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Russia’s budget deficit reaches $15.75 bln in January-July

The Finance Ministry noted that the federal budget is executed in accordance with the parameters of the primary structural deficit defined in the budget law

MOSCOW, August 7. /TASS/. Russia’s federal budget deficit for January-July 2024 reached 1.36 trillion rubles ($15.75 bln), according to the preliminary estimate of the Ministry of Finance.

Budget revenues for the reporting period amounted to 19.747 trillion rubles ($228.73 bln), which is 35.9% more than a year earlier, while expenses rose by 23.3% and reached 21.109 trillion rubles ($244.67 bln).

The Finance Ministry noted that the federal budget is executed in accordance with the parameters of the primary structural deficit defined in the budget law, and operations to use and form the National Wealth Fund are carried out within the framework of the budget rule.

Brent crude price exceeds $75 per barrel on ICE for first time since September 3

The price of a WTI crude futures with settlement in November rose by 2.04% to $71.37 per barrel

BRICS platforms alternative to dollar, euro attract increasing number of states — Lavrov

"Many are attracted by the fact that payment platforms are being developed within BRICS, which allow trading, investing, carrying out other economic operations without being dependent on those that decided to weaponize the dollar and the euro," the foreign minister said

Turkey’s top diplomat confirms Ankara seeks to join BRICS

Ankara always looks for new opportunities to expand its trade and economic cooperation anyway, Hakan Fidan added

Biden plans to travel to Germany in mid-October — report

The German government and the White House declined to comment on the report to the NTV

US mistaken if it thinks nuclear conflict would affect Russia, Europe only — diplomat

Anatoly Antonov reiterated that there must never be a nuclear war and that there can be no winners in any nuclear conflict

Two-thirds of Abrams tanks in Ukraine already destroyed — Russia’s deputy OSCE envoy

As Maxim Buyakevich noted, the discussion is afoot in the West about the possibility of using high-accuracy long-range weapons against facilities deep inside Russian territory

Russian National Guard eliminates about 30 Ukrainian vehicles in Kursk Region

The National Guard noted that its troops provide extra protection measures for important state facilities

Import-substituted SJ-100 to make about 200 test flights in 2025 — minister

"We are actually waiting for permission to conduct flight tests," Anton Alikhanov said

Untrained Ukrainian soldiers seen deserting `en masse’ near Kremennaya — expert

The majority of freshly mobilized Ukrainian soldiers have no military specialty record, Andrey Marochko stressed

Gold price reaches new all-time high as Fed cuts interest rate

Prices rose sharply after the US Federal Reserve decided to cut its key interest rate by 0.5 percentage points for the first time in four years to 4.75-5%

Participation of convicts in special military operation needs to be formalized — Kremlin

At a plenary meeting on Wednesday, the State Duma considered draft laws to exempt those mobilized or people who sign up for military service from criminal charges

Bulgarian company may have shipped pagers used in Lebanon blasts, says news portal

According to its information, the Budapest-registered BAC Consulting served merely as an intermediary with the Taiwanese company, while the Sofia-based company was directly involved in purchasing the devices

In case of deep strikes Russia to respond with more powerful weapons — Duma speaker

According to Vyacheslav Volodin, it is crucial for the parliaments of the United States and European countries to "understand and realize what can happen"

Russia destroys key Ukrainian highways leading to DPR’s Krasnoarmeysk — security forces

As a result, according to the security services, Krasnoarmeysk has been virtually cut off from supplies

Zaluzhny objected to attacking Russia’s Kursk Region — media

Russia’s tactical successes and ongoing offensive in Donbass cause big losses in the Ukrainian army, Politico said, citing the Ukrainian military

Tver region governor says no serious injuries in drone attack on Toropets

Earlier reports said a fire occurred at the scene where drone fragments fell in Toropets

Six people died of hunger in Kharkov Region after Ukraine blocked supply routes — official

Yevgeny Lisnyak said the victims were mostly elderly people who struggle to take care of themselves

Russia firmly committed to principles of UN Charter unlike West — Lavrov

In this context, the foreign minister noted with appreciation that the position of Russia enjoys "the broadest support from like-minded BRICS countries and other states of the world majority"

UK Foreign Office summons Russian envoy over expulsion of diplomats from Moscow

The Russian Embassy in London has not yet commented on Andrey Kelin's summons to the Foreign Office

Experience gained in special op thoroughly studied to boost army capabilities — Putin

"We focus attention on the technical rearmament of the army and navy," the Russian leader underlined

IN BRIEF: What is known about new wave of explosions in Lebanon

Explosions of portable radios, phones and other devices running on lithium-ion batteries and solar batteries were recorded in different regions of Lebanon

Islamic State terrorists seeking to destabilize situation in Afghanistan — diplomat

"Of special concern for us are security risks stemming from the continuing terrorist activities of the Islamic State Afghan wing," Vasily Nebenzya said

Ukrainian servicemen captured: developments in Kursk Region

Over the day, Ukraine lost up to 400 troops and 23 armored vehicles

Death toll from walkie-talkie blasts in Lebanon up to 20 — health ministry

According to the ministry’s bulletin posted on its Telegram channel, the number of those wounded has increased to 460

Zelensky may be overthrown if Ukraine fails to hold elections — Ukrainian MP

Ukraine is still facing the question of the legitimacy of power in the absence of parliamentary and presidential elections, which cannot be held during martial law

Moscow categorically disagrees with Armenian PM’s criticism of CSTO — Kremlin

"The CSTO cannot and does not pose any threat to Armenia’s sovereignty," Dmitry Peskov stressed

Israeli intel officials sent messages in Arabic to pagers before they exploded — media

According to the report, the officers assumed that some pager owners believed the messages were from the supreme leadership of the Shiite Hezbollah movement

Lebanon blasts must be thoroughly investigated — Russian Duma speaker

In Vyacheslav Volodin's opinion, the possibility of mass production of "such ‘weapons’ takes terrorism to a new level"

Putin extends food embargo on imports from Western countries for two years

The food embargo, introduced in response to the unfriendly actions of the West, has been in effect in Russia since August 7, 2014

Hungarian BAC company denies involvement in pager blasts in Lebanon — media

BAC Consulting has blocked access to its website following claims by Gold Apollo, the Hungarian Telex website reported

Harris may meet with Zelensky next week — agency

According to the sources, Zelensky also hopes to meet with US President Joe Biden in New York

NATO sets new tasks for Tallinn in event of conflict with Russia — Estonian General Staff

Major General Vahur Karus noted that, as opposed to a decade ago, Estonia can unequivocally count on allied units, stationed on its soil, to immediately participate in a conflict with Russia

Expulsion of British diplomats from Moscow a logical response to London — Russian embassy

"In the context of the discussion of the current situation in bilateral relations, Andrey Kelin, at the request of the British side, explained the motives behind the Russian side’s decision," the statement reads

Press review: US shifts rhetoric on Ukraine and walkie-talkie explosions rock Lebanon

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, September 19th

Mexican president-elect refuses to visit Ukraine

"I will attend certain international events, which we consider important, but we will not travel much - our responsibility lies here," Claudia Sheinbaum said

Moldova stepping up pressure on Transnistria under pretext of EU integration — Tiraspol

"Citing the EU standards, Moldova plans to toughen imports of all types of packaged merchandise, including food, to Transnistria," Transnistrian foreign ministry said

Belarus ready to cooperate with Ukraine on same terms as with DPR

Alexander Lukashenko stressed that by cooperating with the DPR, Belarus "is absolutely not violating any international norms"

Putin instructs authorities to support small producers of drones

The Russian leader noted that products manufactured by small enterprises, including drones, are not inferior in quality to those made by large ones

First MC-21 flight in fully imported version expected this year — minister

The domestic MC-21 is the most promising aircraft for international markets, Anton Alikhanov said

US afraid Israel may launch offensive in Lebanon — media

The newspaper emphasized that Israel had deployed a military contingent of thousands of special forces and paratroopers from the south to the north of the country

In contrast to Lebanon pager attacks in Russia impossible — expert

Anton Nemkin explained that nowadays almost all the functions that pagers once performed have been completely taken over by smartphones, messengers, social networks and e-mail

Explosives in Lebanon pagers undetectable by import-control equipment — report

Sources in the Lebanese security forces told the television channel that the explosives were planted in the pagers by the Israeli Military Intelligence and Mossad

Russian aviation wipes out base of Ukrainian militants in DPR — expert

The Russian Aerospace Forces delivered a strike with a glide munition

Russian forces move to better positions in Zaporozhye Region — politician

The Russian forces are making progress in the Orekhov direction near Malaya Tokmachka, Novodanilovka, and Marfopol

Lula da Silva, Putin discuss Brazilian-Chinese peace plan for Ukraine

"The two presidents talked about the meeting and the subjects to be discussed at the BRICS summit next month in Kazan, as well as bilateral relations between the countries," the statement reads

North Korea test launches new short-range ballistic missile

The launch was carried out on September 18 to test its accuracy at a distance of up to 320 kilometers, KCNA said

Snowden said exploding pagers in Lebanon likely to be stuffed with explosives

Former NSA employee and whistleblower blamed Israel for this, slamming its actions as reckless, bordering on terrorism

First five Baikal aircraft will be delivered in 2026 — minister

"It has been decided that we will switch to the domestic VK-800 engine," Anton Alikhanov said

IN BRIEF: Ex-Ukrainian intel officer’s car blown up in northern Moscow

The explosion occurred in a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado off-road vehicle parked on Korovinskoye highway in the north of Moscow, when the driver started the SUV

Medvedev allows use of nuclear weapons by Russia when ‘patience runs out’

The politician underscored that no one really needs a nuclear conflict - it is "a very bad story with a very difficult outcome."

UN chief, Security Council should condemn attack on Iran’s ambassador in Lebanon — mission

Iranian mission said that UN must also condemn "violations of Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and attacks and targeting of Lebanese civilians"

Russia's successor to McDonald's prepares to enter foreign markets

The chain's owner Alexander Govor said in early September that Vkusno I Tochka was ready to open restaurants in the Chinese city of Heihe and is waiting for the US company's decision on this issue

Harris holds slim lead over Trump in latest poll

According to the poll, 50% of its participants are ready to support Harris at the presidential election, with 48% of those polled supporting Trump

Peace talks between Russia, Ukraine unlikely to happen in near future — DPR head

As Denis Pushilin noted, for now the word "peace" is interpreted in different ways, but everything should end in negotiations sooner or later

Two people killed, seven injured in shooting in downtown Moscow

The list of wounded includes two law enforcement officers who arrived at the site to stop criminal actions

Thirteen people in hospital after drone attack on Tver Region — Russian Health Ministry

Aide to the Russian health minister Alexey Kuznetsov noted that 15 more people were being examined by doctors

Expert: Demand for Far Eastern, Arctic hectares is growing

More than 140,000 people have participated in the program, and more than 92,000 hectares of land have been allocated for free

Pashinyan's words about CSTO posing threat to Armenia cause concerns — expert

"His ill-considered and reckless policy of reorienting Armenia strategically away from Russia and toward the West has been one of the main issues on which I have focused my critical attention," Arman Grigoryan stressed

Kremlin spokesman explains why Kremlin has resumed publications on YouTube

It was done in order to have more possibilities to reach foreign audiences, Dmitry Peskov said

European Parliament urges end to restrictions on strikes on Russia with Western weapons

In addition, the EU member states and NATO allies are asked to "collectively and individually commit to supporting Ukraine militarily, with no less than 0.25% of their GDP annually"

Kiev asks West's permission for strikes on Russia, funds for defense, NATO membership

Kiev believes these measures would increase pressure on Moscow in military, economic, political, and diplomatic terms

Seoul warns Russia, North Korea of consequences if they threaten its security

Yoon Suk Yeol told ahead of his visit to the Czech Republic, where he said he plans to discuss Russia’s cooperation with North Korea, as well as Pyongyang’s nuclear missile program

New bomber Tupolev-22M3M presented in Kazan

The Tupolev-22M3M was equipped with the newest on-board digital radio-electronic equipment

Iran pledges to take measures in response to attack on ambassador in Lebanon

Iran’s Permanent Mission to the UN said that "the continued terrorist actions and violations of international law by the Israeli regime pose a serious threat to international peace and security"

Russia’s battlegroup Center repels 9 Ukrainian attacks, inflicts over 510 enemy casualties

According to the report, the enemy sustained more than 510 casualties and lost two vehicles, a Msta-B 152mm howitzer, a D-30 122mm howitzer, a US-made M101 105mm artillery mount and a Rapira 100mm anti-tank gun

West needs to sacrifice Zelensky to avoid World War III — politician

Viktor Medvedchuk emphasized that Russia may intensify its attacks on Ukraine which practically lacks its own air force or nuclear weapons

European Parliament calls for arrest warrant for Maduro

The lawmakers recognized Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia as the legitimate president of Venezuela and urged EU member countries to do the same

Turkish banks want to stop transactions with Russia, transfer them to one bank — source

The issue reportedly concerns private and state-owned Turkish banks that do not have foreign partners, mainly Western ones

Senior Russian lawmaker warns that calls for long-range strikes open way to nuclear war

Vyacheslav Volodin commented on a recent resolution of the European Parliament to allow strikes inside Russia with Western weapons

US House of Representatives fails to pass government funding bill until March 2025

The document was supported by 202 members of the House while 220 voted against

FACTBOX: What is known about shooting at Wildberries office in central Moscow

The shooting took place at the entrance to the Wildberries office in the Romanov Dvor business center, the emergency services reported

Four members of female cell of terrorist group arrested by Kazan court

According to the investigation, the accused women were members of the Islamic Liberation Party international terrorist organization

Lukashenko confirms readiness to develop cooperation with DPR

The Belarusian leader emphasized that the DPR could count on Belarus when it came to restoring and developing the region

US strengthens military alliances, groups against China — Chinese Foreign Ministry

"China seeks friendly cooperation with all countries of the world and normal relations with other states without targeting third parties," Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lin Jian said

Russian forces take control of two settlements in Kursk Region

According to Major General Apty Alaudinov, the entire frontline in moving forward, with Ukrainian soldiers surrendering

Israel notified US ahead of Lebanon operation, but gave no details of its plans — CNN

It was reported that Israeli officials had not notified their US counterparts until reports of hundreds of exploding pagers started coming from Lebanon

Russia increases size of armed forces to staff new military districts — Putin

The decree will come into force on December 1,

Rising number of dead foreigners in Ukraine proves West's involvement — envoy to UN

"We have warned from the beginning that those who help the Zelensky clique stay afloat will become our legitimate targets," Vasily Nebezya reminded

Israel behind Hezbollah walkie-talkie explosions — media

According to the sources, the walkie-talkies were stuffed with explosives in advance by Israeli intelligence and then supplied to Hezbollah as par of the emergency communication system to be used during combat operations with Israel

Ukrainian breakthrough attempts thwarted: developments in Kursk Region

The Russian military repelled three attempts by the Ukrainian military to break through the border near Novy Put, Malaya Obukhovka and Medvezhye

Israel set up fake pager manufacturing company — media

The newspaper noted that at least two other front companies were set up to conceal the identities of Israeli intelligence officers involved in the operation

West is persuading Ukraine to give up claims to 1991 borders — legislator

Yegor Chernev shared a "feeling" that the Western world is ready to declare as a victory for Ukraine at least the fact that "Kiev has not fallen" and that it "has not lost its sovereignty"

Russian units strike energy facilities of Ukrainian military-industrial complex

Russia’s battlegroup Center has continued to advance into enemy defenses and wiped out more than 500 Ukrainian servicemen over the past 24 hours, the Defense Ministry said

Bulgaria denies involvement in supplying pagers detonated in Lebanon

The Bulgarian State National Security Agency said that it had initiated inspections "regarding the involvement of the company registered in Bulgaria" in cooperation with relevant agencies

Moldova may organize energy blockade of Transnistria — Moldova’s ex-president

"I think the highest risks are linked with gas transit via Ukraine," Igor Dodon said

Russia strongly condemns unprecedented attack on Lebanon, its citizens — MFA

"In all likelihood the organizers of this high-tech attack purposefully sought to foment a large-scale armed confrontation with the aim to provoke a major war in the Middle East," Maria Zakharova said

Exploding pagers disrupt Hezbollah’s communications network — ex-CIA operative

According to Robert Baer, the pager attack rendered the Lebanese Shia group unable to coordinate operations effectively, giving Israel a significant strategic advantage

Russian troops entrenched in liberated settlements of Kursk Region’s Sudzha District

According to commander of the Akhmat special forces unit Apty Alaudinov, the situation is under control

Kiev regime fired its missile at Kharkov park, but blamed Russia — official

On August 31, 2024, the forces of the Ukrainian air defense system carried out a false launch of an anti-aircraft guided missile, which hit civilian objects in the area of Yuriev Park in Kharkov, Yevgeny Lisnyak said

Trump says may meet with Zelensky next week — agency

Republican presidential candidate did not say however where and when this meeting might take place

Putin examines kamikaze drones, unmanned systems at St. Petersburg defense plant

The Russian president was accompanied by Defense Minister Andrey Belousov, First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration Maxim Oreshkin and Presidential Aide Alexey Dyumin

Global challenges should be solved through joint effort, says Putin

The Russian leader said that the Eurasian Women’s Forum is "one of the more prestigious international venues which showcases the potential and opportunities of modern women"

Pavel Durov shows no interest in contacts with Russian authorities — envoy

According to Russian Ambassador to France Alexey Meshkov, the French treat Durov’s case as an interaction between the state of France and its citizen

Member of Yemen’s presidential council arrives in Moscow — agency

According to the Yemeni news agency, Saleh is expected to hold a number of meetings with Russian officials during his visit, which will last a few days

New wave of explosions in Lebanon affects personal devices, including phones — TV

According to the report, radios, phones, fingerprint devices, as well as devices working on solar and lithium-ion batteries exploded in different regions of the country

Israeli military chief endorses defensive, offensive plans for country’s north

Israeli forces are on high alert in the north of the country, Halevi said following the meetings

Israel unveils new Gaza deal proposal to US — media

According to the report, the new Israeli plan also envisages the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails, the demilitarization of the enclave and the establishment of a new power mechanism in Gaza, the end of the military operation in the Strip

Ukraine lost in conflict with Russia, says Iranian lawmaker

Abolfazl Zohrevand pointed out that the country’s Foreign Ministry has repeatedly denied allegations of arms sales

Press review: Russia moves to boost its army and Zelensky to present victory plan to Biden

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, September 17th

Press review: Hezbollah pagers attack threatens wider war and Russia ready to test nukes

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, September 18th

Japanese company probing into reports that its walkie-talkies exploded in Lebanon

The company said that it received information that walkie-talkies with its logo had exploded in Lebanon and promised to share the results of the probe