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Gazprom Neft to reach record high refining volumes in 2024-2025, CEO says

The oil major owns refineries in Moscow and Omsk and the 50% stake in the refinery in Yaroslavl

MOSCOW, December 13. /TASS/. Gazprom Neft plans to set a new record of oil refining and light oil products output in 2024, CEO Alexander Dyukov told reporters.

"Speaking about the light oil products production volume, the year of 2024 is record-breaking. We also plan to boost the refining volumes and the light oil products output next year also," Dyukov said.

"We increased refining volumes and the light oil products output owing to implementation of the upgrade program of our refineries. New units were put into operation in our refineries, which make it possible to scale up production of light oil products, gasoline, diesel fuel and jet fuel," he added.

The oil major owns refineries in Moscow and Omsk and the 50% stake in the refinery in Yaroslavl. The company refined 41 mln metric tons of oil in 2022.

VEB.RF’s net profit rises by 16.3% in 9 months to $985 mln

At the same time, VEB.RF’s capital adequacy ratio for the nine months of 2025 stood at 14.9%

Bank of Russia sells yuan worth $184 mln with settlements on December 19

The Central Bank sold yuan on the domestic market in the amount of 14.7 bln rubles with settlements on December 18, 2025

Ukraine talks progress, territorial issues: statements by US vice president

JD Vance noted progress on the Ukraine front during the negotiations with Russian Presidential Special Envoy Kirill Dmitriev in Miami

Russian stock market closes with mixed performance of key indices

The yuan declined by 17 kopecks to 11.12 rubles

Remilitarization programs launched in Europe under pretext of alleged threat from Russia

"The pre-war psychosis is maliciously fueled by calls ‘to prepare for a large-scale war, similar to the one in which the grandfathers fought’," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stated

Up to ten Oreshnik systems to be deployed in Belarus — president

Alexander Lukashenko said an Oreshnik system has entered combat duty in the republic and denied media reports that it was deployed in Slutsk

Share of missing Russian servicemen must be reduced to absolute zero — Putin

"If we compare the beginning of the year with now, the number of people who were listed as missing has decreased by 50%," the Russian president said

Macron betrays Merz on expropriation of frozen Russian assets — FT

"He knows that there will be a price to pay for that", also said a senior EU diplomat

Hainan records increase in tourist arrivals since introduction of special customs regime

The introduction of a "zero-tariff and low-tax" policy should give a boost to the island’s consumer and business attractiveness, Geng Songtao, an industry expert, says

Trump administration to recall 48 heads of diplomatic missions — NYP

At the same time, the Trump administration has not yet appointed the heads of diplomatic missions in its key partner countries

Roblox case shows path for global companies to operate in Russia — expert

According to Valentin Petukhov, it is no surprise that Roblox was blocked, given that the game contains a large amount of user-generated content that is difficult to moderate

Defense Ministry stops buying Kalashnikov AK-47 submachine guns

The weapon does not meet the Ministry’s needs, General Staff Chief Gen. Nikolai Makarov said

Ex-president of Mongolia gets 4 years in prison for corruption

Enkhbayar’s lawyer has 14 days to lodge an appeal

Security of Kaliningrad Region to be guaranteed by Russia’s full might — senior diplomat

"The Kaliningrad Region is an inalienable part of Russia," Sergey Ryabkov emphasized

Russia to define its response to West’s intermediate-range missile deployment — diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov said that Russia had to scrap its unilateral moratorium on the deployment of ground-based short-and medium-range missiles

Russian troops liberate Vilcha community in Kharkov Region over past day — top brass

Russian troops struck energy and port infrastructure used by the Ukrainian army and enemy deployment areas over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry reported

Moscow, Caracas reiterate brotherly ties, strategic cooperation — top Venezuelan diplomat

"During the phone call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, we again reiterated our brotherly relations, mutual respect, and strategic partnership between us," Yvan Gil Pinto said

EU summit undertook to finance military action against Russia — diplomats

"The leaders of the EU Member States have reaffirmed their course towards comprehensive support for the Kiev regime and further escalation of the Ukrainian conflict," the Russian Permanent Mission to the European Union said in a statement

Ukrainian journalists say took pictures of Mindich in Israel

The details are promised to be released later

Ural Airlines plane makes emergency landing in Ashgabat

At present, the company is preparing a backup plane that will fly the passengers to Yekaterinburg

Putin’s envoy to brief president on his Miami talks upon arrival — Kremlin

Kirill Dmitriev is on his way to Moscow from the United States following two days of talks on resolving the Ukraine conflict

FACTBOX: What we know about terror attack on senior Russian general in Moscow

A parked car exploded at 12, Yasenevaya Street at around 7:00 a.m. Moscow time

Ukraine army attacks key ZNPP substation in Energodar with drones, artillery

Mayor Maxim Pukhov emphasized that the risk of further strikes remains high

Two US mercenaries eliminated in Ukraine — Newsweek

According to reports from the accounts of the families of the deceased, Jones and Zacherl were serving with international forces under the command of Ukraine's GUR military intelligence agency

Russian-Azerbaijani relations continue to develop — Kremlin spokesman

Azerbaijan continues to take part in all formats of the Commonwealth of Independent States, noted Dmitry Peskov

Uganda invites Russia to joint coffee processing projects — MFA

Globally, Uganda rank seventh, producing approximately 7 million 60-kg bags annually, John Leonard Mugerwa said

Poland to build training range for joint maneuvers with Lithuania in Suwalki Gap

"There are no other examples of such facilities in Europe," Lithuanian Vice-minister of National Defense Bronius Bieliauskas said

Smugglers steal service-issue weapons from border guards in Belgorod region

The police rushed to the incident scene, and roads were blocked

Dmitriev hints that next Russia-US meeting on Ukraine could take place in Moscow

Special presidential envoy accompanied the post with a photo of himself wearing a T-shirt with the words "Next time in Moscow" and the signature of Russian President Vladimir Putin

Venezuela reiterates its commitment to peace, but will defend its sovereignty — Maduro

The president recalled that the US military had staged 28 attacks on civilian ships in the Caribbean and the eastern Pacific, "executing 104 people extrajudicially" and stressed that Venezuela had done nothing that could justify the United States’ military pressure

Vance indicates breakthrough in Ukraine talks between Russia, United States

The US vice president said that America would continue to make diplomatic efforts towards a Ukraine resolution

Kremlin spokesman has no idea of what Vance meant by ‘breakthrough’ on Ukraine

According to Dmitry Peskov, it is hardly possible to try to solve such a complex problem in the public domain

Plane spots ship lost in White Sea

No information about the ship's crew and passengers was immediately available

Ukraine deal close, but most difficult issues remain unresolved — Finnish leader

According to media reports, Alexander Stubb has maintained close contact with US President Donald Trump

British singer Chris Rea dies at age 74

Chris Rea was known for hits like The Road to Hell, Looking For The Summer, On The Beach, Auberge, The Blue Cafe, and was popular in the soft and blues-rock genres, peaking in the late 1980s

Europe lacks money to sponsor Kiev, needs to look for compromise — French MP

According to Thierry Mariani, today, little depends on Europe as far as the Ukrainian settlement is concerned

NATO seeking to invent pretexts to intervene in Ukraine — Russian MP

Leonid Slutsky recalled that Russia has repeatedly warned against deploying NATO military contingents to Ukraine

Game developer behind Call of Duty and Battlefield killed in US car crash — NBC

Vince Zampella was 55 years old

Merz finds himself in isolation in Europe due to position on Russian assets — newspaper

German Chancellor attempted till the last "to praise advantages of the de facto expropriation of Russian assets, downplaying risks at the same time," the newspaper said

VEB.RF’s net profit rises by 16.3% in 9 months to $985 mln

At the same time, VEB.RF’s capital adequacy ratio for the nine months of 2025 stood at 14.9%

Russia says fakes about contacts with S. Korea aim to sow distrust between it, North Korea

These information fakes have no basis in fact, noted Maria Zakharova

IN BRIEF: Kiev officials plan to flee, diplomats unlikely to return, Russia’s SVR reveals

According to the Foreign Intelligence Service, Ukrainian diplomats serving overseas are aware that there are no options to put an end to the Ukraine crisis on Vladimir Zelensky’s terms

Ukrainian parliament speaker moves to begin legislative process on holding elections

According to Ruslan Stefanchuk, the biggest thing will be to create conditions for the military to vote at the front and their right to be elected

Russia’s advanced weapons show its resolve to protect itself — diplomat

According to Sergey Ryabkov, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and top brass have repeatedly said that the efforts to polish the national nuclear deterrence potential allow to say that the country's security is guaranteed

Outgoing year has chance to become warmest on record in Moscow — meteorologist

Mikhail Leus still noted that two cold spells are forecasted in the remaining ten days, which may bring down the final figure

Baltic countries obsessed with idea of provoking Russia, Belarus — senior diplomat

Moscow and Minsk must not yield to these provocations, Sergey Ryabkov stressed

Last Russian consulate general closes in Poland

Russian Consul General in Gdansk Sergey Semyonov urged all the visitors to contact the consular department of the Russian embassy in Warsaw

Democrats to move to impeach Trump if they win Congress in 2026

Speaker of the House of Representatives, member of the Republican Party Mike Johnson pointed out that the Democratic Party intends to "dismantle" the foundations of the country

Former US President Obama forced Ukrainian authorities to give up Crimea — Trump

The US leader called the peninsula "massive and beautiful"

Street artist Banksy paints new mural near Russian embassy in London

The work shows two children in winter clothes, lying on their backs and looking at the stars

Ukraine’s military describes Kupyansk frontline situation as tense

Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Anna Malyar said that the Ukrainian troops were now in defense

Soyuz stages to be replaced, planned launch time not changed

The third stages of two rockets will be returned to Russia, and new stages will be delivered to Kourou to replace them

Merz, Starmer, Macron lobby for West European military industry' gains — Duma member

Leonid Ivlev argued that they stand to gain from the prolongation of the Ukraine conflict

Senior Russian general killed in bomb blast in Moscow — Investigative Committee

"According to an investigation, on the morning of December 22, an explosive device planted under a car was activated on Yasenevaya Street in Moscow," Svetlana Petrenko said

Vance rings alarm bell over growing 'Islamist' presence in European politics

The US Vice President also warned of potential long-term risks to Europe-Washington relations across various fields

US National Intelligence confident Russia not planning to control entire Ukraine

US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard called such information about Russia's plans "a lie and propaganda"

Russia sends home Ukrainians wishing to reunite with families — right commissioner

Tatyana Moskalkova noted that Russia had great difficulties in transporting the 15 Ukrainian nationals who were to reunite with their families because Ukrainian Nazis keep shelling the Kherson Region and we were unable to evacuate their own fellow citizens

West’s speculation about Russian attack on NATO 'cheap provocation' — senior diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov called this an "obvious game" by the West

Ukrainian soldiers deserting due to being underpaid — outlet

A serviceman suggested that AWOL could become an even more widespread phenomenon in the Ukrainian army in the coming months

Russian general killed in Moscow listed in Ukraine’s unwanted persons database since 2022

Russian Investigative Committee Spokeswoman Svetlana Petrenko earlier reported that Fanil Sarvarov was killed in an explosion in southern Moscow on Monday morning

White Sea mystery: how Karelian scientists search for mazes to find ancient sculptures

In 1966, the Karelian State Museum of Local History expedition led by local historian Ivan Mullo went to the Kuzova Archipelago and found numerous stones stacked on top of each other in most diverse and weird combinations

Europe pressures Kiev to stem departure of youth to other countries — newspaper

El Pais also characterizes Ukraine’s demographic situation as catastrophic

Death toll among young people poisoned with unknown drug keeps rising in Urals

Rosatom hopes to reach agreements on nuclear fuel cooperation with Argentina in 2025

"In particular, we are in talks on a number of projects related to cooperation in the nuclear fuel cycle," Ivan Dybov, head of the Rosatom America Latina center, said

Assassination of General Sarvarov in Moscow is terrible tragedy — Kremlin

The security services will conduct an investigation, Dmitry Peskov said

Russia has no plans to attack EU, NATO countries — senior diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov recalled Russian President Vladimir Putin’s statement that Moscow "is even ready to legally enshrine this with regard to a potential solution to the current crisis based on the principle of equal and indivisible security"

Russia retains competencies to create space NPPs — Kovalchuk

The scientist recalled that the Kurchatov Institute had created the world’s first experimental space power plant with a nuclear reactor in 1964

Roblox developer applies to register in-game currency trademark in Russia

In early December, Russia’s communications watchdog Roskomnadzor restricted access to the US-based internet service Roblox due to the dissemination of materials containing propaganda and justification of extremist and terrorist activities

Deep State wants military conflict between the US and Russia, Gabbard says

US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said that every time Donald Trump makes progress and moves closer and closer to that hope for peace, the warmongers in the deep state step up and try to do everything they can to stop it

Expanding partnership within CIS meets interests of member countries — Putin

The Russian leader said that the Commonwealth will continue to address the challenges of socioeconomic development, strengthening stability, and shared security

Top Turkish diplomat says phase two of Gaza deal may begin in early 2026

The transfer of power to the Palestinians is at the top of the agenda now, noted Hakan Fidan

Russia-Armenia relations are developing well, Putin says

The Russian president said "the teams worked hard on all sides, prepared good documents, everything has been signed, and everything is moving forward"

Kiev acknowledges that it will probably lose Donetsk — JD Vance

The US Vice President suggested that territorial concessions "could be 12 months from now, it could be longer than that," stating that "territorial concession is a significant hold-up in the negotiations"

Putin points to new report on special military operation by General Staff chief

The supreme commander-in-chief emphasized that the Russian army had the full strategic initiative, advancing in all directions

Georgian president calls EU decision to allocate €90 billion to Ukraine bluff

"Ukraine has simply been sold out," Mikhail Kavelashvili said

Putin offers condolences to Rahmon over death of Tajik boy at school in Moscow Region

The Russian president added that crimes against children are particularly grave and stressed that the investigation would be thorough

Trump administration recalls heads of nearly 30 foreign diplomatic missions — news agency

According to its information, the heads of US missions abroad have been notified that their terms in their current positions will expire in January

Russia-US dialogue seeing slow progress — senior Russian diplomat

It is accompanied by extremely harmful, malicious attempts by an influential group of states to torpedo these efforts, to derail the relevant diplomatic process, Sergey Ryabkov said

Special unit of Ukrainian International Legion neutralized — security forces

The Ukrainian command continues to use elite special forces as assault troops

Council of EU confirms EU summit's decision to extend all sanctions against Russia

European Council President Antonio Costa earlier announced the EU summit's decision to extend all 19 sanctions packages against Russia for six months

Top Russian diplomat voices support to Venezuela over developments in Caribbean

The Russian side "reaffirmed its extensive support and solidarity with the people and the government of Venezuela"

Europe should consider Putin's words on placing Oreshnik missile on combat duty — expert

Military-Political Analysis Bureau head Alexander Mikhailov emphasized that the tactical and technical characteristics of the Oreshnik missile allow the Russian army to launch a strike targeting any spot in Europe

Pashinyan sees nuances in Trump route implementation tied to Russia relations

The Armenian Prime Minister said that Yerevan is engaged in constructive bilateral negotiations with the United States

Russia wants lasting peace for Ukraine, not temporary ceasefire — Russian senior diplomat

Addressing the prospects of the negotiation process on a Ukrainian settlement, Sergey Ryabkov refrained from speculating on "any potential linkages to electoral calendars in various countries"

Putin’s envoy didn't brief Kremlin on Miami talks over phone — Kremlin spokesman

Dmitriev will report to President Vladimir Putin upon his arrival in Moscow, noted Dmitry Peskov

RTS index rises after Bank of Russia publishes official exchange rates

After the exchange rates were released, as of 6:03 p.m. Moscow time, the RTS index moved into positive territory and stood at 1,077.73 points, up 0.68%

Christmas in Europe to be peaceful, but military threat remains — Hungarian leader

Preparations for a war with Russia "are still under way in Europe behind closed doors," Viktor Orban said

Lavrov calls Kallas’ words about EU aid to Armenia 'confession'

The Russian foreign minister recalled, as an example, that in the case with Moldova, there was "blatant EU interference in the parliamentary elections"

London recklessly provokes US into confrontation with Russia — UK journalist

Frank Wright said "it's not realistic for the Europeans or the British to win a war against Russia"

Tanker seized by US near Venezuela towed to Texas port — TV

The report says the vessel has been anchored approximately 50 miles from the port city of Galveston

Russian troops expanding buffer zone near Seversk in DPR — Pushilin

According to the DPR head, the evacuation of civilians from the city is underway

Hungarian PM objects to sending tax dollars to Ukraine, advocates spending money at home

Viktor Orban has repeatedly confirmed that his government calls for resolving the Ukraine conflict peacefully and has no plans to spend Hungarian taxpayer money on further military activities in the country

Over 370 homes damaged in Belgorod in Ukrainian attacks over past week

Repair works are being conducted at 557 residential buildings

Relations with US, nuclear arms, Russia's security: Ryabkov's statements

The deputy foreign minister stressed that Russia still has serious questions for the United States over Ukraine

Press review: Kiev's Western support weakens as experts weigh in on Putin’s Q&A statements

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, December 22nd

Oil consumption in Africa to grow from 1.8 to 4.5 mbd by 2050 — forecast

By 2050, 40% of the world's population is expected to be concentrated in Africa

Russia going to develop international military cooperation — Putin

The collective security system of the Union States requires improvement, the Russian president stressed

Ukraine steps up its activities in Kharkov Region, initiative remains with Russia — expert

Andrey Marochko recalled that last week, Russian servicemen liberated the village of Novoplatonovka

Two civilians die after Kurds shell Aleppo — TV

According to the repot, the shelling attack targeted Aleppo’s northern Al-Jamiliya neighborhood

Europe's biggest nightmare is Ukraine deal on Russia's terms — senior diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov said that nobody can rewrite history

Russia’s public debt among lowest in developed countries — PM Mishustin

According to Mikhail Mishustin, this makes it possible to continue implementing national projects, pursue efforts to achieve technological development goals