Inside Russia-Outside Russia is a news insight by the Federation of Russian Embassy in Bangladesh on 5.3.25
INSIDE RUSSIA
Russia, Myanmar sign agreements on diplomas, construction of small nuclear power plant
The documents include a memorandum on the basic principles of constructing a small-capacity nuclear power plant in Myanmar
MOSCOW, March 4. /TASS/. Representatives of Russia and Myanmar signed 10 documents as part of Myanmar Prime Minister Min Aung Hlaing’s official visit to Moscow, which included a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin.
The documents include an intergovernmental agreement on the recognition of diplomas and academic degrees, as well as a memorandum on the basic principles of constructing a small-capacity nuclear power plant in Myanmar. Also signed was a memorandum on cooperation in the field of nuclear and radiation safety.
Another memorandum was concluded between the Myanmar Natural Resources Ministry and a Russian fund called RK-Investments. It concerns resource extraction in Myanmar.
The two countries also concluded an agreement on cooperation in customs matters, memorandums of understanding between the ministries of health and the agencies in charge of sports and space. They adopted a statement about an agreement to protect and encourage investment.
Myanmar military to take part in Victory Parade in Moscow on May 9
A unit of the Myanmar armed forces will take parade on Red Square along with the Russian military
MOSCOW, March 4. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin said he has invited Myanmar’s Prime Minister Min Aung Hlaing to take part in VE-Day celebrations in Moscow on May 9.
“I invited Mr. Min Aung Hlaing to take part in the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the victory on the Great Patriotic War [of 1941-1945] (the Eastern Front during WWII where the former Soviet Union fought against Nazi Germany – TASS) on May 9,” he said after talks with the visiting Myanmar prime minister.
“According to our agreement, a unit of the Myanmar armed forces will take parade on Red Square along with the Russian military,” he added.
The Russian president has invited many world leaders to attend the VE-Day celebrations in Moscow. Several friendly countries, including Belarus and Mongolia, will send their military to take part in the military parade on Red Square.
Kremlin doesn’t confirm Putin will help mediate nuclear weapons talks between US, Iran
“No, I can’t confirm it,” Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said
MOSCOW, March 4. /TASS/. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov has not confirmed reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin accepted the proposal to help mediate nuclear weapons talks between the US and Iran.
“No, I can’t confirm it,” he told reporters in response to a question on the subject.
Bloomberg earlier reported, citing sources, that US President Donald Trump asked Russian President Vladimir Putin during their February phone call to mediate in talks with Iran over that country’s nuclear program, and the Russian side agreed.
Russia to launch Soyuz MS-27 manned spacecraft to orbital outpost on April 8 — Roscosmos
The basic crew of the 73rd long-term expedition includes Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Aleksey Zubritsky and NASA astronaut Jonathan Kim
MOSCOW, March 4. /TASS/. The launch of the Soyuz MS-27 manned spacecraft with the crew of the 73rd long-term space expedition to the International Space Station (ISS) is scheduled for April 8, Russia’s State Space Corporation Roscosmos announced on Tuesday.
Roscosmos Executive Director for Human Spaceflights Sergey Krikalyov told TASS in January that the launch of the Soyuz MS-27 crewed spacecraft to the orbital outpost was scheduled for April of this year.
“The launch of a Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket with the Soyuz MS-27 piloted spacecraft from the Baikonur cosmodrome is scheduled for April 8, 2025,” the Russian space agency said in a statement.
Russia’s Main Medical Commission announced at its meeting on Tuesday that the cosmonauts of the basic and backup crews of the 73rd long-term expedition to the International Space Station were fit for the spaceflight.
“The basic crew of the 73rd long-term expedition includes Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Aleksey Zubritsky and NASA astronaut Jonathan Kim and the backup crew consists of Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergey Mikayev and NASA astronaut Christopher Williams,” Roscosmos said.
Currently, Roscosmos cosmonauts Ivan Vagner (a TASS special reporter in orbit), Aleksey Ovchinin and Aleksandr Gorbunov, NASA astronauts Donald Pettit and Nick Hague and their teammates Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams who arrived at the ISS as part of the Boeing Starliner first crewed launch are working aboard the orbital outpost.
Moscow to host Open Dialogue on ‘The Future of the World’
The event aims to develop unified strategies for global economic growth
The National Centre RUSSIA is continuing its efforts to gather expert insights for a major international initiative focused on economic development. The Open Dialogue, titled “The Future of the World: New Platform for Global Growth,” will take place in Moscow from April 28 to 30, 2025.
The event will address pressing economic challenges and explore innovative solutions for long-term progress. Discussions will focus on four key pillars: investment in people, technology, environment, and communication. The goal is to identify the fundamental principles of a new platform for economic advancement.
As part of this initiative, the The National Centre RUSSIA invites experts from around the world to share their ideas on fostering sustainable growth. Interested participants are encouraged to submit essays on one of the four main topics by March 15, 2025. Submissions should be either a five-page essay or a 10-minute presentation in the author’s native language and can be sent to dialog@russia.ru.
“Based on the results of this large-scale project, we will prepare an Open Report, which will serve as a key tool for further analysis and discussion of the proposed solutions,” said Natalia Virtuozova, Director General of the The National Centre RUSSIA.
The Open Report will be presented at major economic forums and shared with the expert community to encourage broader engagement and highlight the most promising initiatives, she added.
Authors of the best essays will be shortlisted and invited to participate in the Open Dialogue in Moscow. According to event organizers, this approach aims to expand the discussion and attract a diverse international audience.
The project aspires to develop a set of initiatives and recommendations to drive stable economic growth amid current challenges and transformations. Expert insights from the event could serve as a foundation for future discussions and strategies shaping the economy.
For more information on participation and submission guidelines, visit the official website at https://en.russia.ru/dialog.
OUTSIDE RUSSIA
US and Russia made deal on Iran talks
Washington and Moscow agreed to talks on Iran, during last month’s bilateral in Riyadh, presidential aide Yury Ushakov has said
Washington and Moscow decided to hold separate talks centered on Iran during last month’s high-level negotiations in Riyadh, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s foreign policy aide Yury Ushakov has said.
Senior US and Russian officials met in Saudi Arabia in February, in the first major talks between the two superpowers since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022.
”We discussed the situation around Iran, yes. And we agreed to hold separate talks on this matter,” Ushakov told the press on Tuesday when asked about Western media reports to that effect.
No set date for the talks has been agreed as of yet, he added.
US President Donald Trump has imposed heavier sanctions on Iran, touting a return to his campaign of “maximum pressure” on Iran in an effort to disrupt its nuclear program, network of regional proxies and conventional weapons capability. At the same time, he has shown interest in revisiting a nuclear deal with Tehran.
In 2015, Iran signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with world powers, agreeing to curb its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief, but Trump unilaterally withdrew the US from the deal during his first presidency. In response, Tehran took steps back from the nuclear deal.
Germany, France and the UK have demanded that Iran give up its nuclear program in a revisited deal in the coming months, under the threat of further sanctions, UK Ambassador to Israel Simon Walters said last week.
Over the past few years, Iran has been accused of ramping up production of pre-weapons-grade uranium, which Tehran has denied.
”Iran’s nuclear program is within international frameworks,” agreements and the treaty on non-proliferation, and the International Atomic Energy Agency has all the “necessary facilities” for monitoring it, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esma’eel Baqayi stressed in a press conference on Monday.
SPECIAL MILITARY OPERATION IN UKRAINE
Russian forces strike Ukrainian military airfields, ammo depots in past day
The Ukrainian army’s losses in that frontline area over the past 24 hours amounted to 595 personnel, two armored combat vehicles and five pickup trucks, it specified
MOSCOW, March 4. /TASS/. Russian forces struck Ukrainian military airfields and ammunition depots over the past day in the special military operation in Ukraine, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported on Tuesday.
“Operational/tactical aircraft, attack unmanned aerial vehicles, missile troops and artillery of the Russian groups of forces struck the infrastructure of military airfields, ammunition depots and massed manpower and equipment of Ukrainian armed formations in 142 areas,” the ministry said in a statement.
Russia’s Battlegroup North inflicted roughly 45 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed two enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility in the Kharkov Region over the past day, the ministry reported.
“Battlegroup North units operating in the Kharkov direction inflicted losses on formations of a motorized infantry brigade of the Ukrainian army and a territorial defense brigade in areas near the settlements of Volchansk and Liptsy in the Kharkov Region,” the ministry said.
The Ukrainian army lost an estimated 45 personnel, two armored combat vehicles and two motor vehicles in that frontline area over the past 24 hours, it specified.
Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted roughly 255 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed a Western-made artillery gun in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported.
“Battlegroup West units improved their tactical position and inflicted losses on manpower and equipment of three mechanized brigades of the Ukrainian army and two territorial defense brigades in areas near the settlements of Karpovka, Katerinovka and Kirovsk in the Donetsk People’s Republic, Shiykovka and Kamenka in the Kharkov Region,” the ministry said.
The Ukrainian army lost an estimated 255 personnel, four motor vehicles and a Western-made field artillery gun in that frontline area over the past 24 hours, it specified.
In addition, Russian forces destroyed three electronic warfare stations of the Ukrainian army, it said.
Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted roughly 265 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed four enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported.
“Battlegroup South units gained better lines and positions and inflicted casualties on formations of four mechanized brigades, an airmobile brigade and a motorized infantry brigade of the Ukrainian army in areas near the settlements of Shevchenko, Verkhnekamenskoye, Pleshcheyevka, Seversk, Konstantinovka, Serebryanka and Kramatorsk in the Donetsk People’s Republic,” the ministry said.
The Ukrainian army lost an estimated 265 personnel, four armored combat vehicles, four motor vehicles and three field artillery guns in that frontline area over the past 24 hours, it specified.
Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicted roughly 595 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed two enemy artillery guns in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported.
“Battlegroup Center units improved their frontline positions and inflicted losses on formations of four mechanized brigades, a jaeger brigade, an assault brigade and an airborne brigade of the Ukrainian army, a marine infantry brigade and two National Guard brigades in areas near the settlements of Dimitrov, Novopavlovka, Andreyevka, Udachnoye, Yelizavetovka, Krasnoarmeisk and Uspenovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic,” the ministry said.
The Ukrainian army’s losses in that frontline area over the past 24 hours amounted to 595 personnel, two armored combat vehicles and five pickup trucks, it specified.
In addition, Russian forces destroyed two artillery guns of the Ukrainian army, it said.
Russia’s Battlegroup East inflicted roughly 185 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed an enemy tank and two armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported.
“Battlegroup East units kept advancing deep into the enemy’s defenses and inflicted casualties on formations of two mechanized brigades of the Ukrainian army and two territorial defense brigades in areas near the settlements of Otradnoye, Komar and Privolnoye in the Donetsk People’s Republic and Gulyaipole in the Zaporozhye Region,” the ministry said.
The Ukrainian army lost an estimated 185 personnel, a tank, two armored combat vehicles, ten motor vehicles and three field artillery guns in that frontline area over the past 24 hours, it specified.
Russia’s Battlegroup Dnepr inflicted roughly 60 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed an enemy electronic warfare station in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported.
“Battlegroup Dnepr units inflicted losses among manpower and equipment of a mechanized brigade and a mountain assault brigade of the Ukrainian army and two territorial defense brigades in areas near the settlements of Sadovoye and Mikhailovka in the Kherson Region and Maliye Shcherbaki in the Zaporozhye Region,” the ministry said.
The Ukrainian army lost an estimated 60 personnel, two motor vehicles and an electronic warfare station in that frontline area over the past 24 hours, it specified.
Russian air defense forces shot down 93 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and a JDAM smart bomb over the past day, the ministry reported.
“Air defense capabilities shot down a US-made JDAM guided aerial bomb and 93 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles,” the ministry said.
Overall, the Russian Armed Forces have destroyed 656 Ukrainian warplanes, 283 helicopters, 45,267 unmanned aerial vehicles, 600 surface-to-air missile systems, 21,977 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 1,523 multiple rocket launchers, 22,224 field artillery guns and mortars and 32,432 special military motor vehicles since the start of the special military operation, the ministry reported.
New evidence of Ukrainian war crimes emerges
More civilian bodies have reportedly been discovered in a liberated village in Russia’s Kursk Region, pointing to foul play
Several more bodies of civilians have been discovered in Russkoye Porechnoye, a village in Kursk Region, a Telegram channel affiliated with the Russian military has reported.
Russia’s Investigative Committee previously opened a case into the deaths of dozens of locals at the hands of Kiev’s troops that had been occupying the village before its liberation in January.
The bodies were found on the outskirts of the village, the ‘Severny Veter’ (‘Northern Wind’) Telegram channel reported on Monday. Russian troops were only able to scout the area after neutralizing Ukrainian firing positions in the neighboring village of Cherkasskoye Porechnoye, the channel said.
“We are deeply sorry [to say] that bodies of locals that were brutally murdered by Ukrainian Nazis were discovered in the area,” said the channel. It did not specify the exact number of bodies found, but said that the information has already been handed over to Russia’s investigative authorities.
‘Severny Veter’ also published a video from the scene showing at least two bodies, with one lying in the yard of a private house and another discovered in what appears to be a cellar or a room of a building filled with debris and rubble. The Russian Investigative Committee has not commented on these developments so far.
Russkoye Porechnoye was liberated in early January following months of occupation. Ukrainian troops launched a major cross-border incursion into Kursk Region last August, marking the largest attack on internationally recognized Russian territory since the escalation of hostilities between Moscow and Kiev in February 2022.
The area under Ukrainian control has been steadily shrinking, with the Russian military retaking the occupied territories. Last month, the Russian General Staff reported that around two thirds of the territory that had initially been captured by the Ukrainian military during the incursion has been liberated.
Following the liberation of Russkoye Porechnoye, Russian investigators alleged that Kiev’s troops had raped, tortured, and murdered the local inhabitants. They published gruesome videos of bodies piled in cellars in some of the homes inside the community. Several captured Ukrainian servicemen acknowledged committing the crimes while being interrogated, saying they had been acting on the orders of their commanders.
A total of 22 civilians were killed in the village, the Investigative Committee said in January, adding that the Ukrainian soldiers had also raped at least eight local women before killing them. According to Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Kiev’s troops had turned the cellars of the local homes into “torture chambers.”
INSIGHTS
The three conditions for Zelensky’s departure – and why none are in place yet
Here’s why Russia and the US can’t force the Ukrainian leader to resign – at least for now
For a long time, discussions about elections in Ukraine were hypothetical, a distant prospect. But recent developments – including Russian-American negotiations and the growing friction between Washington and Kiev – have thrown the question of Vladimir Zelensky’s future into sharp focus.
The emerging détente between Russia and the US has activated what one might call a “Chekhov’s gun” scenario – an inevitability set in motion long ago. Both Moscow and Washington now seem to agree that Zelensky, whose legitimacy is increasingly in question, must face elections before making any binding agreements. Public statements from Russian and American officials indicate that if Zelensky were to exit following an election, both parties would welcome the outcome.
However, Zelensky’s departure is far from certain. For him to resign, at least two of three critical conditions must be met:
The key players in the Ukraine conflict – Russia, the US, and the European Union – must want him to go.
The Ukrainian political elite must push for his resignation.
Zelensky himself must see a reason to step down.
At present, none of these conditions are fully in place.
Where Russia, the US, and the EU stand
The US and Russia have seemingly converged on a three-stage process: ceasefire, elections, peace talks. Reports indicate that an informal consensus is emerging in both capitals. However, neither side has explicitly acknowledged a unified stance, likely because the negotiations are still in their early stages and have yet to formally address Ukraine.
The European Union remains the wildcard. Brussels is adamant that Ukraine must be supported, regardless of Washington’s position. This provides Zelensky with an alternative power base, meaning that even if Russia and the US agree on his departure, he could still count on support from Europe to justify staying in power.
Does Ukraine want Zelensky to stay?
Public sentiment within Ukraine is difficult to gauge accurately. While polls indicate that Zelensky’s approval ratings have been steadily declining since 2023, recent attacks from US President Donald Trump and other Western critics have paradoxically caused his numbers to rebound. Whether this surge in support is genuine or a manufactured crisis response from his administration remains unclear. Polling during wartime is notoriously unreliable, making it difficult to assess whether the Ukrainian people truly want Zelensky to step down.
Ukrainian political opposition also remains fragmented. Many figures within the ruling elite bear grudges against Zelensky, but their ability to effectively challenge his authority is questionable. The Ukrainian parliament recently embarrassed Zelensky by failing to pass a resolution reaffirming his legitimacy at the first attempt – an incident that took place in front of EU representatives. But this is hardly a coordinated coup attempt; rather, it underscores the lack of unity among his detractors.
A unifying figure for the opposition remains elusive. Former Commander-in-Chief Valery Zaluzhny, once seen as a potential rival, has so far refrained from making any overt political moves. Without him, Zelensky’s adversaries appear more interested in minor disruptions than in mounting a serious challenge.
The power behind Zelensky’s throne
Despite his declining popularity, Zelensky is not without influential allies. His inner circle, particularly Andrey Yermak, head of the Ukrainian Presidential Administration, has a vested interest in maintaining the status quo. Yermak, often seen as the power behind the throne, has built his career on his proximity to Zelensky. Any shift in leadership could threaten his influence and that of his associates, making it likely that they will fight to keep Zelensky in office.
Will Zelensky leave willingly?
The simplest answer is no. Zelensky appears convinced that his leadership is indispensable to Ukraine’s survival. He has consistently rejected any suggestion of early elections or stepping down voluntarily. His statements on the matter are often deflective, saying he would consider resignation only if Ukraine was admitted to NATO – an impossible condition. This suggests he will cling to power for as long as possible.
The coming crisis: What could change?
While Zelensky currently holds his ground, shifting battlefield dynamics could force his hand. Ukraine’s military situation continues to deteriorate, its resources are stretched thin, and Western support is no longer guaranteed. The new US administration is unlikely to display the same patience as the Biden White House. If Ukraine fails to turn the tide, Zelensky may face a stark choice: hold elections before the situation becomes catastrophic or risk being overthrown in a palace coup orchestrated by Ukrainian elites desperate to preserve their own futures.
The latter scenario would not be unusual in history. Leaders who refuse to acknowledge military defeat often find themselves ousted by their own ranks. If Zelensky continues to insist on leading Ukraine down an unwinnable path, he may well meet the same fate.
