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Kalashnikov production in Q1 2023 breaks 10-year high

According to Alan Lushnikov, the President of the Kalashnikov Group, the company fully meets the requirements of increasing the production volume within the framework of the State Defense Order

MOSCOW, May 11. /TASS/. Kalashnikov Concern has increased the production of weapon items by 38% in the Q1 of 2023, setting a record for the last ten years in terms of delivered items, the company's press service said on Thursday.

"In the first quarter of 2023, the Kalashnikov Concern increased the volume of production of weapon products by 38%. A record was set in terms of the number of manufactured products over the past ten years. In comparison with the same period of 2022, the equipment load increased by 8%," the report said.

According to Alan Lushnikov, the President of the Kalashnikov Group, the company fully meets the requirements of increasing the production volume within the framework of the State Defense Order.

Earlier, the corporation reported about savings of about 500 mln rubles ($6.51 mln) in 2022 due to production costs cuts.

Accusations of Russia's use of chemical weapons 'unfounded' — Russian mission to OPCW

Earlier, the US State Department said that Russia allegedly used chloropicrin against the Ukrainian armed forces

Russia holds rehearsal of Victory Day air parade over Moscow

Two groups of aircraft, namely, a flight of Su-27 fighter jets, and Su-25 close support aircraft flew over Moscow’s Red Square, releasing fumes in the colors of the Russian national flag

Reuters again publishes its previously withdrawn Cameron’s interview

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Zelenodolsk shipyard to float missile, patrol ships on May 7

Project 22800 ships with Kalibr missiles are brown-water multirole missile-artillery boats designed to destroy surface warships and boats and repel air attacks

Georgian authorities decline invitation to visit US to discuss partnership — ambassador

Robin Dunnigan also pointed out that the United States urges the Georgian government to "recommit the country to its Euro-Atlantic future, as written in Georgia’s constitution"

Sweden approves Quran-burning rally ahead of Eurovision Song Contest

In Malmo, two pro-Palestinian demonstrations are planned for May 9 and 11

Trinidad and Tobago recognizes State of Palestine

As of today, 141 out of the 193 UN member states, including Russia, recognize Palestine as an independent nation

US fails to shoot down Iranian missiles, drones in strike on Israel — IRGC general

Ali Belali described Iranian weapons as "an important factor of strength and the exercise of power in the world"

Russia engages TOS-2 flamethrowers in Ukraine

220mm TOS-2 is a successor to TOS-1A with improved characteristics

Orban sees Europe 'playing with fire' as it gets dragged in Ukraine conflict

"I am not saying that European leaders are marching toward a war but, every day, they are taking more steps in that direction," Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban warned

Eight Syrian servicemen wounded in Israeli strike on Damascus — SANA

Al Hadath channel said the attack targeted a base of Lebanon’s Shia militia, Hezbollah, located southwest of Damascus International Airport

Latvia digging anti-tank ditches on border with Russia, Belarus — media

Kaspars Lazdins noted that once the ditches were ready, the so-called dragon’s teeth barriers would be set up on the border

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"

NATO accuses Russia of being behind 'hybrid, malign' activities on alliance’s territories

It is reported that NATO Allies express their deep concern over Russia's hybrid actions, which constitute a threat to Allied security

Turkey does not intend to transfer S-400 to any country — defense minister

Britain and Spain are not against the sale of fighter jets to Ankara, while Germany, as a member of the consortium that produces the Eurofighter, has not yet approved the deal

Ukraine's intelligence recognizes impossibility of victory on battlefield

According to Vadim Skibitsky, "meaningful negotiations can begin only in the second half of 2025 at the earliest"

French president doesn’t rule out sending troops to Ukraine if Russia breaks front lines

Emmanuel Macron pointed out that "many countries understood" Paris’s approach and agreed "that this position was a good thing"

Press review: US to ban Russian uranium and Georgia pushes ahead with controversial bill

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, May 2nd

Georgian protestors block traffic via Kura River embankment

No vehicles are allowed to pass, except for ambulances

Macron, despite statements, still hesitant to send troops to Ukraine — media

On May 2, in an interview the French leader named two conditions for sending troops to Ukraine: Kiev's request and Russia's breakthrough on the front line

Ukraine’s military command throws soldiers into battle without training, says POW

The POW said that the Ukrainian army was experiencing a shortage of personnel

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

Ukrainian drone attacks bus in Belgorod region, one person injured

Two passengers and the driver were inside the vehicle at the time of the attack

Russia puts former Ukrainian finance minister, national bank chief on wanted list

Charges against them were not specified in the ministry’s database

Ukraine’s military command re-focuses on training mobilized soldiers for defense, says POW

As the POW elaborated, the intensity of Russian strikes on Ukrainian army positions was very high and it was hardly probable to hold the positions in these conditions

ICRC says two staffers killed in Sudan

"They must never be directly attacked," the organization said

Hungarian politician sees US primed for continued Ukraine conflict

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Cocoa beans prices plummeting on mercantile exchanges

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China may review its US investment after Washington’s new sanctions on Russia — investor

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Italian-Russian Chamber of Commerce suspends ruble payment mechanism

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NORAD tracks four Russian military planes off Alaska — statement

"This Russian activity in the Alaska ADIZ occurs regularly and is not seen as a threat," the statement says

Kiev troops face 'two-week difficult situation' near Chasov Yar in DPR — journalist

Kirill Sazonov noted that the situation is difficult for Ukrainian troops and especially dangerous on the flanks with roads leading to the city under constant fire

Turkish ministry confirms halting trade with Israel

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Russia not to take part in any events on 'Zelensky's formula' — Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova emphasized that Switzerland cannot serve as a platform for a settlement dialogue

Russian artillery wipes out Ukrainian field ammo depot near Avdeyevka

Artillery of the Battlegroup Center delivered a strike on the Ukrainian army’s field ammunition depot in the Krasnoarmeisk direction

Ukraine deploys reserves due to challenging situation near Ocheretino

Nazar Voloshin conceded that Russia had "certain tactical success" in the area

Exhibition of captured NATO military hardware kicks off in Moscow

In all, there are 32 items

No decisions in EU to send troops ‘in a direct way into Ukraine’ — Latvia’s top diplomat

"Discussions take place all the time, but again, we only can talk when the decisions are made," Baiba Braze added

French politician demands Macron drop plans to send troops to Ukraine

The French president said earlier in an interview with The Economist that sending troops to Ukraine could be considered based on Kiev’s request if Russian forces broke through the front lines

Turkey to continue efforts for Black Sea to remain calm — defense minister

Turkey strictly complies with the Montreux Convention by not allowing warships into the Black Sea

Turkish parliament passes bill on LNG sales as part of gas hub project — TV

The bill was submitted to parliament in January

Iran used Ghadr, Emad and Kheibar missiles to strike Israel, IRGC general says

It is reported that the US believes Iran has the largest ballistic missile force in the Middle East. Iran insists that its missile program is solely for defensive purposes

US destroyed Germany’s domestic energy supply as it blew up Nord Stream — Carlson

The journalist emphasized that the alliance "is terrible for the United States and should be disbanded immediately"

Freedom of the press dying in West, any dissent snuffed out — MFA

The Russian Foreign Ministry also pointed to the "incessant arbitrariness committed by the Western authorities against the Russian media and journalists, who have fully felt the repressive machine of the neoliberal West"

TikTok again restricts app operation in Russia

TikTok has earlier become fully accessible for users of iOS and Android mobile operation systems in Russia

Donetsk official says Ukrainian troops left positions near Arkhangelskoye

Igor Kimakovsky also said Ukrainian troops suffered heavy losses at this section of the front

Ukraine talks without Russia's participation not aimed at result — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov pointed out that Russia's position on the peace talks is well known

Cameron’s claims about Ukrainian strikes on Russia 'a direct escalation' — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov characterized Cameron’s remarks as "yet another very dangerous claim"

G7 countries privately recognize Russian assets seizure not on the table — FT

Western countries are "exploring alternative ways of extracting funding" for Ukraine from the frozen assets, the newspaper said

Half of Avdeyevka’s territory cleared of explosives — newspaper

"We begin by talking to civilians and asking whether they came across anything unexploded," said the commander, identified by only his call sign Panda

Certain countries hope US aid to Ukraine to lower pressure on Russian assets issue — FT

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Ukrainian politician names those behind Odessa tragedy in interview with TASS

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Russia urges partners not to take part in conference on Ukraine in Switzerland — diplomat

Bern had invited more than 160 delegations to the conference on Ukraine

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The French leader also emphasized that the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons was in the interests of the whole of Europe and the world

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Car imports via Vladivostok returns to figures before last August

The geography of car imports by individuals remains the same - these are Japan and South Korea

Russia making incremental progress in special operation — US intelligence official

Avril Haines said the supplies accelerated a "reconstitution of Russia's military strength" after a "costly" start of the country’s special military operation

Military aid to Ukraine promises lucrative contracts for US industry — Orban

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Gazprom posts net loss under IFRS for 2023 amounting to $6.8 bln

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US confirms Russian troops enter US base in Niger

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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

Zelensky cannot be legitimate president after May 21 — Medvedchuk

"Ukraine has already lost its statehood," leader of the Other Ukraine movement said

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Surplus minerals will be exported, Head of the Federal Agency for Mineral Resources Yevgeny Petrov said

Press review: Biden losing traction amid student protests and EU's right-wing prospects

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US recruits Russian journalists for information warfare training — lawmaker

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Ukrainians to reunify with Russia in ten years — Medvedchuk

Ukraine is "genetically linked with Russia," leader of the Other Ukraine movement said

Death toll in China highway collapse climbs

At least 24 people were killed

Officials request aircraft to help put out fire in Moscow building

Two traffic police crews have also been asked to be dispatched to the scene

Building housing offices, production lines catches fire in Moscow

The flames are covering an area of 2,500 square meters

Italy to send latest package of military aid to Ukraine before G7 summit in June

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Russian tech firm ramps up production of glide bombs — CEO

Rostec is "building up the production of air bombs of all calibers and types," Sergey Chemezov said

Europe facing 'triple existential risk,' Macron warns

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

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EU eyeing response to Russian decision on assets of Italian, German companies

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

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Solar storm reaches Earth earlier than planned — scientists

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West attempts to bury Odessa tragedy — Russian diplomat

Russian Foreign Ministry's special envoy for the crimes of the Kiev regime Rodion Miroshnik noted that the regime of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky will not conduct this investigation

Swiss conference to be showcase for Zelensky's failed peace plan — Medvedev

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Kyrgyzstan advises citizens not to travel to Russia

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Russian troops liberate Berdychi community in DPR over past day — top brass

Russian troops inflicted casualties on four Ukrainian army brigades in the Kherson area over the past day, the ministry reported

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NATO proposes $100 bln aid fund for Ukraine — top Hungarian diplomat

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Wounded Ukrainian soldiers have to pay ambulances to take them to hospital — US expert

The ex-Pentagon adviser Douglas Macgregor also noted the continued Russian advance on the front line

Washington wants Europe to spearhead anti-Russian struggle — Hungarian official

Balazs Orban stressed that his country was not satisfied with this attitude

Russian users having full access to TikTok

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Forest fire sources growing twofold over day in Russia

More than 2,000 people, 440 vehicles and 14 aircraft are now engaged in firefighting

Russian troops using FPV drone destroy enemy recon group in LPR — military expert

The entire group of Ukrainian militants was killed in the strike

Kremlin slams Macron's statement about possible sending troops to Ukraine 'very dangerous'

On May 2, the French President named in an interview two conditions for sending troops to Ukraine: Kiev's request and Russia's breakthrough on the front line

Azerbaijan’s president points to highest level of cooperation with Russia

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Russian forces use Kornet anti-tank system to hit heavy Ukrainian drone

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Hamas to release Israeli soldiers, hostages under deal with Jerusalem — TV

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Russian ministry puts Ukrainian lawmaker Nalivaichenko on wanted persons list

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