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Russia’s gold production up 6.2% in five months of 2024 — Rosstat

Gold production gained 9.6% year-on-year and 15.4% month-on-month

MOSCOW, June 26. /TASS/. Russia’s gold production rose by 6.2% in January-May 2024 year-on-year, the Federal State Statistics Service (Rosstat) reported.

In May, gold production gained 9.6% year-on-year and 15.4% month-on-month.

Production of primary aluminum increased by 9.5% in five months, while in May it added 1% in annual terms.

Thirty companies ready to be residents of free economic zone in Belgorod region — governor

Vyacheslav Gladkov added that next his administration expects to receive clarifying criteria for the selection of residents of the free economic zone

Moldova may join SCO, BRICS after leadership change — former President Dodon

"The status of an EAEU observer we obtained during my presidency was the right step and this status should be used," Igor Dodon said, adding that Moldova should pursue a balanced foreign policy

Three civilians suffer injuries in missile attack on Sevastopol, governor says

According to preliminary reports, three civilians suffered minor shrapnel injuries and were taken to the hospital

Musk assesses US presidential election debate as preparation to replace Biden

Atlanta was the site of the first-ever televised election debate between a sitting president and a former president in US history

Polonez MLRS battalion deploys to Belarusian border with full ammunition load

The Belarusian Defense Ministry did not specify the border area that the Polonez MLRS battalion had deployed to

Arresting foreign officials may trigger declaration of war — Medvedev

Dmitry Medvedev made this statement at a plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum

BRICS countries back Russia’s initiative to create grain exchange — agriculture minister

Oksana Lut also mentioned "the development of the possibility of settlements in national currencies of the BRICS countries"

Finland planned genocide of Soviet people in 1940-1941 — Russian Security council

Rashid Nurgaliyev pointed out that, on July 8, 1941, one day before the beginning of the Finnish offensive north of Lake Ladoga, Carl Gustaf Mannerheim issued the order number 132, its fourth clause reading: "capture the Russian population and send it to concentration camps"

Georgian PM says Tbilisi will under no circumstances become second Ukraine

Irakli Kobakhidze emphasized that Georgia has dealt with similar threats in the past and the government will not let anyone bring the country "to such a dire condition" as Ukraine has been put in

Burevestnik unit destroys $23.5 mln worth of Ukrainian weapons in two months

According to the report, most of the targets were heavy equipment, weapons, dugouts, and deployment sites

Russia to continue supplying energy and food to global market despite EU sanctions — MFA

Maria Zakharova reiterated that although the EU sanctions are formally aimed against Russia, they are equally harmful and undermine the security of developing countries

Armenia confirms its participation in NATO summit in Washington

The summit will look at establishing a new structure for helping Ukraine

Missiles, drones launched from Lebanon into Israel, IDF hits Hezbollah military targets

"No injuries were reported and damage was caused to a building in the western Galilee area," the IDF said

Granddaughter of Cold War-era Soviet leader dies after being hit by train near Moscow

The woman attempted to cross the rail tracks away from the established safe crossing

Ukrainian troops withdraw from some important areas near Toretsk — DPR official

Igor Kimakovsky specified that the Ukrainian armed forces had lost dozens of troops in the Toretsk area in recent days

Russian forces strike Swedish-made CV90 combat vehicle near Artyomovsk

"Whereas an Abrams tank costs about 8.5 million US dollars, the price of an CV-90 is more than 10 million US dollars," the deputy commander of the Burevestnik unit of the Battlegroup South said

Dagestan police carry out searches in Nurmagomedov martial arts school over terrorism case

Earlier, reports appeared on social media that one eliminated militants could be MMA fighter Gadjimurad Kagirov - graduate of the Nurmagomedov School

Arabs remove Hezbollah from list of terrorist organizations — senior Arab League official

"The military escalation in the south poses a severe challenge to security and stability not only in Lebanon, but also across the Middle East, especially if the conflict spills over," Hossam Zaki said

Russian Defense Minister tasks General Staff with measures to respond to US drone missions

The ministry pointed to the increased intensity of activities of US strategic unmanned aerial vehicles over the Black Sea, which are conducting reconnaissance and targeting of precision weapons supplied by Western countries to the armed forces of Ukraine for attacks on Russia

Orban sees EU leaders seeking to drag Europe into Ukraine conflict to defeat Russia

Europe is increasingly dragged into a war in which the continent has nothing gain and can easily lose everything, Hungarian Prime Minister noted

Press review: Russia sees US behind Sevastopol attack and Serbian arms flowing to Kiev

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, 24th

Russian analyst says US helped engineer coup in Bolivia

Among other reasons for the attempted coup, Alexander Stepanov named a deal with Russia to build a $600 million industrial complex in Bolivia to mine and produce lithium carbonate

Biden intends to take part in second presidential debate in September — CNN

Biden’s advisers say that one debate should not disqualify the president from seeking reelection and therefore Biden still plans to participate in a second presidential debate

Russia warns Japan of countermeasures over military drills — MFA

The Japanese side "was told that provocative military activity next to the Far Eastern borders of our country, conducted also in cooperation with extra-regional countries - NATO members - is categorically inadmissible"

Business in Russia has become more patriotic and state-oriented — Putin

The head of state noted that Russian entrepreneurs did not allow the national economy to collapse after the departure of Western companies

Ukrainian army attacks refugees trying to evacuate from Toretsk — DPR official

Kimakovsky said earlier that the first group of refugees from Toretsk had been evacuated to a rear area in the Donetsk People’s Republic

Russia strikes Ukrainian military airfields by precision weapons — top brass

Russian troops struck massed Ukrainian manpower and military hardware in 117 areas over the past day, the ministry reported

IOC invites Russian tennis players Kotov, Kalinskaya to compete at Paris Olympics

On June 18, the press service of the Russian Tennis Federation published the lineup for the Olympic Games

New York Times in editorial calls on Biden to quit reelection bid

"There are Democratic leaders better equipped to present clear, compelling and energetic alternatives to a second Trump presidency," the newspaper said

Ukraine loses up to 270 troops in area of responsibility of Russia’s Battlegroup North

The Ukrainian army also lost a tank, four motor vehicles, a US-made M109 Paladin 155 mm howitzer, a 2A65 Msta-B 152 mm howitzer and three D-30 122 mm howitzers

Reformist candidate leading in Iran's election with votes at most polling stations counted

The election official told the IRIB TV channel that with 19 mln votes counted, Pezeshkian, a reformist candidate, received 8.3 mln votes

US planes, drones to continue flying in international airspace — Pentagon

Earlier, Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov ordered to the General Staff to draft proposals on response to US provocations involving drone flights over the Black Sea

Russian air defenses destroy Ukrainian drone in Belgorod Region

The Kiev regime’s attempt to carry out a terrorist attack on targets in Russia using a fixed-wing drone was foiled at about 9:45 a.m. Moscow time

Republic of Congo and Russia to boost energy cooperation — Congolese president

Denis Sassou-Nguesso noted that the republic continues to follow the path of strengthening cooperation with Russia

Gazprom delivering 42.4 mln cubic meters of gas to Europe through Ukraine via Sudzha

The transit line through Ukraine remains the only route for Russian gas supplies to western and central European countries

Russia ranked world’s second largest military power — GFP

More than 60 individual criteria were factored into the rankings, including the number of military troops, financial and logistics capabilities, as 145 world powers were considered

Taiwan detects approach of 23 Chinese aircraft, 5 ships

Taiwan responded by engaging aircraft, ships, and land-based surface-to-air missile systems to track targets

Kiev demands that NATO establish no-fly zone over Western parts of Ukraine — AFP

"I do not understand what NATO cannot deploy air defense systems along the Polish border," Verkhovna Rada lawmaker Alexey Goncharenko said

Tanks playing major role in Russian army’s advance in south Donetsk area — top brass

The T-80BVM tank was engineered to operate in a tense environment under heavy enemy fire

Chinese defense official warns of hellish consequences for US’ Taiwan drone plans

"Those who are clamoring about turning other people's homes into hell should first prepare to be sent to a hell of their own," Chinese Defense Ministry Spokesman Wu Qian said

Trump says Putin’s conditions for peace in Ukraine ‘not acceptable’

"Look, this is a war that never should have started if we had a leader," former US President said

Direct Russia-US clash to entail massive use of nuclear weapons — expert

Yevgeny Buzhinsky pointed out that despite all the modeling that had been carried out over decades, it is impossible to accurately predict what effect a massive use of nuclear weapons would have on the globe

Conservative, reformist candidates to face off in Iran’s presidential runoff — official

Mohsen Eslami, the spokesperson for Iran's Election Headquarters, told the IRIB TV channel, that Pezeshkian received 10.4 mln votes with 24.5 mln votes counted at all polling stations, while Jalili garnered 9.5 mln

Zelensky admits Ukraine unwilling to prolong conflict due to high casualties

Previously, Ukraine announced that it will prepare a settlement plan after the first conference in Switzerland, which will be presented to Russia at the second similar meeting

Trump to eventually see there is no alternative to Putin's proposals on Ukraine — diplomat

Commenting on US politicians' perception of Vladimir Putin's proposal, Sergey Ryabkov pointed out that "Trump is not the entire US elite"

US coalition's drone flies too close to Russian plane in Syria — top brass

Russian pilot demonstrated high professionalism and took timely measures to prevent a collision

Russia delivers 17 strikes at Ukrainian military-industrial sites over week

Russia’s Battlegroup West improved its tactical position and inflicted casualties on eight Ukrainian army brigades in its area of responsibility over the past week, the Defense Ministry reported

Ukraine working on own peace plan, to be ready before year-end — Zelensky

The Ukrainian president reiterated that Kiev wanted to see the conflict over and hoped "to achieve a fair peace as soon as possible"

IN BRIEF: Trump’s presidential debate win puts final nail in Biden’s political coffin

A flash poll showed that 67% of watchers said Trump performed better during Thursday night’s debate

Democrats discussing replacing Biden after his poor debate performance — Politico

According to three strategists close to the Democratic party, Joe Biden’s fellow party members "are panicked" over his poor performance in the debate with former US President Donald Trump

The Republic of the Congo offers new projects to Russia’s Lukoil — Congolese minister

According to Ivan Romanovsky, Congo and Lukoil discussed new initiatives and the company’s existing projects in the country, including the possibilities of monetizing gas from developed fields

Press review: Putin receives Congolese president and rumors fly after failed Bolivia coup

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

US House Speaker Johnson says Biden’s cabinet should remove him from office

"Our adversaries see the weakness in this White House as we all do," Mike Johnson said

No EU sanctions can undermine Russian economy — MFA

Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova recalled that the new sanctions provide for illegal measures against the Russian energy sector, designed to limit or completely block the supply of Russian oil and gas to the world market

Reformist candidate Pezeshkian leads in Iranian presidential election so far

Mohsen Eslami, spokesperson for the country’s election headquarters said that Massoud Pezeshkian mustered 973,052 votes so far, according to preliminary data

Russian researcher believes West will have to reach compromise with world majority

Kirill Babayev said Asia hold special importance in building new Eurasian security architecture where Russia and China will play a key role

BRICS countries plan to adopt new agro-industrial plan in 2025

"BRICS countries have significant potential to strengthen their position in the global agricultural market and provide uninterrupted supplies to ensure global food security," Russia’s Agriculture Minister Oksana Lut added

Iran threatens ‘obliterating war’ if Israel attacks Lebanon

"Iran deems as psychological warfare the Zionist regime’s propaganda about intending to attack Lebanon", the Iranian mission to the UN said

EU expands some anti-Russian economic sanctions to Belarus

The restrictions include an export ban on dual-use/advanced goods and technologies, as well as introducing further export restrictions on goods which could contribute to the enhancement of Belarusian industrial capacities

Putin discusses situation around INF Treaty with Russian Security Council

The Russian leader recalled that several years ago the United State had withdrawn from the treaty under an invented pretext and announced its plans to manufacture such missile systems

Iranian authorities reveal voter turnout in presidential election

Eslami told the IRIB TV channel that a total of 24.5 mln votes had been cast, and about a million ballots had been spoiled

US’ actions on Korean Peninsula threaten both North Korea and Russia — diplomat

"The treaty on comprehensive strategic partnership that was signed by Russia and North Korea on June 19 is called to play a stabilizing role in Northeastern Asia amid the unprecedented escalation of tension," Vasily Nebenzya said

Disrespect for immunity of countries could be step toward war — Medvedev

"Russia, like most countries of the world, including, incidentally, the United States of America and the largest countries - China, India - is not a party to this theatrical institution called the ICC," the official stressed

Russia’s UN envoy incensed about drills US, South Korea held as Putin visited Pyongyang

It was the four-day Air Force exercises, which engaged fighter jets and an American fire support aircraft to practice live firing over the Yellow Sea

Five people dead as dormitory outside Moscow catches fire

Three more people are being resuscitated

Voting in Iran’s presidential election ends, vote counting begins — spokesperson

Voting hours were extended three times because of hot weather, Mohsen Eslami said

Georgia, Moldova reject EU’s decision to hand over income from Russia’s assets to Kiev

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell noted that these countries will make sure that their national policies comply with the European Council decision, adding that the Council welcomes it

Mutinous Bolivian general taken into custody for six months pending trial — report

The court ordered the same measure for former Navy chief

US prepares to evacuate citizens from Lebanon — NBC

According to the report, Washington fears that Israel may launch a ground operation in Lebanon in the coming weeks

Press review: US, Russian defense chiefs touch base and new sheriff in town at NATO

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, June 27th

Thirty companies ready to be residents of free economic zone in Belgorod region — governor

Vyacheslav Gladkov added that next his administration expects to receive clarifying criteria for the selection of residents of the free economic zone

Russia taking measures in response to US involvement in strikes on Sevastopol — diplomat

Commenting on the likelihood of the Russian side using tactical nuclear weapons in response to the shelling of Sevastopol, Sergey Ryabkov pointed out that "the Russian president, as the supreme commander-in-chief, makes such fateful decisions"

Houthis say they attacked four commercial ships in Red, Mediterranean Seas

According to the movement’s military spokesperson Yahya Sarea, the Houthis and the Islamic Resistance in Iraq attacked The Waler oil tanker, Johannes Maersk container ship, as well as the Delonix tanker for liquid chemicals and the Ioannis bulk carrier

Two aerial targets destroyed in Sevastopol, governor says

Their fragments fell in the coastal area and the Balaklavsky District

Trump vows to end Ukraine conflict even before he assumes office if elected US president

He pointed out that Joe Biden had "given $200 billion now or more to Ukraine"

Dogs gifted to Putin by North Korean leader adapting to life in Moscow — Kremlin spokesman

Two rare Pungsan breed hunting dogs would be given names after they arrived in Moscow and underwent quarantine procedures

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

China’s Chang’e 6 probe brings 1,935.3 grams of soil from moon’s far side — CNSA

CNSA Director Zhang Kejian handed the container with samples and the sample certificate over to Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Ding Chibiao

What is known about coup attempt in Bolivia

Russian envoy sees Tanzania’s closer ties with BRICS as inevitable

According to him, the BRICS group's ties with East Africa will continue growing, opening up new opportunities for Tanzania’s cooperation with the countries that share common development goals, civilizational values and political views

Putin highly appreciates projects for production of PD-14 and PD-35 aircraft turbo engines

The Russian leader has no doubt "that these plans will be implemented, and then we will have our own engine for wide-body long-haul aircraft"

Investigative Committee chief for considering abolition of moratorium on death penalty

Alexander Bastrykin said that it should be used "in some cases," citing the terrorist attack on the Crocus City Hall music venue as an example

Ukraine’s top diplomat discusses ways to resolve crisis with Chinese envoy in Croatia

Dmitry Kuleba told the Wu Hongbo envoy about the recent conference in Switzerland, after which the two sides "exchanged opinions regarding further efforts toward a fair and long-lasting peace in Ukraine"

Russian, Jordanian diplomats discuss ceasefire in Gaza — Foreign Ministry

"Special attention will be paid to the tasks of rendering humanitarian support for all who are in need for it, including based on the resolutions of the June 11 international conference on urgent humanitarian assistance to Gaza in Jordan," the ministry reported

Outcome of election campaign in France is of interest to Moscow — Kremlin

"We see that there are dynamics related to the loss of popularity by some political forces and the growth of popularity of other political forces," Dmitry Peskov noted

US analyst says Biden, Trump misinformed about situation in Ukraine

Both politicians appear to be incompetent about some important issues, according to the professor of political science at the University of Rhode Island Nicolai Petro

European servicemen won't fight in Ukraine even if they come there — Belgian army chief

Michel Hofman also pointed out that "in any case, this will be a political decision"

Russia remains fundamental pillar of UN work — secretary-general

Antonio Guterres also said problems that problems in the UN "normally come from big powers"

Belarusian military warns of rising tensions on border with Ukraine

The Ukrainian army has also deployed electronic surveillance systems near the Belarusian border and is widely using unmanned aerial vehicles, Lukashevich said

Russia’s Navy to receive over 40 new ships in 2024 — Putin

In 2023 the number was 33

Conservative, reformist candidates to face off in Iran’s presidential runoff — official

Voter turnout was about 40%, the lowest level in the country’s history, according to data from Eslami

Trump says Kiev not winning in conflict with Russia

At the same time, Trump also claimed that Russia "is going to take [entire] Ukraine"

Liberation of Razdolovka to help Russian army expand bridgehead in Seversk area — expert

"Razdolovka is yet another settlement on the way to liberating Seversk," Igor Kimakovsky pointed out

Poll shows 60% of Americans want Biden replaced as presidential candidate

Meanwhile, 57% of debate-viewing voters said that Trump outperformed Biden

Discussions on South Caucasus need to be moved out of Switzerland — Russian delegation

"This is related to the fact that the Geneva venue is no longer comfortable for Russia and its allies," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin added

Ukrainian MP demands Supreme Court oblige parliament to call presidential election

"The latest polls also reveal that people want changes," Alexander Dubinsky said

Russian judokas to skip Paris Olympics

The IOC issued invitations to Valery Yendovitsky, Makhamdbek Makhamadbekov, Elis Startseva, and Dali Liluashvili

Is Gaddafi's gloom prophecy in regard to Europe bound to be fulfilled?

As Europe’s migrant crisis grows far and wide, many Russian media are recalling the late Libyan leader Muamar Gaddafi’s gloom prophecy made several months before his violent death

Forty Ukrainian draft dodgers die while crossing Tisza border river since 2022

The most popular routes to flee Ukraine run across the borders with Moldova and Romania, where draft evaders have to pay guides from $3,000 to $12,000, up to $18,000, Andrey Demchenko noted

Ukrainian drone attack kills five people in Russia’s borderline Kursk Region

Another two members of the family were taken to the Rylsky District Hospital in serious condition

Biden not to drop out of presidential race over performance at debates — campaign

The media also noted that members of Joe Biden’s campaign say that the current US president has no intention to drop out of the second round of debates with Donald Trump on September 10