Russian MFA 🇷🇺

🎙Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's interview with Indian news portal Firstpost(April 25, 2026) Read in full ❓ Question: Russia plays a huge role in India’s energy security. In light of the growing tensions in West Asia, how do you see Russia’s role in ensuring India’s resilience to global oil price shocks in 2027? 💬Maria Zakharova: Our country is making a weighty contribution to ensuring India’s energy security by supplying hydrocarbons on favourable terms and building the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant. The possibility of implementing a project to build a new Russian-designed NPP on Indian territory is under discussion. Other promising options for expanding energy cooperation are also being explored. Russian petroleum has an important place in the structure of bilateral trade, and we plan to expand petroleum exports, which meets the interests of both countries. Russian energy operators make sure that their Indian counterparts’ requests for petroleum shipments are fulfilled as soon as possible. We regard long-term export contracts as the main instrument for protecting our partners from oil price fluctuations caused by global and regional instability. Such agreements make it possible to receive hydrocarbons over the long term on the most favourable terms and at a fixed price. ❓ Question: Russia has been India’s most reliable defence partner for decades. Could you comment on how the two countries ensure uninterrupted defence cooperation and supplies in these turbulent times? 💬Maria Zakharova: Our time-tested military-technical cooperation is comprehensive, based on mutual trust and unaffected by foreign policy fluctuations. The bilateral Intergovernmental Commission on Military and Military-Technical Cooperation and its working groups meet every year. The intensity of military delegation exchanges has been growing year after year. Amid intensifying international competition, Russia intends to continue expanding military-technical cooperation with New Delhi. Supplies of military products across a broad range for all branches of India’s armed forces are carried out within mutually agreed timeframes. We readily share the latest defence technologies with our Indian partners. In India, in particular, the Russian-Indian company BrahMos, which manufactures missile systems, is operating successfully, and serial production of AK-203 assault rifles has been organised at the relevant joint venture. Other key points from the interview: • #RussiaIndia: When building relations with other major centres of power, including the US, our Indian friends always duly take into account the factor of their special and privileged strategic partnership with Russia. • #MiddleEast: The energy route through the Strait of Hormuz functioned uninterrupted until the US-Israeli tandem launched its unprovoked, unlawful and reckless aggressive adventure against Iran. From the very beginning, Russia advocated bringing the conflict back into the political and diplomatic track. We remain ready to assist in resolving this acute international situation. • #BRICS: Over the two decades since its establishment, BRICS has evolved significantly – from an informal dialogue platform into a full-format strategic partnership. Today, the association accounts for a significant share of global GDP, population and natural resources. • #UkrainianCrisis: The goals and objectives of the special military operation set by President Vladimir Putin remain relevant. 👉 A sustainable settlement of the crisis around Ukraine is possible only by addressing its root causes. Ukraine must return to the foundations of its statehood – the non-aligned, neutral, and non-nuclear status.

🇷🇺The State Protocol Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry: On April 20-23, 2026, the State Protocol Department of the Russian MFA, together with the authorities of Sverdlovsk Region,organized a trip to Yekaterinburg for heads and senior officials of diplomatic missions of the League of Arab States member countries – Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Qatar, Lebanon, Mauritania, Oman, Saudi Arabia – as well as the LAS representative office. The foreign delegation’s intensive programme included a broad range of events aimed at developing international dialogue and strengthening the Region’s foreign economic ties. The central events were working meetings with Governor of Sverdlovsk Region Denis Pasler and the leadership of the region’s key companies. The parties discussed priorities for bilateral cooperation, including investment, industry and humanitarian projects, and agreed to maintain business contacts on a regular basis. The foreign guests took part in the 16th Eurasian Economic Youth Forum and the International Diplomatic Forum – respected platforms bringing together young researchers, business representatives and experts. The discussions focused on current issues and trends in international relations, the global economy, Eurasian integration and the development of youth entrepreneurship. At the Shirokorechenskoye Military Memorial Complex, the delegation took part in a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at the Eternal Flame – a traditional gesture of respect and remembrance during such visits to Russian cities – to honour the feat of the heroes of the Great Patriotic War. To familiarise the delegation with the Region’s cultural and historical heritage, the programme included visits to the Alexey Antonov Stone-Cutting House Museum,Sevastyanov House and the UMMC Museum Complex of Military and Civil Equipment in Verkhnyaya Pyshma. The diplomats also toured the Archangel Michael Sports Quarter and its key infrastructure facilities, including the new-generation RRC Gym, recognised as the country’s best training complex. Following the working visit, the participants highly praised the region’s industrial, educational and investment potential, its openness to cooperation and favourable conditions for developing partnerships. 🤝 Foreign delegates expressed interest and proposed specific steps to expand business contacts and work through joint initiatives.

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🇷🇺🇪🇹Embassy of Russia in Ethiopia: 🖋 On April 24, the annual international patriotic event #VictoryDictationtook place at the School of the Russian Embassy in Ethiopia. Diplomats, teachers, and students took part in the event. Participants answered 25 questions about the key dates, events, and heroes of the war. Everyone received personalized certificates. ☝️ The history test aims to preserve the memory of the events of the Great Patriotic War. This year, the dictation is dedicated to the 130th anniversary of the birth of Marshal of the Soviet Union Georgy Zhukov. ❗️ Over the seven years of its existence, the Victory Dictation has become a significant patriotic project, uniting millions of Russian citizens and our compatriots abroad. #WeRemember#Victory81

⚡️Statement by the CSTO Member States at the NPT Review Conference(April 29, 2026) 📄 We, the Member States of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (#CSTO), reaffirm our unconditional commitment to preserving and strengtheningthe Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (#NPT). Since its entry into force, the NPT has remained one of the pillars of the international security architecture. Having proved its effectiveness, the NPT continues to play a key role in preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons. The equal importance of the NPT’s three fundamental pillars – disarmament, non-proliferation, and the peaceful use of atomic energy – is the guarantee that the Treaty can not only withstand the current challenges and threats, but also remain the foundation of interstate cooperation in these areas for many years to come. ❗️The CSTO Member States proceed from the unshakeable principle that a nuclear war must never be fought. We are compelled to note that the Treaty’s review process has recently been facing serious trials and disagreements, including on a number of politicised issues. This, coupled with persistent destabilising trends within the NPT framework and external factors adversely affecting the Treaty, hinders the achievement of consensus-based decisions and undermines the implementation of all the Treaty’s fundamental objectives. ❌This is evidenced by the absence of final documents at the two previous NPT Review Conferences. We call on the States Parties to the 11th NPT Review Conference to engage in constructive, substantive, and inclusive dialogue based on due regard for the interests of all parties. We proceed from the need to focus efforts on developing consensus-based solutions and ensuring the strengthening of the Treaty regime and its three pillars. 🤝The CSTO Member States stand ready to cooperate with all delegations with a view to a balanced and comprehensive review of all three fundamental pillars of the NPT. We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to our obligations under the Treaty, as well as our intention to continue coordinating efforts to preserve and strengthen it in the interests of maintaining international peace and security. We trust that all States Parties to the Conference will strive to develop agreed approaches and compromise solutions. Only through joint efforts will it be possible to create the conditions for achieving positive outcomes at the 11th Review Conference that would be acceptable to all States Parties. This will make a meaningful contribution to our shared goal – strengthening the NPT.

Embassy of Russia in Bangladesh: 🇷🇺🇧🇩On 28 April, the physical start-up of Unit 1 of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant was launched. This milestone marks Bangladesh’s entry into the group of countries using advanced nuclear energy technologies. Thanks to the concerted efforts of Russian and Bangladeshi specialists, the country has entered a new stage of development – the era of nuclear energy. In the coming months, the reactor’s 1,200 MW of electricity will be supplied to the national grid, giving an additional boost to Bangladesh’s socio-economic development. The ceremony was attended by Ambassador of Russia to Bangladesh Alexander Khozin; Director General of Rosatom State Corporation Alexey Likhachev; Minister of Science and Technology of Bangladesh Fakir Mahbub Anam; and Senior Secretary Md Anwar Hossain. The Embassy of Russia in Bangladesh extends itssincere congratulations to the sovereign state of Bangladesh and its people on this major achievement in the development of the national energy sector. We are confident that progress will continue and look forward to further cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy. 💪 Go #Bangladesh! ⚛️ Go #Rooppur! 🏭 Onward to #Unit2! #RussiaBangladesh

⚡️Federal Security Service of Russia: On April 28, 2026, as a result of an exchange held on the Belarusian-Polish border, two Russian citizens returned home – Russian scientist Alexander Butyagin and the wife of a Russian soldier serving with the Russian Peacekeeping Contingent in the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic. ☝️Both had previously been unlawfully held in states unfriendly to Russia. The Russian citizens were exchanged for two career officers of Moldova’s special service, who had earlier posed as Moldovan citizens allegedly recruited by an officer of the Main Directorate for Foreign Intelligence of the Intelligence and Security Service of the Republic of Moldova. They arrived in Russia in 2025 using documents issued under fictitious personal details, with the aim of conducting intelligence activities. 👉They were identified and detained by Russian security agencies. Aware that they had been exposed, the Moldovan intelligence officers made every effort to conceal their affiliation with the regular staff of foreign special services. However, during the criminal investigation, an irrefutable body of evidence was gathered, fully exposing and confirming their affiliation with the intelligence service of the Republic of Moldova. 🤝 The return of Russian citizens home was made possible thanks to a multi-stage operation carried out by the Federal Security Service of Russia jointly with the State Security Committee of Belarus. #RussiaBelarus

⚡️Russia's Ministry of Defence: On April 25, 2026, at around 5:30 am, illegal armed groups of Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin and the Azawad Liberation Front, under common command and coordination, attempted to carry out an armed coup d’état in the Republic of Mali. Four major populated areas were attacked simultaneously – Bamako, the capital of the Republic of Mali, as well as the cities of Sevare, Gao and Kidal. The militant groups numbered approximately 12,000 people. Their training was conducted with the participation of Ukrainian and European mercenary instructors, who used, among other things, Western-made Stinger and Mistral MANPADS. In Bamako, attempts were made to seize key facilities, above all the presidential palace. The Defence Minister was killed when a suicide vehicle-borne explosive device was detonated near his residence. Units of the African Corps of the Russian Armed Forces engaged superior enemy forces in fierce fighting, inflicting irrecoverable losses in manpower and equipment on the militants and forcing them to abandon their plans. ❗️Units of the African Corps prevented a coup d’état, preserved the authority of the legitimate government and helped avert mass civilian casualties. *** Four Inokhodets UAV airstrikes were carried out against advancing reserves and concentrations of enemy manpower. The strikes destroyed up to 60 militants, 4 pickup trucks and 5 motorcycles. Mi-8 and Mi-24 helicopter crews conducted 21 combat sorties under enemy fire, striking concentrations of enemy manpower and equipment. More than 175 militants, 23 vehicles, 1 suicide vehicle-borne explosive device and 33 motorcycles were destroyed. Su-24 aircraft crews conducted 6 combat sorties, delivering 8 strikes against concentrations of enemy manpower and equipment. More than 70 militants, 2 armoured vehicles and 25 vehicles were destroyed. Medical specialists of the African Corps are providing assistance to wounded and injured civilians, including by performing complex surgical operations. In repelling the terrorist attack, African Corps servicemen used all types of weapons: tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and armoured personnel carriers, artillery and mortar systems, as well as multiple launch rocket systems. Soldiers and officers repeatedly had to engage in close-quarters small-arms combat. During the hostilities, enemy losses amounted to: • more than 2,500 personnel; • 102 vehicles; • 2 suicide vehicle-borne explosive devices; • 152 motorcycles; • 7 mortars. During the period of active hostilities: The African Corps detachment stationed in Kidal fought for more than 24 hours while fully encircled by a vastly superior grouping of illegal armed formations and repelled four massive attacks on the main strongpoint and outer defence posts. At present, by decision of the leadership of the Republic of Mali, servicemen of the Malian Armed Forces and the African Corps have left the strongpoint in the city of Kidal. ☝️The enemy has not abandoned its aggressive intentions and is regrouping. The situation in the Republic of Mali remains difficult. Units of the African Corps of the Russian Armed Forces continue to carry out their assigned tasks and remain ready to repel militant attacks, conducting active reconnaissance and destroying identified field camps of illegal armed formations and detected targets.

Russia's State Atomic Energy Corporation (Rosatom): 🇷🇺🇧🇩On April 28, Rosatom State Corporation launched Bangladesh’s first nuclear power plant. Fresh nuclear fuel loading has begun at Unit 1 of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant. A total of 163 fuel assemblies will be loaded into the reactor core. The reactor will then be brought to the minimum controlled power level, after which its power will be gradually increased. The next stage will bepower start-up, when the electricity generated by the plant will begin to flow into Bangladesh’s national grid. 💬 Director General of Rosatom Alexey Likhachev: “Today, Bangladesh has joined the club of nations using peaceful nuclear energy as a reliable source of sustainable development. There is no doubt that the Rooppur NPP will become a key element of the country’s energy system. For Rosatom, this project marks another important step in developing global nuclear energy and strengthening friendly relations with our foreign partners. We are pleased to be working together with our Bangladeshi friends to create a modern and reliable nuclear power plant, and we see further prospects for our cooperation”. #RussiaBangladesh

🎙 Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's statement on the death of a Zaporozhskaya Nuclear Power Plant employee(April 27, 2026) 💬 The Kiev regime continues to expose its brutal and criminal nature. On April 27, yet another reckless criminal attack was carried out against a Russian civilian nuclear energy facility – the Zaporozhskaya Nuclear Power Plant (#ZNPP) – tragically claiming the life of one of the plant’s employees. ▪️ We strongly condemn this atrocity and offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased. We pay tribute to the courage and resilience of the ZNPP personnel, who, despite deadly threats and provocations by the Ukrainian militants, continue to perform their duties and ensure the plant’s safe operation with the highest professionalism. Kiev’s actions are particularly cynical given that they took place just days after the conclusion of the Tenth Review Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Convention on Nuclear Safety. At that forum, the Russian delegation firmly defended its position on the inadmissibility of attacks against peaceful nuclear facilities. ☝️ We will continue to uphold this line at the NPT Review Conference opening on April 27 in New York. The Ukrainian side clearly takes a different view, making it plain that Kiev places no value on nuclear safety – nor do those who continue to “defend” and justify Zelensky’s reckless nuclear gambles. By deliberately creating radiological threats in the heart of Europe, Kiev seems quite prepared to press its Western sponsors’ buttons and make them foot the bill. This tragedy shows where those investments are going. 👉 We expect the IAEA Secretariat and the Agency’s Director General Rafael Grossi personally to take an uncompromising stance towards Ukraine’s lawless actions. We are convinced that the international community must hold the Kiev regime to account through the tough and deserved measures required to force it to stop its attacks on the ZNPP and other peaceful nuclear facilities.

#Announcement 🇷🇺🇨🇬 On April 29, President of Russia Vladimir Putin will hold talks with President of the Republic of the Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso, who will arrive in Russia on a state visit. The Sides are expected to discuss a wide range of issues related to the further development of friendly Russia-Congo ties in various areas, as well as exchange views on current international and regional matters. #RussiaCongo

#KievRegimeCrimes 📑The Quarterly report on the crimes committed by the Kiev regime in January-March 2026, prepared by Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Foreign Ministry Rodion Miroshnik, has been published. *** Over 2025, the situation with the crimes committed by Ukrainian militants against civilians has significantly deteriorated. Compared with the same period in 2025, the number of civilian casualties increased by 236 in the first quarter of 2026. The Kiev regime is directing ever greater efforts and Western-supplied resources specifically towards committing war crimes against civilians in an attempt to undermine the country’s civilian economy and influence Russia’s domestic political agenda. From January 1 to March 31, attacks by Ukrainian armed formations affected 1,725 civilians: 1,459 people were wounded and 266 were killed. ▪️ Over the past 90 days, 71 minors were wounded and another 7 were killed as a result of war crimes committed by the AFU. Children fell victim to deliberate attacks on educational institutions, residential buildings and vehicles. They were also killed and injured by remote mining of roads and public areas in residential districts and around settlements. ❗️Since February 2022, the actions of Ukrainian militants have left at least 24,872 civilians killed or injured: no fewer than 19,861 people have been wounded, including 1,153 minors. A total of 8,011 people have been killed, including 243 minors. Cynically disregarding international humanitarian law, militants have widely resorted to terrorist tactics, including follow-up strikes designed to obstruct rescue vehicles and target medical and civilian services attempting to assist the victims. Compared to the same period in 2025, the number of strikes on civilian sites on Russian territory doubled in 2026, with Kiev’s armed formations firing no fewer than 43,772 munitions of various types. ❌ Following the Russian Army's liberation of the territories in the DPR, Zaporozhye and Kharkov Regions, numerous surviving civilians stepped forward and testified to “total cleansing operations” carried out by the Kiev regime in the areas it was abandoning. To date, the Investigative Committee of Russia has opened 9,536 criminal cases concerning crimes committed by the Kiev regime. Russian courts have already delivered 849 guilty verdicts against 1,118 individuals, including militants from the Azov unit, Ukraine’s national guard and armed forces, as well as various mercenary formations. 👉Full report on the Russian MFA website 👉Full report – PDF version