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Russian budget may miss $2.73 bln in extra oil and gas revenue in February

At the end of 2025, oil companies received $11.49 bln from the budget under the damper mechanism

MOSCOW, February 4. /TASS/. Russia’s federal budget may fall short of 209.4 bln rubles ($2.73 bln) in additional oil and gas revenues in February 2026, according to a statement from the Finance Ministry.

"The expected volume of additional oil and gas revenues of the federal budget in February 2026 is projected at minus 209.4 bln rubles. The cumulative deviation of the actually received oil and gas revenues from the expected monthly volume of oil and gas revenues, and of the estimated base monthly volume of oil and gas revenues from the base monthly volume of oil and gas revenues, as of the end of January 2026 amounted to minus 17.4 bln rubles," the statement said.

At the end of 2025, oil companies received 881.8 bln rubles ($11.49 bln) from the budget under the damper mechanism.

US to establish alliance for production of critical minerals with fixed prices — JD Vance

The US vice president noted that the participants will establish so-called reference prices for specific minerals and maintain them at a stable level

Deputy chief of EU foreign policy says bloc already at war with Russia

The EU is trying to avoid a conflict that would require the mobilization of the Europeans, Belen Martinez Carbonell says

Russia, France maintain only working-level contacts, no high-level talks — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov commented on reports from Paris about preparations at the technical level for contacts between the presidents of the two countries

Serial production of Russia's first domestic engine for heavy-lift UAVs to start in Feb

According to Executive Director of the Spektr Design Bureau (Novosibirsk) Andrey Bratenkov, a small-scale production run of 20 engines is planned for February

Ukraine seeks to discuss ceasefire in Abu Dhabi talks — agency

A source close to the negotiation process says that the mediators have formed a political and military subgroup, the political one fails to show a significant progress

NATO chief says Western troops to be deployed in Ukraine the moment peace is concluded

Other types of NATO assistance will still be provided to Ukraine, Mark Rutte said

Lawyer of Gaddafi’s son confirms his death — portal

Khaled al-Zaidi expressed his condolences and claimed his client's death to be result of a "treacherous attack"

Euroclear to transfer 3.3 bln euros of revenues from Russian assets to Ukraine

Out of this amount, Ukraine received 1.6 bln euro in July 2025

Trump not surprised by Russia's response to Kiev's attacks, focuses on diplomacy

According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, US President continues his efforts towards settling the conflict

Putin-Trump accord could restart arms control process — US expert

Greg Mello still assumed that Donald Trump will not sign onto the one-year extension of the New START limits on deployed strategic weapons that was offered by the Russian president

Gaddafi's son killed in attack in his home's courtyard — TV

Saif al-Islam was shot dead outside his residence, sources close to the Gaddafi family said

Musk believes new civil war already underway in US

Another wave of protests erupted in Minneapolis in late January

Kremlin downplays reports about India potentially switching oil suppliers

Dmitry Peskov noted that India always purchased oil and petroleum products from other countries

Swiss foreign minister to be tried at ICC for alleged complicity in crimes in Gaza

The Foreign Ministry said it had taken note of the statement

Russian forces advance in southeast of Konstantinovka, DPR, over day — military expert

"Konstantinovka is the last major stronghold of Ukrainian militants in Donbass," Andrey Marochko noted

Ukrainians begin to grasp connection between strikes on Russia and power outages

Such strikes often alarm people and provoke quiet protests rather than support, a member of the pro-Russian underground network said

Creation of Eurasian security architecture requires broad cooperation, expert says

Arvind Gupta believes that "any new security architecture in Asia should promote stability, diplomacy and dialogue"

Press review: Epstein files weigh on Trump and Bitcoin plunges with little hope ahead

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, February 2nd

Situation on Russia’s fuel market stable, fuel reserves sufficient — Novak

"The balance of supply and demand has stabilized," the deputy prime minister added

NATO’s European command starts planning Arctic Sentry operation — Spiegel

According to the journal, US commander Alexus Grynkewich has given instructions to start military planning of the mission

FACTBOX: New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty

The New START Treaty was signed by the Russian and US presidents, Dmitry Medvedev and Barack Obama, in Prague on April 8, 2010

Press review: Russia, Ukraine talks move to new round as New START expires without renewal

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, February 4th

FACTBOX: What is known about the murder of late Libyan leader’s son Saif al-Islam

The death was confirmed by Saif al-Islam Gaddafi's lawyer, Khaled al-Zaidi

Netanyahu, Witkoff discuss Hamas disarmament, situation around Iran

The sides also discussed growing tensions in the region

Russia carries out 150 hours of maximum-tension testing of PD-8 engine

"Based on the results of the block test, the PD-8 demonstrated its reliability when simulating real-life long-term operation," Artem Badernikov, Deputy Chief Designer for the PD-8 program at UEC-Saturn, said

NATO chief’s statements hinder peace settlement in Ukraine — Russian MP

Leonid Slutsky recalled that Russia has repeatedly stressed that it will not tolerate any foreign contingents in Ukraine

Russia’s leading energy supplier to China, Putin reiterates

The Russian president stressed that energy partnership between Moscow and Beijing is mutually beneficial and truly strategic

Exact timing of New START expiration not crucial — Kremlin

The Kremlin has already outlined the consequences of this document ceasing to function, Dmitry Peskov said

Iran to restrict talks with US to nuclear issues — Bloomberg

Iran does not intend to discuss restrictions on its ballistic-missile program or Middle East policies

Large-scale US military drills in Africa to involve around 30 countries in May

General Dagvin Anderson specified that the exercise will attract 19 African nations, six European countries, as well as partners from South America and the Middle East

Dozen of powerful solar flares registered on February 3 — scientists

The first flares occurred just a few minutes after midnight

Gaddafi’s son will not be buried until murder investigation finished

According to Abdullah Othman, member of his political team, the body will be taken to the morgue of a private hospital in Zintan

Libyan prosecutors confirm Gaddafi’s son death from gunshot wounds

Law enforcement officers are working to identify suspects involved in the murder

Source confirms negotiations on Ukraine to take place on February 4-5 in Abu Dhabi

The talks will bring together representatives of Russia, the United States and Ukraine

Russia’s newest Piranha-13 kamikaze drone unveiled at Moscow exhibition

Representatives for the producer say that the drone is in use in special military operation in Ukraine

Russia defends its interests based on historical experience and to be heard — official

According to Yelena Malysheva, there is still work to be done in this direction

Russia unveils Mi-34M1 helicopter at NAIS exhibition

The helicopter's maximum speed is 220 km/h, and cruising speed is 180 km/h

US military shoots down Iranian drone over Arabian Sea — agency

According to the official, the Shahed-139 drone was taken down by an F-35 fighter jet

Estonian authorities detain commercial vessel with Russian sailors

The Russia-bound Baltic Spirit container ship has been detained near the Naissaar island

Iran willing to suspend nuclear program to make deal with US — newspaper

According to two officials, Iran would prefer a proposal to create a regional consortium to produce nuclear power

Macron missed his chance for talks with Putin — US expert

French President's preparations to talk to Russian leader is an overdue decision, claims Mark Episkopos

Elon Musk becomes first person ever worth over $800 billion

The surge in Musk’s fortune followed SpaceX’s acquisition of xAI, another company founded by the billionaire

Russia sees Berlin's ultimatums as 'absurd'

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the German authorities are trying to kill the process of historical reconciliation of the peoples of Russia and Germany, the biggest thing determining Europe’s fate

Russian forces acting with utmost caution in Donbass, Novorossia — Medvedev

Western analysts often say that if Russia had behaved differently in this territory, the consequences would have been entirely different, Dmitry Medvedev said

US believes Russia can easily boost nuclear potential when New START expires

US Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Rose Gottemoeller says Russia has the required experience

Over 10,000 weapons enter into service with Russian Army in January — defense chief

According to Russia's Defense Ministry, more than 310,000 pieces of equipment and some 21 million munitions will be delivered to the Russian Army

Trump says Russia’s one-week energy ceasefire was important step

Russian President Vladimir Putin kept his word, US President said

Russian economy to be more efficient by creating decent jobs — Putin

Russian President has requested ministries to pay greater attention to improvement of the employment structure

Plans for meeting of US, Iranian officials still in force — Trump

Sides are holding consultations on the subject, the US president said

Ukrainian army launches HIMARS rockets, Neptune missiles, drones at Bryansk Region

The regional governor says one person suffered multiple injuries, 20 private houses, an appartment building were damaged

Ukrainian energy minister says situation in Kiev critical

In his words, power generation facilities, as well as transmission and distribution networks were damaged in city

Strategic stability requires peace in Ukraine — US expert

NATO sees this as a threat, says US anti-nuclear movement representative Greg Mello

What we know about next round of trilateral talks on Ukraine in Abu Dhabi

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the same security team would represent Russia in the negotiations as in the first round of talks

Lack of US response on New START, Putin-Xi talks: takeaways from Kremlin aide’s statements

Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping "once again noted that the comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation between the two countries are at an unprecedented level"

Russian negotiators touch down in Abu Dhabi

A plane with the Russian delegation members has landed in UAE

Canada has no plans to pursue nuclear weapons, defense chief says

Defense Minister David McGuinty reiterates that Canada is committed to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons

Russia sets its goals, objectives for G20 — Foreign Ministry

According to Marat Berdyev, special attention will be paid to strengthening the fair character of the global economy

Putin, Saudi Crown Prince discuss OPEC+ and energy markets — Kremlin

According to the statement, "current international and regional problems" were also among the topics in the conversation

Muscat likely to be chosen as venue for Iran-US talks — TV

Originally, Istanbul was planned as venue for the negotiations

Talks on Ukraine to proceed in Abu Dhabi today — Kremlin spokesman

Dmitry Peskov specified that Moscow was not receiving "continuous information" on the stage the consultations were at

NATO plans overt military intervention in Ukraine — Russian diplomat

Maria Zakharova noted that forces of the Coalition of the Willing are to be led by Britain and France

India's immediate halt of Russian oil import is 'extremely unlikely' — newspaper

Refineries’ reps and analysts clarified that there has been no government directive to stop purchasing oil from Russia

Opposition politician slams president Sandu's Nobel Peace Prize nomination as farce

The praise for Maia Sandu's achievements in defending democracy and the trite reference to the 'hand of the Kremlin' sound particularly absurd, Marina Tauber, Executive Committee Secretary of Moldova's Victory opposition bloc, said

Kalashnikov Group unveils its new Goliath 2.0, Karakurt 2.0 drones at Moscow expo

The drones that the company is presenting are aimed at providing aerial monitoring

Russian UN envoy expresses concern over UN chief’s statements on Crimea, Donbass

Vasily Nebenzya said that self-determination and territorial integrity of states are indesputable

Putin, Xi discuss blooming Russia-China relations, exemplary bilateral cooperation

The Russian head of state expressed confidence that bilateral ties will develop sustainably, regardless of the international situation

Iran, US discussing date, venue for talks — MFA

Venue and date will be announced soon, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei says

Abu Dhabi to host new round of consultations on Ukraine

The format remains in force, says agency's source

Marine engine for combat missions successfully tested in St. Petersburg

Owner of the producer says that the engine has undergone a major overhaul

France preparing neo-colonial coups in Africa — Russian Foreign Intelligence Service

"Emmanuel Macron's administration is feverishly seeking opportunities for 'political revenge' in Africa," the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service’s press bureau noted

Nissan registers Infiniti trademark in Russia — watchdog

The application to register the trademark was filed on June 3, 2025, from Japan

Russian troops start using Germes anti-drone MANPADS in special military op zone

Kaisant Research and Production Association said the system had undergone numerous design changes, including aerodynamic improvements, and propellant cell redesign

Xi calls Putin friend, says ready for dialogue

The Chinese president says he is open to discuss major strategic issues with his Russian counterpart

Russia can play key role in overcoming Iranian crisis — US expert

"We have a risk-prone president, one who makes rash decisions and is willing to use force", Scott Sagan, professor of political science at Stanford University said

British police identify body found in Cyprus in January as that of Russian tycoon

The cause of Uralkali ex-CEO Vladislav Baumgertner's death has not been identified so far, a police officer said

Tor air defense missile systems deployed to protect important facilities — manufacturer

CEO Fanil Ziyatdinov noted that the Kupol Plant keeps upgrading its products

Witkoff lands in Abu Dhabi for talks on Ukraine

The trilateral talks between Russia, the United States and Ukraine are expected to take place in the United Arab Emirates’ capital on February 4 and 5

Ukraine to adjust negotiating approach after strikes on energy facilities — Zelensky

Another round of trilateral Russian-US-Ukrainian settlement talks is expected to be held in Abu Dhabi on February 4 and 5

Trump says he noted need for Ukrainian settlement during talks with Putin

US President did not elaborate on when the conversation occured

Imported case of chikungunya virus registered in Russia — watchdog

The infected woman came to Moscow from a vacation in the Seychelles

US may slap Algeria with sanctions for purchasing Russian fighter jets — diplomat

The country has purchased several military jets from Russia

Russia launches production of Tor-M2KM air defense system’s seaborne version

CEO of the producer Fanil Ziyatdinov says that the development of Tor-MF missiles is in progress

Infrastructure facility damaged in Ukraine’s missile attack on Belgorod

According to preliminary data, no one was hurt

Witkoff, Kushner to take part in trilateral talks on Ukraine in UAE on February 4

The negotiations will be held in Abu Dhabi

Azerbaijani leader, Armenian PM meet in Abu Dhabi — news agency

Ilham Aliyev and Nikol Pashinyan are being accompanied by their delegations

Epstein’s files mention Zelensky in connection with human trafficking from Ukraine

Vladimir Zelensky appears in Epstein's files several dozen times, most prominently in connection with the Jean-Luc Brunel case

Damage from corruption crimes tops $207 million last year — Russian ministry

The total value of seized and voluntarily submitted property exceeded 45 billion rubles, says chief of the Russian interior ministry’s economic security Andrey Kurnosenko

Potential troop deployment to Ukraine and nuclear weapons: Statements by Russia’s MFA

TASS highlighted the key points from the Russian Foreign Ministry’s statements

Russia delivers massive overnight strike on Ukrainian military sites in past day

Russia’s Battlegroup North inflicted roughly 190 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed 12 enemy motor vehicles in its areas of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Ukrainian army banned from capturing Russian servicemen — counterintelligence officer

Sergey Mykhaylov said the order was to interrogate and kill Russian soldiers

Effect of structural changes in economy to be seen as early as in 2026 — Putin

The country needs to restore economic growth rates, improve the business climate and boost the investing activity with the focus on labor productivity growth, the Russian president noted

Deployment of NATO troops in Ukraine categorically unacceptable for Russia — MFA

Russia will treat these troops as legitimate military targets, Maria Zakharova said

G7 issued $37.9 billion in loans to Ukraine from Russian frozen assets in 2025

EU countries earlier made a decision to provide Ukraine 90 billion euro in financing in 2026-2027

Press review: UN urges flexible arms control and Xi pushes yuan as global reserve currency

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, February 3rd

IN BRIEF: What we know about Epstein files and reaction to them

Nikolay Novik, an expert at the Institute of World Military Economics and Strategy at the Higher School of Economics, said that the release marks the end of covering up for global elites, as the era of "backstage immunity" can be considered over

US agrees to negotiate with Iran in Oman, talks possibly due on February 6 — Axios

Nuclear talks are expected to take place

Russian GDP add 1% in 2025 — Putin

The Russian president said that this is lower than dynamics observed before

Musk describes search at X office in France as political attack

French offices of Elon Musk's social media platform X were raided earlier by Paris prosecutors, Europol and a cybercrime unit

Liberation of Toretskoye, DPR from Ukrainian soldiers took about month — Russian commander

On January 31, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported the liberation of the settlement

Israel conveyed its Iran-related demands to US — TV

These include Iran’s transfer of its highly enriched uranium stockpile to a third country

Macron says technical preparations for talks with Putin underway

The French president noted that consultations on the matter are also being held with European partners and Vladimir Zelensky