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Bank of Russia may increase key rate to 18% at July meeting — VTB CEO

The next meeting of the Board of Directors of the Bank of Russia, where the key rate level issue will be discussed, is scheduled to July 26

GROZNY, July 15. /TASS/. The Bank of Russia may raise the key rate by 2 percentage points (200 basis points) to 18% per annum at its meeting in late July, VTB CEO Andrey Kostin told TASS on the sidelines of the Caucasian Investment Forum.

"The Central Bank has already vowed many times to raise it. Probably it will raise," Kostin said. "May be, [the increase will be] 200 [basis points]," he added.

The next meeting of the Board of Directors of the Bank of Russia, where the key rate level issue will be discussed, is scheduled to July 26.

The Caucasian Investment Forum is being held in Grozny from July 15 to 17. TASS is the general information partner of the event.

South Africa works to increase its exports to Russia — embassy

The embassy said that it viewed better trade cooperation between Russia and South Africa as a priority for its work in Moscow

Innovative Russian ground drones doing damage in special op

It is specified that the division assembles its automated systems using parts from consumer-grade self-balancing scooters - the engineers utilize their control elements and wheels

Neo-Nazis who attacked Russia’s Kursk region sure to be defeated - Russian ambassador

Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov said the subject was raised during Russian diplomats’ recent meetings with compatriots in Salt Lake City and Chicago

Kiev begins preparation of attack on Kursk nuclear power plant — Russian Foreign Ministry

Previously, the Russian Defense Ministry warned that Moscow will immediately use harsh response measures

Seventeen people rescued after Ukrainian attack on ferry in Russia’s Kavkaz port

According to Veniamin Kondratyev, the attack on the ferry carrying fuel is another attempt by the Kiev regime to carry out a terrorist attack on civilian facilities

Seizure of Allegro trains by Finnish VR illegal — Russian Railways

Unlawfulness of actions of the Finnish side is confirmed by decisions of Russian courts, which bind the Finnish railway operator to continue performing contracts made by it

India outpaces China by oil imports from Russia in July

Iraq is the second largest oil supplier to India

Hungarian official criticizes Ukraine’s attack on Russia’s Kursk Region

Gergely Gulyas described as "wrong" anything that stands in the way of settling the conflict, including the "spillover of the hostilities into Russian territory"

Russian stock market indices falling on Thursday — market data

The MOEX Russia Index lost 1.53% to 2,725.75 points

Another weather balloon falls in Poland’s northeast

Late on August 21, an unidentified object fell in the settlement of Orzechowo, near the city of Olsztyn

Ukrainian troops attempted to attack Kursk NPP, IAEA notified — Putin

The Russian leader added that the IAEA promised "to come over themselves and send specialists to assess the situation"

Net profits of Russian banks soaring by 36% in July — Central Bank

The number of profitable banks increased to 250 and their share of the total number of banks was 79% in July

Kiev’s losses: situation in Kursk Region

Russian troops took out Ukrainian units and equipment in the areas of Loknya, Kremiany, Oleshnya, Sverdlikova and Daryino

US still has questions about goals of Ukraine’s incursion into Kursk Region — Pentagon

Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh refused to state Washington’s support for the Ukrainian incursion

Ferry in Russian port of Kavkaz sinks after Ukrainian attack — officials

Following the incident, Oleg Kryuchkov, an adviser to the head of Crimea, denied "the enemy’s widespread falsities" about fuel supply in the peninsula

Two powerful solar flares detected on August 22 — scientists

The first flare was detected in the early hours of Thursday

ICRC helps Russian Red Cross in Kursk Region

To date, more than 11,500 people have received help from specialists

Israeli antifascist activist calls for extradition of Ukrainian Nazi Hunka

The Russian Prosecutor General's Office told TASS on August 22 that it had put Hunka on an international wanted list

Russia, China to develop branch network of their banks

The two countries also agreed "to keep the achieved high level of the share of payments in national currencies in bilateral trade, investments, lending, and other trade and economic operations"

US Vice President Harris formally accepts Democratic presidential nomination

Lack of morality, ethics in Russia’s enemies known, yet impossible to get used to — Putin

"Our enemy is not like us, although it also has a head and arms," the Russian president said

US could have easily stopped Kiev’s incursion into Russia’s Kursk Region — ambassador

The Americans knew everything, and nothing happens without their knowledge Anatoly Antonov, said

Russia doing best to maintain serviceability of SuperJet fleet — Rostec CEO

Sergey Chemezov added that domestic enterprises have designed its counterparts of spark plugs and filters for the aircraft

Russian forces destroy French-made Crotale missile system in Kursk Region

According to Akhmat Special Forces Commander Major General Apty Alaudinov, it costs €8.9 million

Biden to continue his political course during last months as US president — diplomat

The incumbent administration is balancing on the verge of war and peace, Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov said

Ukrainian troops walking away from prepared positions, soldier says

A Ukrainian drone operator with the call sign Groot said that another challenge for Ukraine was a new tactic in which Russia deployed recurrent waves of smaller infantry units of two to four men

ICC not to touch Kiev regime as long as it acts as its ‘toy’ — envoy

"We stand against a strictly established coalition. A coalition, built upon financial mechanisms, military mechanisms, meaning the IMF, the dollar, the NATO - all this cements this coalition, which acts on directions from Washington," the diplomat added

Some 250,000 Gaza residents displaced due to hostilities — UNRWA

Families are repeatedly displaced, carrying what they can amid military operations, UNRWA said

Putin honors TASS with order For Valorous Labor for role in media industry

The award is "for its great contribution to the development of the national mass media and professional achievements," the decree reads

FACTBOX: Gas explosion in apartment building in Perm Region

16 people were evacuated from the building

Iranian General Staff refutes reports about cause of presidential helicopter crash

On May 19, a helicopter carrying Raisi and other Iranian officials crashed in northern Iran

Question of Russian naval base in Sudan can be resolved at any time - diplomats

Russian diplomats in Sudan emphasized that the country "on many occasions refuted Western reports about its alleged plans to terminate the existing intergovernmental agreement with Russia"

Captured Ukrainian soldier says goal was to create semblance of presence in Kursk Region

He and his fellow soldiers rode three armored personnel carriers to a settlement where they immediately came under fire from Russian soldiers

Challenger, Leopard tanks tarnished their reputation in Ukraine operation — Rostec chief

Sergey Chemezov highlighted the Russian T-90M Proryv tank which "is a head above both the British and American tanks, and foreign customers understand this well"

Russian BMP-3 IFV’s armament to include mini-drones — arms manufacturer

Earlier, Rostec announced plans to integrate FPV drones into the armament of light armored vehicles

Russia-China relations unshaken by changes in Ukraine conflict situation — expert

According to Yang Jin, regular contacts between China and Russia in all spheres "will help them to effectively resist pressure and external influence"

Armenia bans import of rodents to avoid monkeypox

The agency specified that this decision will remain in force until the World Health Organization issues a clarification

Press review: NATO complicit in Kursk attack and Russian military officials get new roles

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, August 21st

Ukrainian General Staff says situation around Krasnoarmeisk, Kupyansk tough

The Russian Defense Ministry reported on Wednesday that Russia’s Battlegroup Center had liberated the community of Zhelannoye in the Donetsk People’s Republic

IN BRIEF: In Kursk Region, Ukraine forces regroup, suffer losses

A total of more than 4,400 Ukrainian servicemen have been destroyed during the hostilities

Iran can strike Israel from both air and ground — mission to UN

At the same time, the Iranian mission pointed out that Tehran does not intend to disrupt negotiations on the settlement of the conflict in the Gaza Strip, where the Israeli army is conducting a military operation against Hamas

INTERVIEW: Russian forces control about 50 settlements in Kharkov region — official

The liberated territories have a combined population of around 2,000 people in total, the head of the Kharkov Region's civil-military administration Vitaly Ganchev said

Russia blacklists 32 British think tank experts — Russian Foreign Ministry

The list includes nine structures - Forward Strategy Limited, Institute for Statecraft, Media Diversity Institute, Toro Risk Solutions, Chatham House, Open Knowledge Foundation, Privacy International, Peace Child International, Aga Khan Foundation - and 32 of their employees

Ukrainian forces attack ferry with fuels tanks in port of Kavkaz — Russian officials

No casualties have been reported as yet

IAEA unlikely to admit nuclear safety threats posed by Ukraine — official

A member of the Zaporozhye Region’s legislature, Renat Karchaa said that every time when nuclear risks emerge, the IAEA expresses its "serious concerns," but stops short of naming the culprits

FSB files charges against US, Ukrainian reporters for illegally crossing border into Kursk

According to the press service, the journalists "filmed videos in the vicinity of the town of Sudzha in the Kursk Region"

Russian forces start eliminating Ukrainian troops near Belogorovka from several directions

"This made the operational situation much worse for Ukrainian commanders and the troops stationed in the area," Military expert Andrey Marochko said

Russia offers safe haven for people trying to escape Western liberal ideals

Under the document, such foreign nationals will have the right to apply for temporary residence in Russia "outside the quota approved by the Russian government and without providing documents confirming their knowledge of the Russian language, Russian history and basic laws"

Houthis claim responsibility for attack on Sounion tanker

The spokesman also claimed responsibility for striking the Sw North Wind I commercial ship

Kremlin spokesman says he cannot recall Putin ever talking to Kamala Harris

"When Russian President Vladimir Putin met with US President Joe Biden, Mrs. Harris was not in Geneva," Dmitry Peskov said

Unrecovered bodies of European mercenaries litter Kursk fields — Russian MP

According to Viktor Vodolatsky, the West needed the Ukrainian incursion into the borderline Russian region of Kursk to test how well Russia’s border is protected

Pentagon sees use of US weapons to strike inside Kursk Region as in line with policy

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Ukraine has lost more than 4,700 servicemen and 68 tanks since the start of fighting in the Kursk area

German intelligence agency recruits at computer game expo due to staff shortage

The exhibition features a special BND booth

Ukrainians deserting army en masse, don't want to lay down lives for Zelensky — senator

Sergey Tsekov emphasized that attempts to ban the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which has true believers in Ukraine in an uproar, also play a significant role

Captured Ukrainian soldiers play like they’re civilians, outed by phone data — official

Apty Alaudinov called the Ukrainian soldiers operating in the Kursk Region a bunch of thugs

US may announce new military aid package for Ukraine worth $125mln — AP

According to the report, the package may include air defense missiles, munitions for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems

Ukrainian forces fire cluster munitions at Russian city of Lgov — mayor

Alexey Klemeshov reminded residents not to approach debris and suspicious objects

Botswana finds diamond weighing over 2,400 carats

Lucara Diamond Corporation did not specify the quality and approximate value of the stone

Iran wants tensions with US and Europe to ease, sanctions removed — foreign minister

Abbas Araghchi pointed to the Western "hostile approach" in their engagement with Tehran

Russian troops wipe out military train with Western armaments in DPR over past day

Russian troops improved their tactical position and repelled eight Ukrainian army counterattacks in the Avdeyevka area over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Ukrainian forces fragmented in border area near Kursk — Russian commander

According to the report, "by means of aerial and ground-based reconnaissance," the enemy is being tracked and hit by heavy fire

South Africa works to increase its exports to Russia — embassy

The embassy said that it viewed better trade cooperation between Russia and South Africa as a priority for its work in Moscow

Russian troops liberate Mezhevoye community in DPR over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicted roughly 640 casualties on Ukrainian troops in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

EU issues death sentence to Ukraine, pushing it to suicide — Russian diplomat

Kirill Logvinov said that the European Union is already at a "transitional stage from a global standoff" with Russia to a "direct military and political confrontation"

IAEA receives Russia’s notification about drone fragments found at Kursk NPP

International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi pointed out the nuclear security risks at the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant amid the Ukrainian incursion in the Kursk Region in the statement

6 dead, 11 injured in hotel fire in South Korea

A total of 150 firefighters and 46 special vehicles were involved in the firefighting operation

Press review: Moscow-Beijing ties look for shot in arm and US backdoors new nuke strategy

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, August 22nd

Foreign Ministry to raise issue of Kiev’s crimes in Kursk Region at UN again — envoy

"A great deal will depend on the evidence base that we will gather here through joint efforts to provide confirmed and absolutely verified data," Rodion Miroshnik said

US military destroys three Houthi drones — CENTCOM

According to military, the UAVs was destroed over the Red Sea and in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen

Russia, China enjoy unprecedented high level of cooperation, senior military official

The Russian Defense Ministry reported earlier in the day that a delegation of the Ground Force of the People's Liberation Army of China arrived in Moscow to discuss military cooperation

Russian forces break through Ukrainian defenses near Kupyansk — military expert

"At this time, the Ukrainian command is trying to stabilize the frontline but the shortage of forces and means adversely affects the situation," Andrey Marochko said

One crew member of sunken ferry remains unaccounted for in Port Kavkaz — rescuers

The search effort continues

Iranian agencies define helicopter crash that killed Raisi as accident — Fars

Special services subjected at least 30,000 people to checks after Raisi's death, and concluded that human factor was not to blame, the source said

Russian commander reports presence of active NATO soldiers in Kursk area

Apty Alaudinov specified that he referred to active NATO servicemen

Trump defeats Harris by landslide in Elon Musk’s poll on X social network

More than 5.8 million people took part in the vote

Strikes on Ukrainian reserves, cases against foreign reporters: situation in Kursk Region

An enemy sabotage and reconnaissance group was destroyed west of Skrylievka

Ukrainian forces attack 8 settlements in Belgorod Region, no one injured

According to the governor, two private households and an infrastructure object were damaged in the Shebekino city district

Trump’s hope of getting on well with Russia achievable — adviser

Trump has repeatedly announced his readiness to "get on well" with Russia

Ukraine raised risk of nuclear war for allies, former chief of Romanian intelligence says

"Ukraine understood very well what it was doing," Silviu Predoiu said

Assassination attempt on Putin mentioned by Budanov prepared with US money — Russian MFA

"Yesterday one of chiefs of the Kiev regime Buganov openly admitted that the Ukrainian intelligence service prepared assassination attempts on the Russian president. This assassination attempt was again prepared with US money," Maria Zakharova wrote on her Telegram channel

EU Diplomacy Chief says EU-China trade war unavoidable — South China Morning Post

According to Borrell, the likely aggravation of trade relations between the EU and China "is in line with the logic of things"

Russia proposes to adopt new UN Security Council resolution on Middle East — mission to UN

In his opinion, "it is precisely the manic desire of the United States to ‘monopolize’ the Middle East peace process and to reshape it according to ‘patterns’ suited to Israel that led to the dramatic consequences that we are witnessing today"

Russian forces destroy US-made Abrams tank in borderline Kursk area — commander

"In addition, we have eliminated several artillery guns of various caliber and also several command posts," Major General Apty Alaudinov said

Medvedev rules out peace talks with Kiev until enemy 'completely defeated'

The politician also hinted at those behind the attack on the Kursk Region, making unflattering comments about a former British prime minister

Ukraine prepared attack on Kursk Region 'secretly' — Scholz

The German Chancellor assured that his country will continue to support Ukraine and will remain its major proponent in Europe

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

The Su-34 bomber delivered the strike at reconnoitered fortified enemy targets, Russia’s Defense Ministry said

Ukrainian recruits refuse to fire at Russians, commander says

Ukrainian commanders blame poorly-trained recruits for failures on the eastern flank, especially for the territorial losses in the Krasnoarmeisk area in the Donetsk People’s Republic, where they "enabled Russia’s army to advance"

No need for more massive strikes against facilities in Ukraine — Putin

Currently, other tasks are on the agenda, the president emphasized

Soyuz MS-26 crew members cleared for training for space flight at Baikonur spaceport

A Soyuz-2.1a rocket carrying the Soyuz MS-26 manned spaceship is set to launch from the Baikonur spaceport on September 11

Prime ministers of Russia, China agree to hold next meeting in 2025 — communique

The specific timeframe, venue and format will be agreed further via diplomatic channels

Venezuelan Supreme Court certifies Maduro’s election victory

Edmundo Gonzalez, former candidate from the far-right bloc, never appeared before the Electoral Chamber of the Supreme Court and failed to provide the required documents

Moscow, Washington ‘doomed to interact’ — Russian ambassador

Anatoly Antonov said that he sees "only a potential opportunity"

Ex-prime minister calls Ukraine 'dying country'

According to Nikolay Azarov, Vladimir Zelensky and his predecessor Pyotr Poroshenko have contributed greatly to the country’s demise

Trump could discuss arms control with Russia after building new missile defense — adviser

"You can't start that discussion today with America in such a weak position," Brian Hughes said

Ukrainian lawmaker laments that 'thousands' defect from armed forces

Prior to that, the Ukrainian parliament has passed a bill allowing to pardon AWOL servicemen, who abandoned their posts for the first time, if they agree to resume their military service before the pretrial investigation is completed

US military destroys Houthi radar, missile in Yemen

A surface-to-air missile was destroyed as well, CENTCOM reported

Kremlin has no information about Ukrainian forces shooting down Russian aircraft

"Besides, after all, this is an issue that concerns the course of the special military operation," Dmitry Peskov noted

Palestine invites UN Security Council to visit Gaza Strip

In addition, the Palestinian Permanent Observer at the UN Riyad Mansour called on the Security Council to "ensure President Abbas’ ability to reach the Gaza Strip"

Russian Prosecutor General's Office adds Ukrainian Nazi Hunka on international wanted list

"Despite the reluctance of some countries to fight Nazism, the Prosecutor General's Office managed to obtain a positive decision to include Hunka in the Interpol database," the agency said

Israeli Defense Minister says Hamas’ Rafah Brigade defeated

"The Hamas’ Rafah Brigade has been defeated, and 150 tunnels have been destroyed in this area," Yoav Gallant said

NATO citizens contact Russian embassies for residence permits en masse — diplomat

Maria Zakharova pointed out that, starting on August 19, citizens of other states are allowed to apply to Russia, if they are being persecuted in their states for following traditional values