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Lee leads South Korean presidential election as 50% of ballots counted

With 17.6 million ballots tallied so far, almost 49% were for Lee Jae-myung and 42.6% for his main competitor Kim Moon-soo

Lee Jae-myung REUTERS/ Kim Soo-hyeon

Lee Jae-myung

© REUTERS/ Kim Soo-hyeon

SEOUL, June 3. /TASS/. Lee Jae-myung, candidate from the leading opposition party, continues to lead in the South Korean presidential election after 50% of the ballots have been counted, according to the Central Election Commission.

With 17.6 million ballots tallied so far, almost 49% were for Lee and 42.6% for his main competitor Kim Moon-soo.

Three South Korean TV channels - KBS, MBC and SBS - all forecast victory for Lee based on data from analytical systems and exit polls.

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Ukrainian export losses from cancelled EU customs preference may reach $800 mln

Earlier, former Verkhovna Rada Speaker and current MP Dmitry Razumkov offered a more pessimistic forecast, estimating Ukraine’s potential losses at 3.5 bln euro

Poland's capacity to deliver arms to Ukraine heavily constrained — paper

According to Head of the country’s intelligence agency Dariusz Lukowski, Poland supplied weapons and military equipment worth about €5 billion to Ukraine

Kremlin mum on what Putin told Trump about retaliation for Ukrainian airfield strikes

As Yury Ushakov noted, Donald Trump emphasized that "the American side had not been informed about this in advance by the Ukrainian relevant authorities"

EU wants to sanction Russia concurrently with United States — EC President

The EU is currently preparing its eighteenth package of anti-Russian sanctions

Russia to respond to attacks on its airfields as military deems right — Kremlin spokesman

Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Putin did indeed tell Trump about plans to respond to the attack

Russia demands immediate US, UK reaction to recent Ukrainian attacks — senior diplomat

"We demand that both London and Washington respond in a manner that stops this recent round of escalation of tensions," Sergey Ryabkov stated

Press review: Putin discusses Ukraine with Trump and Pope as Pakistan seeks Russia’s help

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, June 5th

Russian diplomat slams US vetoing UNSC draft resolution on Gaza

Vasily Nebenzya expressed hope that a conference on the Palestinian-Israeli settlement that will be held later in June will yield concrete results

Trump slams use of Biden’s autopen as one of biggest scandals in American history

According to the US Congress, four White House officials were identified to have used an autopen to sign documents on Biden’s behalf

Chechen head says eliminates Ukraine’s manpower, equipment on Orekhovsky direction

Ramzan Kadyrov said that the enemy column was detected in a timely manner, trying to covertly change positions

Invitations to NATO summits are consolation prize for Kiev, Russian legislator says

Leonid Slutsky highlighted the ambiguous status of Ukraine at the event

Ukraine loses $2 billion in external financing over unmet commitments — Finance Minister

Earlier, Rada lawmaker Nina Yuzhanina criticized Ukraine for not honoring its commitments and misleading Western partners

Putin tells Trump about Kiev’s attempts to frustrate talks — Kremlin aide

Yury Ushakov pointed to "deliberate attacks against purely civilian targets, the civilian population"

IN BRIEF: Putin, Trump hold phone talks to discuss Ukraine, cooperation

Russian president gave a detailed account of the outcome of the talks that Moscow and Kiev held in Turkey and his assessment of the terrorist attacks by the Kiev regime

What we know about aftermath of Kiev's attacks on energy sites in Kherson, Zaporozhye

Early on June 5, Zaporozhye Region Governor Yevgeny Balitsky reported a new Ukrainian drone attack on the region's energy facilities

Russia to take into account Kiev regime’s transformation into terrorist one — Kremlin

In the late evening of May 31 and early hours of June 1, the Kiev regime carried out terrorist attacks on railway lines in the Bryansk and Kursk regions

Russia to repair aircraft damaged after Ukraine’s June 1 attack — senior diplomat

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov refuted the Kiev regime’s statements about the attack’s aftermath

Ukrainian attack leaves four cities, three districts of Zaporozhye Region without power

Emergency services are working to eliminate the consequences

Russian troops breach Ukrainian defenses near Redkodub in Donetsk region — military expert

The Ukrainian military did not expect such a swift advance by Russian forces and did not properly prepare the second and third defensive lines, Andrey Marochko said

Kiev plans to launch production of weapons for its army abroad

The project will be financed by Western participants in the initiative

Ukraine says Russian fighter jets outmatch F-16s

Yury Ignat added that Russia has powerful air defenses, which work in tandem with aviation

List of 339 Ukrainian children received by Russia’s children’s ombudsman

Presidential Commissioner for Children’s Rights Maria Lvova-Belova said that her department will work in coordination with the Interior Ministry to return the children

Trump tells Putin he was unaware of Kiev plans to attack Russian airfields — Kremlin aide

Yury Ushakov said this topic was raised in the course of a telephone conversation between the two leaders

Poland discovers abandoned air defense systems on Ukrainian border — media

According to the report, the systems did not belong to Poland or its army

Kiev doing everything possible to sabotage peace talks with Moscow — French politician

Florian Philippot spoke against the continued financing of the Kiev regime

London declines to say whether Kiev gave it prior notice of attacks on Russian airfields

The same answer was given to a request for comments on the Russian side's demand for London and Washington to provide a clear reaction to the attacks

Common Christian ground conducive to achieving peace — Pope to Putin

The pontiff also conveyed his gratitude to Patriarch Kirill for his good wishes he conveyed to Leo XIV at the beginning of his pontificate

Ukraine to soon receive long-range weapons from joint project — German defense official

The first systems may be used by the Ukrainian military already in a several weeks, Boris Pistorius said

Putin, new Pope agree to continue communication — Kremlin

Russian president also expressed hope that the Holy See would more effectively encourage religious freedom in Ukraine

EU may fall apart — prominent economist

Jeffrey Sachs suggested that the EU might even expel or strip Hungary of its voting right because of Budapest's honesty in saying that "the war in Ukraine should stop and the EU should stop being warmongers"

Russian assault teams eliminate Ukrainian militants in Redkodub, hoist national flags

Units of Russia’s Battlegroup West continue steadily advancing, pushing the enemy out of populated areas and fortified positions, driving it back, seizing war trophies and taking Ukrainian soldiers as captives

North Korea rights capsized destroyer, Seoul says

Additional repair efforts are believed to be in progress

Putin, Trump discuss India-Pakistan conflict — Kremlin

According to Yury Ushakov, the presidents also touched upon the Middle East developments

Trump reports holding phone talk with Putin

The call lasted approximately one hour and 15 minutes, the US leader said

Russia to take all measures to solve crime related to attacks on airfields — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov said that everything that must be done to resolve this crime will be done

Press review: West’s reaction to attacks in Russia and new Moscow-Kiev talks confirmed

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, June 2nd

Kremlin suggests consulting intelligence on suspect in Ukrainian drone attack

it was reported that a suspect in last weekend’s attacks on Russian military airfields had fled to Kazakhstan

US think tank shapes course toward militarization of Europe, expert says

According to Alexander Stepanov, the CSIS recently authored a report outlining six potential scenarios for Europe's future after the conflict in Ukraine

Europeans were present on margins of second round of talks on Istanbul — lawmaker

"Neither the Ukrainian delegation nor its European sponsors" were ready to react to it promptly, Vladimir Chizhov said

Zaporozhye Region’s energy facilities suffer significant damage due to Ukrainian attacks

According to the report, power outages have been reported across most of the Zaporozhye Region

Tragedy averted in Voronezh Region after train tracks booby-trapped with explosives

No casualties were reported, Governor Alexander Gusev confirmed

Trump bans entry for citizens of 12 countries from Monday

The restrictions will cover certain types of visas for citizens of each of these countries

US Treasury Secretary hails launch of bilateral fund with Ukraine

On May 1, the Ukrainian government published the minerals deal with the United States

Russia responds to Kiev’s attacks on Kherson Region civilian infrastructure — governor

Vladimir Saldo said earlier that the Ukrainian military launched a massive drone attack on the region on the evening of June 4, which left 192 settlements in seven municipal districts or over 120,000 people without power supply and water

Several groups of Ukrainian soldiers surrender in DPR

Currently, the Ukrainian prisoners of war are in a safe location, receiving necessary aid

Pope tells Putin dialogue essential to achieve peace in Ukraine

"The Pope made an appeal for Russia to take a gesture that would favor peace, emphasizing the importance of dialogue to create positive contacts between the parties and seek solutions to the conflict," the Holy See noted

Protest lodged with Japanese embassy over irresponsible firing practice near Russia

The Foreign Ministry noted that the firing practice involving a patrol boat of the Japan Coast Guard took place on May 23 in the open sea 18.5 km northeast of Cape Shiretoko without prior notification to foreign ships and vessels

Nearly 30 Ukrainian drones downed over three Russian regions

According to Voronezh Region governor Alexander Gusev, neither casualties nor damage were reported after the attack

Retired French colonel questions Macron’s idea of sending troops to Ukraine

According to Jacques Hogard, the French president planned to do so in collaboration with the British, German and Polish armies, but the plan failed

Trump asks Senate to hold off on considering Russia sanctions bill — lawmaker

The bill in question was introduced in early April by a bipartisan group of senators

US starts efforts to oust Zelensky, ex-Ukrainian PM believes

Nikolay Azarov noted the arrival of about 100 American auditors in Kiev to oversee the spending of funds allocated by Washington

Xi talks with Trump over phone — Xinhua

Details of the conversation were not provided

Zelensky behind Ukrainian plot to sabotage Russian trains — Kremlin

"Clearly, such decisions cannot be made without the highest-level political leadership," Dmitry Peskov stressed

Hungary, Russia working on cooperation documents ahead of inter-gov’t commission meeting

"The next meeting will be held in Moscow. Working groups are making preparations for it," Gabor Nagy said

Russian lawmakers to demand use of weapons against ‘terrorist Kiev regime’ — Duma speaker

The Russian presidential press service said earlier in a statement that last night, Kiev had tried to attack the Russian president’s Kremlin residence with drones

Trains suspended in central Russia’s Voronezh Region due to track damage

According to the report, there have been no injuries

US vetoes UN Security Council resolution on Gaza ceasefire

The United States was the sole member to oppose the resolution

British Council obtained information about Donbass troops through Ukrainian refugees — FSB

According to the Russian Federal Security Service, the British Council's activities acquired a clearly subversive character

Putin, Trump started talk with situation around Ukraine — Kremlin aide

The second round of the resumed direct talks between Russia and Ukraine was held in Istanbul on June 2

US expert speculates about Biden administration’s role in Kiev attack on Russian airfields

Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that the Kiev regime had launched a terrorist attack with FPV drones on airfields in the Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur Regions on June 1

Foreign aircraft manufacturers unlikely to reenter Russian market — Rostec

According to the report, the scenario in which foreign aircraft manufacturers are allowed back into our market appears both unrealistic and lacking in patriotism

Hungarian PM accuses EU of using Ukraine conflict as 'pre-emptive strike' against Russia

According to the Hungarian prime minister, Brussels believes its primary objective is to "fight Russia in the East"

Russia has nothing to discuss with UK on political agenda — Russian ambassador

Andrey Kelin stressed that the United Kingdom is waging a proxy war on Russia

UK’s arms arsenals practically emptied after supplies to Ukraine — ambassador

According to Andrey Kelin, the British are not very much interested in the foreign policy agenda

Senior Russian diplomat accuses Ukraine of acting to disrupt settlement efforts

The terrorist nature of outrageous criminal actions of the Kiev regime, Sergey Ryabkov stressed, "is obvious to everyone"

British Council's operations target regime shift in Russia — senior prosecutor

Alexey Zhafyarov recalled that the British Council positions itself as an independent organization, yet its activities are controlled by the UK Parliament

Russia strikes Ukrainian attack UAV workshops, launch sites over past day

The Ukrainian army lost more than 1,400 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past day

Russian, Indonesian naval crews hold joint maneuvers in Java Sea

The Russian sailors took part in the celebrations of the 75th anniversary of Russian-Indonesian diplomatic relations

Railroad tracks blown up in Voronezh Region before train passage — FSB

The Russian Federal Security Service specified that professional actions by the train driver and the train personnel who spotted damage to the railroad tracks and applied the emergency brake helped thwart a train crash or casualties

Lavrov says Zelensky made gross mistake by refusing to hold 2-3 day ceasefire

Russia and Ukraine was held a second round of their direct talks in Istanbul on June 2

Kim reassures Russia’s Security Council chief of Pyongyang’s support on Ukraine

DPRK leader expressed expectation and conviction that Russia would defend national sovereignty

Putin draws Pope's attention to escalation of conflict by Kiev

The Russian president "emphasized that the deliberate and targeted strike on civilians carried out recently by the Ukrainian side clearly qualifies as terrorism in accordance with international law," the Kremlin noted

Putin told Trump talks with Ukraine in Turkey were useful, Kremlin aide says

According to Yury Ushakov, the presidents spoke in detail about the content of the talks, their outcome

Terrorist attacks in Kursk, Bryansk Regions, negotiations: Putin addresses government

The Russian president was briefed on the incidents and the negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul

Putin’s message on terrorism intended for Western powers, not Zelensky — Ukrainian ex-PM

Nikolay Azarov said that Washington has also come to the realization that the current Kiev authorities are not capable of bringing peace to Ukraine

Putin expected to visit Tehran soon, says Iranian ambassador to Russia

"Relations between the two countries have now reached the level of a strategic partnership," Kazem Jalali said

Biden thought that Russia should be destroyed — Brazilian leader

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva noted that "Europe, which held a middle-ground position for some time, finally sided with Washington and now is spending billions to rearm itself"

IN BRIEF: Russian MFA spokeswoman comments on Zelensky, transfer of bodies to Ukraine

Maria Zakharova dismissed attempts to put pressure on Russia as futile

Lavrov describes talks with Ukraine in Turkey as important, useful

According to the Russian foreign minister, both rounds of the talks yielded "concrete results"

Trump says Putin informs him of intention to respond to attack on Russian airfields

On June 1, Kiev, using drones, carried out a terrorist attack against airfields in the Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan, Amur Regions

Ukrainian troops deliver targeted strike on electrical substation in Kherson Region

Genichesk, Novotroitsk, Nizhneserogozsky, and Ivanovsky districts have been left without power supplies

Illegitimate Kiev regime degenerating into terrorist organization — Putin

On May 31, a span of an automobile bridge was blown up in the Bryansk Region derailing a locomotive and cars of a passenger train

Press review: Kiev’s terrorist acts risk derailing talks as NATO expands Arctic footprint

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, June 4th

Russian troops liberate two communities in Ukraine operation over past day — top brass

Battlegroup North units completed the liberation of the settlement of Kondratovka in the Sumy Region and Battlegroup West units liberated the settlement of Redkodub in the DPR through decisive operations

US redirects anti-drone technology from Ukraine to US forces — media

This step caused concern among those who support Ukraine

EU to spend 335 bln euro from Recovery and Resilience Facility on defense — media

According to the Politico newspaper, The European Commission has set the deadline for the implementation of this program until August 2026

Putin says Ukraine’s latest attacks aim to disrupt talks

"The attack deliberately targeted civilian population", Russian president said

British Council conducts intelligence activities in Russia — lawmaker

Vasily Piskaryov noted that, last year, the Commission proposed putting the British Council on the list of organizations to be expelled from Russia

Russia elected to UN Economic and Social Council

Ukraine and Croatia took the remaining two seats

Russia’s neutrality demand tied to history of Ukraine’s recognition in 1991 — lawmaker

Ukraine’s 1990 Declaration of Sovereignty, which laid much of the groundwork for its future constitution, explicitly emphasized the country’s neutral status

Russia uses Lancet loitering munition in protecting Crimea, destroying unmanned boats

Russian troops disabled a Ukrainian crewless boat Magura V7 with the help of a ZALA Lancet reconnaissance and strike system

The British Council barred from returning to Russia — FSB

The FSB warns Russians against interacting with The British Council, as doing so entails administrative and criminal liability

Kremlin aide describes preparations for Wednesday’s phone call between Putin, Trump

"They figured out during the conversations that in the current situation - following the Kiev regime’s terrorist attacks and the second round of the Istanbul talks - it would be reasonable to arrange a phone call between the leaders," Yury Ushakov said

Putin, Trump discuss restoration of bilateral cooperation — Kremlin aide

The topic of the prisoners swamp between the two countries was not covered this time

British Council linked to special services’ activities against sovereign states — FSB

"The security service recommends partners from friendly nations to follow Moscow’s example in curbing the functioning of the Council on their soil," the FSB noted

Rutte threatens 'devastating' response to any attack in Baltic region, other NATO areas

NATO secretary general said there is the constant threat of attacks on the alliance's critical undersea infrastructure, when it comes to the Baltic region

Ukrainian forces running out of weapons in all areas, situation in Sumy difficult — deputy

According to Dmitry Razumkov, the Ukrainian authorities are living in a parallel reality and saying that "Ukrainian troops are fully supplied by the state

Zelensky's office to procrastinate in talks for fear of armed radicals — expert

Both ceasefire options proposed by Russia in their memorandum are expected to encounter resistance from Ukrainian political and military structures that benefit from ongoing hostilities - both domestically and in Europe

Activities of British Council declared as undesirable in Russia

The British Council has actively supported the LGBT movement, outlawed in Russia, and implements projects to steadily discredit Russia’s domestic and foreign policies, Russian prosecutors said

US refuses to guarantee air defense support to Europe after Ukraine crisis — Bloomberg

According to the sources, London and Paris remain hopeful that the United States will provide intelligence data on the situation on the border between Russia and Ukraine

Georgian opposition receives directives from abroad, premier says

Irakli Kobakhidze noted that there is an advantage to this as, thanks to the instructions from foreign countries, the Georgian opposition is acting in a completely self-destructive way

	
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