Armenian authorities have once again refused to participate in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Cobalt-2024 exercises, which will be held in Novosibirsk from August 14 to 16.

Turkish Defense Minister Yashar Güler received his Ukrainian colleague Rustem Umerov in Ankara. He is also a member of the Kurultai of the Crimean Tatar people and an adviser to Mustafa Dzhemilev.

Vladimir Putin's press secretary Dmitry Peskov commented on the prisoner exchange between Russia and Western countries that took place the day before. He confirmed that one of those returned, Vadim Krasikov, is an FSB officer who served in the Alpha special forces unit, including with several members of the presidential security detail.

Russian President Vladimir Putin personally met the citizens who returned as part of the prisoner exchange between Russia and the West at the plane's steps. Along with him, the arrivals were met by FSB Director Alexander Bortnikov, Defense Minister Andrei Belousov and SVR Director Sergei Naryshkin.

The video of the lezginka and shooting into the air, filmed by the Akhmatovites in the Belgorod region, is being checked by the police. The footage shows several people in military uniform with the chevrons of the Akhmat unit. Telegram channels are also publishing a second video with the participation of, presumably, Caucasians, but without explanation of what is happening. More details in our video report.

It has been reported that 13 Russian citizens have been returned to their homeland under the terms of a prisoner exchange deal between Moscow and the West. Among them is Vadim Krasikov, who was sentenced to life in Germany for the murder of former Chechen field commander Zelimkhan Khangoshvili. This was reported by the American television channel CBS.

The US has suspended aid to Georgia due to the country's foreign agent law, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced. Instead, financial support will be provided to Georgian non-profit organizations and media outlets.

Russian border guards have finally left Yerevan's Zvartnots airport after 32 years. The farewell event was attended by the leadership and personnel of the Russian FSB Border Guard Service in Armenia.

It is incorrect to speak in the language of blackmail, especially in relation to the government that has fundamentally changed the situation in this country. This was stated by Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.

The US may impose new sanctions against Georgia in an attempt to change its course. This was announced by Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs James O'Brien.