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Yuan exchange rate down below 12.5 rubles on Moscow Exchange first since April 26

The dollar was down by 0.24% at 90.72 rubles, while the euro was down by 0.04% at 98.69 rubles

MOSCOW, May 20. /TASS/. The yuan exchange rate has slipped below 12.5 rubles on Moscow Exchange for the first time since April 26, according to trading data.

As of 11:08 a.m. Moscow time (08:08 a.m. GMT), the yuan was down by 0.58% at 12.499 rubles.

As of 11:23 a.m. Moscow time (08:23 a.m. GMT), the yuan was down by 0.45% at 12.515 rubles. At the same time, the dollar was down by 0.24% at 90.72 rubles, while the euro was down by 0.04% at 98.69 rubles.

Meanwhile the MOEX Index was up by 0.03% at 3,503.01 points, while the RTS Index was up by 0.39% at 1,216.62 points.

IEA upgrades outlook on oil demand growth for 2024 to 920,000 bpd

Global oil demand will total 102.8 mln barrels per day (mbd) in 2024

Ukrainian intel officers in Syria to be eliminated as terrorists’ accomplices — diplomat

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US denies possession of extraterrestrial technologies

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Bulgarian president calls for using all diplomatic opportunities to end Ukraine conflict

According to Rumen Radev, Europe wants the conflict in Ukraine "to finish as soon as possible"

Zelensky will lead Ukraine to civil or nuclear war rather than surrender power, legislator

Alexander Dubinsky explained that Zelensky would by no means benefit from the end of the conflict, because in that case, its net effects would have to be assessed

Russia open for contacts with Trumps’ team on Syria — Russian diplomat

Alexander Lavrentyev stressed that all parties to the conflict must be involved in talks so that a lasting peace in Syria could be achieved

Russian troops liberate Rovnopol community in Donbass region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup North destroyed an UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) production workshop of the Ukrainian army and inflicted roughly 110 casualties on enemy troops in its area of responsibility in the Kharkov Region over the past day

First S-550 air defense systems enter service in Russia — source

The source described the new system as "an absolutely new and unrivalled mobile system of strategic missile defense"

Trump to zero in on fragmenting BRICS, Ukraine to take back seat — expert

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Russian Marines destroy Challenger 2 tank with FPV drone in Kursk Region

Previously, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that the enemy lost 10 tanks in the Kursk region in the past 24 hours

Elections can be held in various ways, Lavrov on Ukrainian situation

"We can only assess the legitimacy of an electoral process once it has taken place and we observe how it was organized," the top Russian diplomat emphasized

There is chance to stop war in Middle East under Trump — Russian diplomat

"It is too early to talk about this because we should wait at least for the president’s inauguration," Alexander Lavrentyev noted

West to face 'devastating' response if it allows Kiev to strike deep into Russia — MFA

According to Maria Zakharova, Ukrainian social media accounts are meanwhile speculating that the Zelensky regime plans to present the received Western missiles as Ukrainian, changing the labels to use the weapons to attack Russia

Kremlin comments on possible return of Japanese, European cars to Russia

No official statements have been received so far from European automakers regarding the return to the Russian market, Dmitry Peskov noted

Russian president himself deals with issue of Ukraine, there is no special envoy — Kremlin

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Grossi oversteps authority by talking about freeze of Ukraine conflict — Russian MFA

The Russian diplomats also said that IAEA experts will stay at the ZNPP as long as Russia deems their presence there necessary

Russian politician condemns destruction of dam on Kurakhovo reservoir as Kiev’s terror act

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Russian diplomat hails Odessa woman as defender of truth after flag protest

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Russian Su-34 bomber strikes Ukrainian troops in borderline Kursk area

Russian tactical aircraft pilots conduct sorties at any time of day or night in any weather conditions, using various armament

Medvedev warns that EU behavior in struggle with Russia fraught with 'bad scenario'

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Chancellor Scholz opposes assistance to Ukraine at expense of Germany’s future

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Ukraine's Kurakhovo Reservoir dam blast to help, not hurt Russian troops — expert

At least ten Ukrainian troops were killed

Erdogan praises Russia, China for backing arms embargo on Israel

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Court sentences ‘Russian Volunteer Corps’ members to life in prison in absentia

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Trump’s return to power unlikely to change US approach to Ukraine crisis — Lavrov

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Crimean amateur astronomer discovers new comet in solar system

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Trump's planned key appointments

Trump appointed Congressman Michael Waltz (Republican, Florida) as national security adviser

Putin discussed Ukraine with Saudi crown prince — Kremlin

"The sides indeed touched upon the topic of the conflict. We have nothing more to say," Dmitry Peskov said

Medvedev characterizes Great Britain as eternal adversary of Russia

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People evacuated from Brazil’s Supreme Court after blast nearby — agency

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Scholz promises to transfer sixth IRIS-T system to Kiev by yearend

Ukraine and Germany also discussed further defense cooperation

Baltic Sea will never turn into 'NATO lake' — Russian MFA

Maria Zakharova emphasized that the Baltic Sea "will always be a common space for all of the region’s countries without exception"

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Russian forces liberate Voznesenka community in Donbass region over past day

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Tehran to retaliate against anti-Iran resolutions at IAEA — official

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Kiev may offer Trump resources, partial rotation of US troops in Europe — official

Mikhail Podolyak also expressed Kiev's hopes that the newly elected US president would impose stricter economic sanctions on Russia, particularly in the oil industry, if not provide direct military support

54 countries vote against resolution on combating ne-Nazism

116 countries, including Azerbaijan, Algeria, Armenia, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Cuba, Serbia, and Syria, supported the document

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Nikolay Patrushev emphasized that the United States and the European Union are making "efforts to dismantle relations between these states, undermine their political and trade cooperation”

Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

Over the day, the enemy lost more than 450 troops, two tanks, three IFVs, two M113 armored personnel carriers, 33 armored combat vehicles, five artillery pieces, including a Krab self-propelled howitzer, a Crotale multiple rocket launcher, and 49 motor vehicles

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Lukashenko tells Putin situation is "starting to get tense with Wagner"

The Belarusian leader noted that they want to go to Warsaw

Russia to hold Astana-format summit in 2025 — Russian diplomat

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Maria Zakharova pointed out that military experts had praised the "unmatched capabilities" the plane displayed at the Airshow China in Zhuhai

Attempts being made to drag Syria into armed confrontation in Middle East — diplomat

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Russian researchers discover previously unknown ancient tomb near Great Pyramid in Egypt

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Trump plans to appoint special envoy on Ukraine to hold peace talks with Russia — TV

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Finnish government requests EU sanctions exemption for Russian owners of sports arena

Finland's Foreign Ministry will need to obtain unanimous approval from EU countries

Russia to collaborate with Arab nations for Middle East de-escalation — diplomat

"A call was made to the international community to contribute to the achievement of this goal," Maria Zakharova added

Too early to talk about meeting between Assad, Erdogan — Russian diplomat

"Certain communication is maintained between the defense ministers, in the four-lateral format," Alexander Lavrentyev said

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Russia to ensure parity in response to US missile defense system in Poland — Kremlin

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Roman Pukalov noted that the blast killed many fish in the reservoir, washed away fertile soil, and inundated potentially hazardous sites, including cemeteries, cattle burial grounds, and fertilizer depots

US administration always seeks to weaken Russia — Lavrov

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Press review: Trump forms foreign policy team and Europe sets course for militarization

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, November 13th

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"Israel, by the standards it set itself, has accomplished the goals that it set for itself," the US Secretary of State noted

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Tetsuo Kotani also argued that, if Moscow and Kiev reach a ceasefire agreement, Washington will push for a negotiated settlement of the conflict

Trump to rely on forces that brought him to power — Russian presidential aide

Nikolay Patrushev agreed that Trump, when he was still a candidate, "made many statements critical of the destructive foreign and domestic policies pursued by the current administration"

Trump to end NATO’s obsession to get on Russian territory — White House ex-strategist

Steve Bannon noted that Trump’s MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement seeks to completely cut funding to Ukraine. According to Bannon, Europe, including Italy, will follow Trump’s lead, and, if "they [Europe and Italy] truly believe what they have been saying in recent years, they should be ready to pay"

Musk doubles down on his opinion about 'endless war' in Ukraine

Earlier, the entrepreneur opined that the bloodshed in Ukraine would end soon

US missile defense base in Poland to defend US, Europe alike — Polish foreign minister

Radoslaw Sikorski also expressed hope that the base will never go into action

Japan remains ready to sign peace treaty with Russia — top diplomat

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Su-57 fighter jet shows exceptional performance in Russia’s special op, senior official

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Trump does not rule out he may run in next US presidential election

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Ukraine targets medics and journalists as priorities — military doctor

Santa noted that the medic’s red cross draws the attention of Ukrainian troops, so affiliation patches on uniforms must blend in, and identifying marks are also not applied to evacuation vehicles

Russia inks first deals to deliver Su-57 fifth-generation fighter to foreign customers

Alexander Mikheyev also explained the expectations and effect of the demonstration of Russian military hardware at Airshow China in Zhuhai

Kiev wants to mobilize 160,000 people to survive until Trump's inauguration — MP

According to Alexander Dubinsky, the authorities in Kiev are primarily focused on securing more of the funds allocated to them

Demographic crisis threatens Ukraine’s viability as state — think tank

Ukraine’s "overall population had declined to 29 million people in 2023 - compared to 48.5 million in 2001," Responsible Statecraft writes

Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

Over the day, the enemy lost more than 430 troops, ten tanks, two infantry fighting vehicles, 19 armored combat vehicles, 33 motor vehicles, one Anklav-N electronic warfare station

US shells for handful of Kiev’s Pion howitzers no game-changer — expert

Ukraine ran out of the Soviet-made ammunition for this type of artillery pieces back in 2022

Businessmen in Germany, Russia again eager to interact more, says executive

Ulf Schneider expressed his gratitude to representatives of the Russian business community for their continued efforts to involve Western businessmen in work in Russia despite the challenging political climate

Ukrainian forces ready to withdraw from Kurakhovo, but no order yet — serviceman

According to the report, the Russian army is "attacking from three sides"

Two injured in bridge collapse in Crimea

"A car and a truck were on the bridge at the moment of collapse. Russian Emergencies Ministry rescuers retrieved two injured people," the ministry said

Russian forces gain foothold near Kupyansk as Kiev begins to retreat

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin noted two significant blockages of Ukrainian troops near Kupyansk, involving more than 15,000 military personnel

Russia keeps building defense capacity despite conflict in Ukraine — Polish general

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Turkey invited to join BRICS as a partner state, says minister

Omer Bolat recalled that at the last BRICS summit in Kazan, the sides "considered the applications of Turkey and several other countries"

Most Russians say special op doesn't bleed into their daily life

While public anxiety remains high, the percentage of Russians who view the situation as catastrophic or as a crisis has noticeably decreased, and the share of citizens who accept the current circumstances as a new normal is rising

Ukraine aims to call up 1 mln people in eastern areas by end of 2024 — official

According to the plan, 360,000 people are to be mobilized in October; 325,000 and 300,000 in November and December, respectively

Russia ready for contacts with Trump administration, ball is in US court — Lavrov

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US views Russia as present-day threat, Trump may prioritize containing China — Lavrov

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What is known about Sevastopol car blast

Sevastopol Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev did not rule out the possibility that the incident was the result of sabotage

Lavrov likens proposals to freeze Ukraine crisis to worse version of Minsk agreements

"The Minsk agreements were final. If anyone had bothered to realize at the time that they were exactly that. We were talking about a small part of Donbass, if we are being totally honest," the minister continued

Russian troops secure ground near Novodarovka, Rovnopol in Zaporozhye Region — official

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Clear Zelensky won't be the one to decide about talks with Russia, says Lavrov

"Russian President Putin has repeatedly said that we have never refused to negotiate," the Russian foreign minister reiterated

Russian troops storm into Kupyansk outskirts in Kharkov Region — military expert

Troops from various Russian army units are engaged in battles in the outskirts of Kupyansk, Andrey Marochko said

Western efforts to vilify Russia climax, Moscow fights back — MFA

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Borrell calls on EU to play ‘military role’

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Russian Battlegroup North artillery units hit Ukrainian weapons, manpower in Kursk Region

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US has no technical need to conduct nuclear tests, senior official says

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South Korea to support Ukraine in response to Russia-North Korea alliance — president

As Yoon Suk Yeol said, the reported dispatch of North Korean servicemen to participate in Russia’s special military operation "poses a serious security threat not only to the Korean Peninsula and Europe but also to the entire world"

US plans to remove 'arrogant' Zelensky and stage 2025 elections in Ukraine — SVR

"At the initial stage, it is planned to encourage entities within the Ukrainian civil society under their control, through US 'democratization' foundations and think tanks, to come up with a corresponding initiative," the statement reads

Russia, US have many annoyances, it is hard to pick worst one — Kremlin spokesman

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Kiev's Western allies begin to acknowledge need for territorial concessions — report

The diplomats see this approach as "land in exchange for Ukraine’s security"