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Kazakhstan to invest over $6 bln in modernisation of oil refineries before 2016

In his estimate, the implementation of the projects will allow the republic to raise the amounts of oil refinery

ASTANA, October 2 (Itar-Tass) —— The Kazakhstani National Petroleum Company KazMunaiGaz plans to invest more than six billion U.S. dollars in the modernisation of the republic’s three oil refineries, which will make it possible to increase oil processing to 19.5 million tonnes a year from the current level of 12 million tonnes, Company CEO Lyazzat Kiinov said at the Seventh Eurasian KazEnergy Forum, which opened here on Tuesday.

“The total value of investment in the fulfilment of the projects for the upgrading of the refineries is expected to exceed six billion U.S. dollars in the period from 2013 to 2015,” he said.

In his estimate, the implementation of the projects will allow the republic to raise the amounts of oil refinery, as well as to achieve the processing depth of 80-90 percent and raise the gasoline quality to the Euro-4 and Euro-5 standards.

Kazakhstan has got three oil refineries – the Atyraus plant (in the west of the country),the Pavlodar plant (in the north) and the Shymkent facility (in the south).

The Kazakhstani government through the National Petroleum Company KazMunaiGaz holds the control stakes of the above-mentioned oil refineries.

Bombs with power of 13 kilos of trotyle found in Russia’s Kabardino-Balkaria

An active accomplice of bandits was detained in the search operation and gave confessing testimony

Space station’s orbit raised by 1 km — Roscosmos

According to preliminary information, the average altitude of the orbital outpost was increased to 414.8 km above the Earth’s surface

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Abrams tanks easy targets for drones — Russian expert

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Houthis say they attacked MSC Darwin vessel in Gulf of Aden

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US effectively dooms Ukraine by its new decisions, Russian envoy says

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Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu added that establishing a security framework in Eurasia will be an important goal for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization

Russian diplomat accuses US of coordinating Ukraine’s terrorist attacks

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US government prepares to sign $6-bln contract for arms deliveries to Ukraine — Politico

According to the article, the United States "is putting the finishing touches" on one of its largest Ukraine military aid packages to date, which may be announced on Friday

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Russia to hold next international security meeting in 2025 — top security official

The date and location will be announced later

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Top Chinese diplomat says two states only solution to Middle East situation

"The catastrophe in Gaza proves once again that the inability of the Palestinian people to implement their legitimate national rights is the root of the Palestinian-Israeli contradictions and the essence of the Middle East issue," Wang Yi stressed

Kremlin spokesman describes European Parliament as 'Russophobic machine'

Dmitry Peskov added that the EP "has turned into a machine brimming with internal contradictions that keeps generating boorish statements"

Crocus City Hall attack funded using cryptocurrency, Russian finance watchdog says

Russia’s Federal Financial Monitoring Service head added that the act of terrorism was intricately planned and it took an international network of conspirators to carry it out

Kiev troops may strike targets in Crimea with ATACMS missiles — newspaper

The goal "is to put more pressure on Crimea," The New York Times said

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During the questioning, the detainees gave confessionary evidence that sharing the ideas of racial and religious supremacy, they established contact with the ringleaders of the pro-Ukrainian terrorist organization

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Russian Embassy to Austria denied participation in ceremony at Nazi concentration camp

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European Parliament urges EU states to regard Russian presidential vote as illegitimate

The resolution passed in a 493-11 vote, with 18 abstentions

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The head of state accused Washington of preparing a "Belarusian liberation army" and reiterated Minsk's readiness to "defend its country"

Russian troops wipe out military train with Western armaments in DPR over past day

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Staff shortage cannot be covered by labor migration — Putin

Labor productivity requires a significant increase in all sectors of the economy, the President stressed

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The top diplomats are to discuss bilateral ties, political dialogue, ways of broadening cooperation in various sectors and improving the legislative and contractual framework

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NATO bears direct responsibility for Ukraine crisis — Chinese Foreign Ministry

Spokesman Wang Wenbin stressed that China was not providing weapons to the conflicting parties and strictly controlled dual-use goods, including the export of drones

Foreign delegations show great interest in Russian defense products — security official

The 12th International Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues took place in St. Petersburg on April 23-25

Situation at ZNPP remains unpredictable — International Atomic Energy Agency

The situation can take a sudden turn for the worse from one minute to the next, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said

Russian, Chinese militaries interacting stabilizes world processes — top defense official

Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun noted that he wanted to discuss "the most fundamental issues" with his Russian counterpart, given the constraints of time and place

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Putin’s trip to China will rivet world’s attention, Kremlin spokesman predicts

The countries will jointly announce the time of this trip, Dmitry Peskov said

Kremlin unconcerned by European Parliament’s resolution on Russian election

The resolution that European Parliament members passed at a plenary session in Strasbourg "urges the member states of the European Union and the international community not to recognize the outcome of the Russian presidential election"

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TASS has put together the highlights of Shoigu's speech

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SCO expects Belarus to join the organization very soon — Shoigu

The Russian defense chief is certain that "this is an important moment in strengthening security in the SCO space"

West bends sanctions rules when it suits them — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov noted that, "according to some parameters, companies in Europe and other regions can hardly maintain their competitiveness if they completely abandon our products"

Over 3,100 foreign mercenaries fight for Ukraine, most of them from US

The Russian Investigative Committee added that measures are underway to locate their whereabouts and bring them to criminal liability

Ukrainian army strikes own surrendering soldiers — POW

Andrey Babenko said that after a crash course in Britain he had been sent to the frontline near Liman

Global community changing tune about how Ukraine conflict started — security official

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Top Chinese diplomat calls for creating conditions for talks on Ukraine

Wang Yi also called for "resolutely opposing attempts to take advantage of the chaos and add fuel to the fire"

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Swiss conference on Ukraine undermines European security — Russian diplomat

In Maxim Buyakevich words, neither the talks nor their outcome can change the existing political and territorial realities

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"The impression is that Warsaw is maniacally seeking to attract even more attention from military planners in the Russian General Staff," Maria Zakharova added

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"United States has no intent of conducting combat operations inside of Ukraine, nor are these forces going to be anywhere near the frontlines," Patrick Ryder said

UN bound to stay as unique world organization — Russian ambassador

"If the UN did not exist, it should have been created," Vasily Nebenzya said

West reluctant to punish those responsible for Nord Stream blasts — Russian diplomat

According to Vasily Nebenzya, the situation is as though a year-long probe into a murder yielded a conclusion that "the victim was murdered"

Polish leader cautions NATO allies against provoking Russia

Andrzej Duda slammed the reported instances of Russian missiles entering Poland's airspace as "a Russian provocation"

Erdogan moves back from May 9 his trip to US — report

The report hasn’t been officially confirmed

Fatah accuses Hamas of actions that led to Israeli control of Gaza — report

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US first caused, now purposefully drags out Ukraine conflict — Shoigu

The Russian top defense official added that in order to achieve its goals, Washington is exerting unprecedented pressure, including on its partners

West prepares puppet structures in case of coup in Belarus — KGB

Ivan Tertel said various methods were being considered, up to "instigating a forceful seizure by illegal armed groups" being trained in the West and Ukraine

Kiev violates diplomatic relations convention by recruiting mercenaries abroad — diplomat

Maria Zakharova pointed to media reports, according to which Ukrainian embassies in a number of countries are openly campaigning local citizens to join the so-called International Legion of Ukrainian Territorial Defense

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The Russian forces improved their frontline positions and inflicted casualties on five Ukrainian army brigades in the Donetsk area over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Reinforced Ukrainian battlegroup fails to break through Russian defenses in DPR — expert

Andrey Marochko added that the Ukrainians have also intensified artillery and drone attacks at Russian positions

Promotion of Russian brands gives good return — Putin

Comprehensive mechanisms require to be worked out, the head of state noted, responding to a proposal to add new tools to support of congress and exhibition activities

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"Battlegroup Dnepr units conducted active counterbattery warfare and destroyed enemy drones, manpower and equipment on the right bank of the Dnieper River," Governor Vladimir Saldo said

Kremlin vows to resolve situation with Turkish Airlines refusing service to Russians

Russia has "very constructive and friendly relations" with Turkey, Dmitry Peskov stressed

Press review: NATO flexes muscles near Russian border and South China Sea runs hot

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, April 24th

Chances of Baku-Yerevan conflict settlement higher than ever, Scholz says

The German chancellor emphasized that Berlin's "offer to lend support in finding a long-term and acceptable solution remains valid"

One more suspect in Crocus City Hall terror attack arrested — police

The detention was reported earlier by the media, which said that police had captured Tajik national Djumokhon Kurbonov

Russia ready to cooperate with all interested partners to ensure security — Putin

The Russian leader expressed confidence that the the 12th International Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues "will bolster cooperation for the mutual benefit of our countries and peoples"

Blinken’s visit to China meant to shatter Russian-Chinese ties — senior Russian diplomat

"I think that Beijing understands this perfectly well and will not even pretend being ready to reach any agreements with the Americans to the detriment of Russia’s interests," Sergey Ryabkov said

Russia-Europe relations require fresh approach — Kremlin

Russia and Europe are geographically close anyway, Dmitry Peskov noted

Kiev may use ATACMS missiles to hit Crimean Bridge — Russian defense ministry official

Russian military will do its utmost to repel such attacks, Apty Alaudinov said

Ukrainian opposition demands parliament speaker's resignation over pro-Hitler remarks

The speaker’s shocking remarks sparked outrage among the public

Ukraine to cease to exist unless it enters into talks, Belarusian president warns

Alexander Lukashenko stressed that his Ukrainian counterpart Vladimir Zelensky should have realistic expectations

Press review: Belarus' new national security strategy and Russia, US butt heads at UN

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, April 26th

Ukraine’s army leaves first defensive line in Berdychi near Avdeyevka, says DPR

The Ukrainian military has suffered heavy casualties among personnel and military hardware in that community, Igor Kimakovsky said

Musk concurs that civil war looming in West

The US businessman commented on remarks by Gad Saad, a Canadian professor of Lebanese origin, who insisted that "the path that the West is taking will result in civil war"

Poland practices transfer of mechanized brigade to Lithuania's Suwalki Corridor area

The exercise under the classified Orsha plan involves 1,500 military personnel from Lithuania's Zemaitija Motorized Infantry Brigade, Poland's 15th Mechanized Brigade, allied US and Portuguese units, as well as about 200 pieces of military equipment

Putin calls impending formation of new cabinet ‘crucial step’

The Russian leader pointed out that it is important to ensure stability and transparency in the Russian socio-political system

All-Belarusian People's Assembly adopts new military doctrine, security concept

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Ukraine had to negotiate agreements with Russia with ‘three masters’ — Russian envoy

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Global community condemns use of terrorists in geopolitical struggle — Russian official

Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolay Patrushev noted that the heads of foreign delegations expressed sincere condolences to the Russian people over the casualties of the attack on a concert hall outside Moscow

French neo-Nazi ringleader liquidated near Avdeyevka — sources

There is confirmed evidence of his connections with French secret services

Ukraine turns into testing ground for future world order, says Belarus president

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Armenian police arrests people protesting against demarcation with Azerbaijan

Earlier, demonstrators in several regions of Armenia tried to block highways, including international ones

Venezuelan foreign ministry, Russian embassy hold joint conference in Caracas

The event brought together almost 200 diplomats, foreign ministry staffers and experts in international relations

Israel ready to accept release of fewer than 40 hostages in deal’s first phase — newspaper

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Israel Defense Forces delivers more strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure in Lebanon

Apart from that, IDF fighter jets delivered strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure in the area of Kfarchouba in southern Lebanon and in Markaba

Casualties reported after Ukrainian strike on residential house in Zaporozhye Region city

The rescuers are involved in efforts to clear the rubble of a five-story house on Kuibyshev Street

Bank of Russia keeps key rate at 16% per annum again

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Negative trends still on rise in US-China relations — top Chinese diplomat

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Russian defense chief points to West’s double standards on right to self-defense

In this regard, Sergey Shoigu mentioned the operation that Tehran carried out "in retaliation for a blatant attack on the Iranian consulate building in Damascus"

Russia appreciates Bolivia’s push to defend sovereignty, Lavrov says

The Russian foreign minister said that the sides would exchange opinions on how to develop bilateral relations along the path outlined by Bolivian President Luis Arce and Russian President Vladimir Putin

Russia warns US, NATO against harming its security — diplomat

Maria Zakharova stressed that "the level of nuclear risks have risen dramatically as a result of the West’s destructive policy, which is fraught with a direct military confrontation between nuclear powers"

Kiev confirms pulling back US-made Abrams tanks due to vulnerability to Russian UAVs

Thirty-one American tanks have become "unfit for the classical deployment," Maxim Buzhansky said