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Ben Tavener @bbcbentavener.bsky.social · 9d

BREAKING: Kremlin issues warning that if US supplies Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles, this will signal a “serious new spiral of tension that would demand an adequate response from Russia”, but adds no “single magic weapon” can change the situation on the front line for Kyiv.

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Ben Tavener @bbcbentavener.bsky.social · 9d

Russia and Ukraine have exchanged 185 prisoners of war from each side, the Russian defence ministry says, adding this was in line with agreements the sides reached during direct peace talks in Istanbul on 23 July.

It also says Ukraine returned 20 civilians to Russia.

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Ben Tavener @bbcbentavener.bsky.social · 19d

Multiple reports of air defences engaging drones in Moscow and Moscow region. Officials say at least 9 intercepted (they only report successful downings). Blasts heard even in central districts of Russian capital. No reports atow of major damage or casualties.

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Ben Tavener @bbcbentavener.bsky.social · 21d

In more bizarre #Intervision developments, Russia’s entry Shaman addresses the audience after his act and says he asks the jury to disregard his performance and not assign him a score - the “rules of hospitality” dictate “I have no right to lay claim to victory”, he says.

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Ben Tavener @bbcbentavener.bsky.social · 21d

No politics in #Intervision! First a lengthy video message from President Vladimir Putin and then an interview with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov after the *first* act!

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Ben Tavener @bbcbentavener.bsky.social · 21d

The statement continues: “The United States remains a full-fledged participant of Intervision and will be represented in the international jury”.

Vassy told the BBC her withdrawal was due to an “unforeseen emergency”.

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Ben Tavener @bbcbentavener.bsky.social · 21d

#Intervision says the US entry, Australian-Greek singer Vassy, withdrew “for reasons beyond the control of the organizers and the US delegation, caused by unprecedented political pressure from the Government of Australia”.

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Reposted by Ben Tavener

Steve Rosenberg @bbcstever.bsky.social · 21d

Born behind the Iron Curtain, it's back. The Intervision Song Contest has been brought back to life by the Kremlin. My piece for BBC News about politics and pop. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Intervision 2025 - Russia hosts Putin's answer to Eurovision

Putin resurrects a Soviet-era global song contest, to distract from Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Ben Tavener @bbcbentavener.bsky.social · 21d

The original US entry, B.Howard, pulled out earlier this week - he told the BBC he withdrew due to “family issues”. The original US jury member also pulled out of Intervision.

Ben Tavener @bbcbentavener.bsky.social · 21d

BREAKING: The replacement US entry for #Intervision, Australian-Greek singer Vassy, tells the BBC she has also withdrawn from the revived Soviet-era song contest last minute “due to an unforeseen emergency” and won’t be performing.

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Ben Tavener @bbcbentavener.bsky.social · Sep 10

“Here we go” with what exactly? Phase 2 (1?) of sanctions against Russia? Another deadline? Another taco?

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Ben Tavener @bbcbentavener.bsky.social · Sep 10

BREAKING: Russian defence ministry says “no targets on Polish territory were planned”, that drones used only have max range of 700km and that it’s “prepared to discuss topic with Polish defence ministry”. Not exactly a full-throated denial.

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Ben Tavener @bbcbentavener.bsky.social · Sep 10

Our recent BBC News piece from Vladivostok on how Russia’s war on Ukraine affects people across the country, even here – 7,000km from the front line.

youtu.be/48ai8F70R94

Russia: the mood 4,000 miles from Moscow

YouTube video by Steve Rosenberg

youtu.be

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Ben Tavener @bbcbentavener.bsky.social · Sep 10

BREAKING: Kremlin refuses to be drawn on situation with drones in Poland - which Ukraine/EU/Nato say were Russian - saying it’s up to Russian Defence Ministry to comment. But adds that “the EU/Nato leaderships accuse Russia of provocations every day, usually without any argument”.

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Ben Tavener @bbcbentavener.bsky.social · Aug 28

www.bbc.com/news/article...

Xi shows Trump who holds the cards as he sets up meeting with Kim and Putin

The leaders of North Korea and Russia will attend China's military parade next week - a win for Xi.

www.bbc.com

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Ben Tavener @bbcbentavener.bsky.social · Aug 28

Russia’s ambassador to the UK, Andrei Kelin, is to be summoned by the Foreign Office after major strikes on Kyiv overnight which killed at least 15 people. Meanwhile, the Kremlin says it only strikes military and military-related targets and is still interested in peace talks...

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Ben Tavener @bbcbentavener.bsky.social · Aug 27

Russia’s economy expected to grow by at least 1.5% this year, according to Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov.

Ben Tavener @bbcbentavener.bsky.social · Aug 22

WOAH. Sergei Markov – a high-profile pro-Kremlin political commentator, former advisor to and vocal supporter of President Putin and his “special military operation” in Ukraine – has been designated a “foreign agent”. Markov says he thinks it’s a mistake...

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Ben Tavener @bbcbentavener.bsky.social · Aug 22

Russia says its online public services platform #Gosuslugi has been coming under DDoS attack from abroad for the last few hours. Officially “all attacks are being successfully repelled” but Downdetector reporting a lot of complaints from people who can’t access the service.

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Ben Tavener @bbcbentavener.bsky.social · Aug 22

This appears to contradict what the White House previously said on the matter - that plans were underway. Lavrov also told NBC that President Zelensky had said “no to everything” when presented with a number of principles necessary for progress on the peace deal.

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Ben Tavener @bbcbentavener.bsky.social · Aug 22

“Putin is ready to meet Zelensky when the agenda [is] ready for a summit. And this agenda is not ready at all,” says Russian FM Sergei Lavrov. “President Trump suggested, after Anchorage, several points which we share and on some of them, we agreed... to show some flexibility.”

Russian FM Lavrov says no Putin-Zelenskyy meeting is planned, despite WH claims

In an exclusive interview with Meet the Press, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says, “Putin is ready to meet with Zelenskyy when the agenda would be ready for a summit,” but adds that Moscow do...

www.nbcnews.com

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Ben Tavener @bbcbentavener.bsky.social · Aug 22

Russia is reviving a Soviet-era Eastern Bloc answer to #Eurovision. In September, entries from some 20 countries - from China to Colombia - will take part in #Intervision (Интервидение). Earlier this year the US said it’d join in, as Trump wooed Putin (& vice versa), and now we know who…

Ben Tavener @bbcbentavener.bsky.social · Aug 7

No comment from the Kremlin, however, on possible trilateral Trump-Putin-Zelensky talks.

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Ben Tavener @bbcbentavener.bsky.social · Aug 7

BREAKING: Trump-Putin meeting agreed to take place “in the next few days”, working timeframe next week, preparations begin, location to be announced “a little later” – Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov quoted by Russian state media

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Ben Tavener @bbcbentavener.bsky.social · Aug 6

BREAKING: Putin-Witkoff talks conclude after approx 3 hours – Russian media citing Kremlin

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