Russian embassy

BELGRADE - Serbia's main state ceremony commemorating 79th years since the WWII victory over fascism was held at the Memorial to the Liberators of Belgrade on Thursday.

Moldova has announced plans to expel a staff member from the Russian embassy following allegations of election interference in the breakaway Transnistrian region, according to reports by Reuters.

Amid a three-day voting period for Russia's presidential elections, Vladimir Putin stands poised to secure a fifth term in office, despite growing international concern over the legitimacy of the process. The elections held not only within Russia but also in the occupied territories of Ukraine, have sparked a wave of criticism and accusations from neighboring countries.

In a unified expression of grief and condemnation, citizens and visitors of Sofia gathered in front of the Russian Embassy to commemorate the life and legacy of Alexei Navalny, a fierce critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

A suspicious envelope was discovered at the Russian embassy in the northern Athens suburb of Palaio Psychiko on Friday morning.

Upon its discovery, embassy staff promptly alerted authorities. Soon after, members of the EMAK disaster response team and bomb disposal experts from the Greek Police (ELAS) arrived at the scene.

"Washington is sending Kyiv a bloody New Year's gift. It once again demonstrates its loyalty to the concept of war 'to the last Ukrainian'. True, with a small addition - 'as long as there is money'," said the Russian ambassador in Washington, according to the Telegram channel of the Russian embassy.

In a move that could further strain diplomatic ties, Russia has accused Bulgaria of demonstrating "open hostility" in the ongoing dispute over the Church of Saint Nicholas the Miracle-Maker in Sofia.

Day 538 of the invasion of Ukraine. Summary of key events in the last 24 hours:

Moldova's Foreign Ministry has denied Russian claims that an exhibition of two train carriages, recalling three waves of deportations of the local population during Soviet times in the 1940s and 1950s, is evidence of  "Russophobia ".

Personal bellongings and photos of people who the Soviets deported from Moldova to Siberian gulags. Photo: Moldovan Government Facebook

President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vui, was urgently informed about this action, and upon receiving the information, he thanked his hosts at the Russian Embassy, where he attended a reception on the occasion of Russia Day and immediately headed to the Presidency building.