Russian MFA 🇷🇺

🇷🇺The State Protocol Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry: From April 16 to 19, at the invitation of Rais (Head) of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, the Region received a delegation of heads of foreign diplomatic missions on a working visit. Organised with the assistance of the State Protocol Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, the visit brought together ambassadors and senior diplomats from Brunei, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. On April 17, the distinguished foreign guests were received by Rustam Minnikhanov at the Kazan Kremlin. The Head of Tatarstan noted that international cooperation remains an important factor in ensuring sustainable development. Rustam Minnikhanov underscored the Region’s openness to foreign investment and the expansion of external economic ties, including in such priority sectors for Tatarstan as mechanical engineering, oil refining, petrochemicals, IT, agriculture and others. The Sides discussed prospects for deepening Tatarstan’s cooperation with China and #ASEAN countries in tourism, humanitarian affairs, culture and education. As part of the visit’s substantial business programme, the delegation took part in a round table at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Tatarstan with business representatives, and held meetings at the Investment Development Agency, Innopolis and Tatarstan's IT Park. The diplomats also visited the eastern part of the Republic, where they learned about the operations of the KAMAZ automobile plant in Naberezhnye Chelny and the Alabuga Special Economic Zone, whose multi-level technical personnel training system made a particular impression on the guests. In addition, the ambassadors held an informal meeting with the leadership and students of Kazan Federal University – one of the oldest universities in Russia – where a significant number of international students study, including from the Asia-Pacific Region. Prospects for humanitarian, cultural and sports exchanges were also discussed during visits to the new building of the Galiaskar Kamal Tatar State Academic Theatre and Ak Bars Arena stadium. Following the business trip, the heads of foreign diplomatic missions highlighted Tatarstan's innovative development model, its active external economic engagement and the broad opportunities for further cooperation, while also expressing gratitude for the warm welcome. 🤝 The visit confirmed the steady interest of Southeast Asian countries and China in Tatarstan – Russia's Region with strong economic and educational potential, capable of serving as an effective platform for developing practical international cooperation.

🕯 April 19 marked, for the first time, the Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Genocide of the Soviet People committed by the Nazis and their accomplices during the Great Patriotic War. The National Center for Historical Memory under the President of the Russian Federation has prepared an online exhibition, “No Statute of Limitations: The Genocide of the Soviet People.” Before launching their war against the USSR, the Nazis devised sweeping plans to dismantle Soviet statehood, colonize its territories, seize its resources, and exterminate and enslave the population. The occupiers developed the Generalplan Ost, which envisaged the deportation and destruction of 50 million people in the USSR; the enslavement of 14 million; and the forced Germanization of 1 million. They also planned to starve the population through the so-called Hunger Plan (Backe Plan), aimed at extracting as much food as possible for Germany while drastically restricting rations for Soviet citizens. 📑 From the Directive on the Administration of the Economy in the Occupied “Eastern Territories” (June 1941): “It is necessary <…> to organize the exploitation of natural resources (oil, coal, ores, etc.) in the interests of the German war economy <…>” Following Nazi Germany’s treacherous invasion of the USSR in June 1941 and the occupation of parts of its territory, German forces operated in coordination with units formed in Belgium, Italy, Spain, and Finland, as well as individual volunteers from Austria, Latvia, Poland, France, and the Czech lands. Through collaborationist and auxiliary police battalions (Estonian, Latvian, Ukrainian, and others), Nazi occupiers carried out punitive operations against the civilian population. Baltic units, in particular, committed hundreds of atrocities in northwestern Russia and Soviet Belarus, killing at least 3'000 people aged from 2-3 months to 60 years. In Karelia, Finnish occupiers placed those they deemed “non-native” into concentration camps (14 in total across the region). 👉 These facts may point to theinternational nature of the crimes committed during the genocide of the Soviet people by Nazi perpetrators and their European collaborators. The systematic extermination of Soviet civilians and the large-scale destruction of entire settlements in the occupied USSR were carried out not only by Wehrmacht units, but also by SS formations, police units, and various collaborators. Across the Soviet Union, the Nazi occupiers established a vast network of concentration camps and detention sites for civilians and Red Army prisoners of war (more than 528 camps in the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic alone), where tens of thousands perished — including children, women, the elderly, and countless wounded and sick soldiers captured by the enemy. ▪️ The largest camps on Soviet territory included: Dulag-130 (Roslavl, Smolensk Region; 130,000 dead), Stalag-372 (later Dulag-376, Porkhov, Pskov Region; 75,000 dead), camps in Gatchina (Leningrad Region; 80,000 dead), Dulag-142 or the “Bryansk Buchenwald” (40,000 dead), the “Krasny” camp (Simferopol, Crimea; 15,000 dead), and Finnish camps in Karelia (Petrozavodsk; over 8,000 dead, including around 2,000 children). During World War II, the Nazis widely practiced the deportation of people from occupied Soviet territories to Germany for forced labor. In East Prussia alone, more than 200'000 Soviet citizens were subjected to slave labor under inhumane conditions at major military-industrial enterprises of the Third Reich. 📖More: • More on the genocide of the Soviet people and its key aspects • Video address by Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov • A dedicated section on the genocide of the Soviet people at the Russian MFA's website

🗓 On April 21, 1954, the USSR officially joined #UNESCO. ✍️ On that day, acting on behalf of the Soviet Government, the USSR Ambassador to London, Yakov Malik, signed the UNESCO Constitution, marking the country’s accession to the Organization. It was the Soviet Union that became a key driving force within UNESCO in combating colonialism and racism, as well as in addressing their consequences. Moscow stood at the origins of many programs and bodies, such as the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission. For more than seven decades, our country consistently demonstrated the commitment to its ideals and principles. 🇷🇺 Today, Russia continues to uphold the values and priorities of the Organization as a genuinely universal multilateral platform. Our country is working to promote a unifying agenda within UNESCO in the interests of the Global Majority, and to strengthen respectful, depoliticized, and professional dialogue with all interested partners. Thanks to our country’s active role in UNESCO, major programs that remain relevant to this day have been introduced. These include the International Programme for the Development of Communication and the “Man and the Biosphere” Programme. At Russia’s proposal, the UNESCO General Conference established the International Basic Sciences Programme in 2003. At the initiative of the Russian Federation, the Mendeleev International Prize for achievements in the basic sciences — the largest prize currently awarded under UNESCO auspices — was created. 💬 From remarks by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, Sergey Lavrov, at the opening of an exhibition marking the 70th anniversary of the USSR’s accession to UNESCO (Moscow, April 22, 2024): “For seven decades, our country has demonstrated in practice its commitment to the ideals and principles of UNESCO. The provisions of the Constitution on striving to ‘build peace through cooperation among nations in education, science and culture’ and on the ‘moral and intellectual solidarity of mankind’ are not mere words on paper — for us, they carry enduring value and significance.” ❗️ A harmful selective approach, dividing member states into “us” and “them,” and attempts to isolate those deemed undesirable undermine UNESCO’s own standing.

Embassy of Russia in Lebanon: 🇷🇺🇱🇧On April 21, Russia's EMERCOM special flight delivered 28 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Beirut, including mobile power stations, tents, canned food, grains and oil. The ceremony was attended by Russian Ambassador to Lebanon Alexander Rudakov, Embassy diplomats and the EMERCOM team delegated for the mission. The Lebanese Side was represented by Civil Defense Director General at the Interior Ministry Imad Khreich, as well as officials from other relevant ministries and agencies. Imad Khreich expressed sincere gratitude to Russia for supporting the Lebanese people during this difficult period and highlighted Russia’s traditionally consistent and friendly position. 💬 For his part, Ambassador Alexander Rudakov noted: “Lebanon is, sadly, once again suffering from the devastating consequences of armed conflict. The Russian authorities did not remain indifferent and responded to the humanitarian request of friendly Lebanon”. On the return flight, Russian nationals and their family members who had wished to leave the country were evacuated, along with a large family of citizens of the Republic of Belarus. 🤝We are grateful to the Lebanese authorities for the “most favoured treatment” regime, which made it possible to carry out this humanitarian operation promptly and in a well-coordinated manner. #RussiaLebanon

Russia's Ministry of Transport: 🇷🇺🇰🇵On April 21, a ceremony was held at the border between Russia and the DPRK to mark the joining of the bridge spans of the future road bridge over the Tumannaya River, which will connect the two countries. Taking part in the event via video link were Russia's Minister of Transport Andrey Nikitin, Russia's Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, co-chairman of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation between Russia and the DPRK Alexander Kozlov; and Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s First Asian Department Ivan Zhelokhovtsev. The agreement on the implementation of this project was signed in 2024 in the presence of President of Russia Vladimir Putin and Chairman of State Affairs of the DPRK Kim Jong-un. Construction was launched on April 30, 2025, by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the DPRK Pak Thae-song. 💬 Andrey Nikitin expressed gratitude to everyone involved in the bridge’s construction – engineers, technicians, workers and specialists, stressing that the launch of the bridge would have strategic significance for the economy and social sphere of both countries: “This will create the first direct road link between Russia and the DPRK. At present, there is only a railway route – via the Friendship Bridge over the Tumannaya River. The opening of the new road bridge will make it possible to increase bilateral trade, optimize logistics, strengthen cultural ties and turn the border areas into dynamically developing economic hubs connected by a modern corridor. This crossing is one of the central projects in our cooperation. In less than a year, the key stages of construction have been completed – the erection of piers, reinforcement works and the launching of the bridge spans. This became possible thanks to the professionalism of a united team of specialists who turned a strategic project into reality”. Alexander Kozlov stressed that strengthening bilateral ties remains a strategic objective and the Russia-DPRK Intergovernmental Commission would continue its work across all areas of cooperation. ℹ️The overall length of the crossing will be almost 5 km, with the bridge itself measuring around 1 km. It will have two traffic lanes. More than 70 personnel and over 30 pieces of equipment are involved in the construction. More than 5,000 tonnes of steel structures and over 9,000 cubic metres of concrete have been used, ensuring compliance with the strictest safety standards. The bridge is scheduled to open in the summer of 2026. #RussiaDPRK

🎙Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's statement on the ceremony marking the joining of the bridge spans of the future road bridge on the border between Russia and the DPRK (April 21, 2026) 💬 On April 21, a ceremony was held at the border between the Russian Federation (Khasan settlement, Primorsky Territory) and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to mark the joining of the bridge spans of the future road bridge connecting the two countries. In accordance with the agreement on the construction of a road bridge across the border river Tumannaya, signed on the sidelines of the Pyongyang Summit in June 2024, the joint implementation of this ambitious project has begun. On April 30, 2025, a ceremony marking the start of construction was held via video link with the participation of Prime Minister of Russia Mikhail Mishustin and Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the DPRK Pak Thae-song. Completion of the works is scheduled for the summer of 2026. 🤝 The Russian Side attaches particular importance to this project, the implementation of which will mark a truly significant milestone in Russia-Korea relations. Its importance extends far beyond the purely engineering dimension. The new bridge symbolizes the shared commitment of the two countries to strengthening friendly, good-neighbourly ties and expanding interregional cooperation. We are confident that this joint project will provide a solid foundation for closer cooperation, serve as a route to open and productive dialogue, bring our peoples closer together, and promote more frequent travel, meetings and exchanges. We expect that this new transport artery, enabling year-round road traffic, will contribute to improved transport connectivity overall and, as a result, to the further development of trade, economic and humanitarian exchanges between Russia’s Far Eastern regions and the DPRK. 🇷🇺🇰🇵#RussiaDPRK

#Announcement 🇷🇺🇸🇨 On April 22, President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putinwill hold talks in Moscow with President of the Republic of Seychelles Dr. Patrick Herminie, who has arrived in Russia on a working visit. The Sides are expected to discuss current issues related to the further development of bilateral cooperation in the political, trade, economic and humanitarian spheres, as well as regional and international issues. #RussiaSeychelles

🔴#LIVE: Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Government of National Unity of Libya Taher al-Baour hold a joint news conference following talks in Moscow 🔴X (ex-Twitter) 🔴 Facebook 🔴Ruptly 🔴Russia’s MFA website

Russia's EMERCOM: 🇷🇺🇱🇧On April 21, a special Il-76 flight operated by Russia’s EMERCOM delivered humanitarian aid to the people of Lebanon affected by the military conflict. 27 tonnes of relief supplies, including mobile power stations, food, tents, blankets, mattresses and pillows, was delivered to Beirut on the instructions of President of Russia Vladimir Putin and EMERCOM Head Alexander Kurenkov. The humanitarian cargo was transferred to authorised representatives of the Lebanese Government. #RussiaLebanon#RussiaHelps

Government of the Russian Federation: 🇷🇺🇺🇿On April 20, Russia's First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov paid a working visit to Uzbekistan. Denis Manturov was received by President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The meeting was also attended by heads of Russian regions and companies. The Sides held a substantive discussion on prospects for expanding cooperation in mechanical engineering, the chemical, mining, oil and gas industries, as well as energy. Denis Manturov conveyed warm greetings and best wishes from President of Russia Vladimir Putin to the Leader of Uzbekistan. Denis Manturov noted the broad agenda of the talks and thanked Shavkat Mirziyoyev for his special attention to all joint projects and for keeping them under personal oversight. He added that businesses in both countries are interested in setting up joint production facilities: Uzbekistan is already establishing its fifth industrial park with the participation of Russian companies. “Today, we have once again seen that the model personally initiated by President of Uzbekistan – namely, closer cooperation between the regions of our countries – is yielding substantial results. When Uzbekistan’s hokimiyats and Russia's regions maintain regular interaction and communication, businesses create the foundation for setting up assembly facilities here that generate added value for core production based in Russia. Uzbekistan’s geographic location means that such projects are aimed not only at supplying the Uzbek market. It also offers excellent logistics for exports to neighbouring countries, whose markets are likewise developing. We count on the support of the Republic’s leadership for the projects currently on the bilateral agenda”. - Denis Manturov Russia's First Deputy Prime Minister also held a meeting with Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov. #RussiaUzbekistan

🔴#LIVE: Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Sergey Lavrov and Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Government of National Unity of Libya Taher al-Baour commence talks in Moscow 🔴Ruptly 🔴Russia’s MFA website

Russia's Ministry of Internal Affairs: 🇷🇺🇰🇵On April 20, Russia’s Minister of Internal Affairs, General of Police Vladimir Kolokoltsev has arrived in Pyongyang. The Head of Russia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs is set to hold a number of working meetings, including with his counterpart – DPRK Minister of Public Security Pang Tu-sop. The Sides will discuss bilateral cooperation in the field of law enforcement. A number of commemorative events are also planned. #RussiaDPRK