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Bank of Russia to raise key rate by 150-200 basis points, experts say

The extraordinary Board meeting of the regulator on the key rate would take place on August 15

MOSCOW, August 14. /TASS/. The Bank of Russia may raise the key rate to 9.5-10.5% at the extraordinary Board meeting on Tuesday, experts questioned by TASS say.

The Bank of Russia said earlier today that the extraordinary Board meeting of the regulator on the key rate would take place tomorrow, on August 15.

"The demand for import should be cooled down in the current situation, applying pressure on lending. Among other things, this can help to stop the ruble weakening wave," Vasily Karpunin from BCS Investment World said.

The extraordinary meeting of the Central Bank is appropriate since the dollar might grow to 120 rubles and more without urgent action by the next Board meeting scheduled on September 15, Freedom Finance Global noted. "Since the dollar rate is above 100 rubles and the euro rate crossed the level of 11 rubles, the decision of the Central Bank of Russia to take urgent measures for stabilization of the national currency without waiting for September appears quite expectable," Natalia Milchakova from Freedom Finance Global said.

The rate will be lifted rather dramatically, from 8.5% at present by 200 basis points (bp) to 10.5%, NRA predicts. PSB, Finam, BCS Investment Word and Freedom Finance Global believe the regulator will increase the rate by 150 bp to 10% and will then continue toughening monetary conditions until the end of the year.

Anti-Russian sanctions

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

The new round of US sanctions has become the most notable lately "but generally not critical for the Russian financial system, which has already passed through much worse time," Kyle Shostak said

No existing missile defense system can counter Oreshnik — US expert

Theodore Postol also vehemently rejected suggestions that the Oreshnik system represents previous outdated developments of Moscow

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Austria ready to host Ukraine talks — chancellor

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

Oreshnik becomes serious problem for Ukraine — Polish general

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Launch of Oreshnik caused no negative reaction from Central Asia — Russian MFA

Alexander Sternik noted that Moscow was closely watching how relations among NATO, the European Union and the states directly adjacent to Russian territory were developing

Ukrainian front collapsing due to lack of willing soldiers, Russian offensive — magazine

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

No shelling attacks recorded in DPR for first time this year

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

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

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

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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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Sergey Naryshkin recalled that the only way to ensure peace is to eliminate the root causes that triggered the Ukrainian conflict

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Ukrainian forces indiscriminately shoot Selidovo passers-by — Russian envoy

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

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No int’l restrictions on deployment of Oreshnik systems — senior Russian diplomat

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France, UK will have to pay for their helping Ukraine strike inside Russia — diplomat

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

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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

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

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, November 26th

Ukrainian commander-in-chief reports threats to troops in Zaporozhye Region

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British mercenary claims he was sent to Russia’s Kursk Region against his will

The captive explained that he had served as a private in a battalion for four months

Anglo-Saxons secretly push Kiev toward nuclear terrorism — FSB head

"The minds of the Ukrainian population have been reformatted in a Russophobic way," Alexander Bortnikov stated

Russia designs Titan rifle for commandos

The rifle is reliable with precise and dense fire

Lithuania open to sending European troops to Ukraine — foreign minister

"It may become necessary for European soldiers to be deployed on Ukrainian soil, and Lithuania is always ready to consider such options," Gabrielius Landsbergis stated

Russian diplomat doesn’t rule out missile deployment in Asia as response to US’ actions

Sergey Ryabkov warned Russia’s adversaries against settling into a "false sense of security"

Ukrainian forces attempt to assassinate Novaya Kakhovka head, his deputy with drones

Ukraine tracked two service cars and dropped munitions on them after the vehicles approached the administration building

Ukrainian officer says 90% of fellow servicemen have no desire to fight

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Retreating Ukrainian troops leave dozens of bodies behind in Chasov Yar

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Ukraine abandons Selidovo, laying mines in wells — security services

The Ukrainian armed forces used various modified Western-made mines and improvised explosive devices during the process

Russian forces pound Ukrainian military airfields, energy sites over day — top brass

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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

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

"When we have more to provide, we will," Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said

Scholz vows to continue supporting Ukraine following his chancellor nomination

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

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West wants to use Kalinousky Regiment to destabilize Belarus — Russian intelligence chief

Sergey Naryshkin pointed out that now this nationalist group was fighting together with the Ukrainian army along with the Russian Volunteer Corps (recognized in Russia as a terrorist organization) and the Georgian Legion (the paramilitary group Georgian National Legion is blacklisted as terrorist and banned in Russia)

Proposal to give Kiev nuclear arms highly extremist — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov noted that this is an absolutely irresponsible line of reasoning from those with a poor grasp of reality

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

No one wins in trade war, says Chinese embassy in US

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