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Russian stock market indices in the green on Thursday — market data

The MOEX Russia Index gained 0.04% to 2,912.72 points, while the RTS Index added 0.23% to 1,142.79 points

MOSCOW, August 28. /TASS/. The Russian stock market ended the trading session on Thursday with confident upward dynamics of indicators, according to Moscow Exchange data.

The MOEX Russia Index gained 0.04% to 2,912.72 points. The RTS Index added 0.23% to 1,142.79 points. The yuan added 0.8 kopecks to 11.238 rubles.

"The MOEX Russia Index continued cruising around the 2,900 points level on Thursday. Trade turnovers remain low. We see the flat move of the market with the expecting sentiment. The uncertainty regarding further developments related to settlement of the Ukrainian conflict restrains the activity of buyers. Meanwhile, no obvious reasons are for active sales also," Alexander Shepelev from BCS Investment World said.

Freedom Finance Global believes the MOEX Russia Index will move within the corridor of 2,800 - 2,940 points tomorrow. BCS Investment World forecasts the MOEX Russia Index to be within 2,850-2,950 points on August 29.

"On the one part, the approaching weekend may lower the trading activity even further. On the other part, the market has positive expectations from the forthcoming visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to China," Shepelev said.

Flights from Russia to Malaysia planned to launch in 2026 — minister

Russian Transport Minister Andrey Nikitin didn't specify which routes there will be the launch of flights

France has real opportunity to leave NATO — newspaper

According to the newspaper, the discussion about France's withdrawal from NATO acquired new relevance thanks to the conscious decision of the US to officially return to an overt imperial policy

Trump claims Iran has canceled 800 scheduled hangings

Unrest in Iran began on December 29 after street protests triggered by a sharp fall in the Iranian rial exchange rate

Annual inflation slows down to 5.59% in December 2025 — statistics

In monthly terms, consumer prices gained 0.32%

Bank of Russia lowers dollar exchange rate for January 17-19 to 77.83 rubles

The regulator lowered the official euro exchange rate by 1.27 rubles to 90.5366 rubles

Italian company plans to set up UAV production center in Ukraine — Kharkov administration

The administration received information about Italy's use of non-governmental organizations operating within its borders to recruit foreign mercenaries for the Ukrainian armed forces

Finland opens probe into three German snow trekkers who trespassed border into Russia

According to the Finnish Border Guard, the adventurists crossed the border in Paljakka in northeastern Finland’s Kuusamo "out of curiosity"

Artist's Day to be celebrated in Russia for first time

The initiative to hold this professional holiday has been put forward by Chairman of Russia’s Union of Theatre Workers and People's Artist of Russia Vladimir Mashkov

Germany allocates 60 mln euro to support Ukraine’s energy sector — Ukrainian top diplomat

According to Andrey Sibiga, the money will go "to reinforcing the heat-supply system"

Syrian president issues decree protecting Kurds’ rights

The Kurdish language is recognized as official and can be taught at schools in Kurdish-populated areas

Ninety-nine Ukrainian drones downed over Russian regions overnight

29 of them were destroyed over the Belgorod Region

Operational security makes Oreshnik system in Belarus invisible to opponents — official

Alexander Volfovich emphasized that the Oreshnik and tactical nuclear weapons are deployed in Belarus only to protect its territory

Introduction of driverless solutions is necessity, not fashion — Putin

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IN BRIEF: Threats to 'abduct' Putin,' Greenland: statements by Russian Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova said all issues around Greenland should be resolved within the framework of international law

WhatsApp to be completely blocked in Russia this year — lawmaker

Andrey Svintsov said this is because WhatsApp is owned by Meta, recognized as the extremist company in Russia

US, Ukraine 'not on same page' on some issues in peace talks — Zelensky

Vladimir Zelensky continues to insist that Ukraine field 800,000 soldiers while admitting that Kiev cannot afford such an army

Russia has no claims for Greenland — ambassador

Vladimir Barbin recalled Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen’s remarks during a conference in Washington on January 14

London is again trying to boost its authority at Kiev’s expense — senior legislator

"London seems to have entered the race for dominance within the 'warmongers’ camp,' effectively closing the 'window of opportunity' for Europe to reclaim its sovereignty," Leonid Slutsky said

Russian stock market indices in the green this Friday — market data

The MOEX Russia Index gained 1.2% to 2,733.75 points, while the RTS Index added 2.1% to 1,106.46 points

Unacceptable to use blackmail, threats when talking to Cuba — Russian MFA

Moscow is concerned about escalating tensions around Cuba, Maria Zakharova said

Russian mogul skier Ivanova to compete at FIS Freestyle Cup stage in US

Ivanova, 30, is the winner and holder of numerous prizes in Russia’s national mogul competitions

Dmitriev calls Canada 52nd state of US

The Russian special presidential envoy noted that Greenland would be the 51st state

Stoltenberg calls on Western countries to engage in dialogue with Russia

Former NATO Secretary General stressed that this is necessary, among other things, for the discussion of arms control

Russian troops liberate five communities in Ukraine operation over week — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup North inflicted more than 1,345 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed four enemy armored combat vehicles in its areas of responsibility over the week, the Defense Ministry reported

All districts in Kupyansk controlled by Russian troops — Battlegroup West

Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov listened to the report of the battlegroup commander and inquired about the situation around Kupyansk

Russian paratroopers advancing in four localities in Zaporozhye Region — governor

The fighting is heavy, but Russian soldiers are confidently advancing, Yevgeny Balitsky said

Senior Russian legislator slams US fund's suit for 'tsarist debts' as legal aggression

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Russia capable of persuading NATO countries to abandon provocations in Baltic region

Russian Ambassador to Denmark Vladimir Barbin emphasized that "Russia will not allow navigation in the Baltic Sea to be regulated according to NATO and the European Union's model"

Moldovan PM says would vote for unifying with Romania

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Karin Kneissl: Greenland Could Become the 51st US State

Russian troops liberating Zhovtnevoye straighten frontline at Orekhovo — DPR official

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Agriculture Ministry expects grain harvest in Russia to grow in 2026 compared to 2025

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Situation in Middle East: Putin holds telephone talks with Netanyahu, Pezeshkian

The Russian president confirmed the readiness of the Russian side to "continue appropriate mediation efforts and foster constructive dialogue with the participation of all interested states"

German court believes Nord Stream explosions were ordered by Ukraine — media

Germany's Federal Court of Justice ruled that Sergey K. should remain in custody

Brazil's defense ministry calling for stronger air defenses after US strikes on Venezuela

The military commander also noted the need to modernize the helicopter fleet and purchase reconnaissance and attack drones

Press review: Russia to respond to EU army plans while Ukraine's ex-PM charged for bribery

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Russia needs sovereign AI technologies — Putin

The plan of their creation and rollout will be discussed shortly with participation of domestic high-technology business, Putin added

IAEA announces localized ceasefire for repairs on power line to Zaporozhye nuke plant

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Trump getting Nobel medal doesn't confer Peace Prize to him, laureate center says

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Russian foreign ministry advises Russian citizens not to travel to Moldova

"Moscow continues to record numerous episodes of discrimination, ungrounded harassment and undue treatment of Russian citizens in Moldova by the Moldovan authorities," the ministry said

Trump says no one convinced him not to strike Iran

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Press review: Trump pressures Denmark as US business signals Arctic ties with Russia

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, January 16th

Azerbaijan has begun gas supplies to Austria and Germany — SOCAR

The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic did not disclose the timing or volume of deliveries

Ukraine needs to make 'painful concessions' to achieve peace — Czech president

Petr Pavel did not say which concessions he was referring to

Merz calls Russia 'European country,' hopes to achieve balance in relations

The Chancellor said his comment was not because he was in the east of Germany

Russian oil tankers in crosshairs of West, legal blocking of Baltic Sea impossible — envoy

Russian Ambassador to Denmark Vladimir Barbin emphasized that international law guarantees unimpeded passage of ships through the Baltic straits

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A national committee will be created for this purpose, Venezuela’s authorized President said

Kremlin welcomes signals from Rome, Paris, Berlin regarding dialogue with Moscow

Dmitry Peskov noted that it was necessary to talk to Russia

Venezuela not humiliated by US military aggression, defense chief says

Vladimir Padrino Lopez emphasized that the honor of Venezuela’s national armed forces "remains unwavering"

US military operation in Venezuela kills 83 people, defense chief says

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World heading toward chaos due to West's actions — MFA

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova pointed to "the West’s destructive activities, both in its own countries and abroad, aimed at dismantling the basic principles of morality"

Israeli defense minister confirms military continues demolishing buildings in Gaza

Israel Katz stated the goal is to "destroy the deadly underground terrorist infrastructure that Hamas built beneath the homes of Gaza residents and all the buildings above them in order to eliminate threats to the residents of the Negev and the State of Israel"

Russia awaited in global driverless system markets — Putin

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Operational command of the drill was carried out by the Chinese Navy

France deploys troops to Ukraine as instructors back in 2022 — politician

International Russophile Movement Vice President Fabrice Sorlin noted that Paris has retreated from its historical role as peacemaker

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South Africa's largest game reserve closed due to flooding

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Maria Zakharova referred to a comment by Defense Secretary John Healy during his January 9 visit to Kiev, where he said that he would like to kidnap Putin to "bring the Russian president to justice"

Trump threatens countries opposing US plans on Greenland with tariffs

The United States needs Greenland for national security, the US president noted

Trump feels ‘empowered’ after Venezuela operation — WSJ

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AfD leader questions expediency of Kiev support amid evidence of Nord Stream involvement

Der Spiegel reported on Thursday that the German Federal Supreme Court considers it "highly likely" that the explosions were carried out "on the orders of a foreign state"

Turkey’s losses from Russia’s restrictions may exceed $11 bln in 2016 — ambassador

Russia’s ambassador to Ankara Andrey Karlov referred to "forecasts made by Turkish think tanks"

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As a result of the offensive, Battlegroup East units crushed the enemy defense, liberating an area of over 6 square kilometers

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In monthly terms, consumer price growth rates declined to 0.32%

NATO countries engaged in full-fledged war against Russia — Medvedev

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Precious metals futures in the red — market data

Palladium futures with delivery in March 2026 lost 5% on NYMEX to $1,782 per Troy ounce

Ex-top Austrian diplomat reveals what BRICS needs to do to counter US policies

"BRICS has no mechanisms," Karin Kneissl noted

Russian troops liberating Zakotnoye expand zone of control southeast of Krasny Liman

This will speed up the formation of the southern flank, Igor Kimakovsky noted

EU leaders tell Europeans fairy tales about Ukrainian victory — Hungarian PM

Viktor Orban stressed that the calculations of European politicians advocating the continuation of military action against Russia "do not correspond to reality"

Witkoff announces US demands for Iran on diplomatic settlement

The US Special Presidential Envoy mentioned nuclear enrichment as one of four issues

Poland to transfer MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine during the year

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Relocation of major transport companies to regions discussed — Transport Ministry

No specific decisions have been made so far, Andrey Nikitin said

French politician labels Ukrainian actions in Donbass as genocide

Fabrice Sorlin said he had been regularly visiting Donbass for humanitarian purposes since 2017

Gazprom notes active gas withdrawal from Ukrainian underground storage facilities

Gas reserves in the sole underground gas storage of the Baltic States dropped below 40% on January 15, the Russian gas major added

Chadian president awarded 2026 African Peace Prize

Experts highlighted the efforts of Mahamat Idriss Deby to strengthen national unity, combat extremism and cross-border crime, and use dialogue as a strategic tool to resolve political and regional disputes

More than half of Americans assess Trump’s first year in office negatively

55% of those polled think that Donald Trump’s policy has worsened the economic situation in the country

UK marines in Norway conduct exercises to prepare for NATO-Russia conflict — newspaper

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FACTBOX: Who is running in the Russian presidential election

Four candidates will vie for the top office

Rodriguez’s envoy visits US for high-level meetings — WP

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India’s IIT Madras researchers develop innovative ramjet-propelled artillery shells

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Stoltenberg does not rule out possibility of US leaving NATO

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Russia must move quicker from testing to rollout of autonomous systems — Putin

The Russian leader drew attention of meeting participants and all the colleagues in the government to this

Degradation of international situation, security architecture: Putin's statements

The Russian president pointed out that Russia was "sincerely committed to the ideals of a multipolar world"

UK rejects French, Italian calls to restore diplomatic ties with Russia — newspaper

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said London needs "evidence" that Moscow "actually wants peace"

Driverless systems to substitute low-skilled labor — Putin

Growth of labor productivity, increase of quality of life of people are meant, Putin noted

Syrian army has launched retaliatory operation against Kurdish fighters in Aleppo province

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US announces Houthi-related sanctions, one Russian listed

A statement from the US Treasury Department states that restrictions are being imposed on "21 individuals and entities," as well as one vessel

Flights from Russia to Malaysia planned to launch in 2026 — minister

Russian Transport Minister Andrey Nikitin didn't specify which routes there will be the launch of flights

Lavrov, Oman’s top diplomat push for preventing use of force against Iran — MFA

"The conversation focused on a major escalation of tensions around Iran, being artificially fueled from the outside, that is fraught with a broader regional conflict," the ministry said

Cuban officer downs US helicopter during US operation in Caracas — Cuban president

Cuban servicemen offered fierce resistance to the prevailing enemy, Miguel Diaz-Canel said

Russia lags behind some countries in terms of autonomous transport — Putin

"Certain countries have reached full sovereignty in producing all the components for autonomous equipment," the head of state noted

Putin, Netanyahu discuss situation surrounding Iran — Kremlin

The Russian president outlined fundamental approaches favoring the intensification of political and diplomatic efforts to ensure stability and security in the region

Putin, Iranian president speak over phone — Kremlin

The results of the telephone talk with Iranian President Pezeshkian will be announced in the near future, Dmitry Peskov said

Russian troops destroy Ukrainian army’s HIMARS system that attacked civilian facilities

The Ukrainian army’s HIMARS MLRS was completely destroyed together with its crew as a result of prompt and well-coordinated operations by the teams of reconnaissance and strike UAV operators