Russia

MOSCOW, June 20. /TASS/: The State Duma at a plenary session on Tuesday adopted in the second and third readings a bill to rename the Day of Military Glory (September 3) to the Day of Victory over Militaristic Japan and the end of World War II.

The document was introduced by a group of deputies last June. The changes are to be made to the law On the Days of Military Glory and Commemorative Dates of Russia. The Day of the End of World War II, celebrated on September 3, will now be officially referred to as the Day of Victory over Militaristic Japan and the end of World War II.

MOSCOW, June 20. /TASS/: Russian forces destroyed eight Ukrainian ammunition depots over the past day during the special military operation in Ukraine, Defense Ministry Spokesman Lieutenant-General Igor Konashenkov reported on Tuesday.

During the last 24-hour period, operational/tactical and army aircraft, missile troops and artillery of the Russian groupings of forces struck 98 Ukrainian artillery units at firing positions, manpower and military equipment in 112 areas, the spokesman said.

June 20 (Reuters) - Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Tuesday that Moscow had information that Ukraine was planning to strike Russian-controlled Crimea with longer-range U.S. and British missiles and warned Russia would retaliate if that happened.

Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, but considers it to be outside the scope of what it calls its "special military operation" which is focused in eastern and southern Ukraine where Ukraine is fighting to retake territory.

19 June 2023; MEMO: A free trade zone agreement between Iran, Russia and several countries that cover the vast Eurasian region, spreading from the borders of Eastern Europe to Western China is possible by the end of the year, Russia's TASS news agency reported on Monday.

19 June 2023; MEMO: Russia's deputy Foreign Minister said on Monday that, even if a deal allowing shipments of Ukrainian grain via the Black Sea ends, Russia's agreement with the United Nations to ease its own exports will stay in force, Russian state news agency, RIA, reported on Monday.

ST. PETERSBURG, June 18. /TASS/: Russia will continue developing relations with Arab states and Persian Gulf states in particular, including in energy area, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview for RT.

"Russia will continue its cooperation with many states of the Arab world - first and foremost, Persian Gulf states - in the efforts on ensuring fair prices for energy, mainly oil. I am talking about the OPEC+ format. And we are, in general, are very satisfied with how our relations develop, and we will continue doing that," the spokesman said.

MOSCOW, June 18. /TASS/: Russia’s special military operation started to defend the Donbass region and now it has virtually turned into a war with the collective West, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with RT commenting on the supply of Western weapons to Ukraine.

"In fact, the special military operation against Ukraine, against the Kiev regime, was launched to ensure the safety of the people of Donbass. This is correct. Now it is practically a war between Moscow and the collective West," the Kremlin spokesman said.

MOSCOW, June 18. /TASS/: The decisions of the German authorities are not based on the logic and interests of the country, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Sunday, commenting on Germany's new national security strategy, which states that Russia has become the number one threat.

MOSCOW, 18 June. /TASS/: Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked servicemen - volunteers participating in the special military operation, he said in a closed part of the discussion with military correspondents. A fragment of the conversation was published as part of the "Moscow. Kremlin. Putin" TV program, published by journalist Pavel Zarubin on his Telegram channel.

"We should thank them for this motivation and for their readiness to defend our great homeland," Putin said.

MOSCOW, June 18. /TASS/: Ukraine’s statements about "killing Russians" will have repercussions from Russia, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with the "Moscow. Kremlin. Putin" TV program, published by journalist Pavel Zarubin on his Telegram channel.

"This is what our enemies say, and we must fight them. You can't threaten Russians with murder," Peskov said in response to statements on the subject by Ukrainian Presidential adviser Mikhail Podolyak and other Ukrainian officials.