{{dayPoint.date | date : 'd MMMM yyyy'}}

{{newsPoint.title}}

{{newsPoint.title+ ' '}}

{{newsPoint.subtitle}}

Developments in eastern Ukraine

Setting up court on Ukraine military crimes not considered yet — Russian minister

Ukraine military crimes include murders of journalists, the tragedies in Odessa and Mariupol, the Malaysian Boeing crash and mass killings

A grave in eastern Ukraine Stanislav Krasilnikov/TASS

A grave in eastern Ukraine

© Stanislav Krasilnikov/TASS

MOSCOW, March 26. /TASS/. The issue of establishment of an international court to investigate military crimes in Ukraine has not been officially considered yet, Russian Justice Minister Alexander Konovalov said Thursday.

"We have not officially considered the issue," Konovalov told journalists.

In September 2014, Russia’s Red Cross announced the creation of a commission to establish facts for investigation of military crimes in Ukraine. The lower house of Russia’s parliament then called on the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Council of Europe and the world community to conduct an international investigation of crimes that led to numerous deaths among civilians of southeast Ukraine.

Read also

In November 2014, against the backdrop of nearly daily reports of deaths of children in southeast Ukraine, Russia’s presidential children’s rights ombudsman Pavel Astakhov called for establishment of an international tribunal on crimes of the Ukrainian authorities in the country’s southeast.

Senator from the Republic of Crimea Olga Kovitidi spoke with a proposal to initiate the establishment of an international court on Ukraine on February 25 at a plenary session of the Federation Council, the upper house of Russia's parliament. On February 26, Russian Investigative Committee chief Alexander Bastrykin also called for establishment of such an international court.

In early March, Federation Council international affairs committee head Konstantin Kosachyov said "there exist the grounds and fact-based material for an international legal assessment of the military conflict in Ukraine, but for effective defense, the legal aspect of the case needs to be more thoroughly worked out."

Crimes in Ukraine during the hostilities in the country's east include murders of journalists, the tragedies in Odessa and Mariupol, the Malaysian Boeing crash and mass killings.

Tags

Eastern Ukraine

Aleksandar Vucic greets Chinese leader at Belgrade Airport

The ceremony on the occasion of the visit of the 400-strong Chinese delegation will take place at Palata Srbije

Serbian government adopts several documents on cooperation with China

"These documents cover such spheres as infrastructure, agriculture, information and communications, as well as tourism," the government said

Advertising campaign launched in Ukraine to enroll volunteers into army

Ukrainians are expected to more actively sign up for "more prestigious and possibly better equipped units"

Dutch MEP congratulates Putin on his inauguration

"Congratulations president Putin and congratulations people of Russia with your president," Marcel de Graaff from the Dutch party Forum for Democracy said

France not at war with Russia — Macron

"We are also not seeking a change of power in Russia," the French leader underscored

Press review: Russia flexes nuclear muscle and Israel signals imminent offensive in Gaza

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, May 7th

West recognizes deteriorating situation in Ukraine — Lavrov

Western countries need to think how not to lose to Russia in the conflict, the minister said

Medvedev warns Russia will pull no punches with France in response to Macron

The politician also wrote, "In hostem omina licita," a Latin phrase that can roughly be translated as "everything is legal if it is done to an enemy"

US envoy leaves Russia for certain amount of time — senior Russian diplomat

"The Foreign Ministry was told about this some time before the issue with inviting ambassadors to the inauguration ceremony of the Russian president was resolved," Sergey Ryabkov said

West plotted aggression against Russia on eve of special military operation — top brass

"History repeats itself," Chief of the Russian General Staff’s Main Intelligence Department, Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Hero of Russia Admiral Kostyukov said

Four single-family houses damaged in Donetsk after Ukraine’s shelling attack

Head of the Donetsk People’s Republic Denis Pushilin said earlier that five civilians were wounded in Ukraine’s attacks in the republic during the day

US ambassador to Russia out of country on pre-scheduled leave, to be back — embassy

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said earlier, when asked if Tracy would attend President Vladimir Putin's inauguration ceremony, that the ambassador had left Russia "for a certain period of time"

Israel's operation in Rafah leading to humanitarian disaster — MFA

According to Mikhail Bogdanov, more than 1.5 million people have amassed in the south of the Gaza Strip, in the Rafah area

Detention of US soldier in Russia’s Vladivostok has no relation to espionage — diplomats

Russian Foreign Ministry’s mission in Vladivostok that "not following the case of the US citizen closely"

Only 2.4% of Japanese deem relations with Russia good, more than 50% want them to expand

The number of Japanese people who consider Sino-Japanese relations good has also decreased over the year from 11% to 5.6%

Putin may propose candidate for prime minister as early as today — spokesman

Dmitry Peskov recalled that after the inauguration, the Russian government resigned and the members of the Cabinet continued to work in the status of acting ministers

Russia may strike Britain's military facilities if London's threats materialize — MFA

Maria Zakharova described British Foreign Secretary David Cameron’s remark that London considered it legitimate for the Kiev regime to use British weapons for strikes on Russian territory as "something absolutely insane"

Russian sniper reports elimination of Ukrainian serviceman wearing helmet with SS emblem

He specified that his group took the helmet as proof of the elimination

Expert on inaugural speech: Putin proposes equal dialogue, West will hear these signals

It is stressed that Vladimir Putin proposes a certain general model, a certain general solution to the security system

Claims about Russia’s plans to attack NATO a lie, US intelligence ex-officer says

According to Rebekah Koffler, US intelligence agencies regularly leak classified information to certain media, if it benefits the American political establishment

Russian forces destroy Ukrainian missile solid propellant workshop over past day

Russian troops gained better positions in the south Donetsk area over the past day, the ministry reported

US journalist Tucker Carlson deflects media inquiries about Putin interview

The journalist said that he needed to get a cup of coffee

Trump develops plan on peaceful resolution in Ukraine — Telegraph

Former US President will not reveal it until the election, the Daily Telegraph reported

Israel attempts to derail ceasefire deal by seizing Gaza’s Rafah crossing — Hamas

The movement said that such Israeli actions "represent a dangerous escalation against the civilian population of the enclave, which is protected by international law, in order to make the humanitarian situation in Gaza extremely difficult by stopping aid deliveries through the Rafah crossing"

Euroclear fighting over 100 lawsuits in Russian courts against investors demanding refund

According to Euroclear's new chief executive Valerie Urbain, the likelihood that the depository will win these cases is quite low

Insolent western policy makes Russia hold tactical nukes drills — ambassador

"We do not threaten anyone. However, the strategists in Washington and their satellites have gone nuts but must understand that Russia will use all the means to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity in response to the rising stakes," Anatoly Antonov said

Ukrainian army last weekend tried to regain positions near LPR's Svatovo — expert

Andrey Marochko noted that on Easter Ukrainian troops opened fire on the territory of the LPR and positions of Russian troops

Putin’s schedule of foreign travels almost finalized — Presidential Aide Ushakov

It is noted that this schedule primarily concerns "major summits"

Diplomats from friendly countries only invited to May 9 parade — Kremlin aide

The heads of structures of the CIS, the Union State of Russia and Belarus, the CSTO, the EAEU, the SCO, "heads of diplomatic missions of friendly states, as well as military attaches from friendly states" have been invited to attend, Yury Ushakov said

Moscow expects Chad’s leader to take part in Russia-Africa summit — embassy

The second Russia-Africa summit and economic forum is scheduled to take place on July 26-29, 2023

Cuban president hails Putin’s taking presidential office for another term

"March election demonstrated a record-breaking voter turnout," Miguel Diaz-Canel said

Senior Russian diplomat, Libyan general discuss ensuring Libya’s sovereignty

"During a thorough exchange of views on the settlement of the military-political crisis in Libya, the focus was on the task of uniting all patriotic political and religious forces in the interests of ensuring the unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Libyan state," the ministry said

Iran ready to share atomic energy technologies with other countries — AEOI chief

"Despite pressure from hegemonic powers to prevent the implementation of Iran’s peaceful nuclear program, the first ICNST received a warm welcome," Mohammad Eslami noted

Hamburg branch of AfG seeks to expel party member over trip to Russia as election observer

Olga Petersen had earlier been kicked out AfG’s parliamentary group

Belarus won’t succumb to provocations or go to war with anyone — president

The Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko doubts that any serious political force in Western Europe wants a military conflict

Russia working to bring senior Ukrainian officials before tribunal, diplomat says

According to Rodion Miroshnik, "the official process is underway with the Russian Interior Ministry beginning to determine those to be placed in the defendant pool"

Press review: China to weather US storm and ATACMS not 'wonder weapons'

Top stories from the Russian press on Saturday, April 27th

Turkish Southwind Airlines denies allegations of links to Russia

Turkish carrier is preparing to file a claim with the relevant authorities in Europe in response to those who created this situation for company and right this wrong

Russia looking into reports about sending of French troops to Ukraine — Kremlin

Earlier, media reports said that France had sent 1,500 troops in support of Ukrainian forces in Slavyansk, citing a statement by Stephen Bryen, a former US Deputy Under Secretary of Defense

Putin instructs government to adjust existing national projects, develop 11 new ones

The State Council and the Presidential Council for Strategic Development will also participate in the work on national projects

US begins Astral Knight 2024 exercise in Europe involving 5,000 troops — Pentagon

The purpose of the exercise is to strengthen collective air and missile defense in Europe

Russian troops liberate Ocheretino community in DPR — top brass

The Ukrainian army’s losses in the Avdeyevka area over the past 24 hours amounted to 380 personnel, a US-made Abrams tank, two infantry fighting vehicles, including a US-manufactured Bradley

Russian embassy slams ‘unacceptable’ Berlin’s decision to ban Russian flag on May 8-9

"We consider the bans discriminatory and contrary to the spirit of post-war historical reconciliation of the peoples of Russia and Germany," the Russian diplomats pointed out

NATO wants 'hot war' with Russia which may destroy US, Carlson says

According to the journalist, everything that Washington does shows that it wants this war

Southern neighbors of US to regain stolen lands — Russian Security Council’s secretary

Nikolay Patrushev speculates that country may split into the North and the South again to get back to its original shape

Russia values Qatar, Egypt’s mediatory efforts on Gaza — senior diplomat

According to Russian presidential envoy for the Middle East and African countries Mikhail Bogdanov, the Israeli government has not yet given its consent to these proposals

Russia must save world from West's insanity — top security official

Nikolay Patrushev believes that Russia "resolutely and consistently defends its cultural sovereignty, history and Russian moral ideals that unite the multinational country"

Turkish expert says Putin's inauguration speech echoes what he said in Munich years ago

Aydin Sezer recalled that during the Munich Security Conference back in 2007 "Putin said that the unipolar world had no future and a multipolar world order was needed"

Tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus intended for defense, says Lukashenko

The Belarusian leader stressed that the combat readiness inspection is solely of a defensive nature

Container shipments by Russian Railways add 9.4% in 4M 2024 — company

The increase was the highest in container traffic of lumber and chemical and mineral fertilizers

Russia puts former former Ukrainian Interior Minister on wanted list

The Russian Interior Ministry’s database does not specify under which article Arsen Avakov is wanted

Putin says Russia had to use force to defend people in Donbass as peaceful means failed

"A little later it became clear that we were simply being led around by the nose, and we had to take extraordinary measures to protect these people with military force," the Russian leader said

Israeli operation in West Bank takes out three bomb-making facilities

Israeli forces searched over 60 buildings, finding and seizing weapons and military equipment

IN BRIEF: Unity, care for people, country-civilization: Putin’s inaugural speech

The atmosphere in society has changed, now "reliability, mutual responsibility, sincerity, decency, nobility and courage" are highly valued, the Russian leader stressed

Almost 34,800 people killed in Gaza since October 7 — Health Ministry

Tensions flared up again in the Middle East on October 7, 2023, when militants from the Gaza-based Palestinian radical group Hamas staged a surprise incursion into Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip

Russia wants no country to interfere in its election process — Kremlin spokesman

"We elect out parliament. We elect our president. We vote for the president or don’t want to vote for the president. And we insist that we have the right to do it the way we want to do it," Dmitry Peskov emphasized

Emergency Ministry employee detained in Kherson Region over collaboration with Ukraine

According to the investigators, he kept improvised explosive devices for sabotage operation

Sweden approves Quran-burning rally ahead of Eurovision Song Contest

In Malmo, two pro-Palestinian demonstrations are planned for May 9 and 11

After drone attack on Kremlin Russia has no choice but to eliminate Zelensky — Medvedev

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, according to Dmitry Medvedev, "is not even needed for signing an instrument of unconditional surrender"

FACTBOX: Russian President Vladimir Putin’s biography

Since June 12, 2013, Putin has been the leader of the non-governmental movement All-Russia People’s Front, created at his initiative as a coalition of social and political forces

US intensifying efforts to find replacement for Zelensky — SVR

It is reported that all those politicians may be sought-after were the situation on the front line to deteriorate sharply or if the need arises to replace Zelensky as soon as possible

Tucker Carlson interviews Russian philosopher Dugin

The interview lasted over 20 minutes

Russia to become technologically independent in key areas — decree

The head of state set the task to increase the level of the gross added value in real terms and the production index in the processing segment of the industry by at least 40% by 2030, compared to the level in 2022

Russian government resigns

The cabinet will continue to carry out its duties until a new government is appointed

Hamas agrees to Gaza truce proposal

It hasn’t been reported under what conditions the radicals agreed to the proposal or whether the proposal they approved is the same as the one that was endorsed by Israel

West shows no will for peace, keeps pumping weapons, money into Kiev — French politician

The way leader of the French Patriots party Florian Philippot sees it, NATO’s sole aim is further escalation

What we know about Israel’s military operation in Gaza’s Rafah

The Israeli army announced that it had "eliminated about 20 terrorists" of Hamas since the launch of the operation

US sees no signs indicating Russia’s plans to use nuclear weapons — Pentagon

Department of Defense spokesperson Sabrina Singh said that the United States views the decision to hold a military exercise of this kind as "deeply irresponsible"

Macron denies death of French troops in Ukraine out of fear of protests — SVR head

According to Sergey Naryshkin, the French Army is "visibly concerned" over the growing number of French citizens killed in Ukraine

Top UK diplomat knows nothing of repentance, Lavrov says

David Cameron "reiterated his position that British weapons can be used by the Ukrainians to attack any target on Russian territory," the minister emphasized

Russia ready to engage in equal dialogue on security, strategic stability — Putin

The Russian leader emphasized that together with its partners in the Eurasian integration process and other sovereign centers of development, Russia would continue working to establish a multipolar world order and a system of equal and indivisible security

US-led coalition’s aircraft violate Syrian airspace eight times in past day

Apart from that, two shelling attacks on positions of Syrian government troops by militants of the Jabhat al-Nusra and Islamic Party of Turkestan groups (both outlawed in Russia) were reported in the Idlib de-escalation zone

Putin’s inauguration kicks off in Kremlin

The main event will be held at the Grand Kremlin Palace but parts of it will take place outside at Cathedral Square where the Kremlin Presidential Regiment will march following the ceremony

Xi Jinping arrives in Serbia on his first visit in eight years

Chinese President began his visit on the day marking the anniversary of the bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade by NATO aircraft

Russia signals unfriendly countries by inviting ambassadors to inauguration — diplomat

"We assumed that some of them (ambassadors from unfriendly countries - TASS) would not come, which is what happened in the end," Sergey Ryabkov pointed out

Tehran's talks with IAEA chief constructive, Iranian energy head says

Rafael Grossi said the AEOI and the IAEA decided to draw on the March 4, 2023 joint statement as a basis for further talks

Appeal for Western troops posted on Ukrainian president’s website

A petition needs to be signed by at least 25,000 people to be referred to the president for consideration

Macron’s aggressive rhetoric baffles even his allies — diplomat

"Very often France’s allies from the UK and Germany, as we understand, try to get clarifications as to what the French leadership means, without getting a direct answer," Maria Zakharova pointed out

Russia proposes its own draft of UNSC resolution on ending arms race in space

In April, Russia used its veto and blocked the draft resolution of the US and Japan on the non-deployment of nuclear weapons in space

Australian Navy’s destroyer, helicopter impede Chinese drills in Yellow Sea — top brass

The Australian side "calls black white and lays the blame on someone else" in its comment on the incident, Zhang Xiaogang noted

German envoy recalled from Moscow returns to Berlin — media

On Monday, the German Foreign Ministry said that Minister Annalena Baerbock had decided to recall Alexander Lambsdorff for consultations due to an alleged cyberattack by Russia against the Social Democratic Party of Germany and a number of German enterprises

Aleksandar Vucic greets Chinese leader at Belgrade Airport

The ceremony on the occasion of the visit of the 400-strong Chinese delegation will take place at Palata Srbije

UK ambassador leaves Russian MFA after being summoned

The diplomat, who spent more than 30 minutes at the ministry, provided no comment as he was leaving

US-led coalition’s aircraft violate Syrian airspace 12 times in past day

In a separate development, the Russian official continued, one Syria serviceman was injured by a terrorist sniper near the Trumba settlement in the Idlib governorate

Hamas confirms participation of its delegation in Cairo talks

"A Hamas delegation led by Khalil al-Hayya has arrived in Cairo from Doha to bring the talks on ending Israel’s aggression in Gaza to the logical end, together with the Egyptian and Qatari mediators," the radical group said

Belarusian forces to rehearse tactical nuclear strikes as part of snap readiness test

An Iskander missile system battalion and a squadron of Su-25 airplanes are being brought to readiness to perform planned missions

Medvedev gives warning amid talk of deploying Western troops to Ukraine

According to the politician, the cause of the discussion on dispatching Western troops to Ukraine, launched by French President Emmanuel Macron, is a "shameless calculation for political bonus points"

Putin will now use restyled Aurus car — Kremlin

Putin made the first trip on the Aurus exactly six years ago, on May 7, 2018, when he also departed to the inauguration

US not to send troops to Ukraine — Department of State spokesman

Matthew Miller commented on the statement by US House of Representatives Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who said that Washington would probably have to deploy its troops to the Ukrainian conflict zone in case of Kiev's defeat

Russia hands over last RD-180 rocket engines to US under existing deal

The United States has received 122 RD-180 rocket engines over more than 20 years of cooperation

Russia to open embassy in Sierra Leone this year — Lavrov

Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in January 1962

Israel strikes back on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon

Light damage was caused and no injuries were reported

Russia to join ranks of top four global economies — presidential decree

The government is tasked to present eleven new National Projects by September 1 of this year

Putin wants number of foreign students in Russia to rise to 500,000 by 2030

According to the Russian Education and Science Ministry, more than 355,000 foreigners are currently studying in Russian universities

Putin directs to scale up revenues of small technology companies

The share of domestic high-technology goods and services created on own development lines is set to grow by 1.5 times in the total volume of their consumption in the country by 2030 against the level in 2023

Politician reveals Zelensky, CIA boss eyed assassination plot against Wagner PMC chief

US National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby on January 20 said the US would designate the Wagner company as a "transnational criminal organization" and would soon impose more sanctions on the entity

Russian troops liberate two communities in Ukraine operation over past day — top brass

Russian air defense forces shot down a Ukrainian Su-27 fighter jet and 23 unmanned aerial vehicles over the past day

US concocting latest counter-offensive narrative to justify aid to Kiev — DPR head

Denis Pushilin stressed that Ukraine would not be able to launch a new counteroffensive before 2025

Russian, Saudi foreign ministers call for settling crises in Middle East

Sergey Lavrov and Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud "discussed the further development of Russian-Saudi relations with a focus on the implementation of the agreements reached following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s official visit to Riyadh in December 2023"

Russian Interior Ministry declares ex-Ukrainian army chief wanted

Ruslan Khomchak served as commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian armed forces from March 27, 2020 to July 27, 2021