
Ukraine claims it received bodies of more than 1,200 soldiers
Ukraine has received from Russia the remains of 1,212 soldiers killed in combat, officials in Kiev have claimed. Moscow earlier agreed to return the remains of over 6,000 Ukrainian soldiers to Ukraine in a unilateral humanitarian gesture, but accused the country of failing to accept them. Russia is yet to comment on the matter.
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Russia Today
an hour ago
- Russia Today
Russia and Republika Srpska sign education partnership deal
Russia and Republika Srpska, an autonomous region within Bosnia and Herzegovina, have signed a memorandum to expand cooperation in education. The ceremony took place on the sidelines of the Third International Forum of Ministers of Education, 'Shaping the Future', in the Russian city of Kazan. The deal was signed by Russian Education Minister Sergey Kravtsov and Republika Srpska's minister of education and culture, Zeljka Stojicic, on Wednesday. Under the agreement, both parties committed to closer cooperation in general education, vocational training, and further vocational education. They will also exchange information on international conferences, seminars, and education-related events hosted in Russia and Republika Srpska. The sides also discussed deepening bilateral ties at the forum. 'I would like to express my gratitude to the Srpska side for their active cooperation. We have already opened five Russian language open education centers in Republika Srpska. Around 500 citizens have studied in them over two years,' Kravtsov said. Stojicic noted that the two sides have made notable progress in expanding Russian language instruction in Republika Srpska. 'We have made great progress in Russian language studies. The number of schools where the Russian language is studied has increased,' she stated, noting that Russia's Tula University was helpful with this endeavor. According to Kravtsov, the university has been working with Republika Srpska's education sector, and signed agreements with the region's specialized ministries in 2023. A key part of the agreement signed by the parties includes promoting Russian language studies in Republika Srpska through competitions, Olympiads, and cultural events, as well as encouraging the use of electronic education resources. The two also pledged to support student talent development, organize children's recreation programs, and hold reciprocal fairs, seminars, and exhibitions. This year's 'Shaping the Future' forum – held June 11 to 12 – brought together delegations from 50 states, including education ministers and officials from the UAE, Belarus, Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Myanmar, Laos, the Central African Republic, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, and Zimbabwe. The agenda focused on global challenges in education, including digital transformation, AI, online learning, inclusion, and the evolving role of teachers.


Russia Today
3 hours ago
- Russia Today
Ukraine didn't exist in 12th century, Russia's Medinsky tells NATO boss
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte should have paid closer attention in history class, because he apparently does not know that Ukraine did not exist in the 12th century, Vladimir Medinsky, Russian presidential aide and Moscow's top negotiator at the talks with Kiev, has said. Rutte on Monday accused Moscow of stalling peace talks with Kiev while insisting that Russia should drastically revamp the line-up of its delegation that has held two rounds of talks with Ukraine in Istanbul. 'To end this war, we need [Russian President Vladimir] Putin to come to the negotiating table, and not with this historian.., telling us about the history of Russia and Ukraine from whatever the 12th century,' he said at the time, referring to Medinsky. Speaking at the International Forum of Ministers of Education in Kazan on Monday, Medinsky fired back at Rutte. 'I know that Mr. Rutte studied history at university, but I would definitely send him a previous school history textbook on the Middle Ages, because from it he would surely learn that Ukraine did not exist in the 12th century,' Medinsky noted. He added, 'If Vladimir II Monomakh, the Grand Prince of Rostov, Smolensk, and Kiev, were told that he lived in Ukraine, he would probably be surprised and might even be offended,' he quipped. Medinsky, who used to hold the post of Culture Minister, is also known for co-authoring a new series of history textbooks introduced in Russian schools. He is also personally leading an extensive online course on Russian history. Back in the 12th century, the territory of modern Ukraine was part of Kievan Rus', a loose feudal entity combining several East Slavic principalities and ruled by the Rurikid dynasty. The term 'Ukraine' did originate in the late 12th century, but it did not refer to a sovereign state or principality. Instead, it was used as a geographic descriptor, meaning 'borderland.' The notion of Ukraine as a distinct political and cultural entity started to emerge only in the 17th century.


Russia Today
3 hours ago
- Russia Today
Russian envoy reveals details of Trump meeting
Russia's new ambassador to the US, Aleksandr Darchiev, said he held a brief but 'very constructive' meeting with President Donald Trump on Wednesday, after formally presenting his credentials at the White House. Trump held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on June 4 – their fourth conversation since Trump returned to the White House. 'We agreed on the need to restore ties in accordance with the instructions issued by Presidents Putin and Trump during their phone conversation,' Darchiev told RIA Novosti at the Russian Embassy following the meeting. 'I assured the president that, in line with the directives I received, I will do everything possible to help restore Russian-US relations and return them to a state of normalcy and common sense,' he added. 'A window of opportunity has opened to rebuild relations on the basis of mutual trust and equality,' the envoy said. 'Russia and the United States are destined, as great powers, to have a non-confrontational and peaceful coexistence.' Darchiev noted that the two sides are discussing business initiatives and the resumption of direct flights. He told TASS earlier that the embassy would work toward lifting what he called 'absurd' restrictions on Russian diplomatic activity in the US, as well as simplifying visa procedures. Under former President Joe Biden, the US severed nearly all direct contact with Russia in 2022 over the Ukraine conflict and imposed sweeping sanctions on Russian officials and businesses. Trump has criticized his predecessor for sidelining diplomacy and pledged to broker a peace deal between Moscow and Kiev. While Moscow has praised Trump and his team for their shift in rhetoric and willingness to engage, no breakthrough has been achieved. Trump has threatened to impose additional measures on Russia if a ceasefire is not reached, but he has not endorsed the sanctions bill currently under consideration in the Senate.