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RTS Index down more than 1.5% amid growing currency rates

The MOEX Russia Index slowed down to 2,785.77 points

MOSCOW, August 20. /TASS/. The RTS Index lost more than 1.5% on the Moscow Exchange on the back of growing official dollar and euro rates.

The RTS Index plunged by 1.32% to 968.67 points and continued falling to 967.62 points (-1.51%). At the same time, the MOEX Russia Index slowed down to 2,785.77 points (+0,36%).

The reason of volatility was the update of the indicative ruble rate. The Bank of Russia set the official dollar rate at 90.6944 rubles for August 21, up 1.15 rubles against the previous indicator.

The official euro rate grew by 1.27 rubles to 100.204 rubles.

Gas supply by Gazprom for Europe through Ukraine totals 42.4 mcm via Sudzha

The nomination for the Sokhranovka gas pumping station has been rejected

Russian air defenses destroy 29 Ukrainian drones over seven regions overnight

During the past night, the Kiev regime’s attempted terrorist attack on facilities in Russia with the use of fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles was thwarted

Countries need to grasp consequences of hosting US military bases — Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova cited Germany, which portrays itself as a democratic state with a well-developed legal system, as an example

No White House announcement regarding strikes inside Russia following Biden-Starmer talks

The two leaders discussed the situation in Ukraine and expressed concern about the alleged provision of weapons to Russia by Iran and North Korea and " the People’s Republic of China’s support to Russia’s defense industrial base"

North Korea’s Kim lauds relations with Moscow as rapidly developing at meeting with Shoigu

"He gave his assurances that the North Korean government will continue to expand cooperation with Russia in the spirit of a comprehensive strategic partnership," the state-owned radio broadcaster said

Russian diplomat says Nuland’s statements prove US played role in disrupting Ukraine deal

"The West has never been interested in a political and diplomatic settlement of the Ukrainian crisis," Maria Zakharova noted

Russian arms get the job done in special op — senior military official

Alexander Fomin noted that "Western weapon systems, purportedly possessing some high performance characteristics, according to promotional ads, burn perfectly well on the battlefield without any chances for restoration"

Sweden cannot accept world data on stability of Russian economy — Foreign Ministry

"Sweden is worried that for some reason sanctions are not working and that 'Russian propaganda is lying about the stability of the Russian economy'," Maria Zakharova said

New Russian combat equipment in 2024

North Korea shows off enriched uranium production facility for first time — media

The news agency noted that this was the first time that North Korea had publicly disclosed any details about its uranium enrichment site via state media

Media people from global majority to gather at BRICS Media Summit in Moscow

Panel discussions will cover the role of the BRICS media community in bolstering stability in a multipolar world

Gas supply by Gazprom for Europe through Ukraine totals 42.4 mcm via Sudzha

The nomination for the Sokhranovka gas pumping station has been rejected

Ukraine’s failed attack on drilling rig may be sign of infighting in its military — expert

According to Vasily Prozorov, the attack might be a result of infighting between Kirill Budanov and Alexander Syrsky

Drug supplies to Ukrainian army come from US — POW

It is reported that under some psychotropics a person can stay awake for a week

Iran confirms president’s participation in BRICS summit in Kazan — envoy to Russia

Mr. Pezeshkian, president of the Islamic Republic of Iran, will take part in the summit in Kazan

Russian aviation hit formations of 7 Ukrainian brigades in Kursk region — Defense Ministry

It also struck reserves of 11 brigades in the Sumy region, the ministry reported

US imposes sanctions on Rossiya Segodnya media group, TV-Novosti, Eurasia NGO

Restrictions are also imposed on Eurasia NGO Director Nelly Parutenko

Ukrainian breakthrough attempts repelled: developments in Kursk Region

Over the day, the enemy lost up to 300 troops and seven tanks, the Russian Defense Ministry reported

Putin meets with BRICS representatives on security in St. Petersburg

After the meeting with them, bilateral talks with some of the visiting BRICS representatives are also possible

West's decision to attack deep into Russia won’t change situation on front — commander

"For us, nothing will change directly on the front, because the front is moving and will continue to move until Russia wins," Apty Alaudinov emphasized

Russia will not tolerate activities of undeclared British secret service officers — MFA

"Our uncompromising stance on this issue will be formulated in accordance with the interests of national security," Maria Zakharova stated

China’s maritime police send two ships to Russia for joint patrols

"The Sino-Russian drills and joint patrols are not directed against any third sides and have nothing to do with the current international and regional situation," China’s Coast Guard said

Biden to focus on support for Ukraine at end of his term in office — White House

Jake Sullivan reiterated that Biden will meet with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky on the sidelines of a UN General Assembly

Russia to see NATO’s permit to use long-range weapons as direct involvement in war

According to the Russian diplomat, such a scenario would cardinally change Moscow’s relations with Western countries

US-led coalition's aircraft violate Syrian airspace nine times in past day

No shelling attacks on Syrian pro-government forces were registered in the Idlib de-escalation zone in the past day

Iranian embassy says Sky News report on missile deliveries to Russia speculative fiction

"No evidence of missiles being loaded or unloaded, and the location isn’t even specified," the embassy said

Attacks with Western weapons on Russia can backfire on NATO — expert

"It may even come to nuclear strikes, but I hope this won't happen," Sergey Karaganov said

Over 20 country leaders confirm participation in BRICS summit in Kazan — senior diplomat

Russia assumed the one-year rotating chairmanship of the BRICS intergovernmental group on January 1, 2024

German jets scrambled over Baltic Sea over Russian Tu-142, Su-30 planes

Such mutual checks are mostly routine

Finland’s territory not to be used to attacks against Russia — General Staff

Finnish Defense Forces General Staff noted that it monitors the situation around the attack of Ukrainian drones in the Murmansk Region

New names may emerge in Crocus City Hall terror attack investigation

One of the suspects, Mukhammad Zoir Sharipzoda, "may contact other unidentified co-conspirators in the crime" if he is not placed in pretrial custody

Press review: Kiev bets on own arms production and US, NATO bearing down on Latin America

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, September 9th

BRICS is not a platform for settling political scores — Russian Deputy Foreign Minister

The Deputy Foreign Minister stressed that the platform is designed to "be closer to people, closer to normal life, to healthy values"

Houthi leader says US strikes fail to stop attacks on ships

According to al-Houthi, at least 24 strikes were carried out last week on the provinces of al-Hodeidah, Ibb, Marib, Saada and Taiz

West fully supported Ukraine’s assault on Russia’s Kursk Region — Defense Ministry

As Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin noted, it was proved "that the 'Ukraine project,' at least since the Maidan coup, has been and still remains an instrument of the collective West"

Israeli police detain 15 people after protest in Tel-Aviv

According to the statement, the detainees laid bonfires on roadways, failed to obey police orders and even clashed with law enforcers

US seeks to drive wedge between Russia, Argentina — ambassador

The US accused RT television and Russia in general of attempts to ‘destabilize’ the government of Argentinian President Javier Milei, but Russia has never intervened into sovereign affairs of other countires, Dmitry Feoktistov said

Moscow’s verbal signals to West about escalation need to be changed — senior diplomat

Ryabkov called on "the political and military leadership of Russia's opponents to weigh the severity of the consequences that could arise as a result of their irresponsible, extremely dangerous actions."

Moscow views transfer of Russian aircraft to Ukraine by Portugal as hostile move — MFA

According to Maria Zakharova, it is evident that in this way Lisbon "is seeking to faithfully demonstrate its allied zeal and obedient compliance with the trajectory imposed on the Europeans by their handlers from across the ocean"

Biden tells reporters he doesn’t think much about Putin

The Russian leader told the media earlier that NATO countries are not just debating about Kiev's possible use of Western long-range weapons but rather they are essentially making up their mind whether to get directly involved in the Ukraine conflict or not

Anti-Trump Republicans gather $35 million for his rival Harris

Experts interviewed by Newsweek believe that longtime Republicans who openly campaign against Trump could sway portions of the electorate in tight battleground states

Criminal case into Ukraine’s attack on Kursk has over 200 volumes — official

Among the charges that are now being investigated are murders, attempted murders and terrorism

NATO making plans of sending its troops to Ukraine — Russian deputy defense minister

According to Alexander Fomin, this may lead to a direct military confrontation of nuclear powers

White House taking Putin’s words about NATO’s involvement in Ukrainian conflict seriously

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that by allowing Ukraine to use its weapons to strike deep inside Russia the West will get directly involved in the Ukrainian conflict

New UN Secretary-General may be elected for 7 years for first time — UN General Assembly

The office term of the United Nations current Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, expires on December 31

Russian diplomat slams plans to simulate nuclear blast aftermath in Russia as absurd

Mikhail Ulyanov noted that such rhetoric is irresponsible

Proposal to limit titanium, nickel exports not related to arms supplies to Kiev — Kremlin

No details on how the initiative of Russian President Vladimir Putin on restricting titanium and nickel exports will be implemented are available yet, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters

Georgia to apologize for war that Saakashvili started against Ossetians — ruling party

Bidzina Ivanishvili said that the ruling party needs to get a constitutional majority in the new parliament in order to put Saakashvili's party on trial for unleashing the 2008 war

US seeks to divide Russia and Iran with statements about missiles, but won’t succeed — MFA

"Our cooperation has stood the test of time," the senior diplomat Sergey Ryabkov said

Netherlands unable to send Patriot system to Ukraine after unnamed ally leaves it hanging

In June, the Netherlands announced that it and an ally had teamed up to jointly provide Ukraine with a Patriot air defense system

Moscow knows the West has already decided to strike deep into Russia — senior diplomat

"The President spoke very clearly on this topic. We know that the corresponding decisions were made some time ago, and signals of this kind have been transmitted to Kiev," the high-ranking diplomat said, answering a question on the matter

BRICS security leaders convene in St. Petersburg to discuss new world order

According to the preliminary agenda, the representatives of the BRICS group, chaired this year by Russia, intend to talk about how to work together to counter the "rules-based order" imposed by the West

Senior Russian diplomat sees BRICS as model for equitable communication between countries

According to Ryabkov, years of joint work in BRICS created "a special culture of dialogue"

Russia communicates messages to US to avert uncontrollable crisis — senior diplomat

Communication with the United States is conducted through embassies and occasionally at other levels, Sergey Ryabkov said

G7 demands that Iran halt alleged transfer of missiles to Russia

Moscow and Tehran have repeatedly rejected theories of Iranian arms deliveries to Russia for use in Ukraine

Hungary has more unexpected peace initiatives on Ukraine in stock, PM Orban says

Budapest plans to "continue to have unexpected initiatives that will each take us one step closer to peace," the Hungarian Prime Minister said

Six UK diplomats working in Moscow engaged in intelligence, subversive activities — FSB

"The revealed facts give grounds to consider the activities of UK diplomats sent to Moscow by the Directorate as a threat to Russia’s security," the report said

NATO has been prepping Ukraine for war with Russia for eight years, Ukrainian POW says

It is noted that the Ukrainian media outlets have been deliberately shaping Russia’s negative image

Press review: BRICS challenges existing security concepts and Europe's economy in trouble

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, September 13th

Russia waits for US to explain how warfare agent got in hands Ukrainian troops — diplomat

"The Russian side thoroughly registers chemical incidents evidencing that Ukraine violates its commitments under the CWC," Vasily Nebenzya said

Russian-Chinese 2024 military cooperation plan lists over 100 events

Such events include strategic exercises, drills for various services and braches of the armed forces, training of military specialists, sharing experience, etc.

Bus accident in Egypt leaves 46 people wounded, including 21 Russians — newspaper

They were taken to hospitals

Ukraine has highest mortality rate in world — report

Earlier, the Opendatabot resource, which monitors Ukrainian state registers, reported that now for every person born in Ukraine, three people die

West afraid to even discuss interception of Russian missiles over Ukraine, Zelensky admits

Vladimir Zelensky noted that Western states did discuss ensuring Israel’s air defense during the Iranian attack on April 13, but they refuse to make the same steps for Ukraine

TASS celebrates its 120th anniversary in Bolshoi Theater

At start of the event, the news agency’s staff and veterans were congratulated by Russian President Vladimir Putin

Russian cosmonauts Kononenko and Chub mark one year in space

The two cosmonauts were sent to the orbit aboard the Soyuz MS-24 manned spacecraft, which blasted off from the Baikonur space launch center on September 15, 2023

More rallies demanding release of Israeli hostages from Gaza held in Israel

They were chanting slogans in support of Israel, and carried Israeli flags

Severing diplomatic relations with UK out of question — Kremlin

Earlier, an anonymous representative of the Russian security services said that six UK diplomats had been expelled from Russia

Over 280 port infrastructure facilities in Ukraine destroyed or damaged — official

The Nikolayev and Odessa regional authorities periodically report port infrastructure and warehouse damage and Kiev calls for strengthening the country’s air defense

German chancellor calls for unbiased investigation into Nord Stream sabotage

"If we manage to catch them, we want to try them in Germany," Olaf Scholz said

No weapon can become game changer for Kiev — Pentagon

In Washington’s opinion, Ukraine should focus on employing capabilities currently at its disposal

Trump’s plan on Ukraine envisages demilitarized zone, Kiev’s neutrality — running mate

Apart from that, "the Germans and other countries have to fund some Ukrainian reconstruction", David Vance said

Storm Shadow missile strikes into Russian territory not to help Ukraine win — BBC reporter

According to Jeremy Bowen, if Ukraine is allowed to hit Russia with Western missiles, it might add another layer to the conflict and certainly give the Ukrainians another means to hit Russia with, but it will not bring Ukraine victory in the war

Bank of Russia’s chief names main disadvantages of high inflation for Russia

Elvira Nabiullina stressed that high inflation meant greater price volatility

Russian forces consolidating gains near Kupyansk, military expert says

"After successful operations in the Kupyansk direction, our troops, let’s say, are consolidating gains and tightening up their flanks," Andrey Marochko said

Musk warns of looming World War Three if US approves strikes on Russian soil

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said that Washington’s intention to let Kiev use its long-range projectiles for strikes deep into Russia’s interior is another step in escalating the conflict

Bank of Russia confirms resumption of consultations with IMF

Head of the regulator Elvira Nabiullina said that it is "a routine, permanent practice for all IMF members"

Ukrainian forces lost up to 520 troops in Battlegroup West zone of responsibility

The enemy also lost six vehicles, a UK-made 155-mm Braveheart self-propelled howitzer, two 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer and two electronic warfare stations

Russian envoy says he received calls from US ex-officials following Putin’s statements

Earlier Russian president warned that a potential decision to allow Ukraine to deliver long-range strikes inside Russia may have consequences

Developer states constant upgrade of Forpost UAV based on its use in special military op

According to the developer, the Forpost was developed to solve reconnaissance and strike tasks in conditions where the enemy does not have a highly organized air defense system, and within the Air Defense Forces the system is used where there is no enemy counteraction

German chancellor calls for unbiased investigation into Nord Stream sabotage

"It was a terrorist attack," Olaf Scholz told

Zelensky says Biden responsible for his ‘peace plan’

The Ukrainian president said that he was unable to fully disclose his initiative because he had given his word to the American president

Zelensky urges US congressmen to speed up arms deliveries for his troops

In Ukrainian President words, "any delays in military [aid] deliveries have a negative effect on the front"

Rhetoric about lifting ban on strikes into Russia with Western arms doesn’t promote peace

Ukraine will be among the items high on the agenda of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres' various bilateral meetings

Press review: UK may jettison Russian sanctions and Berlin eyes olive branch on Ukraine

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, September 10th

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."

Kiev switches mercenaries to Kupyansk to hold back advance of Russian forces — expert

The expert specified that the Ukrainian national battalions near Kupyansk "are engaged in their traditional activities", playing the role of a "deterrent" - barrier detachments

US not ready for dialogue with Russia on Ukraine, Russian ambassador says

"The Americans are unwilling to negotiate. They are uncomfortable discussing that. They say they do not control the Ukrainians," Anatoly Antonov said

Russia, China carry out live fire drills in Sea of Japan during Ocean-2024 exercise

According to the ministry, ships from Russia’s Pacific Fleet and China’s PLA Navy, acting as part of a joint detachment, practiced various defense strategies while moving through operational zones in the central part of the Sea of Japan

Plane with 103 Russian POWs lands near Moscow

They were swapped for 103 Ukrainian POWs

BRICS Media summit participants to adopt final declaration

The event will be attended by heads of media outlets and government officials from Venezuela, India, Iran, Russia and Switzerland

Russia expects explanation from Turkey about Azov commanders’ return to Kiev — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov noted that the Russian and Turkish foreign ministers had already held a telephone conversation on this issue and "there is certainly more contact to follow at other levels as well"

Scholz says he won’t allow Ukraine to use German weapons for strikes deep inside Russia

According to the chancellor, permission for Ukraine to strike deep inside Russia would be a problem and he won’t allow that

Putin's statement on consequences of strikes deep into Russia reaches addressees — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov pointed out that Putin's statement admitted of no dual interpretations

Russia’s response to long-range weapons supplies to Kiev will be brutal — MFA

"The opponents in Washington, London, and other places clearly underestimate the degree of danger of the game they continue to play," Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Ryabkov said

Russia’s National Guard wipes out 5 Ukrainian strongholds in borderline Kursk Region

It is noted that its units in Russia’s borderline Kursk Region continue to detect and eliminate the camouflaged positions of Ukrainian military personnel and hardware

Putin hopes BRICS Media Summit will strengthen group

Moscow is hosting the BRICS Media Summit from September 13-17

Russian air defenses shoot down Ukrainian drone above Ryazan Region — ministry

Air defense units on duty destroyed the Ukrainian drone above the territory of the Ryazan Region

Russia, Turkey disagree on Crimea’s status, Moscow keeps persuading Ankara — Kremlin

"We hope that over time this will allow Ankara to understand us better and to agree with our arguments," Dmitry Peskov explained

US not to be able to sit nuclear conflict in Europe out — Russian ambassador

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said earlier that nuclear terrorists is the Kiev regime’s hallmark

UK to be remembered in history as sponsor of Ukrainian terrorists — Russian embassy

The Russian diplomatic mission said that "in an attempt to overcome their clients’ negative developments on the battlefield, the UK government seems to be close to stepping onto a yet another dangerous turn in the escalation spiral."