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About 5,500 tons of drugs confiscated in Central Russia in 2013

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Russia liquidates 900 drug syndicates in 2013

VLADIMIR, March 20. /ITAR-TASS/. About 5,500 tons of drugs were confiscated in Central Russia in 2013, head of the Federal Drug Control Service (FSKN) Viktor Ivanov said.

“In 2013, Russia confiscated 5,500 tons of drugs in the Central Federal District. Among them are three tons of opium drugs. In fact, about 50% of heroin has been confiscated in Russia,” Ivanov said.

At least 50,000 drug crimes have been revealed in the Central Federal District. Drug police curbed the activity of over 1,200 “consumption rooms”, neutralized 31 drug laboratories and 445 clandestine productions, the FSKN head said.

About 21,000 criminals have been brought to responsibility, Ivanov said.

Terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall

Afghan Foreign Ministry condemns terrorist attack on Crocus City Hall outside Moscow

The ministry’s Spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi said, that considers it a blatant violation of all human standards

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

Russia presents world’s first hydrogen-fueled luxury car at Innoprom exhibition

The unique vehicle was built on the basis of the Aurus Senat luxury car

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

Top Russian security official praises Republika Srpska’s principled position on Ukraine

"In this context, we particularly appreciate the principled position against joining the sanctions regime, your firm and consistent line on the Ukrainian crisis is particularly valuable for us," Nikolay Patrushev pointed out

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

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

Russian combat aircraft and artillery "have begun to operate more intensively" at that frontline, delivering "precision strikes" on the Ukrainian army, Andrey Marochko said

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

Value of frozen Russian assets in Switzerland drops to $6.36 bln over the year

The Swiss authorities pointed out that the value of assets of the Bank of Russia "may fluctuate in either direction, notably as a result of valuation changes on frozen securities, bank charges and exchange rate movements"

Raisi doubts 'Israeli regime' to exist in case of its attack on Iran

"If Israel makes a mistake and attacks Iran, completely new conditions will emerge for it and it is unclear whether anything will be left of the Israeli regime at all," the presidential press service quoted Raisi as saying

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"

US 'not forgetting' to help itself with aid to Ukraine — Kremlin

"In any case, whatever the modality of providing this aid, de facto it is about provoking Ukraine into further hostilities down to the last Ukrainian, putting guarantted money in the pockets of the US," Dmitry Peskov said

Russia firmly ready for peace solution in Ukraine — Kremlin spokesman

"There has been no new peace initiative, there has been a statement of the fact of Russia's readiness for a peace solution to the Ukrainian problem," Dmitry Peskov said

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

Nicaragua, Russia sign declaration to counter illegal sanctions — vice president

The document "contains provisions on methods to counter, mitigate and compensate for the negative consequences of this aggression," Rosario Murillo said

Chinese diplomat cautions US against 'demonizing' China-Russia relationship

The diplomat also called on Washington to "immediately stop imposing unilateral sanctions on Chinese companies and individuals"

Erdogan vows joint effort to eradicate Kurdistan Workers Party from Turkey's borders

"We continue to fight tirelessly against all terrorist organizations," the Turkish leader said

Gaza settlement crucial for Islamic world, Erdogan believes

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Senior lawmaker threatens US with retaliation for 'stealing' Russian assets

"Now, our country has every reason to make symmetrical decisions against foreign assets," Vyacheslav Volodin said

Moldovan authorities try to present Gagauz as separatists — official

Earlier, Yevgenia Gutsul noted that the Gagauz autonomy would withdraw from Moldova if Chisinau decides it wants to unify with Romania

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"

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

Tobias Billstrom deemed adopting the 14th sanctions package "one of the most important things"

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

Armenians block highway to Georgia in protest of border delimitation with Baku

Protests are also ongoing in Armenia's border region of Tavush, where the authorities are carrying out work to delimit the border with Azerbaijan

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

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Beijing condemns US hypocrisy around Ukraine conflict

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Wang Wenbin reiterated that China "is not an instigator or a party to the Ukrainian crisis and has never fanned the flames of the conflict, not to mention, used the situation for its own purposes"

Lenin Museum in Finland's Tampere to shut down in November

According to the report, the New Museum of Relations with the East will open on the same premises on February 15, 2025

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

On January 1, Russia assumed the rotating presidency of the BRICS group of nations, which currently brings together ten states

Almaz-Antey adapts air defense launchers for various missiles

Russian air defense launchers have a bigger range than US Patriot in Ukraine, Sergey Druzin 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

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

The Russian foreign minister also described Armenia and Russia as more than formal allies

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

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

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"

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

Most agents at Security Service of Ukraine set on war with Russia — former officer

Vasily Prozorov said that "it is extremely difficult to count on any better judgement on their part"

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

The fundamental point is that in the Valieva case there was nothing to exclude that that was the end of an excretion, that the pharmacological dose of trimetazidine hadn't been taken several days before

NATO has no plans to deploy nuclear forces in Poland — Stoltenberg

NATO Secretary General did not immediately understand the reporter’s question, forcing the reporter to explain that they were referring to the idea of deploying nuclear weapons in Poland

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

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

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Russia scraps plans to hold Immortal Regiment march in 2024 amid security threats

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Azerbaijanian leader says reaching peace with Armenia by November 'quite realistic'

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Assad says sure Russia will win conflict in Ukraine, re-unite brotherly peoples

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

Russian forces take Ukrainian strongholds near Klescheyevka under control

Apty Alaudinov posted a drone video footage of elimination Ukrainian personnel and Russian forces capturing enemy trenches

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

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Switzerland unblocks Russia-related assets worth 290 mln Swiss francs

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Moscow Zoo delegation arrives in North Korean capital — media

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Russian missile cruiser Varyag enters Mediterranean Sea

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Belarusian air defense registers increased number of NATO aviation sorties

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

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Rosatom denies reports about flooding of uranium deposit wells in Kurgan region

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Russian economy to see serious structural changes — presidential aide

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

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

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Moldova’s top prosecutor suspects treason behind creation of Pobeda bloc

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

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Ukrainian troops fleeing Ocheretino in small groups, says DPR

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

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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

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

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Russia’s top brass reports destroying US-made Hawk air defense system in Ukraine operation

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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

Qiwi projects $247 mln loss over sale of Russian assets

Moreover, Qiwi plc acknowledged impairment by $155 mln in 2023 due to the same reason

Ukrainian intelligence predicts dire situation from mid-May onward

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

Armenia purchasing only defensive weapons — PM

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Scholz says era of fossil fuel will be over soon

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Russian peacekeepers heading for temporary deployment centers in Armenia

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

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

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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

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

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

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

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Russia recovers black boxes from crashed Tu-22M3 bomber

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

Modern weapons make up 82% in Russian air defense troops — Shoigu

"The Kiev regime has failed to achieve the goals of its counteroffensive prepared by NATO instructors," the defense minister said

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

Polish President pointed out that this issue is being raised during his meetings with NATO partners from time to time

Duda's Kaliningrad nuke rhetoric political stunt — Russian senator

Alexander Shenderyuk-Zhidkov emphasized that Russia would decide for itself what was required to ensure the safety of its citizens

Ukrainian forces refuse to obey Commander-in-Chief Syrsky — CIA ex-analyst

Larry Johnson also noted that the Russian forces manage to advance recently despite the slush on the roads

Ukrainian army strikes own surrendering soldiers — POW

Andrey Babenko said that after a crash course in Britain he had been sent to the frontline near Liman

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

The man, Roman Chervinsky, was under arrest in the case of a failed operation to recruit a Russian pilot

International meeting of security representatives opening in St. Petersburg

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

EU may sanction 10 firms for allegedly shipping weapons tech to Russia — Bloomberg

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Putin’s inauguration to take place on May 7, senator says

According to the law, the president-elect takes office for six years

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

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South Korea threatens to end North Korean 'regime' in case it uses nuclear weapons

Extended deterrence refers to Washington's willingness to use all means, including nuclear, to defend an ally

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"

Kremlin vows legal action against US bill on seizing Russian assets

Dmitry Peskov noted that the trial will be "very complex," but will cause severe damage to US economic interests if the US authorities finally approve the bill regarding Russian assets

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

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

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Russian troops liberate Novomikhailovka community in DPR — top brass

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

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