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VTB posts 17% drop in Q1 net profit under IFRS to $1.3 bln

As of March 31, 2024, VTB Group’s assets amounted to $338 bln, up by 6% year-to-date

MOSCOW, April 25. /TASS/. Net profit of VTB Group under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) amounted to 122.4 bln rubles ($1.3 bln) in Q1 2024, down by 17% year-on-year, according to financial results. Q1 net profit of the group totaled 147.2 bln rubles ($1.6 bln at the current exchange rate).

"VTB Group posted a net profit of 122.4 billion rubles for 1Q 2024, a 16.8% decline from the previous year, stemming from uneven FX gains and one-off effect from RNCB acquisition," VTB said.

As of March 31, 2024, VTB Group’s assets amounted to 31.1 trillion rubles ($338 bln), up by 6% year-to-date. Total loan book before loan loss provisions equaled 22.1 trillion rubles ($240 bln), up by 5.4% since the start of the year. Loans to legal entities increased by 6.8% in Q1 to 15 trillion rubles ($163 bln). At the year’s start, year-on-year growth in loans to individuals slowed down to 2.6% by the end of 1Q, with the retail loan portfolio reaching 7.2 trillion rubles ($78 bln).

Russian ministry offers new standard of reporting on sustainable development to business

The document was presented at a meeting of an expert council on sustainable development at the Economic Development Ministry headed by Minister Maksim Reshetnikov

Cuba opts to scrap visa regime for Chinese nationals, says Cuban tourism minister

Juan Carlos Garcia Granda announced this decision in view of the fact that China will be the guest of honor during the next International Tourism Fair

Two people wounded in Ukrainian shelling attack on Donetsk

The region’s emergency services told TASS that those injured had been hospitalized

Russia engages TOS-2 flamethrowers in Ukraine

220mm TOS-2 is a successor to TOS-1A with improved characteristics

US fails to shoot down Iranian missiles, drones in strike on Israel — IRGC general

Ali Belali described Iranian weapons as "an important factor of strength and the exercise of power in the world"

US official supports continued cooperation between Russia, US on space

This is the opinion of the US Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control, Verification, and Compliance Mallory Stewart

Russian ambassador slams Germany’s supplies of lethal weapons to Kiev as mistake

Neither Russia nor Germany will disappear from the European map, Sergey Nechayev noted

Ukraine deploys reserves due to challenging situation near Ocheretino

Nazar Voloshin conceded that Russia had "certain tactical success" in the area

Around 40% of US voters see possibility of civil war in their country — survey

The survey also found that 37% of voters believe another civil war is more likely to happen if incumbent President Joe Biden is re-elected

Iran used Ghadr, Emad and Kheibar missiles to strike Israel, IRGC general says

It is reported that the US believes Iran has the largest ballistic missile force in the Middle East. Iran insists that its missile program is solely for defensive purposes

President of Guinea-Bissau to attend Victory Day parade in Moscow - embassy

Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said more than 9,000 people, aircraft and 75 units of military equipment will take part in the parade on Red Squar

Ukraine’s Zelensky warns troops about 'new round of war' coming

Previously, Russian Defense Minister Sergey announced, that, in 2024, the Ukrainian armed forces lost over 111,000 troops and 21,000 weapons and vehicles

Putin stresses importance of realistic approaches to national budgetary policy

"I would like to remind that it is fundamentally important for us to maintain responsible, balanced and completely realistic approaches in the budgetary policy sphere, including planning of the main financial document of the country based on budgeting rules," the President noted

NATO seriously prepares for conflict with Russia — diplomat on Steadfast Defender exercise

Maria Zakharova said that NATO practice coalition actions against Russia

Zelensky’s legitimacy to be soon called in question — Kremlin spokesman

According to Dmitry Peskov, it will be done from the legal point of view in any case

Exhibition of captured NATO military hardware kicks off in Moscow

In all, there are 32 items

Russian air defenses shoot down Ukrainian drone over Belgorod Region - Defense Ministry

The Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle was destroyed over the territory of the Belgorod Region by on-duty air defenses

Final report on 2019 Aeroflot Superjet 100 crash in Sheremetyevo complete — IAC

The Committee underscored that, during the investigation, all hazard factors are being forwarded to the Russian Federal Agency for Air Transport (Rosaviatsiya), the designers, the producers and the users of this type of aircraft

Death toll from Brazilian floods rises to 56 - report

The deluge hit 281 municipalities in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, affecting more than 370,000 people

Latvia digging anti-tank ditches on border with Russia, Belarus — media

Kaspars Lazdins noted that once the ditches were ready, the so-called dragon’s teeth barriers would be set up on the border

G7 considers giving Ukraine $50 bln worth of aid — Bloomberg

The US pushing to sign an agreement when G7 leaders convene in Italy in June

NATO wants 'hot war' with Russia which may destroy US, Carlson says

According to the journalist, everything that Washington does shows that it wants this war

Russia not to take part in any events on 'Zelensky's formula' — Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova emphasized that Switzerland cannot serve as a platform for a settlement dialogue

Russian ministry puts former Ukrainian Defense Minister Koval on wanted persons list

Koval served as Ukraine's acting defense minister from March 25 to July 3, 2014

Trump develops plan on peaceful resolution in Ukraine — Telegraph

Former US President will not reveal it until the election, the Daily Telegraph reported

Europe facing 'triple existential risk,' Macron warns

According to the French leader, "a new geopolitical, economic and societal paradigm for Europe" is needed to address these challenges

Dutch ambassador to Russia wraps up his term — embassy

Gilles Beschoor Plug started his tenure as ambassador to Moscow in 2021

Kremlin slams Macron's statement about possible sending troops to Ukraine 'very dangerous'

On May 2, the French President named in an interview two conditions for sending troops to Ukraine: Kiev's request and Russia's breakthrough on the front line

Swiss conference to be showcase for Zelensky's failed peace plan — Medvedev

"It will allow our armed forces to continue cleaning the territory of Novorossiya from neo-Nazis without interference and without looking back at someone's moronic 'peace initiatives,' and all of us - to carry out meticulous work on the speedy return of our ancestral territories to Russia," Dmitry Medvedev pointed out

Infrastructure facilities damaged in Ukrainian city of Dnepr

In addition, two enterprises were damaged in Nikopol in the Dnepropetrovsk region

Press review: Biden losing traction amid student protests and EU's right-wing prospects

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, May 3rd

Russia not depending on foreign gas turbines anymore — Rostec

"Two plants were constructed in Crimea and one in the Taman Peninsula - the Udarnaya, which we will launch in full as early as in this year," Sergey Chemezov noted

Coexistence of Palestine, Israel possible if Israel’s security guaranteed — Blinken

Secretary of State underscored that Washington is fully committed to ensuring the security of Israel

World of NATO supporters crumbling, they are ready for all-out war — French politician

Tucker Carlson’s interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin "is making the entire NATO system infuriated, since it makes people listen to a story that differs from NATO propaganda and which they can’t tolerate", said Florian Philippot

Kiev loses 18 observation posts on right bank of Dnieper in past day — Russian official

The Russian army carried out active defensive operations on the left bank of the Dnieper, conducting precise strikes on enemy military facilities, equipment and artillery weapons on the right bank

Russia launches production of smartphones with protection against data leakage

A special feature of AYYA T1 is the impossibility of unauthorized data collection by cameras and microphone thanks to the option of their hardware shutdown

FSB foils Kiev’s terrorist attack on Trans-Siberian Railway

The Russian national was recruited by Ukrainian intelligence in Lvov, underwent sabotage training and was sent to Russia for committing terror attacks with the use of improvised explosives on railway trains delivering cargo for the special military operation

Sadiq Khan wins third term as London mayor

Khan, 53, who represents the opposition Labour Party, collected 43.7% of the votes in the May 2 election

Russian forces carry out 25 group strikes at energy, military industrial facilities

The Russian Defense Ministry noted that the strikes also hit temporary deployment locations of Ukrainian neo-Nazi militias and foreign mercenaries, as well as concentrations of military vehicles

Russian diplomat blasts Cameron for approving strikes on country with nuclear weapons

Maria Zakharova said Russian agencies in charge of defending the country would undoubtedly retaliate if there were any strikes inside Russia

Russian senator warns against attempts to hamper Russia’s access to Kaliningrad

"I don’t think that anyone in Finland would venture to impose any restrictions," Alexander Shenzheryuk-Zhidkov noted

Holy Fire from Jerusalem delivered to Christ the Saviour Cathedral

The service is conducted by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill

Russian envoy slams US accusations of Russia’s involvement in cyberattacks on Europe

"According to statistics, the vast majority of computer attacks in the world occur from the territory of the United States," Anatoly Antonov stressed

Russia’s Battlegroup Dnepr wipes out 40 Ukrainian drone control centers in 24 hours

The enemy has lost up to 30 troops, battlegroup spokesman Roman Kodryan said

Russian diplomat sees Kiev preparing for new attack on Crimean Bridge with Western support

According to Maria Zakharova, ahead of Victory Day celebrations in Russia, "the Kiev regime and its Western patrons are plotting new terror attacks on Russian soil," while aiming for the news to "reverberate in the media and have a propaganda effect"

Extinguishing fire at Berlin metal factory halted

Firefighters have suspended extinguishing a blaze due to the threat of contaminating local water with chemicals, Bild reported

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

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

Russian ministry puts former Ukrainian President Poroshenko on wanted persons list

A database entry says Poroshenko is wanted for a criminal offense, without naming specific charges

Israeli military says it killed one of Islamic Jihad commanders in Rafah

According to the IDF, the commander, Ayman Zaarab, took part in the attack on Israel on October 7, 2023

Some 400 US citizens killed in hostilities in Ukraine — former Pentagon official

"We know that at least 400 Americans have died whether they are contractors or in uniform. Our administration won't say this," he said

Russia urges partners not to take part in conference on Ukraine in Switzerland — diplomat

Bern had invited more than 160 delegations to the conference on Ukraine

Europe needs China to address security, climate challenges — Macron

Focusing on the economy, Macron spoke in favor of strengthening European sovereignty while maintaining cooperation with China

Russia, Africa set to develop defense cooperation further — Kremlin

Earlier, Reuters reported, citing a senior US defense official, that Russian troops had allegedly entered an air base in Niger that is hosting US troops

Russian troops wipe out German-made IRIS-T air defense system over past day

The Ukrainian army lost over 350 personnel and several items of military hardware in battles with Russian forces in the Kupyansk area over the past day, the ministry reported

Two Russian Tu-95MS strategic bombers perform flight over Bering Sea near Alaska

The crews of Su-30SM aircraft of the Aerospace Forces provided fighter support

Any aggression against Crimea to be met with crushing retaliation — Russian MFA

In recent days, Maria Zakharova continued, Ukrainian forces "have been seen using several US-made ATACMS long-range missiles, which were secretly received a month ago, against Crimea"

French President Macron says dialogue with Russia must be continued

Emmanuel Macron also said that technical capabilities and the striking range of Russian ballistic missiles endangered European countries

NATO accuses Russia of being behind 'hybrid, malign' activities on alliance’s territories

It is reported that NATO Allies express their deep concern over Russia's hybrid actions, which constitute a threat to Allied security

Reaching agreement on Gaza in Cairo could take several more days - report

According to the television channel, "negotiators in Cairo have made progress on technical aspects of a potential agreement"

Talks on Gaza in Cairo achieve little progress so far — Hamas spokesman

The indirect talks will resume on May 5

Almost 34,600 Palestinians killed in Gaza since last October — Health Ministry

77,765 people have been injured

Sides achieve consensus on many issues during meetings on Gaza in Cairo — TV

An Al Arabiya source said that an agreement between Hamas and Israel is "unavoidable, unless new obstructions emerge"

‘Peace formula’ on Ukraine to succeed if West halts arms supplies — Russian diplomat

Maria Zakharova noted remarks by Josep Borrell who asserted that without Western arms supplies Kiev would capitulate in two weeks

Weapons delivered to Kiev end up in West, Russian diplomat says

Maria Zakharova emphasized that all Western projects similar to Ukraine "ended the same way"

Retaking Chasov Yar is just a matter of time for Russia — Ukrainian intelligence

Vadim Skibitsky admitted that the Russian forces now operate as a "single body, with a clear plan, and under a single command"

US destroyed Germany’s domestic energy supply as it blew up Nord Stream — Carlson

The journalist emphasized that the alliance "is terrible for the United States and should be disbanded immediately"

Criminal case opened against Zelensky, arrest warrant issued — police database

According to the entry, Zelensky is wanted over a Russian Criminal Code article

Cameron’s claims about Ukrainian strikes on Russia 'a direct escalation' — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov characterized Cameron’s remarks as "yet another very dangerous claim"

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

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

Russia says its forces destroyed two militant bases in Syria’s Homs province

In the area of al-Tanf, nine violations were registered over the past day, said Major General Yury Popov

Russian ministry offers new standard of reporting on sustainable development to business

The document was presented at a meeting of an expert council on sustainable development at the Economic Development Ministry headed by Minister Maksim Reshetnikov

US mercenaries let their fighting skills 'atrophy,' one of them says after trip to Ukraine

It is reported that a lot of Western soldiers struggle in Ukraine as things were not as they had expected

Any European country’s involvement in Ukrainian conflict to trigger world war — Szijjarto

Hungarian Foreign Minister noted that Europe is living through an emergency situation, with a war being held

Ukraine's intelligence recognizes impossibility of victory on battlefield

According to Vadim Skibitsky, "meaningful negotiations can begin only in the second half of 2025 at the earliest"

Chinese President Xi Jinping embarks on European tour to France, Serbia, Hungary

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian stated that these visits would boost global peaceful development

Russia, Turkey discuss situation around Ukraine and Gaza

The talks took place in Istanbul on May 3

Russian ministry puts Ukraine’s Ground Forces commander on wanted persons list

Pavlyuk was appointed Ground Forces commander on February 11

Ukraine presumably used US-made Excalibur shell for strike at Tokmak

Ministry of Emergency Situations employees continue to remove the debris

Orthodox believers start celebrating Easter with night-time worship services across Russia

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia will celebrate Easter Vigil Liturgy at at the Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow

Russian troops seize Ukrainian T-64 tank near Ugledar in DPR

The Ukrainian crew had the time to leave the vehicle while the tank was evacuated and is currently under repairs

Fire at German plant won’t affect production of IRIS-T air defense systems — Spiegel

It is reported that the defense unit has not been affected

Half of Avdeyevka’s territory cleared of explosives — newspaper

"We begin by talking to civilians and asking whether they came across anything unexploded," said the commander, identified by only his call sign Panda

Russian citizen Vinnik pleads guilty in US court in money-laundering case

His attorney said that his jail term should be less than 10 years

Azerbaijan’s president points to highest level of cooperation with Russia

Speaking of his recent visit to Russia, Ilham Aliyev stressed that it had been "very productive" and "once again demonstrated the strategic nature of allied relations" between the two countries

Russian President Putin attends Easter service at Christ the Savior Cathedral

Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin attended the service together with Putin

Idea of cutting Russia off from Kaliningrad is absurd — region’s authorities

Dmitry Lyskov clarified that Russian passenger planes use the same GPS system as European ones and do not experience any difficulties in navigation

Over 10,000 women killed in Gaza — UN agency

According to the agency, "37 children lose their mother every single day"

France preparing contingent of 2,000 troops to be sent to Ukraine — intelligence chief

According to Sergey Naryshkin, the French military "fears that such a large military unit cannot be transferred and stationed in Ukraine unnoticed"

Military aid to Ukraine promises lucrative contracts for US industry — Orban

Dollar will be worth nothing unless issue of country’s national debt solved, Musk says

Earlier, Vitor Gaspar, director of the International Monetary Fund’s Fiscal Affairs Department, said that the growth of the US national debt spurred side effects across the globe

Ukrainian authorities talk about negotiations guided by public sentiments — experts

Political researcher Oleg Posternak noted that the authorities constantly carry out sociological public opinion surveys, see the dynamic and adjust their statements in accordance with the poll results

Sale potential of new Chinese electric cars in Russia is low — Russian car dealer

It is pointed out that the Russian government has limited the import of cars as part of parallel imports and now, in order to make an official delivery, one should obtain a VTA (vehicle type approval)

Qatar likely to accept US request on expulsion of Hamas leaders from Doha — report

According to the source, Washington may file a request on expulsion of Hamas leaders if the Palestinian movement rejects the latest proposal on resolution of the hostage crisis

US confirms Russian troops enter US base in Niger

News of the Russian deployment to the airbase follows after Niger’s military rulers told Washington in March that it must withdraw the nearly 1,000 US military personnel stationed in the country

NORAD tracks four Russian military planes off Alaska — statement

"This Russian activity in the Alaska ADIZ occurs regularly and is not seen as a threat," the statement says

Freedom of the press dying in West, any dissent snuffed out — MFA

The Russian Foreign Ministry also pointed to the "incessant arbitrariness committed by the Western authorities against the Russian media and journalists, who have fully felt the repressive machine of the neoliberal West"

Trinidad and Tobago recognizes State of Palestine

As of today, 141 out of the 193 UN member states, including Russia, recognize Palestine as an independent nation

Wounded Ukrainian soldiers have to pay ambulances to take them to hospital — US expert

The ex-Pentagon adviser Douglas Macgregor also noted the continued Russian advance on the front line

Sending NATO troops to Ukraine to lead to dangerous escalation — top UK diplomat

David Cameron opined that Ukraine's defeat in a conflict with Russia would create a "very dangerous future" because it would signal to China and Iran that aggression against their neighbors is acceptable

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

Fire gutting German plant of industrial group making IRIS-T air defense systems

The Diehl Group also makes ammunition and communications systems