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German exports to Russia increased by 18.9% in July compared to June

Overall, taking into account calendar and seasonal adjustments, in July 2024 the volume of German exports amounted to 130 bln euro, imports to Germany - 113.2 bln euro

BERLIN, 6 September. /TASS/. German exports to Russia in July increased by 18.9% compared to June and amounted to 0.7 bln euro, according to the Federal Statistical Office of Germany.

In comparison with July 2023, exports decreased by 6.5%. Imports of Russian goods to Germany in July decreased by 6.5% compared to June to 0.1 bln euro, compared to July 2023 - by 37.5%.

Overall, taking into account calendar and seasonal adjustments, in July 2024 the volume of German exports amounted to 130 bln euro, imports to Germany - 113.2 bln euro. Thus, German exports in July increased by 1.7% compared to the previous month, while imports increased by 5.4%. Compared to July 2023, exports decreased by 1.2%, while imports decreased by 0.1%. Germany's foreign trade balance closed with a surplus of 16.8 bln euro in July 2024.

Hungarian PM highlights need to lift sanctions on Russia once Ukraine conflict is resolved

Viktor Obran added, however, that only a couple of EU countries shared Hungary’s position

Response to Ukrainian attack on Russia’s Rylsk to come shortly — Russia’s UN envoy

Vasily Nebenzya warned as he denounced the attack as yet another unambiguous step by the Kiev regime toward escalation

Aleppo taken by 350 militants while 30,000 gov’t troops retreated without fight — Putin

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Banks find opportunity to work under sanctions — Central Bank chief

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Three of eight drones that attacked Kazan targeted defense industry facilities — head

The Tatarstan head Rustam Minnikhanov also noted that all operational services worked well when dealing with the aftermath of the drone attack

Several HIMARS rockets downed over Kursk Region as Ukraine continues attacks

Acting Governor Alexander Khinshtein added that he was currently in Moscow for a State Council meeting but planned to travel to Rylsk as soon as possible

Acting Kursk region governor revises death toll in Rylsk attack down to five

The number of those injured in the missile attack was revised up to 12 from 10

CIA station in Kiev targeted in recent Russian attack, military expert reveals

According to Alexander Stepanov, strikes are systematic efforts to gradually wipe out the military capabilities of Ukraine

Putin challenges West to try to intercept Oreshnik missile in Kiev

"Let them choose a target, say, in Kiev, and amass their air and missile defense systems there, while we will launch an Oreshnik missile at the target," the Russian leader said

Arkhangelsk nuclear submarine ready to join Russian Navy — Sevmash Shipyard CEO

Project 885M nuclear-powered submarines carry Oniks and Kalibr-PL cruise missiles as their basic strike weapons

Social facilities, homes damaged by Ukrainian missile attack on Rylsk — acting governor

"The buildings of the House of Culture, physical fitness center, teachers’ training college, school, firefighting depot and private households were damaged," Alexander Khinshtein said

FACTBOX: Ukraine shells Kursk Region's Rylsk

All emergency response services are working at the site of the strike

Putin calls issue of Vladimir Lenin’s burial extremely sensitive

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Russia manages situation in Ukraine, while West in big trouble — US political scientist

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Russia has no concerns about who attends Trump's inauguration — senior diplomat

According to Sergey Ryabkov, this issue lies "on the periphery" for Moscow, and Russia views it "detachedly"

Magdeburg attacker may be charged with murder of 5, attempted murder of 205 — prosecutor

The motive for committing the crime could have been dissatisfaction with the treatment of Saudi refugees in Germany, Dr. Horst Nopens, Head of the Magdeburg Public Prosecutor’s office, said

German president intends to dissolve Bundestag on December 27

On December 16, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz asked President Steinmeier to dissolve the Bundestag after the failure of the vote of confidence

Putin meets with Federation Council Speaker Matviyenko in Kremlin

The upper chamber of the parliament wrapped up its autumn session

Putin responds to question about Russia's weakness by quoting Mark Twain

The president noted that Russia had become much stronger over the past two or three years as it became a truly sovereign country

Ship with sailors from Syria, Egypt sends distress signal in Kerch Strait

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UK unwilling to send military instructors to Ukraine for fear of Russian attacks — media

According to a source, "Russians would target any kind of Western assistance inside Ukraine"

Trump wants NATO countries to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP — FT

The sources also told the Financial Times that Donald Trump intends to continue the military aid to Ukraine despite the statements he made during his presidential campaign

US grants 3-month exemption from sanctions on Gazprombank for Hungary — Orban

Hungary will now be in a relatively safe position for several months, the prime minister said

German chancellor exasperated by idea of spending frozen Russian assets to help Kiev

According to the Financial Times, the idea was promoted by the US and UK but resisted by Germany, France and Italy

Russia recognizes Ukrainian businessman Akhmetov as extremist

According to the Justice Ministry, the Ukrainian businessman belongs to the group which "is based on ideological and property interests clearly aimed against Russia"

Hungarian PM highlights need to lift sanctions on Russia once Ukraine conflict is resolved

Viktor Obran added, however, that only a couple of EU countries shared Hungary’s position

West should consider Putin's words on Oreshnik missile duel — diplomat

Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova emphasized that the rhetoric about "inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia" is firmly rooted in the mentality of the NATO regimes not at all as hypothetical assumptions

Kremlin mum on reports about Slovakian prime minister's plans to visit Moscow

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said earlier that the Slovak prime minister intended to hold talks with Putin on December 23 amid Vladimir Zelensky's refusal to extend gas transit through Ukraine

Series of explosions rock central Kiev — eyewitnesses

Earlier, Ukrainian media reported about explosions in the capital, and local authorities informed about the work of air defenses

Putin grants Russian citizenship to Italian opera icon Giancarlo del Monaco

Over the course of his career, del Monaco has directed more than 100 operas in major theaters around the world

Artyom military plant reportedly on fire after explosions in Kiev

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Ukrainian attack on Kursk Region town kills 6, injures 10 — official

The interim governor called the shelling of Rylsk a huge tragedy and expressed condolences to the loved ones of the victims

Russian cancer vaccine to be free of charge — top oncologist

It is planned to launch it in general circulation in early 2025

Massacre staged by retreating Ukrainian troops in Selidovo — report

According to Maxim Grigoryev, videos of interviews with witnesses and preliminary forensic examination of the bodies indicate that most of the victims are elderly women

Press review: Putin outlines Russia's future goals and Tehran faces energy blackout riots

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, December 20th

‘Arkhangelsk, ’ ‘Knyaz Pozharsky’ nuclear submarines to join Russian Navy soon — commander

Admiral Alexander Moiseyev noted that the construction of nuclear submarines is Sevmash’s main purpose, which is performs successfully

Russian diplomats doing their best to release Gaza hostages — ambassador

Anatoly Viktorov expressed his wholehearted support to the family of Yelena Trufanova whose son Alexander is still being held hostage in the Palestinian enclave

Russia’s capture of two DPR settlements paves way for liberation of Kurakhovo — official

Vladimir Rogov also noted that the liberation of Zelenovka and Novy Komar hastens the process of liberating major logistics hubs

Oreshnik’s launch is sudden, undetectable by satellites — analyst

The range of the Oreshnik system is up to 5,500 kilometers

Russia calls Israel’s annexation of Golan Heights unacceptable — MFA

"Israel must return to the full compliance with the well-known 1974 agreement with Syria," Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stressed

Ukraine will soon run out of willing fighters, Putin says

The head of state pointed out that ex-British Prime Minister Boris Johnson had said at some point that Ukraine "needs to keep fighting until the last Ukrainian"

Poland to import 10% of LPG from Russia after EU sanctions take effect

According to the Polish Liquid Gas Association, Poland purchased about $500 mln worth of liquefied petroleum gas from Russia during the first ten months of 2024

Assad allegedly hands list of military targets over to Israel before leaving Syria — media

According to the Turkish newspaper, the former Syrian president did it to ensure his own safety

Ukrainian lawmaker slams Zelensky for trying to bribe Slovak PM

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Russian troops liberate 10 communities in Donbass region over week — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted more than 3,610 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed six enemy ammunition depots in its area of responsibility over the week

Slovak PM to visit Moscow for talks with Putin, Serbian president says

"Robert Fico will travel to visit Putin as a European countries leader," Aleksandar Vucic said

Russia-US dialogue on Ukraine can be conducted on different platforms — senior diplomat

Everything depends on its content and the approach of the team of US President-elect Donald Trump are important, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said

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TASS has gathered the main information about the incident

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Airborne troops from Russia’s Battlegroup Dnepr wipe out enemy position in Kherson region

A Russian airborne crew hit the target by firing a 120-mm mortar gun on a Ukrainian temporary position

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Three of them are not subject to restoration, Alexander Khinshtein said

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As many as 85 senators backed the bill, while 11 voted against it

Ukraine's refusal to transit Russian gas will hit EU economies hard — French expert

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Ukrainian troops struggling to escape being trapped in Lozovaya in Kharkov region — expert

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Putin shrugs off potential deployment of US THAAD missile defense systems in Ukraine

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Orban does not intend to react to Zelensky's provocations, will remain calm

The Hungarian prime minister reiterated that his proposal for a Christmas ceasefire and prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia remains on the table

Russian troops break through Ukrainian defenses near Oskol Reservoir in Kharkov Region

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Yemen’s Houthis announce hypersonic missile strike at military facility near Tel Aviv

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Russia forgives Somalia's Soviet-era debt

"One hundred percent of the stated amount is consolidated in accordance with this agreement," the document reads

Ukrainian unit of machine-gunners disguised as Russian soldiers shoots civilians — captive

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Kherson Region governor says Ukraine tries to make people leave Kherson City

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Mother of missing US reporter thanks Putin for promising help in locating her son

During a "Direct Line" Q&A session combined with his annual press conference on Thursday, Putin clarified that he had not yet met with Assad after his arrival in Moscow but plans to speak with him

US defense companies capitalize the most on Ukraine conflict — Russia’s UN envoy

Vasily Nebenzya referred to data from the SIPRI which put last year’s revenues from sales of arms by the world’s top 100 largest businesses in the industry at $632 billion

Strike on SBU control center response to Russian general’s assassination, expert says

The ministry clarified that Ukraine launched a missile strike against the Kamensky Integrated Plant in the Rostov Region using six US-made ATACMS missiles and four Storm Shadow cruise missiles

Kiev’s Western patrons complicit in recent attack on senior Russian general — UN envoy

Vasily Nebenzya recalled that Igor Kirillov had repeatedly presented evidence of the military activity of US laboratories in Ukraine

Putin suggests Zelensky may flee abroad, says Russia would take him in

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Ukraine to cede territory regardless of US aid — news agency

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First-ever baby conceived using technology that matures eggs outside body born in Peru

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Ukraine loses over 300 troops, two Bradley vehicles in Kursk Region in past day

Eight motor vehicles and two electronic warfare stations were also destroyed? the ministy added

Russia’s Battlegroup South liberates settlement of Ostrovskogo in DPR — Defense Ministry

"The enemy lost up to 285 troops, two armored combat vehicles, two motor vehicles, a D-30 122 mm howitzer, a US-made M119 105 mm howitzers and five field ammunition depots," the ministry added

Turkish president calls on West to stop Israel in Syria before it’s too late

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Four new Russian regions moving toward self-sufficiency at a rapid pace — Putin

According to the head of state, tax revenues have seen a consistent increase in absolute figures

Russia to retaliate against Ukrainian strikes, just as Putin said — Kremlin

"Russia’s position is well known, it was voiced by Putin back in St. Petersburg," Dmitry Peskov stressed

Possible arrival of new Russian envoy before Trump’s inauguration depends on US — diplomat

"However, since he is a very prominent and experienced diplomat, I think the host country should have no doubt that he will show a high level of professionalism and his efforts will aim to at least slightly improve bilateral relations," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov noted

Putin agrees 'Russian world' now faces war

The Russian leader also agreed with Sergey Mironov, head of the "A Just Russia - For Truth" faction in the Duma, who said that "the birth rate is insufficient, because the matter concerns extinction"

Kiev takes out its anger for military defeats on Russian people — diplomat

Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also emphasized that Moscow is outraged by the hypocritical silence of the West and its media on the terrorist attacks in Russia

Scholz says he intends to continue to speak directly with Putin in future

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NATO prepares for war with Russia, Moscow takes these risks into account — senior diplomat

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What is known about Russia’s retaliatory strike on Ukraine after attack on Rostov Region

Kiev Mayor Vitaly Klitschko reported the fires in Solomensky and Shevchenkovsky districts

Scholz could travel to Moscow to boost his party’s approval rating — report

Germany is scheduled to hold a parliamentary election on February 23, 2025

Putin declares 2025 year of defender of Fatherland

The Russian president made the announcement at a meeting of the State Council

Russian public may one day decide to bury Lenin proper, Putin speculates

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Zelensky actually flips the bird to Trump by insulting Putin, Medvedev says

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Heat supply cut off in almost 90 houses in Rylsk in wake of Ukrainian attack — official

According to Alexander Khinshtein, repair teams are working at the site

Russia to raise issue of Ukrainian strikes on Rylsk at UNSC meeting on Friday — diplomat

Acting Kursk Region Governor Alexander Khinshtein said earlier that the town of Rylsk, located some 120 kilometers west of Kursk, had come under Ukrainian fire

Key rate, inflation and criticism of Central Bank: statements by regulator’s chief

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IN BRIEF: Magdeburg Christmas market attack kills 11, injuring roughly 80 others

TASS has compiled the key facts behind the deadly attack

Musk believes Germany’s Scholz should step down after car drives into crowd in Magdeburg

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Russian forces create bridgehead near Kupyansk-Uzlovoy in Kharkov Region — expert

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