Russia’s Top Military Brass Brief Defense Minister on Current Situation, Plans

In this photo released by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Saturday, March 4, 2023, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu speaks during a meeting with military commanders in Russia. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service photo via AP)
In this photo released by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Saturday, March 4, 2023, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu speaks during a meeting with military commanders in Russia. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service photo via AP)
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Russia’s Top Military Brass Brief Defense Minister on Current Situation, Plans

In this photo released by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Saturday, March 4, 2023, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu speaks during a meeting with military commanders in Russia. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service photo via AP)
In this photo released by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Saturday, March 4, 2023, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu speaks during a meeting with military commanders in Russia. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service photo via AP)

Top commanders of what Russia calls its "special military operation" in Ukraine have briefed Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on the current situation and action plans, his ministry said on Sunday.

Shoigu paid a rare visit to Russia's forces deployed in Ukraine, awarding medals to military personnel and meeting senior commanders during the trip, according to a statement and videos issued by the Defense Ministry on Saturday.

The minister held a meeting with commanders of the operation, the ministry said in a statement in its Telegram social media app on Sunday. It did not specify if the meeting took place during the trip.

"Sergei Shoigu paid special attention to the set-up of all the necessary conditions for the safe deployment of personnel in the field, the organization of comprehensive support for the troops, especially the work of medical and rear units."

Russia's top military chiefs have visited the front lines in Ukraine only occasionally since Moscow sent tens of thousands of Russian troops into the neighboring country just over a year ago.



France Tells Nationals Visiting Iran to Leave 'as Soon as Possible'

A handout photo made available by the Iranian Supreme Leader's Office shows Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei (front) leading a prayer before the coffins of late Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and his bodyguard in Tehran, Iran, 01 August 2024. EPA/IRANIAN SUPREME LEADER OFFICE HANDOUT
A handout photo made available by the Iranian Supreme Leader's Office shows Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei (front) leading a prayer before the coffins of late Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and his bodyguard in Tehran, Iran, 01 August 2024. EPA/IRANIAN SUPREME LEADER OFFICE HANDOUT
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France Tells Nationals Visiting Iran to Leave 'as Soon as Possible'

A handout photo made available by the Iranian Supreme Leader's Office shows Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei (front) leading a prayer before the coffins of late Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and his bodyguard in Tehran, Iran, 01 August 2024. EPA/IRANIAN SUPREME LEADER OFFICE HANDOUT
A handout photo made available by the Iranian Supreme Leader's Office shows Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei (front) leading a prayer before the coffins of late Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and his bodyguard in Tehran, Iran, 01 August 2024. EPA/IRANIAN SUPREME LEADER OFFICE HANDOUT

France on Friday urged its nationals visiting Iran to leave immediately, after Tehran accused Israel of killing Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh on its soil, sparking regional tensions.

"Due to the increased risk of a military escalation in the region, visiting French nationals still in Iran are invited to leave as soon as possible," the foreign ministry said.

Haniyeh’s killing in a pre-dawn attack on Wednesday in Tehran has deepened fears of a regional war.

Tehran, as well as the Iran-backed Hamas and Lebanese Hezbollah movements, have blamed Israel, which has not commented.

It has however claimed responsibility for the killing just hours earlier of senior Hezbollah military commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut's southern suburbs.