Russian Embassy to the UK

⚡️ On July 3, Ukrainian militants launched a drone attack on a city market in Tokmak, Zaporozhye Region, in broad daylight. According to preliminary reports, five civilians were killed and 18 others were wounded. The Main Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation has opened a criminal case into the attack under Article 205 of the Russian Criminal Code – terrorist act. 💬 Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rodion Miroshnik:

A series of Ukrainian drone strikes hit a crowded place in broad daylight. Local authorities said the injured were promptly taken by ambulance crews to Tokmak Central District Hospital, where they are receiving the necessary medical care. The attack is ongoing. This attack bears all the hallmarks of a terrorist act carried out by Ukrainian armed groups. The killing and attempted killing of civilians constitute a grave war crime, for which the Kiev regime bears full responsibility. How are they any different from the Nazis of World War II, who bombed crowded areas of cities?

💬 Russia's High Commissioner for Human Rights Yana Lantratova:

This inhuman attack on civilians demonstrates the complete absence of any moral principles among those behind this atrocity. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in the Russian Federation is keeping these cases under close review. I remain in constant contact with regional Human Rights Commissioners on matters related to providing assistance to people, while regional human rights representatives are present at the sites of the tragedies. Such criminal strikes against civilians are unacceptable. Every human tragedy requires a comprehensive investigation and legal assessment.

#KievRegimeCrimes

📰 Интервью Посла России в Великобритании Андрея Келина информагентству ТАСС (3 июля 2026 года) Основные тезисы: 🔹 Ответственность за обвал двусторонних контактов однозначно лежит на британской стороне. Это часть политики, направленной на сдерживание нашей страны, которую Лондон начал проводить задолго до начала СВО. Поэтому начинать работать над нормализацией отношений возможно только в случае полного отказа властей Соединённого Королевства от нынешней конфронтационной линии в отношении России. 🔹 Британцы, по сути, являются одними из архитекторов затяжного смертоносного противостояния на Украине. Они обеспечили Киеву поддержку после 2014 года. Весной 2022 года добились срыва мирных договорённостей, и с тех пор делают всё возможное для разрастания конфликта. 🔹 Сегодня грань между опосредованным и прямым участием Лондона в украинском конфликте становится всё более тонкой. Британцы, думаю, прекрасно понимают, что делают, однако отказываться от враждебных провокационных шагов явно не намерены <...> На Альбионе в мирном урегулировании кризиса не заинтересованы. 🔹 У лейбористов был шанс начать всё «с чистого листа», когда они пришли к власти в 2024 году, но, увы, они им не воспользовались. Они продолжают накачку киевского режима вооружениями и финансами, вводят односторонние нелегитимные санкции против нашей страны. Одержимость антироссийской повесткой зашкаливает и напоминает худшие периоды холодной войны. 🔹 Процветание стран континентальной Европы неразрывно связано с установлением хороших, взаимовыгодных, добрососедских отношений с Россией при учёте наших интересов. Однако такая ситуация не всех устраивает, в том числе Лондон. Поэтому усилия британских политиков были направлены на то, чтобы настроить против нас не только украинских националистов, но и европейские страны. 🔹После выхода из ЕС Британия старается доказать западным союзникам свою незаменимость, всё плотнее встраиваясь в общий санкционный курс США и Евросоюза. Самостоятельное расширение санкционных списков, включение в них СПГ-танкеров, захват танкеров – все эти шаги призваны показать, что Лондон действует на опережение. Читайте полностью

💬 Russian Presidential Commissioner for Children’s Rights Maria Lvova-Belova: On July 2, I held a meeting with President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (#ICRC) Mirjana Spoljaric. Almost two years have passed since our last meeting. Throughout this time, we have continued our joint work in an open and systematic manner. The main topic was the reunification of children with their families living in Russia, Ukraine and third countries, which we are facilitating on instructions from President Vladimir Putin. Each case is considered individually, taking into account the circumstances, legal grounds, the child’s opinion and, of course, their best interests. I thanked the ICRC for its assistance in transferring children to their relatives, organising transportation, a humanitarian corridor and accommodation for parents. ☝️ Since the start of the special military operation, with our assistance, 30 children from 22 families have returned to their loved ones in Russia. Another 141 children from 114 families have been reunited with their relatives in Ukraine and third countries. In the overwhelming majority of cases, this was done with the ICRC’s direct involvement. Documents have already been prepared to reunite four children with their loved ones in Ukraine. However, regular shelling and strikes by the Ukrainian militants currently make it impossible to arrange their departure. I also noted cases where parents living in Russia are searching for their children in EU countries, and asked the ICRC to help reunite these families. ❗️ Special attention during the meeting was given to Ukraine’s crimes against Russian children: the deaths and injuries of minors, strikes on civilian infrastructure, and attempts to involve teenagers in terrorist and sabotage activities. Such issues require constant dialogue, trust and meticulous joint work. We hope to continue constructive cooperation in the interests of children and families.

⛵️ On the night of 27–28 June, Saint Petersburg hosted the iconic Scarlet Sails celebration, marking the end of the school year for thousands of graduates across Russia. The city’s historic embankments turned into a massive open-air stage, where music, light, and fireworks transformed the Neva River into a spectacular multimedia show watched by millions. The highlight of the evening was the majestic brig Russia sailing through the river under glowing scarlet sails a powerful symbol of hope, youth, and new beginnings inspired by Alexander Grin’s famous romantic story. First launched in 1968 and revived in 2005, Scarlet Sails has grown into one of Europe’s most impressive annual celebrations, blending tradition with cutting-edge stage technology.

✍️ Excerpt from President Vladimir Putin’s answers to questions from a Russian journalist (28 June 2026) 💬 The strikes on our civilian infrastructure are intended to damage us, of course, but also to fuel an information campaign as part of the broader confrontation with Russia. At a minimum, the campaign aims to undermine our confidence in ourselves and our capabilities and, ideally, to create divisions within Russian society and force our country to suspend the advance of our forces along the line of contact, creating conditions for negotiations favourable to our adversary. We will not give them that opportunity. It is important to understand that these terrorist attacks have no impact whatsoever on the situation at the front. That is the key point. No matter where these strikes are carried out against our infrastructure, they have absolutely no effect on the situation along the front line. Read in full

🌿 Russia is home to an incredible diversity of nature. The country stretches across two continents and features 10 different natural zones. • Arctic desert. Russia’s northernmost natural zone, it is covered by ice and snow. Winters are extremely long, with polar nights, while vegetation is limited to mosses and lichens. • Tundra. A vast treeless region south of the Arctic deserts. It has short but relatively warm summers, with dwarf shrubs and small trees. • Forest-tundra. A transition zone between tundra and taiga, featuring sparse forests, wetlands, lakes, and moss-covered landscapes. • Taiga. The largest natural zone in Russia, dominated by coniferous forests. Siberian larch, pine, and fir are its characteristic trees. • Mixed & broadleaf forests. Home to pine, oak, birch, and maple forests. This is the most densely populated natural zone in Russia and has a milder climate. • Forest-steppe. A scenic transition between forests and grasslands, known for its highly fertile black soil (chernozem). • Steppe. Endless grassy plains with few trees. The steppe experiences hot summers, cold winters, and spectacular wildflower blooms in spring. • Semi-deserts & deserts. Found in southern Russia, these regions feature sand dunes, hot summers, and plants adapted to dry conditions. • Subtropics. Located along the Black Sea coast and southern Dagestan. This zone has mild winters, warm humid summers, and evergreen vegetation. • Altitudinal zonation. In the mountains (the Urals, Altai, Caucasus and Sayan mountains), zones change not from north to south, but from the foothills to the peaks. This amazing variety makes Russia one of the most ecologically diverse countries in the world. 📸 Gateway to Russia #visitRussia

🎙 Highlights from Russia's Permanent Representative to the OSCE Dmitry Polyanskiy's statement at the meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council on the ongoing hybrid war waged by NATO and EU against Russia (25 June 2026) 🔹 Hybrid warfare against Russia Russia is facing a hybrid war waged by NATO and the EU through Ukrainian proxies. Once Ukraine is exhausted, European countries themselves will enter the conflict directly. The West is systematically demonising Russia, preparing its populations for war, even though Finnish President Alexander Stubb himself acknowledged: "I see no evidence that Russia is preparing to attack NATO." 🔹 Crimes of the Kiev regime More than 290 civilians were affected over the past week (250 wounded, 41 killed), while over 4,800 munitions were fired at civilian infrastructure. The overwhelming majority of the weapons used were of Western origin. 🔹 Terrorist attacks A strike targeted the Gomel–Gelendzhik passenger bus carrying Belarusian children (one woman killed, eight people injured, including six children). A massive attack on the Moscow Region involving 194 drones claimed the life of an eight-year-old girl. A strike on the Kerch Peninsula left four people dead and 28 injured. Additional attacks targeted an ambulance and a children's clinic. 🔹 The London ultimatum (7 June) and the G7 Summit (15–17 June) The UK, Germany, and France presented Russia with a five-point ultimatum. The G7 gave Kiev the "green light" to continue the war, pledging additional weapons supplies and production licenses, effectively transforming Ukraine into NATO's military arsenal on Russia's borders. 🔹 Russia's position Russia remains open to diplomacy, provided that security along its western borders, as well as the honor and dignity of its citizens and their right to their native language and Orthodox faith, are guaranteed. Western expansion is unacceptable. The European security model established since 1975 has been dismantled by the West. A new Eurasian security architecture is needed. The OSCE has become an instrument of hybrid warfare and risks losing its relevance altogether if the West continues to reject meaningful dialogue. Read in full

🎙 Highlights from Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks at the 12th Primakov Readings International Forum (Moscow, 24 June 2026) 🔹The West must understand (the sooner the better) that plans for military-political, geo-economic and ideological expansion within Russia’s vital interests must be abandoned. 🔹Russia’s adversaries cannot disregard concerns about the rights of Russian-speaking communities in Ukraine. These concerns relate to the use of the Russian language, access to Russian-language media, the preservation of Russian culture, and the activities of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church. 🔹I am convinced that the situation surrounding Ukraine can still be resolved through political and diplomatic means [...] To achieve this, legally binding security guarantees based on the principle of indivisibility are required, including those that ensure Russia’s security on its western borders. 🔹The West either fails to comply with international norms or complies selectively to advance its own interests. Kosovo's declaration of independence without a referendum is seen as a positive step. However, when the people of Crimea hold a referendum in response to a coup d'état, and decide to reunite with Russia, this is rejected because it is seen as an issue of territorial integrity rather than self-determination. 🔹Despite being unable to maintain sole leadership, the West has yet to accept the objective reality of an emerging multipolar world. Instead, they are trying to shore up their weakening positions by winning others over through sanctions, bans, threats and other illegitimate measures, forcing countries in the global majority to play by their rules. Read in full

🎙 Excerpt from Russian MFA Spox Maria Zakharova's weekly briefing on topical foreign policy issues 💬 New evidence of numerous extrajudicial executions of peaceful Afghan civilians by Western coalition forces, including British special operations troops, during Operation Enduring Freedom continues to emerge during a public investigation launched in the UK in early 2023 [...] We believe that the published information should be thoroughly investigated and those responsible held accountable. It is necessary to put an end to situations where Western military personnel go unpunished and show disregard for the lives of peaceful civilians in countries east of Suez, as Rudyard Kipling wrote. Following a long-established colonial tradition, London views these countries as third-rate states. Overall, this episode deals another serious blow to the already damaged reputation of the United Kingdom as a peacekeeper that claims to care about the fate of the world. Once again, hypocrisy and double standards, hidden behind a seemingly respectable and proper façade, come to light. In fact, hypocrisy and double standards are characteristic of London’s policies in many areas, including the observance and protection of human rights. This is also evident in the context of the situation around Ukraine, where the United Kingdom acts as an accomplice to and sponsor of the Kiev regime’s terrorist activities, encouraging them in every way. While presenting itself as a defender of human rights, the UK cynically and openly ignores the norms of international humanitarian law.

💃 Today marks the International Day of Women in Diplomacy. Diplomacy was once a profession almost exclusively reserved for men. In 1923, Alexandra Kollontai became the world’s first female ambassador, representing the Soviet Union in Norway. She later served as ambassador to Mexico and Sweden, paving the way for generations of women in diplomacy. A century later, women are an integral part of diplomatic services worldwide, and their representation continues to grow. In Russia’s diplomacy, this trend is clearly visible. Women account for almost half of all newly recruited young employees of the Russian Foreign Ministry, while their presence in leadership positions continues to increase. Russia also supports international initiatives that promote women’s participation in diplomacy, leadership and decision-making, and contribute to reducing gender gaps in these fields.

📸 Today, marking the 85th anniversary of the establishment of the Soviet Information Bureau, the Rossiya Segodnya Media Group is opening a major photo exhibition titled 85 Years of Sovinformburo. History Brought to Life. An Era Captured. 🖼 The exhibition brings together 30 iconic photographs taken over the decades and, for the first time, presents the country’s history through archival images brought to life with AI technology. The exhibition is timed to coincide with June 24, 1941. #OTD, the third day of the Great Patriotic War, that the Soviet Information Bureau was established. For 85 years, the agency, later transformed into the Novosti Press Agency and subsequently RIA Novosti, has remained the country’s principal voice, documenting landmark events in Russian and world history. Today, its traditions are carried on by the Rossiya Segodnya Media Group, which comprises RIA Novosti and Sputnik. The exhibition features works by renowned photographers, including legendary frontline photojournalists Georgy Zelma, Yevgeny Khaldei, Vladimir Grebnev, Mikhail Ozersky, Igor Kostin and other masters of documentary photography. ☝️ Their lenses captured the Battle of Stalingrad and the 1945 Victory Parade, Yuri Gagarin’s first space flight, the Olympic Games in Moscow in 1980, Sochi and Milan, the work of peacekeeping forces and historic meetings between world leaders. 💬 Director General of the Rossiya Segodnya Media Group Dmitry Kiselev:

8️⃣5️⃣ years ago, during the difficult first days of the Great Patriotic War, the Soviet Information Bureau was born. It was called upon to become the voice of the country at a time of its greatest trials. Today, as we turn the pages of this unique chronicle, we see how wartime communiqués marked the beginning of a remarkable journey that came to reflect an entire era. This is the history of our country: a chronicle of victories, the conquest of space, the triumphs of our athletes and outstanding cultural figures, and, of course, a testament to the enormous role our country has played and continues to play on the world stage. We, the Rossiya Segodnya Media Group and the RIA Novosti and Sputnik agencies, are the direct successors of Sovinformburo. The traditions of the frontline correspondents who followed the roads of war alongside Soviet soldiers, documenting every step towards the Great Victory, are not empty words to us. Today, our war correspondents work just as their illustrious predecessors did 85 years ago: on the front line, risking their lives so that the world can see the truth. This exhibition is our tribute to those who made history and to those who continue making it today.

ℹ️ The exhibition 85 Years of Sovinformburo. History Brought to Life. An Era Captured was organised by the Rossiya Segodnya Media Group in cooperation with and with the support of Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It will be displayed at Russian diplomatic missions abroad.

🎙 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s remarks during the Ambassadorial Roundtable discussion Ukraine Crisis: The West’s True Goals and Role (Moscow, 23 June 2026) Key talking points: ▫️The UK and EU countries continue to pump the Kiev regime with weapons and money, while pandering to its openly terrorist actions. They justify any criminal actions by the Kiev regime. ▫️Everything we hear today from Brussels, London, Paris, Berlin, and other European capitals amounts to a demand for Moscow to surrender. ▫️The real goal of the West behind its calls for talks is to preserve Ukraine as a launching pad for fighting Russia. That is why they are seeking an immediate ceasefire. Their goal is to halt Russia’s advance and buy time in order to pump weapons into the Kiev regime. ▫️ The US, the UK, and Europe are striving for total global dominance so that no one can prevent them from continuing to extract resources around the world and live at the expense of others. ▫️We are countering this course with a concept of pan-continental security and cooperation architecture – an architecture open to all Eurasian countries without exception. This matter was discussed at the recent Russia-ASEAN summit in Kazan. Read in full

🎙 Russian MFA Spox Maria Zakharova on the UK initiative to supply enriched uranium to Ukraine for nuclear power plant operations: 💬 Britain’s decision is driven not only and not so much by purely commercial considerations but rather by an intention to score further dubious political points on the promises to continue the support of Zelensky’s criminal regime regardless of the atrocities it commits. It would be enough to mention that the information was leaked from the former UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office exactly at a time when the Ukrainian armed forces continue its precision strikes at the Zaporozhye NPP and Energodar where the staff of this NPP reside with their families. London has expressed neither condemnation nor concern about these strikes, which is certainly indicative, including in terms of its approach to nuclear security. Read in full

✍️ Excerpt from President of Russia Vladimir Putin’s speech at the meeting with Government members (23 June, 2026): 💬 Everything the Kiev regime does is aimed at one thing only: creating favorable conditions for itself in the event of the start – or, more accurately, the resumption – of peace negotiations that were interrupted at Ukraine’s own initiative, and doing so from what it seeks to portray as a position of strength. What position of strength are we talking about? At most, this is an attempt to create the impression of strength. The reality on the battlefield is entirely different. All these attacks, which are essentially terrorist acts, including strikes on civilian infrastructure, on a bus carrying Belarusian children in the Belgorod Region, or on a student dormitory in in Starobelsk, do not and cannot change the situation on the front line. Nevertheless, as has been stated on many occasions, Russia remains ready for peace negotiations with Ukraine. We are prepared to proceed on the basis of the agreements reached in Istanbul, which, I would remind you, were initialed by the Ukrainian delegation at the time, indicating that they found them acceptable. We see no reason to depart from those agreements. Negotiations should be based on the understandings reached in Istanbul, the modalities discussed in Anchorage, and, most importantly, the realities on the ground, as well as the principles I outlined during my address at the Foreign Ministry several years ago. Read in full

💬 President Vladimir Putin: The current international situation is far from stable. There is an ongoing military confrontation in the Middle East, and the potential for conflict has increased significantly in several parts of the world, including Eurasia [...] Today the West is openly talking about preparing for a war against us and building up their military offensive budgets. However, in order to justify these expenses and the radical militarisation of their countries, the leaders of NATO and EU states are once again resorting to lies about an alleged Russian military threat. The pseudo-democratic West's plan of action is simple: first they create threats for our country, forcing us to take the necessary action to defend and protect our country, and then they immediately accuse us of all the mortal sins in order to justify their continued aggressive policy and their aggressive actions against Russia [...] Russia has consistently advocated equal and indivisible security for all. We believe that this goal can only be achieved by creating a multipolar system of international relations and ensuring the military security of every country. At the same time, we stand ready to respond promptly and appropriately to any external and internal threats. Excerpt from President Putin's address at a meeting with graduates of military academies, Moscow, 23 June 2026

🕯 On the 85th anniversary of the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, President Vladimir Putin honoured the memory of the fallen in the battles against the Nazi invaders by laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by the Kremlin Wall in Moscow. The President also laid flowers at the memorials honouring the Hero Cities and at the obelisk dedicated to the Cities of Military Glory.

▪️ 22 June is the Day of Remembrance and Sorrow. 85 years ago, Nazi Germany and its allies launched a treacherous attack on the Soviet Union. This marked the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, one of the most tragic chapters in our history. It claimed the lives of 27 million Soviet citizens and left millions more wounded, bereaved and scarred by its devastation. In London, Vasily Tsyganov, Minister-Counsellor of the Russian Embassy, laid flowers at the Soviet War Memorial in Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park. Unveiled in 1999, the monument stands as a symbol of the British respect for the heroism and self-sacrifice of the Soviet citizens and soldiers who lost their lives during the Second World War in the struggle against Nazism. It serves as a reminder of the price of victory and the enduring importance of preserving historical memory. #WeRemember

🕯 On the Day of Remembrance and Sorrow, we recall a difficult time when the entire Soviet people stood united against a common enemy as never before. These early days marked the sudden onset of a long and devastating war, captured in photographs that show shock, destruction, and the first moments of organised resistance. #WeRemember

▪️ 22 июня – День памяти и скорби. 85 лет назад нацистская Германия и её союзники вероломно напали на Советский Союз. Так началась Великая Отечественная война – одна из самых трагических страниц нашей истории. Она унесла жизни 27 миллионов советских граждан и оставила миллионы раненых и искалеченных судеб. В этот день в Лондоне советник-посланник Посольства России в Великобритании Василий Цыганов возложил цветы к Советскому военному мемориалу в парке Джералдин Мэри Хармсворт. Монумент, открытый в 1999 году, стал символом уважения британской стороны к подвигу и самоотверженности советских граждан и солдат, погибших в годы Второй Мировой войны в борьбе с нацизмом. Он служит напоминанием о цене Победы и о неизменной значимости сохранения исторической памяти. #МыПомним

🕯 June 22 marks the Day of Memory and Sorrow — the most tragic date in the history of our country. On this very day 8️⃣5️⃣ years ago, on June 22, 1941, the Great Patriotic War of the Soviet people commenced — the Nazi Germany and its European 'axis' accomplices treacherously attacked our Motherland, without a declaration of war. ⬛️ The Great Patriotic War lasted for 1418 days and nights, claimed lives of some 27 million Soviet citizens. It was the nationwide tragedy that brought terrible suffering to each and every family in our country. Today, June 22 echoes with sorrow, grief and pain for the ruined lives of millions of our people. The enemy — the German Nazis and their European satellites — invaded the Soviet Union with one aim — to destroy, mercilessly eliminate, kill and physically annihilate our Motherland's entire population regardless of people's ethnic, racial or religious background. During the occupation of Soviet territories, Hitler’s troops killed 13.7 million Soviet civilians, including women and children. They carried out the real GENOCIDE as part of their so-called 'Lebensraum' policy to gain the living space in the East for German colonisation. The war crimes committed by Nazis and their henchmen have #NoStatuteOfLimitations. Learn more about the genocide of Soviet people during the Great Patriotic War by the Nazis *** ⬛️ At dawn on June 22, the Nazi aircraft launched massive strikes on airfields, railway stations, naval bases, deployments of the Red Army forces, and cities along the entire western state border of the USSR and up to 250-300 km into Soviet territory. Together with Nazi Germany, Romania, Italy, Finland, Slovakia, France, Croatia, Spain, Denmark, the Netherlands and other 'axis' powers allied to the Third Reich took part in the aggression against our country. The industries of almost the entire European continent served the aggressors. The facts of collaboration of the majority of European governments, military, industrial circles and citizens with the Nazis are not and will never ever be forgotten. It was our country that took the main blow of the Nazi aggression. It was the Soviet Victorious People who showed unparalleled heroism and resilience, fighting for the freedom of our Motherland. Our nation paid for the #GreatVictory with the blood of 27 million Soviet citizens who not only expelled Nazis from Soviet territory but also heroically saved Europe from the 'Nazi plague'. The tragedy that befell our people was directly caused by the evil ripening in the heart of Europe — Nazism, the ideology of human hatred and racial supremacy over other peoples and nations. 💬 Excerpt from President of Russia Vladimir Putin’s address at a gala reception to celebrate the 81st Anniversary of Victory in the 1941–1945 Great Patriotic War (May 9, 2026):

This year marks 85 years since Nazi Germany’s attack on the Soviet Union. This date carries both the sorrow of millions of lives lost and a reminder of the terrible consequences of blind belief in one’s own superiority, racism, xenophobia, and the denial of other peoples’ right to identity.

🎙 Russian MFA Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova (from the briefing on June 18, 2026)

The atrocities committed by the Nazis and their accomplices during the Great Patriotic War have no statute of limitations. Russia has recognised these crimes at the legislative level as the genocide of the Soviet people and will tirelessly seek recognition of this fact by European countries and the so-called West as a whole. <...> Today we mourn those who, at the cost of their lives, fulfilled the sacred duty of defending the Motherland. We will not allow the feat of the Soviet people, who saved Europe and the world from the horrors of the brown plague, to be erased from memory.

We will forever remember the Heroic Feat of Soviet soldiers, of home front workers, of all and everyone who forged the Great Victory. 🕯 We remember. We mourn. We shall not forget, and we shall not let it be forgotten. #DayOfMemoryAndSorrow