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Oil in Druzhba pipeline was deliberately contaminated via private terminal — Transneft

Now, investigative activities are under way in offices of several private companies in Samara to determine their involvement in the incident, the Russian oil pipeline operator said

MOSCOW, April 26. /TASS/. Russian oil in the Druzhba pipeline was deliberately contaminated through the private Samaratransneft-terminal, which receives oil from several small producers, Igor Demin, spokesman of Russia oil pipeline operator Transneft, told reporters.

"Russian law enforcement agencies have initiated a criminal case for oil contamination. The first results show that this contamination was a deliberate act. Now, investigative activities are under way in offices of several private companies in Samara to determine their involvement in the incident. It is certain that organochlorine compounds were injected through a metering unit belonging to the private entity of Samaratransneft-terminal, which receives oil and analyzes its quality from several small producers," Demin said.

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Russian Energy Ministry says technical problems of oil transit will be solved

He also recalled that a meeting in Minsk representatives of the oil pipeline and oil refining agencies of Belarus, Poland, Ukraine and Russia determine technical solutions for the resumption of oil transportation to Belarus and Europe.

On Friday, April 19, Belarus announced a sharp deterioration in the quality of oil coming from Russia through the trunk oil pipeline Druzhba. The company informed operators of the Druzhba pipeline from other countries about the issue. The source of pollution was found on the Samara-Unecha section of Druzhba.

On April 23, Belarus suspended the export of light petroleum products to Ukraine, Poland and the Baltic countries due to poor-quality oil supplied to Belarusian refineries. Poland, Germany, Ukraine and Slovakia suspended deliveries of crude oil from Russia via the Druzhba pipeline.

The Russian authorities admitted the fact that the oil supplied via the pipeline is of poor quality but the problem is technical and will be resolved soon.

Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak promised that high-quality oil from Russia will be on the border with Belarus on April 29.

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US incapable of replicating Cold War-era arms race — Valdai club expert

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Bolivian leader decries fresh US military aid for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan

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Gagauzia against Chisinau’s policy of severing ties with Russia

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Putin stays in daily contact with Sergey Shoigu, Kremlin spokesman says

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Russia’s top brass reports destroying US-made Hawk air defense system in Ukraine operation

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Russia’s Viner vows to set up International League of Rhythmic Gymnastics Clubs

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

Russia vetoes US-backed UNSC resolution on banning nuclear weapons in outer space

The resolution gained 13 votes

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

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13 violations by US-led international coalition’s aircraft recorded in Syria

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Russia discourages use of UN sanctions for interference in African affairs — envoy

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At the same time, the president noted that once upon a time "Vladimir Lenin gave away the whole of Ukraine when he created the Soviet Union"

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Radicals, intel services behind terror attacks in various countries, says Putin

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Israel destroys no more than 20% of Hamas's fighting capacity — top political official

Khalil al-Hayya said that Hamas would like to see "a fully sovereign Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and the return of Palestinian refugees in accordance with the international resolutions"

Ukraine’s EU accession to require 20% increase in union’s budget — European Commissioner

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ATACMS shipment proves ‘Zelensky’s formula’ needed in US as ‘smoke and mirrors’ — diplomat

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Russian court blocks JPMorgan’s funds in VTB lawsuit

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Potential nuclear facilities in Poland to be military target for Russia — senior diplomat

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Russians not let to Turkish Airlines flights to Mexico due to US pressure on it — diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov noted that such problems exist for Russians using Turkish Airlines flights to other Latin American countries

Press review: Dissecting US aid package to Ukraine and sands of global economy shifting

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Russia to submit its own resolution on nuclear weapons in outer space to UNSC

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According to Nikolay Patrushev, this creates conditions for the devaluation of international law and its institutions and the erosion of the UN's central role in resolving global and regional conflicts

Central African Republic expects Russia to supply weapons, munitions — defense minister

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Bolivarian Alliance countries stand for multipolar world — Maduro

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Network of international conspirators plotted Crocus terrorist attack — watchdog

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Senior Russian, Tajikistani diplomats talk about fighting terrorists, radicals

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko emphasized the importance of creating a new architecture of Eurasian security as one of the elements of a multipolar world

Radioactive cloud from Ukraine’s eliminated munitions drifts to Europe — Security Council

"An increase in radiation levels has already been registered in Poland," Nikolay Patrushev warned

Stockmann company to buy Russian business of Hugo Boss — Industry Ministry

All the existing Hugo Boss stores will be reopened in July - August 2024, Russian Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Viktor Evtukhov said

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

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

Houthis attack two commercial ships, US destroyer — statement

Simultaneously, the Air Force conducted two more military operation using a huge number of drones to target a US destroyer in the Gulf of Aden

Transfer of US ATACMS missiles to Ukraine cannot be justified — Russian ambassador

"Neither these missiles nor other weapons can help defeat the Russian Federation," Anatoly Antonov said

UNSC rejects amendment by Russia, China to resolution on nuclear weapons in outer space

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

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Russia to retaliate immediately if Kiev gets ATACMS missiles — diplomat

Konstantin Gavrilov also noted that the "manic efforts" of some Western OSCE member countries to isolate Russia "are futile and will backfire on their initiators"

Russian defense minister dismisses his deputy Ivanov

Timur Ivanov was removed from the office of deputy defense minister of the Russian Federation of the federal government’s civil service

Ukrainian army short about 150,000-200,000 troops, says Polish general

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Lukashenko says US rues giving rise to Russia-China alliance

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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

German defense minister says Russia making more arms than it needs for its op in Ukraine

"A larger part of what is being manufactured is not sent to the frontline but goes to warehouses," Boris Pistorius said

Top US diplomat Blinken arrives in Shanghai

A State Department spokesperson told a special briefing previewing Blinken’s trip earlier that the Secretary of State would visit Shanghai and Beijing to "build on our intensive diplomacy [with China] over the past year"

Niger would like Russia to train its troops — interior minister says

Mohamed Toumba noted that the training of troops could help in the fight against terrorism

Iran denies reports it pulled some military advisers from Syria — Al Mayadeen

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US State Department confirms secret shipments of long-range ATACMS missiles to Kiev

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Ukraine exhausted, needs constant money flow from outside — defense official

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IAEA chief to have working contacts with Rosatom, no meeting with Putin is planned

Rafael Grossi may visit Russia in late May

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

US has no idea what to do about Zelensky — Seymour Hersh

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Russian diplomat thanks Tajik authorities for help in probe into Crocus terrorist attack

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

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Russian troops wipe out Ukrainian UAV production workshop over past day

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US waging hybrid war against Serbs to snuff them out for good — Republika Srpska head

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AUKUS expansion to turn Asia-Pacific region into 'nuclear minefield' — news agency

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

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Top Russian security official meets with counterparts at international security meeting

Nikolay Patrushev met with the heads of delegations from BRICS states

Russia presents world’s first hydrogen-fueled luxury car at Innoprom exhibition

The unique vehicle was built on the basis of the Aurus Senat luxury car

Continued threats to Pyongyang to put US, allies in danger, Kim Jong Un’s sister warns

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