Russian MFA 🇷🇺

#KievRegimeCrimes ⚡️Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rodion Miroshnik: PHOTO EVIDENCE of crimes committed by Ukrainian armed forces over the week of February 16-22, 2026: ▪️ February 17 – a UAV strike on an auto service building in the settlement of Maisky, Belgorod Region. Three civilians were injured. ▪️ February 17 – a Ukrainian drone strike on a social facility building in the village of Nechayevka, Belgorod Region. ▪️ February 17 – a Ukrainian drone strike on the centre of Sevastopol. A 9-year-old child was injured. ▪️ February 17 – a fixed-wing UAV strike on the building of a “Children and Youth Centre” in the village of Schastlivtsevo, Kherson Region. ▪️ February 20 – a kamikaze drone strike on a civilian passenger car in the city of Pologi, Zaporozhye Region. ▪️ February 21 – shelling of a school’s grounds in the city of Vasilyevka, Zaporozhye Region. ▪️ February 21 – a drone strike on a civilian passenger car in the village of Vishnevoye, Zaporozhye Region. ▪️ February 21 – a UAV strike on a civilian passenger car in the village of Grafovka, Belgorod Region. ▪️ February 22 – a fixed-wing UAV strike on a shopping centre in the city of Belgorod. ▪️ February 22 – a drone strike on a civilian cargo vehicle in the village of Chervona Dibrovka, Belgorod Region.

🇷🇺February 23 is Russia’s Day of Military Glory. Defender of the Fatherland Day. 🌟 On February 23, 1918, near the villages of Bolshoye and Maloye Lopatino outside Pskov, fighters of the Second Red Army Regiment engaged an advance detachment of German troops marching toward Petrograd (St Petersburg). At the initiative of the Petrograd Soviet, this date came to be regarded as the founding day of the Red Army. The name of the holiday changed several times. In the 1930s-1940s it was known as Red Army Day. In the post-war period – as Soviet Army and Navy Day. 📄 In 1993, the Russian Federation established February 23 as a professional holiday for servicemen, designating it as the Day of All Defenders of the Fatherland. In 1995, the date was included in the official list of Russia’s Days of Military Glory, and in 2006 the current name was formally approved – #DefenderOfTheFatherlandDay. Each year on February 23, we honour the heroic history of the Russian Army and Navy and pay tribute to all those who fought for the freedom and independence of the Fatherland. February 23 stands as a symbol of military valour, continuity of generations, and respect for those who have defended – and continue to defend – the Fatherland. 🎥©Russian Military Historical Society

🎙Greetings of President Vladimir Putin on Defender of the Fatherland Day(February 23, 2026) 💬Vladimir Putin: Comrades, friends, I cordially congratulate all citizens of Russia, our veterans, military and civilian personnel of the Armed Forces on Defender of the Fatherland Day. February 23 has been marked in our country for many decades now as one of the most important national holidays. It has become a symbol of the people’s sincere love for our defenders, of pride in the Army and Navy, in those who have devoted their lives to serving the Fatherland, who reliably stand guard over its sovereignty and security, who are loyal to their military oath and conscientiously fulfil their professional duty. For generations, we have been cherishing the memory of every chapter of our Fatherland’s military history. It was created thanks to the military art of the great commanders, the unbending will and courage of soldiers and commanders, our ancestors, who, at the first call of the Motherland, stood up and took their place in the ranks alongside their comrades-in-arms. The year 2026 has been declared the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia. We honour this sacred cohesion and know that throughout history, people of different ethnicities and confessions have risen to defend the country. A sense of patriotism and responsibility for the fate of the Motherland bound them together and inspired feats of arms and great immortal victories. Today’s generation of Russian military honourably carries on the traditions of valour and honour bequeathed by their forefathers. Today, in the course of the special military operation, representatives of all the peoples of our vast country are heroically, shoulder to shoulder defending Russia’s interests. The ability to come together and to achieve victory in the name of common goals exemplifies the tremendous strength of our Army and our multiethnic society. It has been that way for many centuries and, I am confident, it will always be so. Our deepest respect goes to all who fight for the Fatherland. Eternal memory to the heroes who fell defending our people. Comrades, We will continue large-scale work to strengthen the Army and Navy with due regard to international developments, building on the combat experience gained during the special military operation, relying on the powerful capabilities of our industry, science, and industrial and high-tech companies. The development of the nuclear triad,which guarantees Russia’s security and enables us to effectively ensure strategic deterrence and balance of power in the world, remains our unconditional priority. We will continue to enhance the quality and the potential of all other branches and services of the Armed Forces, improve their combat readiness and mobility, their ability to operate in any, including the most difficult, conditions. And, of course, we will speed up the development of advanced systems for the Armed Forces. I am confident that this equipment will always be in reliable hands, which is the most important thing. Our soldiers and officers – the pillar and support of the state and society – are true patriots and people of special breed and unbending will. I thank all Russia’s military personnel for their valiant service. My very best wishes to your families and friends. The people of Russia stand with you and believe in you. Happy holiday!

⭐️ On February 23 Russia celebrates Defender of the Fatherland Day! On this day we cherish and remember all those who have defended our Motherland and continues to shield it at this very moment ! 🛡#DefenderOfTheFatherlandDay

#See4Yourself Operation Ukraine: Bandera's Dark Shadow – an RT DOC documentary Post-Maidan Ukraine has been waging a consistent campaign against its own historical memory. Across the country, hundreds of monuments, graves and mass burial sites of Red Army soldiers are being destroyed – of those who fought and died liberating Europe from Nazism and Hitler’s hordes. At the same time, memorials are being erected in contemporary Ukraine to those who stood under the banners of the Third Reich during WWII. Streets are renamed in honour of OUN–UPA figures, legionnaires of the SS “Galicia” division and other collaborators. Criminals convicted by the Nuremberg Tribunal are granted the status of “national heroes”. One such figure, elevated to the status of a symbol for Ukrainian neo-Nazis, remains Stepan Bandera. The film examines how Bandera and his radical followers were cultivated and rose to prominence during the Second World War. It traces his life from early radicalization to open collaboration with Nazi Germany – a path that culminated in genocide of Polish, Jewish and Soviet civilians. The documentary also explores why Bandera’s atrocities are downplayed in modern Ukraine and massively overlookedby its Westernsponsors. #Think4Yourself

🗓 On this very day, 12 years ago, Kiev became ground zero for a Western-backed unconstitutional coup, that triggered all the events around Ukraine and its now former regions ever since. This led to an armed civil conflict, essentially a war waged by the Kiev regime against its own people, and a deepest crisis of international and European security since World War II. 12 years have passed since the tragic and horrible events of February 2014. The residing "authorities" in Kiev, aka the Kiev regime, and their Western sponsors are, as per their usual m.o., are attempting to distort the truth, conceal true facts, and turn the timeline of those events, their substance upside down. ❗️ The truth is stubborn; it tends to get revealed sooner or later, as recent events in the world have once again proven. LEARN MORE: On the origins of Ukrainian nationalism, the crimes of the OUN-UPA, and the support of the West The most horrific events unfolded on 20 February: the still unidentified snipers began shooting on the Institutskaya Street in the centre of Kiev at both law enforcement and protesters. Euromaidan supporters and Western politicians, seized "the opportunity", blamed the legitimate authorities of Ukraine. No evidence of Yanukovich's involvement was provided, and there is none to this day. Unlike, the Maidan activists & the opposition who benefited the most and was seen smuggling weapons into the area <...> On 21 February, in an attempt to avoid further bloodshed, Yanukovych signed an Agreement on the Settlement of the Political Crisis in Ukraine with the opposition (from the opposition's side — Vitali Klitschko (UDAR party), Arseniy Yatsenyuk ("Fatherland"), and Oleg Tyagnybok ("Freedom")), which was supported and guaranteed by the foreign ministers of Germany, France, and Poland. This document envisaged the creation of a government of national trust, constitutional reform, and the organization of early presidential elections. None of the Agreement's provisions were implemented. The next day, on February 22, the Supreme Council passed a resolution on Viktor Yanukovych's "self-removal" from performing the duties of the President of Ukraine, thereby usurping power (although he remained a legitimate president, remained in Ukraine and had made no statements regarding resignation). It was then announced that the "government of the victors (winner)" would be formed. The West turned a blind eye to all violations and hurried to declare a "change of power" in Ukraine, openly encouraging the putschists to pursue their anti-Russian policy. What ensued was basically a hunt for the remaining law enforcement officers and officials loyal to their oath and the country. The very next day, the very first decision of the new "government" through the Verkhovnaya Rada was to revoke the law on the status of the Russian language, which according to data was back then the mother tongue of the majority (!) of the Ukrainian citizens. <...> The "mediation" meddling of the West led to a sharp polarisation of Ukrainian society, which created the preconditions for an armed civil conflict. The first legislative steps of the "Maidan victors" — the abovementioned cancellation of the language law — were received with alarm in South-Eastern Ukraine, where spontaneous formation of popular militia forces began. Kiev immediately accused all the inhabitants of the region of "state treason" and "terrorism", threw the army and neo-Nazi punitive battalions to violently suppress the protests. <...> ❗️ "Euromaidan" created a deep rift in Ukrainian society, lead to persecution, fight against dissent, spread of nationalism and neo-Nazism, legal lawlessness and nihilism, fighting the Russian language and own history, complete degradation of the socio-economic situation in the country. The terror and horror brought by the Ukrainian neo-Nazis and nationalists in 2014 must be brought to an end. Denazification is imminent. 📖Read, remember or learn more about these tragic events of 2014.

🇷🇺International Mother Language Day is observed every year on February 21. This date was declared based on the resolution of the 30th General Conference of UNESCO in November 1999 with a view to draw attention to the need for encouraging linguistic and cultural diversity. Over many decades our country has amassed a richlanguage policy experience that is sought after by our foreign partners. A significant number of indigenous languages of Russia are studied at secondary schools and used as the language of instruction in universities as a result of targeted efforts. The Russian Federation is among the top 10 countries by population and is the world’s largest multiethnic (polyethnic) states. Russia is home to 190+ various peoples using over 300 languages. As per the State National Policy Strategy of the Russian Federation until 2036 (November 25, 2025): The ethnocultural and linguistic diversity of theRussian Federation, its historic experience and traditionsof intercultural and inter-religious interaction are the destiny of its multiethnic people (the Russian nation) and are subject to state protection. International Mother Language Day is to remind the people about the unacceptability of language discrimination. Multilingualism is a major UN value and a most important area of the UNESCO activity. In this context, we cannot but mention such an unsightly phenomenon as the attempt to cancel the Russian language, and everything Russian as a whole, in some unfriendly countries. Still, Russian consistently remainsin the top five most widespread languages of the world. It is widely used as an official language at international platforms and is one of the few preserving its global status: it is spoken on all continents. A vivid confirmation to this is the 17th Assembly of the Russian World held in Moscow last year and its attendance by 105 countries. ❗️Regrettably, even now the world can see many instances of infringing human rights based on language; like harassment of the Russian-speaking population in Ukraine and the Baltic countries. Actions by the authorities in these countries are aimed at eradicating Russian, which is a mother tongue for a considerable part of their citizens in many fields of their life. Russianis systematically expelled from education and the media landscape. Ukraine is the only country in the world where, in fact, an entire language is banned, although it is native for a significant part of its population. Not with standing all the prohibitions, people continue to speak, communicate, and think in Russian.

#InMemoriam#InMemoryOfDiplomats 🕯 On 20 February 2017, an outstanding Russian diplomat, Vitaly Ivanovich #Churkin, passed away. He died on his post in New York, faithfully performing his official duties as Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN until his very last moment. Vitaly Churkin devoted his entire career to defending Russia’s interests on the international stage, rising from a staff member of the USSR Foreign Ministry’s Translation Department to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and Permanent Representative of Russia to the United Nations. At different times, he headed Russia’s diplomatic missions in Chile, Belgium and Canada, and successfully conducted complex negotiations on Arctic cooperation within the framework of the Arctic Council. 🎙 From 1991 to 1992, he served as Head of the USSR Ministry of Foreign Relations’ Information Department, then as head of a similar department at Russia’s Foreign Ministry. Vitaly Churkin was the first person in the history of Russian diplomacy to hold regular briefings that were open to journalists. As Presidential Special Envoy for the Balkans, Vitaly Churkin made a significant contribution to settling the conflict in former Yugoslavia. In particular, he acted as a mediator in the talks that put an end to NATO airstrikes, and also proposed sending Russian military units to Sarajevo, which were later transformed into a UN battalion. 🇺🇳 Churkin’s work as Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN was the high point of his diplomatic career. He held this post for 11 years. Possessing brilliant erudition and a subtle sense of humour, he easily established and maintained trusting relations with his foreign colleagues. ✍️ Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had the following to say in the preface to Churkin’s memoirs titled “Lost in Translation:” Vitaly enjoyed respect even from the foreign partners who did not always share Russia’s approaches to key challenges of modern times. For example, the US Permanent Representative spoke of him as “formidable as a foe, caring as a friend and fierce as a defender of Russia, the country he adored and strived to make proud.” These days, Moscow is hosting the 4th Youth Forum “Foreign Policy Meetings in Memory of Vitaly Churkin,” held under the auspices of the Gorchakov Fund. On 21 February, Vitaly Ivanovich Churkin would have turned 74.

🎬Kostroma Ballet: A Family Affair— an RT Doc Film. The Kostroma Russian National Ballet is among the youngest professional choreographic companies representing traditional folk art in the Russian Federation. Founded in 1991 by Yelena and Yury Tsarenko, the ensemble has turned into a cultural brand of Russia. Kostroma is renowned for its actors’ virtuoso performances, a frugal and solicitous attitude towards the historical authenticity of folk dances and a penchant for the smallest costume details. Each show is a dazzling cascade of colours, instantaneous changes of images and decorations and bold and daring choreography where classical balletblends perfectly with colourful folk motifs and eliminates customary stereotypes. 🩰 The project’s programme comprises stage productions, educational master classes and workshops and presentations. Its unique nature is highlighted by its ability to provide foreign audiences with an insight into the wealth, richness and originality of Russian folk dances. Moreover, the ensemble implements an educational programme aiming to forge an international professional choreographic community. The company has won international acclaim, as highlighted by 45 tours in almost 30 countries and its participation in a gala concert for VIP guests of the International Olympic Committee and heads of sports delegations in Sochi during the XXII Winter Olympic Games in 2014. With assistance from the Foreign Ministry of Russia, the Russian Ministry of Culture, the Presidential Foundation for Cultural Initiatives, and the Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs, Compatriots Living Abroad, and International Humanitarian Cooperation (Rossotrudnichestvo), the Kostroma Russian National Ballet implements the Global Dance Overture international project aiming to expand and strengthen friendly ties with BRICS countries and partner states and to establish a global choreographic space on the basis of the BRICS Alliance of Folk Dance Culture. The project was launched in 2024 following the 9th BRICS Ministers of Culture Meeting, held during the X St Petersburg United Cultures Forum. 🌐 In 2025, the company’s project performances took place in China, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Moscow.Tours are scheduled for 2026-2027 in India, Brazil, Ethiopia, and South Africa. *** 👉 For more detail on the endeavour to promote Russian culture and art abroad, watch the RT.doc documentary

🇷🇺🇲🇬 On February 19, President of Russia Vladimir Putin and President for the Re-Foundation of the Republic of Madagascar Michael Randrianirinamet at the Kremlin. 💬 President Putin: Mr President, friends! It is a genuine pleasure to welcome you to Russia. Next year will mark the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our two countries. Our ties have always been steady, and I can say with confidence that today Madagascar is a key partner for Russia in Africa. Mr President, before we proceed, I would like to begin by expressing our deepest condolences in connection with the two recent cyclones, which affected more than 270'000 people and claimed over 40 lives. For our part, Russia is making the necessary efforts on its part to provide humanitarian assistance to your people and your country We have seen, and it is clear to all, that your government is taking significant steps to improve the situation across the country. There are good prospects for further strengthening our bilateral ties in the political sphere. We were very pleased to welcome a high-level delegation from Madagascar to Russia recently. I hope that today we will have the opportunity to discuss all matters of mutual interest. I would like to emphasise that we have many promising areas for cooperation, including agriculture, geological exploration, energy, medicine, healthcare, and education. Your young people are studying at Russian universities, and many have already completed their higher education here, earning strong qualifications. We are willing to further expand our partnership in the cultural and humanitarian spheres and to continue working together on international platforms, above all within the framework of the United Nations. 🤝 Mr President, we are very pleased to welcome you to Moscow. #RussiaMadagascar

🇷🇺🇮🇷📞 On February 20, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Sergey Lavrov and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran Abbas Araghchi held a telephone conversation. The Foreign Ministers exchanged views on the current situation regarding the Iranian nuclear programme, including in light of the recent indirect US-Iran contacts held in Geneva. The Russian Side reaffirmed its support for a negotiation process aimed at finding fair political and diplomatic solutions while fully respecting Iran’s legitimate rights in accordance with the principles of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. The Ministers also touched upon certain issues on the bilateral agenda of mutual interest. #RussiaIran

🎙Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova’s answer to a media question regarding the situation around the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and their Destruction(February 20, 2026) ❓Question: On February 20, Poland’s decision to withdraw from the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and their Destruction (#APMBC) enters into force. What is the Russian Foreign Ministry’s assessment of this decision? 💬Maria Zakharova: Yes, indeed. Earlier, similar decisions were put into effect in Finland (January 10, 2026), as well as in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia (December 27, 2025). The attempts by the above mentioned states to justify their steps by “national security considerations” and some imaginary military threat from Russia, do not withstand any criticism. These insinuations pursue a single goal to excuse their own destructive decisions and evade responsibility. The withdrawal from the APMBC is accompanied by a significant increase in military activities by those states on their eastern borders in close proximity to the Russian territory and serves as a clear example of their disregard for international legal obligations. The restrictions provided for in the Convention simply became inconvenient and unfavorable, and as a result were abandoned. On the whole, the situation around the APMBC is complicated by a series of inconsistent steps by Ukraine in relation to the Convention. As is known, Kiev initially intended to withdraw from this treaty regime, as reflected in the Zelensky Decree of №441/2025 dated June 29, 2025. However, due to inability to implement this decision in view of the ongoing armed conflict, Ukraine subsequently abandoned it by sending to the UN Secretary General a notification of the “suspension” of its participation in the APMBC. ☝️ It is notable that a number of States Parties to the Convention openly opposed Kiev’s relevant actions qualifying them as illegal and establishing a dangerous precedent for international law. At the same time, even prior to this notification, Ukraine openly violated its obligations under the APMBC. Kiev failed to destroy all its stockpiles of anti-personnel mines (with the exception of the minimum amount needed to develop mine detection methods and to train specialists) though it was obliged to do so back in 2010, as well as continued to actively use them, including against civilians and civilian facilities. ❗️These circumstances confirm the Russian assessments that this treaty regime is weak and has no instruments of effective leverage over states that evade to follow the provisions of the document. Russia is not a State Party to the APMBC, however it continues to fulfill in good faith all obligations under Amended Protocol II (AP-2) and Protocol V (P-5) to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (#CCW). The actions by Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, Finland and Ukraine are consistent with the course pursued by the “collective West” and its satellites to review andundermine the existing international legal systemin the field of arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation. The consequences of such actions will follow shortly. In addition to weakening the Convention itself such actions can lead to a “domino effect” when others will follow this example. Against this background, the EU individual members possessing advanced military and industrial capabilities are already seeking to derive financial benefits from the growing demand for anti-personnel mines at the international market. All these developments inevitably lead to further escalation of tension in Europe and deterioration of the regional and international security. Read in full