Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by telephone with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss the ongoing conflict involving Iran. According to Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov, Putin presented several proposals aimed at achieving a swift resolution to the Iran war. The conversation also touched on the situation in Venezuela in the context of the Ukraine war and global oil markets.

During a separate meeting at the Kremlin, Putin warned that the conflict between Iran, the United States, and Israel has triggered a global energy crisis. He cautioned that oil transport through the Strait of Hormuz could soon come to a complete halt. Putin urged Russian oil and gas companies to take advantage of the current circumstances while emphasizing that Russia remains ready to supply energy to various countries, including those in Europe, through long-term agreements beyond political considerations.

Putin reaffirmed that Moscow will continue providing energy resources to its “trusted partners,” highlighting Russia’s position as the world’s second-largest oil exporter and holder of the largest natural gas reserves.

The Kremlin said on Friday that the ongoing United States-Israeli war on Iran has led to a significant rise in global demand for Russian oil and gas. The announcement came a day after the US Treasury granted India a 30-day waiver to purchase Russian oil stranded at sea. The conflict, now in its seventh day, has nearly closed the Strait of Hormuz, cutting off access to about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia remains a reliable supplier capable of maintaining all contracted deliveries but declined to disclose potential export volumes to India.

International Energy Agency Executive Director Fatih Birol warned that turning back to Russian gas would be economically and politically misguided, emphasizing Europe’s past overreliance on Russian energy. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pledged to present options to address rising energy prices at an upcoming EU summit. Meanwhile, Qatar’s Energy Minister Saad al-Kaabi told the Financial Times that Gulf producers may halt exports if the conflict persists, potentially driving oil prices to $150 a barrel and gas to $40 per million British thermal units.

Benchmark US crude rose 4.1 percent to $84.36 per barrel, while Brent crude climbed 1.7 percent to $87, nearing its highest level since April 2024.

The Kremlin has reported a significant rise in global demand for Russian energy products due to the ongoing war in Iran, according to Al Jazeera. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the conflict has increased the need for Russian oil and gas in world markets. He emphasized that Russia remains a reliable supplier of both pipeline and liquefied energy resources.

The war has also disrupted the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy transport routes, which is now nearly closed. This disruption has placed many countries at risk of losing access to about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies. A day earlier, the U.S. Treasury granted a 30-day waiver allowing India to purchase Russian oil stranded at sea.

Analysts cited in the report noted that if tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate, Russia’s role in the global energy market could become even more significant.

Russia has called for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East following joint US-Israel airstrikes on Iran that entered their third day on Saturday. The strikes, which Iran has been responding to, reportedly targeted several civilian areas, including a girls’ school where nearly a hundred people were killed on the first day. Moscow strongly condemned attacks on civilian targets and urged all sides to halt hostilities immediately.

In a statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry emphasized that no attack on civilian targets, whether in Iran or Arab countries, can be justified. The ministry further stressed that diplomatic solutions, rather than military actions, should be pursued to de-escalate tensions in the region. The ongoing conflict has heightened international concern over the growing instability in the Middle East.

The statement reflects Russia’s position as tensions continue to rise, with global actors expressing alarm over the humanitarian toll and potential regional repercussions of the conflict.

Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council and a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, has claimed that the United States used nuclear negotiations with Iran as a cover for preparing a military operation. His remarks were reported on February 28, 2026, by the outlet Amar Desh, citing Al Jazeera as the source.

Medvedev stated that the so-called peacemaker had once again revealed its true face, arguing that all discussions with Iran were merely a strategy to conceal an impending operation. He added that there was no real intention from any side to reach genuine agreement, and that no one had any doubts about the underlying motives.

The comments come amid heightened regional tensions, including reports of Iranian missile and drone attacks toward Israel and the killing of Iran’s defense minister in an Israeli strike, as referenced in related news items from the same source.

Russia has issued a strong warning that it may consider using non-strategic nuclear weapons if Western countries provide Ukraine with nuclear weapons or related technology. Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council and former president, stated via the Max Messenger app that Russian intelligence indicates Britain and France are planning to transfer nuclear technology to Ukraine. He said such a move would dramatically alter the ongoing war and that Russia reserves the right to use any necessary weapons, including nuclear ones, to protect its security. Medvedev also warned that countries supplying such weapons could become potential targets.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasized that preventing nuclear proliferation in Europe is crucial amid the current conflict. He said transferring nuclear weapons or technology to Ukraine would clearly violate international law and nuclear non-proliferation agreements. Earlier, Russia’s foreign intelligence agency SVR alleged that Britain and France were showing interest in supplying nuclear weapons to Ukraine to strengthen Kyiv’s position in peace talks.

No immediate official response was reported from Britain, France, or Ukraine regarding these allegations.

At least seven people were killed and ten others injured when Ukrainian drones attacked a fertilizer plant in Russia’s western Smolensk region on February 26, 2026. According to Russia’s Investigative Committee, around 30 drones targeted the facility located about 290 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. The plant produces ammonium nitrate and nitric acid, chemicals used in fertilizers but also capable of being used in explosives.

Regional governor Vasily Anokhin described the incident on social media as a barbaric terrorist attack by Ukraine’s armed forces, saying the strike hit a civilian site. Rescue teams quickly reached the scene and brought the fire under control, though Anokhin did not clarify whether there was any risk of chemical contamination. As a precaution, schools in Dorogobuzh city switched to online classes, kindergartens were closed, and authorities considered evacuating nearby residents.

Ukraine has not yet commented on the attack. Earlier in the week, a Ukrainian drone strike damaged an oil pumping station in Russia’s Tatarstan Republic. The war, now in its fifth year, remains deadlocked over the Donbas region, with a new U.S.-mediated trilateral meeting expected in early March.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced plans to further strengthen the country’s military and technological capabilities, emphasizing that the development of the nuclear triad will remain a top priority. He made the remarks on February 23 in a video message marking Defender of the Fatherland Day, praising the professionalism and courage of Russian service members defending national sovereignty.

Putin said the Russian army and navy would be reinforced based on lessons learned from the war in Ukraine, with science and high technology supporting improved combat readiness across all branches of the armed forces. He described the nuclear triad—comprising land-based missiles, submarine-launched missiles, and strategic bombers—as essential to Russia’s security and global strategic balance.

His comments came as the last nuclear arms control treaty between Russia and the United States nears expiration. Moscow stated it would not take the first step to escalate tensions or increase warhead numbers, provided Washington maintains the same stance. Earlier, the renewal process stalled after the Trump administration sought to include China, which Beijing rejected as unfair given its smaller nuclear arsenal.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that expanding nuclear power is one of Russia’s top priorities. He made the remarks in a video message following the expiration of the nuclear treaty with the United States. Putin said that developing nuclear capabilities would ensure Russia’s security. According to his message, strengthening nuclear power will enhance strategic deterrence and maintain the global balance of power.

In his address, Putin also pledged to strengthen Russia’s army and navy. He said that all branches of the armed forces would be improved, including their combat readiness and ability to operate under the most difficult conditions. The statement came after the New START treaty between Russia and the United States expired earlier this month without renewal.

Russia has said it will adopt a responsible approach toward its strategic nuclear capabilities, even as it prioritizes the development of its defense forces.

Nearly four years after President Vladimir Putin announced Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the conflict—officially termed a “special military operation”—has deeply altered Russian society. Verified data from the BBC and MediaZona show more than 186,000 Russian combat deaths, far exceeding Soviet losses in Afghanistan. While western border regions like Kursk and Belgorod endure shelling and drone attacks, major cities such as Moscow and St Petersburg remain largely insulated, with sanctions causing inconvenience rather than collapse.

Interviews conducted by Al Jazeera reveal a divided nation. Some Russians, like photographer Kirill from St Petersburg, lament Western sanctions and government censorship that blocks social media and punishes “fake news.” Others, such as Vladislav from Saratov, have come to support the war, citing patriotic motives. Meanwhile, soldiers like Alexander Medvedev, after witnessing combat in Ukraine, have deserted and fled abroad, disillusioned by the war’s toll. Millions have emigrated since 2022, though some have returned due to difficulties abroad.

Despite economic adaptation and official claims of public support, many citizens remain apathetic or fearful of expressing dissent. The war’s continuation has entrenched censorship, reshaped daily life, and deepened both loyalty and fatigue across Russian society.

Eight Chinese tourists were killed when a tour bus sank after breaking through the ice on Lake Baikal in Siberia, Russia. The regional branch of Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations confirmed the incident, which occurred on Friday, February 20. According to Igor Kobzev, one Chinese tourist managed to escape from the bus and survive. The victims included seven Chinese tourists and the bus driver. The Chinese Consulate General has been informed of the tragedy.

Officials said the bus fell into a three-meter-wide crack in the ice and sank into the lake. Rescue teams later used underwater cameras to recover seven bodies. The regional prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation into the incident.

Lake Baikal, known as the world’s deepest freshwater lake, is a major tourist destination in Siberia, especially popular among Chinese visitors. Authorities maintain designated ice roads during winter, allowing specific vehicles to cross under supervision, while driving outside approved routes is officially prohibited. The number of Chinese tourists visiting the lake has increased in recent years due to a visa-free travel arrangement between Moscow and Beijing.

Ukraine on Saturday claimed it carried out a strike on a key Russian ballistic missile manufacturing facility located in Votkinsk, a city in Russia’s remote Udmurtia region. The Ukrainian General Staff said the attack targeted a military installation involved in producing strategic missiles. According to Ukrainian military sources, the plant manufactured short-range Iskander and intercontinental Topol-M missiles, and the strike demonstrated Ukraine’s ability to reach targets about 1,400 kilometers from its border.

In a statement on Telegram, Ukrainian forces said they used domestically produced, ground-launched Flamingo cruise missiles in the attack, which caused a fire and significant operational damage inside the facility. However, no specific details on casualties or the extent of damage were released. Udmurtia’s governor, Aleksandr Brechalov, confirmed a nighttime drone attack in the region, reporting some damage and injuries but did not specify the target.

Following the incident, airports in Izhevsk and nearby cities were temporarily closed as a security measure. The strike comes amid ongoing Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, which have left many Ukrainians without power and heating during winter.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that Moscow will not accept the sanctions imposed against Cuba. He made the remarks during a meeting in Moscow with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla. Putin emphasized that Russia’s foreign ministry has clearly and unequivocally expressed its position on the new sanctions, stressing that Russia will not tolerate such measures.

Putin described relations between Russia and Cuba as positive and special, noting that Moscow has always supported Havana in its struggle to preserve independence and sovereignty. He acknowledged the hardships faced by the Cuban people over decades in defending their right to live by their own rules and protect national interests.

The statement comes as the United States has strengthened energy sanctions on Cuba, leading to severe fuel shortages after supplies from Mexico and Venezuela were halted. In response, the Russian embassy in Havana announced that Russia will soon send oil and petroleum products to Cuba as humanitarian aid, a move expected to deepen bilateral ties and influence international politics.

Ukraine launched a drone attack on Russia’s Taman port along the Black Sea coast, causing extensive damage to the facility. The port, a key hub for Russia’s grain and fuel exports, was hit late at night by multiple drones, triggering a massive fire and thick black smoke over the area. According to reports, the attack left two people injured and forced a temporary shutdown of port operations.

Krasnodar Governor Veniamin Kondratyev stated on Telegram that the port’s oil storage systems, warehouses, and terminals were almost completely destroyed. Russian authorities said their defense systems managed to shoot down several drones, but some struck critical infrastructure directly. Firefighters worked for hours to bring the blaze under control.

Ukraine also carried out drone strikes on the nearby coastal city of Sochi and the village of Yurovka in Anapa on the same night, though no casualties or damage reports have yet emerged from those areas.

The United Kingdom has alleged that Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was killed by poisoning, based on findings presented at a security conference in Berlin on Saturday. British representatives said they and their allies verified samples from Navalny’s body, concluding that a toxic substance was used. UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper stated that only the Russian government had the means to carry out such poisoning.

Navalny died two years ago while imprisoned in a Siberian facility. According to Russia’s state news agency TASS, Moscow dismissed the British claim as propaganda. Cooper said tests revealed the presence of epibatidine, a poison naturally found in certain South American frogs, and argued that it could not occur naturally in Russia or be produced by prisoners or domestic animals.

Cooper added that Russia viewed Navalny as a threat and that the use of such a rare toxin demonstrated the government’s fear of political opposition.