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IMF adviser: CBR's termination of bad banks' licenses is not crackdown on banking

MOSCOW, December 10 (Itar-Tass) - The Central Bank of Russia’s measures to recall unreliable banks’ licences is not a massive crackdown on the Russian banking system as such, an advisor to the IMF's European division, Antonio Spilimbergo said.

There are over banks in Russia, and about 25 have been closed recently, he told a news conference. Since banks are closed every year, this measure should by no means be perceived as a massive attack on banks. Spilimbergo added that the number of banks stripped of their licences and the amount of their assets made up only 1 percent.

The head of the IMF mission recalled that a megaregulator had been set up last September in Russia. Spilimbergo described it as a good sign that demonstrated Russia was determined to take urgent action in relation to weak banks.

He added that Russian retail clients should not worry about the elimination of unreliable banks, as the CBR’s actions to eliminate ‘bad’ banks would help calm the people.

In the second half of 2013 the Bank of Russia revoked licences from 14 banks, Master Bank being the most notable case recently.

Anti-Russian sanctions

Switzerland unblocks Russia-related assets worth 290 mln Swiss francs

The total amount of blocked assets of the Russian Federation decreased by 150 million Swiss francs (about $165 million) due to the fact that a number of individuals "were removed from the EU sanctions lists"

Revival Party leader released after being questioned by Moldovan special services

According to Natalia Parasca, around 100 delegates to the Moldovan opposition forum in Moscow were held at the Chisinau airport for about three hours

Moldova punishing Gagauzia for refusal to call Russia aggressor — Gagauz leader

We have always been standing and will continue to stand for friendly relations with Russia, Yevgenia Gutsul said

WADA explains difference between Valieva’s case and Chinese swimmers’ violations

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Lavrov slams West for promoting 'dishonest schemes' for restrictions on nuclear weapons

The top Russian diplomat stressed that "striving to attain decisive military superiority, Washington and its allies are enlarging the network of alliances directed against third countries"

Over 40 nations want to join BRICS — Russian lawmaker

According to Grigory Karasin, many BRICS members share the opinion that the association should be in no hurry to adopt a strict charter, "seeing how counterproductively and even provocatively the European Union is acting"

Current Russian turn eastward possible owing to Baikal-Amur railway — Putin

BAM personifies giant labor and courage of two million very young people from across the entire Soviet Union, the Russian leader said

Army officer some media point to as Nord Stream blasts coordinator goes missing in Ukraine

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Builders from Azerbaijan participate in BAM upgrade — Putin

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North Korea stages first combined tactical drill simulating nuclear counterattack — KCNA

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US-led coalition’s aircraft violate Syrian airspace 14 times in past day

One shelling attacks on the positions of Syrian government army by the Jabhat al-Nusra (outlawed in Russia) group was reported in the Idlib de-escalation zone

Ukraine 'not in a position to win' against Russia — Spanish reserve colonel

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Russian troops liberate Novomikhailovka community in DPR — top brass

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Over 14,700 residential houses remain flooded in Russia

The source also said that 38,302 Russians have been evacuated from flooded areas and settlements potentially falling into these zones since the beginning of the spring floods

Qiwi projects $247 mln loss over sale of Russian assets

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Russia’s Battlegroup West repels three attacks in past day, moving to better positions

Units of Battlegroup Center have improved their tactical positions

NATO, Poland made no decision on deployment of nuclear weapons — Andrzej Duda

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Lavrov speaks of West’s agony, Russia’s approach to any future talks with Kiev

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Top Security Council official meets with Cuban interior minister, foreign counterparts

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Over 280 recovered from mass grave at hospital in Khan Yunis — TV

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Units of South battlegroup fully free Bogdanovka in Donetsk People’s Republic — top brass

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Moldovan opposition announces creation of Pobeda political bloc

Among representatives are Governor of the autonomous Gagauzia region of Moldova Yevgenia Gutsul and parliamentary deputy Marina Tauber

New anti-Russian sanctions to include ban on LNG supplies — Swedish Foreign Minister

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Russia expects Xi Jinping to attend BRICS summit in Kazan — Lavrov

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Russian troops level off frontline near Kremennaya in LPR for further advance

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Dollar almost completely gone from Russia-China trade relations — Lavrov

"The supply of our agricultural products to the Chinese market is growing," the top Russian diplomat noted

EU Council to discuss weapons supplies to Ukraine, Russian assets, sanctions on Iran

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Russia’s UN envoy, Serbian leader discuss coordination on Kosovo at UN

They "exchanged opinions on a wide range of pressing bilateral and international issues while focusing on the situation in the Balkans," the Russian diplomatic mission to the UN said

Romanian rescuers find Ukrainian deserters who spent four days in mountains

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Liberation of Novomikhailovka brings closer encirclement of Ugledar, says DPR official

On Monday, the Russian Defense Ministry said the village had been liberated

Russian peacekeepers heading for temporary deployment centers in Armenia

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Conflict in Ukraine can be over by end of 2025, Hungary’s Orban believes

Prime Minister said that it is possible if proponents of peace, not war, win the June elections to the European Parliament and the US Presidential elections in November

Russia ready to offer access to Asian markets to partners in BAM upgrade — Putin

"To this end we intend to implement plans of expedited upgrade of BAM, the Trans-Siberian Railway, development of the entire eastern range of railroads on the basis of advanced technologies," the Russian President said

Moldovan authorities try to present Gagauz as separatists — official

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Ukrainian troops fleeing Ocheretino in small groups, says DPR

"There is one more or less suitable road but it is also being shelled," adviser to the DPR head Igor Kimakovsky said

Russian missile cruiser Varyag enters Mediterranean Sea

The ship's crew continues to fulfill the mission it was given for the long-range voyage

Ukraine lost best fighters near Artyomovsk, retired general says

Sergey Krivonos added that relocation of troops from one direction to another will not solve Ukrainian forces’ problems, and that each fighter should be used according to their specialization

West battlegroup destroys two Ukrainian drones, hit over 170 Ukrainian army’s facilities

The battlegroup’s spokesman Ivan Bigma said that a Gvozdika self-propelled system, nine mortar squads, two Furiya fixed-wing type unmanned aerial vehicles were destroyed

Cossack Brigade ‘Dnieper’ takes out two Ukrainian boats at Kinburn Spit

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Russia's eyes open to nature of US sanctions — Kremlin

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Kremlin vows legal action against US bill on seizing Russian assets

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Russia, in his words, is "correcting what others have done"

Gagauzian leader on unity of Moldova’s opposition, ability to watch Russian TV channels

Yevgenia Gutsul underlined that Gagauzia plans to start exporting products to Russia in the near future

New US military aid will not prevent end of Kiev regime — Russian mission to the UN

"That’s what happens when the head of state doesn’t care about his own people and sells out his country," Dmitry Polyansky said

Knauf to transfer its Russian business to local management — company

To complete the transaction, the German company is yet to receive the approval from Russian authorities

Scholz says era of fossil fuel will be over soon

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TikTok criticizes bill that would ban platform in US as free speech violation

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Pobeda bloc expects global community to respond to struggle against opposition in Moldova

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Dollar exchange rate down to 93.29 rubles on Moscow Exchange, euro up to 99.4 rubles

The yuan added to 12.851 rubles

Almaz-Antey adapts air defense launchers for various missiles

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West balancing on edge of direct military confrontation between nuclear powers — Lavrov

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Armenia remains engaged with CSTO — head of post-Soviet security bloc

Imangali Tasmagambetov noted that "relations between the CSTO and Armenia, which is a member state of our organization, are far from being at their best"

Russia firmly ready for peace solution in Ukraine — Kremlin spokesman

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North Korea presumably launches ballistic missile — Japan Coast Guard

This is North Korea’s fourth ballistic missile launch this year

Ukraine turns from sovereign country into Western protectorate, Hungarian PM says

Viktor Orban noted that there should be a buffer zone between NATO and Russia and Ukraine could serve as one

US expert says more ATACMS won't alter battlefield dynamics in Ukraine

"There is no magic weapon, there is no series of weapons that could change this" situation for the Ukrainian armed forces, Scott Ritter said

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Russian peacekeepers leave Karabakh after Yerevan recognizes Baku’s state borders — Peskov

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Top Hungarian diplomat warns US-NATO-EU competition in Ukraine could spark WWIII

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Damage to TV tower in Kharkov causes problems with digital TV signal

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Involvement of NATO states prolongs Ukrainian conflict — Russian ambassador to Germany

"Ukraine today is fully dependent on supplies of Western weapons, military hardware, ammunition, financing, intelligence, and assistance from military advisers," Sergey Nechayev said

Armenia purchasing only defensive weapons — PM

Yerevan's defense spending is 15-20% of what Azerbaijan spends on it, Nikol Pashinyan said

Ukraine’s military intelligence chief recognizes Russia’s success in Avdeyevka

Ukrainian troops suffered significant losses in the fighting for the control of this town

Confiscation of Russian assets by the US to affect Europe more — expert

The US decision may provoke panic among investors that would start withdrawing their funds from European banks, being concerned of their freeze and further confiscation

Destroyed TV tower in Kharkov carried Ukrainian air defense coordination device — official

Digital TV signal interruptions are now observed in the city

Russian ambassador criticizes Germany for lack of answers in spy case

During the visit to the German foreign ministry on April 18, 2024, we did not receive any answers to our questions, Sergey Nechayev said

Russia sees tendency for Latin America to become one of multipolar world order centers

"The very fact that the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States returns back to its roots is a good sign," Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said

Chinese car plant to start production at former Mercedes site in Moscow region in May

Earlier it was reported that the German automobile concern Mercedes-Benz plans to sell its enterprise located in the Solnechnogorsk district of the Moscow region

Mobilization law condition for new supplies of arms to Kiev by NATO — source

Arms supplies are only reasonable if a large number of military personnel able to use those weapons in defense and assault operations is available

Russia has significant amount of West’s funds in case of confiscation of its assets

Russia views the West’s encroachment on its assets as "a blatant and shameless theft for the purpose of lining its pockets," Maria Zakharova noted

Russian economy to see serious structural changes — presidential aide

"The first one is the technology agenda, the very large one, with huge demands for our own small, medium and large solutions," Maxim Oreshkin said

Russia becomes Europe’s first economy despite 'pressure from all sides,' Putin says

"We have left all of Europe behind in terms of purchasing power parity but as for the per capita indicator, we need to work harder," the Russian leader stressed

London grants agrement to Zaluzhny as ambassador to UK — Ukrainian parliamentarian

This must be followed by a decree of the Ukrainian president on the appointment

Transport National Project funding estimated at over $109.2 bln by 2030

"The greater portion is railroad projects - 60%," Russian Deputy Transport Minister Valentin Ivanov said

Russia invites all countries to develop North - South transport corridor — Putin

"The North-South transport corridor should become an example of the broadest international cooperation," the Russian leader said

Russia recovers black boxes from crashed Tu-22M3 bomber

According to the law enforcement, the search for the fourth crew member is ongoing

US accusing Russia of allegedly deploying nuclear weapons in space absurd — Lavrov

The foreign minister also pointed out that Russia is firmly committed to its international legal obligations, including the 1967 Outer Space Treaty

Repaired strategic bomber Tu-22M3 re-enters service with Russia’s Aerospace Force

The bombers will get advanced precision weapons while their radio-electronic devices and engines will be similar to the equipment aboard the latest Tu-160M2 aircraft

Water level in Ishim River in Tyumen’s Abatsky up to 770 cm

The level of water grew by 69 cm in 24 hours

EU reacts to worsening of situation for Ukraine by preparing for new world war — Szijjarto

The Hungarian Foreign Minister noted that the participants of the EU foreign and defense ministers meeting "did not challenge the information about the degree of Russia’s arms superiority"

Ukrainian intelligence predicts dire situation from mid-May onward

Kirill Budanov acknowledged that the Ukrainian army had long experienced problems on the frontline

Russia looking to open diplomatic missions in South Sudan, Niger, Sierra Leone — diplomat

According to Alexey Klimov, in 2023, almost 30,000 temporary entrance (return) permits were issued abroad and over 460,000 foreign passports were issued

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

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, April 22nd

US capitalizing on Israel-Palestinian conflict — Syrian president

America preys on any conflict and then steps aside to watch the growing havoc, waiting for a moment to deal a knockout blow, Bashar Assad said

NATO’s backing of Kiev’s strikes beyond special op area makes peace unachievable — expert

"The position of the majority of Western states negatively affects the probability of a peaceful settlement of the conflict, creating a risk of further escalation," Jiraporn Ruamphongphatthana believes

No point in peace conference on Ukraine without Russia — top Hungarian diplomat

All parties involved in combat operations must meet at the negotiating table, Peter Szijjarto said

Hamas leader wants to see Russia, Egypt, Turkey as guarantor countries for Gaza

Talking about the current situation in Gaza, Ismail Haniyeh noted that "the resistance is still strong"

Development of Baikal-Amur, Trans-Siberian railways important for Russia, CIS — Putin

The Russian leader recalled that Heydar Aliyev, the father Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev, supervised construction of the Baikal-Amur railway

Belarusian air defense registers increased number of NATO aviation sorties

"This is dozens of sorties, carried out along the same routes, more or less", said Belarusian Air Force and Air Defense Deputy Commander Colonel Lieutenant Eduard Zhmakin

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

According to the journalist, the decision to conduct the operation was made by US President Joe Biden personally, following nine months of discussions with White House national security advisers

Ukraine says Western systems ineffective against Russia's electronic warfare

Maria Berlinskaya emphasized that the real effectiveness was determined in real combat conditions, and not at "some training ground in Texas"

Russia to incorporate US nuke scenario in Poland in its military planning — diplomat

"Poland’s authorities make no secret of their striving to lean closer on the US nuclear weapons deployed in Europe and are actively using these ambitions in their hostile Russian policy," Maria Zakharova stressed

International meeting of security representatives opening in St. Petersburg

Moreover, discussions within two theme-based roundtables will be held

Eleven Russians dead, 48 injured in Ukrainian strikes over week

Rodion Miroshnik pointed out that over the past week, Ukrainian forces fired "at least 1,278 rounds of ammunition" at the civilian facilities in the border regions

Flow of cargo traffic via North-South transport corridor to reach 60-100 mln tons

The presidents of Russia and Azerbaijan, Vladimir Putin and Ilham Aliyev, met with veterans, builders and employees of the Baikal-Amur Mainline on Monday