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Bank of Russia reduced dollar rate to 80.71 rubles

The official yuan rate edged down by 3.24 kopecks to 11.69 rubles

MOSCOW, March 25. /TASS/. The Bank of Russia set the official dollar rate at the level of 80.7192 rubles for March 26, which is 24.12 kopecks lower than the previous figure.

The official euro rate was reduced by 11.5 kopecks to 93.8097 rubles.

The official yuan rate edged down by 3.24 kopecks to 11.6947 rubles.

Russia increases mineral fertilizer output by 2.5% in January-February

Fertilizer output in February increased by 1.5% year-on-year to 2.5 mln tons

China delegation headed by high-ranking official to visit SPIEF — paper

The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum will take place on June 3-6

Calls for talks on Iran could be smokescreen for regrouping of forces — Russian MFA

The very fact that diplomatic talks had been used to cover up preparations for war overtly discredits diplomacy, Maria Zakharova pointed out

‘No justification’ for continued armed conflict in Middle East — Russian Foreign Ministry

According to the statement, Russia "firmly supports the UAE in defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity, condemns targeted attacks on civilians as well as on civilian infrastructure"

EC postpones publication of ban on Russian oil imports for EU countries

Initially, April 15 was discussed, but the ban clause has now disappeared from the European Commission's agenda

Explosive-laden insoles intercepted and other terrorist plots foiled: FSB hard at work

Employees of the Russian Federal Security Service, the Interior Ministry, and the Federal National Guard Service were put on high alert

Zelensky can undermine TurkStream to attract attention — State Duma deputy

Alexander Borodai says that Zelensky has "absolutely nothing to lose" and needs escalation by any means

Russia reconsidering energy supply chains — energy minister

Sergey Tsivilyov said the conflict in the Middle East prompts all sober-minded people to reconsider approaches in the supplies sphere

Qatar Energy declares force majeure on LNG supply Contracts to four countries

The company noted that specialists are currently assessing the damage and the timeframe for repairs to facilities, as well as the impact of the damage on its operations

FSB seizes shipment of shoe insoles rigged with explosives destined for special op zone

A Ukrainian handler ordered a foreign national to receive a shipment of 504 improvised explosive devices disguised as heated shoe insoles through a logistics company in Moscow

FACTBOX: Hungary suspends gas supplies to Ukraine

Hungary intends to increase its gas reserves using the volumes that will no longer be supplied in transit to Ukraine, seeking to force the country to end the oil blockade, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said

US leader’s approval rating drops to 36%, lowest since his inauguration — poll

According to the provided data, 35% of respondents positively assessed the US strikes on Iran, while 61% viewed them negatively

America’s Maven AI system fails to deliver in Iran — expert

Alexander Stepanov said that strikes were not always carried out on the correct targets, and the process of delivering precision strikes did not have a high degree of AI autonomy

Depleted gas reserves to force Europe to compete with Asia for supplies — Bloomberg

Gas reserves in underground storage facilities in the Netherlands have reached a historic low, falling to about 6%

Kiev intensifies drone attacks on Moscow, St. Petersburg as it knows it’s losing — Ritter

According to the former US Marine Corps intelligence officer, the US and the West could directly side with Ukraine if "Russia responds dramatically against Ukraine"

Peskov calls decision to build Russian-designed nuclear plant in Vietnam breakthrough

The Kremlin spokesman noted that the Vietnamese prime minister had worked "very productively" during his visit to Russia, consolidating "multifaceted cooperation in various areas"

Russia 'negative' on Iran conflict spilling over to Caspian Sea region — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on media reports alleging that Israel had carried out strikes on Russian ships in the Caspian Sea

Russia does not see implementation of US plan on Gaza — permanent representative to UN

Vasily Nebenzya says that the lack of progress on the issue "could lead to another round of armed conflict"

Iran’s IRGC confirms delivering missile strikes on Dimona, Eilat in Israel, US army bases

The names of the military bases affected by the attack were not disclosed

Iran blocks container ship SELEN from passing through Strait of Hormuz — IRGC Navy

IRGC Navy Commander Ali Reza Tangsiri stressed that the passing of any vessel through this waterway required thorough coordination with Iranian authorities

Death toll from Colombian Air Force plane crash rises to 69

57 people were injured

Possible text on Ukrainian settlement and next round of talks — Ushakov’s statements

There is currently a pause in the trilateral talks on Ukraine "due to obvious reasons," the Russian Presidential aide stated

Trump trapped in Iranian crisis, with no good options to get out — TV

Presidents often are faced with crises with no good solution, but few find themselves in a dead-end situation that Trump has driven himself into, the TV channel noted

About 290 US troops wounded since beginning of operation against Iran — CNN

According to a source in the Central Command, of the affected soldiers, 255 returned to service

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

Russia’s Battlegroup North inflicted more than 235 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed four enemy armored combat vehicles in its areas of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Britain expected quick US victory in Iran — Russian ambassador Kelin

The official said that in spite of the irritation of US President Donald Trump over London's reluctance to participate in unblocking the Strait of Hormuz, the depth of the transatlantic differences shall not be exagerated

North Atlantic at risk as Ireland, UK align against Moscow — Russian envoy

Yury Filatov said that it will be taken into account in Russia's military planning

US hands 15-point proposal to end war over to Iran — NYT

According to sources cited by the newspaper, the plan affects the missile and nuclear programs of the Islamic republic

Russian troops liberate Nikiforovka community in Donetsk region over past day — top brass

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,360 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

Pentagon orders deployment of 2,000 paratroopers to Middle East, NYT says

Soldiers of the "Immediate Response Force" of the elite 82nd Airborne Division were sent to the region

Iranian diplomat denies reports of talks with Washington

Esmail Baghaei noted that Iran had a very catastrophic experience of United States diplomacy

Iran suspects trick in US offer for talks — Axios

Sources cited by the news portal say that the deployment of major troop reinforcements by the US has strengthened the suspicions in Tehran

Iran's Supreme Leader is feeling well, the state is functioning effectively — MFA

Iranians remain united in the face of this barbaric act of aggression, Esmail Baghaei emphasized

Iran claims US spy plane sustained $2.5-million-damage — agency

No information was provided regarding the circumstances of the reported incident

Iran’s foreign minister appreciates German president's statement on US-Israeli attacks

Abbas Araghchi says Frank-Walter Steinmeier "should be given credit" for condemning the violations against Iranians

Russia calls on Arab countries to show wisdom amid regional challenges — MFA

Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Alimov underscored Russia’s keen interest in bolstering the League’s role in resolving regional issues

Iran in talks with friendly countries, neighbors over mediation in conflict with US — MFA

According to Esmail Baghaei, "there have been many countries in the region and outside that have reached out to Iran to mediate between Iran and the United States"

Britain pushes Ukraine to escalate conflict — ambassador Kelin

The Russian official doubts the sincerity of the UK peace initiatives, he says

Newest barrage ammunition Knyaz Vladimir Svyatoslavovich passes combat testing

The general designer of the engineering team says that the producer continues to develop the system

Belarusian leader arrives in Pyongyang for talks with North Korea’s Kim

The visit will center on talks between the two leaders who are planning to discuss the entire range of spheres of bilateral relations and outline the key fields of mutual interest

Press review: Washington plans Iran ground move as oil surge adds $41.5B to Russia

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, March 23rd

Israel, US carry out new strike on Bushehr NPP, station sustains no damage — AEOI

According to the organization, no technical malfunctions have been witnessed at the plant

FACTBOX: What is known about EU's position on ban on oil imports from Russia

The EU has revised its plan for a total ban on Russian oil imports in the wake of the US and Israeli military operation against Iran

Global energy crisis about to hit US very hard — WSJ

Unless peace talks pan out fast, record high prices for specific grades of Middle Eastern crude cargoes will soon cascade to the US and elsewhere, the article notes

Trump supports Orban ahead of Hungarian parliamentary elections

The ballot is slated for April 12

Russia sends 300 metric tons of medicines to Iran — Tehran official

Pirhossein Kolivand added that Tajikistan delivered 2,600 tons of humanitarian goods

No talks between Iran and Washington during US aggression — Iran’s ambassador to Russia

Kazem Jalali says there were no negotiations between representatives of the countries for more than 20 days, the entire duration of the conflict

Press review: Russia ready for arms control reset with US and Mideast war's outlook hazy

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, March 24th

Iran agrees not to enrich uranium — US leader

Donald Trump added that the Islamic republic "can’t have certain things"

Russia informs US it finds sharing intelligence with Ukraine unacceptable — MFA

Maria Zakharova noted that the American side usually responds with vague statements or even silence

Pro-Trump EU leaders not winning with voters at home — Politico

According to the report, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni lost handily in a high-stakes vote which Brussels says may be due to her special relationship with Washington and the electorate’s concerns about the economic fallout

Russia ready to help resolve Middle East conflict — Nebenzya

The permanent representative to the UN urged the parties to cease fighting

Trump tried to gauge if Iran ready for ceasefire via Pakistani intermediary — newspaper

According to the source, the US leader faced a coordinated and decisive response

Trump asserts power shift in Iran already took place

The US president said, referring to the new leaders of the country, that he would "see how they turn out"

Trump threatens Iran with destruction of $10 billion power plant

There are no obstacles for the US to strike targets in Iran, the president says

Iran calls for creation of regional military alliance without United States

Iran’s General Staff says that the countries of the region "will never need a state located thousands of kilometers away to guarantee their security"

Iran says Strait of Hormuz closed only to ships of hostile countries

The Islamic republic noted that the full restoration of security and sustainable stability in the Strait is contingent upon the cessation of military aggression and threats

Tehran receives Washington’s 15-point ceasefire proposal — agency

According to the sources, the plan touches on sanctions relief, civilian nuclear cooperation, a rollback of Iran’s nuclear program

IN BRIEF: Iran’s Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant comes under attack once again

According to preliminary reports, the facility was not damaged, there were no casualties among the personnel

Russia to update target list if nuclear weapons appear in Poland, Sweden — MP

Andrey Kartapolov also emphasized that current European politicians have no idea what risks a country is taking when it decides to deploy military facilities with nuclear weapons on its territory

Vorobey-10 drone carrying thermobaric munitions to be tested in special op zone

The Vorobey-10 has a range of approximately 15 km, and can carry a payload of up to 10 kg

Ukraine damages Belgorod energy facilities seriously — governor

According to preliminary information, there are no casualties

USS Gerald R. Ford's operational suitability in question — Bloomberg

Experts currently lack test data to assess the carrier's "operational suitability"

Iran halts gas supplies to Turkey after Israeli strike — Bloomberg

According to sources, Turkey is still importing gas from Russia and Azerbaijan and also has reserves

US operation on Kharg Island could awaken Iran's sleeping forces — expert

Marat Zembatov also did not rule out the possibility that the information about the operation on Kharg Island could be a US disinformation tactic

Iran demands closure of US military bases in Gulf region — newspaper

According to The Wall Street Journal, other demands include a new order for the Strait of Hormuz that would allow Iran to collect fees from ships that transit the waterway

IN BRIEF: Russian regions face most massive drone attack as air defenses down 389 UAVs

Several residential buildings and cars were damaged in a drone attack on Kronstadt, a suburb of St. Petersburg

FIFA cancels over 2,000 hotel room reservations in US ahead of 2026 World Cup

The global football organization did not provide reasons for such decision

London expands cooperation with Kiev to destabilize Europe — Russian diplomat

Maria Zakharova called Kiev’s promise to provide support to London in case the UK is attacked a "theatre of the absurd"

US to strike Iran for another two or three weeks even if talks take place — news outlet

According to the report, Washington is also preparing forces for a potential ground invasion

Escalation of conflict with Iran could be very costly for US — expert

Daniel Davis, retired US Army Lieutenant Colonel, also noted that the United States desperately needs negotiations

Kiev faces biggest risk yet of losing US aid — media

According to the source, Washington does not believe that Kiev is capable of agreeing on the "key issue," referring to Ukraine’s withdrawal from Donbass

Japanese serviceman storms Chinese embassy in Tokyo, threatens diplomats — Chinese MFA

According to the embassy’s statement, the perpetrator, who claimed to be an officer of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces, climbed over the fence and forced his way onto the premises of the diplomatic mission

Kiev making bombs disguised as household items — expert

Andrey Pirozhkov said the components for making such devices typically arrive from Europe via third countries

AI-based anti-drone systems reduce effectiveness of Kiev’s drone strikes — expert

Andrey Marochko said that problems within the Ukrainian army can also be attributed to the enemy’s high percentage of defective, cheap products and low-quality components for unmanned aerial vehicles

EU oil product prices hit records amid Strait of Hormuz crisis — Platts

Near-record levels were recorded in the diesel market as well as for several other products

Putin meets Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Kremlin

The meeting marks the conclusion of the three-day visit of the Vietnamese Prime Minister, which began with talks with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin

Israel strikes Iran’s largest explosives production facility in Isfahan

Besides, the Israeli Air Force attacked "dozens" of Iranian facilities during the day, including ballistic missile launching sites, weapons production sites, and air defense systems

Hungary suspends gas supplies to Ukraine — Orban

The Hungarian prime minister said the country will protect it’s energy security, maintain fixed gasoline prices and reduced gas tariffs

IRGC says it hit Israeli satellite communications stations, US bases in Middle East

Targets were hit in Jordan, Bahrain and Kuwait

Britain works with partners to open Strait of Hormuz — Starmer

The UK prime minister expressed "unwavering support" for Saudi Arabia

Russia, Israel leaders maintain very good relations — ambassador to Russia

Oded Joseph says that Russia and Israel are friendly countries

At least 12 people killed in attack on Iranian city near Tehran

28 people were injured during the attack

Ukraine’s military attacks Russia’s Belgorod Region with nearly 120 UAVs in past day

The regional crisis response center reported that two men were injured in an FPV drone attack in the village of Zamostye

NATO chief puts EU in ‘awkward position’ by backing US war in Iran — FT

Diplomats expressed concern that Mark Rutte’s statements often diverged from those of other EU leaders

US awaits Iran’s response on potential peace talks on March 26 — media

According to sources cited by Axios, if the plans for the negotiations are confirmed, US Vice President JD Vance will likely attend

Russia, Ukraine getting close to settlement deal, says Trump

These are people that they don't like each other very much, he added

Slovak PM at a loss as to why Europe hates Russia

According to Robert Fico, there’s a clear double standard in the European Union, given how it views the Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip

Kremlin unaware of how truthful reports are regarding 'US peace plan' for Middle East

Dmitry Peskov said that Iran did not share this kind of information with Russia

Israel’s army strikes two missile production sites in Tehran

According to the IDF, the two Iranian plants operated under the command of Iran’s Ministry of Defense

Bosnian Serb leader calls NATO bombings with uranium criminal

Milorad Dodik pointed to the devastating health consequences, noting that many individuals suffer from malignant diseases as a direct result

Kiev needs to sign ‘capitulation documents’ to end Ukraine conflict — Russian MFA

Maria Zakharova stressed that any conflict was concluded by an agreement

Blinken calls Tretiak his childhood hero

The former head of the US Department of State called Tretiak "probably the greatest goaltender of his era"

Today's global conflicts make it look like WWIII has started already: Lavrov’s remarks

According to the Russian top diplomat, developments in Latin America and the Middle East are a direct result of the West’s attempts to preserve the remnants of its dominance

Over 18,000 Gortenziya FPV drones deployed to special military op zone since 2022

The Gortenziya drone is designed to engage enemy manpower, shelters, dugouts, and lightly armored and armored vehicles

Belarus, North Korea to sign treaty of friendship during Lukashenko’s visit to Pyongyang

There is an entire range of areas that both Belarus and North Korea are interested in, Maxim Ryzhenkov said

Losses of Russia’s coal industry may reach $7.13 bln in 2026 in stress scenario

Russian Deputy Energy Minister Dmitry Islamov recalled that the ministry had forecast the sector’s loss in 2025 at 360 bln rubles ($4.46 bln)

Russia to discover dozens of oil and gas fields in 2026

Oleg Kazanov, head of the Federal Subsoil Resources Management Agency, added that field discovery is "a creative process"

Russia takes Kiev’s hits because it is winning on the battlefield — US expert

According to Scott Ritter, Russia could respond accordingly, but this could push the international community to think about supporting Ukraine

Iran’s 'present', 15-point plan, US ploy: situation in Middle East

It remains unclear how many members of the Iranian leadership received the plan and whether Tehran intends to accept it as a starting point for negotiations

Press review: Trump searches for Iran offramp as one Gulf state weighs joining war

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, March 25th