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Dollar down to 84.01 rubles as trading on Moscow Exchange opens

The euro rate rose by 1.75 kopecks to 91.67 rubles

© Alexander Demianchuk/TASS

MOSCOW, June 19. /TASS/. The dollar-to-ruble rate fell by 13.25 kopecks compared with the closing level of previous trading and amounted to 84.01 rubles at the opening of trading on the Moscow Exchange on Monday.

The euro rate rose by 1.75 kopecks to 91.67 rubles.

In turn, the yuan rate rose by 0.5 kopecks to 11.77 rubles.

Russian GDP growth in Q1 above expectations — Central Bank

"Quarterly growth of GDP evolved higher than in the fourth quarter of 2023," analysts said

Biden forgets USSR’s role in defeating Nazism due to revisionism syndrome — statement

The Russian Foreign Ministry commented on the US President's speech, in which he noted the US’ exceptional role in the victory over the Third Reich while omitting the role of other countries

Kremlin refutes reports of potential conference on Ukraine in Saudi Arabia

Commenting on reports about the possibility of holding other events of this kind, the Kremlin official noted: "Those are all hypothetical musings. These days, there are a lot of these empty discussions on this subject citing some ephemeral sources"

Russian air defenses down Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet over past day

Russian troops advanced to better positions and repulsed three Ukrainian army counterattacks in the Kupyansk area over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Over 70 Ukrainian soldiers surrender to Russian troops in battle for Berestovoye

The Russian Defense Ministry reported on May 26 that Russia’s Battlegroup West liberated the community of Berestovoye

No unanimity in West if Ukraine can use its weapons to hit Russia — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov remarked that there are "hotheads in the West who make absolutely irresponsible provocative statements," in particular NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg

New Russian combat equipment in 2024

Russia to stay the course in special op amid Western military escalation — Kremlin

"We must take measures, stand firm and continue the special military operation," Dmitry Peskov noted

Libyan Ambassador in Moscow becoming first owner of Aurus with diplomatic license plate

The diplomat expressed confidence that "Russian engineers modeled the Aurus with feeling and with consideration of all modern trends and needs"

Agreements amounting to $5 bln prepared at Russia-Uzbekistan regions council meeting

The parties supported plans of creating new industrial zones to promote cooperation projects and highlighted expansion of cooperation in agriculture as a priority area, the press service of President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev said

Russian ambassador blasts US for downplaying USSR’s role in defeating Nazism

According to Anatoly Antonov, current US politicians are "distorting" the facts for opportunistic purposes as he said such bogus stories were "part of a psychological war on Russia"

Biden again makes offensive speech against Putin

American leader called russian president "a brutal tyrant"

Press review: Israel vows to press on in Gaza and EU cracks down on Russian media

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, May 27th

Taliban confirms participation in SPIEF — senior Russian diplomat

Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Second Asian Department Zamir Kabulov expects that the Taliban movement and the accompanying Afghan business people will agree with Russian and other foreign partners on establishing cooperation

Ukraine strikes Lugansk with cluster munitions — LPR head

The strike caused a fire, Leonid Pasechnik, head of the Lugansk People’s Republic, said

End of Zelensky's presidential term makes him 'nobody' to Ukrainian troops — politician

The expiration of Zelensky’s authority as president and supreme commander-in-chief also means that current mobilization in Ukraine is also illegal, Viktor Medvedchuk went on to say

US on brink of severe economic crisis — VTB CEO

The world is in a state of flux now, Andrey Kostin noted

NATO chief leaves up to allies to decide on restrictions on weapons for attacks on Russia

"I strongly believe that those allies who have decided to not have restrictions, they don't make NATO party to the conflict and that will of course also be the case for other allies," Jens Stoltenberg said

Russian Guardsmen uncover Ukrainian arms cache with over 100,000 munitions in LPR

The arms cache also stored more than 600 artillery shells and engineer explosive items, eight anti-tank missiles, over 100 grenade launcher projectiles

Third of Ukrainian troops surrender near Lisichansk, LPR’s envoy to Russia says

According to Rodion Miroshnik, the operation to liberate the LPR would be brought to an end as soon as the operation in Lisichansk was finished

Putin to speak at SPIEF on June 7 — party leader

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

Russian diplomat tells how many foreign mercenaries were eliminated in Ukraine

"France, the Baltic countries and Poland are especially zealous when it comes to the potential deployment of national contingents to Ukraine," Konstantin Gavrilov said

Australia calls on Israel to immediately stop operation in Rafah — Foreign Ministry

The Israeli military carried out a strike at Rafah on May 26, at least eight missiles hit the tent camp in the Tell al Sultan area

Pakistani Minister of Trade to visit Iran to discuss intergovernmental agreements — report

According to the Business Recorder, such instructions have been approved by Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif

Palestine expects Slovenia, Luxembourg, Portugal, Belgium to recognize it soon — envoy

Abdel Hafiz Nofal emphasized that even US students "started denouncing Israel"

Transition to payments in national currencies critical, Putin says

The share of the ruble in bilateral commercial transactions reached 58% as of the end of the last year and continues growing, the Russian leader added

Arab countries may join North - South corridor project — expert

According to Andrey Belyaninov, this project has the opportunity of being expanded to Arab world nations and to Africa

Relations with Russia are really important for Israel — Ambassador to Moscow

Dialogue between Israel and Russia is important, including on those topics where the parties "absolutely disagree," Simona Halperin said

Seoul labels North Korea's failed satellite launch as provocation

National Security Adviser Chang Ho-jin chaired a meeting about an hour later to hear a report from the chairman of the chiefs of staff committee and discuss response measures

Parliament speaker exposes behind-the-scenes push to get Georgia to send troops to Ukraine

Shalva Papuashvili emphasized that no NATO country had officially sent its military to Ukraine and it was not clear why Georgia was being asked to do this

Paris could send no more than 200 military instructors to Ukraine — French journalist

However, Christelle Neant reminded that Ukraine had repeatedly announced receiving certain weapons, but other countries then published denials

'Progress MS-25' to leave ISS to free up space for new cargo spacecraft

The Progress MS-25 will be replaced by the Progress MS-27, scheduled for launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on May 30

Georgian parliament begins to consider overriding presidential veto on foreign agents law

If Zourabichvili again refuses to sign the document, it will be signed and published by Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili

EU sanctions come as attempt to punish Russia for its independent policy — Russian envoy

The European Union on May 27 imposed sanctions on Russia's Federal Penitentiary Service and on 19 investigators, prosecutors and judges involved in the cases of Alexey Navalny, Memorial co-chairman Oleg Orlov, artist Sasha Skolichenko and other prisoners

Iran increases its stocks of 60% enriched uranium — agency

Iran's stock grew by 20.6 kg over the quarter to 142.1 kg

Belgium to send 30 F-16s to Ukraine before 2028 — top diplomat

Hadja Lahbib said that Belgium had already set up a 1.7 bln euro fund for direct weapons supplies to Ukraine

European countries not at war with Russia — Macron

The French President said EU countries plan to continue providing assistance to Ukraine for as long as it takes

Uzbekistan, Russia sign agreements on new projects worth over $20 bln

The portfolio of joint projects between the two countries has reached $45 bln

Hikvision not leaving Russian market — source

The Chinese company holds up to a half of the market in Russia

Biden deliberately distorting facts of WWII — senior Russian official

"Millions of our citizens who fell at the hands of fascists are behind us," Dmitry Medvedev emphasized

Two hundred Italian companies remain in Russia — foreign minister

A permanent "round table" has been set up at the Italian Foreign Ministry where measures to protect the interests of around 200 companies are discussed, Antonio Tajani added

Bolivia sees joining BRICS as path towards prosperity — president

Bolivia has "certain difficulties with availability of the dollar," which is why it is necessary to get out from under "US hegemony" as much as possible, Luis Arce said

Over 1,000 French mercenaries present in Donbass — expert

On May 27, Ukrainian armed forces Commander-in-Chief Alexander Sirsky said that he had signed an agreement that would allow French instructors to visit training centers in the country

Russian defense ministry reports losses among Russian troops during special operation

Konashenkov also said that several Russian soldiers have been taken prisoner

Saboteurs’ attempts to infiltrate Russia to be met with brutal rebuff — Putin

"Largely due to the resolve of the border security troops, numerous attempts to break into the Russian territory by mercenaries, traitors and enemy sabotage groups have been thwarted," the head of state said in his video address, dedicated to the Day of the Border Security troops

Biden dishonors all Russians by insinuations against Putin — Russian Ambassador

"Such behavior is unacceptable for any responsible politician," Anatoly Antonov said

Scenario with NATO troops in Ukraine cannot be ruled out, says Russian diplomat

According to Konstantin Gavrilov, against the backdrop of Kiev's military failures and the advance of the Russian Armed Forces, NATO states are increasingly realizing the impossibility of inflicting a ‘strategic defeat’ on Russia

Russian aerospace forces strike terrorists base in Syria’s Deir ez-Zor governorate

Yury Popov also said that during the day, two shelling attacks on positions of government forces from positions of the Jabhat al-Nusra and Islamic Party of Turkestan were reported in the Idlib de-escalation zone

US creating new, upgrading existing non-lethal chemical munitions — Russia’s top brass

For a long period, the United States possessed some of the world’s largest stockpiles of chemical weapons kept both on US soil and outside its territory, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov said

IDF dismantles 800-meter long Hamas tunnel in central Gaza

"The route was used by the Hamas terrorist organization and ran near the area of the Central Gaza Strip Corridor where the IDF troops are operating," the Israel Defense Forces reported

BRICS to create alternative to SWIFT — expert

BRICS is exactly the association that can assume responsibility for mitigating almost any consequences of the global crisis, Andrey Margolin added

Ukraine’s Syrsky approves admission of French instructors to military training centers

Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine’s armed forces expressed hope that Kiev's other Western partners would join Paris' initiative

NATO Parliamentary Assembly supports allowing Ukraine to attack Russia with bloc's weapons

The spring session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly is attended by about 400 parliamentarians from NATO countries and 25 partner countries of the organization

Russian innovations being tested on battlefield, bringing victory closer — Medvedev

"Scientists offer unique ideas and solutions that lay the basis for developing breakthrough weapons," Russia’s Security Council deputy chairman said

Ukraine’s losses near Berestovoye in Kharkov Region exceed 1,500 soldiers - MP

After liberating Berestovoye, units of the Battlegroups North and West surround settlements where "nationalists have strongholds.", lawmaker Viktor Volodatsky said

Bank of Russia sells foreign currency worth $70 mln with settlements on May 27

The daily volume of operations this year is determined on the basis of regular fiscal rule-based operations to buy/sell foreign currency as announced by the Ministry of Finance on the third business day of each month adjusted for the balance of a number of values

Latvia’s leader sees 'no reason' to prevent Ukrainian attacks on Russia

Earlier, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg proposed that allies reconsider the issue of whether Ukraine should be allowed to strike military targets on Russian soil using Western weapons

No documents from Poland on restrictions on diplomats’ movements — Russian MFA

Maria Zakharova said that if the documents arrive and "they contain restrictions on the movements of Russian diplomats, then retaliation will follow"

Ukraine to face overwhelming defeat unless diplomatic solution found — Hersh

The journalist noted that he is aware that, in the past few weeks, several Ukrainian brigades told their command that "they will no longer participate in what would be a suicidal offensive against a better trained and better equipped Russian force"

Russia’s envoy to UN exposes Western lies in UNSC after Blinken’s visit to Kiev

Vasily Nebenzya said that this was not the only example of lies or understatements by Western representatives

Russia’s Battlegroup East eliminates up to 130 enemy troops in 24 hours — spokesman

Alexander Gordeyev said that the battlegroup eliminated as well M777 and M198 howitzers, 5 automobile vehicles and 4 fixed-wing drones

Thirteen Russians killed, over 100 wounded by Ukrainian strikes over last week

Rodion Miroshnik noted that during this period, Ukrainian troops fired at least 2,127 rounds of munitions at civilian facilities in Russia’s borderline regions

Russia perceives EU actions on Ukraine as hostile — Kremlin

As reported earlier, some EU countries and the US are against weapons supplied by the West used to strike targets in Russia because this can escalate the situation

Conference in Switzerland not to settle situation in Ukraine — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov branded the idea to discuss the "ways of a settling the conflict around Ukraine" at a summit without Russia as absurd

Madrid doesn’t want to let Kiev use NATO weapons to hit targets in Russia — PM

Earlier, Pedro Sanchez held talks with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky

Russian tech firm develops new base plate for mortars to increase accuracy of fire

The base plate absorbs the recoil effect of a shot and keeps the weapon stable

NATO raises degree of escalation, goes too far in military rhetoric — Kremlin

"This is the reality that we will have to confront further on," Dmitry Peskov underlined

Moscow’s airports operating routinely

Temporary restrictions were imposed at the Domodedovo and Zhukovsky airports from 5:46 p.m. GMT to 6:20 p.m. GMT on May 27

EU foreign ministers discuss allowing Ukraine to use NATO weapons for strikes into Russia

According to Josep Borrell, the foreign ministers also discussed the provision of more air defense systems

West in disarray as Moscow seizes initiative in Ukraine, says Russian intel chief

According to Sergey Naryshkin, after a year and a half of "droning on about Russia’s so-called strategic defeat on the battlefield," Western politicians find themselves in a much different position today

Netailovo crucial to control of strategic road to Pokrovsk — adviser to DPR’s head

In addition, control of Netailovo will increase pressure on the Ukrainian forces near Karlovka

Belgium’s F-16’s meant solely to bolster Ukraine’s 'defense capacity' — Prime Minister

Alexander De Croo emphasized that Belgium "will do everything in its capacity" to provide Kiev with at least "some" of the 30 F-16's it promised to Ukraine

Russia plans to expand anti-terrorism cooperation with Taliban — diplomat

According to Zamir Kabulov, the Afghan authorities are sparing no effort "bearing in mind the actual potential to suppress and eliminate Islamic State, which has entrenched in Afghanistan"

Russia to respond to Poland's restrictions on diplomats' movement — MFA

Maria Zakharova stressed that Russia will take "retaliatory measures that will make the Polish top brass, which is choking on Russophobia, regret the anti-Russian steps taken"

Russian troops blocking Starlink service in Ukraine — NYT

It is reported that Starlink satellite internet service has been critical to the Ukrainian military since the start of Russia’s special military operation

Ukraine should reopen negotiations with Russia, be ready to compromise — columnist

"Taking advantage of Putin’s apparent openness to a ceasefire and striking a deal now, however unpleasant, will be better for everyone," Branko Marcetic said

First court hearing on case of US citizen arrested in Vladivostok to take place on June 6

Gordon Black is accused of theft and threat of murder

Belarus, Russia start joint air force, air defense exercises in Belarus — ministry

According to the Belarusian Defense Ministry, the exercise will rehearse missions "to protect government and military facilities from airstrikes"

Envoy reveals number of children killed, injured in shelling of Russia’s frontline regions

"A total of 125 children have fallen victim since the beginning of the year," Rodion Miroshnik stressed

Hungary won’t support 14th package of anti-Russia sanctions in present form — Szijjarto

"As currently worded it fully contradicts Hungary’s economic interests and it would most likely threaten Hungary’s energy security," the Hungarian minister said

Russian troops liberate two communities in Ukraine operation over past day — top brass

Russian forces repulsed three Ukrainian army counterattacks in the Kupyansk area where the enemy lost roughly 405 troops and a British-made howitzer over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Kiev’s military asks NATO to close skies over western Ukraine

The Ukrainian authorities regularly call on the West to provide air defense systems and missiles, especially Patriot systems

Poland not sending its troops to Ukraine — foreign ministry

According to Pawel Wronski, what Poland’s top diplomat, Radoslaw Sikorski, meant in his interview with a number of European media outlets was that such a scenario cannot be ruled out in the future

Russian forces advance near DPR's Staromayorskoye, Urozhaynoye — politician

It was reported earlier that Russian army controlled the heights west of these communities

UK to relieve destroyer helping repel Houthi attacks in Red Sea

HMS Diamond started carrying out combat missions in the region at the end of 2023

Russian heavy flamethrower crew destroys two Ukrainian strongholds in Kharkov Region

According to the commander, Ukraine has been pulling up reserves for a counteroffensive over several days

Utility service buildings damaged in shelling of Energodar — mayor

Two civilians were injured

Sanctions to spur, not stifle scientific breakthroughs in Russia — Medvedev

"In the end, this will even help in obtaining results we could not even have imagined just a short while ago," the senior Russian official noted

UN Security Council to hold emergency meeting on IDF strike at Rafah on May 28

Late on May 26, the Israeli military carried out a strike at Rafah, at least 40 people were killed

Russia, Uzbekistan to continue defense cooperation — statement

Both sides also stressed the importance of further strengthening interaction between competent agencies in countering present-day challenges and threats

Press review: Macron meets with Scholz to talk Ukraine and Russia, Uzbekistan ink deals

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, May 28th

North Korean missile disintegrates into fragments over Yellow Sea — news agency

The media earlier showed footage of a bright flash in the sky resembling an explosion

Russia in talks with Uzbekistan on rearming republic’s air defense forces — defense agency

Earlier, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a decree that stipulated establishing a state commission by March 2024 on equipping the republic’s armed forces

Russia close to establishing full-fledged relations with Taliban — official

Dmitry Medvedev accused the US authorities of supporting terrorists and waging a hybrid war against Russia

Three European countries recognize Palestine, Israel recalls envoys, issues stern warning

143 out of 193 UN member nations, including Russia, had recognized Palestine

Drone fragments fall down on single-family house in Moscow Region, no one hurt

An air defense system shot down a drone in Balashikha’s Kuchino district

Many Western companies backtrack on their Russia exit plans — newspaper

"Many European companies have found themselves really between a rock and a hard place," one executive working with western companies in the country was quoted as saying

Borrell reacts to call to arrest Israeli PM

"All states that have ratified the ICC statutes are bound to execute the Court’s decisions," the top EU diplomat said

Biden seeks war with Russia to boost approval rating, US journalist opines

In late April, Joe Biden signed a bill passed by Congress to resume arms deliveries to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan

Import duty on wines from NATO to become prohibitive if approved — customs

"Paying the duty and then carrying on with business, from an economic point of view, is possible only for very high-margin products," an official noted

Russian ministries propose to Putin to remove Taliban from terrorist list — envoy

According to Zamir Kabulov, the Taliban government has come a long way towards being recognized since it came to power in Afghanistan in 2021