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Russian stock indices up as Friday’s trading closes

The MOEX index rose by 0.85%, to 2,782.35 points, while the dollar-denominated RTS index rose by 0.97%, to 946.7 points

MOSCOW, September 20. /TASS/. The Russian stock indices ended the week’s trading with growth.

By the end of the main session on the Moscow Exchange, the MOEX index rose by 0.85%, to 2,782.35 points, the dollar-denominated RTS index rose by 0.97%, to 946.7 points.

The yuan-to-ruble exchange rate went up by 1.18% in a day, to 13.12 rubles.

"The MOEX Index approached 2,800 points, despite the Friday factor, which usually restrains purchasing activity. The drivers for growth were the same. The ruble continued to weaken, while oil price remained at $74-75, and gold price updated its historical record," said Alexander Shepelev, an expert on the stock market at BCS World of Investments.

The euphoria caused by the sharp reduction in interest rates by the Federal Reserve has died down on external markets. The People's Bank of China, as predicted, kept its base interest rates on loans unchanged at today's meeting, the expert stated.

On Friday, the leaders of growth on the stock market were shares of the retail trader of petroleum products Eurotrans (+9.8%). The leaders of the decline were PhosAgro shares (-1.14%).

If the favorable situation persists, the MOEX index may try to consolidate above 2,800 points, according to BCS World of Investments. The company's forecast for September 23 is 2,725 - 2,825 points, the forecast for the yuan-to-ruble rate is 12.8-13.2 rubles, at the dollar exchange rate set by the Central Bank at 91-93 rubles.

According to the forecast of Freedom Finance Global, on Monday the MOEX index may move in the range of 2,700-2,800 points, the yuan-to-ruble rate will be in the range of 13-13.4 rubles, the US dollar will vary in the range of 91-94 rubles, the euro rate is expected to be in the range of 101-104 rubles.

Middle East conflict

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Biden unlikely to dare to seriously increase military aid to Kiev — expert

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Russia against sending OPCW reps to probe into chemical incidents in Ukraine — diplomat

According to Vladimir Tarabrin, Russia doesn’t want to "expose to danger the lives and health of international experts amid the extensive use of various weapons" along the engagement line

Ukrainian servicemen abandon military units due to fear of Russian army — official

Kiev is constantly losing control over populated areas because "tens of thousands of tired and desperate Ukrainian servicemen are leaving their positions to flee in an unknown direction," the agency reported

Russian passengers on Antarctica cruise liner with engine failure go on hunger strike

The liner left Cape Town on November 13 for a 20-day cruise, and passengers say they paid between $9,000 and $12,000 for the trip

Leonardo booking system’s functionality restored — Rostec

Aeroflot airline said earlier that the issue and the return of tickets and provision of extra services in all sales channels were temporarily complicated due to the system’s failure

Russian Embassy in Argentina monitors situation with malfunctioning ocean liner

The diplomatic mission said that they are in touch with the company organizing the cruise as well as with the Russian citizens onboard the vessel

Russia to continue gathering evidence about Kiev’s chemical crimes — diplomat

According to Vladimir Tarabrin, Russia’s mission to the OPCW has submitted more than 30 notes to the organization, and they are available to the general public

Russian aerospace forces eliminate at least 20 militants in Syria’s Aleppo, Idlib

Russia’s aerospace forces are backing the Syrian government army and deliver missile strikes on positions of illegal armed groups, their weapons, control centers, and weapons depots, Oleg Ignasyuk, deputy chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria said

Banning import of food from New Zealand won’t affect Russia — watchdog

Earlier on Friday, the Russian government extended the food embargo for countries that imposed sanctions against Russia until the end of 2026

NATO growing more inclined to freeze Ukraine conflict — Russia’s SVR

"NATO has been unfolding training centers in Ukraine in an effort to train at least 1 million mobilized Ukrainians," the SVR highlighted

Syria will not let terrorists 'achieve their diabolical goals,' top diplomat pledges

The top Iranian diplomat noted that the increased terrorist activity in northern Syria is tied to "the US-Israeli plan to destabilize the region amid the Israeli regime’s failures in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon"

Kremlin considers militants' attack on Aleppo encroachment on Syria's sovereignty

"We urge Syria’s authorities to reassert control and restore constitutional order as soon as possible," Dmitry Peskov stressed

Hezbollah to coordinate moves with Lebanese military as part of ceasefire

Assessing the outcome of the war with Israel, Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem asserted that the resistance forces had won "the greatest victory over Israel"

Syrian government army hits militants’ positions in southern Idlib — newspaper

According to Al-Watan, Syrian forces targeted militants’ positions in the al-Ruweiha, Khan al-Sabil, and Maardabsa, as well as in the Jebel al-Zawiya mountainous area in southern Idlib and the city of Mareya north of Aleppo

Russia’s top diplomat slams NATO for discussions of preemptive strikes on Russia

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Russian football chief disappointed national team left off 2026 World Cup draw list

"Until the decision is reversed, our team will have no chance to participate in international competitions," Alexander Dyukov said

Welcome to Russia project helps to find spiritual, moral refuge — State Duma deputy

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Syrian army eliminates hundreds of terrorists, repelling their attack on Aleppo, Idlib

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Zelensky reshuffles Ukrainian military command

According to the statement, Mikhail Drapaty has been appointed as the new commander of the Ukrainian ground forces

Sending EU troops to Ukraine to make peace settlement impossible — Austrian lawmaker

Harald Vilimsky noted that the joint deployment of European troops will further escalate the security situation in Europe

Presidential aide blames West for attempts to harm Russia at sea

Nikolay Patrushev said that in a situation like this Russia should firmly defend its position and prepare tools for the "comprehensive management of maritime activities aimed at ensuring national interests"

Ukrainian forces follow Russian troops’ example to use fiber optics drones, Putin says

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"Everything here is much deeper than a decision to send a peacekeeper mission," Dmitry Peskov said

UK continuing arms supplies to Kiev fraught with conflict of nuclear powers — diplomat

Andrey Kelin noted that "the British have utterly ignored all our warnings and opted for escalatory actions to further worsen the Ukrainian crisis"

Ukrainians flee from Kiev regime to regions reunited with Russia — politician

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Defense Minister notes active expansion of Russia-North Korea military cooperation

"We look forward to close and fruitful cooperation with our Korean comrades," Andrey Belousov said

Russia not going to leave strikes deep inside country unanswered — Putin

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Riot police fully clears square in front of Georgian parliament from protesters

The protesters moved up Rustaveli Avenue

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Lavrov clarifies Russia's position on Ukraine crisis to foreign diplomats — MFA

"Participants in the roundtable exchanged views on the conflict and other pressing international topics," the ministry stated

Russian troops liberate four communities in Donetsk area, Kharkov Region over week

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Elite units of Syrian troops deployed to Aleppo to defeat gangs — newspaper

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"The development of a super-heavy class rocket exposed a need for introducing innovative solutions, including new materials and engines," the press service said

Britain’s MI6 chief admits London's involvement in covert operations in Ukraine

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Russia-North Korea partnership pact reaffirms their interest in developing ties — Belousov

"We are grateful for the commitment to the course of deepening ties with Russia," the minister said

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West deploying troops to Ukraine to up ante in fight with Russia — senior diplomat

Mikhail Galuzin described such plans as provocative and noted that they "confirm the West’s intention to continue its profound engagement in a direct standoff with Russia"

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Russia weighs resumption of nuclear tests — senior diplomat

"The situation is quite complicated," Sergey Ryabkov said

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Russian scientists to develop computer working at ‘speed of light’ by 2027 — researcher

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Foreign fighters involved in terrorist attacks in Aleppo, Idlib provinces — Syrian army

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Borrell calls for preventing consolidation of whole world against West

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Niger receives delivery of military equipment from Russia — TV

The report also stated that this delivery highlights the strengthening of military-technical cooperation between Russia and Niger

Ukrainian army says desertion main reason for loss of Ugledar

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Syrian government forces attacking terrorist headquarters in Idlib, Al-Dana — media

The Syrian army command reported on November 28 that units of the Jabhat al-Nusra extremist group had staged a large-scale attack on Syria’s northern governorates the day prior

Russian forces wipe out five ATACMS launchers using Iskander missiles

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Scholz shares details of talks with Putin, Zelensky says

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Takeaways from Putin’s Q&A session in Kazakhstan: Oreshnik missile, inflation, ruble

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FACTBOX: What to know about attacks of militants on Syria’s government forces

Russians wipe out three Ukrainian strongholds, over 20 Azov fighters in advance on Kharkov

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Hungarian PM’s office rules out his trip to Moscow for 80th anniversary of Victory

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Peacekeepers deployment in Ukraine possible only with consent of all conflict parties

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Putting Oreshnik's in Eastern Russia strategic play to help allies, counter US

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Putin slams election mudslinging against Trump’s family as 'vile'

According to the Russian president, when gangs fight with each other, they "don’t target women and children but leave them alone"

Russia designs Titan rifle for commandos

The rifle is reliable with precise and dense fire

West refuses to accept proof of Ukraine’s use of chemical weapons — Russian envoy

Vladimir Tarabrin noted that instead, the West is trying to present Russia as violating the Chemical Weapons Convention

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards eyes big response to Israel's latest attack

Iran’s Operation True Promise was carried out in April in response to the Israeli bombing of the Islamic republic’s embassy in Damascus

Romania, Poland, Germany, UK plan to divide Ukraine — Russia's foreign intel

"A total of 100,000 so-called peacekeepers are planned to be sent to Ukraine," the SVR noted

Hungarian PM sounds alarm over presence of US, French troops in Ukraine

Additionally, the news that Russia used its latest Oreshnik high-precision ballistic missile, which has significant destructive power, to destroy Yuzhmash, a Ukrainian defense plant in Dnipro (previously known as Dnepropetrovsk), is alarming, Viktor Orban stressed

Bilateral exchanges between Russia, North Korea their own business — Chinese MFA

Mao Ning also stated that she was not aware of the details of Belousov's visit and reiterated that China's position on the Ukrainian crisis remains consistent

Oreshnik becomes serious problem for Ukraine — Polish general

According to Waldemar Skrzypczak, satellite reconnaissance failed to detect the launch and flight of this missile

Belarusian President Lukashenko points to 'NATOfication' of Europe, entire world

"The arms race is rapidly gaining momentum," Alexander Lukashenko underlined

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meets with Russian defense minister — KCNA

"Kim Jong Un said that Korea-Russia relations are a strong security mechanism that facilitates the prosperity of the peoples in the two countries, alleviates the situation in the region and guarantees international strategic stability," the news agency said

Putin approves purchase of Russian Elevator Company from French grain trader Louis Dreyfus

The corresponding order of the president was published on the official portal of legal information

Unidentified UAVs continue to appear over US Air Force bases in UK — newspaper

On Tuesday, about 60 British military experts were stationed at US airbases across the UK to operate a counter-UAV system to operate a counter-UAV system designed to detect, track and destroy them

Russia ready for talks with Ukraine on conditions proposed in June — Putin

The head of state held a meeting with the leadership of the Russian Foreign Ministry in June, where he listed the conditions for talks with Ukraine

Putin signs law on taxation of digital currencies

According to the law, digital currency is recognized as property

Serbia lauds development of bilateral ties with Russia — Serbian parliament

The senior Serbian lawmaker stressed the importance of parliamentary diplomacy and hailed the activities of groups for cooperation with Serbia in both houses of Russia’s parliament, adding that the Serbian parliamentary group of friendship with Russia "is traditionally one of the largest."

Georgian riot police disperses protesters in central street

The police ran after people and detained them, using force, according to a TASS reporter at the scene

Ukraine demolishes buildings with soldiers inside as Russian forces advance — DPR leader

Amid the successful advance of Russian forces, Ukrainian troops have been indiscriminately attacking civilian neighborhoods in Gorlovka, which is adjacent to Dzerzhinsk, Denis Pushilin said

Russia winning in Ukrainian conflict, Polish national security chief says

"The Russian side unquestionably holds both the initiative and the advantage on the battlefield," Head of the Polish National Security Bureau Jacek Siewiera said

US funds 'Nazis, maniacs' in Ukraine, Israel — American journalist

Jackson Hinkle also pointed out that the US authorities are no friend of "freedom-loving American patriots"

Putin believes that US President-elect Trump’s life may be in danger

Donald Trump survived two assassination attempts this year: one during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania in July, and the second one in September, when a radical supporter of aid to Ukraine opened fire near Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida

West beginning to realize only part of Ukraine will remain — Lavrov

According to the Russian foreign minister, this represents the "confrontational logic" of the West

NATO spies study damage from Oreshnik at Yuzhmash — expert

Alexander Stepanov emphasized that both Kiev and its Western allies are closely scrutinizing the consequences of the strike on the plant

Western handlers beginning to dump Zelensky — Ukrainian politician

"Polls are now emerging where Zelensky is no longer at the top but in second or even third place," Viktor Medvedchuk noted