Maria Zakharova

Russia today warned the West and Ukraine of “catastrophic consequences” if Kiev moves against Russia’s close ally Belarus, making clear it will intervene to defend a country in which it has regularly deployed nuclear weapons.

Ukraine's naval forces have confirmed the destruction of a ferry carrying tank wagons in the Russian port of Kavkaz on the Kerch Strait. The attack resulted in injuries to 13 crew members, with four hospitalized and one person still missing. The fire, which spread over approximately 500 square meters, has been contained.

Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, dismissed the security agreement between the US and Ukraine as merely a "piece of paper" with no substantive value, according to reports from quoting Agence France Press.

Moscow has issued a stern warning, stating that it will target British sites if British weapons are used by Ukraine to strike Russian territory. This statement was made by Maria Zakharova, the spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, and reported by Reuters.

Russia on Tuesday said the United States was seeking to place weapons in space, the latest accusation in an ongoing row that comes a day after Washington vetoed a Russian non-proliferation motion at the United Nations.

The Russian Foreign Ministry has referred to the Bulgarian government as a "ruling regime," criticizing its handling of Victory Day commemorations and Europe Day events.

Amid escalating tensions between Russia and the West, in the context of the war in Ukraine, Moscow issued a stern warning to France, cautioning that any deployment of French troops to Ukraine would make them legitimate targets for the Russian military.

Russia said Sunday its forces had gained territory near the key battleground town of Chasiv Yar in east Ukraine, highlighting the pressure facing Kiev as it gears up to receive $61 billion in new U.S. aid.

Ukraine meanwhile reported renewed Russian strikes against its civilians.

Russia's Foreign Ministry is actively engaged in negotiations to establish visa-free travel agreements with several nations across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, as reported by TASS.

Russia perceives Pope Francis' recent call for talks with Moscow to end the conflict in Ukraine as a subtle message directed towards Ukraine's Western allies, urging them to relinquish their aspirations to defeat Russia and acknowledge the West's role in the Ukrainian war, according to Italy's ANSA news agency.