🎙 Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova’s answer to a media question regarding the withdrawal of foreign troops from Iraq (October 2, 2026)

❓ Question: On September 30, the US-led Anti-ISIS Coalition announced the completion of its troop withdrawal from Iraq. How does Russia view this event?

💬 Maria Zakharova: Indeed, on September 30, the twelve-year presence in Iraq of the so-called International Anti-ISIS Coalition came to an end. All remaining bases of the US Armed Forces and their allies in the country – mainly within Iraqi Kurdistan – have been fully transferred to the control of the Iraqi military.

The decision by the Iraqi Parliament, adopted in January 2020 and fully reflecting the aspiration of its people to restore and consolidate state sovereignty after the prolonged presence of foreign forces, has thus been implemented.

That presence had effectively continued since 2003 – from the moment of the American invasion under a completely contrived pretext, which triggered decades of instability across the wider region.

The withdrawal of troops from Iraq, which we certainly welcome, demonstrates that the Iraqi army and security forces are capable of independently addressing the task of strengthening the state’s defence capability and ensuring national security. They are capable, among other things, of countering the terrorist threat emanating from ISIS and other such organisations.

We are convinced that the Iraqi people will be able to successfully withstand any internal and external challenges that confront them. The guarantee of this lies in neighbourly relations and coordination with neighbouring countries; in this regard, we would like once again to draw attention to the Collective Security Concept for the Gulf Region proposed by Russia.

☝️ It proceeds from the understanding that it is precisely the states located there, such as Iraq, that play the leading role in maintaining stability in this strategically important region through close interaction among themselves.

⚡️ Foreign Ministry statement reiterating warnings to foreign nationals and diplomatic personnel against remaining in Kiev or near military facilities in Ukraine (October 3 , 2026)

The Russian Foreign Ministry reiterates that, in response to terrorist attacks by the Armed Forces of Ukraine against Russia’s civilian population and infrastructure, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue to carry out systematic and sustained strikes against military targets in Kiev and other Ukrainian cities.

The Russian side has previously called on foreign nationals and diplomatic personnel located in Kiev to leave the city and refrain from travelling to Ukraine. Russian authorities have also urged Ukrainian residents to stay away from military and administrative facilities.

These warnings were conveyed in the statement issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry on May 25, 2026, as well as through diplomatic notes addressed to foreign partners. They were also reiterated by Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin during a briefing for members of the diplomatic corps on May 27, 2026.

The authorities of a number of countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, European Union member states, Norway, and Switzerland, have repeatedly advised their citizens against travelling to Ukraine, most recently in August of this year.

We note with concern that not everyone has taken these warnings into account and that some individuals are knowingly placing themselves in mortal danger. A number of foreign embassies continue to operate in Kiev, and foreign officials continue to visit Ukraine.

The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation will continue to carry out large-scale retaliatory strikes.

❗️ The Russian Foreign Ministry once again urges foreign nationals, including personnel of diplomatic missions, to refrain from remaining in or travelling to Ukraine.

Responsibility for any possible adverse consequences lies entirely with those who choose to disregard this warning.

🚀 On October 4, 1957, the Soviet Union opened humanity’s path to the stars!

#OTD, the Space Age officially began: the world’s first artificial satellite – Sputnik 1 – entered Earth’s orbit.

At 10:28 pm Moscow time, an R-7 launch vehicle, developed under the leadership of the outstanding Soviet rocket engineer Sergey Korolev, lifted off from the Tyuratam launch site (later named Baikonur). Just over five minutes later, the satellite separated from the rocket and transmitted its world-famous signals: “Beep! Beep!”

📰 On October 5, 1957, Soviet newspaper Pravda reported:

On October 4, 1957, the USSR successfully launched the first satellite.

The satellite is currently following an elliptical orbit around Earth, and its flight can be observed in the light of the rising and setting Sun using the simplest optical instruments.

Updates on the movement of the first artificial satellite, launched in the USSR on October 4, will be broadcast regularly by radio stations.

🛰 An aluminium sphere 58 centimetres (~23 inches) in diameter, weighing 83.6 kilograms (~184 pounds), with four antennas and two radio transmitters – this was humanity’s first envoy in orbit. Behind its simple exterior lay the immense efforts of Soviet scientists, engineers and workers.

Sputnik completed an orbit around Earth roughly every 96 minutes, and radio enthusiasts worldwide picked up its famous signals.

Its radio transmitters operated for about three weeks, while the satellite itself remained in orbit for 92 days. During that time, it completed 1,440 orbits around Earth, travelling some 60 million kilometres (~ 37.3 million miles). Its flight ended on January 4, 1958, when it entered the dense layers of the atmosphere and burned up.

The historic launch validated the calculations and technical solutions needed to reach space. Observations of the satellite gave scientists new data on the density of the upper atmosphere and the propagation of radio waves through the ionosphere.

🌐 Sputnik 1 was a triumph of Soviet science and engineering – an achievement for all humanity. It proved that the path beyond Earth was open – paving the way for Yuri Gagarin’s flight, the exploration of the Moon and other planets, and the construction of orbital stations.

For 6️⃣9️⃣ years, satellites have served humanity. Today, they are essential to everyday life: they provide communications and television broadcasting, help us navigate, forecast the weather and monitor climate change.

☝️ But the first was ours. Forever. #Sputnik1

#Announcement

On October 2-26, 2026, media representatives and bloggers can apply for accreditation to cover the “Peoples of Russia” International Week.

ℹ️ The “Peoples of Russia” International Week is held annually pursuant to Presidential Executive Order No. 382 of June 1, 2026, declaring 2026 the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia. Its central theme is “Solidarity among States through the Unity of Peoples and Traditional Values”. The events are coordinated by the Executive Office of the Security Council of the Russian Federation and organised by the Roscongress Foundation.

Russian and foreign media outlets, as well as bloggers, may apply in accordance with the accreditation rules published in the “Media” section of the Week’s official website.

📄 Programme Overview of the “Peoples of Russia” International Week

Stay tuned for updates on the official website and via email newsletters.

✉️ For media accreditation enquiries, please contact: media@roscongress.org