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🧑‍🚀 A few months after his historic flight, Yuri Gagarin arrived in Britain — and stepped into a different kind of orbit. From 11 to 15 July 1961, crowds filled the streets of London and Manchester, eager to catch a glimpse of the world’s first spaceman. Newspapers followed his every move, and he was even invited to Buckingham Palace, where he met the Queen. In Manchester, on a typically rainy day, Gagarin visited the Metropolitan-Vickers engineering works, invited by trade union members. Seeing people waiting for him in the downpour, he asked for the roof of his Rolls-Royce to be lowered, saying: “Surely the least I can do is get wet too.” It was a small gesture, but one many remembered — simple, genuine, and deeply human. His visit to Britain felt like a shared celebration, showing that even at the height of the Cold War, human achievement could bring people together. Traces of that visit remain today. At the Science Museum in London, visitors can see a monument marking the first human journey into space, alongside a bronze bust of Gagarin presented in 2017. At Manchester Airport, a commemorative plaque recalls his 1961 visit. Further north, on the Orkney Islands, stands the “Gagarin Stone”, unveiled in 2008 along the Milestones Trail leading to Skara Brae — part of a series marking defining moments in human history. 🎞 Curious to see it for yourself? Watch rare footage from his visit to London. #Gagarin65#FirstInSpace

🇷🇺🇿🇦 On April 13, the programme “Digital Transformation of Public Administration System 2026” was officially launched in Pretoria in partnership with the National School of Government, organised by the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA). The initiative is being implemented under the Memorandum of Understanding signed in November 2025 between NSG and RANEPA, aimed at strengthening cooperation in public administration training. The Russiandelegation is led by Alexey Komissarov, Rector of RANEPA. From the South African side, the opening ceremony was attended by Pinky Sharon Kekana, Deputy Minister of Public Service and Administration, who is also participating in the programme. 💬 In her remarks, she welcomed the timely launch of the course, highlighting its relevance amid ongoing digital transformation in public administration. The 1.5-month programme includes: ➖one week of in-person sessions in Pretoria; ➖ an online phase with further study and practical work. 🤝 During the in-person component, participants explore advanced digitalisation practices, international experience, and modern approaches to improving public administration efficiency. The launch of the programme marks an important step in strengthening professional dialogue between Russian and South Africa and practical cooperation in public service development. #RussiaSouthAfrica

🇷🇺🇮🇷Embassy of Russia in Iran: The Russian people continue to support their Iranian friends during this difficult period in various ways – both at the state level and through private initiatives. On April 10, another batch of humanitarian aid was delivered in Astara to representatives of the Iranian Red Crescent Society. The shipment – 51 tonnes of sunflower oil and household supplies – was collected and delivered to Iran by the Nefis charitable foundation from Tatarstan. We wish the people of Iran peace, well-being and a swift recovery from this difficult period #RussiaHelps

#Victory81 ⚔️ April 13 – a memorable date in Russia’s military history. #OTD in 1945, the Red Army liberated Vienna. Marshal Fyodor Tolbukhin, who had already helped liberate Belgrade and Budapest, now stood at the gates of the Austrian capital. 💬Addressing the people of Vienna, the Soviet commander declared: “The Red Army brings Austria liberation from German domination” 🏅Yet the battle for Vienna was fierce. German forces had heavily fortified the city and resisted stubbornly. Even so, MarshalTolbukhin ordered that heavy artillery and aerial bombing are not to be used, in order to preserve one of the most beautiful cities in the world. This was a difficult decision. The assault started on April 5th without decisive success. The Soviet command had to revise its plans and adjust the directions of attack. 🌟 Tolbukhin then made what was likely the only possible decision at that moment – to launch a simultaneous assault on the city from multiple directions. The German forces could not withstand the pressure. At midday on April 13, Vienna was liberated from German troops. 🎥©Russian Military Historical Society

#KievRegimeCrimes ⚡️ Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rodion Miroshnik: PHOTO FACTS & EVIDENCE of crimes committed by Ukrainian armed forces over the week of April 6 – 12, 2026: ▪️ April 6 – a UAV strike targeted a civilian passenger car in the village of Voznesenovka, Belgorod Region. ▪️ April 6 – a UAV strike hit the administration building in the city of Starobelsk, LPR. Two civilians were injured. ▪️ April 7 – residential areas came under shelling in the village of Velikaya Znamenka, Zaporozhye Region. ▪️ April 7 – a UAV strike targeted a civilian passenger car in the village of Golovchino, Belgorod Region. A married couple was injured. ▪️ April 7 – a kamikaze drone struck a civilian passenger car in the city of Grayvoron, Belgorod Region. ▪️ April 7 – an FPV drone struck a civilian passenger car in the city of Kakhovka, Kherson Region. ▪️ April 7 – an explosive device was dropped from a UAV onto a private home in the village of Chernyanka, Kherson Region. ▪️ April 8 – a UAV strike hit a residential area in the city of Lugansk, LPR. Three civilians were wounded. ▪️ April 9 – a UAV strike targeted the grounds of School No. 2 in the village of Vodyanoye, Zaporozhye Region. ▪️ April 11 – a UAV strike hit a private home in the city of Yasinovataya, DPR. A married couple was killed, and seven more people were injured.

Embassy of Russia in India: 🇷🇺🇮🇳April 13 marks the 79th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Russia and India. The status of a Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership reflects the scale and depth of Russia-India ties across the political, trade, economic, scientific, technological, educational and cultural spheres. Flagship areas of bilateral cooperation include joint investment projects, the development of transport corridors, as well as collaboration in space exploration and nuclear energy. Among our foremost priorities are energy security and defence cooperation. The dynamic growth of bilateral engagement at all levels, including business and interregional contacts, as well as record trade turnover, reflects our shared commitment to the steady further development of equal, trusting and mutually beneficial cooperation. Tourist flows are growing, while humanitarian exchanges continue to expand. 🤝Russia and India are bound by decades of fruitful and effective interstate cooperation, as well as by centuries of genuine friendship and civilisational dialogue. ☝️Our common task is to preserve and build upon this unique legacy. #RussiaIndia#DruzhbaDosti

#Announcement 🎙 On Thursday, April 16, Russia’s Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova will hold her weekly briefing on current foreign policy issues. 🕒 3:00 pm MSK 🕛 12:00 pm GMT 🕐 1:00 pm CET 🕗 8:00 pm CST For accreditation inquiries, please contact the MFA Press Centre. Accredited journalists will receive details on the technical aspects of submitting questions. The Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman will answer media questions received by the call centre. ❗️Accreditation is open until April 14, 12:00 pm MSK

#Announcement 🇷🇺🇨🇳 On April 14-15, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will pay an official visit to the People’s Republic of China, as part of which he is scheduled to hold talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The Foreign Ministers will discuss a broad range of issues related to bilateral cooperation, prospects for contacts at various levels, and coordination on the international stage, with a focus on joint work within the #UN, #BRICS, the #SCO, the #G20, #APEC and other multilateral mechanisms and forums. A substantive exchange of views is also expected on a number of pressing international and regional issues, including the Ukrainian crisis and the situation in the Middle East. #RussiaChina

#Announcement 🇷🇺🇮🇩On April 13, President of Russia Vladimir Putin will hold talks in Moscow with President of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto, who will pay a working visit to Russia. The Leaders are expected to discuss the current state and prospects for deepening the Russia-Indonesia strategic partnership, as well as pressing international and regional issues. #RussiaIndonesia

🇷🇺🇮🇳Embassy of Russia in India: Message by Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov on the 65th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin's space feat, published in Indian Express and The Financial Express(April 12, 2026) 💬 On April 12, 1961, Yuri Gagarin, aboard the spacecraft Vostok-1, made the first-ever human space flight – a heroic 108-minute journey orbiting the Earth. Gagarin proved the boundless capabilities of humanity and became a true pioneer, turning the world’s dream of space travel into reality. His flight marked a triumph for the global space programme and opened a new era in the history of space exploration. Many followed in his footsteps, forming a generation of astronauts who ventured beyond Earth. The year 2026 also marks the 65th anniversary of Gagarin’s visit to India. In November 1961, he travelled extensively across the country and was warmly welcomed by millions of Indians. Gagarin later recalled that, while the Earth appeared beautiful from above, it was even more magnificent and dear among true friends. To honour Yuri Gagarin, a commemorative postage stamp was issued in India. Today, there is a statue of him at the Birla Planetarium in Kolkata, a monument at the Nehru Science Centre in Mumbai, a bust at the Russian House in Thiruvananthapuram, and Yuri Gagarin Path in Durgapur, West Bengal. On April 12, 2025, a memorial plaque was unveiled at the Russian House in New Delhi honouring the founders of Russian cosmonautics – theoretician Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, rocket engineer and spacecraft designer Sergei Korolev, and the first cosmonaut, Yuri Gagarin. Jawaharlal Nehru once described the first human space flight as an outstanding scientific achievement and a genuine triumph of humankind. During his visit to Delhi, Gagarin expressed his belief that one day Soviet and Indian cosmonauts would explore the unknown reaches of space together. This vision has indeed come true. Russia-India cooperation in space dates back to 1975, when the Soviet Union took part in the launch of Aryabhata, India’s first satellite. The second Indian satellite, Bhaskara, was launched in 1979. Read in full

🛰On April 12, Russian cosmonauts Sergey Kudy-Sverchkov, Sergey Mikaev and Andrey Fedyayev sent greetings from aboard the International Space Station in low Earth orbit on Cosmonautics Day and the International Day of Human Space Flight. 💬 65 years ago, on a spring day like this, Yuri Gagarincompleted a single orbit of our planet – becoming the first person on Earth to see it from the space and to behold the beauty of our shared home. Today, during long-duration missions, we complete hundreds and even thousands of such orbits. But we do not simply fly in space – we work, helping push science forward and deepen our understanding of human life in space, so that those who follow us can go even further in exploring the Universe. ☝️ None of this would have been possible without the historic first flight of our great predecessor. This year, we are not simply celebrating Cosmonautics Day. In accordance with a decree by the President of Russia, Russia will observe Space Week annually starting in 2026. Across the country, numerous events are being held dedicated to cosmonautics – its history, its present and its future. Our goal is to kindle in the hearts of millions of Russian boys and girls a love of space.Let us once again look to the skies and dream of the stars and distant planets. Happy holiday, friends. Happy Cosmonautics Day! #Gagarin65#FirstInSpace

🇷🇺🇮🇷📞On April 12, President of Russia Vladimir Putin and President of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian had a telephone conversation. The Leaders discussed the latest developments in the Middle East. Masoud Pezeshkianshared his assessment of the Iran-US talks held in Islamabad on April 11 and expressed appreciation for Russia’s principled position, including at international platforms, aimed at de-escalating the situation. He also thanked Russia for the humanitarian assistance provided to the Iranian people. Vladimir Putin reaffirmed Russia’s readiness to continue facilitating a political and diplomatic settlement of the conflict and to pursue mediation efforts in the interests of establishing a just and lasting peace in the Middle East. To that end, Russia will maintain active contacts with all partners in the region. While discussing current bilateral issues, both Sides confirmed their mutual commitment to the further comprehensive strengthening of good-neighbourly Russia-Iran relations. Masoud Pezeshkian also extended Easter greetings to Vladimir Putin and to all Orthodox Christians in Russia. #RussiaIran