20 Feb, 15:28

RTS Index gain 3.5% after official exchange rates release by Central Bank

The Moscow Exchange Index added 1.28% and reached 3,312,61 points

MOSCOW, February 20. /TASS/. The RTS Index gained more than 3% after the Bank of Russia had released official currency rates, according to market data.

The regulator lowered the rate to 88.51 rubles for the dollar, 92.48 for the euro and 12.13 rubles for the yuan for February 21.

The RTS Index ticked up by 3.48% to 1,179.01 points. The Moscow Exchange Index added 1.28% and reached 3,312,61 points.

‘Liberation Day:’ Trump imposes retaliatory customs duties against 'all countries'

US president is expected to personally announce the details of the restrictions

Yesterday, 18:37

Russian oil industry to continue to overcome sanctions — Novak

Alexander Novak emphasized that the oil sector accounts for over 10% of Russia’s GDP and approximately 20% of the federal budget

Yesterday, 18:54

Pentagon requests funds for system to detect Russian, Chinese subs off US coast

According to Gregory Guillot, the numbers of Russian and Chinese submarines detected off the US coast, including off Alaska, and of fly-bys of Russian and Chinese warplanes in the NORAD zone "have actually grown over the last several years despite the activities in Ukraine"

Yesterday, 08:21

French, German, US citizens increasingly relocate to Russia — Russian lawmaker

Maria Butina noted that the choice of regions is explained by climatic conditions and a developed economy

Yesterday, 19:26

Trump to visit Saudi Arabia in May — White House

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt added that members of Trump’s team are currently working out the details of his upcoming trip

Yesterday, 10:48

Russia ready to help Iran, US build dialogue as 'ship hasn't sailed yet' — senior diplomat

US President Donald Trump said on March 30 that he intended to impose secondary sanctions on Iran in two weeks unless progress was achieved in talks on Tehran’s nuclear program

Russia to engage BRICS, SCO to build Eurasia's security system — MFA

Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova noted that Russia would welcome the inclusion of European countries in the process of continental cooperation, provided they abandon hostile policies and bloc thinking

Two days ago, 22:40

Houthis down US MQ-9 Reaper drone over Yemen — spokesman

The drone was destroyed with a "locally made missile, the group's spokesman Yahya Saria said

Yesterday, 13:12

Washington's Ukraine proposals fail to address root causes — Russian diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov stressed that Moscow took Washington’s proposals on Ukraine seriously but can not take them "as they are"

Europe standing to lengthen life of Kiev’s regime — Lavrov

Instincts of the ruling class in Europe are clearly demonstrated in developments in Ukraine, the top Russian diplomat said

Two days ago, 13:40

FACTBOX: What is known about Marine Le Pen’s sentence

In accordance with the court decision, Marine Le Pen will have to wear an electronic bracelet for two of the four years

Yesterday, 15:41

Freight loading on Russian Railways network falls by 7.2% in March

Meanwhile, total freight loading in January-March 2024 reached 277.7 mln tons, reflecting a 6.1% decrease year-on-year

'Oreshnik' in Belarus, Trump 'bulldozer': Lukashenko addresses upper house

Belarusian leader stressed that Moscow and Minsk "seamlessly complement each other" in industry despite differences in resources

Trump set to simplify rules for US weapons exports — Reuters

According to the agency’s sources, the US administration may make an official announcement in the coming weeks

Two apartment buildings in Russia’s Taganrog damaged in drone attack

Two individuals sustained light injuries

Yesterday, 15:55

Gorlovka’s air defenses suppressed 20 to 70 Ukrainian drones over past month

DPR Head Denis Pushilin noted that a convenient feedback system for residents was being developed to promptly report suppressed and detected drones

Yesterday, 13:35

Putin asks Belousov for update on energy strike moratorium

Earlier, the Russian president agreed with the American leader's proposal that both sides to the Ukraine conflict halt strikes on energy infrastructure

Missing plane found crashed in Alaska, all 10 people aboard killed — report

It is unclear yet what caused the accident

Expert does not see Nokia coming back to Russian market

Nokia will not work in Russia "for numerous obvious reasons," having withdrawn in 2022 and no longer providing support for devices

Yesterday, 20:14

All Gaza bakeries close after running out of flour, fuel — TV

The official said the total number of closed bakeries has reached 25, as earlier six more stopped baking bread due to fuel shortages

Yesterday, 11:50

Boat of Russian traveler Konyukhov to be museum exhibit if recovered

The expected boat drift path in the South Indian Ocean has already been calculated but only oceanic currents are taken into account

Yesterday, 16:50

Russian foreign, defense ministers brief Putin on Ukraine’s moratorium violations

According to Sergey Lavrov, "Andrey Removich Belousov laid out how the moratorium, coordinated at the proposal of President Trump back during the March 18 phone call between our presidents, of Russia and the US, is being observed"

Two days ago, 23:00

Trump believes Russia to make deal on Ukraine, doesn't rule out oil sanctions

Responding to a corresponding question, Trump said that he "has an ability" to get a deal on the Ukrainian settlement

Yesterday, 17:38

Body of fourth US serviceman found in Lithuania — command

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda has expressed his condolences over the serviceman’s death

Yesterday, 17:50

US ready to consider expansion of number of NATO nuclear missions participants — Pentagon

Russia has consistently said that the continued practice of so-called joint nuclear missions in NATO runs contrary to the provisions of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons

Yesterday, 13:33

Donetsk republic head says Ukraine picks targets to hurt as many civilians as possible

According to Denis Pushilin, the region’s residents fully felt the "ruthlessness of the enemy" over the 11 years of Ukrainian aggression

Yesterday, 15:35

US citizen detained in Belarus not involved in incident at drills in Lithuania — officials

During the accident of the US M88 following military drills in Lithuania, the death of three people was confirmed

Yesterday, 13:51

Hungary, Slovakia boost gas supplies from Russia, bypassing Ukraine — Szijjarto

According to the Hungarian Foreign Minister, the volume will rise to 3.5 billion cubic meters

Yesterday, 09:10

World majority countries see Russia-China relations as stabilizing factor — Lavrov

"We recognize the responsibility of Moscow and Beijing to maintain close coordination in the international arena," the Russian foreign minister stressed

Yesterday, 16:19

Billionaires on Forbes list range from 19 to 103 years old

In 2025, over 3,000 people with a combined fortune of a record $16.1 trillion made the magazine's list, including 406 women

Yesterday, 13:56

Former PM sees external governance as only way to establish lasting peace in Ukraine

According to Nikolay Azarov, it’s not just about setting up a temporary administration that would hold free elections in Ukraine and address the causes that led to the conflict in 2022

Two days ago, 11:11

Kremlin points to lack of Trump's quotes about his alleged anger at Putin

According to Dmitry Peskov, some of the mentioned Donald Trump's statements were paraphrased

14 Jun 2024, 14:13

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

Yesterday, 14:54

New French ambassador comes to Russia, presents copies of credentials — Foreign Ministry

Nicolas de Riviere replaced Pierre Levy, who had held this position since 2020

Yesterday, 14:02

Vucic says Serbia, Hungary are moving towards military alliance

The document on strategic defense cooperation, along with a plan for bilateral military partnership for 2025, was signed by Serbian Defense Minister Bratislav Gasic and his Hungarian counterpart, Krisztof Szalay-Bobrovniczky

Two days ago, 11:13

US’ draft minerals deal unconstitutional, Zelensky's office says

Sergey Leshchenko added that Kiev should take into account that US President Donald Trump, whose administration has put forward the agreement, "is there for a long time"

Russia to hold informal UN Security Council meeting on Kiev’s crimes

It will be devoted to the third anniversary of the Bucha provocation

Yesterday, 19:28

Kamaz’s net profit drops 28-fold to 731 mln rubles in 2024

In 2024, Kamaz produced over 54,600 commercial vehicles, a 3% increase compared to the previous year

Yesterday, 15:10

Russia, China should jointly promote multipolar world — top Chinese diplomat

Wang also said that "the Chinese and Soviet peoples fought bravely, suffered heavy losses, and defeated militaristic Japan and Nazi Germany during World War II"

Yesterday, 12:04

Russian troops liberate Razliv community in Donetsk region over past day

"In the Belgorod direction, Battlegroup North units struck massed manpower and equipment of a mechanized brigade of the Ukrainian army and two territorial defense brigades in areas near the settlements of Ugroyedy, Turya and Miropolye in the Sumy Region," the ministry said

Two days ago, 10:01

Medvedev calls Russia's latest missiles best cure for Russophobia

The politician said that Russophobia stems from "bipolar affective exaggeration of Russia’s influence on the life of Europe and Europeans" and alternates between manic and depressive phases

Yesterday, 13:37

Trump doubles his wealth over past year to $5.1 bln, Forbes says

According to Forbes, real estate makes up the bulk of Donald Trump's fortune

Yesterday, 19:26

IDF reports clashes between Israelis, Palestinians in West Bank

"IDF and Israel Police forces were dispatched to the scene and began operating to disperse the violent confrontation," the statement reads

Yesterday, 16:53

Putin files income and expense declaration for 2024 — Kremlin

By law, high-ranking civil servants must submit declarations of their income and expenses, as well as the income and expenses of their spouses and minor children, annually by April 1

Yesterday, 08:26

Russian troops semi-encircle Ukrainian combat group near Figolevka in Kharkov Region

Over the past few days, Russian forces have improved their tactical position in active combat operations and advanced in several sections of the Kupyansk frontline area, Andrey Marochko reported

Yesterday, 16:23

US intends to provide military assistance to Ukraine after end of conflict — Pentagon

Dan Caine retired from the army last December as lieutenant general

Yesterday, 15:44

No critical barriers identified in digital ruble testing, pilot continues — Central Bank

According to the regulator, the transition to mass adoption is inevitable, though the exact timing will be determined later

Yesterday, 17:18

Trump’s pick for top US general says Russia, Iran, China, DPRK don’t seek NATO-style bloc

Dan Caine also spoke out on the deterrence of Russia

Yesterday, 17:35

Kurd-populated areas in north of Aleppo come under control of Syrian security forces

Under the deal, Kurdish militias will withdraw from the districts to northeastern Syria

Yesterday, 16:59

US military’s top priorities include Asia-Pacific region, containment of China — Pentagon

According to Dan Caine, "the threat posed by China to American interests in the Indo-Pacific is real and growing"

Yesterday, 17:57

US to keep supporting Taiwan’s ability to defend itself — Pentagon

Washington severed diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 1979 and established ties with China

South African delegation visits US to clarify government policy — Foreign Ministry

The ministry emphasized that the South African government intends to act in ways that will prevent the country’s national interests from clashing with those of its strategic global partners

Yesterday, 03:46

Kiev loses almost 22,000 troops, mercenaries in March in battles near LPR — expert

Military expert Andrey Marochko pointed out that during March Russian fighters advanced deep into the enemy's defenses

Yesterday, 08:56

Chinese forces encircle Taiwan on three sides during drills

On April 1, the Eastern Theater Command announced the start of comprehensive drills around Taiwan, which involve ground troops, missile forces, the Navy and the Air Force

Two days ago, 19:49

Trump annoyed with comments from both sides of Ukraine conflict — White House

According to the television channel, the US president also said he was "very angry" about the comments that Russian President Vladimir Putin made about Vladimir Zelensky and officials in Kiev

US carries out new strikes on Houthi facilities in Yemen — TV

According to the news outlet, the governorates of Al Hudaydah, Saada and Hajjah were attacked

Yesterday, 06:55

US Institute of Peace deletes financial data to cover crimes, Musk says

The entrepreneur noted that the data had been recovered

Yesterday, 15:10

Russia complies with pause on strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure 100% — Lavrov

According to the Russian foreign minister, President Vladimir Putin said that seven drones were flying to attack targets in Ukraine on March 18, and they were destroyed by Russian air defenses and an airplane that was on duty in the sky at the time

Two days ago, 17:58

Trump's son says Le Pen's verdict proves Vance right about EU

The US State Department declined to comment

Yesterday, 12:42

Sanctions not preventing Russia from leadership in global energy markets — PM

Mikhail Mishustin said that Russia is expanding logistical routes, "primarily in the direction of friendly countries, and financing appropriate infrastructure"

No mentioning of Red Army’s heroic deeds by UN gives rise to concerns — Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Guterres, when speaking at the ceremony dedicated to the 80th anniversary of liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau, did not mention the Red Army a single time, although the Memory Day for these victims was established according to results of the heroic deed of the Red Army fighters

Yesterday, 16:23

Putin meets with Republika Srpska President Dodik — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov added that he plans to visit Moscow on May 9 to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Victory

Yesterday, 16:57

Kiev receives 3.5 bln euro tranche from Brussels

According to Denis Shmygal, total financial assistance provided under the program has now reached 19.6 bln euro

Yesterday, 19:28

Top Russian, Chinese diplomats discuss prospects for settling Ukrainian crisis

The Russian foreign policy agency noted that during the talks, the sides exchanged opinions on the schedule of bilateral interaction at the high and highest levels as well as on certain issues of practical and humanitarian cooperation

Two days ago, 03:35

Russia’s Battlegroup West downs 17 Ukrainian drones, wipes out 23 drone control centers

According to the spokesman for the battlegroup Ivan Bigma, the battlegroup hit two mechanized, one assault and one territorial defense brigades in the Kharkov Region, the LPR, the DPR and in the Serebryanka forestry

Yesterday, 10:42

Expert estimates number of French mercenaries fighting for Ukraine at 164

Laurent Brayard currently estimates the total number of mercenaries at 15,000 to 18,000 people

Yesterday, 16:14

Wildberries CEO Tatyana Kim tops Forbes list of Russia's richest women again

The other wealthiest Russian women in the Forbes dollar billionaire ranking include the main shareholder of Uralsib Bank Lyudmila Kogan and President of Inteco Management Elena Baturina, both of whom have a net worth of $1.3 billion, as well as shareholder of the oil company Lukoil Yekaterina Fedun, whose fortune is estimated at $1.1 billion

Donbass’ primary lithium and titanium deposits under control of Russia — head of DPR

Denis Pushilin revealed that the development of these deposits in the region had not started yet as the priority task at present was to clear these territories of mines

Yesterday, 13:38

More than half of Ukrainians support peaceful settlement of conflict — poll

11% of polled Ukrainians supported a return to the 1991 country’s borders

Ovechkin three goals behind Gretzky's record

The game against Boston was Washington's 74th of the current regular season, out of a total of 82

Two days ago, 08:49

European brands expect Moscow to quickly pardon everything — Russian diplomat

According to Kirill Logvinov, the respective decisions will be made individually

Yesterday, 12:41

Number of Russian billionaires climbs to record high 146 — Forbes

The total wealth of the richest Russians also climbed to a record high $625.5 bln over the year, the Russian edition of Forbes says

Ukraine receives six air defense systems from Lithuania — Zelensky

He did not specify whether the systems had already been delivered to Ukraine or which type of systems they were

Two days ago, 12:26

Kremlin not surprised by NYT investigation into US involvement in Ukrainian conflict

According to the report, the United States has been supplying the Ukrainian authorities with daily coordinates of Russian Armed Forces’ positions from its base in Wiesbaden

Yesterday, 10:35

Georgian parliament passes US version of foreign agents law

86 deputies voted for the law

Yesterday, 18:09

ZNPP denies reports of incident caused by Ukrainian shelling

According to the statement, the operation of the plant is completely safe, and conditions are in place for the staff to work at maximum efficiency

Russian Direct Investment Fund head, Witkoff may hold talks in US this week — media

Kirill Dmitriyev's visit could mark the first time since 2022 that a high-ranking Russian official would travel to the US capital for talks

‘Liberation Day:’ Trump imposes retaliatory customs duties against 'all countries'

US president is expected to personally announce the details of the restrictions

Yesterday, 11:41

Zelensky's office confirms plans to modify legislation to postpone election

Mikhail Podolyak said that after the lifting of martial law, it may take up to six months to prepare for the elections

Republika Srpska President Dodik notes Russia’s significance after meeting with Putin

He said that Russia is the guarantor of a peace agreement

Yesterday, 18:44

White House doesn’t plan to consult Congress about Yemen strikes — spokeswoman

Asked whether the US administration plans to ask Congress to greenlight the strikes or whether the White House will respond to the letter, Leavitt slammed the criticism

Yesterday, 16:37

Wang Yi's visit demonstrates Russia-China solidarity on Ukrainian settlement — expert

Kirill Babayev noted that "Beijing is increasingly frustrated with the measures the US government has imposed on Chinese imports," and plans to "respond quite sternly to the US tariffs"

Yesterday, 10:00

Press review: EU, UK weigh new sanctions on Russia as Trump’s threat to Iran may spark war

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, April 1st

Yesterday, 16:26

Cooperation between Russia, China never directed against third parties — Wang

According to Wang Yi, Russia and China have broad prospects for further developing cooperation

Yesterday, 04:23

China Coast Guard ships patrol off Taiwan as part of drill

The patrols being conducted are "a practical action to control the island of Taiwan", spokesman for the East China Sea Bureau, said

Yesterday, 13:20

Democrats hid Biden’s frailties, prepared for his death before election — The Hill

According to the report, plans also started to come together behind the scenes in 2023 to prepare for the event that another candidate needed to take over from Joe Biden should he not seek reelection

Two days ago, 18:25

Paint it Australian: WTA officially puts Russian-born Kasatkina under new flag

Following the IOC's recommendations in late February 2022, the majority of global sports federations decided to bar athletes from Russia and Belarus from all international sports tournaments

Yesterday, 15:50

Putin asks at Security Council session to talk about US meeting on Black Sea initiative

Russia and the United States held consultations in Riyadh on March 24 that lasted more than 12 hours

25 Oct 2021, 15:32

Putin grants Russian citizenship to actress and singer Natalia Oreiro and her son

Natalia Oreiro said in an interview that she had applied for Russian citizenship in June 2020

Yesterday, 15:32

Visits by Russia, China’s leaders to foster ties between countries — top Chinese diplomat

Wang, who heads China’s Foreign Ministry (2013-2022, since 2023 until present) and the Foreign Affairs Commission Office of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee (since 2023) is on an official visit to Moscow from March 31 through April 2

Two days ago, 10:23

Russia to get world’s most combat-fit army after Ukraine conflict, says expert

The confrontation in Ukraine was accompanied by "the use of a large amount of technologies that had never been employed before and that began to play a completely critical role in modern warfare," Vasily Kashin noted

Yesterday, 12:13

US deploys additional military aircraft to Middle East — media outlet

On March 28, The Daily Telegraph reported, citing a military source, that the Pentagon was transferring four more B-2 strategic bombers to the Diego Garcia in addition to three heavy stealth aircraft that had arrived on the island earlier

Yesterday, 15:41

Kiev’s violation of moratorium, Black Sea initiative: what Lavrov said

Russia and the United States are preparing for a new meeting aimed at addressing annoyances in bilateral relations and normalizing communication, the Russian foreign minister noted

Yesterday, 11:49

Russia practicing 'flexible pragmatism' in relations with Taliban — expert

Alexander Hoffmann also pointed out that, from a geopolitical perspective, this decision reinforces Russia's role as a key mediator in the Afghan settlement, facilitating greater engagement with Kabul

Yesterday, 19:25

Carney says US will never own Canada

Canadian Prime Minister also pledged a response to the US tariffs that the US president announced he would impose on April 2

Russian Kublitsky asks US court to postpone hearing of his case to August

His lawyer John Torikashvili stated that while the hearing is currently scheduled for April, the parties need more time to review the case materials and to negotiate a possible pre-trial agreement

Two days ago, 10:00

Press review: Rare earth talks boost Russia-US ties as EU seeks influence in Central Asia

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, March 31st

Yesterday, 16:39

Around 50 legal entities open digital ruble accounts during testing phase

Since August 15, 2023, the Bank of Russia has been conducting a pilot project involving real digital rubles

Yesterday, 17:03

New draft minerals deal with US to turn Ukraine into colony — former PM

Nikolay Azarov also pointed out that Washington is demanding compensation for the funds allocated to Kiev during Joe Biden's presidency (2021-2025)

Yesterday, 14:26

Russian stand opens at defense exhibition in Brazil first time in six years

Russia aims to collaborate with Latin American countries on joint development and production projects involving small arms, drones, and precision-guided munitions

Two days ago, 09:13

Iran vows consequences for US after Trumps’ threats of 'never-seen-before' bombing

According to Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmail Baghaei, such statements run counter to the United Nations Charter and the safeguards under the International Atomic Energy Agency