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Gas withdrawal from European UGS 19% above average in December — Gazprom

According to Gas Infrastructure Europe, more than a quarter of gas volume injected in this year were taken from underground gas storages as of December 6

MOSCOW, December 8. /TASS/. Natural gas withdrawals from European underground gas storages (UGS) from December 1 to 6 was 19% above the average value for this period over the monitoring history, Gazprom said on Wednesday.

"Gas withdrawal from European storages from December 1 to 6 was 19% above the average figure for this period over the long-term history of observations," the company said.

According to Gas Infrastructure Europe, more than a quarter (25.6%) of gas volume injected in this year were taken from underground gas storages as of December 6, 2021, Gazprom said.

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Russian Economy Ministry expects trade balance surplus to decline

Exports of goods are expected to drop to $419.7 bln this year. Imports are forecast to grow to $315.7 bln in 2024

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NATO bears direct responsibility for Ukraine crisis — Chinese Foreign Ministry

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The situation can take a sudden turn for the worse from one minute to the next, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said

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Senior security official points to rising tensions on Belarus’ western border

Tensions "have reached a peak where the slightest imbalance can lead either to a serious, high-profile and large-scale provocation or a conflict," Pavel Muraveiko stressed

Russian troops wipe out Ukrainian UAV production workshop over past day

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

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Ukraine had to negotiate agreements with Russia with ‘three masters’ — Russian envoy

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SCO expects Belarus to join the organization very soon — Shoigu

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Security concerns mount as radical Islamists flock to Southeast Asia

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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

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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

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

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Houthis say they attacked MSC Darwin vessel in Gulf of Aden

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Alexander Lukashenko stressed that his Ukrainian counterpart Vladimir Zelensky should have realistic expectations

SCO should unite against foreign attempts to trigger revolutions — Shoigu

"The main emphasis should be placed on the development of military contacts between the SCO and the CSTO,"the Russian defense minister said

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

Russia needs to boost production of goods based on domestic technologies — Putin

The President undescored that Russia did not plan to produce absolutely everything domestically

Reinforced Ukrainian battlegroup fails to break through Russian defenses in DPR — expert

Andrey Marochko added that the Ukrainians have also intensified artillery and drone attacks at Russian positions

Kiev violates diplomatic relations convention by recruiting mercenaries abroad — diplomat

Maria Zakharova pointed to media reports, according to which Ukrainian embassies in a number of countries are openly campaigning local citizens to join the so-called International Legion of Ukrainian Territorial Defense

Putin calls impending formation of new cabinet ‘crucial step’

The Russian leader pointed out that it is important to ensure stability and transparency in the Russian socio-political system

Moscow, Minsk pushing for peace even as 'war in the air' — Belarusian official

Pavel Muraveiko stressed that "the leaders of Belarus and Russia are doing everything possible and impossible to ensure peace and security on western borders"

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

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US military advisers, if sent to Ukraine, won’t come close to frontlines — Pentagon

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Kremlin vows to resolve situation with Turkish Airlines refusing service to Russians

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

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Kremlin spokesman describes European Parliament as 'Russophobic machine'

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

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Foreign delegations show great interest in Russian defense products — security official

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All-Belarusian People's Assembly adopts new military doctrine, security concept

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US government prepares to sign $6-bln contract for arms deliveries to Ukraine — Politico

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European Parliament urges EU states to regard Russian presidential vote as illegitimate

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US nukes in Poland to become target for Russia should confrontation with NATO occur — MFA

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Israel Defense Forces delivers more strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure in Lebanon

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Promotion of Russian brands gives good return — Putin

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Ukrainian opposition demands parliament speaker's resignation over pro-Hitler remarks

The speaker’s shocking remarks sparked outrage among the public

Russian diplomat accuses US of coordinating Ukraine’s terrorist attacks

Earlier, US President Joe Biden signed a package of bills approved by Congress, which total some $95 bln and include about $61 bln to help Ukraine and $26 bln to support Israel

Armenian police arrests people protesting against demarcation with Azerbaijan

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Potential nuclear facilities in Poland to be military target for Russia — senior diplomat

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French neo-Nazi ringleader liquidated near Avdeyevka — sources

There is confirmed evidence of his connections with French secret services

FSB nabs Neo-Nazi group members in Volgograd Region plotting high-profile terror act

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

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Russian Embassy to Austria denied participation in ceremony at Nazi concentration camp

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Swiss conference on Ukraine undermines European security — Russian diplomat

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

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

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Chances of Baku-Yerevan conflict settlement higher than ever, Scholz says

The German chancellor emphasized that Berlin's "offer to lend support in finding a long-term and acceptable solution remains valid"

UN bound to stay as unique world organization — Russian ambassador

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

West bends sanctions rules when it suits them — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov noted that, "according to some parameters, companies in Europe and other regions can hardly maintain their competitiveness if they completely abandon our products"