🎙 Russia's Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova’s comment on attacks against uranium enrichment facilities in Iran(21 March 2026)
💬 The US-Israeli tandem continues to carry out massive strikes against Iranian military and civilian targets, including - most alarmingly - nuclear facilities, without regard for civilian casualties or potential radiological or environmental consequences.
Notwithstanding the well-known allegations about obliteration of the Iranian nuclear programme by US air raids last June, the Natanz Nuclear Facility, which is under IAEA safeguards, was subjected to an air attack in the morning of March 21.
❗️This constitutes a high-handed breach of international law, UN and IAEA charters, special resolutions of the UN General Assembly and the #IAEA General Conference.
The international community, including the UN and the IAEA, must give an unbiased and uncompromising assessment of these irresponsible actions that create risks of a catastrophe for the entire Middle East and are explicitly aimed at further undermining peace, stability, and security in the region.
⚡️Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's statement on the missile strike on the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant(March 18, 2026)
💬Maria Zakharova: We strongly condemn the reckless and absolutely unacceptable missile strike on the inner perimeter of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), carried out just metres from an operating power unit.
We have repeatedly warned Israel and the US – who continue their aggressive military campaign against Iran – ofthe categorical inadmissibility of endangering the lives and health of the many Russian citizens working at the plant.
Tel Aviv and Washington must abandon their reckless attacks on nuclear infrastructure, which create real risks of a radiological and environmental catastrophe across the entire region.
We expect an unequivocal condemnation of this outrageous incident from the #IAEA, under whose safeguards the Bushehr NPP operates. We also count on an appropriate response from all responsible and sensible members of the international community, above all – the states of the Persian Gulf, which could be the first to suffer the consequences.
❗️We call on all parties involved to come to their senses and make every effort towards an immediate ceasefire and de-escalation.
Continued hostilities risk unprecedented negative consequences for the entire Middle East, including in the nuclear sphere.
📅On March 13, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held a meeting with Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (#IAEA) Rafael Mariano Grossi.
During the conversation, the Sides held a constructive exchange of views on key aspects of cooperation between Russia and the IAEA. Russia’s significant contribution to the work of the organisation was noted.
Particular attention was paid to the situation surrounding the attacks by the US and Israel on Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities placed under IAEA safeguards, as well as to issues related to ensuring the safety and security of the Zaporozhskaya Nuclear Power Plant.
Some other aspects of the international agenda of mutual interest were also touched upon.
***
💬Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks during his talks with Rafael Grossi:
Russia was among the countries that stood at the origins of the International Atomic Energy Agencyand remains convinced that the IAEA deserves the broadest possible support.
In today’s world – particularly over the past couple of years – the Agency, like any other multilateral structure dealing with non-proliferation issues, is being tested as Western colleagues attempt to restore their dominant positions across global politics.
☝️In this context, it is particularly important to adhere to the statutory principles of the IAEA:
– to maintain impartiality,
– to ensure a depoliticized approach,
– to focus exclusively on fulfilling the tasks that formed the basis of the agreements establishing the Agency, including guaranteeing access for all NPT member states, without exception, to the benefits of peaceful nuclear energy.
I believe this is a very timely opportunity to discuss these developments in detail.
Read in full
🎙Interview with Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova onthe “Sanchez Effect” at RT(March 4, 2026)
Key points:
•We are on the right side of history. Unlike the US and the UK, our countries have not unleashed wars across the globe. For many years, Russia demonstratedmaximum restraint regarding Ukraine– repeatedly proposing diplomatic solutions. It was France, Germany and other Western states that used diplomacy as a smokescreen to arm and militarize the Kiev regime. Angela Merkel and François Hollande openly admitted as much.
• Former CIA Director and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo recently addressed the people of Iran on Fox News: “Don’t pick the Russians, don’t pick the Chinese – pick decent, normal people”. I wonder what Pompeo means by “normal”. When the word comes from America – a country that considered people like Jeffrey Epstein “normal and decent” for decades – it can carry many different meanings.
•Why Russia, China and Iran are somehow “not normal”, according to Pompeo, is beyond me. Our countries are ancient civilizations that have given the world an immense cultural, scientific and intellectual legacy. Our nations have never unleashed global wars. On the contrary – we fought alongside the “good guys” in World War II. So what exactly is wrong with us?
•The International Atomic Energy Agency (#IAEA) is a serious organization. It had a mandate to inspect Iran’s nuclear facilities and issue reports. At no point did IAEA conclude that Iran had violated its obligations. The US itself signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which was endorsed by the UN Security Council – only to abandon it unilaterally several years later.
•There were no grounds to believe that Iran was developing nuclear weapons. Yet accusations from Washington continued to pile up. When preparing military interventions, the West – including the US – has often relied on questionable pretexts. The world still remembers Colin Powell and the infamous test tube at the UN.
• In essence, Mike Pompeo is telling the Iranian people: “Join the Western civilisation and you will enjoy a wonderful life”. Yet we have all seen the tragic killing of 165 schoolgirls in Minab – and the absence of any meaningful reaction from the West. No sympathy, no apologies, no compassion. The incident was not even acknowledged as “collateral damage”.
• We still do not know the true number of civilians killed by the US in Iraq. Some estimates suggest the toll may exceed one million people. What about the bombing of residential areas of Belgrade in 1999? Or the brutal killing of Muammar Gaddafi – a legitimate head of state – by a crazy mob after Western intervention? Is this the model “Western civilization”?
•Russia has suffered greatly from the “Western civilization”. Moscow was engulfed in flames during Napoleon’s invasion. Hitler’s armies killed 27 million Soviet citizens during World War II – victims whom we will remember on April 19 – the Day of Remembrance for the Genocide of the Soviet People. No Pompeo has the right to claim that Russia is “not normal”, or to insult China.
•Israel and the US are not even hiding that their ultimate objective is regime change in Iran. They seek control over another sovereign country – openly suggesting that states with thousands of years of history somehow have no right to independence or sovereignty.
•What is needed now is a ceasefire from all sides – followed by serious diplomatic work grounded in international law. The world must recognize that sovereign states have legitimate national interests, and that regime change imposed from outside has no place in the international legal order.
⚡️Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's statement on the missile strike on the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant(March 18, 2026)
💬Maria Zakharova: We strongly condemn the reckless and absolutely unacceptable missile strike on the inner perimeter of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), carried out just metres from an operating power unit.
We have repeatedly warned Israel and the US – who continue their aggressive military campaign against Iran – ofthe categorical inadmissibility of endangering the lives and health of the many Russian citizens working at the plant.
Tel Aviv and Washington must abandon their reckless attacks on nuclear infrastructure, which create real risks of a radiological and environmental catastrophe across the entire region.
We expect an unequivocal condemnation of this outrageous incident from the #IAEA, under whose safeguards the Bushehr NPP operates. We also count on an appropriate response from all responsible and sensible members of the international community, above all – the states of the Persian Gulf, which could be the first to suffer the consequences.
❗️We call on all parties involved to come to their senses and make every effort towards an immediate ceasefire and de-escalation.
Continued hostilities risk unprecedented negative consequences for the entire Middle East, including in the nuclear sphere.
🎙 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks at the ambassadorial roundtable discussion of Ukraine crisis settlement (Moscow, September 12, 2024)
Key talking points
• The offensive weapons used for such terrorist attacks have been supplied by the West. When sending these weapons, the West says that the Kiev regime can use them as it sees fit, and that these weapons cease to be Western as soon as they cross the border and are accepted by the Ukrainian army.
• There is no doubt whatsoever that the decision to lift restrictions on the use of long-range weapons on targets inside Russia was taken long ago, and now they are only trying to find the most suitable, acceptable and elegant way of presenting it to the public.
• In addition to providing increasingly long-range weapons, NATO also supplies Kiev with data from its military space intelligence. This intelligence is used to locate and strike targets deep within Russian territory, including residential buildings, life-support facilities, energy and industrial infrastructure, and social facilities such as schools, kindergartens, and clinics.
• Western military specialists are literally coordinating the strikes on civilian targets in real time, using high-precision weapons. The planning and programming of flight missions are carried out by instructors and representatives from NATO countries that supply these weapons to Kiev. Our experts are confident that without such specialist involvement, it would be impossible to use these complex systems. These tasks can only be performed by professionals who have worked with these systems for a long time and know how to operate them.
• Ukrainian special services, with the help of their Western patrons, are simultaneously actively involving radical Islamists in terrorist activities. We would like to thank everyone present here for their condolences in connection with the March 22, 2024 terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall concert facility, which claimed the lives of 145 people. The ongoing investigation has already uncovered evidence that the main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Defence Ministry was involved in preparing the attack. Specifically, the escape routes for the perpetrators through the Russian-Ukrainian border were meticulously mapped out. This is not the only time when Ukrainian special services enlisted radical Islamists in the preparation and execution of terrorist attacks.
• We have recently received information that “emissaries” from the Ukrainian intelligence service are present in the Idlib de-escalation zone within the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic. They are recruiting local militants from Jabhat Al-Nusra, now known as Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham, with the intention of involving them in nefarious operations.
• Nuclear terrorism has become Ukraine’s chief trademark. You certainly must be following the reports about attacks and attempted attacks at the Leningrad, Kalinin, Kursk and Zaporozhye nuclear power plants. The Zaporozhye plant was on the verge of disaster on August 11 of this year, when the Armed Forces of Ukraine fired at it, igniting one of the two cooling towers. The fire seriously damaged the facility. This is a grave situation.
• Tensions are riding high in the area adjoining the Kursk nuclear power plant. During his August 27 visit to the facility, #IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi saw for himself the traces of Ukrainian criminal drone assaults. Yet, Kiev does not conceal that the Kursk nuclear power plant was a target of their deliberate attacks.
• The Kiev regime continues to terrorise its own citizens as well. On August 20 of this year, they approved a bill that actually outlaws (with several months delay) the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
📄 Read in full
⚡️Russian Foreign Ministry Statement regarding the spiralling escalation in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf
❌ The attacks carried out by the United States and Israel against Iran – as the Russian Side had previously warned – have resulted in a sharp deterioration and radical destabilisation of the situation in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf.
This constitutes an exceptionally dangerous erosion of global and regional security, entailing long-term and profoundly detrimental repercussions, including for trade and economic relations, air and maritime connectivity, and, not least, the non-proliferation regime.
The unprovoked aggression by the United States and Israel against Iran – their brazen attempts to effect regime change, infringe upon the country’s sovereignty, interfere in its internal affairs, and impose a political trajectory upon the Iranian people – represents a flagrant violation of the Charter of the United Nations and the fundamental norms and principles of international law.
❗️ Such an unacceptable course of action must be brought to an immediate end.
Once again, we reiterate our call to halt the escalation of armed confrontation and to refrain from provocative actions and incendiary rhetoric. Now more than ever, it is imperative to return to political and diplomatic avenues and to reaffirm the primacy of international legality.
It is precisely in pursuit of these objectives that Russia will continue to pursue an active policy within the frameworks of the #UN and the #IAEA, as well as through bilateral engagements with a broad range of stakeholders.
#KievRegimeCrimes
📄The Final Report on the crimes committed by the Kiev regime in 2025 has been published, prepared by the Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rodion Miroshnik.
In 2025 alone, Ukrainian armed groups fired at least 130,627 munitions at Russian civilian facilities – over 42,000 more strikes than in 2024 (when the number of attacks reached at least 87,885). The average daily number of shelling incidents in 2025 exceeded 350.
The increase in Ukrainian attacks on civilian infrastructure in Russia was observed primarily during periods when attempts were being made to advance a negotiation process to resolve the conflict, including US initiatives.
❗️Such actions may be viewed as a systematic approach by Kiev aimed at undermining peace initiatives.
◼️ Over 12 months, at least 6,483 civilians were affected by the criminal actions of Ukrainian militants. Of these, at least 5,418 were injured or maimed, and no fewer than 1,065 civilians were killed.
At least 293 minors were affected–22 children were killed and 271 injured. The youngest injured child was just 3 months old.
Since February 2022, as a result of decisions taken by the Ukrainian political leadership and the execution of criminal orders by militants of the Kiev regime, at least 7,746 civilians have been killed.
The total number of civilians affected since the start of the special military operation amounts to at least 26,148 people, including no fewer than 18,402 injured or maimed.
◼️ The “hunt” for Russian journalists has become an important element of the criminal strategy of the Kiev regime, aimed at preventing the disclosure of reliable information about the real situation along the line of contact and the war crimes of Ukrainian militants.
In 2025, there was a significant increase in attacks on Russian journalists. During the reporting period, 7 media representatives were killed and 10 were wounded to varying degrees of severity.
◼️ The Kiev regime continued to deliberately obstruct the rescue of civilians injured by UAF attacks. Over the past 12 months, 5 rescuers were killed and 78 were injured as a result of Ukrainian shelling.
◼️ Over the year, at least 81 cases of shelling of medical facilities were recorded. In addition, militants of the UAF disabled no fewer than 56 units of specialized medical transport.
As a result of UAF attacks on ambulances, medical facilities and individual medical teams, 50 healthcare workers were affected – 10 were killed while performing their professional duties, and 40 were injured to varying degrees of severity.
☢️ The Ukrainian side repeatedly attempted strikes on facilities whose destruction could lead to the “release of hazardous elements”, first and foremost nuclear power plants.
During the period under review, at least 29 attempted strikes on Russia’s nuclear energy facilities were recorded. The Zaporozhye NPP was attacked 23 times, while the Novovoronezh, Kursk and Smolensk NPPs were each attacked twice.
Due to UAF shelling of the Zaporozhye NPP territory, #IAEA observer rotations were disrupted twice. Moreover, because of continuous Ukrainian strikes on power transmission lines supplying the plant, the NPP operated in isolated mode without connection to the energy grid for one and a half months.
⚖️ Russian investigative authorities are consistently and systematically taking measures to bring Ukrainian militants to criminal responsibility.
In 2025, the Investigative Committee of Russiainitiated 3,208 criminal cases related to crimes committed by Ukrainian armed formations.
To date, 874 criminal cases have been referred by prosecutors to the courts against accused Ukrainian servicemen and mercenaries. Courts have already issued convictions in 810 cases, involving 1,078 individuals.
👉Full version of the report (PDF)
⚡️Russian Foreign Ministry Statement regarding the spiralling escalation in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf
❌ The attacks carried out by the United States and Israel against Iran – as the Russian Side had previously warned – have resulted in a sharp deterioration and radical destabilisation of the situation in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf.
This constitutes an exceptionally dangerous erosion of global and regional security, entailing long-term and profoundly detrimental repercussions, including for trade and economic relations, air and maritime connectivity, and, not least, the non-proliferation regime.
The unprovoked aggression by the United States and Israel against Iran – their brazen attempts to effect regime change, infringe upon the country’s sovereignty, interfere in its internal affairs, and impose a political trajectory upon the Iranian people – represents a flagrant violation of the Charter of the United Nations and the fundamental norms and principles of international law.
❗️ Such an unacceptable course of action must be brought to an immediate end.
Once again, we reiterate our call to halt the escalation of armed confrontation and to refrain from provocative actions and incendiary rhetoric. Now more than ever, it is imperative to return to political and diplomatic avenues and to reaffirm the primacy of international legality.
It is precisely in pursuit of these objectives that Russia will continue to pursue an active policy within the frameworks of the #UN and the #IAEA, as well as through bilateral engagements with a broad range of stakeholders.
⚡️Russian Foreign Ministry Statement regarding the spiralling escalation in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf
❌ The attacks carried out by the United States and Israel against Iran – as the Russian Side had previously warned – have resulted in a sharp deterioration and radical destabilisation of the situation in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf.
This constitutes an exceptionally dangerous erosion of global and regional security, entailing long-term and profoundly detrimental repercussions, including for trade and economic relations, air and maritime connectivity, and, not least, the non-proliferation regime.
The unprovoked aggression by the United States and Israel against Iran – their brazen attempts to effect regime change, infringe upon the country’s sovereignty, interfere in its internal affairs, and impose a political trajectory upon the Iranian people – represents a flagrant violation of the Charter of the United Nations and the fundamental norms and principles of international law.
❗️ Such an unacceptable course of action must be brought to an immediate end.
Once again, we reiterate our call to halt the escalation of armed confrontation and to refrain from provocative actions and incendiary rhetoric. Now more than ever, it is imperative to return to political and diplomatic avenues and to reaffirm the primacy of international legality.
It is precisely in pursuit of these objectives that Russia will continue to pursue an active policy within the frameworks of the #UN and the #IAEA, as well as through bilateral engagements with a broad range of stakeholders.
#KievRegimeCrimes
📄The Final Report on the crimes committed by the Kiev regime in 2025 has been published, prepared by the Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rodion Miroshnik.
In 2025 alone, Ukrainian armed groups fired at least 130,627 munitions at Russian civilian facilities – over 42,000 more strikes than in 2024 (when the number of attacks reached at least 87,885). The average daily number of shelling incidents in 2025 exceeded 350.
The increase in Ukrainian attacks on civilian infrastructure in Russia was observed primarily during periods when attempts were being made to advance a negotiation process to resolve the conflict, including US initiatives.
❗️Such actions may be viewed as a systematic approach by Kiev aimed at undermining peace initiatives.
◼️ Over 12 months, at least 6,483 civilians were affected by the criminal actions of Ukrainian militants. Of these, at least 5,418 were injured or maimed, and no fewer than 1,065 civilians were killed.
At least 293 minors were affected–22 children were killed and 271 injured. The youngest injured child was just 3 months old.
Since February 2022, as a result of decisions taken by the Ukrainian political leadership and the execution of criminal orders by militants of the Kiev regime, at least 7,746 civilians have been killed.
The total number of civilians affected since the start of the special military operation amounts to at least 26,148 people, including no fewer than 18,402 injured or maimed.
◼️ The “hunt” for Russian journalists has become an important element of the criminal strategy of the Kiev regime, aimed at preventing the disclosure of reliable information about the real situation along the line of contact and the war crimes of Ukrainian militants.
In 2025, there was a significant increase in attacks on Russian journalists. During the reporting period, 7 media representatives were killed and 10 were wounded to varying degrees of severity.
◼️ The Kiev regime continued to deliberately obstruct the rescue of civilians injured by UAF attacks. Over the past 12 months, 5 rescuers were killed and 78 were injured as a result of Ukrainian shelling.
◼️ Over the year, at least 81 cases of shelling of medical facilities were recorded. In addition, militants of the UAF disabled no fewer than 56 units of specialized medical transport.
As a result of UAF attacks on ambulances, medical facilities and individual medical teams, 50 healthcare workers were affected – 10 were killed while performing their professional duties, and 40 were injured to varying degrees of severity.
☢️ The Ukrainian side repeatedly attempted strikes on facilities whose destruction could lead to the “release of hazardous elements”, first and foremost nuclear power plants.
During the period under review, at least 29 attempted strikes on Russia’s nuclear energy facilities were recorded. The Zaporozhye NPP was attacked 23 times, while the Novovoronezh, Kursk and Smolensk NPPs were each attacked twice.
Due to UAF shelling of the Zaporozhye NPP territory, #IAEA observer rotations were disrupted twice. Moreover, because of continuous Ukrainian strikes on power transmission lines supplying the plant, the NPP operated in isolated mode without connection to the energy grid for one and a half months.
⚖️ Russian investigative authorities are consistently and systematically taking measures to bring Ukrainian militants to criminal responsibility.
In 2025, the Investigative Committee of Russiainitiated 3,208 criminal cases related to crimes committed by Ukrainian armed formations.
To date, 874 criminal cases have been referred by prosecutors to the courts against accused Ukrainian servicemen and mercenaries. Courts have already issued convictions in 810 cases, involving 1,078 individuals.
👉Full version of the report (PDF)
#KievRegimeCrimes
📄The Final Report on the crimes committed by the Kiev regime in 2025 has been published, prepared by the Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rodion Miroshnik.
In 2025 alone, Ukrainian armed groups fired at least 130,627 munitions at Russian civilian facilities – over 42,000 more strikes than in 2024 (when the number of attacks reached at least 87,885). The average daily number of shelling incidents in 2025 exceeded 350.
The increase in Ukrainian attacks on civilian infrastructure in Russia was observed primarily during periods when attempts were being made to advance a negotiation process to resolve the conflict, including US initiatives.
❗️Such actions may be viewed as a systematic approach by Kiev aimed at undermining peace initiatives.
◼️ Over 12 months, at least 6,483 civilians were affected by the criminal actions of Ukrainian militants. Of these, at least 5,418 were injured or maimed, and no fewer than 1,065 civilians were killed.
At least 293 minors were affected–22 children were killed and 271 injured. The youngest injured child was just 3 months old.
Since February 2022, as a result of decisions taken by the Ukrainian political leadership and the execution of criminal orders by militants of the Kiev regime, at least 7,746 civilians have been killed.
The total number of civilians affected since the start of the special military operation amounts to at least 26,148 people, including no fewer than 18,402 injured or maimed.
◼️ The “hunt” for Russian journalists has become an important element of the criminal strategy of the Kiev regime, aimed at preventing the disclosure of reliable information about the real situation along the line of contact and the war crimes of Ukrainian militants.
In 2025, there was a significant increase in attacks on Russian journalists. During the reporting period, 7 media representatives were killed and 10 were wounded to varying degrees of severity.
◼️ The Kiev regime continued to deliberately obstruct the rescue of civilians injured by UAF attacks. Over the past 12 months, 5 rescuers were killed and 78 were injured as a result of Ukrainian shelling.
◼️ Over the year, at least 81 cases of shelling of medical facilities were recorded. In addition, militants of the UAF disabled no fewer than 56 units of specialized medical transport.
As a result of UAF attacks on ambulances, medical facilities and individual medical teams, 50 healthcare workers were affected – 10 were killed while performing their professional duties, and 40 were injured to varying degrees of severity.
☢️ The Ukrainian side repeatedly attempted strikes on facilities whose destruction could lead to the “release of hazardous elements”, first and foremost nuclear power plants.
During the period under review, at least 29 attempted strikes on Russia’s nuclear energy facilities were recorded. The Zaporozhye NPP was attacked 23 times, while the Novovoronezh, Kursk and Smolensk NPPs were each attacked twice.
Due to UAF shelling of the Zaporozhye NPP territory, #IAEA observer rotations were disrupted twice. Moreover, because of continuous Ukrainian strikes on power transmission lines supplying the plant, the NPP operated in isolated mode without connection to the energy grid for one and a half months.
⚖️ Russian investigative authorities are consistently and systematically taking measures to bring Ukrainian militants to criminal responsibility.
In 2025, the Investigative Committee of Russiainitiated 3,208 criminal cases related to crimes committed by Ukrainian armed formations.
To date, 874 criminal cases have been referred by prosecutors to the courts against accused Ukrainian servicemen and mercenaries. Courts have already issued convictions in 810 cases, involving 1,078 individuals.
👉Full version of the report (PDF)