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Entrepreneur Vladimir Potanin tops Forbes' list of Russia's richest businessmen in 2019

The list includes 20 Russian businessmen

Vladimir Potanin Sergei Karpukhin/TASS

Vladimir Potanin

© Sergei Karpukhin/TASS

MOSCOW, April 7. /TASS/. Vladimir Potanin, head and beneficiary of Norilsk Nickel, tops the 2019 list of Russia’s richest businessmen compiled by Forbes. The magazine estimated his fortune at $19.7 bln.

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Russian billionaires lost $8.8 bln due to oil prices collapse — Forbes

Potanin is followed by CEO and main shareholder of NLMK Group Vladimir Lisin ($18.1 bln) and head of Novatek Leonid Mikhelson ($17.1 bln).

The top five also includes main shareholder of Power Machines Alexey Mordashov and the family ($16.8 bln) and head of Russian oil major Lukoil Vagit Alekperov ($15.2 bln)

Entrepreneurs Gennady Timchenko ($14.4 bln), head of USM Holdings Alisher Usmanov ($ 13.7 bln), founder of Alfa Bank and head of LetterOne Mikhail Fridman ($13 bln), the beneficiary of EuroChem Andrei Melnichenko ($12.5 bln) and businessman Roman Abramovich ($11.3 bln) also entered the top 10 of Russia’s richest businessmen.

In general, the list includes 20 Russian businessmen. Vice President and co-owner of Lukoil Leonid Fedun is the last on the list with the fortune of $6.4 bln.

Russian Post suspends overland delivery to Baltic States

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Plotter of terrorist attack on oil pipeline neutralized in Tyumen Region — FSB

According to the FSB’s Public Relations Center, the suspect, a Russian citizen originally from Vinnitsa in Ukraine, resisted arrest and was subsequently neutralized during the operation

Ukraine unable to keep 800,000-strong army — German general

Harald Kujat noted that the 800,000-strong Ukrainian army, as required by the Europeans, would constitute a significant increase from the pre-conflict number

Putin warned Bush that NATO membership would split Ukraine — declassified documents

During their meeting in Sochi in April 2008, Bush asked the Russian leader why Russia opposes to Ukraine’s NATO membership

US has mostly resolved security issues with Ukrainians — NATO envoy

"It’s going to come down to, ultimately, the territory, and how that territory is divided up," Matthew Whitaker said

West accuses Russia of Bucha killings just as it did with Holodomor — Medvedev

According to the politician, the groundwork laid by predecessors in creating false ideologies is now actively exploited by the "regime of the bloody Kiev comedian"

US Department of Justice gets more documents as part of Epstein case files

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FSB thwarts hostage-taking, prisoner escape from penal colony in Kurgan Region

A prisoner concealed a shiv in his punishment cell, where he was placed for violating prison rules

This year’s final batch of Su-35S fighters delivered to Russian Defense Ministry — Rostec

The company noted that the state corporation's aircraft manufacturers are already working on a fighter production plan for 2026

Several points of Zelensky’s so-called plan unworkable, expert says

Alexander Dudchak doubts that Kiev is really ready to carry out an "all-for-all" prisoner swap according to the plan

Putin meets with businessmen in Kremlin — spokesman

The Russian government’s officials in charge of economy and social affairs, presidential administration officials, and Russian Central Bank chief Elvira Nabiullina attended the meeting

Putin warned Bush that admitting Ukraine to NATO will lead to Russia-US confrontation

The Russian leader stressed that this would create a threat of NATO moving its military bases and various arms systems to the exact proximity to the Russian border

Putin sends New Year greetings to Kim Jong Un

The Russian leader stressed that the "past one year was of special significance in the relationship between Moscow and Pyongyang"

US to maintain naval blockade of Venezuela for at least two months — Reuters

The White House has ordered American forces in the region to focus almost exclusively "on the quarantine of Venezuelan oil"

US military reports Santa Claus flying over Russia

For 70 years, NORAD has been "tracking" the journey of Santa Claus on the night before Christmas

KVN becomes Russia’s main fiber-optic drone — manufacturer

CEO of the Ushkuynik Research and Production Center Alexey Chadayev said that the drone has become the most popular and widely used in its niche

At least 141 Ukrainian drones downed over Russian territory overnight — defense ministry

62 of them were destroyed over the Bryansk Region

Russian troops liberate Svyato-Pokrovskoye community in Donetsk region over past day

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Russian army destroys Ukraine's underground bunkers in Zaporozhye Region

Zaporozhye Region Governor Yevgeny Balitsky stressed that the seizure of Gulyaipole would pave the way for the liberation of the entire Zaporozhye Region

Thief conks jewel courier on head in Paris, steals sapphire priced at 150,000 euro

The injured courier was hospitalized

Japan’s chief cabinet secretary refrains from comments on MP’s visit to Russia

Muneo Suzuki, a member of the Japanese parliament’s upper chamber from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party of Japan, departed to Russia on a visit earlier in the day

US can gain control of Greenland without 'firing a shot' — EP member

Anders Vistisen also noted that Denmark "cannot defend Greenland alone"

Zelensky's new peace plan not to work for Russia, says expert

The expert focused on the political points of the plan and on the security guarantees demanded by Kiev

Zelensky's desire to maintain army size proves he is not thinking about peace — politician

According to the former Ukrainian PM, it was already a "big problem" for Ukraine to maintain an army of up to 180,000 servicemen before the conflict

Putin’s state of the nation address to take place 'in due time' — spokesman

Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov noted that the address will be delivered "when the president sees fit, first of all in terms of contents"

Kalashnikov Concern dispatches AK-15K assault rifles in Multicam colors to customer

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US sanctions against former European officials cast doubt on EU sovereignty — Kallas

The chief of the European diplomacy said that Europe will continue to defend its values of freedom of expression

Tajikistan reports fatalities from border clash with Afghan terrorists

"This was the third armed attack, terrorist act and border infiltration from Afghanistan into Tajikistan in the past month, resulting in civilian and military fatalities," the Committee said

Ukraine lost 1-2 GW of power grid capacity as a result of December 23 explosions

The Russian Ministry of Defense reported earlier that Russian troops struck Ukrainian military-industrial complex facilities and energy facilities with Kinzhal missiles on the morning of December 23

West 'understands nothing about Russians,' Rostec says in response to Reuters report

The Russian defense industry is currently focused on solving state problems, not on generating more profit

Humanitarian aid convoy from Dagestan comes under attack in border area

"Magomednabi Gadzhiyev, head of the Shamilsky District from where the convoy departed, and two members of the Self-Defense public organization, were killed," Sergey Melikov, leader of the North Caucasus region, said

Putin-Trump call can be arranged quickly if needed — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov pointed out that everything slows down during Christmas time

Spacecraft with artificial gravity patented in Russia

"The space system with artificial gravity includes an axial module with static and rotating parts, connected with the help of a hermetically sealed flexible junction, as well as habitable modules, rotation equipment and power sources," according to the patent

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EU loan will not lead to improvement in Ukrainian military’s situation — Guardian

The Guardian draws attention to the low level of recruitment into the Ukrainian armed forces

Foreign intelligence services monitoring Oreshnik missile deployment in Belarus — KGB

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko earlier stated that a maximum of 10 Russian-made Oreshnik systems would be deployed in the republic

Europe has 'epiphany' on Ukraine negotiations — opposition figure

Viktor Medvedchuk said that Europe had previously acted as a "bridge between Russia and the United States," but today's attempts by Europeans to build a wall between Moscow and Washington "are a joke"

French president, NATO chief discuss Ukraine-related efforts by Coalition of Willing

The previous meeting of the so-called Coalition of the Willing took place on December 11

Honduras election authority says Trump-backed candidate won presidential election

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Air defense systems destroy 132 Ukrainian UAVs over Russian Regions in 7 hours — top brass

The drones were destroyed between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. GMT

Two oil storage tanks catch fire in Temryuk after drone attack

The total area of the fire is 2,000 square meters

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Polish officials not allowed to enter Russian consulate’s former building

Poland’s last operating Russian Consulate General located in the city of Gdansk closed down earlier this week

EU, UK hurt most by Washington’s Russia policy turn — expert

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Macron tries to turn EU into 'digital gulag' — Durov

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Peace in Europe unattainable without review of West's anti-Russian policy — Medvedev

"It is crucial to recognize that the root cause of the conflict in Ukraine stems from the aggressive ‘Eastern policy’ pursued by Anglo-Saxon nations along with NATO and the European Union," the politician stated

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Head of the group Khalil al-Hayy also drew attention to the "deteriorating humanitarian crisis" in the Gaza Strip

Ukrainian city of Odessa reports partial power cuts

According to the DTEK energy company, an accident occurred in the morning at another company’s energy facility

Some 20,000 Muscovites voluntarily sign contracts for military service annually — mayor

Sergey Sobyanin said that Moscow is one of the largest centers for the recruitment of military personnel for the special military operation

Kiev loses about 20 battalions in fighting near Vilcha — expert

Vitaly Kiselev added that, despite heavy losses and massive, combined attacks by the Russian army, the Ukrainian army brigades have "a very large number of soldiers that go AWOL"

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EU goods imports into Russia exceed exports — Eurostat

Exports of Russian goods to the EU amounted to 21.7 bln euro, while imports of goods from the EU into Russia totaled 22.2 bln euro

Refusal to take path of peace is Ukraine’s tragedy — German general

Harald Kujat opined that the West’s massive support created an illusion for Kiev that "it can turn the strategic situation into its favor"

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The president said that Russia and its economy are in a good place, "despite numerous challenges"

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According to the newspaper, after months of discussions, EU leaders "delivered a harsh reality check, with the executive’s ambitions dashed by political and national red lines"

Russia not on board with all of Trump’s 'Make America Great Again' methods — diplomat

As Maria Zakharova noted, the figures and calculations showed that the country does indeed need saving

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According to the report, the enemy's resistance is complicated by harsh weather conditions

Russian diplomat refutes Bloomberg article on Russia's intentions to amend Ukraine plan

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Fire area in Temryuk port reach 4,000 sq m

Two tanks with oil products are on fire

Almost all DPR supporters return from Ukraine after violence, torture — ombudsman

"Before the start of the special military operation on, as part of the work of the humanitarian subgroup of the Contact Group in Minsk, we managed to bring 879 DPR supporters home from Ukraine," DPR Commissioner for Human Rights Darya Morozova said

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According to the statement, programs and projects are being implemented in the Russian direction to discredit the leadership of the Russian Federation

EU had chance to prevent Russia conflict in 2022 — Hungarian PM

Viktor Orban said that Europe could have sent a peace mission to Moscow and Kiev instead of declaring their conflict its own war

Ukraine’s major oil producer Ukrnafta sustains critical damage

The company did not specify the exact nature of the damage or where it occurred

Hungarian PM gives hot take on biggest threat of war facing Europe

"The military tensions Europe is seeing now stem from the decline of Western Europe and the European Union," Viktor Orban said

Air defenses destroy 29 more Ukrainian UAVs over Russian regions within three-hour period

10 of them were destroyed over the Belgorod Region

Belgium shocked by US sanctions against five EU citizens — foreign minister

Maxime Prevot said that EU digital legislation is not directed against the United States, but serves to ensure that EU citizens have the same security and dignity in the digital space that they enjoy in their public lives in Europe

Kiev troops shell DPR twice in past day, civilian killed

One civilian was reported to have been killed and two wounded

US believes sides approaching settlement on Ukraine — NATO envoy

US Permanent Representative to NATO Matthew Whitaker emphasized that there are still matters that need to be resolved in a way that both sides can agree

Russia ready to discuss form of document on absence of plans to attack NATO — diplomat

Maria Zakharova stressed that Russia remains open for serious talks

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Kremlin confirms Moscow-Paris contacts on case of French national Vinatier

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A civilian in the village of Glinishchevo in the Bryansk Region was injured in a drone attack, Governor Alexander Bogomaz said

Negotiations on Ukraine should be kept secret, Kremlin believes

Dmitry Peskov refrained from giving further comments

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According to Alexander Cheremin, "it appears that the Anglo-Saxons became the direct successors of the German secret services that had originally established this anti-Soviet foundation"

Russian troops liberate Zarechnoye in Zaporozhye Region over past day — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup East inflicted roughly 245 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed two enemy artillery guns in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Social unity around grand goals is key to Russia's achievements, Putin says

The Russian president highlighted the readiness of millions to unite around shared, noble goals

West needs Zelensky's peace plan to pump resources out of Ukraine — expert

The clause on creating special funds to attract $800 billion for Ukraine's reconstruction was introduced "because money can be made on creating these funds," Alexander Dudchak said

Pentagon’s report distorts reality of Chinese military developments — newspaper

The newspaper emphasizes that "it is crucial for China and the US to accurately understand each other's strategic intentions through dialogue"

Putin expects next decade to bring unprecedented breakthrough in technology

The Russian leader drew attention of regional and federal officials, and businessmen across all industries to the fact that actually the time of breakthrough was "already here for us"

Ruble becomes strongest-performing currency in 2025 — Bloomberg

As Bloomberg noted, the ruble’s rise has been influenced by reduced demand for foreign currency in Russia.

Emergence of BRICS payment system quite possible — ambassador to Moscow

The diplomat called this topic one of the most important on the BRICS agenda

Kiev deploying most combat-fit UAV units, assault groups to Gulyaipole — defense source

Russia’s Battlegroup East forces continue steadily advancing in Gulyaipole, a source in Russian defense circles said

European Union disintegrating before our eyes — Orban

The Hungarian PM noted that "EU decision-makers are constantly forced to backtrack"

Moldovan border guards cut off channel for transfer of draft dodgers from Ukraine

The police said the suspects charged each evader $10,000

Anonymous Japanese official who broke nation's 'nuclear taboo' unveiled

Japan adheres to three non-nuclear principles not to possess, develop or allow nuclear weapons into its territory

Russian strategic bombers fly over neutral waters of Barents, Norwegian seas

Su-33 fighter jets of the Russian Navy escorted the long-range bombers