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Nord Stream 2 second string laying at final phase — Gazprom

Gazprom does not expect the Nord Stream 2 launch will seriously influence on gas export in 2021, department head of the company Alexander Ivannikov said

© Axel Schmidt/Nord Stream 2

MOSCOW, August 31. /TASS/. Gazprom is finalizing startup on the first string of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to begin supplies and is close to completion of second string laying, a top manager of the company said on Tuesday at a teleconference.

"As you are aware, the mechanical completion of the first string was completed in June. Pipes were connected by the tie-in. Startup is now at the final stage, which will support readiness of the first string for commercial operation start," the top manager said.

Second string laying is also at the closing stage and its commissioning will also require integrated activities similar to the first string activities, he noted. "I can only add that we endeavor to put the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline into operation in the near future," the top manager said.

Gazprom does not expect the Nord Stream 2 launch will seriously influence on gas export in 2021, department head of the company Alexander Ivannikov said.

The company has already announced 5.6 bln cubic meters of gas can be supplied over the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in this year, Ivannikov said. However, considering different routes, the launch of this project "will not significantly influence on total export volumes," he added.

Russian GDP gain 5.4% in Q1 2024 — Economy Ministry

In March 2024, the Russian economy grow by 4.2% annually

Third of Ukrainian troops surrender near Lisichansk, LPR’s envoy to Russia says

According to Rodion Miroshnik, the operation to liberate the LPR would be brought to an end as soon as the operation in Lisichansk was finished

SpaceX launches Falcon 9 rocket with European Galileo satellite on board

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Russia’s Tasoyev wins 2024 European Judo Championship in over-100kg weight category

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Economic figures turn out above projections in early 2024 — Putin

Russia’s GDP grew by 6% in January-February in annual terms, the Russian president stressed

Russian government approves list of unfriendly countries

There are two countries on the list

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

China, US free to have their own friends, partners — President Xi

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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Russia to grant asylum to Kyrgyz citizen convicted of participation in special military op

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Kiev may use ATACMS missiles to hit Crimean Bridge — Russian defense ministry official

Russian military will do its utmost to repel such attacks, Apty Alaudinov said

Ukrainian army says it will not ‘hide’ Abrams tanks, but keeps quiet about their location

On Friday, the Pentagon refused to comment on the rumored withdrawal of Abrams tanks from the battlefield and said that the Ukrainians themselves were in a position to say how they "use their Abrams tanks"

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

Musk concurs that civil war looming in West

The US businessman commented on remarks by Gad Saad, a Canadian professor of Lebanese origin, who insisted that "the path that the West is taking will result in civil war"

Ukraine struggles to use GLSDB efficiently due to Russian jamming capabilities — report

When the GPS signal is suppressed by Russian electronic warfare equipment, the munitions can only rely on their inertial navigation system to calculate their impact location, and this causes them to miss the target

Russia strikes major thermal power plant in western Ukraine — underground resistance

Five missiles hit Dnepropetrovsk while a strong blow with the subsequent detonation was registered in Krivoi Rog, the spokesman specified

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

Moscow court orders arrest of 12th suspect in Crocus City Hall terror attack

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Residents of Armenian border villages protest against their transfer to Azerbaijan

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Gagauzia’s political leadership under Chisinau's pressure — official

On Friday, four members of Gagauzia’s Executive Committee delegation were searched and questioned at Chisinau Airport upon their arrival from a trip to Russia and Turkey

West prepares puppet structures in case of coup in Belarus — KGB

Ivan Tertel said various methods were being considered, up to "instigating a forceful seizure by illegal armed groups" being trained in the West and Ukraine

Bank of Russia keeps key rate at 16% per annum again

"The return of inflation to target and its further stabilization close to 4% assume that tight monetary conditions will be maintained in the economy for a longer period than previously forecast," the regulator said

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China to send two pandas to American zoo in ten-year loan program

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Russian GDP gain 5.4% in Q1 2024 — Economy Ministry

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Air defenses down three drones near oil depot in Kaluga Region — governor

There are no casualties and no destruction

VTB supervisory board recommends not to pay 2023 dividends

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

The Russian Investigative Committee added that measures are underway to locate their whereabouts and bring them to criminal liability

Russia proposes new rules for foreigners buying sim cards, requires biometric data

People covered under the new rules will only be allowed to buy a sim card at physical telecom locations, and not via the Internet

Russia delivers 35 precision strikes on Ukrainian military sites over week — top brass

Russian troops liberated the communities of Novomikhailovka and Bogdanovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic and advanced deep into the enemy defense

Russia provides UNRWA with platform to explain Gaza situation to BRICS — agency chief

Philippe Lazzarini explained that against the backdrop of the terrible crisis in Gaza, he wanted to warn the BRICS members of the consequences of banning UNRWA's activities in the conflict zone

Medicine for Bekhterev’s disease may cause medical tourism to Russia — Health Minister

Previously, the media reported that the Russian Health Ministry registered the first treatment for the Bekhterev’s disease in the world

Gazprom Export files lawsuits against European energy companies

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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

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Southern neighbors of US to regain stolen lands — Russian Security Council’s secretary

Nikolay Patrushev speculates that country may split into the North and the South again to get back to its original shape

US intel finds no proof of Russian leadership’s involvement in Navalny’s death — newspaper

"Some European intelligence agencies have been told of the US view," The Wall Street Journal added

UN bound to stay as unique world organization — Russian ambassador

"If the UN did not exist, it should have been created," Vasily Nebenzya said

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

Alrosa may leave Catoca project in Angola — Finance Ministry

Alrosa is working in Angola since 1992

Hezbollah shells Israeli Air Force base, neighboring settlements

Al Mayadeen TV reported that at least 30 projectiles were fired at the facility from several rocket launchers

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A similar protest took place at the Paronyan Musical Comedy Theater

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Rescue work at the scene is ongoing

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Konstantin Gabov is accused of committing a crime under Part 2 of Article 282.1 of the Russian Criminal Code (participation in an extremist community), the court’s press office said in statement

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Kiev requests over 800 Vector reconnaissance drones from Germany — media

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Erdogan’s May 9 visit to US postponed to more convenient date — Foreign Ministry

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One floor at Vnukovo airport evacuated due to bomb threat — police

"The premises and rooms are being checked for explosives," the source said

Checks on Russian-Kazakh border due to remaining terrorist threat — diplomat

Russian border guards are in direct contact with foreign partners, Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said

‘Pointless’ to talk Easter ceasefire with irreverent Ukraine — Russian Orthodox Church

Since the onset of Kiev’s military operation in Donbass in 2014, ceasefires have been repeatedly declared on major holidays, including religious ones and most of them were broken by Ukrainian forces within hours

Ukrainian troops fire at least 60 rounds at borderline Belgorod Region

The debris from air defense operations shattered windows and damaged walls in four private residences in the Yakovlevsky Municipal District

West reluctant to punish those responsible for Nord Stream blasts — Russian diplomat

According to Vasily Nebenzya, the situation is as though a year-long probe into a murder yielded a conclusion that "the victim was murdered"

Russia’s top racket Medvedev through to next round of 2024 Madrid Open

3rd-seed Daniil Medvedev outplayed his unseeded rival Matteo Arnaldi from Italy 2-6; 6-4; 6-4 and is now set to play in the next round against 25th-seed Sebastian Korda of the United States

Death toll in Armenian bus accident rises to five

Nine people were injured, the country’s Interior Ministry said

Portuguese government refuses to pay reparations for colonial past

The colonial empire at various times included Angola, Brazil, East Timor, Cape Verde and Mozambique, as well as some parts of India

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

The report hasn’t been officially confirmed

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

One of 12 dismissed from UNRWA over October 7 massacre reinstated — agency chief

This person has been completely cleared, Philippe Lazzarin said

Russian mission to UN critisizes post of Lithuanian ambassador on Crimean Bridge

On Friday, Lithuanian Ambassador to Sweden Linas Linkevicius published the photo of the bridge, saying "If someone hasn't had a chance to take a photo at the Kerch bridge, it's still time

Belgium’s rejection of exchange of assets in Russia to impede process — Kremlin

It was reported earlier that the Belgian side did not recognize the exchange of blocked assets

Scholz reiterates German soldiers, Taurus long-range missiles not to be sent to Ukraine

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Regulators close US’ Republic First Bank — FDIC

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Israeli police arrests seven people after protest in Tel Aviv

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Ukraine’s army chief reports deteriorating battlefield situation to Western allies

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More children killed in Gaza over 6 months than in all world conflicts in 4 years — UNRWA

Philippe Lazzarini pointed out that it is very difficult to get precise figures under war situation

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

World Badminton Federation extends indefinitely its ban against Russia

According to National Badminton Federation of Russia Chairman Andrey Antropov, there were 151 votes cast in favor of Russia's suspension and 78 against

Russia closely watches all NATO maneuvers — MFA

Maria Zakharova pointed out that the lion’s share of the alliance’s wargames is designed precisely as the unfolding scenarios of confrontation with Russia

Refinery in southern Russia partially suspends operations after Ukrainian drone attack

Ten unmanned aerial vehicles flew directly into the plant, causing a big fire

Bill submitted to Russian legislature seeks more control over immigration

One of the bill's provisions would limit the stay of a foreigner to 90 days within one calendar year

UNRWA chief considers involving ICC in investigation into deaths of his staff in Gaza

It also could be the Board of Inquiry or the Commission of Inquiry, Philippe Lazzarini said

Russian Interior Ministry puts Ukrainian lawmakers, TV anchors on wanted list

In addition, former Ukrainian Prosecutor General Vitaliy Yarema and businessman Seyar Kurshutov were included in the database

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Serial production of missiles for S-500 air defense systems begins in Russia — source

State trials of S-500 are under way at a testing range in southern Russia

Court places Forbes reporter under house arrest for discrediting Russian armed forces

The press service specified that investigative and procedural actions are underway in coordination with Russia’s Federal Security Service

Ukrainian forces fire 72 rounds of ammunition at DPR settlements over past 24 hours

During the day, the mission received reports about three injured civilians, four damaged houses and two civilian infrastructure facilities

Russia warns US, NATO against harming its security — diplomat

Maria Zakharova stressed that "the level of nuclear risks have risen dramatically as a result of the West’s destructive policy, which is fraught with a direct military confrontation between nuclear powers"

Kiev refused to sign Istanbul agreements under pressure from London, Kremlin says

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Settlement proposal on Gaza to Hamas provides for release of 20-40 hostages — TV

A source told the news outlet that the agreement will be most likely reached in the next couple of days

Some want to dismantle UNRWA to prevent creation of Palestinian state — agency chief

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Belarus detects 7 violations of its airspace from Ukraine so far this year

Belarusian State Border Committee Chairman Konstantin Molostov said Belarusian border guards continue to record "provocations on the border, which are caused by vehicles and armed persons crossing over Belarus' border"

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

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