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Bank of Russia increases dollar rate to 97.26 rubles for October 17

The official yuan rate is fixed at 13.59 rubles

MOSCOW, October 16. /TASS/. The Bank of Russia set the official dollar rate at 97.2568 rubles for October 17, up 0.24 rubles against the previous indicator.

The official euro rate was raised by 0.41 rubles to 106.0844 rubles. The official yuan rate is fixed at 13.5917 rubles, up two kopecks.

The Central Bank said on June 13 that it would fix official dollar and euro rates against the ruble on the basis of reports of banks on results of transactions in the over-the-counter currency market.

Russian industrial producers’ prices up 0.5% in September — statistics

In foodstuffs production, the price hike was 18.2% for m·lange, 17.2% for salmon roe, 13.7% for dairy products, and 12.6% for preserved fish

US has no intention to settle situation in Middle East before elections — Al Hadath

The source said that Washington currently has "only one concern - to make sure that nothing happens before the elections"

Bundestag lawmaker calls Zelensky’s initiative a 'world war plan'

According to Sevim Dagdelen, the German government must deny such an initiative

Ukrainian forces near Kupyansk face encirclement — retired Ukrainian officer

Oleg Starikov also said Russian forces could then continue their advance toward Kharkov

West's endgame to make Moldova part of Romania — Foreign Ministry

"This is a historical battle that has been going on for decades and centuries, and now it has simply reached a new level," Maria Zakharova stated

Russian diplomat says US 'can’t wait to see' things flare up in Korean peninsula

Maria Zakharova was commenting on the US State Department's appeal to North Korea to stop actions that increase the risk of conflict on the Korean peninsula

Russian embassy alarmed by anti-Russian sentiments in Germany

The embassy said that "the artificial hysteria in addition to stories about the growing 'hybrid threat' Russia poses result in calls for rapid mobilization in Germany and pumping even more arms and equipment into Ukraine"

Switzerland expands sanctions against Russia — Federal Council

The Federal Council decided to adopt most of the measures in the EU’s 14th package of sanctions against Russia

Musk spends over $1 billion to fund failed coup in Venezuela — Maduro

"The US government was behind the attempt, there is a constant conspiracy by the 'North American empire,'" the Venezuelan president stressed

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

Zelensky unveils his plan without getting West's approval — media

It is reported that Ukrainian officials were expecting a response during a meeting of the contact group on military assistance to Ukraine at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany

NATO provided Ukraine with weapons worth $20.9 bln in first half of 2024

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that work is well on track on the pledge of 40 billion euros in military aid for Ukraine next year

Ukrainian troops attack volunteers aiding in evacuation of civilians for sport — volunteer

Maria shared a story of Ukrainian forces trying to attack a civilian car carrying eight civilians with a kamikaze drone in the settlement of Krasnooktyabrskoye

Russian auto racer Nikita Mazepin rules out his return to Formula One racing

Mazepin, born on March 2, 1999 in Moscow, was Russia’s fourth racer in the world’s most prestigious auto racing series

Russian forces liberate two communities in Donbass region over past day

Battlegroup Center units liberated the settlement of Krasny Yar in DPR and battlegroup West units liberated the settlement of Nevskoye in LPR as a result of active offensive operations

Magnitude 5.7 earthquake occurs in Afghanistan

No injuries or damage have been reported

Zelensky’s so-called victory plan has two secret annexes that won’t be made public

The public part of the third provision spoke about the deployment of a kind of "comprehensive non-nuclear strategic deterrence package" on the territory of the country

Joint drills of China, Russia, South Africa aimed to ensure stability — spokesperson

Russia is represented by a naval group headed by the missile cruiser Marshal Ustinov at the drills

Ukrainian troops preparing to retreat from Russia’s borderline Kursk Region — blogger

Russian forces continue operations to destroy Ukrainian army units in the borderline Kursk Region

Ukrainian Defense Ministry reshuffle aims to keep intel chief away from finances — expert

According to Mikhail Pavliv, Budanov has set his sights on becoming the commander of Ukraine’s armed forces

IN BRIEF: Enemy losses and surrendering troops: situation in Russia’s Kursk Region

UN currently doesn’t confirm secretary-general will attend BRICS summit

The BRICS summit is scheduled to take place from October 22-24

Russian, Chinese sailors practice maritime rescue in East China Sea

In accordance with the scenario of the drills, sailors responded to a mayday call issued by a civilian vessel in the vicinity

US-led coalition's aircraft violate Syrian airspace 10 times in past day

In the reported period, The Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria also registered four violations of the December 9, 2019 deconfliction protocols on the part of the coalition

Israel obstructs Gaza ceasefire deal — Qatari premier

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani added that Qatar will continue its efforts aimed at resolving the conflict

Zelensky passes off fighting to last Ukrainian as new 'peace plan' — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov emphasized that there are still possibilities for a peaceful resolution under specific conditions

Unknown person kills special op participant who just arrived home

The press service of the Moscow Region Investigative Committee announced that a criminal case has been initiated for murder and illegal arms trafficking in connection with the incident

Prisoner of war says Ukraine has no missiles for anti-tank systems

Yevgeny Khotenko noted that he did not want to cross into the Kursk Region

Zelensky plan a scheme to pull West into direct standoff with Russia — senior lawmaker

"With this set of brazen and provocative demands, the Ukrainian ‘fuhrer’ is trying to shirk responsibility for exterminating the Ukrainian people and blatantly shifts it to the West," Chairman of the Russian State Duma Committee on International Affairs Leonid Slutsky said

Oslo's new requirements paralyze Russian diplomatic missions in Norway — MFA

Maria Zakharova noted that Russia would take this latest unfriendly move into account when shaping its future approach toward Norway

Russian diplomat dubs Zelensky’s plan as 'collection of incoherent slogans'

Maria Zakharova stressed that the Ukrainian president is using his plan to push NATO toward a direct conflict with Russia

Kalashnikov to start of pre-orders for Ultima cyber rifle

The gun can be pre-ordered online

Slovak prime minister predicts imminent end of Ukrainian conflict

Robert Fico also noted that "there are talks again about the possibility of Ukraine joining NATO"

Press review: NATO postures with nuke drills and Biden's arms control calls miss mark

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, October 15th

Iran tells US it wouldn’t respond to 'limited' Israeli strike — report

According to the media, the "behind-the-scenes" message from Iran to the US differs from the Iranian public statements, which threaten a painful response to a possible Israeli strike

Russian Airborne Force snipers daily destroy Ukrainian manpower in borderline Kursk area

Sniper pairs pay special attention to camouflaging their positions

Banks owned by large marketplaces capture 40% of electronic payments market — Central Bank

According to statistics of the Central bank, the number of card payments dropped by 12% and the share of payments by other instruments increased

Ukrainians in Poland show no interest in fighting for Ukraine — Polish defense minister

On July 8, following his talks with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Warsaw, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky announced the establishment of a Ukrainian volunteer military unit he dubbed the "Ukrainian legion" in Poland

Ukrainian troops demoralized, routing on Avdeyevka direction — reconnaissance commander

According to the report, Russian troops slowly, but steadily, approach the city of Pokrovsk

Nine counterattacks repulsed: situation in Kursk Region

The Ukrainian military lost more than 350 personnel, twenty-one armored vehicles, including two tanks, three infantry fighting vehicles and 16 armored combat vehicles, as well as five mortars and seven automobiles

Large-scale war on Korean Peninsula improbable, but escalation will continue — expert

"Pyongyang understands that it would be about confrontation with the United States. Seoul doesn’t want [a war] either because Pyongyang’s hypersonic missiles would fly into Seoul within five minutes," Konstantin Asmolov said

US, Europe recognize insufficiency of Zelensky's plan — media

Meanwhile, "there’s a fracturing consensus among Western governments about how much of Zelensky’s 'wish list' should be granted," Ishaan Tharoor noted

BRICS Kazan summit to challenge Western, US hegemony — Angolan newspaper

The US may soon "leave the stage" since the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East lead to "an overload of Washington’s capabilities," the media said

Ukraine loses key road previously used for supplies for forces — security agencies

This will make the situation for the Ukrainian armed forces in this area worse, as well as make it easier for the Russian troops to advance in strategically important areas, the source clarified

Kiev realizes liberation of Kupyansk inevitable — official

According to Vitaly Ganchev, this is not the first time that the Ukrainian authorities have carried out a mandatory evacuation

Some 5,000 people cross into Syria from Lebanon in past day — Russian military

In a separate development, the Russian reconciliation center carried out two humanitarian missions in the town of Al-Salihiyah

New NATO command center for Ukraine to 'make real difference' on battlefield — Rutte

The new NATO headquarters in Wiesbaden is being established based on a decision made during the NATO summit in Washington

Trophy active protection system 'toothless’ against Russian anti-tank weapons, says source

The Trophy active protection system is operational in the Israeli and US armies

Israeli soldiers find 800-meter-long Hezbollah bunker with weapons, bikes in Lebanon

According to the IDF, Hezbollah intended to use this bunker as part of its plan to invade northern Israeli area of Galilee and "deliberately placed an underground command center under a civilian area in southern Lebanon."

Lavrov, Brazil’ foreign minister discuss BRICS summit, Ukrainian crisis

"Substantive discussion was given to preparations for the 16th BRICS summit to be held in Kazan from October 22-24, as well as certain aspects of the group’s activities," the Russian Foreign Ministry said

Russia, DPRK show opponents that strategic treaty 'not a sheet of paper,' expert says

Commenting on the rumors that have been spreading after Russian President Vladimir Putin introduced a treaty on comprehensive strategic partnership with North Korea to the State Duma for ratification, Alexander Vorontsov pointed out that "the demonization of both countries has been going on consistently and for a long time"

Magnitude 6.1 earthquake hits eastern Turkey

According to the report, the quake struck 47 kilometers east of the city of Malatya which has a population of some 441,000

Renowned Italian judo expert Ezio Gamba parts ways with Russian Judo Federation

The election of the Italian Judo Federation is scheduled to be held soon and he is one of the candidates, RJF President Sergey Soloveichik said

EU's 'Potemkin armies' leave Europe vulnerable — Bloomberg

The number of ground troops in NATO’s European member countries declined by 61% in 1994-2024, from two mln to 784,000

Putin describes Ukraine as artificial state

"We have every reason to affirm that Ukraine is an artificial state that was shaped at Stalin's will," the Russian President said

Press review: Kim Jong Un dynamites Seoul links and NATO, US lay plans to deter Russia

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, October 16th

Over 1,300 children wounded due to Kiev regime’s actions since 2022 — ministry

"Medical aid was provided to all children who needed it, including advanced treatments," Russian Deputy Health Minister Yevgenia Kotova said

Death toll of fuel truck explosion in Nigeria grows to 140

The incident took place in the Jigawa State in the southern part of the country

Russian airlines transportation to rise by 5.4% to 72.6 mln in April-October

In the summer Russian airlines transported almost 35 mln passengers, which is 4.3% more than last year, Minister of Transport Roman Starovoit said

Georgia has no plans to participate in 3+3 platform meeting in Istanbul — MFA

"Georgia has been stating for a long time that it does not work in this format," the press service said

Swedish police request statement from Mbappe amid rape allegations — French TV

Kylian Mbappe's lawyer Marie-Alix Canu-Bernard stated on Tuesday that her client is planning to sue for libel

'Nuclear Five' countries meet in New York on October 10, Russian MFA says

Maria Zakharova said that the meeting was held at the level of experts

Annual inflation in Russia staying at 8.51% over week — Economy Ministry

The inflation pressure remains but certain signs of improvement in the near term are observed, First Deputy General Director of the Center for Strategic Research Gleb Pokatovich said

Serbia will not join NATO because it cannot forget children killed in 1999 — Vucic

NATO’s aggression against Yugoslavia in 1999 lasted for 78 days

Israel begins to view UN flag in Gaza as target indicator — Russia’s UN envoy

"It appears that the UN flag is not only failing to protect civilians, humanitarian workers and civilian social infrastructure, but also tends to become a direct target for the IDF," Vasily Nebenzya said

Undocking of Crew Dragon with cosmonaut Grebenkin on board due on Oct. 20 or later — NASA

The undocking was again delayed by weather conditions

One Direction’s former member Liam Payne falls to death in Buenos Aires

He was 31 years old

Israel unlikely to dare to strike Iranian nuclear sites — official

According to Behrouz Kamalvandi, the Israeli threats cause no concerns in the Islamic republic, but Tehran remains vigilant anyway

US announces $425 mln military assistance package for Ukraine

"The package includes additional air defense capability, air-to-ground munitions, armored vehicles, and critical munitions to meet Ukraine’s urgent needs," the statement says

Russia’s UN envoy lashes at Israeli bill to ban UNRWA

"UN officials are sounding the alarm: 2024 has a chance to ‘break a new deadly record’ in this regard," Vasily Nebenzya said

Russian Lancet munition destroys Polish-made Krab howitzer in Kharkov Region — top brass

It is reported that data recorders showed the destruction of a Polish-supplied 155mm Krab self-propelled artillery system of the Ukrainian army by a Lancet loitering munition

US has no idea what to do about Zelensky — Seymour Hersh

According to the journalist, the decision to conduct the operation was made by US President Joe Biden personally, following nine months of discussions with White House national security advisers

Top Kazakh security official cautions CIS against threat from global terrorist wing

Also, Yermek Sagimbayev maintained, there is an increased threat of transborder crime, illegal migration and arms smuggling in the post-Soviet space

Number of deserters in Ukraine quadruples in 9 months

Ukraine’s law enforcement agencies are not capable of investigating such a large number of cases

SCO countries oppose unilateral sanctions undermining trading system

Proposals for the creation of an independent settlement-clearing mechanism and the convergence of payment systems were also among the issues discussed at the meeting, the statement said

Biden to depart to Berlin to meet with Steinmeier, Scholz on Thursday

According to White House Spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre, Biden will discuss a number of bilateral issues and international agenda with the German leaders, including the Ukrainian crisis

Scholz says ready to discuss Ukrainian settlement with Putin

At the same time, the German cabinet has nothing to say at the moment about the possible telephone conversation between Putin and Scholz

NATO disintegration is just a matter of time, says Politico

It is reported that the only real question the election will resolve for Europe’s security is the timing of NATO’s collapse

Ukrainian front in Kursk area may collapse within month — Russian commander

"If we observe the events on the entire front, that is, in about ten areas in total, where the units of the Russian Defense Ministry are advancing, we can see that the prospects of the ministry and its units are quite serious and massive," Major General Apty Alaudinov said

Over 60 people detained in Interpol’s sweeping anti-terrorism operation

"The operation focused on identifying and analyzing the movement patterns of Foreign Terrorist Fighters and people with links to terrorism as well as criminal groups responsible for cross-border crimes such as drug trafficking, weapons smuggling and human trafficking," the international police organization’s press service said

Russia makes another real peace proposal to Kiev — Putin

Vladimir Putin emphasized that Russia's plan would mean ending the conflict once and for all, not freezing it

North Korea says South Korean military behind drone flights over Pyongyang

"The instigators will pay a tough price," Kim Yo Jong noted

Ukraine’s Zelensky rules out territorial concessions in his so-called settlement plan

Other key provisions of the plan include inviting Ukraine to join NATO, allowing the country to strike deep into Russia, increasing arms supplies to Ukraine

Russian industrial producers’ prices up 0.5% in September — statistics

In foodstuffs production, the price hike was 18.2% for m·lange, 17.2% for salmon roe, 13.7% for dairy products, and 12.6% for preserved fish

SCO notes 'tectonic shifts' in global economy due to AI development

The 23rd meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the SCO member states was attended by the prime ministers of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, the First Vice President of Iran and the head of the Indian Foreign Ministry

Russia urges Argentina not to support Kiev by attending Ottawa conference — envoy

Dmitry Feoktistov pointed out that Russia views the conference as a "blatantly anti-Russian project"

Murder of military officer in Moscow Region pre-planned

According to the source, the serviceman's car was waiting for him, possibly following his movements

Residents to be obligatory evacuated from Kupyansk in Kharkov Region

According to Oleg Sinegubov, this decision was motivated by "the worsening military situation"

UN peacekeepers say Israeli tank fired at their watchtower in Lebanon

No peacekeepers were hurt in the incident

Pier upgrade at Pacific Fleet base allowed 7 subs to enter service, Russian ministry says

Commander of the Pacific Fleet Submarine Forces Vice Admiral Vladimir Dmitriyev made the statement in a report to Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov as the minister was visiting the Kamchatka Region

Lavrov to hold multiple bilateral, multilateral meetings on sidelines of BRICS summit

Maria Zakharova noted that the 16th BRICS summit in Kazan will take place on October 22-24

Eyewitnesses say not only Ukrainians fighting for Kiev in Kursk Region

It is also reported that the Ukrainian armed forces fired "everything they could" - assault rifles, machine guns, artillery

Russia to give military help to North Korea if it comes under attack — senior diplomat

Andrey Rudenko said clauses to that effect are contained in the treaty on comprehensive strategic partnership between Russia and North Korea that was submitted to the State Duma for ratification the day before

Israeli foreign minister says attack on UN forces in Lebanon happened by accident

"Attacking UNIFIL is not part of our policy. We are now working to solve the problem," Israel Katz said

NATO cannot confirm reports about DPRK troops’ involvement in special op — Rutte

"We have no confirming reports, but we believe that the DPRK is already supporting Russia's military efforts in technical terms," NATO Secretary General said, answering questions from South Korean reporters

Russia-China cooperation on the rise despite external pressure, PM says

Moscow and Beijing are also creating new international transport corridors and paying special attention to agriculture and strengthening food security in Russia and China, Mikhail Mishustin noted

Russian warplanes destroy training base of terrorists in Idlib zone — military

The strikes were delivered with the goal of preventing radical groups from attacking territories controlled by the Syrian government, said Oleg Igansyuk, the deputy chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria

Tula engineers deliver 4,000 kamikaze drones with computer vision to Russian troops

The drone features a remote detonation function, a self-destruct system and a payload-loading multilayered protection system, the People’s Front specified

Kiev ready for ceasefire along current front line, without recognizing new border — media

A significant number of Ukrainian troops "find themselves trapped" on Russian territory (near Kursk) and are unable to come to aid in Donbass where they are outnumbered in men, the report added

Russia’s Su-25 attack aircraft disrupt rotation of Ukrainian forces in Kursk region

After the use of aviation weapons, the crews performed an anti-missile maneuver, releasing decoy flares, and returned to their airfield of departure

Ukrainian troops sent to areas seized by Russia to become 'cannon fodder,' POW says

According to the soldier, retreating from the settlement of Karlovka was especially hard for him and his fellow servicemen