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Shell exits Nord Stream 2

In addition, the company will also withdraw from the Sakhalin-2 project

MOSCOW, February 28. /TASS/ Oil and gas concern Shell will not participate in the Nord Stream 2 project, the company announced on Monday.

"The Board of Shell plc ("Shell") today announced its intention to exit its joint ventures with Gazprom and related entities, including its 27.5% stake in the Sakhalin-II liquefied natural gas facility, its 50% stake in the Salym Petroleum Development and the Gydan energy venture. Shell also intends to end its involvement in the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project," the company’s statement said.

"Our decision to exit is one we take with conviction," CEO Ben van Beurden said, adding "We cannot … and we will not … stand by".

In addition, the company will also withdraw from the Sakhalin-2 project.

Aquatic bioresources catch in Russia reach 4.8 mln tons in 2024 — federal agency

The Russian fleet caught over 486,600 metric tons of aquatic bioresources in exclusive economic zones of foreign countries, convention areas and the open part of the World Ocean, the agency added

Biden signs $895 bln US defense budget for 2025

The US House of Representatives approved the project on December 11, the Senate - on December 18

Ebola virus samples were smuggled from Africa to US — Russian Defense Ministry

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Russian drone operators use air ramming to down 4 Ukrainian copters in Kharkov Region

UAV operators of the battle group North continue to be on round-the-clock duty in the sky over Kharkov Region and identify reconnaissance and strike drones of the Ukrainian militants

Biden refuses to commute Boston Marathon terrorist's death sentence — media

Earlier, the head of the US administration commuted the sentence for 37 out of 40 people to life imprisonment without the possibility of release

Russia and Pakistan to be connected by direct railway line — minister

"By the end of March, we are planning the first train - the first cargo train to leave Russia for Pakistan," Awais Leghari said

Around 4,400 Russian injured by Ukrainian strikes since January, around 800 killed

Russian Ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik said that the enemy has fired nearly 82,700 various types of ammunition at Russian regions

Hostilities in Ukraine to end in 2025 — Hungary’s Orban predicts

The Hungarian prime minister recalled that America and Europe spent about 300 billion euros on the war in Ukraine

Berlin’s any aggressive action will not remain unanswered — Russian ambassador

"This concerns both the potential use of Taurus and plans for stationing US mid-range and short-range missiles on German soil," Sergey Nechayev stressed

US ramping up biological warfare presence in Africa — Russia’s top brass

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Kiev considers negotiations with Russia inevitable, Ukrainian official says

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Meeting of Putin with Slovakia’s Fico lasted for two hours — presidential aide

According to Yuri Ushakov, the meeting was substantial

France announces new cabinet, with foreign and defense ministers keeping their jobs

Bruno Retailleau also stayed on as interior minister

Strike on SBU control center response to Russian general’s assassination, expert says

The ministry clarified that Ukraine launched a missile strike against the Kamensky Integrated Plant in the Rostov Region using six US-made ATACMS missiles and four Storm Shadow cruise missiles

Ukraine shells city hosting Zaporozhye NPP — politician

No reports of casualties and damage have come in yet

Four Ukrainian UAVs destroyed over Russia’s Rostov and Voronezh regions overnight

According to the report, three UAVs were shot down over the territory of the Rostov region

Ukrainian conflict will end when Kiev’s sponsors see need for peace — Russian diplomat

In a mid-June meeting with senior officials from Russia’s Foreign Ministry, Russian President Vladimir Putin outlined key prerequisites for resolving the situation in Ukraine

Fico’s visit to Russia perfect slap in Zelensky’s face, Slovak politician says

The MEP said that Fico stands for Slovak interests in Russia, "even in spite of the warmongers in Brussels"

Kremlin sums up Russia’s presidency in BRICS

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South Korea’s opposition threatens to impeach acting president on December 24

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Pakistan discusses creating free trade zone with EAEU — minister

"The work is going well, but it is not year ready enough for us to disclose it," Awais Leghari noted

Information on US military-biological activities in Africa heard by foreign media

Major General Alexey Rtishchev said that relevant comments were posted in the European and American media, as well as on information portals in the Middle East region

Russia’s Ursa Major ship sinks in Mediterranean with 14 out of 16 crew members rescued

According to the Crisis Management Center, on-duty personnel at the center, as well as at the Russian Transport Ministry and overseas diplomatic missions, are monitoring the situation

Putin travels to St. Petersburg for informal CIS summit

On Tuesday, the Russian leader is scheduled to meet with President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon

Kiev to face more destruction after its UAV attack on Kazan, Putin warns

"We will not only restore the damage that some attempt to cause to us but will also move forward even at a faster pace as we are doing now," Russian President said

Russia no threat to Finland, Sweden, but ready to counter threats from them — diplomat

Addressing a news conference after the BRICS summit in Kazan earlier this year, Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the West of seeking to expand unfairly and warned that Russia would spare no effort to reverse the situation

Russia’s FPV drone Gortenzia with fiber-optic cable control used in military operation

The design bureau added that the drone is also equipped with a universal payload attachment system

Lavrov reaffirms Moscow’s unity with Belgrade in protecting rights of Serbs — Russian MFA

Another issue discussed was cooperation in the oil sector amid illegal Western sanctions, the ministry said

Syria’s Interior Ministry calls on members of former regime to hand over their arms

According to transitional Interior Minister Mohamed Abdel Rahman, the government has set a deadline for the handover of weapons held by members of the former regime and the public

Ukraine’s military attempts six UAV attacks on Melitopol in Zaporozhye Region overnight

Falling debris from one UAV damaged the roof of the central marketplace building

Trump’s election victory changed Western approach to Ukrainian conflict, adviser says

According to Mike Waltz, Trump has made it clear that the war must end

Russia evacuates 4,000 Iranian fighters from Syria at their request — Putin

Russian forces evacuated them from the Hmeimim base to Tehran

Kalashnikov improves combat capabilities of Vikhr-1 aviation missile

"I will not comment on that in any further detail, it is our client’s prerogative," Kalashnikov CEO Alan Lushnikov said

50,000-year-old mammoth calf carcass revealed in Yakutsk

The mammoth calf is female, with a shoulder height of 120 cm and a total weight of approximately 180 kg

Two-thirds of Russians dissatisfied with 2024, survey reveals

Russians most often attribute their negative emotions regarding the past year to economic hardships and rising prices, while citing family events as positive highlights

Russia has every right to protect its interests in Ukraine — Republika Srpska leader

"Moscow has a legitimate right to defend its interests and the interests of the 15 million Russians who formerly lived in Ukraine and now reside in the four regions that have joined the Russian Federation," Milorad Dodik said

Assad allegedly hands list of military targets over to Israel before leaving Syria — media

According to the Turkish newspaper, the former Syrian president did it to ensure his own safety

Lukashenko announces upcoming meeting with Putin and official visit to China

The Belarusian president pointed out that the coming year is expected to be difficult for a number of reasons

Press review: Putin outlines Russia's future goals and Tehran faces energy blackout riots

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, December 20th

Russia considers launching direct flights with Brazil, Malaysia, Pakistan — Minister

Roman Starovoyt noted that Russia is holding negotiations with many airlines from friendly countries

Proposal to duel with West response to claims of Oreshnik missile vulnerability — Kremlin

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin thus meant that the Oreshnik missile is a generation ahead of all existing weapons, while not being a nuclear weapon itself

Germany fails to admit its policy of support to Ukraine falters — Russian envoy

"The ambition to impose a ‘strategic defeat’ on Russia has fallen out of favor, even among hardline political figures, given the unfeasibility of such an outcome," Sergey Nechayev said

Kremlin announces countries to become BRICS partners from January 1

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There are about 400 civilians in the medical facility, including newborn babies Al Jazeera reported

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Russian forces take control of Severny neighborhood in Chasov Yar — Donbass region head

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Salome Zourabichvili also promised to announce her further plans on Monday

Russian forces liberate one more settlement in Donetsk People’s Republic

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IN BRIEF: What is known about sinking of Ursa Major cargo ship in Mediterranean Sea

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According to the latest data, two people were killed

Situation with gas supplies from Russia to Europe difficult — Kremlin

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CIA station in Kiev targeted in recent Russian attack, military expert reveals

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Countries involved in US bio-control system become dependent on US — Russian military

"The result of this selective support is the transition to American personnel training standards, transfer and generalization of information on the biological situation, the degradation of national health care systems," the statement reads

Trump wants to rename North America's tallest mountain Denali

Denali, standing at 6,168 meters, was once considered the highest point of the Russian Empire before the territory was sold to the United States

Germany's new chancellor may lead the West in standoff with Moscow — expert

At the same time, Oleg Bondarenko said, without affordable energy resources, the decline of the German economy will continue with no chance of stopping in the foreseeable future

US engages Pentagon contractors who worked in Ukraine in Senegal — top brass

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Direct flights between Pakistan and Russia expected soon — Energy Minister

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Ukrainian attacks kill 11 Russian civilians, leave over 60 injured in past week — MFA

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Serious conflict between Israel, Turkey possible — Russian expert

"It’s important to note that the primary development in this context is the markedly increased role of non-Arab states in the region, particularly two key players," Vitaly Naumkin said

Russia to continue helping Sahel countries boost their armies’ combat capacities

According to Russian Ambassador to Mali Igor Gromyko, Moscow considers the establishment of the Alliance of Sahel States as a major step toward consolidating efforts against Islamist groups in the Sahara-Sahel zone

Russian Defense Ministry names those who worked on bioweapons in Ukraine

The chief of Russia’s radiation, chemical and biological protection force, Igor Kirillov, told a news briefing that one of the key figures was Robert Pope, the Director of the US Defense Department's Cooperative Threat Reduction Program at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency

Shelling on Donetsk decreases as frontline shifts — DPR head

Denis Pushilin noted that shelling in Donetsk’s Kirovsky and Petrovsky districts is expected to diminish further once Kurakhovo is liberated

Skoda, Volkswagen to recall over 55,000 cars in Russia — regulator

All owners of vehicles subject to the recall will be informed of the need to bring the vehicle to the nearest dealership for repairs, Rosstandart said

US reconnaissance drone flies over Poland near Russian border

According to Polish radio station RMF FM, the flight was carried out as part of a NATO mission

Putin holding talks with visiting Slovak PM

According to Putin’s press secretary, the meeting is being held one-on-one

NATO spies study damage from Oreshnik at Yuzhmash — expert

Alexander Stepanov emphasized that both Kiev and its Western allies are closely scrutinizing the consequences of the strike on the plant

Israeli Defense Minister admits his country's involvement in assassination of Hamas Leader

Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran on July 31, Israel has previously denied any involvement in his assassination

Ukraine intensifies shelling of Kremennaya fourfold due to Russian successes — expert

As Andrey Marochko noted, the enemy's indiscriminate attacks on Kremennaya's civilian targets are ruled out, since Ukraine is attacking the city with drones, and "drone operators see the target"

Top German officials pressured by Biden to strengthen anti-Russian coalition in EU — Dodik

"Now we see the outcome: a Europe burdened with numerous problems and struggling to determine how to establish relations with the Trump administration," the president of the Republika Srpska said

Putin agrees 'Russian world' now faces war

The Russian leader also agreed with Sergey Mironov, head of the "A Just Russia - For Truth" faction in the Duma, who said that "the birth rate is insufficient, because the matter concerns extinction"

Houthis say they attacked targets in Israel with drones

The movement struck military targets in Ashkelon and near Jaffa

More than 20 countries show interest in BRICS — Kremlin aide

Yury Ushakov noted that uncontrolled expansion of the association would break its backbone

Group of foreign mercenaries taken out in Velikaya Novosyolka in Donbass region

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Russian forces pound Ukrainian military airfields, ammo depots over past day — top brass

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Greenland PM tells Trump island not for sale

Mute Egede stressed that Denmark should continue to be open to cooperation and trade with the whole world, especially with its neighbors

Russian Defense Ministry identifies over 30 more people connected to US biolabs in Africa

The Major General noted that among these individuals are: servicemen of the US Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, employees of regional branches of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, disease control and prevention centers in Africa, as well as members of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria

Russia bans cryptocurrency mining in 10 regions until 2031, restricts in three more

The purpose of such restrictions is to maintain the balance of energy consumption taking into account the needs of industry

Ukraine may cease to exist by 2034 — Russian security official

Dmitry Medvedev noted that Ukraine will never join NATO

US system on biological risks tested in Ukraine works in Africa — Russian ministry

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Over 250 Russian residents injured by Ukraine’s attacks in November

Over 40 were killed, Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Foreign Ministry Rodion Miroshnik said

Russian gas imports by Czech Republic soaring — news agency

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Contracts worth over $286 million signed at Vietnam Defense Expo 2024

The exhibition attracted more than 260,000 visitors, while more than 1,800 bilateral meetings and negotiations were held on the sidelines

Netanyahu says ordered IDF to attack Houthi strategic targets

Israel, according to Netanyahu, adheres to a "very simple principle" that "those seeking to do harm to Israel receives harm in response

Russia ready to normalize relations with US without detriment to its interests — Putin

The previous generation of Russian politicians chose the course towards the country’s destruction for the sake of joining the so-called civilized world but this was what the West wanted, President Vladimir Putin

Press review: US, Israel aim to curb Turkey’s gains while Moscow, Tehran strengthen ties

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, December 24th

Press review: Kiev escalates attacks as payments ease for Russian raw material buyers

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Russia, Iran talk four points for Rasht-Astara project implementation — Deputy PM

According to Vitaly Savelyev, the Iranian side has taken on commitments to provide a land buyout schedule

Is Gaddafi's gloom prophecy in regard to Europe bound to be fulfilled?

As Europe’s migrant crisis grows far and wide, many Russian media are recalling the late Libyan leader Muamar Gaddafi’s gloom prophecy made several months before his violent death

Roscosmos, NASA synchronize timeframes for completion of ISS — CEO

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IDF eliminates chief of Hamas Security Mechanism directorate

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Twelve people killed in blast at explosives manufacturing plant in Turkey — TV channel

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Russia not closing its border with Estonia — MFA

Russian border crossings near the Estonian border are functioning as usual, Maria Zakharova said

Russian citizen may face death penalty for drug distribution in Bali

Indonesian authorities suspect that the detainee was involved in drug distribution and received payment in cryptocurrency

Russian Olympic champ Nagorny welcomes ISU’s decision to clear Russian athletes

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Deployment of Moldovan troops to Transnistria to violate settlement accords — expert

On April 15, 2013, two explosions, with 12 seconds in between, happened in Boston’s downtown, near the finish line of the traditional marathon

Taiwan records approach of eight Chinese PLA aircraft, five vessels in past day

"We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly," the Ministry of National Defense reported

Ukrainian army launches long-range missiles at Donetsk

Air defenses are in operation, and at least six aerial targets have been shot down