2 May 2023, 16:39

Passenger traffic of Russian airlines totals 26 mln since year’s start — Deputy Minister

The growth of international flights will be supported, in particular, by an increase in the number of international airports, Andrey Kostyuk said

MOSCOW, May 2. /TASS/. The passenger traffic of national airlines reached 25.9 million passengers since the beginning of the year and as of the end of April, Russia’s First Deputy Transport Minister Andrey Kostyuk said at a meeting with President Vladimir Putin.

"As of April 23, [the airlines] carried 25.9 million passengers, which is already 745,000 more than the annual plan for this period," he said.

Kostyuk recalled that the plan for passenger carriage at the end of the year is maintained at 101.2 million passengers.

"This year, our carriers are starting to more actively restore international traffic. Today, 15 airlines fly to 22 countries. This has become possible, in particular, due to the ongoing work on the deregistration of aircraft, now there are 186 of them, as well as the buyout of aircraft from foreign lessors," Kostyuk added.

He also added that now there is a significant interest of citizens in flights to Turkey. According to him, the number of flights this summer will increase by 50%, to 720 per week.

The growth of international flights will be supported, in particular, by an increase in the number of international airports - such a status was given to the airports of Norilsk, Izhevsk, Tobolsk.

German government not planning to resume gas supplies from Russia — spokesperson

The Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline was not certified, Steffen Hebestreit said

Return of Visa, Mastercard depends on removal of US sanctions on NSPK — VTB

Visa and Mastercard won’t be able to work with the National Payment Card System as it is on the US blocking sanctions list, while according to the Russian law, all domestic transactions in Russia should go through the NSPK

UN calls for stronger controls over nuclear weapons amid rising threats

Guterres also called for concerted efforts in meeting the disarmament commitments contained in the recently adopted Pact for the Future, according to the spokesman

Yesterday, 15:40

Myanmar backs Russian special operation in Ukraine, believes Russia will win — PM

According to Min Aung Hlaing, the conflict in Ukraine was prompted by the actions of the West

US reconsidering funding for Ukraine - White House spokesperson

"What he National Security Council told me in regards to that was that they paused, or they are reconsidering the funding for Ukraine," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said

No talks on Ukraine taking place as yet — Russian diplomat

"There is a desire, voiced by the White House, to stop what was started before them, according to their own admissions, by the US administration under Joe Biden," Maria Zakharova said

Yesterday, 17:48

Myanmar military to take part in Victory Parade in Moscow on May 9 — Putin

A unit of the Myanmar armed forces will take parade on Red Square along with the Russian military

Orban wants to ask Macron if it is wise for France to continue supporting Ukraine

The Hungarian PM emphasized Ukraine had failed to defeat Russia over the three years when the US was in the camp of Kiev’s Western supporters

26 May 2024, 09:01

Ukraine’s Zelensky lost legitimacy; previous deals with him null and void — top lawmaker

By canceling the presidential election, Zelensky usurped the power, Volodin stated on his Telegram account

Yesterday, 19:31

US to immediately increase tariffs on Canada if it imposes reciprocal measures — Trump

"Our reciprocal tariff will immediately increase by a like amount," US president said

Two days ago, 15:12

Car brands from Korea, Japan be first to return to Russia, if sanctions lifted — experts

Maxim Kadakov stressed that it will be more difficult for foreign brands to fight for customers in the new reality

Russia sees potential for peace settlement of Iranian nuclear issue — Kremlin

"As Iran is our ally and partner, a country with which we are developing comprehensive, mutually beneficial, and respectful cooperation, Russia is ready to do everything possible to facilitate this," Dmitry Peskov added

Moldovan prime minister refutes Macron's statement about threat from Russia

"At this stage, we do not see how Russia could pose a military threat to Moldova," Dorin Recean stated

China ready to 'fight till the end' in any war with US — embassy

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lin Jian said earlier that the Chinese authorities were ready to oppose the United States in the upcoming trade war, proposing that Washington choose dialogue, as China would stand for its interests until the end

FACTBOX: What is known about rare earth metals

The term "rare" refers to the supposed scarcity of these minerals and "earth" comes from an old name for oxides, the chemical form for these elements in the mineral

Yesterday, 08:36

Foreign high-ranking security officials to meet in Moscow in May — Shoigu

The Russian security official pointed out that during this meeting, "another round of consultations in the Russia-ASEAN format will take place"

Germany’s runs out of inventories to supply weapons to Ukraine — spokesman

The strengthening of Europe’s own defense capabilities, according to the official, is taking place in parallel with the provision of support to Ukraine

FACTBOX: Neutralization of militants in Russia's Dagestan

When traffic policemen attempted to apprehend the militants, they opened fire on the officers

White House confirms talks between US, Hamas

Axios reported earlier, citing sources, that the Trump administration was engaged in secret direct talks with Hamas on the release of American hostages and a broader ceasefire deal for the Gaza Strip

Weekly inflation in Russia slowing down to 0.15% — statistics

Consumer prices ticked up by 0.1% from the start of March and by 2.09% year to date

Return of US tech companies would pull Russia back into 90s, 'dependency' — IT CEO

According to Natalya Kasperskaya, should they return to Russia, these American companies will hold on to their "usual approach," that being predatory pricing, enormous discounts, lobbying, and bribery

Russian diplomat says Iran compliant with NPT, IAEA safeguards agreement

Russian envoy said he was puzzled by the IAEA director-general's concern that Iran is the only non-nuclear-armed state that enriches uranium up to 60%

US gave no advance warning to allies about halting intel sharing with Ukraine, report says

According to the report, US allies could struggle to compensate Kiev for the lack of US intelligence data

Yesterday, 15:24

EU’s plan to weaken Russia through military aid to Ukraine unattainable — Russian senator

Commenting on the recent meeting between Vladimir Zelensky and Donald Trump, Olga Bas assumed that the expectations of Zelenesky from the meeting were probably not met, which led to the conflict

US, Ukraine discuss possibility of signing minerals deal — White House

"Zelensky's message, which he also shared on X as well, is a positive sign in the right direction," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt thinks

Kremlin says no intention to shorten list of unfriendly states

Russia has three lists of unfriendly countries for the use of diplomatic and economic countermeasures

Yesterday, 13:28

Ukrainian assault forces flee battlefield upon encounter with Russian troops — fighter

According to the Russian serviceman, in the liberation of the settlement of Burlatskoye, at least three Ukrainian army groups fled upon encountering Russian assault teams

1 Jul 2024, 18:14

Russian military vows to prevent recurrence of Transnistrian conflict

"The operation group is cooperating with all law enforcement structures of Transnistria," Colonel Dmitry Zelenkov reported

Russian troops leveling out front near Dnepropetrovsk region after liberating Privolnoye

All the Ukrainian army’s positions remaining in that area are under dense gunfire by Russian troops, the defense source said

14 Jun 2024, 14:13

Russia makes another real peace proposal to Kiev — Putin

Vladimir Putin emphasized that Russia's plan would mean ending the conflict once and for all, not freezing it

Trump says US receives 'strong signals' for peace from Russia

"We’ve had serious discussions with Russia," the US president said

Pope Francis spends day in armchair, carries out work activities in hospital

"The Holy Father remained stable today as well, without any episodes of respiratory insufficiency," Holy See Press office said

Trump reads Zelensky's letter on readiness for peace talks during his speech to Congress

According to the US leader, the letter also pointed out that Zelensky and his team "stand ready to work under President Trump strong leadership to get a peace that lasts"

US may cancel anti-Russian sanctions in 2027, expert says

According to Robinder Sachdev, a phased rollback of sanctions could begin by May 2025, covering food, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, and select banking access

Ukrainian army has no fortifications left in south Donetsk region — Russian fighter

Ukrainian troops have no time to fully equip their positions due to the rapid advance of Russian forces, he explained

Trump did not resume military aid to Kiev after Zelensky's words — NYT

The US president ordered the suspension of all military aid to Ukraine just days after a tense verbal exchange with Zelensky at the White House on February 28

US to resume arms supplies to Kiev if rare-earths deal is signed — Medvedev

Earlier, a Pentagon spokesman told TASS that the US Armed Forces have suspended military aid deliveries to Ukraine

Russian stock market indices falling on Thursday — market data

Freedom Finance Global believes the MOEX Russia Index will move within the corridor of 3,200 - 3,300 points

Moldova says delay in receiving Moscow envoy’s credentials no violation of 1961 convention

Earlier, the Russian Foreign Ministry handed a note to Moldovan envoy to Moscow Lilian Darii, demanding an explanation for the situation

Zelensky sure to lose Ukraine election, Lukashenko says

"These issues should be negotiated in a calmer manner," the Belarusian leader said

Yesterday, 09:37

Kremlin agrees with Trump that he "gave Russia nothing except grief"

Trump introduced sanctions against Moscow and supplied Javelin missile systems for Kiev

France to host meeting of army chiefs to discuss troop deployment to Ukraine — president

Emmanuel Macron highlighted the need to provide security guarantees to Ukraine, saying that he could not "take Russia’s word for it"

West’s stance on Iranian nuclear issue may escalate Middle East crisis — envoy

"It seems, in the opinion of Western countries, the situation in the Middle East is too prosperous and now it is the time to add some fuel into the fire," Mikhail Ulyanov noted

Elysee Palace confirms preparations for US trip by French president, British PM, Zelensky

"The plan is that President Macron will once again travel to Washington, together with Zelensky and the British prime minister," French Government Spokesperson Sophie Primas said, without announcing any dates

Lukashenko says ending Ukraine conflict, not assigning blame, crucial

"Now all of us, and especially you, the media, are immersed in the search for the reasons," the Belarusian president said

Russia's February oil and gas revenues down by 18.4% year-on-year — Finance Ministry

In January-February, oil and gas revenues decreased by 3.8% to 1.56 trillion rubles ($17.4 bln)

Russian MFA asks Moldova to explain delay in reception of Moscow envoy’s credentials

Russian Ambassador Oleg Ozerov arrived in the country in October 2024

Internet centers siphoning money from Russians amass in Ukraine — interior minister

According to the statistics from the Russian police, cybercrimes amount to 40% of the total number of crimes

Extraordinary EU summit on March 6 comes amid changing US position on Ukraine

The EU official pointed out that the change in the US position does not affect the EU's position in Ukraine

German government not planning to resume gas supplies from Russia — spokesperson

The Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline was not certified, Steffen Hebestreit said

US Democrats prefer Ukraine to their home country — Elon Musk

Earlier, Trump addressed the US House of Representatives and Senate with a speech on the situation in the country and domestic and foreign policy priorities

Kremlin says Minsk best site for Ukrainian talks

Dmitry Peskov stressed that the main Russian ally is Belarus

Press review: Russia, US take another step to mend ties as Kiev tries to outwit Washington

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, February 28th

Yesterday, 13:00

Brussels 'declares war' on European leaders supporting Trump — Russian intelligence

The European Union’s leadership is obviously behind the decision to bring charges against Romanian presidential candidate Calin Georgescu, the SVR emphasized

Putin says armed conflict in Ukraine forced on Russia

"The entire law enforcement sector and its key link, the Interior Ministry, should certainly build all their activities based on these threats, which undoubtedly arise in today's situation," the Russian president said

Ukrainian forces lost up to 475 servicemen in Russia’s Center battlegroup area

Enemy also lost an M113 armored personnel carrier and a US-made HMMWV armored fighting vehicle, as well as five vehicles, the ministry added

Kiev could run out of Patriot missiles in few weeks — TV

According to the broadcaster, the Kiev authorities currently have no alternative to Patriot missiles

Yesterday, 07:56

Russian Su-34 bomber wipes out Ukrainian army stronghold by glide bombs in Kursk area

After receiving confirmation from reconnaissance that the Ukrainian army’s personnel and stronghold had been destroyed, the crew safely returned to its airfield, it said

Russia promises to retaliate against Romania declaration of diplomats personae non gratae

"The Russian side considers this step unjustified and unfriendly and reserves the right to take retaliatory measures," Russia’s charge d'affaires Yelena Kopnina stated

Two days ago, 03:35

Russia says its artillery destroyed Ukrainian vehicles, troops in Kursk Region

According to the statement, following the confirmation that the Ukrainian forces were eliminated, the artillery crews promptly left their firing positions

US halts sending military supplies to Ukraine via Poland — media

The supplies are redirected to a nearby base of the US 82nd Airborne Division

Russian troops liberate Privolnoye community in Donetsk region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted roughly 245 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed three enemy artillery guns in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported

Russia’s duty on sunflower oil exports to be $107.77 in March 2025

The duty on oil is calculated on the basis of the indicative price of $1,065.1 per metric ton ($1,068.5 a month earlier), on meal - $204.1 per metric ton ($212.2 a month earlier)

Putin orders to keep control over systemic branches

The head of state noted that monitoring of the condition of systemic companies was critical

US in talks with Hamas on hostage release, Gaza ceasefire — media

According to the sources, the talks, involving US presidential envoy for hostage affairs Adam Boehler, took place in the Qatari capital of Doha

Trump’s decision to suspend military aid to Kiev to affect special op course — former PM

Sergey Stepashin emphasized that the decision should be final

Yesterday, 20:45

Armenia can be member of either EAEU or EU, but not both — Russian ambassador

"It is impossible to be with both. And this is not the position of the Russian side, but a question of objective reality," Sergey Kopyrkin said

EU leaders to discuss conflict in Ukraine, European defense in light of US position

According to an EU official, both topics will be discussed in the context of the US new administration’s positions on the Ukraine conflict and European defense

Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty marks 55 years since coming into force

The treaty stipulates that a nuclear power is a country that produced and exploded a nuclear weapon or another nuclear explosive device by January 1, 1967

Russia could become allies with United States, Lukashenko believes

The Belarusian president pointed out that both Russia and the United States would greatly benefit from good relations with each other

Putin congratulates Gunba on winning Abkhazian presidential election

The Russian leader had a meeting with Badra Gunba at the Kremlin

Yesterday, 06:31

Russian troops destroy 20 out of 31 US Abrams tanks of Ukraine

Earlier, The New York Times quoted senior Ukrainian officials as saying that the remaining Abrams tanks had been withdrawn from the battlefront

US officials held backchannel talks with Zelensky after White House dustup, report says

The officials stressed the importance of a prompt stabilization of relations and urged Zelensky to get talks back on track before Trump’s speech to Congress on Tuesday night, the sources said

World close to nuclear war, urgent measures needed to prevent it — expert

"Given Japan’s abundant stores of plutonium and uranium, industrial capabilities, and scientific and technological proficiency, it could build a bomb in a matter of months," Peter Kuznick said

Russian police seize 180,000 rounds of ammunition in regions bordering Ukraine

The number of police squads operating outdoors or in public areas has been increased in the Kursk Region

Press review: EU opposition backs US aligned approach as Russia mediates talks with Iran

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, March 5th

CIA chief believes US will resume sharing intelligence with Ukraine

It was reported earlier that the US suspended intelligence sharing

Nobody interested in Europe's proposals on Ukraine — ex-Merkel advisor

According to Erich Vad, it is unrealistic for the Europeans to continue the Ukrainian conflict being the only supporter of Kiev

Arctic projects may become bridge between Russia, US — expert

Contacts between Moscow and Washington intensified after a telephone conversation between the presidents of Russia and the United States, Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, on February 12

Yesterday, 04:37

Europe eggs Zelensky on for continued combat, Vance says

US Vice President said in an interview with Fox News

5 Sep 2024, 10:18

Russia never refused Ukraine negotiations, but not on basis of ephemeral demands — Putin

A meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul was held on March 29, 2022, with talks lasting for about three hours

Kremlin positively assesses Zelensky’s readiness for talks — spokesman

"The problem is who should sit at the negotiating table," Dmitry Peskov said

30 Dec 2021, 23:57

Putin said new sanctions could cause complete severance of Russian-US ties - Kremlin aide

Russian President was responding to Biden’s warning that Western countries will introduce massive economic and military sanctions if further escalation on the Ukrainian border takes place, Yury Ushakov said

Macron announces plans to initiate discussions of French nuclear umbrella for EU

"In response to a historic call from the next German chancellor, I have decided to initiate a strategic discussion about the French deterrence forces defending our allies in Europe," Macron said

Yesterday, 09:34

Musk offers Zelensky to give up power, leave Ukraine

On February 28, Vladimir Zelensky visited the White House for a meeting with US President Donald Trump

Nuclear weapons control deals ineffective due to states' plans to build them up — expert

Peter Kuznick criticized Vladimir Zelensky’s proposal that if his country's NATO entry was delayed or denied, Ukraine should be given nuclear weapons to defend itself

US Congress may censure lawmaker Green for trying to interfere with Trump's speech

Earlier, Green tried to interrupt Trump's speech, during which the Democrat shouted that the US leader has no mandate from the American people

Yesterday, 15:03

Pause in Ukraine aid shows Trump not ‘washing hands of it’ — expert

Andrey Bystritsky does not anticipate that Washington's example will be mirrored by its allies, including those outside Europe

US Treasury Secretary Bessent tells Fox News no plan to sign resource deal with Ukraine

CBS News quoted multiple sources as saying that a deal is not finalized yet, with US President Donald Trump now holding out for a "bigger, better deal"

Certain solutions have surfaced after Russia-US meetings, senior Moscow diplomat says

Moscow and Washington resumed dialogue on February 12, when President Vladimir Putin of Russia and President Donald Trump of the United States talked over the phone for almost an hour and a half

Yesterday, 05:15

Ukraine lacks troops to continue combat, US cannot provide enough arms, money, says Vance

"The bloodshed, the killing, the economic devastation, it’s making everyone worse off," JD Vance said

US reviews ‘all aspects’ of relations with Ukraine — White House advisor

The official expressed optimism based on how things have been unfolding over the past day

Two days ago, 13:14

Nord Stream pipeline not meeting EU interests — EC spokesperson

If the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline is restored and put into service, it should operate within the framework of European legislation, Anna-Kaisa Itkonen said

Trump’s verbal clash with Zelensky reveals US frustration over contacts with Kiev

"However, President Zelensky did put out a statement, which we believe is a positive step forward," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told

18 Dec 2024, 11:51

Gerasimov says international security deteriorates as West wants to keep dominating

It is reported that the Russian forces keep the initiative and advance in the whole front despite colossal aid to Kiev from the West

Two days ago, 10:58

Kiev does not want peace, Moscow-Washington efforts alone not enough — Kremlin

"The Kiev regime refuses to settle the conflict through negotiations," Dmitry Peskov noted

Russia to open embassies in 7 African states in next 2 years — foreign minister

By 2026, it is expected to open embassies in Gambia, Liberia, Comoros Islands, Niger, Sierra Leone, Togo and South Sudan

IN BRIEF: Boosting defense, innovations: what Chinese premier said at parliament session

According to the report, Beijing will adhere to an independent peaceful foreign policy in interaction with other countries

IN BRIEF: Deal with Ukraine, talks with Russia: what Trump told US Congress

According to the US president, the new administration has taken decisive steps to reinstate the just and impartial justice system that was sabotaged by "radical left lunatics"

IN BRIEF: Migrants, corruption, cybercrime: what Putin told the Interior Ministry

The updated migration policy concept should be adopted this year, "as soon as possible," the Russian leader stated

Putin vows to carry on with dual citizenship program with Abkhazia

Badra Gunba drew the attention of the Russian president to the fact that there were people remaining in the republic, who did not have time to resort to the opportunity of obtaining the dual citizenship