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LIVE UPDATES: Russia Never Threatened Anyone With Nuclear Weapons, Foreign Ministry Says

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Russia launched its special operation in Ukraine on 24 February, as Donbass suffered from intense bombardment by Kiev's troops. President Vladimir Putin noted... 24.06.2022, Sputnik International

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LIVE UPDATES: Russia Never Threatened Anyone With Nuclear Weapons, Foreign Ministry Says

04:44 GMT 24.06.2022 (Updated: 20:56 GMT 19.10.2022)

Russia launched its special operation in Ukraine on 24 February, as Donbass suffered from intense bombardment by Kiev's troops. President Vladimir Putin noted that the op was started to put an end to the eight-year-long war, waged by Ukraine against Donestk and Lugansk, which has claimed thousands of lives since 2014.

Russian forces and the Donbass militias are advancing amid the special operation, liberating multiple cities in the DPR and LPR from Ukrainian troops over the past weeks. However, the Ukrainian military is still targeting Donbass cities, which are suffering from the most intensive bombardment since 2015, with multiple civilian casualties.

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Table of contents

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02:55 GMT 25.06.2022

Over 1.6Mln People Crossed Border of Russia's Rostov Region Since Mid-February - Governor

ROSTOV-ON-DON (Sputnik) - More than 1.6 million people from Donbas and Ukraine have crossed the Russian border in the Rostov Region since mid-February, Governor Vasily Golubev told Sputnik.

"Since February 18, over 1.6 million people have crossed the border of the Rostov Region. More than 1 million people have arrived from the territories controlled by the people's republics of Luhansk and Donetsk, about 600,000 refugees have come from other territories of Ukraine," the governor said.

Every day, from 12,000 to 20,000 people arrive in the Rostov Region and then head for other parts of Russia, the governor added.

18:39 GMT 24.06.2022

Germany to Send Extra PzH 2000 Howitzers to Ukraine - Reports

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Germany will give Ukraine two or three more self-propelled Panzerhaubitze 2000 howitzers in response to Kiev's pleas for more heavy weaponry, German media said Friday.

Ukraine has asked Europe for 18 German-made PzH 2000 howizers to fully arm an artillery battalion, dpa news agency said. Germany has so far sent seven howizers, with another five donated by the Netherlands.

Berlin reportedly told Kiev it would give a few more weapons as long as other EU partners joined the procurement scheme, dpa learned from the German Defense Ministry's circles.

The ministry is reportedly in talks with the Dutch and another potential donor in the effort to rack up six more 155mm weapons for Ukraine. Russia has warned that any military cargoes would be treated as legitimate targets.

17:29 GMT 24.06.2022

Blinken on Possible Meeting With Lavrov in Bali: 'Stay Tuned'

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has not ruled out a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the G20 ministerial in Bali next month.

"I won't get ahead of that. Stay tuned," Blinken said.

Bali will host the G20 meeting on July 7-8.

17:28 GMT 24.06.2022

Moscow: Russia Never Voiced 'Nuclear Threats', Its Approach to Use of Nukes is Based Solely on Logic of Deterrence

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia never threatened anyone with nuclear weapons, Moscow's approach to the issue of the hypothetical use of nuclear weapons is based solely on the logic of deterrence, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement.

This week, Vienna hosted the first conference of representatives of the 86 signatories to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. The signatory countries are not members of NATO and do not possess nuclear weapons.

"The statements made one day before of the Conference of the [TPNW] States Parties in the context of the Ukrainian conflict regarding 'mutual threats to use nuclear weapons,' as well as individual statements from the rostrum of the conference about Russia's alleged 'nuclear blackmail' cannot but arouse bewilderment. We emphasize again: no 'nuclear threats' have ever been and are not heard from Russia," the statement says.

According to Zakharova, "Russian approaches are based solely on the logic of deterrence, including in the current conditions, when the NATO countries that provoked the aggravation of the Ukrainian crisis and unleashed a hybrid campaign against Russia and proclaimed themselves a 'nuclear alliance' are dangerously balancing on the brink of a direct armed conflict."

"Whether someone likes it or not, as long as nuclear weapons exist, the logic of deterrence remains an effective way to prevent nuclear clashes and large-scale wars. Distortion for propaganda purposes of the essence of Russian policy in this area — which is based on the postulate of the inadmissibility of nuclear war — is absolutely unacceptable," she added.

17:27 GMT 24.06.2022

DHS New Data Reveals Over 71,000 Ukrainians Arrived in US Since March - Reports

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - More than 71,000 Ukrainians who fled their country amid Russia's special military operation there have arrived in the United States since March, NBC News reported on Friday citing new data by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

US President Joe Biden announced in March that his administration would welcome up to 100,000 Ukrainians fleeing their country, the report said.

The DHS data suggests the Ukrainians who entered the United States did so by crossing the US-Mexico border or by holding visas, rather than through the Biden administration’s United for Ukraine web portal that allows Americans to sponsor Ukrainians they know, the report said.

More than 15,000 Ukrainians have entered the country after being approved for sponsorship online and 22,00 entered through the US-Mexico border, the report added.

In addition, some 23,000 refugees have been approved but have not yet made it to the United States, according to the report.

17:26 GMT 24.06.2022

Russian Airlines Nordwind, Pobeda, and S7 Denied Export Privileges by US - Commerce Dept.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Russian airlines Nordwin, Pobeda, and S7 have been denied export privileges due to alleged violations of US export control imposed in response to Russia's special military operation in Ukraine, the US Commerce Department's Industry and Security Bureau revealed on Friday.

In three separate orders, the Commerce Department requested that seven aircraft from Nordwind airlines, 21 aircraft from Pobeda, and seven aircraft from S7 airlines be denied export privileges for a period of 180 days.

14:07 GMT 24.06.2022

EU Leaders Agree To Work on More Anti-Russia Sanctions, Urge Candidate Countries to Join

13:58 GMT 24.06.2022

Greece Extends Airspace Ban for Russian Aircraft Until September 22

13:28 GMT 24.06.2022

Putin: G7's 'Irresponsible' Actions Triggered Global Inflation, Not Russia's Special Op in Ukraine

Russia

Putin: G7's 'Irresponsible' Actions Triggered Global Inflation, Not Russia's Special Op in Ukraine

24 June 2022, 13:27 GMT

12:43 GMT 24.06.2022

Belgian Prime Minister Urges Return to Joint Gas Purchases in EU

A gas burner of a stove is pictured in London, on July 31, 2008 - Sputnik International, 1920, 24.06.2022

Energy Crisis in Europe

Belgian Prime Minister Urges Return to Joint Gas Purchases in EU

24 June 2022, 12:43 GMT

12:30 GMT 24.06.2022

Death Toll Since Beginning of Ukrainian Aggression in DPR Surpasses 7,900, Including 109 Children, Ombudsman Says

11:49 GMT 24.06.2022

Germany Considering Nationalizing Part of Nord Stream 2 Pipeline, Reports Suggest

Nord Stream 2 - Sputnik International, 1920, 24.06.2022

Russia

Germany Considering Nationalizing Part of Nord Stream 2 Pipeline, Reports Suggest

24 June 2022, 12:05 GMT

11:13 GMT 24.06.2022

Russian Finance Ministry Pays Coupons on Eurobonds Maturing in 2028 in Rubles

"The Russian Finance informs that in accordance with the decree of the president of Russia dated 22 June 2022 … funds for the payment of coupon income on bonds … maturing in 2028 … in the amount of 8.5 billion rubles… were received by the paying agent for Eurobonds (NCO JSC National Settlement Depository)," the finance ministry said, adding that it paid in full.

The presidential decree allows making Eurobond payments in rubles.

11:00 GMT 24.06.2022

EU Facing 'Difficult' Economic Situation Amid Price Hikes and Energy Shortages, Swedish PM Says

Gas cooker - Sputnik International, 1920, 24.06.2022

Russia

EU Facing 'Difficult' Economic Situation Amid Price Hikes and Energy Shortages, Swedish PM Says

24 June 2022, 10:59 GMT

10:42 GMT 24.06.2022

German Chancellor Scholz Calls Ukraine's EU Candidate Status 'Big Step Forward'

"It is a bid step forward. We also discussed Western Balkan [aspiring member states]. All six can count on German support," he told reporters in a doorstep interview in Brussels.

10:06 GMT 24.06.2022

Finland and Sweden Unlikely to Join NATO After Summit in Madrid, Latvian PM Says

Swedish troops prepare to conduct a perimiter patrol during Exercise Winter Sun in Boden, Sweden on 15th March 2018 - Sputnik International, 1920, 24.06.2022

Finland and Sweden Unlikely to Join NATO After Summit in Madrid, Latvian PM Says

24 June 2022, 10:29 GMT

10:04 GMT 24.06.2022

Lavrov: EU & NATO Seem To Be Forming Bloc for War With Russia

French soldiers deployed in the Nato Response Force's (NRF) Operation Aigle mission wait for the French President expected for a visit at the Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base near the city of Constanta, Romania, on June 15, 2022. - French President Emmanuel Macron called for new in-depth discussions with Ukraine, without confirming if he would travel this week to Kyiv as several media have reported. (Photo by Daniel MIHAILESCU / AFP) - Sputnik International, 1920, 24.06.2022

Russia

Lavrov: EU & NATO Seem To Be Forming Bloc for War With Russia

24 June 2022, 10:01 GMT

09:29 GMT 24.06.2022

Kremlin Says Fatal Assault on Official in Kherson is Terror Attack

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called on Friday the blowing up of a car of a pro-Russian official in Kherson, which had resulted in his death, a terrorist act.

"I can only say that our military is there and, of course, this terrorist activity requires special attention. This is nothing more than an act of terrorism, and, accordingly, it can only be treated that way," Peskov told reporters.

08:47 GMT 24.06.2022

Germany Actively Working With Firms on Possible Exports of Grain From Russia, Berlin Says

There is no blockade of Russian grain, as Germany is actively working with companies on possible exports of grain from Russia, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on Friday.

"As for Russian grain, there is no blockade ... exports remain as high as they were last year. There are some companies that are not sure if they can transport grain on ships, so we are actively working to make it clear to these companies that this grain can also be taken out of Russia," Baerbock told reporters.

08:45 GMT 24.06.2022

Up to 2,000 Ukrainian Soldiers Surrounded in LPR Settlements - Russian Defense Ministry

The Russian troops have fully blocked up to 2,000 Ukrainian soldiers in Zolotoe and Gorskoe villages of the Lugansk People’s Republic (LPR), the Russian Defense Ministry said on Friday.

"A group of Ukrainian troops has been completely blocked in the area of the settlements of Hirske and Zolotoe", the ministry said in a statement.

According to the ministry, some 1800 Ukrainian soldiers, 120 members of the nationalist organisations and 80 foreign mercenaries are blocked in the area.

"Only in the last 24 hours, 41 servicemen in this area gave up resistance and voluntarily surrendered", the ministry said.

08:33 GMT 24.06.2022

Russian Air Strikes Eliminate 300 Ukrainian Troops in Kharkov and Nikolaev Regions, MoD Says

07:57 GMT 24.06.2022

Japan to Abandon Salmon Fishing in Russia's Economic Zone This Year

Japan will not be trawling in Russian exclusive economic zone stretching for 200 nautical miles, also suspending the negotiations on the issue with Moscow, the country's fisheries agency said on Friday.

"We have decided to not conduct a salmon and trout fishing by trawls in the Russian 200-mile exclusive economic zone. In the wake of this decision, intergovernmental Moscow-Seoul negotiations on the capture of Russian salmon in 2022 by Japanese fishermen in the Russian 200-mile zone will also be postponed", the agency said in a press release.

On 10 June, Russian Deputy Prime Minister and Presidential Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District Yury Trutnev said that Japan would lose the right to fish near the Kuril Islands as it had refused to continue paying for the quotas granted to it by a bilateral agreement with Russia.

Russia suspended the 1998 agreement on fishing with Japan after Tokyo stopped fulfilling its financial obligations under the deal. The Japanese government said it regretted Moscow's decision and would like to continue consultations.

07:55 GMT 24.06.2022

Zelensky Preparing to Dismiss Head of Ukraine's Security Services - Reports

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky intends to dismiss the head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), Ivan Bakanov, Politico reported, citing four officials close to the president and a Western diplomat.

The SBU daily activities are currently managed from the presidential office, according to the officials.

"We are highly unsatisfied with his job and are working to get rid of him," a top official said on the condition of anonymity.

According to Politico, dissatisfaction with Bakanov’s work grew after 24 February over Ukraine's massive territorial losses to Russia in Donbass. Zelensky’s office and Bakanov did not respond to the newspaper’s request for comment.

"Zelensky plans to dispose of his own people. The country cannot withstand such a ballast of amateurs. It is enough for him alone to speak nonsense," Lugansk People's Republic Ambassador to Russia Rodion Miroshnik said on Telegram.

07:08 GMT 24.06.2022

Explosion Kills Sports Department Head in Kherson, Local Authorities Say

06:16 GMT 24.06.2022

Kiev's Troops Shell DPR 34 Times Over Past Day, Killing Two People

04:44 GMT 24.06.2022

Ukraine Shells Three Settlements West of Lughansk With Tochka-U Missiles