Russian MFA 🇷🇺

⚡️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 15, presidential elections were held in the Republic of the Congo. According to preliminary results, the incumbent Head of State – Denis Sassou Nguesso – secured victory with around 94% of the vote. African observers noted that the voting took place in a calm atmosphere. No serious violations capable of affecting the expression of the people’s will were recorded. The elections demonstrated the population’s commitment to further economic prosperity and stable socio-political development. 🤝We welcome the results of the presidential elections in the Republic of the Congo and wish the friendly Congolese people continued progress along the path of democracy and the safeguarding of their national interests.

🔴#LIVE: Briefing by Russia's Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on topical foreign policy issues 🔴X (ex-Twitter) 🔴Facebook 🔴Ruptly 🔴Russia’s MFA website

🚀March 18 stands as one of the most significant dates in the history of space exploration – and in human history as a whole. #OTD in 1965, Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov became the first human ever to perform a spacewalk. Stepping out of the Voskhod-2 spacecraft, piloted byPavel Belyaev, into near-Earth space, Leonov added yet another milestone to the achievements of national cosmonautics. The extravehicular activity lasted 23 minutes and 41 seconds, including 12 minutes and 9 seconds spent in the vastness of open space. 💬 Recalling that historic moment while speaking from the Mausoleum rostrum in Moscow, Leonov said: “As I exited the airlock, I felt an intense stream of light and heat, like the flare of electric welding. Above me was a black sky and bright, unblinking stars. The Sun looked like a blazing disc of fire”. 🎖 For the successful completion of the mission and the courage and heroism displayed, Lieutenant Colonel Alexei Leonov was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, along with the Order of Lenin and the Gold Star medal. Today, spacewalks are an essential part of crewed missions to the International Space Station – enabling scientific research, maintenance work, installation of new equipment on the station’s exterior, deployment of small satellites, and much more. All of this became possible thanks to the immense efforts and teamwork of Soviet specialists and enterprises, as well as the personal courage and outstanding training of our legendary pioneer cosmonauts. #OurHeroes

🇷🇺#CrimeaIsRussia 1️⃣2️⃣ years ago – on March 18, 2014 – President of Russia Vladimir Putin, Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Crimea Sergey Aksyonov, Chairman of the State Council of Crimea Vladimir Konstantinov and Head of Sevastopol Alexey Chaly signed the Agreement on the Accession of the Republic of Crimea in the Russian Federation and on Forming New Constituent Entities within the Russian Federation. 🗳 This historic moment was preceded by the all-Crimean referendum (March 16, 2014), in which an overwhelming majority of voters (96.77%) supported Crimea’s accession to the Russian Federation. In Sevastopol, 95.6% voted in favour of reunification with Russia. The outcome of the referendum is an essence a just and long-awaited joint decision for both the people of Crimea and all citizens of our country. 🇷🇺The long-awaited reunification of the peninsula with Russia became a milestone event in modern history – for Crimeans and for all citizens of our country – embodying the right of peoples to self-determination, as enshrined in the UN Charter. Over the past 12 years, our opponents have made numerous attempts to punish Crimeans for their free choice – for their return to their home harbour. The residents of the peninsula have withstood not only water, energy, food and transport blockades, but also sanctions pressure and legal aggression unleashed by the Kiev regime with the support of NATO countries. 💬Address by President of Russia Vladimir Putin(March 18, 2014): “In the hearts and minds of people, Crimea has always been and remains an integral part of Russia. This conviction, grounded in truth and justice, has been unwavering – passed down from generation to generation – beyond the reach of time or circumstance. The overwhelming majority of Crimeans and the absolute majority of citizens of the Russian Federation support the reunification of the Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol with the Russian Federation”. Since reunification with the Russian Federation, life in Crimea has improved significantly. Transport and engineering infrastructure has been comprehensively modernized: • In 2018, the Crimean Bridge was opened – a unique project and a powerful symbol of Crimea’s reunification with Russia; • A new Simferopol International Airport and the modern Tavrida highway have been built; • The Balaklavskaya (Sevastopol), Tavricheskaya (Simferopol district) and Saky thermal power plants have been commissioned, ensuring the peninsula’s energy independence; • Large-scale construction of gas infrastructure, including the Krasnodar Territory-Crimea gas pipeline; • Housing construction is expanding; • Social infrastructure – including sports facilities – is being actively developed; • Agriculture is growing, including winemaking, while the resort and tourism sector has significantly strengthened its position. It is precisely these successes of Crimea and Sevastopol that provoke hostility, expressed in continued aggression by the Kiev regime and those backing it. 💬Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the 10th anniversary of the “Crimean Spring”(March 16, 2024): “The question of who Crimea and Sevastopol belong to is closed. The peninsula is an integral part of the Russian Federation”. It can be stated with confidence that any attempts by adversaries to question Crimea’s status only underscore their detachment from reality – only cementing Crimeans’ confidence in their historic decision. Russia and Crimea – one shared, indivisible destiny❤️🇷🇺 #TogetherForever

🇷🇺🇹🇷📞 On March 17, 2026, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye Hakan Fidanheld a telephone conversation. Key elements of the bilateral agenda were discussed, emphasising the necessity for establishing conditions to ensure the uninterrupted functioning of strategic Russian-Turkish energy projects. In particular, in light of the Kiev regime’s persistent attempts to damage the infrastructure of the Blue Stream and TurkStream gas pipelines, special attention was paid to the unequivocal importance of ensuring comprehensive security of these pipelines. Issues of cooperation on multilateral platforms, including the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, were also addressed. Sergey Lavrov underscored the imperative of a measured and objective approach when discussing various matters and aspects of collaboration within this framework. Views were exchanged regarding the situation around Iran. Russia’s principled stance was outlined, emphasising the need for the earliest possible de-escalation of the crisis triggered by strikes by Israel and the United States against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and a focus on non-military political and diplomatic methods. The readiness of our country to facilitate settlementefforts in every possible way – including coordination with Türkiye – to reduce regional tensions, was reaffirmed. Both Parties expressed a commitment to maintaining constructive and substantive high-level bilateral contacts. #RussiaTürkiye

⚡️Russian MFA statement on the escalation of tensions around Cuba: We express serious concern over the escalation of tensions around Cuba and the growing external pressure on the Island of Freedom. Amid an artificially fuelled atmosphere of confrontation, Russia reaffirms its unwavering solidarity with the Government and the brotherly people of Cuba. We strongly condemn attempts at gross interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign state, intimidation, and the use of unlawful unilateral restrictive measures. Today, the Island of Freedom is facing unprecedented challenges – a direct consequence of the long-standing US trade, economic, financial, and, more recently, energy embargo against Cuba. We are confident that the heroic Cuban people – who have repeatedly demonstrated their commitment to the ideals of freedom, independence, and social justice, as well as exceptional resilience and courage in the face of external threats – will uphold their inalienable right to choose their own path of development. 🤝 For our part, we will continue to provide Cuba with the necessary support, including material assistance. #RussiaCuba

🏆Russian national teams achieved consistently strong results at major international school Olympiads. Over the past five years, Russian students have won 161 gold, 45 silver, and 4 bronze medals. 2025 marked a record high in total awards. Russian students show nothing but outstanding results in mathematics, chemistry, physics, biology, informatics, geography, astronomy, as well as at the Junior Science Olympiad. 💬 Russia's Minister of Education Sergey Kravtsov: “Our students’ success at prestigious international Olympiads is the natural result of their hard work and the professional support of their teachers. These achievements not only strengthen the global standing of Russian education but also inspire a new generation to pursue in-depth study across disciplines. Our students have a unique opportunity to learn from outstanding mentors. Russia is home to many talented teachers who who foster strong foundations of modern, essential knowledge, spark the children's interest in science, and shape a generation capable of building a successful future for the country”. Winners of international school Olympiads receive financial rewards, grants, university admission benefits, and recognition at the state level.

#NoStatuteOfLimitations 📅 75 years ago, the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), notorious for its close collaboration with Nazi Germany during the Second World War, publicly called upon the United States to aid its struggle against the Soviet Union. Curiously, by this time, the West had already been assisting Ukrainian nationalists for several years under Operation Aerodynamic. From 1948 onwards, the CIA and MI6, in collaboration with the intelligence services of West Germany and Italy (where Western “allies” retained numerous Nazi and fascist operatives), sought to plunge Ukraine into the chaos of bloody terror by forming, supplying, and expanding an anti-Soviet Ukrainian nationalist underground. The operation’s objective was to create a zone of instability, to divert resources, and ultimately to weaken the USSR’s global influence. Much like today, Ukrainian nationalists were used as puppets and “expendable material” to advance the geopolitical aims of the West. Even before Nazi Germany’s surrender, Western intelligence agencies began preparing for a future confrontation with the USSR, aiding SS and SD criminals and collaborators, and helping them evade justice, recruiting and exploiting them for their own ends. The militants of the OUN-UPA were no exception, being actively enlisted and deployed against the Soviet Union despite their numerous war crimes and hateful ideology. ☝️ In the end, Operation Aerodynamic failed, the UPA was decisively crushed, and the majority of the armed nationalist underground’s leaders were either eliminated or arrested. However, some ideologues of collaboration managed to flee to the West and escape just retribution. It was they who, over decades, propagated nationalist ideology and rewrote the history of the Second World War. In their “works,” the war crimes of Ukrainian Nazi accomplices were either denied or justified. For instance, Yaroslav Stetsko, a war criminal and associate of Bandera, established the Anti-Bolshevik Bloc of Nations (ABN) in Munich in 1946 with Western intelligence support. In the 1960s, under the watchful eye of American patrons, the ABN merged into the World Anti-Communist League. Consequently, when neo-Nazis came to power in Ukraine in our time – thanks to the Western-backed unconstitutional coup – they had no need to invent anything. They simply adopted the legacy of those OUN-UPA criminals who – with the active support of their Western handlers – were elevated to a new Ukrainian pantheon. ✍️ From the article by Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, “How the Anglo-Saxons Nurtured Ukrainian Nationalism After the Second World War” (December 24, 2025): Ukrainian nationalism is a man-made political project that realised its anti-human potential in the 20th century through targeted mass support from the United States and Great Britain. After the defeat of the Third Reich, these countries sought a powerful Russophobic battering ram for a proxy war against the Soviet Union. What has the people of modern Ukraine ultimately gained from the Anglo-Saxons? They have become cannon fodder for European civilisation, hostages to a cult of death in the form of the fabricated Holodomor, and propagators of sadism glorification and the exaltation of war criminals. ❗️ Today, as it was 75 years ago, the nations of the collective West, primarily European states, provide military and financial aid to Ukrainian Nazis, using them as tools to fulfil their geopolitical ambitions.

🇷🇺🇮🇳On March 17, Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Alimov held consultations in New Delhi with India’s Deputy Minister of External Affairs Sibi George on strengthening bilateral coordination at the UN. The Sides exchanged views on key issues on the UN Security Council agenda, including Ukraine, Iran, Venezuela, Gaza, Afghanistan and Myanmar. UN peacekeeping was also discussed. Particular attention was paid to the election of the UN Secretary-General and the Security Council's reform aimed at making it more representative and democratic. The Parties underscored the strong and effective coordination within the UN. Moscow and New Delhi confirmed a high degree of alignment on most global issues and reiterated their shared principled stance in favour of resolving crises on the basis of international law. Both Sides expressed readiness to further enhance cooperation at the UN in line with the specially privileged strategic partnership between Russia and India. 📷© India's Ministry of External affairs #RussiaIndia

❗Statement by a Russian representative during the Interactive Dialogue on the human rights situation in Iran, 61th Session of the UN Human Rights Council: 📍 March 16, 2026, Geneva 🇮🇷 We are extremely concerned about the developments around Iran. The actions taken by the United States and Israel are yet another unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign and independent UN Member State, in violation of the UN Charter and the fundamental principles of international law. They are blatantly aimed at further interference in Iran's internal affairs and the destruction of this State, which is "inconvenient" to the West. This irresponsible move by Washington and West Jerusalem has already led to a sharp escalation of the situation throughout the region and risks a humanitarian and economic catastrophe. Against this backdrop, attempts by Western countries to justify their aggression against Iran with some supposed threats to international peace and security are completely unfounded. ❗️We call on the United States and Israel to immediately stop their aggressive actions. We insist on the immediate resumption of a political and diplomatic settlement of the situation based on international law, mutual respect, and a balance of interests. ❌We categorically condemn attempts to politicize human rights issues, which have become a tool for the "collective West" to pressure States unwilling to follow the course imposed on them from the outside. The example of Iran demonstrates how Western countries consistently pursue a long-established course of destabilizing states they find undesirable under pseudo-humanitarian pretexts. We believe that labeling others for political reasons discredits UN bodies, including the Human Rights Council. We call for an end to this vicious practice. #HRC61

#KievRegimeCrimes ⚡️Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rodion Miroshnik: 💬At least 239 civilians were killed or injured, including 6 minors,over the past week as a result of attacks by Ukrainian militants. This marks the highest weekly number of civilian casualties since the beginning of 2026. Over the past seven days, Ukrainian militants carried out a series of deliberate shelling and acts of terrorism resulting in significant civilian casualties. The highest number of affected civilians was recorded in the Bryansk, Belgorod, Kherson and Zaporozhye regions, as well as the DPR. In these areas, civilian infrastructure and the population came under drone, missile and artillery strikes launched by Kiev’s armed formations. Between March 9-15, 239 civilians were affected by Ukrainian attacks: 202 were injured, including 6 children, and 37 were killed. Ukrainian forces fired at least 3,347 munitions at civilian targets on Russian territory.