24 Mar, 15:45

Russian Finance Ministry weighing tax break for mining of rare metals

According to the Ministry of Natural Resources, Russia boasts reserves of 29 rare metals, including fifteen rare-earth ones

MOSCOW, March 24. /TASS/. The Russian Finance Ministry will explore the possibility of removing the mineral extraction tax (MET), pending a financial and economic feasibility study, Deputy Minister Alexey Sazanov told reporters.

Andrey Kutepov, the head of the Federation Council’s economic policy committee, earlier sent a letter to First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov advocating for a 15-year MET exemption on all rare metal ores, including titanium, tungsten and zirconium.

"We have received the relevant request; await the financial and economic rationale. Before we see that, it would be premature to draw any conclusions. We will carefully examine the proposal," Sazanov said.

According to the Ministry of Natural Resources, Russia boasts reserves of 29 rare metals, including fifteen rare-earth ones. Total rare metal reserves amount to 658 mln metric tons.

US duties on cars will have only limited impact on Germany’s economy — experts

Veronika Grimm also noticed that the EU members should coordinate the actions for the adoption of countermeasures

Yesterday, 18:43

Journalists must be able to report on Ukraine without fear of attacks — UN spokesman

Meanwhile, the world organization itself has no right to investigate the killings of Russian journalists by Kiev without a proper mandate, Stephane Dujarric pointed out

Yesterday, 13:54

Kiev loses over 70,000 troops since Kursk incursion — Russia’s top brass

The ministry specified that over the past day the Ukrainian army lost more than 230 personnel, a tank, an armored personnel carrier and an armored combat vehicle

Two days ago, 21:48

Russia, US discuss Nord Stream pipeline issue — Lavrov

According to Russian Foreign Minister, 'it will be interesting if the Americans use their influence on Europe and will force it not to reject the Russian gas'

Russia, US open window of opportunity but need to speed up work — Moscow’s ambassador

The diplomat stressed that “clearing the toxic legacy, including the sanctions rubble, requires even greater efforts”

Yesterday, 19:16

Hungarian Mol interested in oil and gas projects in Russia — Novak

"New projects have not been defined, but in general we are also considering the expansion of cooperation between our countries in the energy sector," Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said

Yesterday, 23:58

Pentagon declines to confirm reports that four US troops died during training in Lithuania

The search for the missing soldiers continues

Two days ago, 20:34

Europe engages in ‘freeloading’ in cases with Ukraine, Yemen, NATO — Trump

US president said that 'the European Union has been absolutely terrible to us'

Lithuania's territorial claims against Russia justify Moscow's actions — Kremlin

Earlier, the Lithuanian president referred to Kaliningrad as part of "Little Lithuania"

Strengthening of partnership in line with Russian, Chinese interests — Russia’s deputy PM

Russia’s delegation at the meeting also included Deputy Minister of Economic Development Dmitry Volvach

Russian President Putin arrives in Murmansk on working visit

The head of state last visited the northwest Russian region in July 2023

Yesterday, 00:38

Lavrov describes NATO secretary general as ‘laughable and pathetic’

Russian Foreign Minister noted that Mark Rutte 'does not want even to speak on the subject'

Yesterday, 17:54

Russia’s friends are many — Putin

"There are people in the so-called West who do not understand Russia but this does not prevent us from living and growing," the Russian leader said

Yesterday, 13:25

Venice could sink by 2150 — study

According to the researchers' findings, the MOSE barrier system would not be enough to protect the city

Yesterday, 14:59

Many questions remain regarding use of intact Nord Stream 2 line — Novak

Technically, the pipeline is in working condition, the official stressed

Yesterday, 14:16

Russian forces strike Ukrainian military airfields, UAV assembly workshops over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup East inflicted roughly 150 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed three enemy artillery guns in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported

Russia’s new ambassador to US arrives in Washington

Earlier, an aircraft carrying Darchiev landed at Washington’s Dulles International Airport

Yesterday, 21:21

US government to introduce necessary reforms, following Signal data leak — Rubio

According to him, the US administration is thoroughly investigating how a journalist was included in the discussion of the United States’ operations

Russia’s top diplomat announces plan for Putin to visit India

Sergey Lavrov noted that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid his first foreign visit to Russia upon his re-election last year

Yesterday, 12:03

Russian forces use Geran UAVs to hit Ukraine’s drone launch site in Zaporozhye Region

During the last 24-hour period, Russia’s Battlegroup East inflicted roughly 150 casualties on Ukrainian troops in its area of responsibility in the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Zaporozhye Region, it said

Yesterday, 13:47

Employee of ZNPP faces 18 years in prison for plotting to kill IAEA experts

According to the investigation, Sergey Potyng joined a terrorist community created by the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate in March 2023

Poland prepares people for war — newspaper

"Now the frontline state is getting its population ready for war," Politico said

European bureaucracy cannot defeat Russia, Moscow’s envoy says

Politico reported earlier that Kallas was facing criticism from a number of European officials over her belligerent rhetoric against Moscow

Yesterday, 16:37

Europe moving away from idea of sending troops to Ukraine — Reuters

In addition to Kiev's position and Washington's stance, the initiative to send European troops is hampered by fierce opposition from Russia and logistical constraints, the sources said

Sending NATO 'peacekeepers' to Ukraine risks military confrontation with Russia — diplomat

According to Maria Zakharova, London and Paris are still nurturing plans for military intervention in Ukraine, disguising it as a certain peacekeeping mission

Two days ago, 10:10

Rare gold coins stolen from French museum worth almost $656,000 found in Moscow

Russian law enforcement officers received a photo and a detailed description of the stolen exhibits

Yesterday, 16:39

The Atlantic editor-in-chief exaggerates significance of Signal chat — US vice president

JD Vance drew attention to how Jeffrey Goldberg had criticized CIA Director John Ratcliffe for blowing the cover for a CIA agent

Yesterday, 20:00

Greenland essential to US international security — Trump

"We need Greenland for international safety and security,"US President said

Yesterday, 08:44

No deals with Kiev can be carried out without Ukraine’s full denazification — Medvedchuk

The politician said that these neo-Nazi gangs were created as a vanguard against everything related to Russia

Russian politician warns Europe against flooding Ukraine with weapons

Sergey Mironov recounted how the Islamic State (IS), Al-Qaeda, and other terrorist groups banned in Russia "once spiraled out of control" in the West

If US appoints new president of Ukraine, it will ruin the country — Russian legislator

"This would represent a continuation of the same colonial scenario and further accelerate Ukraine's collapse," Viktor Vodolatsky said

Ukrainian combat group hits its own mines upon escape from Sudzha — Russian army engineer

There were both wheeled and tracked vehicles with Ukrainian crews and military personnel blown up on the minefields, he specified

Russia delivers over 31 tons of humanitarian aid to Pakistan

"The shipment contains food, including provisions for children, clothes and essential goods," the Emergencies Ministry stated

Yesterday, 09:13

Strategic Yars launchers go on new patrol routes in Bologoye formation

Yars drive a hundred kilometers, build up field positions, organize camouflage and security

Yesterday, 20:45

United States carry out strikes on Houthi airbase in Sanaa — Al Masirah

According to the channel, the al-Dailami airbase was targeted by at least two airstrikes

Russia-US dialogue opens opportunities for non-confrontational coexistence — MFA

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov called the contacts "only the beginning of a long and difficult process to improve relations"

Yesterday, 03:52

Nuclear weapons previously held by Ukraine belonged to Russia — Trump’s special envoy

Richard Grenell called it 'an uncomfortable fact'

Yesterday, 11:38

Keys to the homeland: how Putin became president

On the occasion of today’s anniversary, TASS reflected on the circumstances that garnered Putin the support of the Russian people

Russian envoy’s informal credential presentation due on March 27 — US State Department

Senior Bureau Official for the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Louis Bono will attend "Russian Ambassador to the United States Alexander Darchiev's informal credential presentation in Washington, D.C."

Yalta to host diplomatic congress on future world order

According to the organizers, the delegates will address pressing geopolitical challenges "at a time of a shifting balance of power, dialogue and cooperation between the leading world powers"

Yesterday, 07:02

EU criticizes diplomacy chief Kallas's hostile attitude towards Russia — media

Another complaint against Kallas is that she is "acting like a prime minister," according to an EU diplomat

Russia to press for proper reaction to killings of journalists — MFA

Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also took the UN to task for saying that it does not possess a special mandate to carry out an investigation

Yesterday, 13:06

Engine tests for Angara-A5M launch vehicle completed

Successful completion of the tests opens the way to supply engines for flights, Roscosmos said

Yesterday, 12:34

Hungary’s foreign minister certain about Russia's commitment to reaching peace in Ukraine

Peter Szijjarto expressed optimism regarding the ongoing discussions between Russia and the United States about Ukraine, emphasizing Hungary's vested interest in their success

Ongoing Ukraine's attacks on Russia's energy facilities reveal Kiev's cynicism — senator

On Wednesday, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said that Ukraine continued its attacks on Russian energy facilities despite agreements to halt such strikes

Yesterday, 13:02

Inflation, sanctions, enhancement of life standards: Mishustin’s address to State Duma

"Russia is among the world’s four largest economies in terms of purchasing power parity," the Russian Prime Minister stated

Yesterday, 13:57

Putin submits treaty on Russia's strategic partnership with Iran to Duma for ratification

The comprehensive strategic partnership treaty was signed during the visit of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to Moscow in January 2025

US involved in at least two conflicts in which reporters knowingly killed — news outlet

US journalist Max Blumenthal believes that America is "in complete moral free fall"

EU won’t alter sanctions against Russia, nor permit its reconnection to SWIFT — portal

The European Commission representative clarified that the EU still considers the end of the special military operation in Ukraine and the complete withdrawal of Russian troops from territories that the West considers Ukrainian as the main condition for revising the sanctions regime

Yesterday, 17:24

Russia’s passenger car production rises by 12.8% to 115,000 cars in January-February

Production of passenger vehicles increased by 11.7% compared to January and by 6.8% year-on-year, reaching 60,800 vehicles

Yesterday, 07:52

Zelensky admits Ukraine has no money for army

On March 25, the Verkhovna Rada parliament approved a law on a sharp increase in salaries for ministries’ employees, which will be higher than those of the military

Yesterday, 15:42

Kiev’s military hits three power facilities in Kherson area since moratorium was imposed

Vladimir Saldo specified that over the past three years, a significant portion of the Kherson Region's energy infrastructure has been damaged due to shelling

Yesterday, 16:43

Kiev seeks to derail peace agreements — Russian mission to UN

According to Dmitry Polyansky, Russia is fully ready for a military scenario of settlement of the conflict in Ukraine, but prefers to settle it by diplomatic means

Yesterday, 19:00

UN expresses condolences over death of Russian war correspondent — spokesman

"We have seen journalists pay the ultimate price in this conflict, as they have in others," Stephane Dujarric said

Yesterday, 09:16

Kiev deliberately targets journalists, law norms for protecting them — Russian diplomat

Earlier on Wednesday, Channel One said Prokofyeva, 35, was killed by an enemy mine in the bordering area of Belgorod

Yesterday, 16:41

Russia calls for immediate international reaction to killing of Russian journalists — MFA

"We call for an immediate reaction to the killing of Anna Prokofyeva and other Russian media representatives from relevant international organizations, primarily from the UNESCO Director-General, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media," Maria Zakharova emphasized

Gagauzia head urges Putin to help with her release

According to Yevgenia Gutsul, Chisinau is disregarding all principles of democracy and international law, consistently and methodically provoking internal confrontation

Yesterday, 22:53

Envoy explains why US chose to address Black Sea Initiative first in talks on Ukraine

Keith Kellogg said that was the easy part

Washington, Kiev may sign minerals deal next week, US Treasury chief says

The signing of the minerals deal was postponed following the February 28 verbal spat between Vladimir Zelensky and US President Donald Trump at the White House

European efforts to intercept the Russian-US Ukrainian agenda futile — Russian lawmaker

"Attempts to hijack the agenda from Washington and Moscow, who are currently engaged in negotiations, are entirely pointless," Maria Butina said

Yesterday, 10:00

Press review: Russia and US advance Black Sea deal as nuclear divide deepens in Europe

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, March 26th

Yesterday, 08:49

Channel One says war reporter Prokofyeva dies in Belgorod Region

Anna Prokofyeva was 35 years old

Two days ago, 06:18

Russian forces push Ukrainians near Sudzha crossing in Kursk region — security official

As Russian forces have advanced, scattered Ukrainian troops have found themselves completely cut off from enemy forces in Ukraine’s Sumy Region

EU outraged over being excluded from discussions on Nord Stream pipelines — Politico

Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with Channel One that Moscow and Washington were discussing the Nord Stream issue

Kiev’s special services recruiting Russians under cover of RAND Corporation — FSB

The Ukrainian recruiters pose as employees of RAND Europe, the US firm’s European arm, the FSB shared

New draft of Kiev’s deal with Washington covers all Ukrainian natural resources — lawmaker

Under the US proposal, Ukraine will have to allocate revenues from its resources, while the aid Washington has provided to Kiev since 2022 will be considered a US contribution to the fund

Two days ago, 12:32

Lavrov dismisses EU's Ukraine mission plans as 'dreamers' fantasy

"These dreamers are proving their complete political incompetence with each passing day," the Russian top diplomat said, referring to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron

Yesterday, 20:39

Current Kiev government fails to represent interests of Ukrainian people — Lavrov

The top Russian diplomat also pointed out that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen "categorically ignores" the laws on the extermination of everything Russian passed by the Nazi regime of Vladimir Zelensky

Russia displays counter-UAV laser rifle

According to the designer company, the laser beam destroys the drone body, propeller, engines, battery

Yesterday, 16:28

Medvedev suggests using laser systems for defense against drones

The official emphasized that the enemy remained highly active in using drones to attack various targets, including civilian infrastructure, despite ongoing negotiations

Kiev distorts agreements, cannot be trusted — Zakharova

The Russian diplomat recalled that Vladimir Zelensky was even able to misinterpret the statements of former French President Francois Hollande and former German Chancellor Angela Merkel that "they never intended to implement the Minsk agreements"

Top US diplomat points to ‘agreement in principle’ on Black Sea ceasefire

The Kremlin on Tuesday released a statement following the March 24 expert consultations with Washignton

Yesterday, 14:19

French colonel predicts collapse of NATO by 2030

Regie Chamagne predicts sweeping changes in the Western political leadership in the coming years

Yesterday, 22:09

Deputy PM to lead Russia’s delegation to Boao Forum for Asia, meet with Chinese leadership

The Boao forum, which has been taking place since 2002, brings together about 30 countries of the Asia-Pacific region

Russia to display battle-tested weapons at LAAD show in Brazil

Rosoboronexport said it is ready to discuss new industrial cooperation projects regarding the displayed weapons in full compliance with modern market trends

Gutsul urges Putin to support Gagauzia's special status

The head of Moldova’s autonomous Gagauzia region sent the appeal through her lawyers

Two days ago, 22:12

Zelensky understands that his days are numbered — Lavrov

In Russian Foreign Minister's words, he remains popular only among 'a part of the population that shares radical, ultra-right, revanchist and Banderite views'

Yesterday, 19:15

Departed businesses returning to Russia must not contradict its national interests — PM

First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, the Russian authorities do not plan to prepare a list of foreign brands that can return to Russia - the companies themselves must initiate their return

Yesterday, 16:33

Financial infrastructure important for BRICS trade, economies — Russian minister

According to Anton Siluanov, Russia considers various financial innovations on the BRICS floor, including the cross-border payment system that can be based on national currencies

Washington keeps mum about killings of Russian military correspondents

TASS submitted its request for comment regarding the killing of Russian war reporters or the activity of the Ukrainian military to the White House and the Department of State on Wednesday morning, local time

Press review: Kiev challenges Black Sea deal as the US reasserts China as its top rival

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, March 27th

Deepening cooperation between Russia, Turkmenistan meets bilateral interests — Russian PM

Mikhail Mishustin noted "the progressive development of the Russian-Turkmen relationship in the spirit of friendship, mutual respect and strategic partnership"

Israel ready to consider military solution to issue of Iranian nuclear program — diplomat

US President Donald Trump wrote on the Truth Social platform on March 7 that he had sent a message to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, calling for talks on Tehran’s nuclear program

Yesterday, 15:07

Ukraine continues attacks on Russian energy facilities — deputy PM

Alexander Novak emphasized that Russia certainly requires additional efforts to restore the facilities that suffered damage from the strikes

Officers arrest creators of Mamont virus program, enabling theft from bank cards

According to Russian Interior Ministry Spokeswoman Irina Volk, the malicious software was distributed through Telegram channels under the guise of safe mobile applications and video files

Beijing, Moscow set standard for relations between two great powers — Chinese vice premier

White House press secretary slams Democrats for trying to sow chaos

According to Karoline Leavitt, Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg is "an anti-Trump hater."

Yesterday, 22:55

US plans to continue strikes on Houthis 'for a long time,' Trump says

The American leader called previous strikes on the positions of the rebels from the Ansar Allah movement "very successful"

Yesterday, 10:53

Chinese expert doubts US role as mediator in peace talks on Ukraine

Meanwhile, profound disagreement on a permanent ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine remains, and the most complex talks are yet to come, Sun Qi warned as he referred to territorial disputes and US military assistance to Ukraine

About seven dead in Ukraine's February 1 attack on Sudzha boarding school — eyewitness

For now, there is no possibility to know the exact number of people killed and to recover the bodies from under the rubble, as demining efforts continue in the town, while its streets are still being attacked

Yesterday, 21:23

Russian Ambassador Alexander Darchiev arrives in US — TASS source

In early March, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree appointing Alexander Darchiev

Yesterday, 06:49

Russian troops take central part of Lobkovoye settlement in Zaporozhye area

According to the report, the Ukrainian armed formations are deploying reinforcements, trying to impede the Russian army’s advance

London wants to provoke Europe into bloodshed with Russia — Zakharova

On March 20, the military leaders of about 30 Western countries of the so-called coalition of the willing met in London to discuss operational details of sending troops to Ukraine after the conflict was resolved

Israeli strike on Gaza kills Hamas spokesperson

According to the TV channel Al Jazeera, the Hamas official was killed in a strike on his tent in Jabalia al-Balad in northern Gaza