Russian Embassy to the UK

⚡️ Russia's High Commissioner for Human Rights Yana Lantratova: ❗️ Our humanitarian mission in #Alyoshki has concluded. The convoys are now heading to their respective destinations. Those who decided to leave for Ukraine have been given the opportunity to do so. We will provide accommodation and the necessary support to residents staying in Russia. We delivered all the essential supplies and arranged safe passage out of the city. However, people still have much to resolve – medical treatment, housing, documents and reunification with their loved ones. We will help them. We also remain in contact with those who stayed in Alyoshki to keep track of their further needs. *** ❗️ I propose making humanitarian missions coordinated by US First Lady Melania Trump a regular practice. Our experience in Alyoshki and our joint work with my counterpart Dmitry Lubinets have shown that such agreements make it possible to help people even in the most difficult conditions. It is important to continue this work wherever civilians are waiting for support. I thank President of Russia Vladimir Putin, our Defence Ministry, the relevant services and our military personnel for helping carry out the mission and ensuring people’s safety. 🙏 Special thanks go to Melania Trump for her assistance and coordination.

🎙 Highlights from the press conference by President Vladimir Putin and Chairperson of the African Union, President of Burundi Evariste Ndayishimiye following the Third Russia–Africa Summit (Moscow, 29 October 2026) • Russia and Africa are natural partners in the efforts to create a new, fairer and multipolar world. We maintain close foreign policy coordination and engage actively through bilateral and multilateral channels. • Russia is sincerely committed to building a truly strategic and multifaceted partnership with Africa. We are encouraged to see that our African friends are equally committed to working together, hand in hand. • Russia has never considered African nations as territories to be competed over. Throughout history, African countries have been friends of our country. We have not pursued any colonial policies. It is the opposite: we helped them to liberate themselves from the colonial yoke. • There are people in Europe who do not want to inflict a "strategic defeat" on Russia, as some do, but want to establish some kind of constructive dialogue. And we support any steps aimed at restoring full-fledged relations with European countries. • We do not want any war with Europe. And if someone wants one, let them prepare. But they have not achieved their goal of inflicting a "strategic defeat" on Russia now, and it is unlikely to be possible by 2030. And if it goes too far, there will be no winners at all. Read in full

🎙 Excerpt from Russian MFA Spox Maria Zakharova's weekly briefing (Moscow, 28 October 2026) ❓ Question: The UK Defence Secretary, Wes Streeting, has urged the British public to prepare for war within 1,000 days. Although he did not explicitly name Russia as an adversary, he did mention it as a potential opponent. Should this statement be interpreted as an explicit declaration by London of its intention to go to war with Russia within that timeframe? 💬 Maria Zakharova: This is yet another attempt to whip up hysteria in British society, including through the Russophobic myth of a supposed "Russian threat". To a large extent, this is probably being done to make it easier to demand certain things of the British public and justify certain policies to them. For instance, why there is insufficient funding to improve the socio-economic situation and healthcare or why the country's space programmes are failing to develop. Returning to the statement in question, it is clear that all these manipulations serve the specific interests of certain groups in the UK and across Europe. These are, broadly speaking, the people running the military-industrial companies. Their appetites have grown considerably. They have simply caught the scent of enormous sums of money once again.

⚡️ Russia's High Commissioner for Human Rights Yana Lantratova: The ceasefire in the humanitarian mission area in Alyoshki remains in effect. No incidents have been reported. Both the Russian and Ukrainian sides are fully honouring their commitments. We are on our way to Alyoshki with my Ukrainian counterpart Dmitry Lubinets. Together, we are coordinating the implementation of the agreements reached with the assistance and coordination of US First Lady Melania Trump. This mission was made possible in large part thanks to our servicemen and the Russian Defence Ministry. Military engineers surveyed and cleared mines from the roads so that the humanitarian convoy could reach Alyoshki. ☝️ It is especially important now to maintain the ceasefire. The safety of civilians and mission participants depends on each side acting responsibly. *** 👉 25 buses with a total capacity of at least 750 passengers have been prepared to ensure the safe, voluntary evacuation of Alyoshki residents. Transport for people with limited mobility, nine ambulances and more than 50 medical personnel have also been arranged. Humanitarian aid has been collected based on requests from the residents themselves. ❗️ The priority now is to deliver essential supplies and help those who have decided to leave.

🎙 Excerpt from Russian MFA Spox Maria Zakharova's weekly briefing (Moscow, 28 October 2026) 💬 The Storm Shadow issue continues to symbolise Britain's involvement in the Ukraine conflict, starkly exposing the cynicism and hypocrisy of British foreign policy. When the idea of sending these weapons to the Kiev regime was first voiced in 2023, London claimed that they would only be used within Ukraine's "internationally recognised territory", even though they knew that this means Russian territory [...] But later British politicians seemed to suffer a sudden bout of amnesia and forgot their assurances, saying that they cannot influence Ukrainians, and that they only approved the transfer of technology to the Kiev regime, and the Ukrainian army's use of these missiles to target civilian infrastructure far away from the front line is Ukraine's "sovereign decision". The case of Storm Shadow is clear evidence of the United Kingdom's commitment to deepening the crisis and escalating the war until the last Ukrainian, with the aim of inflicting the greatest possible damage on our country. As for settling the conflict and ensuring a just and lasting peace, which remains a popular talking point in London, the UK authorities never think about that. Read in full

+1

🎙 Highlights from President Vladimir Putin's remarks at the Third Russia – Africa Summit (Moscow, 29 October 2026) • Russia has been and remains interested in seeing African countries defend their sovereignty, develop with confidence and strengthen their economies and social spheres. • Russian businesses consistently demonstrate integrity, respect and good faith in their cooperation with African partners. They work on an equal footing with their partners and, rather than extracting profits as the former colonial powers once did: they invest and reinvest their earnings in the development of Africa's economies. • Russia is a reliable supplier of food and agricultural products to African markets, making a tangible contribution to ensuring food security across the continent. In particular, we supplied more than 18 million tonnes of grain to Africa in 2025, followed by another 13 million tonnes in the first nine months of 2026 alone. • Russia annually allocates the necessary funds to the budget of the UN World Food Programme for projects supporting the agricultural sector in African countries, and regularly provides humanitarian aid free of charge to African states in need. • Russia advocates for a more equitable representation of African states in the global decision-making system, including in the UN Security Council and in international financial institutions. Read in full

💬 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov: We know that some of our friends in Africa were strongly discouraged from travelling to Russia. Political pressure, blackmail and threats to cut aid programmes were employed, as was the spread of fake news [...] Despite these unscrupulous Western manipulations, we are genuinely pleased that the overwhelming majority of our friends have come to the summit and are playing an active role in its proceedings. Africa is experiencing what we call a second awakening. In the 1960s, when the process of decolonisation began, with our country playing a major role, the primary goal was political independence. Today, having achieved political independence, Africans are seeking to secure economic, energy, and financial sovereignty. Russia will always be an ally of African countries on this path. We are ready to continue sharing our expertise and helping to strengthen your independence and sovereignty. This is an objective historical trend towards a multipolar world. Excerpt from FM Lavrov's remarks at a working breakfast with foreign ministers from African countries (Moscow, 28 October 2026)

⚡️ Russia's High Commissioner for Human Rights Yana Lantratova: Mine clearance is underway in Alyoshki along routes for humanitarian aid deliveries and the evacuation of civilians. This is essential for carrying out the humanitarian mission. We continue preparations together with my Ukrainian counterpart Dmitry Lubinets, with mediation and coordination by US First Lady Melania Trump. Ensuring safe passage along these roads so that people can leave the city is now critical. This is where we are focusing our efforts. We continue working to implement the agreements reached, save lives and help residents. ☝️ A ceasefire has been in effect in designated areas since October 27. Both the Russian and Ukrainian sides are observing it.

🎙 Key takeaways from President Vladimir Putin's remarks at the Plenary Session of the Russia–Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum (Moscow, 28 October 2026) • Africa is increasingly asserting itself as one of the poles of the global economy and politics. The continent is experiencing a new awakening: its sovereignty is growing stronger, as are its influence and standing in the world. • Western countries are making aggressive attempts to drive Africans back into financial bondage, imposing on them the financial resources they so desperately need on extortionate terms, which force them to pay back many times over to service and repay such debts, to the detriment of their long-term development plans. • Russia has consistently advocated strengthening Africa's role in governance and in key decision-making within the multilateral development institutions • Africa needs solutions that will allow it to dispose of its resources at its own discretion, direct them to urgent needs, and accumulate serious capital and long-term investment in energy, industry, transport and logistics. This would help the continent finally to throw off the shackles of the colonial legacy. • Russia is one of the most reliable guarantors of food security on the African continent. Russian fertilisers and grain are already being supplied to more than 40 African countries [...] In the first nine months of 2026, Russia exported 13 million tonnes of agricultural produce to Africa. Read in full

+6

🇷🇺🤝🌍 On 28 October the Third Russia-Africa Summit and Economic and Humanitarian Forum kicked off in Moscow. This year, 48 African nations are participating in the event, 22 of which are represented by heads of state. The event is a trusted platform for finding practical ways to deepen the partnership between Russia and Africa. Alongside government officials, it brings together international organisations, business leaders, financial institutions, and Russian and African scientific and expert communities. As in previous years, open discussions will focus on the key issues in Russia–Africa cooperation: trade, investment, nuclear energy, payment systems, digitalisation and food security.

⚡️ Russian MFA statement on personal sanctions against executives of British defence companies (October 27, 2026) In response to London’s hostile anti-Russian policy, which includes stepped-up efforts to flood Zelensky’s neo-Nazi clique with weapons, a decision has been taken to add several executives of British defence companies to Russia’s entry ban list. These companies supply the Kiev regime with weapons and military technologies used to strike deep inside Russia. Clearly, the massive supplies of missiles, drones and related technologies to Ukrainian thugs serve a single purpose – to inflict maximum damage on our country. The British narrative of a supposed “defence dividend” for their own military-industrial complex only highlights their purely exploitative and opportunistic approach to Ukraine, whose statehood is being sacrificed, in part, to generate profits for private British companies and their lobbyists. Meanwhile, the funds that Andy Burnham’s government is channelling into military contractors’ projects that bring death and destruction could be put to use in the UK civilian sector, where the crisis is deepening as a result of mistakes by successive British governments that are eroding the country’s social fabric. The ruling Labour party, however, whose Russophobic obsession differs little from that of its Conservative predecessors, apparently has very different budget priorities. ❌ The following British nationals are now barred from entering the Russian Federation: • HEAD, Alex Edward – CEO of Rotron Aerospace, a company participating in the Brakestop long-range missile development project; • OLIVER, Kev – Chief military adviser to Rotron Aerospace; • ZAMBELLAS, George – Chairman of the board of directors of Rotron Aerospace; • GASCOYNE, Robert Michael – CEO of MGI Engineering, a company participating in the Brakestop long-range missile development project; • APPLETON, Neil – Executive director of drone manufacturer Malloy Aeronautics; • WEBB, Paul – Director and co-founder of reconnaissance UAV manufacturer Tekever UK; • CRACKNELL, Julian Frederick Charles – Chief technology and information officer at BAE Systems. ❗️ Work to expand Russia’s stop list in response to the hostile actions of the British authorities will continue.

🎙 Excerpt from President Vladimir Putin's remarks at the plenary session of the 8th summit of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (Moscow, 27 October 2026) 💬 Russia is one of the key players in the global gas market. We rank first in the world in terms of natural gas reserves and second in terms of production. In recent years, Russian gas companies have faced certain challenges, including restrictions imposed by some countries. Any attempts to exclude Russia from the global gas market, or to contain the development of our domestic gas industry, would have serious consequences, primarily in the form of rising, exorbitant costs for foreign gas consumers, including companies, industrial enterprises, and households. This is precisely what we are witnessing in Europe today. The continent is undermining its own industrial base and social welfare by turning away from Russian energy supplies and terminating long-term contracts. In order to address the challenges facing the global gas industry, we must not erect barriers. On the contrary, we must strengthen cooperation. Read in full

📞 On 27 October, President Vladimir Putin spoke over the phone with President of Finland Alexander Stubb and Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Store [...] The parties welcomed the agreement to resume trilateral talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States in Abu Dhabi in early to mid November, intended in particular to discuss ways to ensure the security of both Russia and Ukraine once a complete cessation of hostilities is reached. Vladimir Putin gave his assessment of the current situation in the Ukraine conflict zone, recalling its root causes. It was emphasised that a just and lasting peace can be achieved only if the legitimate interests of the Russian Federation are fully and unconditionally taken into account. In addition, he noted the EU and NATO's confrontational policies which result in prolonging the hostilities. Issues relating to security and stability in the Baltic Sea and Northern Europe were discussed as well. In this regard, the President of Finland and the Prime Minister of Norway reaffirmed the importance of upholding international maritime law and the freedom of navigation. The President of Russia informed his Finnish and Norwegian counterparts of the launch of a humanitarian operation conducted with US mediation in the vicinity of the Russian settlement of Alyoshki, and of the introduction of a temporary ceasefire regime in the Kherson region for this purpose. The leaders agreed to maintain direct telephone contact in the future.

⚡️ Russia's High Commissioner for Human Rights Yana Lantratova: 💬 I would like to respond to statements by the Ukrainian side, which, citing Ukrainian legislation, says that families with children must be forcibly evacuated from #Alyoshki. As a Commissioner for Human Rights, I find the word “forcibly” unacceptable. We are talking about people capable of making their own informed decisions. Everything must be done voluntarily and in their interests, rather than those of the Kiev authorities, who have suddenly become so “concerned” about the people living there. Do you want people to make an informed decision? Give them that opportunity. Let them live in peace! Order your military to stop shelling the city every day and laying mines on the roads. Then people will be able to decide whether to stay in Alyoshki or go wherever they wish. ☝️ I would also like to recall that the city of Alyoshki in the Kherson Region is Russian territory, where only the laws of the Russian Federation apply. References to Ukrainian legislation are therefore unacceptable. Zelensky said that the Russian side “must” clear all the mines so that this humanitarian mission can proceed. My response is this: give your military a direct order to stop shelling the city and mining all the roads leading to it! ❗️ For its part, Russia is doing and will do everything possible to ensure that people can exercise their freedom of choice as safely as possible. We hope the Ukrainian side will take no steps to obstruct this, as it has done repeatedly in the past. Let me emphasise once again that the main purpose of our humanitarian mission is to assess the humanitarian needs of the people living in the city, assemble a humanitarian convoy and deliver assistance – medicines, food, hygiene supplies and other essentials. 👉 Another task, of course, is to ensure that those who choose to leave can do so – and I stress that this must be their own voluntary decision. I am in contact with the regional and district authorities. Few people in Alyoshki have expressed a wish to leave, as most of those who wanted to have already left. They did so entirely voluntarily. Those who remain and wish to leave will certainly be given that opportunity.

🎙 Excerpt from Russian MFA Spox Maria Zakharova's weekly briefing (Moscow, 21 October 2026) ❓ Question: Recently, British General Roland Walker stated that British citizens must be prepared to make sacrifices for a possible war. Do you think such statements are used to put pressure on European governments and accelerate the militarisation of Europe? 💬 Maria Zakharova: We are closely monitoring statements by British officials engaged in provocative actions and disinformation campaign, since these constitute the bulk of their activity in relation to Russia. There is no cooperation or constructive engagement here, but rather provocation, the stoking of international tensions and the frightening of their own population with cheap anti-Russian myths – or perhaps not so cheap, given that funds are needed to peddle such tales [...] Realists and those genuinely involved in strategic affairs understand that a direct confrontation with Russia would spell certain destruction for anyone seeking to embark on such reckless adventures. It is clear that the narratives employed by British military figures, such as General Walker, are used to justify the reckless militarisation of society and to channel vast sums of money into the UK defence industry. This is done entirely at the expense of the British population. The genuine interests of the British people are simply being sacrificed to those of defence industry lobbyists, who are pushing for an unchecked increase in military spending without limits. It works to the advantage of those who have made political and economic mistakes and are unable or unwilling to explain themselves to the public, instead resorting to such information campaigns.

⚡️ Statement by Press Secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov on the humanitarian operation in Alyoshki, Kherson Region* (October 23, 2026) Russia welcomes the efforts of US First Lady Melania Trump, who has made a substantial contribution to securing agreement on a humanitarian operation in Alyoshki, Kherson Region. To implement the agreements reached by the Presidents of Russia and the US, Russian Commissioner for Human Rights Yana Lantratova and her Ukrainian counterpart have carried out extensive work with Ms Trump’s direct involvement. Representatives of the defence ministries are coordinating the timing of a ceasefire (from 04:00 Moscow time on October 27, 2026) to enable the humanitarian mission in Alyoshki. ❗️ Those wishing to leave the city will be able to do so. The mission requires extensive and complex preparations involving a wide range of representatives. Melania Trump is playing a coordinating role. This issue was discussed during the recent telephone conversation between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump. *Unofficial translation

💬 Russian Defence Ministry: 270 Russian servicemen returned from the territory of the Kiev regime. In exchange, 270 Ukrainian prisoners of war were transferred. The returned Russian servicemen are currently in the Republic of Belarus. Yana Lantratova, Russia's Commissioner for Human Rights, is working with them. After receiving first aid and psychological assistance, all of the released servicemen will be sent to medical institutions of the Russian Defence Ministry for treatment and rehabilitation.

🎙 Interview by Director of the Russian MFA North Atlantic Department Alexander Gusarov with International Affairs magazine (October 22, 2026) Key points: • The North Atlantic Department is considered one of the Ministry’s most distinguished and well-established departments, with a history dating back to the 1920s. Its formal founding date, regarded as its birthday, is October 1, 1925. • We regard regular consultations between the Russian and US leaderships, as well as through other working channels, as an important stabilising force in bilateral relations and the entire international security architecture. • Restoring a constructive approach to #RussiaUSA relations does not automatically resolve all the problems and disagreements that have accumulated between our countries over the years. Clearly, a great deal of painstaking work still lies ahead. • We have no doubt that US President Donald Trump is sincere in seeking mutually acceptable terms for a lasting and sustainable political settlement. We appreciate the efforts made by him personally and by his representatives. • The current Republican majority in both houses of Congress did not prevent the adoption of the rather damaging “Lindsey Graham Russia and Iran Sanctions Act”. • There is no reason to expect positive changes in Russia-UK relations following the formation of a new government in London. We are convinced that London has no interest in normalising relations. • Russia-Canada relations remain at a near-zero level. This stems from the Canadian leadership’s irrational obsession with anti-Russian illusions and Ottawa’s commitment to supporting the neo-Nazi Kiev regime. • Canada’s history contains many controversial chapters involving Nazi criminals and collaborators who settled in the country after 1945. • We remain open to restoring normal relations with Ireland, despite its drift towards the anti-Russian consensus in Brussels and London. Full interview (in Russian)

🎙 Highlights from President Vladimir Putin's answers to media questions • It is now obvious to everyone that defeating Russia on the battlefield would be impossible, while inflicting a strategic defeat on it is unrealistic [...] Living in friendship with Russia is a better option. • If we consider the political processes in Europe, it becomes obvious that the people of Europe do not want to fight against Russia. We do not want it either, and we are not preparing for any kind of war against Europe. • We do not want to fight against Ukraine. But if the current Ukrainian leaders want to fight, let them fight [...] From the very first days, we have always advocated a peaceful resolution. • As for our talks with the representative of the US administration: we agreed that we are ready to resume our trilateral contacts. The purpose will be to discuss how the security of Ukraine and Russia can be ensured after peace agreements are reached – a final settlement, not a temporary cessation of hostilities. • If we are to discuss some future security arrangement for both Ukraine and Russia, then of course we will need to talk about the broader European security architecture. Read in full

🤝 President Vladimir Putin held a meeting with US President’s Special Envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg. 💬 President Putin: I would like to thank you and President Trump for your attention to the resolution of the Ukraine crisis. I know that it is a special matter for President Trump, primarily for humanitarian reasons. In our conversations, including our most recent conversation over the phone, he emphasised the importance of ending this conflict to prevent further losses among the personnel on both sides. Of course, it goes beyond military losses. The civilian population is suffering. In this regard, please pass my most sincere gratitude not only to the President but also to First Lady [Melania Trump] for her contribution to resolving humanitarian issues [...] With regard to diesel, prices on the global market fell immediately by 5–6 percent following the announcement by both sides that supplies would be delivered to the United States. We are currently preparing shipments – several vessels, tankers. The first tanker, carrying 40,000 tonnes, will depart in two or three days, and the others will follow in succession. Read in full