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Transition of Ukrainian Army servicemen to Crimean govt’s side absolutely peaceful

SIMFEROPOL, March 02, /ITAR-TASS/. Not a single shot has been made during the transition of Ukrainian army servicemen over to the side of the Crimean government, an official governmental source told Itar-Tass here Sunday.

“Their transition has been exceptionally peaceful, with no shots or any other signs of violence on either side,” he said.

The source believes that some of the former Ukrainian army men and officers may take a new oath of allegiance before the end of the day.

Also, well-connected sources in the Crimea said that about ten ships of the Ukrainian Navy had left their base in Sevastopol since Saturday afternoon.

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Israeli-Palestinian conflict

US’ Blinken to visit Israel amid rising tensions between two countries — NYT

Israel’s military upcoming operation in Rafah will also be on agenda, the New York Times reported

Russian gas production to gain 4.6% in 2024 — Economy Ministry

Pipeline gas exports are forecast to edge up by 7% to 108 bln cubic meters

French neo-Nazi ringleader liquidated near Avdeyevka — sources

There is confirmed evidence of his connections with French secret services

Russian troops wipe out military train with Western armaments in DPR over past day

Russian troops improved their tactical position and repelled eight Ukrainian army counterattacks in the Avdeyevka area over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Abrams tanks easy targets for drones — Russian expert

According to Dmitry Kuzyakin, "as long as there is a lack of direct communication between those who make the tanks and who use them, the Abrams will not evolve to meet modern warfare requirements"

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The Federal Statistics Service noted that mortality in the eight months of 2023 decreased by 9.8%, and the birth rate dropped by 2.5%

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According to preliminary information, the average altitude of the orbital outpost was increased to 414.8 km above the Earth’s surface

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US effectively dooms Ukraine by its new decisions, Russian envoy says

"The American aid won’t save Zelensky. New weapons will be destroyed, and the special military operation goals will be achieved," Anatoly Antonov stressed

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International cooperation needed to investigate Nord Stream incidents — Russian diplomat

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The Russian defense chief is certain that "this is an important moment in strengthening security in the SCO space"

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The head of state accused Washington of preparing a "Belarusian liberation army" and reiterated Minsk's readiness to "defend its country"

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The countries will jointly announce the time of this trip, Dmitry Peskov said

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Beijing sticks to the principle of non-alignment with any blocs, the Chinese leader said and called on Washington "to refrain from teaming up in small groups"

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Germany is the second largest arms supplier to Ukraine after the US

Israel ready to accept release of fewer than 40 hostages in deal’s first phase — newspaper

According to the report, Israel is willing to acceprt the release of women, men over 50 years old and those seriously ill

NATO bears direct responsibility for Ukraine crisis — Chinese Foreign Ministry

Spokesman Wang Wenbin stressed that China was not providing weapons to the conflicting parties and strictly controlled dual-use goods, including the export of drones

Network of international conspirators plotted Crocus terrorist attack — watchdog

Yury Chikhanchin pointed out that the perpetrators of the attack were provided with money, weapons, transportation and ammunition

Russia fights West’s sanctions at UN for the sake of developing countries — envoy to UN

According to the diplomat, Russia is engaged in "fierce battles on this issue in different committees of the General Assembly"

Wreckage of US MQ-9 Reaper drone is of interest to Russian defense industry — Rostec

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Russian aerospace forces hit two terrorists base in Syria’s Homs governorate

Yury Popov, deputy chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria, also said that one shelling attack on the positions of government forces was reported in the Idlid de-escalation zone from positions of the Jabhat al-Nusra

Cooperation of Serbia, Russia in military-technical sphere at highest level — president

Earlier, Aleksandar Vucic expressed his admiration for Russian technology several times

US stops hiding true purpose of sanctions on Moscow, Russian envoy says

"It’s not about any mythical aspirations to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, but about banal opportunistic and predatory ambitions," Anatoly Antonov said

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Hungary sees Ukraine conflict entering new phase, NATO involvement rising

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Venezuela interested in Russia's participation in gold mining — official

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The Master has reported two attacks

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Press review: Belarus' new national security strategy and Russia, US butt heads at UN

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Press review: US tries to strong-arm China and Zelensky's bid to bring men home

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, April 25th

Putin proclaims Odessa Russian city, challenges Ukraine's historical narrative

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About 70% of businesses indicate staff shortage — Bank of Russia

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Russian troops destroy 89 Ukrainian UAVs, 5 boats in Kherson area over past day

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Annual inflation in Russia gearing down to 7.82% over week — Economy Ministry

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Erdogan moves back from May 9 his trip to US — report

The report hasn’t been officially confirmed

Kiev troops may strike targets in Crimea with ATACMS missiles — newspaper

The goal "is to put more pressure on Crimea," The New York Times said

Russia grateful to DPRK for unconditional support of special operation in Ukraine — MFA

Ivan Zhelokhovtsev said that the agreements that were reached during the DPRK leader's visit to Russia represent "evidence of the mutual desire of the sides to consistently implement and expand the rich heritage" that was passed down from previous generations

Miguel Salgado’s ‘Shame’ wins main prize at Moscow International Film Festival

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Polish leader cautions NATO allies against provoking Russia

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West bends sanctions rules when it suits them — Kremlin

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Russia appreciates Bolivia’s push to defend sovereignty, Lavrov says

The Russian foreign minister said that the sides would exchange opinions on how to develop bilateral relations along the path outlined by Bolivian President Luis Arce and Russian President Vladimir Putin

Bank of Russia does not rule out keeping key rate at current levels until year's end

The Bank of Russia also does not rule out raising the estimate of the neutral key rate in the near future

Insurers refuse to pay compensation for Nord Stream — Russian envoy to UN

Vasily Nebenzya stressed that insurers conclude on their own that the "explosion at the gas pipelines was made using an explosive devices, willfully and due to political motives," thereby confirming its terroristic nature

Over 3,100 foreign mercenaries fight for Ukraine, most of them from US

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Blinken’s visit to China meant to shatter Russian-Chinese ties — senior Russian diplomat

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Russian defense chief points to West’s double standards on right to self-defense

In this regard, Sergey Shoigu mentioned the operation that Tehran carried out "in retaliation for a blatant attack on the Iranian consulate building in Damascus"

Istanbul accords could have stopped hostilities in Ukraine — German newspaper

The deal still looks advantageous even after two years of war, Welt am Sonntag said

Over 60% of Russian companies continue using Microsoft services

57% of companies replaced at least one foreign service with a Russian one over the past few years, the analysts noted

US can send Ukraine Patriot air defense systems currently deployed in other regions

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan added that the his country had doubled artillery production in order to help Kiev

Ukraine’s army leaves first defensive line in Berdychi near Avdeyevka, says DPR

The Ukrainian military has suffered heavy casualties among personnel and military hardware in that community, Igor Kimakovsky said

Russia may abolish gold export duty from June 1 — Finance Ministry

The law, introducing an extra coefficient to the mineral extraction tax for gold totaling 78,000 rubles ($848.8) per kilogram, will become effective at the same day

TotalEnergies expects gas price hike if Russian LNG falls under sanctions

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US’ Blinken to visit Israel amid rising tensions between two countries — NYT

Israel’s military upcoming operation in Rafah will also be on agenda, the New York Times reported

Swiss conference on Ukraine undermines European security — Russian diplomat

In Maxim Buyakevich words, neither the talks nor their outcome can change the existing political and territorial realities

Global community changing tune about how Ukraine conflict started — security official

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Russian stock indices rising on Friday

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Hamas fighters have destroyed more than 400 Israeli vehicles — group’s senior member

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Musk concurs that civil war looming in West

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Russia's response to seizure of frozen assets in US to have no timeframe — chief delegate

Konstantin Gavrilov emphasized that the US will have to be brought to account for this decision

Shoigu talks about ties with NATO, attacks on Zaporozhye NPP as he attends SCO meeting

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

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Top brass posts video of Leopard tanks, Bradley combat vehicles seized by Russian troops

The video shows Russian troops examining the enemy tanks and infantry fighting vehicles seized in battles