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Oil export growth may compensate for decreased refining amid embargo — deputy PM

An embargo on supplies of Russian oil to the European Union came into effect on December 5, but so far this embargo does not apply to supplies via the Druzhba oil pipeline to Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic

MOSCOW, December 25. /TASS/. The European Union’s embargo on Russian oil products may entail a decrease in oil refining in Russia in 2023 but it will be compensated for by the increase in oil exports, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said in an interview with TASS.

"If there are problems with the sale of oil products, oil refining may, to a certain extent, be compensated for by extra volume of oil exports," he said, adding that the embargo may have no impact on oil refining in Russia and in this case the shares of export, production and refining will remain as they are.

An embargo on supplies of Russian oil to the European Union came into effect on December 5, but so far this embargo does not apply to supplies via the Druzhba oil pipeline to Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. An embargo on supplies of Russian oil products to European countries will come into force on February 5, 2023.

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US effectively dooms Ukraine by its new decisions, Russian envoy says

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West again tried to obstruct international security meeting in Russia — security official

According to Nikolay Patrushev, some representatives planned to attend the meeting, but later succumbed to pressure and refused

Russian troops wipe out Ukrainian UAV production workshop over past day

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Space station’s orbit raised by 1 km — Roscosmos

According to preliminary information, the average altitude of the orbital outpost was increased to 414.8 km above the Earth’s surface

Crocus City Hall attack funded using cryptocurrency, Russian finance watchdog says

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US 'not forgetting' to help itself with aid to Ukraine — Kremlin

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French neo-Nazi ringleader liquidated near Avdeyevka — sources

There is confirmed evidence of his connections with French secret services

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

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The Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson stressed that "US steps are posing a major threat to security and stability of regional players"

Casualties reported after Ukrainian strike on residential house in Zaporozhye Region city

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Unemployment rate in Russia remains less than 3% — Putin

The unemployment rate went down in regions and settlements where it was historically high, the head of state stressed

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Kremlin announces creation of blockchain-based payment system in BRICS

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Staff shortage cannot be covered by labor migration — Putin

Labor productivity requires a significant increase in all sectors of the economy, the President stressed

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

The goal "is to put more pressure on Crimea," The New York Times said

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Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolay Patrushev noted that the heads of foreign delegations expressed sincere condolences to the Russian people over the casualties of the attack on a concert hall outside Moscow

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

The resolution passed in a 493-11 vote, with 18 abstentions

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West views Europe as potential theater of military operations — Lukashenko

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

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Ukraine to cease to exist unless it enters into talks, Belarusian president warns

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

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

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Swiss conference on Ukraine undermines European security — Russian diplomat

In Maxim Buyakevich words, neither the talks nor their outcome can change the existing political and territorial realities

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

Transfer of US ATACMS missiles to Ukraine cannot be justified — Russian ambassador

"Neither these missiles nor other weapons can help defeat the Russian Federation," Anatoly Antonov said

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

In this regard, Sergey Shoigu mentioned the operation that Tehran carried out "in retaliation for a blatant attack on the Iranian consulate building in Damascus"

White House alleges that Russia working on satellite carrying nuclear device

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Venezuelan foreign ministry, Russian embassy hold joint conference in Caracas

The event brought together almost 200 diplomats, foreign ministry staffers and experts in international relations

Russian children’s commissioner holds first face-to-face talks with Ukrainian counterparts

Maria Lvova-Belova thanked Qatar for setting up a venue for dialogue between Russia and Ukraine regarding children’s interests

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

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, April 24th

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 stays in daily contact with Sergey Shoigu, Kremlin spokesman says

Timur Ivanov was arrested by Moscow’s Basmanny Court

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"The catastrophe in Gaza proves once again that the inability of the Palestinian people to implement their legitimate national rights is the root of the Palestinian-Israeli contradictions and the essence of the Middle East issue," Wang Yi stressed

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

"I think that Beijing understands this perfectly well and will not even pretend being ready to reach any agreements with the Americans to the detriment of Russia’s interests," Sergey Ryabkov said

Russian foreign minister to meet with Bolivian counterpart in Moscow

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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

Russia to retaliate immediately if Kiev gets ATACMS missiles — diplomat

Konstantin Gavrilov also noted that the "manic efforts" of some Western OSCE member countries to isolate Russia "are futile and will backfire on their initiators"

Russian international reserves up $2.5 bln in one week exceeding $603.2 bln — Central Bank

Russia’s international reserves are highly liquid foreign assets available with the Bank of Russia and the Russian government

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

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Europe should be prepared to build relations with Russia post-Ukraine conflict — Macron

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Network of international conspirators plotted Crocus terrorist attack — watchdog

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

According to Sergey Ryabkov, discussions around the deployment of NATO nuclear facilities in Poland are an "unfolding story"

Pelosi's remarks about US protesters undemocratic, Russian diplomat says

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Ansar Allah strikes one ship every two days, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi said

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North Korea to take part in SPIEF — Embassy in Russia

The 27th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum will be held on June 5-8, 2024

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

The adoption of a new military doctrine instead of the one that has been in force since July 2016 stems from the need for adaptation to the changed military-strategic situation

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"

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Israel ready to accept release of fewer than 40 hostages in deal’s first phase — newspaper

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Another Chernobyl looms as Ukraine continues to attack ZNPP, former Ukrainian PM warns

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Dardanelles temporarily closed due to fire on board of dry cargo carrier

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Senior Russian MP dubs pervasive gender reassignment in West 'human tragedy'

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

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

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Right to secession from USSR was ‘time bomb’ under its statehood — Putin

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IAEA chief to have working contacts with Rosatom, no meeting with Putin is planned

Rafael Grossi may visit Russia in late May

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

The speaker’s shocking remarks sparked outrage among the public

Cosmonauts complete spacewalk two hours ahead of schedule

The cosmonauts fulfilled their tasks way faster than planned, spending four hours and 36 minutes in space

US first caused, now purposefully drags out Ukraine conflict — Shoigu

The Russian top defense official added that in order to achieve its goals, Washington is exerting unprecedented pressure, including on its partners

Musk concurs that civil war looming in West

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Ukraine could send special forces to capture Zaporozhye NPP — politician

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Russian cosmonauts begin first spacewalk in 2024

Oleg Kononenko and Nikolay Chub are expected to spend 6 hours and 52 minutes outside the orbital outpost

Houthis say they attacked MSC Darwin vessel in Gulf of Aden

The Houthis also confirmed that the movement will "continue its military operations, impeding the navigation of Israeli vessels in the Red Sea, the Arab Sea and the Indian Ocean"

Iran calls on BRICS states to facilitate ceasefire in Gaza Strip

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani called for a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza

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

According to the article, the United States "is putting the finishing touches" on one of its largest Ukraine military aid packages to date, which may be announced on Friday

Situation at ZNPP remains unpredictable — International Atomic Energy Agency

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

NATO bears direct responsibility for Ukraine crisis — Chinese Foreign Ministry

Spokesman Wang Wenbin stressed that China was not providing weapons to the conflicting parties and strictly controlled dual-use goods, including the export of drones

Ukrainian army strikes own surrendering soldiers — POW

Andrey Babenko said that after a crash course in Britain he had been sent to the frontline near Liman

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

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

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US incapable of replicating Cold War-era arms race — Valdai club expert

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Israel Defense Forces delivers more strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure in Lebanon

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

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TASS, SMI2 to launch positive content aggregator on Internet

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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

Fatah accuses Hamas of actions that led to Israeli control of Gaza — report

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Top Chinese diplomat calls for creating conditions for talks on Ukraine

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