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PhosAgro posts 7% rise in production of agrochemicals to record 3 mln tons for Q1

"This result was attributable mainly to the fact that our Volkhov production complex reached its design capacity," CEO Mikhail Rybnikov said

MOSCOW, April 18. /TASS/. PhosAgro increased its production of agrochemicals by almost 7% in Q1 2024 to a record 3.005 mln tons, the producer of fertilizers reported.

Total fertilizer sales rose by 11.5% in the reporting period year-on-year to over 3 mln tones.

"Quarterly agrochemical production exceeded 3 million tons for the first time in the company’s history. This result was attributable mainly to the fact that our Volkhov production complex reached its design capacity," CEO Mikhail Rybnikov was quoted as saying. "We continue to implement our long-term development strategy, which is aimed at constantly expanding and modernizing our production facilities. This year, we plan to invest a record 73 billion rubles, which is 14% more than the previous year," he added.

Production of phosphate-based fertilizers and feed phosphates increased by 9.2% year-on-year to 2.26 mln tons in the first three months of 2024, according to the report. Meanwhile production of nitrogen-based fertilizers was slightly down - by 0.4% at 672,700 tons.

Production of main feedstocks increased by 3.6% to 3.622 mln tons, mainly due to growth of output of phosphoric and sulphuric acid by 5.4% and by 4.7%, respectively.

PhosAgro is one of the world’s leading phosphate-based fertilizer producers. Members of the Guryev family are the economic beneficiaries of 43.66% of the company. In addition, 4.82% of the shares are directly owned by Evgenia Guryeva and another 20.6% - by the wife of the Rector of the St. Petersburg Mining University Vladimir Litvinenko, Tatyana Litvinenko, who received the package from her husband in May 2022.

Zimbabwe ready to buy 1 mln tons of grain to ease shortages after drought

"Significant resources will be channeled to buy grain from the domestic market", Information Minister Jenfan Muswere said

Ukrainian drone drops munition onto house in Kursk Region village, killing civilian

One civilian died in a subsequent fire

Russia’s Battlegroup East improves positions in DPR, hits roughly 100 Ukrainian troops

Ukrainians lost two pickup trucks and two US-made 155mm M777 howitzers

Russian forces liberate settlement of Semyonovka in Donetsk People’s Republic

Inflicting a defeat on forces of the 68th Infantry Brigade, the 23rd and 115th mechanized brigades of the Ukrainian armed forces, the 109 Territorial Defense Brigade and mercenaries from the International Legion near Novoalexandrovka, Arkhangelskoye, Tarasovka and Zavetonoye in the Donetsk People’s Republic

Kremlin spokesman says Zelensky’s fate is sealed

The comment concerns both the fate of Zelensky and the outcome of the Russian special military operation

Lavrov informs Tajik counterpart about terrorism-prevention measures in Russia

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Xi Jinping to pay official visit to Serbia on May 7-8

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Moscow urges international bodies to stop covering up Kiev role in Bucha events — diplomat

Maria Zakharova added that previous calls by Russia for international organizations, including agencies of the United Nations, to conduct a serious investigation have to date remained unanswered

NATO defense ministers to discuss support for Ukraine in Brussels on May 16

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Kiev openly flaunts involvement in murder of Russian journalists — Russian mission to UN

Dmitry Polyansky noted that Russian journalist Daria Dugina, military reporter Vladlen Tatarsky, Tavriya broadcasting company editor-in-chief Rostislav Zhuravlyov, Rossiya-24 TV reporter Boris Maksudov were killed by Ukrainian intelligence agencies and their agents

Top security official advises West to keep door open for joint research work with Russia

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Hamas receives proposal to release 33 hostages in exchange to ceasefire — TV

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During the July 2023 summit in Vilnius, NATO leaders called Russia "the most serious and direct threat to security"

Chinese diplomat comments on Blinken’s warning on support to Russia

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Clashes between protesters and police begin in Tbilisi

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Russian troops pummel Ukrainian army, equipment in 131 areas over past day

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Musk concurs that civil war looming in West

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France denies Olympic accreditation to volunteers from Russia

Paris 2024 volunteer program director Alexandre Morenon-Conde said on March 21, 2023 that the volunteer program was open for all, without any exclusions

Ukrainian command throws unfit soldiers to front line in Ocheretino, POW recounts

Alexander Vedernikov was mobilized for military service in the Rovno Region as "relatively fit" and had not received any special training

Russia develops world’s first light drone with hybrid engine

The hybrid powerplant boosts the drone’s flight duration

First group of suspected coup plotters goes on trial in Germany

Federal prosecutors filed charges in the case against a total of 27 people

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The result was achieved thanks to the expansion of the company's production capacity and transition to 24-hour three-shift mode of assembly of components at all affiliated plants

Russian drone operators destroy Ukrainian positions near Semyonovka, Spornoye

Troops of the combat group "South" destroyed Ukrainian positions near two settlements

Putin makes 90-year-old writer, US resident Garri Karolinsky Russian citizen

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Medvedev vows Moscow's response to US law on seizing Russia's frozen assets will sting

The Russian Security Council deputy chairman suggested enacting legislation to allow Russia to confiscate assets belonging to the citizens of unfriendly countries

Yet another Ukrainian drone shot down over Belgorod Region — defense ministry

The attack occurred around 8:00 pm Moscow time on April 30

US authorizes energy-related transactions with Russian banks until November 1

According to the document, the banks in question include the Central Bank of Russia, VTB, Alfa Bank, Sberbank, Vneshekonombank, Otkrytiye, Sovkombank, Rosbank, Zenit and Sankt-Peterburg

Police using tear gas against protesters in Tbilisi

Police are trying to push the protesters off the building

Russian air defense forces block Ukrainian attempt to use ATACMS on Crimea — politician

The Ukrainians used several ATACMS ballistic missiles in an attempt to attack civilians on the peninsula

Russia’s Dnepr Battlegroup destroys 21 Ukrainian drone control centers in past day

The Ukrainian armed forces lost up to 50 militants, an M777 howitzer, ten mortars, five boats, said Kherson Region Governor Vladimir Saldo

Ukraine to either surrender on Moscow’s terms or cease to exist — top Russian lawmaker

According to Vyacheslav Volodin, the outcome also includes economic problems in Europe and the US, as well as a lack of manpower for the Ukrainian armed forces

Russian tourists flock to North Korea — embassy

"Today, under the two countries’ leaders’ special attention, political contacts, exchanges, cooperation in the economic, culture, science and other areas are developing with renewed momentum," Minister Plenipotentiary of the republic's embassy in Russia Lee Yong Zin said

Russian troops in Crimea receive S-400 antiaircraft missile system

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Report on alleged North Korean missile in Ukraine made by non-field experts — UN source

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Riot police break up protest rally near parliamentary building in Tbilisi

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

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NATO views Russian ‘invasion’ of neighboring member as unlikely in near future — WSJ

The bloc worries that Russia "might spark conflict" in neighboring NATO member countries in the shorter term though, the newspaper wrote

Russia developing new combat helicopter for Airborne Force

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US defeat in Ukraine only matter of time, says North Korean Defense Ministry official

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Another attempted military coup thwarted in Burkina Faso, media outlet reports

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Russian government approves list of unfriendly countries

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Ukrainian government allocates $392 million to buy more drones

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Russian Pantsir-S air defense takes down some 100 drones around the world

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US undermines participation of Russian representative in UN Committee on Information

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Russian troops recover first Abrams tank from special military operation zone

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Money transfers between Russia, Turkey close to standstill since start of year — newspaper

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Prosecutors call to arrest one of Russia’s richest men over alleged alcohol smuggling

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Tucker Carlson interviews Russian philosopher Dugin

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One woman killed, another one wounded in Ukraine’s shelling of Kursk Region village

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Emmanuel Todd believes that "one of Washington's goals is to prevent a rapprochement between Russia and Germany"

Russian aerospace forces hit two terrorists base in Syria’s Homs governorate

Deputy chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria Yury Popov also said that during the day, no shelling attacks on the positions of government forces were reported in the Idlid de-escalation zone

Russia, Turkey to hold consultations on issues on UN agenda — Russian foreign ministry

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Conflict in Ukraine may develop into nuclear war, top Hungarian diplomat warns

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Press review: GOP tussles over Ukraine bill and Putin, Aliyev talk partnership

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, April 23rd

Two police officers killed in militant attack in Russia’s North Caucasus

Several improvised explosive devices were found at the scene

Russian air defenses down aerial target near Belgorod, governor says

There were no casualties or damage though

Ukrainian army loses up to 135 troops, two cars in South Donetsk area

According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, Russian military personnel repelled two enemy attacks

European banks’ tax payments in Russia rise four-fold in 2023 — newspaper

The Financial Times notes that more than half of the European banks’ tax payments correspond to Austria’s Raiffeisen Bank International

Panic on frontline growing on Ukrainian side — Kremlin

Russia must support the current dynamics in the special military operation zone, Dmitry Peskov said

Republika Srpska president praises Moscow-Banja Luka relations, favors strengthening them

Milorad Dodik also touched upon the topic of sanctions mentioned by Patrushev earlier

Russia’s Battlegroup East takes new positions near Ugledar — top brass

One of the assault regiment commanders told that Ukrainian units frequently deliver erroneous artillery strikes on their own positions

Bank of Russia does not rule out keeping key rate at current levels until year's end

The Bank of Russia also does not rule out raising the estimate of the neutral key rate in the near future

No conditions for talks with Kiev at this time — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov stated that the position of Russian President Vladimir Putin "is well-known"

Operation in Rafah to have ‘devastating’ impact on Middle East — UN chief

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres recalled that more than 1.2 million people are seeking shelter in Rafah

Musk sees plans for ten-year security agreement for Ukraine as ‘insane’

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Russia’s UN envoy calls on UNSC to prevent conflict in Bosnia-Herzegovina

Vasily Nebenzya said that the situation in the country was getting worse

Majority of Germans against sending Taurus missiles to Ukraine — poll

37% favored such supplies

Armenia, Russia in dialogue to resolve problems in relations — top Armenian diplomat

Some issues require complete mutual understanding, but Isuch problems exist in any relations, said Armenian Foreign Minister Aarat Mirzoyan

Riot police dispersing protest rally in Tbilisi

Police are detaining the protesters who are tossing bottles and other objects at them

Senior security official says Russia isn’t at war with Ukraine

Nikolay Patrushev said Ukrainian traditions are familiar to Russians, just like the Russian heritage is inseparable from Ukrainian culture

Russian drivers bought 500,000 baseball bats last year to settle road disputes — police

Only one pair of baseball gloves and one ball was sold over that year

Leader of Georgia’s largest opposition party beaten by police at rally — report

Levan Khabeishvili is a chairman of the party called United National Movement

UN chief calls for letting int’l investigators to sites of mass graves in Gaza

According to the Al Mayadeen television channel, more than 330 bodies have been recovered from mass graves following Israeli troops’ withdrawal

Germany supplied Kiev with many weapons without mentioning publicly — top German diplomat

"We supplied anti-tank missile systems, Stinger man-portable air defense systems and other weapons that we never talked about publicly, so these deliveries could happen quickly," Annalena Baerbock noted

Medicine for Bekhterev’s disease may cause medical tourism to Russia — Health Minister

Previously, the media reported that the Russian Health Ministry registered the first treatment for the Bekhterev’s disease in the world

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

"The American aid won’t save Zelensky. New weapons will be destroyed, and the special military operation goals will be achieved," Anatoly Antonov stressed

Russian court arrests in absentia four foreign agents charged with terrorism

"The court has selected a measure of restraint for Garry Kasparov, Gennady Gudkov, Yevgenia Chirikova and Ivan Tyutrin, charged with establishing and heading a terrorist society, funding terrorist activity and justifying it publicly," the court said

Zimbabwe ready to buy 1 mln tons of grain to ease shortages after drought

"Significant resources will be channeled to buy grain from the domestic market", Information Minister Jenfan Muswere said

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

Russian troops improved their tactical position and repelled eight Ukrainian army counterattacks in the Avdeyevka area over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

G7 agrees to work toward transitioning away from Russian gas imports

In a separate statement, the Group of Seven reaffirmed its commitment to reduce reliance on civil Russian nuclear-related goods

Armenia still CSTO members, wants its mechanisms to operate duly — top diplomat

It is necessary to make efforts to ensure due operation of all mechanisms within it, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirziyan 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

US creating NATO bases in Ukraine under guise of training centers — Belarusian president

"Unfortunately, the Ukrainian authorities don't care a bit about their own people and they don't hear our concerns," Alexander Lukashenko noted

Houthis attack two commercial vessels, two US destroyers

Movement’s representative Yahya Saria said that the Ansar Allah delivered drone strikes on two US destroyers in the Red Sea. According to him, the hits "reached their targets"

Dmitri Hvorostovsky: Tomorrow will be brighter still

People's artist of Russia, singer Dmitri Hvorostovsky in TASS special project Top Officials

Another Ukrainian drone shot down over Belgorod Region — defense ministry

Earlier in the day, the ministry reported downing of three Ukrainian drones

Serbia may have to chose between EU and BRICS in future — President Vucic

According to the Serbian leader, Belgrade will stick to the European path

Press review: China to weather US storm and ATACMS not 'wonder weapons'

Top stories from the Russian press on Saturday, April 27th

Netanyahu vows Israel will conduct operation in Rafah in any case

Israeli Prime Minister stressed that this will be done regardless of the potential agreement with the Palestinian radicals on the release of hostages

Russia favors increasing role of SCO, BRICS, CIS, CSTO globally — foreign policy concept

The document notes the promotion of "constructive dialogue, partnerships, and cross-fertilization of various cultures, religions and civilizations"

Fire in Ulan-Ude suburb put out — emergencies ministry

Seventeen summer cottages have burnt down

20 houses on fire near Ulan-Ude

Firefighting operation involved more than 70 rescuers and 19 fire vehicles

UN chief urges Israel, Hamas to sign Gaza ceasefire agreement

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres noted that he has been consistently calling for a humanitarian ceasefire, release of all hostages, and a massive surge in humanitarian aid

US-led coalition’s aircraft violate Syrian airspace ten times in past day

Three pairs of the coalition’s F-15 fighter jets and two pairs of A-10 Thunderbolt attack bombers violated airspace in the al-Tanf area