Key statements from Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov:

▪️To talk about the "illegitimacy" of elections in Russia means to call over 87% of Russians' votes "illegitimate", this is absurd;

▪️ Moscow categorically disagrees with the assessment of the Russian elections coming from the United States and is not ready to listen to Washington's opinion;

▪️Speaking about the creation of a sanitary zone on the border with Ukraine, Putin meant taking measures to ensure the security of the territory of Russia, which is under attack;

▪️ The United States is de facto deeply involved in the conflict in Ukraine and is essentially at war with Russia.

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🗳🇷🇺 Latest results of the vote count.

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❗️Putin secures 87.3% of votes in the Russian presidential election after 99.94% of ballots are processed - Central Election Commission.

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The people of Russia rallied around the figure of Vladimir Putin and demonstrated patriotism and a will to create a powerful country, says North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

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The German government is ready to communicate with Vladimir Putin, but Berlin will not congratulate him on his victory in the presidential election, government first deputy spokeswoman Christiane Hoffmann says.

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❗️In the Avdeyevka area, Ukrainian losses amounted to 295 soldiers, two armored vehicles, and a British FH-70 howitzer.

🇷🇺🪖 Other statements from the Russian Defense Ministry briefing on the progress of the special military operation in Ukraine:

▪️Russian troops have improved their situation at the front line of the Avdeyevka area. The Russian Army repelled seven counterattacks by Ukrainian troops;

▪️In the South Donetsk area, Ukrainian losses amounted to 130 soldiers;

▪️In the Donetsk area, Ukrainian losses amounted to 380 soldiers and two armored vehicles;

▪️Russian air defense systems destroyed a Ukrainian Mi-8 helicopter and shot down 143 drones and 22 MLRS missiles.

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🇮🇳 Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Vladimir Putin on his re-election and said that he hopes to work together to strengthen the partnership between the two countries.

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⚡️Vladimir Putin wins the Russian presidential election with 87,28% of the vote after 100% of the ballots counted

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The results of the presidential elections after 100% of the ballots have been counted

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Biden clutching at straws as popularity reaches new low

'Angry and anxious' Joe Biden is 'seething' in his effort to win reelection, Newsweek reports, citing insiders.

After his State of the Union address, Biden expected to see an improvement in his polling numbers, however, none was registered - his approval now sits at a new low of 37.4 percent.

"He began to shout and swear," NBC reports, citing interviewed lawmakers, administration officials and Biden allies.

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Russians believe Putin is doing everything to develop the country and improve the lives of citizens, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said about the election result.

Putin's victory is not a reason to slow down the pace of work, it is necessary to fulfill the tasks set by him, the prime minister stressed.

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🇸🇾 Syrian President Bashar Assad congratulated Vladimir Putin on his re-election as president of the Russian Federation and wished him success in fulfilling his duties and tasks.

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📹💥Russian paratroopers stormed a Ukrainian stronghold northwest of Artemovsk (Bakhmut)

During aerial reconnaissance of Ukrainian positions, the paratroopers uncovered the main firing points and enemy shelters.

Artillery inflicted fire damage and suppressed the main firepower of Ukrainian troops. After that, BMD-2 combat vehicles approached the enemy positions from several directions and landed assault groups, which rapidly seized the positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, destroyed the enemy with fire from all types of small arms and grenade launchers.

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Russia insists that Germany officially recognizes the Third Reich's atrocities as being an act of genocide.

The document was submitted to the German Foreign Ministry on February 28.

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Why is the US military building a ‘civilian’ port near Taiwan?

The US military will help fund the construction of a supposedly 'civilian' port on the Philippine Island of Batanes.

Batanes sits strategically near the Bashi Channel, a crucial choke point between the western Pacific and the disputed South China Sea. Batanes is also significant, thanks to its proximity of 200 km from Taiwan, and its ability to facilitate rapid US troop deployment to islands facing Taiwan. Under the 2014 Enhanced Operation Defence Agreement, the Philippines granted the US permission to deploy its military equipment on the island.

Formally, local authorities claim that the new port will be used for civilian purposes, such as facilitating emergency responses and humanitarian aid. However, Batanes already serves as a training site for annual joint military drills between the Philippines and the US. Last year’s drill was the largest yet, with 17,000 American and Filipino troops.

The US and the Philippines are scheduled to meet and discuss the facility next month. The planned development of the port is arriving at a time when tensions are already riding high between the Philippines and China due to ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

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