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Olympic Facts and Figures

Armenian prime minister to attend closing ceremony of Sochi Olympics

YEREVAN, February 22, 3:43 /ITAR-TASS/. Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisyan told Itar-Tass he planned to attend the closing ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games in Russia’s Black Sea resort city of Sochi on Sunday.

He also said he watched the TV coverage of the opening ceremony with admiration. “What I saw on TV produced the most benevolent impression on me, especially the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, which was absolutely marvelous,” he said.

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Sochi Olympics Olympic Facts and Figures

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

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

Press review: NATO flexes muscles near Russian border and South China Sea runs hot

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, April 24th

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

Mortar gunners destroy about ten Ukrainian servicemen

Russian fighters occupied better positions owing to accurate mortar fire and concerted action

US undermines participation of Russian representative in UN Committee on Information

Dmitry Polyansky added that Moscow hoped that the current situation will be "cardinally corrected." He also reiterated that legally binding agreements with the host country existed

Ukrainian troops shell DPR 6 times over 24 hours, wounding two civilians

Overall, the adversary fired 21 rounds of various munitions

Ties between China, Argentina shouldn’t be influenced by other nations — Chinese minister

Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Beijing and Buenos Aires should pursue an independent foreign policy, eliminate external interference and support each other to accelerate the economic development of both countries

Putin requests increasing financing of Russian Science Foundation

The request is to be fulfilled by May 1

Russia's gas production down 5.5% in 2023

Production of large-scale polymers in Russia in 2023 fell by 2.8% to 6.9 mln tons

Panic on frontline growing on Ukrainian side — Kremlin

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

Inflation target of 4% expected to be reached in 2025 — Economy Ministry

According to the forecast of the Bank of Russia, annual inflation is expected to decline to 4-4.5% in 2024

Georgia's ruling party intends to pass law on foreign agents despite protests

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said that "in the long run we will make the country secure from polarization and radicalism for years"

Russia opposes idea to pass resolution on Srebrenica at UNGA — Russia’s UN envoy

"The draft UNGA resolution as nothing to do with the stated goal of commemorating the victims of the 1995 tragedy", Vasily Nebenzya said

Lavrov informs Tajik counterpart about terrorism-prevention measures in Russia

Tthe two top diplomats agreed that it is necessary to continue developing the time-tested Russian-Tajik allied relations of strategic partnership and strengthen their positive dynamics

F-16 fighter jet crashes in US, pilot ejected

The pilot was the only occupant onboard the aircraft, Fox News television reported

Russian GDP growth reaches 3.6% in 2023 — statistics

The GDP deflator index in 2023 against 2022 prices moved up by 6.3%

US, NATO countries intensify military activity in Arctic — Admiral Yevmenov

The practice of regular single and group cruises by ships and supply vessels of the US Navy and NATO countries has been introduced

Police detain 63 people at protest rally in Georgian capital

Six operatives of the Interior Ministry sustained various serious injuries

Riot police dispersing protest rally in Tbilisi

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

Colombia to sever diplomatic relations with Israel on May 2 — president

The Colombian government is radicalized against Israel, but at the same time it has not condemned the Palestinian Hamas movement for its attacks

Russian goods export expected to reach $428.7 bln in 2024 — Economy Ministry

"The trade balance is forecast at $104.5 bln and the current account balance as $27.9 bln," the spokesman added

Example of Great Patriotic War veterans inspires amid current trials — Putin

President expressed hope that the festival would arouse great interest among the participants and become a bright event among the events dedicated to Victory Day

Russia uses AI in combat drones

"We have designs and software that we install on drones. We have tested them at ranges and are now supplying to the troops," Vyacheslav Solovyov said

Russia calls for investigating mass graves in Gaza — Russian diplomat

"An independent international investigation in needed to bring the criminals to responsibility," Vasily Nebenzya 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

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

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

Russian troops recover first Abrams tank from special military operation zone

It will be put on public display at the Patriot Park on Poklonnaya Hill

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

It will be another round of bilateral consultations, a Russian foreign ministry official said

Foreign agents law to accelerate Georgia's European integration, prime minister says

Irakli Kobakhidze said that Georgia will avoid even mental revolutionary processes

Ukrainian suicide drone attacks village in Belgorod Region

Two passenger cars were damaged

Georgia’s riot police fire rubber bullets at protesters near parliament building

At least one person was injured

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

De Beers cuts diamond mining due to unsold inventories

The average retail price per carats gained 23% annually in the first quarter to $201

BRICS member states to consider creating common digital payment platform

The gradual integration of the new BRICS member states into the work of the financial tracks and strengthening of cooperation at the expert level was noted as being one of the crucial tasks for 2024

Russian Defense Minister attends meeting on special military operation

Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu gave instructions to take measures to reduce the maintenance and repair time for military hardware, increasing supplies of spare parts in combat zones and support areas

Economic Development Ministry revises Russian GDP growth forecast for 2024 up to 2.8%

Minister Maxim Reshetnikov pointed out that domestic consumer and investment demand remain the main growth factor

Russian forces strike Ukraine’s Operational Command South headquarters

The enemy’s troops and military hardware had been hit in 112 districts

West plans to give Kiev not only F-16s, but also weapons for them — Pentagon

"It’s not only the airplanes, but also the training of the pilots, training of the maintenance and also making sure we have the weapon systems to go with it," US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Charles Brown said

Syria introduces electronic visas — embassy

Syrian diplomats explained to TASS that a relevant platform will issue visas online, obliterating the need to visit an embassy or a consulate

Russian cutting-edge missile frigate holds artillery firings in Arctic drills

"The combat exercises were conducted in the Barents Sea waters closed for shipping," the Russian Defense Ministry reported

Number of millionaires in Ukraine increases by more than 15% in 2022

The number of official millionaires in 2022 increased from 8,177 to 9,511, head of Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada committee on finances and tax and customs policy Daniil Getmantsev said

Slovak PM says will always stand for peaceful settlement of conflict in Ukraine

Robert Fico voiced criticism about the initiative of Slovak civic activists who have raised some four million euro to provide military assistance to Kiev

Voting on foreign agents law in third reading due in two weeks — Georgian PM

"In two weeks from now we will have the third reading. After that in a month, in four weeks’ time, a procedure to override the veto will follow," Kobakhidze said

Knauf plans to keep staff after German management stepping down

Knauf is working in Russia for more than two years in the "autonomous governance regime" and has sufficient resources and competence to continue operations, Head of corporate communications of Knauf Russia and Belarus region Leonid Los noted

Death toll in China highway collapse climbs

At least 24 people were killed

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

Jordan condemns Israeli settlers’ attacks on humanitarian aid convoys

Sufyan Quda emphasized, "despite the provocation, the convoys delivered humanitarian supplies to the Palestinian enclave, given the threat of starvation looming over them"

Range of Russian EMP weapons increased to 10 km — sources

Фn electromagnetic pulse lasts a fraction of a second and reaches the target almost immediately, travelling with the speed of light

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

According to region’s governor Roman Starovoit, two civilians were wounded in the shelling attack on the village in the morning

Protest rally against Poland’s military support for Kiev held in Warsaw

The organizers noted on the X social network that the rally is attended by several hundred people

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

Exhibition of captured NATO military hardware kicks off in Moscow

In all, there are 32 items

Russian defense ministry reports losses among Russian troops during special operation

Konashenkov also said that several Russian soldiers have been taken prisoner

Voter turnout in Russian presidential election beats 2018 record

Total voter turnout in the 2018 presidential election stood at 67.54%

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

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"

West bears responsibility for Afghanistan’s plight — Russian delegation

As the Russian delegation’s spokesman emphasized, "the determination of the Afghan authorities to correct the human rights situation in the country as a whole deserves support"

Police using tear gas against protesters in Tbilisi

Police are trying to push the protesters off the building

Russia fighting puppet regime in Kiev, people to win from its defeat, security chief says

As Nikolay Patrushev said, ordinary Ukrainians have long understood that they were simply used as a bargaining chip, a tool to contain Russia

Latvia must name countries that allow Ukraine to hit Russia — MFA

In this way Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova commented on a statement by the Latvian Foreign Ministry that Kiev had already received from some partners Western weapons with permission to use them for strikes on Russian territory

Russian cabinet extends obligatory sale of foreign currency revenue for one year

The move is to facilitate maintenance of stability of the foreign currency exchange rate and sustainability of the Russian financial market, the government noted

Russia says battlegroup East eliminated up to 100 Ukrainian soldiers, 4 ammunition points

The battlegroup's units improved their forward positions, said Alexander Gordeyev, a spokesman for the battlegroup

Musk says Ukraine should have reached agreement with Russia in Istanbul

Musk responded that he saw eye to eye with billionaire David Sacks, who said on the social network X that Kiev probably should have agreed to a deal in Istanbul

Serbia sees China as reliable ally — candidate for premiership

Vucevic expressed the certainty that the Chinese President Xi Jinping’s upcoming visit to Belgrade "will mark a new stage in the development of the firm friendship between Serbia and China"

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

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto recalled that after the outbreak of the conflict western politicians promised to supply the Ukrainian army only with helmets and blankets, then came weapons, tanks, warplanes

Russian flag hoisted over northern outskirts of Rabotino in Zaporozhye — politician

Rogov remarked that there were no houses left in the village now, for which reason it made no sense to fortify positions there

Three drones taken down over Russia’s Voronezh Region overnight — governor

Three private residences had been damaged by the falling debris and residents will be compensated

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

Nikolay Patrushev cited recent research showing that a simulated eruption of the Yellowstone Caldera, which has shown increasing signs of active volcanic status over the years, and what consequences such a natural disaster could potentially leave in its wake

Gas supply by Gazprom for Europe through Ukraine totals 42.4 mcm via Sudzha

The nomination for the Sokhranovka gas pumping station has been rejected

Georgian parliament votes for foreign agents bill in second reading

According to the procedure, the bill is now to undergo the final, third reading. If supported, it will be sent to President Salome Zourabichvili for signature

US Congress passes bill to ban enriched uranium imports from Russia

It now needs to be signed by US President Joe Biden

Snowden says shot down UFOs meant to divert attention from Nord Stream sabotage

According to him, "it’s just the old engineered panic" to ensure that national security reporters "get assigned to investigate balloon" nonsense "rather than budgets or bombings"

Mexico buys 30 Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft from Russia — ambassador

According to the Ministry of Economy of Mexico, in 2014 the volume of trade between Mexico and Russia amounted to $1.78 billion

Special operation being turned into war does not mean state of war de jure — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov also warned against comparing his use of the word "war" with what the participants in the protests against the special operation meant by it

Over 140 people detained at Istanbul rally for resisting police — TV

Local authorities banned any May Day rallies of trade unions and political parties blocking off the square and engaging over 42,000 police officers to ensure security

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

Iran authorizes 130 IAEA inspectors — AEOI chief

Mohammad Eslami emphasized the continuous interaction and dialogue between Iran and the IAEA under the comprehensive safeguards agreement

Russian government approves list of unfriendly countries

There are two countries on the list

Russia says its FPV drones delivered 40 strikes on Ukrainian sites in Donetsk area

Operators of FPV also destroyed a large number of personnel and equipment in their area of responsibility, the Russian Defense Ministry reported

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

Ukrainian government allocates $392 million to buy more drones

Ukraine’s government has already allocated more than $1 billion to purchase drones this year

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

Palestine deserves a say in UN — Mozambique's ambassador

The Mozambican ambassador also added that his country supported a two-state solution of the Palestinian issue

Kremlin announces creation of blockchain-based payment system in BRICS

Work will continue to develop the Contingent Reserve Arrangement, primarily regarding the use of currencies different from the US dollar," the Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov pointed out

Fire in Ulan-Ude suburb put out — emergencies ministry

Seventeen summer cottages have burnt down

NATO’s encroachment of Russian borders signifies malevolent plans — Lavrov

Russia is used to the fact that Western colleagues, having signed up to many correct commitments in the 1990s, begin simply ignoring them, Russian Foreign Minister said

Majority of Germans against sending Taurus missiles to Ukraine — poll

37% favored such supplies

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

It is reported that Russian forces repulsed four counterattacks by formations of the Ukrainian army’s 5th and 92nd assault brigades near the settlement of Krasnoye in the Donetsk People’s Republic

Soros family makes deal with Kiev to use Ukrainian land as toxic waste dump — journalist

"This agreement authorizes the disposal of chemical waste from companies linked with financier George Soros in the black soil of Ukraine," he said

US court sentences Binance founder to four months in prison — Bloomberg

A judge handed down a much lighter sentence than the three years sought by the prosecution, the agency reported

Blast in Moscow City district shatters glazing, people are evacuated

There are no casualties and no fire has started

Russian economy shows growth amid low unemployment rate — Economy Ministry

According to the ministry, it indicates that Russia's labor market is "fairly flexible"

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

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian pointed out that the US was supplying Ukraine with arms and ammunition and at the same time making unfounded accusations regarding trade between China and Russia

Moscow shooter identified as European boxing champion Nikita Ivanov

This was reported by a representative of law enforcement agencies

Lavrov arrives in Myanmar for working visit

Russia’s top diplomat has talks with the country’s top diplomat Wunna Maung Lwin and meetings with Myanmar’s leadership planned

Unaware of decline of its military industry US gets trapped in Ukraine — French historian

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

Israeli Air Force strikes Hezbollah outposts in southern Lebanon

The airstrikes followed an ambush of a military vehicle between the Israeli settlements of Yiftah and Ramot Naftali, Al Mayadeen television reported

Nepal suggests Russia invest in country's hydropower industry, production of fertilizers

The Nepalese authorities believe that those issues would be discussed at the Investment summit that will take place in Nepal on April 28-29

Tucker Carlson interviews Russian philosopher Dugin

The interview lasted over 20 minutes

Russia’s National Wealth Fund totals $135 bln as of March 1 — finance ministry

Currently 227.5 bln Chinese yuan, 358 tons of gold in depersonalized form and 1.24 bln rubles are on accounts of the National Wealth Fund with the Bank of Russia