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OPEC+ decision to postpone production growth justified — Gazprom Neft

"The increase of oil production by OPEC+ countries at the moment or at the very start of the next year, in winter months, would lead to a certain imbalance," CEO Alexander Dyukov noted

MOSCOW, December 13. /TASS/. The decision made by the OPEC+ to postpone the increase of oil production to April 2025 is justified, Gazprom Neft CEO Alexander Dyukov told reporters.

"The decision is justified because the market is rebalanced at the moment. The increase of oil production by OPEC+ countries at the moment or at the very start of the next year, in winter months, would lead to a certain imbalance. The supply volume in the market would be above the demand volume. This would not be proper," he said.

Gazprom Neft believes the OPEC+ decision is correct and supports it, Dyukov noted.

OPEC+ countries decided to postpone oil production buildup to avoid market destabilizing during the low winter season, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said earlier.

Russian economy growing despite unprecedented sanctions — Putin

The Russian leader added that all objectives set forth for Russia in the near future and the long-term perspective will be fulfilled

Russia, US maintain interaction on prisoner swaps

Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that there are several confidential channels of interaction between Moscow and Washington

South Korean Parliament upholds impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol

The formal impeachment procedure regarding President Yoon Suk Yeol will now have to be approved by the Constitutional Court within 180 days

Many US partners asking Russia `not to stop halfway’ on Ukraine — SVR chief

The global prestige of Washington is steadily declining, Sergey Naryshkin emphasized

Powerful explosions go off in Damascus — source

According to Al Manar television, the explosions were caused by Israeli shelling

Putin lauds participation of lawmakers in special op as courageous move

The Russian president also said that the veterans who returned with injuries must receive special attention and full support

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

The volume of supplies has not changed despite the statements on suspended flows of Russian gas to Austria’s OMV

Medvedev says discussed security issues with Chinese President Xi

The deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council pointed out that Moscow and Beijing are close strategic partners

Georgia to hold presidential election on Saturday

The electoral college consists of 300 members, including 150 members of the Georgian Parliament, 21 and 20 representatives of the Supreme Councils of Adjara and Abkhazia, respectively, as well as deputies from local authorities

Armed man robs over $85,000 from bank in Russia’s Siberian city of Novosibirsk

"Police officers are conducting the necessary investigative and search activities to establish all details of the incident and locate the criminal," the statement reads

Access to Viber messenger restricted in Russia — media watchdog

Viber is a messaging and voice communication app developed by Viber Media

Druze in Syrian border village opt for 'lesser evil,' seek Israeli rule

Early on December 8, Israel officially announced the deployment of its forces to the buffer zone on the border with Syria in the Golan Heights

Ukrainian army loses 145 troops in 24 hours as result of actions by Battlegroup East

The enemy also lost an Maxxpro armored combat vehicle and one car, as well as Akatsiya and Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems, in 24 hours, Spokesman for the battlegroup Oleg Chekhov said

Ukraine to attempt new offensive in late December on Zelensky’s initiative — blogger

He did not disclose in which direction the Ukrainian troops will attempt their advance

US authorizes energy transactions for Russian banks

Energy-related transactions are understood as all the transactions related to production, refining, processing, transportation and purchase of oil

Russian cancer vaccine to be free of charge — top oncologist

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

US authorities not yet finding causes of drones appearing in skies

FBI official thinks "there has been a slight overreaction” to the situation

Top diplomats from eight Arab countries call to create UN mission on Syria

They also urged to halt all military actions in Syria

Trump team in talks with US, Ukrainian officials about ending conflict - report

Trump’s advisers and cabinet nominees have yet to present a specific settlement plan, according to the report

Russia thwarts Ukrainian attempt to attack Donetsk with long-range missiles

Head of the Donetsk People’s Republic Denis Pushilin added that two civilian infrastructure objects were also damaged in two districts of Gorlovka on Friday

Explosions heard in Damascus, Immigration and Passport Department on fire

The Syrian Al Watan newspaper said that a curfew was imposed in Damascus from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. local time

Russian forces quickly break through Ukraine's weakened positions in Donbass — newspaper

The New York Times also said that the test of Russia's newest Oreshnik hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missile has increased pressure on Kiev and its allies

Russian forces trap Ukrainian battlegroup near Kurakhovo in DPR — security official

The kill zone stretches for more than four kilometers (2.5 miles)

Bolivarian Alliance countries support multipolar world — Maduro

The president called for "the unity of political trends" of the Latin American region

Putin meets with former President of Kazakhstan Nazarbayev

Vladimir Putin met with first President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev in Novo-Ogaryovo

Crowds of protesters gather at Georgian Parliament’s building amid presidential election

Georgia is holding the presidential election on Saturday

ABC News to pay $15 mln to Trump in pre-trial settlement

According to the agreement reached, ABC News will pay $15 mln as a charitable contribution "to be made to a Presidential foundation and museum to be established by or for Plaintiff"

Vietnam remembers Russia’s help in struggle for independence — president

To Lam noted that he was going to discuss the main areas and topics in the development of comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia in the interests of the two countries and the development of cooperation in the region and the world

Mikhail Kavelashvili elected as 6th president of Georgia

A total of 224 members of the 300-member electoral college cast their votes in favor of Kavelashvili

Syria truce plan crushes Turkish president’s aggressive intentions

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a live broadcast of Turkey’s national television on Wednesday that the Syria truce deal was a "dishonest" step as it ignored Ankara’s position

Israel, Jordan held secret talks on Syria — Axios

The topic of the growing threat of weapons smuggling to the West Bank was discussed at the meeting, which may lead to aggravation of the situation in the Palestinian territory

Russian troops liberate seven communities in Kursk Region, Donbass area over week

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted more than 3,350 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed five enemy tanks in its area of responsibility over the week, the Defense Ministry reported

Key Russian lawmaker reveals illicit Ebola, smallpox research at US-run Ukraine biolabs

According to the legislator, the information obtained indicates "aggressive goal-setting that underpins the foundation of these programs, de facto implemented by US Department of Defense on Ukrainian soil"

Russia's Oreshnik missile test made Europe 'nervous,' ex-Pentagon official says

Jim Townsend suggested that with US President-elect Donald Trump soon to take office again, some in Europe would be "secretly pleased" to see a peace deal get done

Russia’s defense chief inspects Battlegroup East in special military operation area

Battlegroup East Commander Lieutenant General Andrey Ivanayev reported to the defense minister that the Battlegroup’s units had liberated seven communities over the month and gained control of an area of more than 300 square kilometers

Press review: Syria’s future after Damascus takeover and Trump calls for ceasefire

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

Ukraine refuses to allow Russian gas to transit through its territory — Moldovan Deputy PM

"Ukraine will not agree to preserve transit for Hungary and the Republic of Moldova only," Oleg Serebrian noted

Damascus, Aleppo airports resume operations, but so far only under special permits

The restriction period is set from 8:00 p.m. GMT on December 12 to 3:00 p.m. GMT on December 18

Ukraine to lose third of territory, get no invitation to NATO — Slovak PM

Robert Fico also emphasized that the conflict's repercussions would significantly impact Ukraine's internal stability

Ukraine instructs its troops to kill civilians in front-line areas, POW testifies

Valentin Zubreichuk cited his fellow soldiers who have long been in military service in Ukraine as saying that civilians have been taken out not only in the South Donetsk region but also in the village of Kleshcheyevka and in Artyomovsk

US to continue efforts to impair Russian oil revenues — Treasury Secretary

Washington and its allies also could consider lowering the oil price cap on Russian oil, , US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said

Press review: Medvedev talks Ukraine with Xi and Houthis intensify attacks on Israel

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

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

Gazprombank remains sole authorized bank in ruble gas payments

Gazprombank does not provide assistance any more to foreign buyers in converting foreign exchange to rubles for purposes of payments for natural gas, the credit institution said

Su-57 fifth-generation fighter may get flat nozzle for stealth purposes — pilot

The flat nozzle technology is a breakthrough in modern aircraft-building, Major-General Vladimir Popov noted

Georgian president declares she will not give up presidency

Georgia will hold its presidential election on December 14 and the new president will be inaugurated on December 29

Moscow shooter identified as European boxing champion Nikita Ivanov

This was reported by a representative of law enforcement agencies

Hezbollah expects authorities in Damascus to choose in interests of Syria and Lebanon

"The Syrian people have the right to elect their government and approved the constitution," Secretary General of Hezbollah movement Sheikh Naim Qassem said

New Syrian leader gives Russia chance to review relations with Syria

Ahmed al-Sharaa also said that the country's new authorities will not enter into a conflict with Israel

Putin calls for increased attention to special military operation’s veterans

Russian President noted that their leadership qualities must be fully engaged in tackling national tasks, including within the framework of the Times of Heroes program

Putin orders Russian forces pullout from Syria

Russia is ready to deal a new blow to terrorists if they again try to break peace in Syria, the president said

No interaction with CIA on Syria, Russian intel chief says

Sergey Naryshkin also said that he had no information as to whether former Syrian President Bashar Assad had received state protection

Slovakia negotiating continued gas supplies through Ukraine — PM

The situation with gas supplies will be solved in coming days "at various levels in various countries", the republic’s Prime Minister Robert Fico said

World heading towards major changes, says Hungarian PM

According to Viktor Orban, these changes will impact the entire Western civilization as they "will take a long time in historical terms, leading from war to peace"

Russian economy growing despite unprecedented sanctions — Putin

The Russian leader added that all objectives set forth for Russia in the near future and the long-term perspective will be fulfilled

Air raid alert issued in six regions of Ukraine

The air raid sirens went off in the Dnepropetrovsk, Kirovograd, Nikolayev, Sumy, Poltava and Kharkov regions

Russian assets worth around 3.5 bln euro blocked in Germany — ministry

The German Finance Ministry’s spokesman said at the end of December 2023 that the authorities had frozen Russian assets totaling about 4.1 bln euro

Avtovaz resumes production of seven-seater Largus, Largus Cross station wagons

In May 2024, Avtovaz started mass production of Lada Largus at the Izhevsk plant

Next year unlikely to be easy, Russia hopes for victory — Medvedev

Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said it at the 22nd United Russia party congress.

West deliberately foments conflicts everywhere, Medvedev says

The Russian senior official noted that the West has always sought to prevent nations from cooperating and provoked rivalry and disagreements

Polish soldier Emil Czeczko who fled to Belarus found hanged in Minsk

A forensic examination will be held to establish the cause of the man’s death

Kremlin refutes Trump’s remarks on losses in Ukrainian conflict

The Ukrainian army’s losses surpass those of Russia exponentially, Dmitry Peskov said

British mercenary Burke killed in Ukraine by fellow mercenary, coroner says

The main suspect in the case is Abdelfetah Nourine, a dual citizen of Australia and Algeria

Russian troops strike Kiev airport used to train F-16 pilots — politician

"The Russian army hit hangars and warehouses at the site, with secondary detonations continuing for up to two hours," Vladimir Rogov said

Kremlin says it approves of Trump’s criticism of strikes inside Russia

Earlier, Trump slammed the decision which he said had been approved by the Biden administration to allow Ukraine to use US-made weapons for strikes deep into Russian territory as "crazy"

Russia to be pillar of future Eurasian security system — ex-CSTO chief

It is reported that Russia should bring together states that can ensure stability in Eurasia and in the entire world along with it

Turkey’s embassy in Syria resumes operations — TV channel

It has been closed since March 2012

NYT predicts Ukraine conflict will end in 2025

The article points out that Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election will serve to expedite the peace talks

Russia in talks with Syrian authorities on keeping its military bases — source

On December 9, a TASS source said that on the previous day armed groups of Bashar al-Assad's opponents had established full control of the provinces of Latakia and Tartus, where Russian military bases are located

Ukraine loses over 200 troops in Kursk area over past day — top brass

Over the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian army’s losses also one tank, one US-made Bradley infantry fighting vehicle, one armored combat vehicle, seven motor vehicles

New Syrian authorities in touch with Western embassies, militant leader says

They are also "holding talks with the UK to reopen its mission in Damascus," Ahmed al-Sharaa said

Ukraine loses its population, Ukrainians choose Russia, politician says

According to Viktor Medvedchuk, even some representatives of the current government acknowledge that the state policy regarding the support of internally displaced persons has actually failed

All Russian parliamentary parties support measures to protect civilians in Donbass — Putin

The Russian president said it speaking at the session of the United Russia ruling political party

New Georgian president to be free from foreign influence — parliament speaker

According to Shalva Papuashvili, after the December 29 inauguration, Georgia will have a president focused on the country, its people, and respect for the constitution

West is hypocritical in discussing troop deployment to Ukraine, expert says

"Although Europeans have been involved in the conflict from the very beginning by supplying ammunition, weapons, advisors, and intelligence, they refuse to acknowledge that they are at war," Guillaume Ancel said

Ukrainian losses exceed 40,260 troops: situation in Russia’s Kursk Region

According to the report, Russian operational/tactical and army aircraft, missile forces hit enemy manpower and equipment in the Kursk and Sumy regions

Medvedev accuses West of seeking to eradicate Russian language in Ukraine

According to the politician, Kiev is being "hand-fed" by countries of the collective West

Trump suggests that European troops monitor potential ceasefire in Ukraine — report

It is noted that Europe should play the main role in defending and supporting Ukraine

Putin extends Russia’s anti-'oil price cap' measures until June 30, 2025 — decree

The decree on retaliatory measures against the oil price cap initially came into effect on February 1, 2023, and was originally intended to last until July 1, 2023, but has been extended multiple times since then

US wants to supply Kiev with 'massive quantities of weapons' before Biden steps down

According to one of the TV channel's sources, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has been entrusted with the coordination of this work

Moscow’s special op exposed Pentagon’s biolab scheme in Ukraine, says key Russian MP

It is reported that the task of the commission is to "set forth all the evidence that has been investigated in a reasoned, consistent and systematic way"

Russia’s Ryabkov, Arab League Deputy Secretary General discuss Iranian nuclear program

"The sides had a spirited exchange of opinions about the situation concerning the implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 2231 and the prospects of multilateral efforts on the settlement around the Iranian nuclear program," the Russian Foreign Ministry stated

Distrust in political parties grows among Donbass residents — DPR leader

The DPR residents believe that Ukraine's former ruling party, The Party of Regions, abandoned them, Denis Pushilin noted

Press review: Dubai hosts nuclear powers' meeting as OSCE preps Ukraine for EU and NATO

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, December 12th

Russia hits Ukraine's power grid after Kiev attacks airfield in Taganrog with ATACMS

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the attack was carried out with the help of high-precision long-range airborne and sea-based weapons, as well as strike drones

TOS-1A Solntsepyok-1A ammunition creates long-lived shock wave — Rostec

The state corporation specified that the Solntsepyok munition creates a very high temperature, burning everything that can burn

Ukrainian army to soon run out of soldiers to continue fighting — media

The report highlights that, in addition to a manpower deficit, Kiev may also face critical shortages of ammunition and weapons

Shelter housing hostages in Gaza attacked by IDF, Hamas insists

According to the spokesman, Hamas fighters "tried to pull the hostages from under the rubble, and they managed to get one of them out, but their fate is unknown"

Russia, Iran work to set time for signing partnership agreement — MFA

According to Maria Zakharova, cooperation between Moscow and Tehran is developing "intensively, effectively and aims to benefit people in both countries"

Future of Russian bases in Syria to depend on its new authorities - top Turkish diplomat

The issue of Russian bases in Syria is linked to the negotiating process between the Russians and Syria’s new authorities, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said

Argentinian president Javier Milei granted Italy’s citizenship

The request was considered on a fast-track basis

Fuel explosion likely behind destruction of European Intelsat satellite — scientist

Nathan Eismont added that all the satellite fragments recorded so far have been catalogued and their trajectories can be predicted

CSTO understood Ukraine was turned into anti-Russia — ex-secretary general

Nikolay Bordyuzha noted "that the Ukrainian population was actually fostered in the spirit of hatred of Russians, everything Russia, and Russia"

Presidential election in Georgia is completed as over half of electoral college cast votes

Ioseliani added that the voting would continue until 2:00 p.m. local time (1:00 p.m. Moscow time), and then the Central Election Commission will begin calculating the votes

Russia approves pact on peaceful space exploration with Algeria

The agreement encompasses various areas of cooperation, including space science, astrophysical phenomena studies, planetary research, and remote Earth sensing

Moldova declares state of emergency due to uncertainty over gas transit through Ukraine

During this period, the government's Commission for Emergency Situations is authorized to issue orders binding both state institutions and economic agents

Washington does not rule out sanctions on Chinese banks for aiding Russian defense sector

Washington and Beijing have a channel "to discuss specific concerns", US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said

New regions may join Russia, Medvedev says

"This is quite possible," Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman said

7.5 mln Ukrainians remain abroad — Foreign Minister

He claimed that the newly-established Ministry of Unity will work on repatriation of these people

Medvedev says US wants Taiwan to be its outpost in East Asia

According to the official, the plan is "quite in line with Washington's aspirations to bring the Asia-Pacific region into NATO's orbit and pit states against each other"

Russian president signs law banning GMO production

The document obliges importers of GMO products to a compulsory public registration