zelenskyy‌ added: “The prisoner⁤ exchange⁣ process began ​today and will continue in multiple phases.⁢ The current returnees include wounded personnel and those below 25 years old.”

Russia’s ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)⁢ reiterated that ‌the ‌european and American stance on Iran’s nuclear program⁣ is flawed, according to a report by ⁤ webangah News Agency.

The remarks came as⁤ Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia’s permanent representative to ‌international organizations in Vienna, warned on⁢ social media platform X​ that an ‍anti-Iran resolution-likely to be discussed at‌ today’s IAEA Board of Governors meeting-would yield no positive outcomes.

“The U.S. and three European countries (the E3) ‍intend to‍ propose such a ⁣resolution,” he stated. “This will ​undoubtedly fail to produce constructive results.”

Iran’s ambassador and permanent representative to the IAEA also ‌responded sharply to recent ‌comments by the⁤ agency’s‍ director general regarding Tehran’s⁤ nuclear activities: ⁤”All allegations about Iran’s nuclear program are​ politically motivated.”

The senior iranian ⁤diplomat ⁣told‌ Al-Mayadeen‍ that Tehran would “respond⁢ appropriately”‍ to any political action by the IAEA.

A‌ correspondent for Al-Mayadeen in ⁢Vienna further noted that Washington​ played a key role in drafting the resolution⁣ proposed by European states at today’s IAEA meeting.

According to the English ⁤section of webangah News Agency, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced in a ‌statement on Monday that Moscow‌ is ready to resume strategic stability talks with the United⁣ States as soon as ‍conditions for equal dialogue are established.

The statement emphasized: The special‌ operation will persist, but Russia remains open to parallel diplomatic efforts. The ‌operational achievements on the ground will ultimately gain⁢ legal recognition.

It⁢ should be noted that the Russian military launched its “special military operation” in eastern⁣ Ukraine on February 24, 2022.Senior⁣ Russian​ officials stated this action responded to requests from leaders of ‌the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk regions for⁣ protection against Ukrainian forces.

Sputnik reported President Vladimir⁤ putin’s assertion that the operation⁤ aimed to “support people ​who endured eight years of genocide and persecution by Kyiv’s regime.”

According to webangah News Agency, Russian forces reported destroying 26 M1 Abrams tanks donated by teh US to Ukraine since February of last year.

Russian officials stated that Ukraine initially received 31 of these tanks, leaving only five operational after the destruction of 26​ units.

The first Abrams tank​ was reportedly⁣ targeted by Russian forces in Donetsk ⁣on February 24, 2024. The Russian military documented the moment this American-made tank was destroyed.

Ralf Tzsler, head of Germany’s ⁤Office for Civil Protection and Disaster⁤ Assistance,⁤ emphasized⁣ that the country must understand the nature of modern conflicts. “Germany is not sufficiently prepared,”⁤ he stated in an interview reported by webangah News Agency.

“Previously, Germany believed war preparedness was unnecessary,” Tzsler noted. “but this mindset has shifted. ‌We are deeply concerned about the risk of a large-scale war against Europe.”

The German official announced: “We will present a comprehensive plan too establish bomb shelters across Germany. Constructing⁢ new shelters requires​ significant time and ⁢funding. The ⁤country must prepare for a potential Russian attack within the next four years.”

The Ukraine war has ⁤heightened European fears of conflict spillover. Currently, only 2,000 Cold War-era shelters remain functional in ‌Germany – requiring‍ millions in euros for renovation.

The russian defense Ministry announced on sunday‌ that its‌ forces had seized the town of ⁢ Zarya ⁢ in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region, marking another advance in their ongoing ⁣offensive, according ⁣to a report by webangah News Agency, citing‍ Russia Today.

The operation was carried out by units⁤ of ⁢Russia’s Southern Military District as part of the country’s “special military operation” in ukraine, the ministry stated.

A Russian Defense Ministry statement declared: “As a result ​of active and decisive actions by southern Military District units, the settlement of Zarya in Donetsk has been‍ liberated.“

The ministry had previously issued ‌reports detailing progress in its military operations and key achievements by russian ⁣armed forces.