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Spain receives record number of foreign tourists in 2023

Total expenses of foreign tourists exceeded 108 bln euro last year

MADRID, January 19. /TASS/. Spain received more than 84 mln foreign tourists last year, surpassing the pre-pandemic level, the Europa Press news agency reported citing the kingdom’s industry and tourism ministry.

The number of guests arriving from other countries to Spain in 2023 was 1% higher than that in the record 2019.

Total expenses of foreign tourists exceeded 108 bln euro last year, roughly 17% higher than in the pre-pandemic 2019.

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Gas supply by Gazprom for Europe through Ukraine totals 42.4 mcm via Sudzha

The nomination for the Sokhranovka gas pumping station has been rejected

Aerospace Forces receive new Su-35S fighters

Su-35S have passed ground and flight trials and flew from Komsomolsk-on-Amur to the deployment airfield

Hungary supports Chinese peace plan on Ukraine — Orban

Hungary urges for an immediate ceasefire and peace talks, the prime minister said

Armenia to refrain from financing CSTO activity in 2024

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said earlier that his country cannot rely on the CSTO and he cannot answer Armenian society’s question why the country should be its member

Kazakhstan purchases around 280 mln kWh of electricity from Russia in 2024

Minister of Energy of Kazakhstan Almasadam Satqaliev added that the price of electricity varies depending on the time of day

Ukrainian troops shell DPR 14 times over 24 hours, killing two civilians

The mission said that overall, the adversary fired 39 rounds of various munitions

Russian defense ministry reports losses among Russian troops during special operation

Konashenkov also said that several Russian soldiers have been taken prisoner

Russia knows how to deal with Ukrainian drones — Putin

The Russian leader noted that those tasks that until recently were solved exclusively with the help of aviation systems are now being solved with small means, but with great effect

Russia’s ice cream production rises by 12% to 110 mln kg in Q1

In comparison with the previous quarter, when 66 mln kilograms were produced, the production of ice cream for January-March 2024 increased by 66%

Actions by Finland, Sweden pose increasing threats to Russia’s security — diplomat

Sergey Belyaev said that Moscow is closely watching the integration of Finland and Sweden to the military bloc

Zelensky cannot be legitimate president after May 21 — Medvedchuk

"Ukraine has already lost its statehood," leader of the Other Ukraine movement said

Putin confident in Russia’s victory in special military operation

The Russian people show their best qualities in difficult moments, their courage and heroism, which is confirmed by the special military operation, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a meeting with military on May 7, following the inauguration ceremony

Russia to bring peace to Donbass — Putin

The Russian president highlighted the fact that entire Russia supports the residents of Donbass while over the years of blockade, the people of Donbass have confirmed their will to be together with Russia

Russia does not accept US policy to limit Cuba’s development — Putin

According Russian President, the Cuban people have been fighting this for decades and they are confident

Ukraine turns into self-imposed pariah over past ten years — diplomat

Ten years have gone by and nowadays it is obvious to everyone that the people of Donbass made the right choice then and defended it on the battlefield, said Maria Zakharova

Russian government done a lot in difficult conditions — Putin on Mishustin’s candidacy

Putin added that he hopes that parliamentarians will support his choice

Aurus Merlon electric motorcycle available for pre-order — acting Deputy PM

The Aurus Merlon made its public debut at the inauguration of the Russian President

Ukrainians actively using British weapons to strike Russian regions, diplomat says

"According to the English themselves, since 2022, London has already donated around 7.1 bln pounds for Ukraine’s defense purposes," Sergey Belyaev said

Putin approves structure of new government

According to his decree, the distribution of authority between deputy prime ministers has changed

Russia pre-emptively plans intermediate-range missile sites to counter US moves — diplomat

Correspondingly, specialists are carrying out preliminary pre-emptive planning, Sergey Ryabkov said

Putin submits Mishustin's candidacy for post of prime minister to State Duma

State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin recalled that the State Duma "for the first time in the history of modern Russia will form the line-up of the government: approve the chairman of the government, his deputies, and federal ministers"

At least 3 killed in Ukrainian strike at fuel depot in Rovenki, LPR

According to LPR Head Leonid Pasechnik, the Ukrainian forces opened fire at the city of Rovenki, causing fire at the local fuel depot and damaging several houses

State Duma approves Mikhail Mishustin as Chairman of Russian Government

Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin thanked State Duma lawmakers for approving his candidacy for the prime minister’s office

Death toll in Ukrainian strike on LPR oil depot climbs

At this time, 15 people have been affected by the catastrophe at the Rovenki oil depot

Ukrainian army loses up to 160 troops in Battlegroup East responsibility zone

The military agency added that Ukrainian losses included two armored fighting vehicles, five motor vehicles, a Grad multiple launch rocket system combat vehicle, a self-propelled artillery system and three howitzers

Driver lost control of vehicle resulting in bus crash in St. Petersburg — report

Representatives of the company and the committee management were sent to the scene of the accident

Death toll of bus crash in St. Petersburg rises to 7

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Pentagon awards $332 mln contract to produce GMLRS

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Presence of French-speaking mercenaries identified in 20 cases in Zaporozhye — politician

Ethnic Poles and Georgians account for the largest groups of mercenaries in the Ukrainian army

Russia’s top brass mulls arming military pilots with PP-2000 submachine gun

A more compact PP-2000 submachine gun is meant to replace the Kalashnikov AKS-74U assault rifle

Polish PM says NATO troops are in Ukraine

Polish prime minister emphasized that NATO’s direct engagement in the military conflict in Ukraine must be avoided

Mishustin plans to increase volume of non-resource, non-energy exports by 2/3

The Russian government will increase the attractiveness of Russian jurisdiction for business, acting Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin

US Army veteran urges Moscow, Washington to prevent WWIII from happening

According to Frank Cohn, life would never be the same in the event of a global military conflict

French tired of supporting Ukraine — war correspondent

Christelle Nahan noted that people were tired of the fact that there was not enough money for the development of infrastructure, hospitals and schools, for pensions and benefits for children

Medvedev warns that Russia’s default may entail Europe’s default

Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council added that the European Union’s financial system is not very stable and people are losing confidence

Gas supply by Gazprom for Europe through Ukraine totals 42.4 mcm via Sudzha

The nomination for the Sokhranovka gas pumping station has been rejected

White House claims Russian forces started offensive on Kharkov

" We’ve been coordinating closely with Ukraine to help them prepare", John Kirby said

Residential building partially collapses in Russia’s Komi Region

The press service told TASS that 14 people had been evacuated which is everyone who was present in the building at the time of the collapse

Russia’s Battlegroup East strikes Ukrainians near Staromayorskoye in DPR

According to Spokesman Alexander Gordeyev, the Ukrainians lost roughly 50 troops

Russia, US to straighten out relations despite difficulties — US WWII veteran

The veteran answered in the negative to a question as to whether the US-Russian ties had been ruptured for good

Russia’s 6th-generation fighter jet to get lasers capable of burning missile homing heads

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Hungary views China as pillar of multipolar world — Orban

Hungarian prime minister recalled that Hungary has always adhered to the ‘one China’ principle

Gazprom gas supplies to Europe through Ukraine reach 42.4 mln cubic meters

The transit line through Ukraine remains the only route to supply Russian gas to western and central European countries

Russian envoy vows both mirror, asymmetrical response to provocations by Baltic states

According to Sergey Belyaev, diplomatic relations with the three Baltic states have been downgraded to a charge d’affaires level

Fire extinguished following Ukrainian attack on oil depot in LPR

The staff of the Russian Emergencies Ministry eliminated 18 blazes

Relations with Russia are really important for Israel — Ambassador to Moscow

Dialogue between Israel and Russia is important, including on those topics where the parties "absolutely disagree," Simona Halperin said

Russia welcomes 16 new foreign brands in 2023

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Putin awards Soviet WWII veterans in Israel lifetime benefits

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Hungary, China ink 16 cooperation agreements, including on nuclear energy

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Russia’s Dnepr group repels counterattack by 118th brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces

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Russian diplomat slams Western ambassador for being absent from Putin’s inauguration

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Russian military fights Nazi followers in special military operation — Shoigu

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Israeli army attacking Rafah in southern Gaza — media

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Putin re-appoints Mishustin as Prime Minister of Russia

The decree enters into effect since the day of signing

Russia observes moment of silence for those killed fighting against Nazism

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Putin describes attempts to ban Ukrainian language and culture as unjust

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UK announces expulsion of Russian defense attache, new diplomatic visa restrictions

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UN General Assembly recommends Security Council consider making Palestine UN member state

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At least 90,000 soldiers attend Victory Day celebrations across Russia

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Belarus, Russia conduct tactical nuke drills amid current situation — Lukashenko

"An escalation is ongoing," the president said

Ukrainian nationalists financed by US, Britain after WWII — declassified archives

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Russian paratroopers thwart attempt by Ukrainian troops to cross Dnieper — ministry

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Three people killed, eight wounded in Ukrainian shelling of Donetsk restaurant — official

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Russia, like most of the world, does not support sanctions against Cuba — Putin

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Medvedev gives warning amid talk of deploying Western troops to Ukraine

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Efforts to distort World War II events grow over the world — ambassador

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US State Department approves possible sale of three HIMARS systems to Ukraine

The cost of multiple rocket launchers is $30 mln, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced

Air defenses down 21 Vampire rockets, nine drones over Russia’s Belgorod Region

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Three people dead in bus crash in St. Petersburg, nine rescued, four — in clinical death

The Ministry of Emergency Situations added that diving rescue work has been finished at the accident site

Four residential blocks catch fire as Ukrainian attack hits oil depot in LPR

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Israel and Russia double number of flights for spring and summer — ambassador to Moscow

Tourist flow between the countries is not high for a number of reasons, Simona Halperin said

Russia has no territorial claims to Poland, Latvia or other countries — Putin

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Lukashenko dismisses Chairman of General Staff of Belarusian Armed Forces

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Putin shows West dialogue on security issues is possible — ambassador

Antonov said that during his inaugural speech, President Putin gave a clear message to Western powers

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Pashinyan remains silent over opposition’s demand for his resignation within one hour

Neither the government’s press office nor Pashinyan himself have somehow responded to the opposition’s demands yet

China supports Serbia in defending its sovereignty on Kosovo issue — Xi

Xi Jinping is on a state visit to Serbia on May 7-8

Eight civilians injured as several aerial targets downed over Belgorod

Five of the injured people have been taken to hospital,Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor of the region said

Russia mulls developing vertical take-off fighter jets for new aircraft carrier

"We are discussing this with our aircraft-building companies," Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov said

Russian forces hit Ukrainian points of deployment and equipment at railway stations

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ISS orbit not to be adjusted over solar flares, subsequent geomagnetic storm

The Institute of Applied Geophysics told TASS that the geomagnetic storm on Earth has intensified from the G3 (strong) to G4 (severe) level

Moscow issues agrement to new Finnish envoy

According to Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Second European Department Sergey Belyaev, Marja Liivala is an "experienced and highly professional diplomat"

Russia didn’t invite officials from unfriendly countries to victory parade, diplomat says

Maria Zakharova said veteran organizations in unfriendly countries weren’t affected by the decision not to invite officials

Cuba thanks EAEU countries for support amid US blockade — president

We are a small country, which has been under the [US] economic, trade and financial blockade for more than 60 years, Miguel Diaz-Canel said

Macron denies death of French troops in Ukraine out of fear of protests — SVR head

According to Sergey Naryshkin, the French Army is "visibly concerned" over the growing number of French citizens killed in Ukraine

Russia’s Battlegroup West destroys Ukrainian armored vehicles, M777 howitzer

Crews manning the Msta-SM2 self-propelled artillery system from the 1st Guard Tank Army also destroyed a manpower, the Russian Defense Ministry reported

Russia's largest hydroelectric plant: five years after the accident

The dam in Russia’s Siberia suffered an industrial disaster on August 17, 2009

New US arms shipment to Ukraine a reaction to Russia’s success at frontline — envoy

Anatoly Antonov also castigated the US administration for shrugging off responsibility for Ukrainian attacks at civilian facilities in Russia with the use of weapons being supplied from the United States

Israel supports families of 9 killed Russian IDF servicemen — envoy

The embassy noted that there are many Russians with double citizenship currently enlisted in the IDF

Russian sniper reports elimination of Ukrainian serviceman wearing helmet with SS emblem

He specified that his group took the helmet as proof of the elimination

London refuses to engage with Moscow on Skripals — senior Russian diplomat

According to Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Second European Department Sergey Belyaev, the Russian Embassy in London has sent over 60 written inquiries to the UK Foreign Office since the provocation in March 2018