News about Russia: events, facts and developments on tafs uz.
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On October 21, talks between Vladimir Putin and US special envoy Steve Witkoff began in St. Petersburg. They are attended by presidential aide Yuri Ushakov and special representative Kirill Dmitriev, who met the American at Pulkovo Airport in the morning. The day before, Witkoff met with Zelensky, Støre and Stubb in Oslo.
Javlon TursunovRussian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, at a meeting with head of the State Council of the PRC Li Qiang on October 21, stated that the planned Power of Baikal pipeline could become one of the largest gas arteries of Eurasia. He also noted that Russia holds first place in the world in energy supplies to China.
Sevara AzamovaUS President's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in St. Petersburg on October 21 and held talks with Vladimir Putin on ending the war. At the start of the meeting, Putin announced the release of American Stephen Hubbard, who had served a sentence in Russia for fighting on the side of the Ukrainian armed forces. Witkoff in response called Putin a 'humanitarian,' which drew sharp criticism in Congress, including from Republicans. Trump and Vice President Vance defended Witkoff.
Sevara AzamovaRetired American teacher Stephen Hubbard, who spent four years in custody in Russia on charges of mercenarism on behalf of Ukraine, has returned to the United States. President Trump said no exchange was needed, but before the release the US eased some sanctions against Russia and agreed to purchase Russian diesel.
Javlon TursunovOn October 20, during a meeting with journalists, Donald Trump once again spoke about the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, blaming an unnamed Russian general for tanks getting stuck in the mud. A BBC fact-check established that the advance on Kyiv was led by Colonel General Alexander Chaiko, and the failure was linked to the actions of Ukrainian forces, not to the decision to leave the highway.
Sevara AzamovaThe Washington Post links recent White House moves — easing restrictions on transactions involving Russian diesel fuel, delaying sanctions, and criticism of Zelensky — to Trump's conviction of Russia's superiority. Experts offer different explanations: from the president's personal preferences to electoral motives and preparations for the G20 summit in Miami.
Sevara AzamovaOvernight into Thursday, Russia and Ukraine reported mutual strikes. According to Ukraine's State Emergency Service, Russian ballistic missiles hit six districts of Kyiv: one person was killed and 22 wounded, including four children. Moscow Mayor Sobyanin said 630 drones were flying toward the Moscow region, of which 163 were shot down on approach. Russia's Defense Ministry reported strikes on defense industry enterprises and on Ukraine's transport and port infrastructure.
Javlon TursunovMaria Zakharova, official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, stated that Moscow views the delivery of a batch of drones by Terra Drone Corporation to Ukraine as an openly hostile step and promised retaliatory measures. According to her, on October 14 the company published a press release about the drone deliveries and their use in combat conditions on the front line.
Sevara AzamovaOn the night of October 21–22, Russia launched a massive strike on Kyiv. According to the Ukrainian side, a ballistic Iskander missile with a K5 cluster warhead hit the historic center of the city. At least two people were killed and 34 wounded, including five children. The attack came hours after Steve Witkoff's meeting with Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg.
Javlon TursunovAccording to the Kremlin, Vladimir Putin, at a meeting with Steve Witkoff, agreed to resume trilateral talks between the US, Russia and Ukraine, which may take place in Abu Dhabi after November 10. Russia also released American Stephen Hubbard. At the same time, the US is partially evacuating diplomats from Saudi Arabia due to Houthi attacks.
Sevara AzamovaUS Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, at a meeting with Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg, handed over documents outlining approaches to a settlement and expressed hope for resuming trilateral Russia–US–Ukraine talks on technical issues. The day before, the US, Ukraine and European countries agreed on a unified position at talks in Oslo.
Javlon TursunovGermany's Federal Prosecutor's Office announced the arrest of a Ukrainian citizen known as Vadym Yu., suspected of passing data on the production of armored vehicles, ammunition and explosives, as well as on military facilities on NATO's eastern flank, to Russian intelligence. Chancellor Friedrich Merz said such cases will recur.
Sevara AzamovaMilitary columnist for Gazeta.Ru Mikhail Khodarenok said that amid US shuttle diplomacy Russia will intensify its offensive and strikes on Ukraine's defense facilities. On October 20, talks between Ukraine, the US and Europe took place in Oslo, and on October 21 Putin is receiving Steve Witkoff at the Konstantinovsky Palace.
Javlon TursunovAfter talks between US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg, Russia struck about a dozen Ukrainian regions, including Kyiv. Zelensky saw this as a sign of no change in Moscow's position. The Kremlin called the new ideas brought by Witkoff devoid of substance but expressed readiness for trilateral talks.
Javlon TursunovGerman Chancellor Friedrich Merz said his main concern is not the economy or China, but Russia's influence on society and the destabilization of European countries. The Bundeswehr raised its assessment of the sabotage threat to the second level, after a drone with explosives was found near Wunstorf airbase in September. Moscow denies involvement.
Javlon TursunovRussian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said that Russia is capable of fully restoring diesel fuel export volumes by the end of 2026 if it stays on schedule. Currently, exports are being restored within the capacity limits of refineries. On October 10, the government partially lifted the ban on diesel exports, allowing the supply of 500 thousand tonnes.
Sevara AzamovaRussian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has arrived in St. Petersburg, where on October 21 he will hold talks with Premier of the State Council of the PRC Li Qiang. The main topics are trade and economic cooperation, joint projects in energy, industry and agriculture, transport infrastructure, education and cultural and humanitarian ties.
Sevara AzamovaUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russia supports a trilateral meeting of delegations of Ukraine, Russia and the US, and the American side proposes holding it as soon as possible. In his view, the goal of the talks is preparation for a meeting of the presidents of the three countries. The timing differs: Zelensky speaks of early November, Putin's aide Yuri Ushakov — of around November 10.
Javlon Tursunov
