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St. Petersburg hotel room rates seen skyrocketing five-fold during SPIEF — expert

The industry expert recommends that tourists steer clear of St. Petersburg while the Forum is in session given the expected price surge and high occupancy rate of accommodations

MOSCOW, May 23. /TASS/. Prices for accommodations at St. Petersburg hotels are expected to soar by as much as five times during the annual St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) versus the pre-event period, Aleksey Volkov, president of the National Union of the Hospitality Industry, told TASS.

"The difference is from three to five times outside of the SPIEF dates and during [the Forum] dates. Moreover, at the same time the hotel occupancy rate will reach nearly 95%," Volkov said.

The industry expert recommends that tourists steer clear of St. Petersburg while the Forum is in session given the expected price surge and high occupancy rate of accommodations.

"[Tourists should] definitely not [come] during the SPIEF period. Even apartments and guest houses will be occupied," he noted. "We spoke many times with colleagues about this. I believe the situation will have to be regulated over time, because prices are already becoming exorbitant," Volkov said.

SPIEF is Russia’s largest, showcase annual international business and economic gathering; it will be held on June 14-17 this year.

Unilever CEO explains departure from Russia due to loss of control over business

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According to reports, US president-elect Donald Trump mentioned Nehammer's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which took place shortly after the start of the special military operation in Ukraine

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Trump’s team, Biden administration sign memorandum of understanding

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Additionally, Ukraine "does not have enough weapons, munitions or hardware," the news outlet said

Russian forces entrap Ukrainian troops near Svatovo in LPR — military expert

Ill-thought-out command and control of Ukrainian troops has demoralized enemy forces and increased the number of desertions among its personnel in that frontline area, Andrey Marochko said

Trump considers direct negotiations with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un — Reuters

According to the report, his team believes that this step could reduce the risk of an armed conflict

PREVIEW: Russia to hand over BRICS presidency to Brazil

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Preparation of Russia’s energy strategy until 2050 is in its final stage — PM Mishustin

The prime minister emphasized that increasing the energy and resource efficiency of the Russian economy is of paramount importance for the further sustainable development of the country

US sanctions against Gazprombank leading to energy price growth in Europe — investor

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Lebanon to regain control over its territory within 60 days — Biden

According to the US President, civilians on both sides will soon be able to safely return to their communities

Russian troops liberate Kopanki community in Kharkov Region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted roughly 440 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed three enemy ammunition depots

Russia ‘shows teeth’ with launch of Oreshnik missile while avoiding escalation — media

"Russia has shown that it has a weapon, previously unveiled, and was prepared to use it," the report says

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Drones to replace fighter jets in future wars, Musk says

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Zelensky shook up by Russia’s response to permission to attack it — Lavrov

According to the Russian foreign minister, the West is directly involved in the use of long-range weapons against Russia, as not a single missile could be launched without its involvement

US continues to plunder Afghanistan with impunity, says Shoigu

"In my opinion, the United States should invest in the reconstruction of Afghanistan after everything it has done and abandoned there," the top security official emphasized

Serbian film director Kusturica announces plans to get Russian citizenship

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Russia’s Medvedev warns Europe could face 'catastrophic damage' from Oreshnik missile

The Russian Security Council deputy chairman also commented on Vladimir Zelensky’s "resilience plan"

West receives Putin’s message about weapons, Russian senate speaker says

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Donbass was in danger of genocide from Ukraine, Serbian expert says

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Israel’s national security minister calls ceasefire in Lebanon ‘historic mistake’

Itamar Ben-Gvir said that the agreement fails to fulfill the goal of this war - the safe return of northern dwellers to their homes

Germany orders closure of Russia’s Channel One bureau in Berlin

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FACTBOX: Overview of Ukraine's ATACMS strikes on Kursk Region

The Ukrainian armed forces have delivered two strikes using Western-made long-range missiles on sites in the Kursk Region over the past three days

West seeks to destabilize global order, Russia’s intelligence chief says

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NATO disregards all etiquette in discussing possible preemptive strikes on Russia — Lavrov

NATO Military Committee Chairman Rob Bauer earlier called for producing more weapons for precision strikes inside Russia in case a conflict broke out

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Public tribunal releases more testimonies exposing Kiev forces' atrocities in Selidovo

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Oreshnik becomes serious problem for Ukraine — Polish general

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Press review: Israel approves US ceasefire agreement and Georgia's new parliament convenes

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Israeli warplanes deliver seven powerful strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs

Air raid warnings were issued for the Dahieh neighborhood in the south and the Bachoura district in the heart of the capital

Hamas ready for ceasefire in Gaza following truce in Lebanon

Earlier, the Israeli war cabinet approved a plan for a ceasefire in Lebanon

US base in Syria’s Dei ez-Zor governorate comes under missile attack — TV

No further details were provided

US gives Ukrainian servicemen guidance on selecting targets for ATACMS — White House

The Ukrainian servicemen "are able to use ATACMS to defend themselves on an immediate need basis," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said

Moscow to respond promptly if London inflates British diplomat’s expulsion issue

British Ambassador to Moscow Nigel Casey was summoned earlier in the day by the Russian Foreign Ministry, where he was handed a note of protest

Majority of Americans oppose further military support for Ukraine, poll shows

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Kiev troops attempted to kill British mercenary who surrendered to Russians — officer

In his words, they fired conventional 120mm mortar rounds, silent munitions and at least one FPV drone with a fragmentation charge

Russia designs Titan rifle for commandos

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Trump focused on solution to Ukrainian conflict — national security adviser

Mike Waltz compared the scope of the tragedy to World War One, describing it as "trench warfare" with hundreds of thousands of victims

Russian Agriculture Ministry weighs idea of growing bananas domestically

Oksana Lut highlighted the export potential of agricultural products, given that certain parts of the world do not have a climate conducive to growing things

US needs Ukraine's rare earth metals, including lithium — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister noted that American companies had already bought up most of the fertile land

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Russian forces strike Ukrainian drone control centers near ZNPP

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Putin notes impressive trade turnover between Russia, Kazakhstan

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Russia’s Permanent Representative to the Vienna-based international organizations Mikhail Ulyanov said that what has been done by the White House is very dangerous

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Russian military engaged in tough battles with Ukrainians in Kharkov Region — official

"Our forces continue their coordinated efforts to liberate the Kharkov Region from the enemy," Vitaly Ganchev said

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"I am sure that neither of us is even aware right now of any new future developments," Dmitry Peskov said

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

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Israeli-Lebanese ceasefire deal enters force — newspaper

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Retreating Ukrainian troops leave dozens of bodies behind in Chasov Yar

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Russia’s top diplomat says ‘still a long way to go’ to diplomatic solution in Ukraine

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Lebanese premier approves roadmap for ceasefire with Israel

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Citizens of Poland, Germany, Italy apply for residence permit in Lugansk Republic

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Iran ready to escort foreign ships in Red Sea — navy commander

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Iran challenges US, UK, France military capabilities, IRGC general says

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Press review: Russia to mass-produce Oreshnik missiles and EU gas prices reach record high

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Kiev has ‘no chance’ of retaking lost territories — Blackwater founder

Erik Prince noted that it was necessary to end the Ukrainian conflict as soon as possible

UK Foreign Office warns about response to ‘baseless’ expulsion of its diplomat

A spokesman for the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also said that London refutes the allegations against a British diplomat

France, UK may deploy troops to Ukraine following ceasefire — expert

According to Elie Tenenbaum, European countries may send troops to east Ukraine to ensure the observation of a ceasefire regime and guarantee Kiev’s security

Two Ukrainian infantry groups eliminated near Velikaya Novosyolka in Donbass region

Another enemy group was destroyed several hours later

Pentagon not yet assessed damage caused by use of Russia’s newest Oreshnik missile

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NATO pledges to continue supporting Ukraine following Russia’s launch of Oreshnik missile

NATO said in the statement that Russia’s deployment of the missile called the Oreshnik will not change the course of the conflict

Ukraine requests UN Security Council meeting on November 27 — Russian mission

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Biden team may escalate global tensions to highest level, FSB chief warns

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Ukrainian media reports plant in Lvov Region destroyed

The plant specializes in manufacturing bits for drilling artesian, oil, and gas boreholes

British military instructor captured, Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

In total, the enemy has lost more than 35,510 troops since the fighting began in the region

Moscow concerned with outgoing US President Biden’s escalation strategy — Kremlin

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Key energy facility in Ternopol Region almost completely destroyed

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Senators support Putin's decision to launch Oreshnik missile — speaker

Valentina Matviyenko noted that the Federation Council is willing to further support actions aimed at protecting Russia

Blinken says hopes US support for Ukraine will continue under Trump

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Russia, Saudi Arabia and Iraq discuss oil market, compensations

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Talk of halting Ukraine conflict related to Russia’s initiative on battlefield — SVR

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Air defenses down 22 Ukrainian drones over six Russian regions last night

Air defense forces on duty intercepted and destroyed 22 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles, including 10 UAVs over the Rostov Region, seven over the Belgorod Region, two over the Voronezh Region, and the other three over the regions of Kursk, Bryansk and Smolensk, the ministry specified

Work continues on placing the Sarmat missile complex on combat duty — commander

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Ukraine is a failed state, Russian foreign intelligence chief says

Sergey Naryshkin stressed that Moldova is "following in its footsteps"

British mercenary taken into custody and Ukraine's losses: situation in Kursk Region

The Ukrainian armed forces lost over 250 troops, four tanks, four infantry fighting vehicles, three armored combat vehicles, eight motor vehicles and two mortars in the past day

Intel chief calls on West to embrace Putin's vision for resolving Ukraine conflict

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US no longer objects to use of S-400 air defense systems by Turkey, Defense Minister says

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Anglo-Saxon special services involved in Nord Stream blasts, SVR chief says

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Kiev failed to inform Ottawa Convention signatories about its plans to violate it

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Ukraine launches second strike on Novaya Kakhovka after emergency services arrive

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