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THE
HEAR
This page is an archive of main headlines from Russia for 25.05.2025.
It displays 144 headlines from many sources chronologically, as they appeared throughout the day, accompanied by AI overviews that were written in real time.
25.05.2025 ⇢ Day Record Prisoner Exchange Concludes As Putin's Helicopter Evades Drones
⌨The historic 1000-for-1000 prisoner exchange with Ukraine concluded, with 303 Russian servicemen returning to Moscow. Multiple sources reported Putin's helicopter was caught in a Ukrainian drone swarm during his recent Kursk visit, presenting this as a narrowly avoided assassination attempt.
Ukrainian drone attacks continued at unprecedented scale, with 110 drones intercepted overnight across 13 regions, followed by another 51 during daylight hours. Moscow faced multiple waves of drone attacks, causing temporary closures at Vnukovo, Domodedovo, and Zhukovsky airports.
Russian forces reportedly liberated Romanovka in Donetsk while creating a "security zone" along the Ukrainian border. Turkey's Istanbul was named as the likely venue for a second round of direct negotiations.
Medvedev threatened that buffer zones could extend to "almost all of Ukraine" if Western military support continues, while Putin praised Russian soldiers for repeating the heroic feats of WWII figures Matrosov and Gastello.
Ukrainian drone attacks continued at unprecedented scale, with 110 drones intercepted overnight across 13 regions, followed by another 51 during daylight hours. Moscow faced multiple waves of drone attacks, causing temporary closures at Vnukovo, Domodedovo, and Zhukovsky airports.
Russian forces reportedly liberated Romanovka in Donetsk while creating a "security zone" along the Ukrainian border. Turkey's Istanbul was named as the likely venue for a second round of direct negotiations.
Medvedev threatened that buffer zones could extend to "almost all of Ukraine" if Western military support continues, while Putin praised Russian soldiers for repeating the heroic feats of WWII figures Matrosov and Gastello.
25.05.2025
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00:09 (21:09)⇢Record Prisoner Exchange Completed As Drones Target Moscow
⌨Russian media extensively covers the major prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine, with multiple sources reporting a 307-for-307 swap (Interfax, RT, RIA Novosti). A plane carrying freed Russian servicemen landed near Moscow (Izvestia, RIA Novosti). In sports news, FC Krasnodar has won its first-ever Russian football championship, ending Zenit's dominance during the club's centenary year (Kommersant, Lenta, Rossiyskaya Gazeta). Moscow's Mayor Sobyanin reports air defense forces successfully repelled an attack by two drones heading toward the capital (NTV, RBC, TASS).
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RIA Novosti
ПВО вечером уничтожила 95 украинских беспилотников
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RIA Novosti
ПВО за четыре часа уничтожила 95 украинских беспилотников
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The nature of drone warfare is “changing rapidly,” driven particularly by the fight between Moscow and Kiev, the US president believes
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RIA Novosti
На всей территории Украины объявили воздушную тревогу
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Boris Pistorius has indicated that military draft could become mandatory if not enough Germans volunteer to confront Russia
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03:48 (00:48)⇢Drone Swarm Targets Moscow
⌨Russian media reports on a new wave of drone attacks targeting Moscow and surrounding areas. Multiple sources indicate that air defense forces successfully intercepted several unmanned aerial vehicles headed toward the capital (NTV, RBC, TASS, Vesti). The number of drones attempting to attack Moscow has reportedly increased to 12 (RBC), with eight drones shot down over Tver region (TASS, Vesti). An air raid alert has been declared across all Ukrainian territory (RIA Novosti). In other news, temporary operational restrictions have been implemented at Sheremetyevo Airport (Izvestia), and Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zakharova has accused a Ukrainian deputy minister of lying about negotiations in Turkey (Lenta).
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RIA Novosti
В Туле беспилотник упал во дворе многоквартирного дома
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RIA Novosti
ПВО за ночь сбила 110 украинских беспилотников
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RIA Novosti
ПВО сбила 110 украинских беспилотников
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George Simion says citizens have the right to defend their vote peacefully amid fraud allegations
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08:23 (05:23)⇢Massive Drone Swarm Intercepted Over Russian Regions
⌨Russian media extensively reports on air defense systems intercepting a large wave of Ukrainian drones. Multiple sources confirm 110 drones were shot down over 13 Russian regions overnight (RBC, Rossiyskaya Gazeta, RIA Novosti, Vesti). Specific attention is given to drones targeting Moscow, with several sources reporting individual interceptions (Interfax, NTV). Military operations continue, with Russian forces reportedly advancing near Volchansk (TASS) and the "North" group destroying Ukrainian equipment in Sumy region (Izvestia). Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zakharova accused Ukrainian officials of lying about rejecting Russian language during Istanbul negotiations (Lenta).
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George Simion says citizens have the right to defend their vote peacefully amid fraud allegations
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RIA Novosti
В группировке "Север" рассказали о создании зоны безопасности вдоль границы
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The Moscow Times (English)
The latest fire comes as the two sides pursue their biggest prisoner swap since Moscow launched its invasion. 2
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The Moscow Times
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11:31 (08:31)⇢110 Ukrainian Drones Shot Down Over Russian Regions
⌨Russian media extensively reports on air defense systems intercepting a massive drone attack overnight, with multiple sources confirming 110 Ukrainian drones shot down over 13 Russian regions (Kommersant, NTV, RBC, Rossiyskaya Gazeta). Meanwhile, Russia conducted a major missile strike against Ukraine, killing 13 people (Moscow Times). President Putin has called for expanding friendly relations with African countries (Izvestia). Military operations continue with Russian forces advancing near Volchansk in Kharkiv region (TASS) and creating a security zone along the border (RIA Novosti). A concerning report mentions Putin's helicopter was near the epicenter of a drone attack while flying over Kursk region (Vesti).
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RIA Novosti
Россия и Украина завершили обмен пленными по формуле 1000 на 1000
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Rossiyskaya Gazeta
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The Moscow Times (English)
Russia said it had exchanged another 303 Ukrainian prisoners of war for the same number of Russian soldiers held by Kyiv — the last phase of the largest-ever... 1
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RIA Novosti
"Думал, все кончено". Как монахи спасались от ВСУ в Курской области
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12:52 (09:52)⇢Record 1000-for-1000 Prisoner Exchange Completed
⌨Russian media extensively reports on the completion of a historic prisoner exchange with Ukraine following the "1000 for 1000" formula (Interfax, Kommersant, NTV, RBC, Rossiyskaya Gazeta, Moscow Times). The final phase involved 303 Russian servicemen being exchanged for the same number of Ukrainian prisoners (Moscow Times, Rossiyskaya Gazeta). Military developments continue with Russian forces reportedly liberating Romanovka in the Donetsk People's Republic (TASS, Vesti). Two concerning reports mention Putin's helicopter being in the epicenter of a Ukrainian attack in Kursk region (Lenta) and monks fleeing from Ukrainian forces in the same area (RIA Novosti). One historical piece commemorates the 120th anniversary of Russia's defeat at the Battle of Tsushima (Svoboda).
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Once Kiev’s top donor, Washington has shifted under Donald Trump from arming Ukraine to focusing on mediating peace with Moscow
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The Moscow Times
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Komsomolskaya Pravda
Путин со слезами на глазах выслушал истории героизма бойцов ВС РФ от их матерей
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The EU and UK will also try to persuade Washington to continue intelligence sharing with Kiev, according to the news agency’s sources
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The US president has vowed to impose a 50% duty on imports from the EU, citing stalled trade negotiations
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Komsomolskaya Pravda
Путин: Российские герои повторили подвиги Матросова и Гастелло
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Rossiyskaya Gazeta
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Kiev launched an “unprecedented” UAV attack on Kursk Region during the president’s visit, a Russian officer has said
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Komsomolskaya Pravda
Путин: Российские герои повторили подвиги Матросова и Гастелло
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16:18 (13:18)⇢Putin Praises War Heroes While His Helicopter Dodges Drones
⌨Russian media reports on President Putin's praise of Russian heroes who repeated the feats of famous WWII soldiers Matrosov and Gastello during the "special military operation" (Komsomolskaya Pravda). Several sources cover Ukrainian drone attacks during Putin's visit to Kursk region, with RT reporting his helicopter was caught in an "unprecedented" UAV swarm (RT, Vesti). The EU is reportedly planning to purchase weapons from the US for Ukraine (Moscow Times), while Germany claims Russia is preparing for a major offensive (Lenta). The completed record prisoner exchange (1000-for-1000) remains in coverage (Interfax, Kommersant, Moscow Times, NTV, RBC).
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Rossiyskaya Gazeta
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Very few Americans understand the degree to which Kiev oppresses the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, according to the journalist
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RIA Novosti
Собянин сообщил об отражении атаки беспилотников на Москву
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19:34 (16:34)⇢Drone Defenses Activated As Ukrainian UAVs Target Moscow Region
⌨Russian media extensively reports on drone attacks near Moscow, with 15 Ukrainian drones shot down according to Kommersant and interception operations confirmed by Moscow Mayor Sobyanin (Kommersant, RBC, RIA Novosti). The completed prisoner exchange with Ukraine (1000-for-1000) continues to generate attention, with Ukrainian complaints about the return of a specific prisoner described as "outrageous" by Lenta. Tucker Carlson alleges US funding of Christian persecution in Ukraine (RT), while Reuters reports Russia conducting a major air strike on Ukrainian territory (Vesti). A combat operation in Romanovka is also highlighted, where two Russian fighters reportedly cleared a Ukrainian stronghold (TASS).
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RIA Novosti
В Подмосковье сели самолеты с военнослужащими, вернувшимися из украинского плена
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RIA Novosti
В Белгородской области поезд наехал на взрывное устройство
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RIA Novosti
В Белгородской области поезд подорвался на взрывном устройстве
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21:37 (18:37)⇢Massive Ukrainian Drone Assault Hits Multiple Russian Regions
⌨Russian media extensively reports on Ukrainian drone attacks targeting Russian territory. Air defense systems shot down 51 Ukrainian drones over several regions (NTV, TASS), with Moscow facing a second drone attack in a single day (RBC). A train in Belgorod region was damaged by an explosive device (RIA Novosti). Religious developments are highlighted with Ukraine completing its voluntary transition period away from the Russian Orthodox Church (Svoboda). International reaction includes Kellogg calling for an immediate ceasefire following explosions in Kyiv (Vesti). The earlier reported prisoner exchange (1000-for-1000) remains in coverage.
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The UK has taken an unwavering anti-Russian stance in recent years, Russia’s ambassador to London has said
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