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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Ukraine must take part in decisions about Europe’s security. The debate began as part of efforts to end Russia’s war against Ukraine.
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Four workers were killed and two hospitalized after a drone attack on an industrial zone in Volgograd, according to the regional governor. Reports said a nearby refinery may have been hit, but this has not been officially confirmed.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Ukraine must take part in decisions about Europe’s security. The debate began as part of efforts to end Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Four workers were killed and two hospitalized after a drone attack on an industrial zone in Volgograd, according to the regional governor. Reports said a nearby refinery may have been hit, but this has not been officially confirmed.
Russia came back from a two-goal deficit to beat Uzbekistan 3–2 in a friendly match in Tashkent. The Russian team scored three times in the final nine minutes.
Russia’s U-21 football team beat Kyrgyzstan’s U-23 team 7–0 in a friendly match in Turkey. Stepan Glotov scored three goals.
A 197.80-carat sapphire once listed among Russia’s imperial jewels sold in Geneva for 4.1 million Swiss francs. The stone is now set in a Cartier bracelet.
Archaeologists found a small gold bear figurine in a Saka-era burial mound in Almaty. The mound also contained human remains and pottery, and researchers are still working to establish how many people were buried there.
Nearly 6,000 people reached Spain’s Canary Islands in the first ten days of November, with many landing on El Hierro. The Atlantic crossing is dangerous, and local authorities have asked for help managing arrivals.
Millions of workers took part in Spain’s November 11 general strike over wages and the cost of housing. Demonstrations took place in Madrid, Barcelona and other cities; clashes with police were reported in both cities.
A study of the Tunnug-1 burial mound in Tuva found cannabis seeds and chemical traces in preserved hair. Researchers say the findings may point to ancient use, but experts disagree about whether the hair evidence proves it.
Researchers from Russia and China developed a dissolvable implant that uses a magnetic field to stimulate tissue growth. Tests in mice showed faster bone formation and more nerve fibres, but the implant has not yet been tested on people.
Russian, Ukrainian and U.S. officials began two days of talks in Abu Dhabi on November 10. Security guarantees are on the agenda, but the sides remain far apart on key issues.
Novaya Gazeta closed its Moscow newsroom on November 9 after years of pressure from Russian authorities. It remains unclear whether the newspaper will continue reporting outside Russia.
A helicopter carrying five people to a wedding crashed near Passos, Brazil. The pilot died, four passengers were injured, and wedding guests helped before emergency services arrived.
In Omsk, volunteers found a man who had spent more than a day in a water-filled well. They helped him out and handed him over to ambulance workers.
Russia placed four Japan Tobacco manufacturing businesses under temporary management on November 5. Japan protested the next day and demanded that the measure be reversed.
Russian attacks damaged energy facilities in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region, leaving more than 600,000 people without electricity, according to DTEK. Hospitals switched to generators, and electric public transport stopped in Dnipro.
Russian sambist Aleksandr Pshenichnykh won bronze in the under-58-kilogram sport sambo category at the World Championships in Tashkent. It was his first medal at the senior world event.
Russian swimmer Bogdan Toropkin won the 200-meter freestyle at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar on November 6. It was his second gold medal at the Games.
The Yakutsk International Film Festival opened on November 4 with a film based on a story by Nikolai Leskov. Guests walked a red carpet among ice sculptures as the festival began its first winter edition.
After a literary rave drew about 3,000 people to Moscow’s Russian State Library, lawmaker Nina Ostanina asked the Culture Ministry to clarify rules for entertainment events at historic institutions.
Democrats won majorities in both chambers of the U.S. Congress in the November 3 midterm elections. Foreign leaders reacted with cautious hope, but the results do not immediately change presidential decisions or U.S. foreign policy.
South Africans voted in local elections on November 4. With about 12 percent of votes counted, the ANC led the Democratic Alliance by roughly one percentage point.
Physicists reported experimental evidence of altermagnetism after detecting a distinctive magnetic signal in manganese telluride. The finding could inform future electronics, but practical uses will require more research.
A Skoltech study found that neurons grown in the lab retain features of early development. The findings may help researchers choose cell models for different kinds of research.
Russia’s Transport Ministry has published a draft that would change rules for e-scooters and other personal mobility devices. The public can discuss the proposals until November 20, 2026.
A decree signed on November 2 requires private data centers in Russia to reserve 10% of their space and capacity for possible government use. Owners must prepare the reserve within ten days.
A passerby rescued a child after a stroller fell into the Likhoborka River in Moscow. He then offered the mother and child a warm place to change clothes; reports have not clarified how the stroller entered the water.
Three schoolchildren in Russia’s Jewish Autonomous Oblast were honored after helping save two men. Two teenagers pulled a fisherman from deep water, while an 11-year-old and his mother found and helped a missing man.
Russian officials reported serious damage to an industrial facility in Kstovo after a drone attack on November 1. Independent reports said a Lukoil refinery may have been hit, but the details have not been independently confirmed.
Hundreds of residents left Russian-occupied Oleshky during a temporary ceasefire and reached Ukrainian-controlled territory. Volunteers and relatives welcomed them with food and help.
Nizhny Novgorod beat Arsenal Tula 4–0 on October 30, earning its seventh consecutive First League win. The team remained top of the table with 43 points.
Russian footballer Aleksei Batrakov scored his first Turkish league goal and made an assist as Galatasaray beat Konyaspor 4–0 in Konya on October 30. Galatasaray remained top of the league.
A Yakutian-language animated film won the 2026 TEFI-KIDS award for best children’s animated film. Its story introduces young viewers to Yakut culture, while the Tooku channel also creates and translates cartoons in Yakut.
Archaeologists found about 50 shell ornaments at Kostenki, dating to around 41,500–41,000 years ago. Two marine shells may have come from the Black Sea region, but how they reached the Don remains unknown.
The container ship Contship Jet sank off Bulgaria after being hit by drones. Its 18 crew members were rescued; authorities are checking for possible pollution.
A new report estimates that 5.94 million people in Haiti face acute food insecurity. Experts expect the number to rise to 6.35 million by June 2027.
The James Webb Space Telescope captured a detailed view of N159, a young region of star formation in the Large Magellanic Cloud. Its glowing gas and dense clouds help astronomers study how stars form.
Researchers in Russia developed a porous ceramic material that protects an enzyme and lets infrared light increase its activity. The early result may have uses in medicine and industry.
Mobile internet may be restricted inside Moscow’s Third Ring Road from October 27 to 29 during two summits. The ministry says calls, home internet, Wi-Fi, and sites on its “white list” should remain available.
A courier in Novosibirsk noticed that no one answered the door during a delivery and alerted the woman’s neighbors. They called rescuers, who helped the 79-year-old woman out of her bathroom.
A courier in Novosibirsk noticed that an older customer did not answer the door. Neighbors called rescuers, who helped the 79-year-old woman out of her bathroom.
Ukraine’s president said negotiators from Ukraine, Russia and the United States plan to meet in Abu Dhabi in the first half of November. Disputes over territory and security remain unresolved.
Ukraine and Russia agreed on a local ceasefire in Russian-occupied Oleshky, due to begin October 27. The pause is intended to allow aid deliveries and help civilians leave.
CSKA Moscow beat Avtodor Saratov 117–55 in the VTB United League. The win was CSKA’s sixth in six matches, and the team remained first in the standings.
SKA beat Sibir 6–3 in the KHL on October 22, ending a six-game losing streak. It was the team’s first win under new head coach Andrei Razin.
A university team has begun scanning ten historic churches in Pskov to create digital models that can help specialists monitor and protect the buildings.
Ancient DNA from bones found in Siberia’s Denisova Cave revealed an extinct relative of the yak. The animal, which lived during the Ice Age, is provisionally called “yak X.”
Canada and Ontario announced 8.7 billion Canadian dollars in support for steel, automotive, and critical-mineral industries affected by U.S. tariffs. The plan includes funding for road projects in northern Ontario.
El Salvador’s president announced an operation to find four aviation technicians who went missing after an armed gang attacked their vehicle in Haiti. Their condition and the details of the operation remain unknown.
Researchers in Novosibirsk reported an experimentally confirmed model showing how DNA and two enzymes interact during repair. The findings may support future cancer research, but are not a new treatment.
Researchers used weather records and climate models to study snowfall in Moscow. Their projections suggest moderate snowfalls may become less frequent, while heavy snowfalls are not expected to decline.
Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin proposed changes to Russia’s government, including making Finance Minister Anton Siluanov a deputy prime minister. The nominations still require consideration by the State Duma.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was due to meet US envoy Steve Witkoff and European leaders in Oslo on October 20. The talks focus on diplomatic efforts to end Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
A 61-year-old man who disappeared near Borisoglebsk was found alive after four days in the forest. A local woman’s tip helped volunteers locate him.
Four fishermen in Magadan Oblast found a woman on a submerged car in the Viliga River and helped her reach shore. The driver died, and the fishermen were later honored.
Donald Trump suspended most new sanctions and restrictions on Russia under a law passed by the U.S. Congress. The decision drew criticism from lawmakers in both parties and from Ukraine.
Ukrainian drone attacks set fires at oil facilities and a logistics center in St. Petersburg on October 18. Local authorities reported one death and five injuries.
Three leading Russian gymnasts were unable to travel to the World Championships in Rotterdam after Dutch authorities denied their visa applications. The event is also an early team qualification stage for the 2028 Olympics.
Russian swimmer Evgeniia Chikunova won the 200-meter breaststroke at the Astana stop of the Swimming World Cup. Wins in the same event at all three stops earned her the series’ Triple Crown.
The documentary The Match opens the Message to Man film festival in St. Petersburg. Using a famous 1986 football match, the film explores history, memory, and the Falklands War.
The Russian Museum in St. Petersburg opened an exhibition of Ivan Aivazovsky’s work on October 16. It includes 120 paintings and 30 graphic works, including the recently restored The Ninth Wave.
Pope Leo XIV is recovering after surgery confirmed lung cancer and removed the lower lobe of his right lung. His planned November trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru remains on the schedule, but its timing or route could change.
Drones struck two cargo ships off Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast on October 13. One ship sank; five sailors were rescued and 11 were missing, while everyone aboard the other ship was rescued.
Researchers in Novosibirsk and international colleagues studied a theoretical method for preserving information in quantum measurements. Their calculations describe a possible approach, not a tested device or a guaranteed reduction in measurements for every experiment.
NASA published a Landsat 9 image of Spider Crater in Western Australia. Its unusual ridges formed after a meteorite impact and remained as surrounding rocks eroded.
French forces boarded tanker DF Peak south of Réunion and escorted it for further checks. Officials suspect false registration and illegal fuel transport, but have not established that the voyage broke the law.
The EU imposed sanctions on 77 people involved in Russian State Duma elections held in Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia. The measures include travel restrictions and frozen assets.
Neighbors and police in Cheremkhovo helped a mother and her three children after the woman lost consciousness at home. Their quick response helped save the family, and the neighbors were later recognized.
A neighbor rescued two girls from a burning apartment in Komsomolsk-on-Amur by bringing them to safety across a neighboring balcony.
Donald Trump announced a deal for Russian diesel supplies, and the U.S. temporarily exempted certain shipments from sanctions. Ukraine criticized the move, while the effect on fuel prices remains unclear.
A drone attack damaged and shut down a Yandex data center in Vladimir on October 11. The company reported that some services were disrupted and said no one was hurt.
Daniil Medvedev came back after losing the first set to defeat Jan-Lennard Struff in Shanghai and reach the third round. It was Medvedev’s first match since his disqualification in Beijing.
Russian skater Alisa Zaikina won the junior women’s event at the Denis Ten Memorial in Almaty, scoring 206.05 points. Two other Russian skaters finished second and third.
Canadian writer Anne Carson won the 2026 Nobel Prize in Literature. Her books combine classical literature, poetry, prose and personal experience.
Kyiv’s 114-year-old Bessarabskyi Market has lost most of its new cafés and restaurants. Some traditional vendors remain, but the historic market’s future is uncertain.
After a U.S. Marine was arrested on suspicion of killing a woman in Okinawa, U.S. military authorities announced a month-long curfew and a two-day pause in operations. The case has renewed protests over the U.S. military presence on the island.
A months-long drought in Sri Lanka has dried up wells and ponds, damaged crops, and left wild animals with fewer places to find water.
French chemist Henri Kagan and Japanese scientist Kenso Soai received the 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for discoveries in asymmetric organic synthesis. Their work helps explain how chemists can produce one form of a molecule more often than its mirror image.
The Antarctic ozone hole reached 27.4 million square kilometres on September 20, 2026, the second-largest size recorded for this time of year. Scientists say yearly changes in its size are not, by themselves, a reason for alarm.
Talks in Moscow on October 5 ended without a joint statement after Afghan Taliban and Pakistani delegates disagreed over wording about terrorism. The meeting took place amid rising tensions and reports of civilian deaths from Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan.
Police detained about 60 people at a permitted Communist Party rally in Moscow on October 4. Participants called for fair elections and freedom for political prisoners.
A police sergeant noticed a hospital car waiting outside a home in Bryansk Region. The paramedic and two residents were found unconscious and taken to hospital after suspected carbon monoxide poisoning.
Neighbors and rescuers helped two young children after one was seen outside an open third-floor window in Pyatigorsk. Both children were taken to hospital.
Russian attacks killed at least six people in Ukraine and damaged Kyiv’s Northern Bridge, disrupting traffic. Russia’s Foreign Ministry said further strikes would continue.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited Kyiv on October 4 and announced plans for military and energy aid to Ukraine. Germany and Ukraine are also preparing to produce drones together.
Viktor Mushtakov of Altai Krai placed third in the 1,000-meter race at the Kolomna Kremlin Cup. The event brought together 260 speed skaters from Russia and Belarus.
Russian goalie Igor Shesterkin scored into an empty net as the New York Rangers beat Tampa Bay 5–1. He became the first goalie in Rangers history to score a goal.
Art historian Boris Ioganson received a Russian art-history award for his book about the Moscow Union of Artists. Three historians from Moscow and St. Petersburg were honored this year.
A new four-part documentary series tells the stories of four Russian avant-garde artists. The first two episodes became available online on September 30; the remaining two are due October 7.
Four sailors were rescued after their yacht struck a whale and sank in the South Pacific. A New Zealand aircraft helped a cargo ship find them in their life raft.
U.S. senators introduced a bipartisan bill on September 30 to speed up reviews of energy and infrastructure projects. It would make data centers pay for related power lines and limit some legal challenges; the Senate vote is planned after the November elections.
Russian strikes damaged data centers and communications facilities in Kyiv in late September. The damage interrupted internet access for some households and television broadcasts, while backup sites helped keep some services running.
A study by Russian and German researchers tested a way to find rare T-cell groups that respond to parts of viruses and fungi. The early results may help scientists study the immune system, but do not yet show that the method can treat disease.
A decree signed on September 28 bans publication of many details about Russian fuel exports, refinery output, and related business. The new restrictions may make it harder to check compliance with Western sanctions.
Russia’s draft budget plans 17.1 trillion rubles in defense spending in 2027, about 27% above the earlier plan. The government also raised its forecast for the 2026 budget deficit.
Two brothers and their neighbors carried 75-year-old Tatyana Ebitova out of a burning home in Shakhty. The fire left her apartment unlivable, but she is now staying with her son and hopes to thank her rescuers in person.
Volunteers and rescuers found a 91-year-old man in a bog near Podolsk. While they waited for help, a volunteer held his hand and sang his favorite song.
Russia’s Sergey Lavrov and Germany’s Johann Wadephul met in New York on September 26, 2026, for the first time since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began. They discussed the war and grain exports through the Black Sea.
Drone attacks killed people in Kyiv and Russian regions on September 25. The next day, a Russian airstrike on central Sumy killed two people and injured six, according to local authorities.
Russia topped the team standings at the World Sambo Cup in Dushanbe, winning 45 medals. Athletes competed in three forms of sambo, including events for blind athletes.
Russia’s under-15 football team beat Tajikistan 7–0 in a friendly match in Khushёri. Matvey Rodionov scored four goals.
French actress Marina Vlady, born to a family with roots in Russia, died at 88. She appeared in about a hundred films, won a Cannes acting award, and was also remembered for her relationship with Vladimir Vysotsky.
Russian attacks destroyed more than 13 million books in Ukraine over two months in summer 2026. Eight million were lost in a strike on a Kharkiv publishing warehouse, adding to major losses for the country’s publishing industry.
Anthropic says that Claude helped identify ART, a previously uncharacterized enzyme system in bacteriophage DNA. The system has CRISPR-like repeated sequences, but its biological function still requires independent study.
Six-year-old Lian Yunzhi of China set the women’s 3×3 Rubik’s Cube average world record twice in three days. Her latest official average was 4.27 seconds.
A study published on September 22, 2026 maps regions where surface warming has accelerated at different times since 1970. The researchers say the results can help communities assess local heat risks and plan for climate change.
Russia has registered AmpliSens mecA CRISPR, a PCR and CRISPR/Cas test that looks for a gene linked to resistance to methicillin and related antibiotics. The test is intended for cerebrospinal-fluid samples from people with suspected bacterial infections.
Russia’s Finance Ministry is preparing tax-law changes on how businesses can count spending on protection from drones and repairs after attacks. Officials have not announced the detailed rules or when they would begin.
Moldova’s government has asked parliament for a 60-day energy and water emergency starting September 26. Low river levels and risks to winter energy imports are behind the proposal.
Two women in Novosibirsk rushed an injured dog named Hamon to a veterinary clinic after a road accident. His condition later improved, while witnesses continued to seek information about the driver.
Rescuers in Tosno found two men who did not return after entering the Sablino caves on September 19. Reports showed them in pink jackets, but their jobs were not officially identified.
President Donald Trump signed a U.S. law on September 18 that strengthens sanctions targeting Russia’s war economy. It also gives the White House authority to impose high tariffs on major buyers of Russian oil and gas.
A large Ukrainian drone and missile attack struck Moscow and Moscow Oblast on September 20, the final day of Russia’s State Duma election. Russian officials reported two deaths, injuries, evacuations, and damage at Moscow’s oil refinery.
Lokomotiv Yaroslavl beat Avangard Omsk 2–1 on September 18, winning its sixth KHL game in a row. Artyom Kuzin scored his first goal in the league.
Liudmila Samsonova beat top seed Marta Kostyuk to reach her first WTA semifinal of 2026 in Guadalajara. She then lost to Peyton Stearns in the semifinal.
Russian architect Sergey Kuznetsov was named the 2026 laureate of the European Prize for Architecture. The ceremony and an exhibition of his work are scheduled for September 18 in Athens.
Andrei Rublev’s famous “Trinity” icon has been moved from the iconostasis of Trinity Cathedral in Sergiev Posad. Tretyakov Gallery specialists are inspecting the fragile work and adjusting its climate-controlled case.
Scientists have identified a 222-meter-wide crater that formed on the Moon in 2024. The rare impact and its unusually large cold area may help researchers assess risks for future lunar exploration.
The WHO says Ebola transmission is falling in the hardest-hit parts of Ituri province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. However, the outbreak has reached a seventh province and cases continue to rise in North Kivu.
A research team led by Sirius University has made a stable magnetic fluid from water and cobalt-iron oxide nanoparticles. It could support future work on targeted tumour heating and laboratory diagnostic tools, but it has not been tested in people.
A new study showed that one brain implant can decode attempted speech and gestures at the same time. The system controlled a virtual avatar in real time in two participants.
EU ambassadors extended individual sanctions linked to Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine for one week after disagreement over the possible removal of Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from the list. Negotiations are due to continue before September 22.
Russia’s three-day State Duma election begins on September 18. Independent reporting says the vote takes place after authorities restricted opposition participation and banned independent election monitor Golos.
An 81-year-old mushroom picker became stuck in a bog in Sverdlovsk Oblast. After a bear prevented rescuers from reaching her on foot, a helicopter team located her by the white handkerchief she waved.
A 35-year-old electrician in Sochi walked into a forest after an electric shock and a fall from a pole. Rescuers searched for him, and he later came out of the forest safely.
Russian military enlistment offices may have issued mobilization orders to several hundred thousand men, according to an independent legal expert. The Kremlin denies that it is preparing a new mobilization, and the real scale of the practice remains unclear.
Russian missile and drone attacks across Ukraine killed at least 11 people and injured 96 on September 12, 2026. A residential high-rise in Odesa was damaged, and emergency workers assisted residents.
The International Skating Union rejected Kamila Valieva’s appeal after withdrawing her neutral-athlete status. Valieva and three other Russian figure skaters cannot currently compete in ISU events as neutral athletes.
Karen Khachanov reached the US Open semifinals for the second time. Alexander Zverev won their September 11 match in straight sets, with tiebreaks in the last two sets.
A historic building at Moscow’s Elektrozavod complex has been demolished, and another is being dismantled. The developer says it wants to preserve original features, but the final redevelopment plan has not yet been published.
Director Ilya Khrzhanovsky presented “DAU,” a film about Soviet physicist Lev Landau, at the Venice Film Festival on September 9. The long-awaited premiere also prompted objections from Ukrainian authorities because of Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine.
Ben Shelton beat defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a five-set US Open quarterfinal in New York. The match ended at 3:33 a.m., the latest finish in the tournament’s history.
The IAEA Board of Governors voted on September 9 to refer Iran to the UN Security Council and General Assembly. The vote followed unresolved questions about uranium traces and limited IAEA access to some Iranian nuclear sites.
OpenAI says an internal AI system has produced a proof for the Navier–Stokes Millennium Prize Problem. The result is still a claim: independent mathematicians must examine the proof before the problem can be considered solved.
Researchers at Sechenov University completed preclinical tests of a cell product designed to repair damaged tissue inside the nose. The treatment has not yet been tested in patients.
Russia’s Central Election Commission canceled Communist Party candidate Nikolai Bondarenko’s registration for the State Duma election. The decision followed an administrative fine over a photo of Alexei Navalny.
Russia said that Germany’s consulate general in St. Petersburg must close by September 18. The move followed Germany’s measures against Russian facilities after Berlin blamed Russia for an attempted drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport.
Rescuers in Krasnoyarsk stopped an uncontrolled motorboat after a father fell into the Yenisei River, leaving his eight-year-old son aboard. Passing fishermen pulled the father from the water, and both were safely brought ashore.
A mushroom picker from Barnaul became stranded after his car got stuck in a forest near Pavlovsk. A numbered forest marker and his charged phone helped rescuers find him.
A Russian strike on the Kametstal steel plant in Kamianske killed five people and stopped production. The plant has begun emergency repairs, but the date for restarting work is not yet known.
Vladimir Putin met U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Moscow on September 5, 2026. The talks concerned Russia’s war against Ukraine, but no agreement was announced.
Russian rower Vladislav Makarov and Kazakhstan’s Anastasia Kulinich won the coastal-rowing singles finals at the fifth International Vladivostok Regatta. The races took place on Amur Bay on September 4, 2026.
Russia’s men’s team won gold at the 2026 Modern Pentathlon World Championships in Guiyang, China. Egor Gromadskii also took individual silver.
The 14th Cosmoscow contemporary-art fair opened in Moscow on September 4. It includes more than 100 gallery stands, non-profit projects, talks, and tours.
Russia’s foreign minister said that Goethe-Institut centers would close after Germany announced action against the Russian House in Berlin and Russia’s Bonn consulate. The Goethe-Institut described the announcement as bad news for Russian learners of German and library visitors.
More than 3,000 people have died in the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Health workers are tracing contacts, improving safety in hospitals, and testing possible vaccines and treatments.
Hubble observations have revealed a huge, evolving ten-sided atmospheric wave around Saturn’s south pole. Scientists are continuing to study how the unusual feature formed and whether it will last.
A new computer-modeling study suggests that the temperature and material strength of the early Earth and Theia may have affected whether the Moon formed from a debris disk or appeared intact soon after a giant impact.
Chemists in Tula developed a solvent-free laboratory method for making compounds from plant-derived materials. The approach produced the desired compounds quickly and with very few extra substances.
Russia began a wider rollout of the digital ruble on September 1, 2026. The service is voluntary for individuals, while major banks and qualifying large retailers must make digital-ruble payments possible.
Russia has allowed four major mobile operators to begin building 5G networks. The first networks are planned for large cities, but most users may not notice faster service immediately.
Two fishermen in Russia’s Kaliningrad Oblast were stranded after the current carried away their boat from Nasypnoy Island. A rescue team reached the island and brought both men safely ashore.
Rescuers in Oryol carefully removed a plastic kaleidoscope from a girl’s finger after her grandmother asked for help. The work took 15 minutes, and the girl was not injured.
A Russian drone strike on a warehouse in Myla, near Kyiv, caused a fire and major explosions. Ukrainian officials said that 38 people had been killed by August 30, while the UN monitored an inquiry into the attack and ammunition storage.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe proposed a possible three-way meeting of Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, and Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a visit to Moscow. The proposal has not been accepted and remains only an idea.
SKA Saint Petersburg beat Admiral Vladivostok 3–0 on August 28 at the Nikolai Puchkov preseason tournament. Zakhar Bardakov scored twice, while Artemiy Pleskov kept a clean sheet.
Four cyclists won individual gold medals on August 28 at the track-cycling competition of the Spartakiad in Omsk. Alina Lysenko and Nikita Kiriltsev won the sprint events, while Valeria Valgonen and Daniil Zarakovsky won the omniums.
A 16th-century Pskov icon has returned to the Pskov Museum after a restoration process lasting more than fifty years. Visitors can now see the work, including traces of damage from a 2010 fire that restorers deliberately preserved.
A free five-day festival on Moscow’s Manezhnaya Square introduced visitors to Emirati music, crafts, food, and traditions. A large dome showed 360-degree images of Abu Dhabi’s landmarks and natural landscapes.
ICC President Tomoko Akane has asked Japan to help protect the court from further U.S. pressure. She spoke after the Trump administration imposed sanctions on her and another court official.
Flash floods near the Nepal-Tibet border destroyed roads, bridges, and homes after an ice-and-rock collapse in the Himalayas. More than 270 people have died and over 1,300 are missing.
Researchers tested an FM radiosonde and a recoverable stratospheric platform in the Russian Arctic. The platform collected weather and environmental data before landing on Hooker Island.
A strong M6.9 solar flare on August 25 produced a cloud of solar plasma. Forecasters say an Earth-directed component may arrive on August 28 and could bring a moderate geomagnetic storm and auroras.
Kazakhstan’s pro-government Adilet Party won just over 71 percent of the preliminary vote in the August 23 parliamentary election. OSCE observers said political choice was limited and reported serious problems during the count.
Wind and high waves carried two fishermen far from shore on the Dundinskoye Reservoir in Stavropol Krai. Rescuers found them near the opposite shore and safely brought them back to land.
Rescuers in Krasnoyarsk Krai freed a frightened horse after steel wire became tangled around its neck. They waited for the animal to calm down before cutting the wire with a special tool.
Russian drones struck a shopping center in Kryvyi Rih on August 21, killing 16 people and injuring more than 130. Ukrainian authorities said the attack came in two waves as emergency services responded.
Fuel shortages and sales limits have returned in parts of Russia. Reuters reported long queues at petrol stations in Moscow, while the government has restricted fuel exports.
Mariia Fefelova and Artem Valov won the junior ice-dance event at the ISU Junior Grand Prix in Xi’an, China, on August 21. The pair competed as Individual Neutral Athletes and scored a personal best of 162.16 points.
Arseniy Dukhno, a gymnast from Russia competing as a neutral athlete, won silver in the floor exercise final at the European Championships in Zagreb. It was his second silver medal of the tournament.
Russian attacks on Ukrainian publishing warehouses and book markets destroyed around 10 million books in one month. Publishers now need support to restore supplies of books and school textbooks.
Specialists opened Dmitry Donskoy’s sarcophagus during restoration work at Moscow’s Archangel Cathedral. The Russian Orthodox Church said that the burial site, the remains, and historical information confirmed their identity.
A recent Associated Press report introduced readers to a jellyfish museum in Pompano Beach, Florida. The museum, believed to be the first of its kind in the United States, combines aquariums, guided tours and marine education.
Six further tremors were recorded around Granada overnight on August 19, following a magnitude 4.8 earthquake the day before. Authorities are inspecting damaged buildings, while the Alhambra has partly reopened.
The joint ESA-JAXA BepiColombo mission began its Mercury approach phase on August 18, 2026. The spacecraft is scheduled to begin entering orbit around Mercury on November 21.
Russia said its air defenses intercepted 791 Ukrainian drones overnight on August 18. AP reported that Russia 1 and Channel One did not mention the attack in their morning news broadcasts.
A court in Pskov sentenced Yabloko politician Lev Shlosberg to 11 years and one month in a penal colony. The charges concerned anti-war statements and a repost about Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine.
Three paddleboarders were carried toward the opposite shore of a reservoir near Astana by a strong wave. Rescuers reached them by boat and brought them safely to land.
Three climbers from Kazakhstan went missing after climbing Mount Kurumdy in Kyrgyzstan. Their relatives and volunteers are seeking help as difficult mountain weather slows the search.
Ukraine launched hundreds of drones across Russia on August 16, 2026. Russian regional authorities said at least six people were killed, while Russia also continued attacks on Ukrainian cities.
Following Ukraine’s August 12 strike on Novorossiysk, all three grain terminals at the Russian Black Sea port temporarily stopped work. Ukraine later proposed a halt to attacks on civilian targets in the Black Sea.
Ilya Borodin won the men’s 400-metre individual medley at the European Aquatics Championships in Saint-Denis with a championship-record time of 4:08.17. He competed under neutral status.
Angelina Melnikova won the senior women’s all-around title at the European Gymnastics Championships in Zagreb. Anna Kalmykova finished second, while Elena Colas of France took bronze.
Two solo exhibitions opened at Erarta Museum in St. Petersburg on August 14. One presents imaginative art dolls by Dima PZh, while the other shows Ilya Brezinski’s hyperrealist paintings.
The ninth Bouquet Kyiv Stage festival began in Kyiv on August 13, 2026. Its four-day programme includes more than 50 events in music, visual art, film, theatre and education.
The UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities began reviewing Qatar’s report on August 12, 2026. The experts will later issue findings and recommendations for the country.
Zambians voted on August 13 in a general election for president, Parliament and local councils. Food prices, unemployment and electricity shortages were important concerns for many voters.
Researchers at ITMO, Skoltech, and HSE have reported an electrically powered perovskite laser diode. The experimental device requires extreme cooling, but it may eventually be useful in optical chips and sensors.
A total solar eclipse will be visible over remote northern Russia late on August 12, 2026. The total phase will cross Taimyr, while other Russian regions will see a partial eclipse.
Russia’s Supreme Court annulled Yabloko’s registration for the September State Duma election. The anti-war party rejects the allegations against it and says it will appeal.
Authorities in Russia’s Tatarstan region said a drone attack on Nizhnekamsk killed 13 people and injured at least 75 on August 10. Ukraine said it had targeted the TANECO oil refinery, but key details could not be independently verified.
After a Russian attack on Odesa, a frightened cat that had run away from home was found in a neighbouring yard. Its reunion with its family offered a small moment of relief during a difficult day for residents.
Four paddleboarders, including a child, were unable to return to shore in Vladivostok after the wind became stronger. Rescuers brought them safely back by boat.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy made his first official visit to Serbia and met Aleksandar Vučić in Belgrade. The leaders discussed economic ties, humanitarian aid, reconstruction, and Serbia’s position on Russia-related sanctions.
Russian attacks in Kharkiv and Odesa, and Ukrainian drone attacks in Russia’s Belgorod region, killed seven people overnight. Local authorities also reported dozens of injuries and damage to homes.
The 125-year-old Summer Moscow Open reaches its final weekend in Moscow. Doubles titles are scheduled to be decided on August 8, followed by the singles finals on August 9.
Franco Vitali won the Phygital Dancing tournament at the Games of the Future in Astana on August 7. He beat Lina 2–1 in the final and received $20,000.
A Moscow exhibition brings more than 100 works from the Mikhailovskoye Pushkin Reserve to Arbat Street. It explores the landscapes and cultural setting of the place where Pushkin spent two years in exile.
The first live-action Smeshariki film opened in Russian cinemas on August 6, 2026. Krosh and Yozhik become two boys on a spaceship travelling to Mars.
UN experts are meeting in New York from August 5 to 7 to discuss geospatial information, common standards and data-sharing. The data can support city planning, public services, environmental protection and disaster preparation.
A used SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stage struck the Moon on August 5, 2026. South Korea’s Danuri probe photographed the impact site and showed a small new crater.
Applicants in Russia’s main university admissions competition must submit consent for state-funded places by noon Moscow time on August 5. Universities are due to issue their main admission orders on August 7.
More than 400 school students from over 100 countries are taking part in the International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence in Astana. The competition includes individual and team tasks in machine learning, data analysis, and programming.
Russia’s Investigative Committee says it has prepared a bill to treat the use of AI and other information technologies as an aggravating circumstance in some criminal cases. The proposal has not yet become law.
Russian opposition politician Boris Nadezhdin said he had left Russia and posted a video from Paris. His departure followed legal measures that prevented him from standing in Russia’s September parliamentary election.
A 79-year-old fisherman was found alive on Sakhalin after nine days lost in the forest. Two neighbours joined the search as volunteers and located him near the Pilevka River.
After her release in the August 2024 prisoner exchange, Russian artist Sasha Skochilenko reunited with her partner in Germany. She is enjoying ordinary freedoms and hopes to return to art and music.
Fuel shortages and sales limits have continued in parts of Russia, with Siberian regions facing particular difficulties. Lower refinery output after Ukrainian strikes has contributed to the problem, while Russia has extended an export ban and is considering supplies from Kazakhstan.
A Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv overnight on August 1 killed at least nine civilians and injured 33 others. Rescuers searched damaged residential areas as officials warned that the casualty figures could change.
Krasnoyarsk will host the second stage of the Russian Cross Triathlon Cup on August 2. The programme includes races for young athletes, adults, and amateurs in swimming, mountain biking, and off-road running.
Russian sabre fencer Pavel Graudyn won the men’s individual world title in Hong Kong on July 27. He beat South Korea’s Do Gyeongdong 15–7 in the final.
The Outline electronic music and arts festival was canceled in the Moscow region on its opening day. Organizers said local authorities had cited a drone threat, while the planned program included nine stages and international artists.
UNESCO has begun a project to protect the Odesa Archaeological Museum’s collection after its building was damaged by missile strikes. The work includes safer storage, inventories, photographs and training for museum staff and students.
UNAIDS says international funding for HIV programs fell by 18 percent in 2025, putting decades of progress at risk. The UN is calling for stable investment in prevention, testing and treatment.
UNESCO added the five Normandy D-Day landing beaches and Pointe du Hoc to its World Heritage List on July 26, 2026. The sites played a central role in the liberation of Western Europe during World War II.
Two Russian cosmonauts and a NASA astronaut landed safely in Kazakhstan after spending 241 days in space. Their mission included scientific research, technology testing and two spacewalks.
Russian researchers made a polymer model inspired by the intricate shell of a microscopic diatom. The enlarged structure concentrated terahertz waves and may inform the design of future optical components.
Vladimir Putin has raised the authorized size of Russia’s armed forces for the third time in 2026. The decree adds 25,000 military positions but does not announce mobilization.
Vladimir Putin signed a law creating rules and state-support categories for large AI models in Russia. The law also invokes undefined “traditional values” and introduces voluntary labeling of AI-generated material.
A charity in Russia’s Chelyabinsk region is training 25 women over 50 to offer free support to older residents. They will listen to their peers and help them find professional care when needed.
Residents near Smolensk donated 63,000 rubles and delivered food to a center treating more than 40 injured wild birds. The support paid some bills, but the center still needs help.
The Sheskharis oil terminal in Novorossiysk stopped loading tankers amid increased drone activity. Separate attacks at the nearby CPC terminal also reduced Kazakhstan’s oil production and disrupted regional exports.
Russia registered 1.5 trillion rubles in new government bonds as its wartime budget deficit continued to grow. Analysts expect major state-controlled banks to buy much of the new debt.
Kazakh swimmer Anatoliy Rudenko won the 50- and 100-meter breaststroke events at the Asian Age Group Championships in Bangkok. Kazakhstan finished the swimming program with 16 medals, including six golds.
CSKA Moscow recovered from a goal in the opening minute to defeat Baltika Kaliningrad 2–1 in the first match of the 2026–27 Russian Premier League season.
The international Taigastro festival begins on July 25 with more than 500 participating restaurants. Krasnoyarsk will host street food, music, exhibitions, films and performances connected with Siberian culture.
A new Amsterdam exhibition will present more than 70 works by Russian-speaking artists. It focuses on historical memory, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, repression and censorship.
About 20,000 residents and tourists were moved to safety as a wildfire approached communities near France’s Atlantic coast. Around 700 firefighters were deployed, and no injuries had been reported.
Four identical girls were born in Brisbane on July 14 after developing from one fertilized egg and sharing one placenta. The naturally conceived quadruplets are doing very well in neonatal care.
The 2026 Commonwealth Games open in Glasgow on July 23. About 3,000 athletes from 74 Commonwealth nations and territories will compete in ten sports through August 2.
An EU agency ended a €2 million grant to the Venice Biennale over the return of Russia’s official pavilion during the 2026 exhibition preview. Biennale organizers said the grant funded film projects and announced plans to appeal.
Russia’s women’s water polo team defeated the Netherlands 11–6 in Sydney on July 22. Russia advanced to a World Cup semifinal against Spain.
Around 700 athletes are expected at Russia’s national track-and-field championships in Yekaterinburg from July 23 to 26. Pole vaulter Polina Knoroz is among the leading competitors.
The third International St. Petersburg Jazz Festival is underway from July 20 to 26, with more than 170 concerts and over 600 musicians performing across the city.
A new study finds that exceptionally low Arctic winter sea-ice levels in 2025 and 2026 ended a temporary slowdown in the long-term decline. Climate models suggest that winter ice will probably remain at a low level in the coming years.
Two Russian cosmonauts and NASA astronaut Anil Menon arrived at the International Space Station on July 14. They have begun an approximately eight-month mission involving scientific research and technology tests.
Russia’s education watchdog said multiple students tried to use an AI application and tiny earpieces during the 2026 national school exam. Neural-network video analysis was also used to flag possible rule violations for human review.
The UN General Assembly adopted a progress declaration with 48 recommendations for safer roads. Member states reaffirmed the goal of halving road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030.
Ukrainian drones struck two Wildberries logistics centers in southern Russia, causing fires and injuring workers. Ukraine said the facilities supported military supplies, but that claim has not been independently verified.
Russia is redirecting fuel from Siberia and the Urals and increasing supplies from Belarus to keep Moscow supplied. Shortages, sales limits and rising prices continue in many other Russian regions.
Residents of Dubna are sharing childhood memories, photographs, letters and diary pages for a community archive. Organizers plan to turn the collected material into a book and an exhibition.
Russia’s State Duma passed legislation increasing from 22 to 45 the administrative offenses that may lead to a foreigner’s expulsion. A separate bill adds criminal-record documentation requirements for residence applications.
Russia’s State Duma was scheduled to consider legislation imposing restrictions on some people living abroad. The measures could block online banking, property transactions and access to consular services.
Nearly 2.94 million residents of Kyrgyzstan use a digital health profile through the Tunduk platform. The service offers online appointments and test results, while telemedicine helps children in remote districts reach specialists.
Moldova’s parliament approved a government led by investor Vasile Tofan. The cabinet plans to promote economic growth, improve public services and continue the country’s path toward European Union membership.
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