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New compressor complex to feed Turkmenistan-Iran gas route

ASHKHABAD, December 17 (Itar-Tass) - A new gas compressor station began operations on western Turkmenistan's Keymir field on Tuesday, the country’s president, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, said in a speech published to mark its coming on stream.

The complex is designed to transfer around one billion cubic metres of natural gas to a collecting station and onward to the 200-kilometre, 8 billion cubic metre-a-year Turkmenistan-Iran pipeline.

This facility will harness and compress normally low-pressure associated gas from local border fields, previously burnt off and causing environmental damage for many years.

On the other side of the country, the 30.5 kilometre, 12.5 billion cubic metre-a-year Dauletabad-Sarakhs-Khangiran eastern pipeline has been operating since 2010.

This route is supplied from Dovletabad, the country’s biggest gas field, sending supply to destinations including Russia.

China is the biggest consumer of Turkmen gas with an annual contract to buy around 65 billion cubic metres extracted mostly from the Galkinish field, on stream since 2013.

Turkmenistan was scheduled to extract around 77 billion cubic metres of gas in 2013, of which 44 billion cubic metres were for export.

Eurasian Economic Union

Armenia’s CSTO membership not discussed at EAEU summit — acting Russian deputy PM

"The CSTO is not a topic for the EAEU, which deals with purely economic matters," Alexey Overchuk said

Russian space agency still in talks on launching two Luna-27 mission spacecraft

"The plans are the same - we are planning to launch," Roscosmos Director General Yury Borisov told

Russian embassy slams ‘unacceptable’ Berlin’s decision to ban Russian flag on May 8-9

"We consider the bans discriminatory and contrary to the spirit of post-war historical reconciliation of the peoples of Russia and Germany," the Russian diplomats pointed out

Russia to develop cooperation with North Korea in all possible areas — Kremlin

US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said earlier that the US together with its partners would continue imposing sanctions for allegedly assisting weapons and petroleum products supplies between Russia and North Korea

Russia hands over last RD-180 rocket engines to US under existing deal

The United States has received 122 RD-180 rocket engines over more than 20 years of cooperation

Euroclear fighting over 100 lawsuits in Russian courts against investors demanding refund

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FSB declassifies documents about Nazi Germany’s crimes in Crimea

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Germany’s recalling ambassador to Russia another unfriendly step, diplomat says

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Medvedev gives warning amid talk of deploying Western troops to Ukraine

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Putin to participate in EAEU summit — his first international event of new term

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US envoy leaves Russia for certain amount of time — senior Russian diplomat

"The Foreign Ministry was told about this some time before the issue with inviting ambassadors to the inauguration ceremony of the Russian president was resolved," Sergey Ryabkov said

French military already present in Donbass — French journalist

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

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Kremlin sees Ukrainian petition for deployment of NATO troops as dangerous provocation

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US trying to destabilize situation in India ahead of general election — Russian diplomat

The general election being held in the country from April to June will be the largest voting ever taking place in the world with 968 million registered voters, 14 million election commission employees, and 1.2 million polling booths

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

Russia vows not to deport Ukrainian citizens missing ‘green card’ deadline

The Interior Ministry said that this procedure does not cover the citizens who were released from imprisonment, who pose a threat to national or public security, who presented forged IDs or reported false information

Forecasts show Russia may overtake Japan in terms of GDP growth by 2030

Andrey Belousov opined that the Russian Central Bank’s key rate would remain at a high level so far, declining to 6-7% by 2027

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

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

Xi Jinping arrives in Serbia on his first visit in eight years

Chinese President began his visit on the day marking the anniversary of the bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade by NATO aircraft

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Ten powerful solar flares erupt from Sun over past day

Some of those flares disrupted radio communications on the short wave

Pashinyan arrives in Moscow for summit, meeting with Putin

Nikol Pashinyan will chair the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council summit and then meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin

Inquiry against German Air Force chief over leaked conversation closed

"In particular, there was no evidence of deliberate actions on behalf of the above-mentioned individual," Business Insider wrote

Hamburg branch of AfG seeks to expel party member over trip to Russia as election observer

Olga Petersen had earlier been kicked out AfG’s parliamentary group

Freak snowstorm hits Moscow

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Russia may strike Britain's military facilities if London's threats materialize — MFA

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Ukrainian shelling leaves female civilian wounded in Gorlovka, mayor says

In addition, two of the city’s neighborhoods lost power

Russian forces destroy Ukrainian missile solid propellant workshop over past day

Russian troops gained better positions in the south Donetsk area over the past day, the ministry reported

FSB declassifies Hitler aide’s testimony how Red Army rescued Allies in Ardennes in 1945

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Aerospace Forces receive new Su-35S fighters

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

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Armenia to refrain from financing CSTO activity in 2024

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Kiev troops presumably used ATACMS missiles to strike Lugansk — politician

"Missiles hit an oil storage facility within city limits," Vladimir Rogov said

Ukraine loses several hundred servicemen near DPR’s Novopokrovskoye due to lack of defense

It is noted that any Ukrainian activity on this section of the front is immediately suppressed by Russia’s precise and coordinated actions

EU to agree 14th package of anti-Russia sanctions by July — EUobserver

Moreover, the new package of sanctions proposes an EU27-wide prohibition on Russian funding for "European political parties and European political foundations", "non-governmental organizations", and "media service providers", EUobserver said

Arms supplies to Kiev unlikely to drastically change situation on battlefield — US expert

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Ukraine’s economy to fall into deep coma without West’s support — Russian MFA

According to Maria Zakharova, the Kiev regime is nothing else but "a huge global laundering operation for the transfer of tens and hundreds of billions of dollars for unknown purposes and no one knows where"

Emergency Ministry employee detained in Kherson Region over collaboration with Ukraine

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The Ukrainian army’s losses in the Kupyansk direction over the past 24 hours amounted to 55 personnel and two 122mm D-30 howitzers, it specified

Musk's assertions about ancient Martian civilizations could hold true — Roscosmos

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Ukrainian companies report damage to energy facilities

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Dmitry Peskov recalled that after the inauguration, the Russian government resigned and the members of the Cabinet continued to work in the status of acting ministers

FACTBOX: What is known about string of blasts at Ukraine’s power facilities

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the strikes were carried out with drones as well as sea-and air-launched precision weapons, including Kinzhal hypersonic ballistic missiles

Dutch MEP congratulates Putin on his inauguration

"Congratulations president Putin and congratulations people of Russia with your president," Marcel de Graaff from the Dutch party Forum for Democracy said

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

Pashinyan leaves for Moscow to attend summit, meet with Putin

The summit of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council, the highest body of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), will be held in Moscow on May 8

Appeal for Western troops posted on Ukrainian president’s website

A petition needs to be signed by at least 25,000 people to be referred to the president for consideration

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The atmosphere in society has changed, now "reliability, mutual responsibility, sincerity, decency, nobility and courage" are highly valued, the Russian leader stressed

Thai king congratulates Putin on taking office as Russian president

"This yet another presidential term is a fact illustrating the people’s boundless confidence in your leadership," Maha Vajiralongkorn said

Senior Russian diplomat, Libyan general discuss ensuring Libya’s sovereignty

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Russian diplomat accuses EU spokesman of 'inciting terrorism' with Crimean Bridge remarks

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Authorities of two Ukrainian regions report damage to critical infrastructure

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Russian government resigns

The cabinet will continue to carry out its duties until a new government is appointed

Belarus won’t succumb to provocations or go to war with anyone — president

The Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko doubts that any serious political force in Western Europe wants a military conflict

European Commission confirms agreement on expropriation of income from Russian assets

This decision must now be approved by the EU Council at ministerial level

Rally organizers plotting riots involving volunteers from Ukraine — Georgian intel agency

The State Security Service claimed that foreign instructors were training protesters to stage provocations against police and create chaos in the country

Russia praises Xi Jinping’s idea about peaceful summit on Ukraine

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Indonesian ambassador says Su-35 fighter jets contract remains in force

Indonesian Ambassador to Russia Jose Tavares said that around 30% of weapons in service with his country’s armed forces are Russian-made

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

Australian Navy’s destroyer, helicopter impede Chinese drills in Yellow Sea — top brass

The Australian side "calls black white and lays the blame on someone else" in its comment on the incident, Zhang Xiaogang noted

IMF warns against violations related to use of Russian assets for helping Ukraine

Deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund Gita Gopinath said that rebuilding mutual trust among countries requires a lot of time and effort and called for preserving "some of the enormous gains from economic integration"

Ukraine approves bill on drafting convicts for military service

279 parliament members had voted in favor of the document

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Kiev forces view journalists wearing 'press' vests as primary target — war reporter

Christelle Neant recommended using small "press" labels in order to help Russian troops identify media workers

Attack on Soviet Union was OUN’s aim from outset — declassified archives

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Belarusian president sees aggravating military situation at western, southern borders

"Remarks of war and nuclear strikes can already be heard from certain figures," the Alexander Lukashenko said

Macron’s aggressive rhetoric baffles even his allies — diplomat

"Very often France’s allies from the UK and Germany, as we understand, try to get clarifications as to what the French leadership means, without getting a direct answer," Maria Zakharova pointed out

Putin may hold bilateral meeting with Lukashenko in Kremlin later on Wednesday

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Putin signs decree setting Russia’s development goals for 2030

The decree is titled On the National Development Goals of the Russian Federation until 2030 and for a Longer Term until 2036

Turkish expert says Putin's inauguration speech echoes what he said in Munich years ago

Aydin Sezer recalled that during the Munich Security Conference back in 2007 "Putin said that the unipolar world had no future and a multipolar world order was needed"

Five workers wounded during Ukrainian strike on oil storage facility in Lugansk

Leonid Pasechnik also said the strike "damaged power lines, disrupting electricity supplies to nearby houses"

US losing favor around world, while Russia's image improving — poll

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Russia to join ranks of top four global economies — presidential decree

The government is tasked to present eleven new National Projects by September 1 of this year

Belgium explains absence of ambassador at Russian president’s inauguration ceremony

The European Parliament adopted a resolution at a plenary session in Strasbourg on April 25 alleging that the recent presidential election in Russia was undemocratic

Putin’s inauguration kicks off in Kremlin

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US begins Astral Knight 2024 exercise in Europe involving 5,000 troops — Pentagon

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Russian troops liberate two communities in Ukraine operation over past day

Battlegroup Center units fully liberated the settlement of Novokalinovo in the Donetsk People’s Republic and battlegroup West units fully liberated the settlement of Kislovka in the Kharkov Region

Ukrainian army leaving positions near Avdeyevka over Russia’s incessant gunfire — POW

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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

FACTBOX: Key facts and figures about Russia’s Victory Day

Festive processions, gatherings, assemblies and reception ceremonies are held across Russia on May 9 to honor veterans of the 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War

FACTBOX: Russian President Vladimir Putin’s biography

Since June 12, 2013, Putin has been the leader of the non-governmental movement All-Russia People’s Front, created at his initiative as a coalition of social and political forces

Aleksandar Vucic greets Chinese leader at Belgrade Airport

The ceremony on the occasion of the visit of the 400-strong Chinese delegation will take place at Palata Srbije

More than 90% of payments in EAEU are carried out in national currencies — Putin

The Russian leader noted that the combined GDP of the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union, according to available estimates, increased from $1.6 trillion to $2.5 trillion

Kiev meddling in Russia’s domestic affairs by calling Putin’s presidency illegitimate

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MAKS air show may be canceled in 2024 — source

There are no dates for the event on its official website

Detention of US soldier in Russia’s Vladivostok has no relation to espionage — diplomats

Russian Foreign Ministry’s mission in Vladivostok that "not following the case of the US citizen closely"

Some countries reevaluating reliance on dollar over national security concerns — IMF

Meanwhile, "despite increased geopolitical risks, the latest data show that the US dollar remains dominant," Gita Gopinath noted

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

Maria Zakharova also asked a rhetorical question about what these countries’ new ambassadors would do when they have to hand over their credentials to the president

Russia wants no country to interfere in its election process — Kremlin spokesman

"We elect out parliament. We elect our president. We vote for the president or don’t want to vote for the president. And we insist that we have the right to do it the way we want to do it," Dmitry Peskov emphasized

West plotted aggression against Russia on eve of special military operation — top brass

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West should engage in dialogue with Russia — US expert

In Peter Kuznick opinion, the world is on the verge of a most serious conflict while "NATO is conducting massive war games"

France not at war with Russia — Macron

"We are also not seeking a change of power in Russia," the French leader underscored

NATO wants Ukraine to fight until victory, it is unrealistic — Hungarian foreign minister

Peter Szijjarto pointed out that NATO is crossing its own red lines by stating that "the war in Ukraine is our war"

Southern neighbors of US to regain stolen lands — Russian Security Council’s secretary

Nikolay Patrushev speculates that country may split into the North and the South again to get back to its original shape

Double standards with regard to Russia make US look pathetic — experts

As the conflict in Ukraine continues, "the global situation grows more dangerous by the day," Peter Kuznick said

US sees no signs indicating Russia’s plans to use nuclear weapons — Pentagon

Department of Defense spokesperson Sabrina Singh said that the United States views the decision to hold a military exercise of this kind as "deeply irresponsible"

Putin will now use restyled Aurus car — Kremlin

Putin made the first trip on the Aurus exactly six years ago, on May 7, 2018, when he also departed to the inauguration

Putin wants number of foreign students in Russia to rise to 500,000 by 2030

According to the Russian Education and Science Ministry, more than 355,000 foreigners are currently studying in Russian universities