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Russia’s debt up by 21% in 2025 to 35.1 trillion rubles — Audit Chamber

According to the Audit Chamber, domestic debt increased by 6.9 trillion rubles, while foreign debt decreased by 818.4 billion rubles

MOSCOW, March 31. /TASS/. Russia’s debt spiked by 21% to 35.1 trillion rubles by the end of 2025 compared to 2024, an Audit Chamber report on the execution of the federal budget for January - December 2025 said.

"The national debt of the Russian Federation increased by 6.1 trillion rubles in 2025 (by 21%), amounting to 35.1 trillion rubles as of January 1, 2026," it read.

According to the Audit Chamber, domestic debt increased by 6.9 trillion rubles, or 29.1% to 30.7 trillion rubles, while foreign debt decreased by 818.4 billion rubles, or 15.4% to 4.5 trillion rubles.

"The upper limits of the state internal and external debt of the Russian Federation as well as debt under state guarantees established on January 1, 2026 have not been exceeded. The cost of servicing the government debt of the Russian Federation in 2025 amounted to 3.2 trillion rubles (99.9% of the consolidated budget allocation statement)," the report said.

US Treasury extends permit for negotiations on Lukoil's foreign assets until May 1

The license authorizes transactions related to negotiations on the sale, disposal or transfer of Lukoil International GmbH and its assets

Vietnam, UAE ready to join Northern Sea Route project as investors — Rosatom CEO

Alexey Likhachev added that the IAEA is the only international organization that remains non-biased in its activities

Trumps speaks rudely about Saudi Arabia’s crown prince — newspaper

According to Trump, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud perceived him as "another American president that was a loser" with his country going downhill

Russian military blocked two Ukrainian groups of 15,000 troops in total — Putin

About 10,000 Ukrainian troops are blocked on the bank of a water reservoir. In another area near Kupyansk, about 5,000 troops are blocked, Russian President said

Washington hopes to reach deal with Tehran by April 6 — White House

The US President had previously stated that Washington would destroy all of Iran’s power plants, oil wells, and the island of Kharg in the Gulf if Tehran were to derail talks with the US aimed at resolving the conflict

Fragments of Tochka-U missile used by Ukrainian army found on Kramatorsk strike site

The Tochka-U tactical missile is used only by the Ukrainian army, the Russian Defense Ministry pointed out

Iran may withdraw from NPT, says diplomat

The Islamic Republic of Iran has never sought and does not seek to develop nuclear weapons, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said

FACTBOX: What's the deal with Telegram in Russia

People in Russia are still complaining that the app doesn't work well

Number of US troops in Middle East surpasses 50,000 — newspaper

The current number of US troops in the Middle East is roughly 10,000 above the usual

Iran says opponents begging it to negotiate over Strait of Hormuz

Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref emphasized that the country's armed forces were among the world’s mightiest

US-Israeli war against Iran could escalate into World War III — Jeffrey Sachs

The American economist said the fighting could spiral out of control, as the US and Israel "are dead set on hegemony in the Arab world and West Asia – one that combines Israeli territorial expansion with American-backed regime control across the region"

Russian air defense units distinguish Ukrainian decoys — soldier

The Russian serviceman noted that the Ukrainian armed forces were attempting to launch massive strikes using various types of drones

NORAD F-16 fighter jets intercept aircraft near residence of US president

The North American Aerospace Defense Command said it used dispensed flares to draw the pilot’s attention during the interception

Strikes on Iran may lead to nuclear arms race in Middle East, Russian senator warns

Deputy chair of the Russian Federation Council Natalya Nikonorova noted that the US and Israel are pushing Iran towards pulling out of the NPT, "after which the country will be able to develop its nuclear program without control from the IAEA"

FACTBOX: Iran moves to charge toll for passage through Strait of Hormuz

The fee will be charged in accordance with a new law that the Iranian parliament is set to pass shortly

US-Iran talks continue, going well — White House

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt noted that the US military continues to carry out strikes against Iran

US unlikely to allow its allies to fall outside of its protective shield, expert says

Alexey Gromyko warned of serious repercussions, addressing the prospects of nuclear proliferation, particularly the potential transfer of nuclear weapons to Ukraine from France and Britain

Maldives cannot be home to foreign military bases — top diplomat

The Royal British Air Force maintained a base on one of the Maldives’ atolls

Russia supplied 100,000 tons of oil to Cuba on February 19 — deputy PM

Dmitry Chernyshenko said that Russia will continue providing Cuba with economic support and humanitarian aid along bilateral channels

Russia alarmed by Trump's 'military adventures' — deputy foreign minister

Mikhail Galuzin noted that international relations keep turning more chaotic and less stable

Deliveries of SSJ-100s with fully-import substituted components can start in 2024

The SSJ-100 is the 98-seat passenger regional jet with the base version endurance of 4,400 km

Zelensky seeks to fleece Middle Eastern countries — Iranian Foreign Ministry

According to Esmaeil Baghaei, "linking the conflict in Ukraine with the aggression of the Zionist regime and the US against Iran is a catastrophic mistake"

Russian budget revenues grew by 36% in 7 months — Putin

It is also noted that the Russian economy continues to grow at a high rate this year, with GDP growing by 4.6% in the first half of the year

US troop buildup near Iran not sign of any new decisions — White House

The United States and Israel launched a military operation against Iran on February 28

US is beginning to understand that talking peace with Zelensky is useless — politician

Viktor Medvedchuk said that Vladimir Zelensky wants to drag the US into the war in Ukraine, and then the issue of any peace agreements will simply disappear from the agenda

IN BRIEF: Kremlin says Middle East situation developing along worst-case scenario

Dmitry Peskov emphasized that Russia is closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East

Kiev refuses to support UN resolution on fighting Nazism against people’s will

Ukraine’s refusal to vote in favor of the resolution is against all logic and morals, the leader of the Ukrainian Choice social movement Viktor Medvedchuk said

US ground operation in Iran would be Vietnam all over again — expert

Jin Canrong believes the likelihood of a full-scale military ground offensive is extremely low

Hezbollah takes responsibility for attack on Israeli military intelligence headquarters

Missile strikes also targeted an Israeli naval base in Haifa Bay

US interested in calling on Arab nations to help pay for cost of Iran operation — official

The United States and Israel launched a military operation against Iran on February 28

China ready to defend global energy security amid crisis — MFA

The global energy and commodity markets are facing a supply shortage due to the situation in the Middle East, Mao Ning said

Iran delivers strike on oil refinery in Israel’s Haifa — agency

According to NourNews, one of the fuel storage tanks went ablaze

Russian tanker delivers oil to Cuba despite US pressure on Havana — envoy

Viktor Koronelli said the tanker delivered 100,000 tons of oil

Houthis threaten to block Bab el-Mandeb Strait, bring oil prices to $200 per barrel

According to Mohammed Mansour, deputy information minister in the Houthi government, it will strangle the European economy

Russia’s Rostec develops new jamming module for mobile electronic warfare systems

The system features separate functional units and can be installed on various platforms

Russian forces discover Ukrainian chemical weapons caches in liberated DPR — FSB

According to FSB regional branch spokeswoman Arina Klepanova, the Ukrainian side is using bacteriological and chemical weapons to poison Russian population

Four Seas Project could become basis for US plans in Persian Gulf — newspaper

The initiative envisages the development of infrastructure and transport corridors linking the Black, Marmara, Aegean and Mediterranean Seas

Rutube again available in App Store

The app was removed from the App Store on June 17

US to destroy Iran’s power plants, oil facilities if talks collapse — Trump

According to the US president, this would allow Washington to avenge the deaths of its servicemen and other US citizens who were killed after the Islamic Revolution in Iran, which took place 47 years ago

Israel attacks 170 targets in Iran in 24 hours, using 400 munitions — IDF

According to the Israel Defense Forces, the attacks targeted "a central site used to produce key components for a variety of weapons in Iran"

Trump may politically eliminate Zelensky — US expert

Vladimir Zelensky has zero impact on the world, Scott Ritter said

Trump cannot declare victory if Iran continues launching missiles at Israel — US expert

Ritter also noted that declarations of victory would look questionable if the Strait of Hormuz remained blocked

Russia’s international cooperation plan envisages exports growth to $250 bln by 2024

The project also envisages allocation of $5.3 bln from the budget for the development of industries

Russia’s debt up by 21% in 2025 to 35.1 trillion rubles — Audit Chamber

According to the Audit Chamber, domestic debt increased by 6.9 trillion rubles, while foreign debt decreased by 818.4 billion rubles

US-Israeli war on Iran on verge of spiraling out of control — Global Times

The US government, the newspaper notes, initially projected that the war against Iran would last "four to five weeks", and later repeatedly claimed it would "end soon", but the facts proved otherwise

Bank of Russia cuts key rate by to 15.5% per annum: regulator’s statements, expert views

Most analysts expected the Central Bank to keep the key rate at 16%

Russian troops liberate Kovsharovka settlement

The Ukrainian armed forces lost about 1,275 troops over the day in the zone of the Special Military Operation

IN BRIEF: What is known about Russian women held in US

Natalia Dudina and Kristina Malyshko are currently in custody at the Otay Mesa Immigration Detention Center in San Diego, with ICE stating that they will remain detained until the ongoing investigation concludes

Press review: US nears Iran ground invasion as Ukraine hits Russia with Flamingo missiles

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, March 30th

NATO forces intercept missile presumably launched from Iran — Turkish Defense Ministry

According to the ministry, "all necessary measures are being taken decisively and without hesitation against any threat directed at Turkey's territory and airspace"

Russia’s oil reserves sufficient for over 65 years, gas reserves - for 100 years

Russia holds the top position worldwide in terms of natural gas reserves, totalling 63.4 trillion cubic meters

Iran considers Ukraine party to war against it — envoy to UN

Amir Saeid Iravani noted that sending "hundreds of specialists" to the region "indicates active participation and facilitation of the unlawful use of force against a sovereign state"

Russian tanker carrying 100,000 tons of oil as humanitarian aid arrives in Cuba

The ship is currently awaiting unloading at the port of Mansas

Europe misjudging upcoming energy crisis, as expected — Russia’s envoy

Kirill Dmitriev added that Europe does not try to mitigate future risks or correct mistakes

Central African Republic’s president sworn in at 20,000-seat stadium

Faustin-Archange Touadera was re-elected for his third term in office, garnering 76.15% of the vote

Slovak PM accuses EU authorities of conspiring with Zelensky to stop oil supplies

According to Robert Fico, the European Commission is capable of influencing Vladimir Zelensky but it is reluctant to do it

Russian Armed Forces take control over city of Izyum in Kharkov region

Spokesman for the Russian Defense Ministry Igor Konashenkov also noted that Russia’s high-precision weapons have destroyed 13 missile launchers and a temporary base of a nationalist battalion in the city of Lisichansk

Russia’s natural gas production falls by 13.4% to 573 bcm in 2022

Associated petroleum gas production in 2022 decreased by 2% to 99 bln cubic meters

Aurus Merlon electric motorcycle available for pre-order — acting Deputy PM

The Aurus Merlon made its public debut at the inauguration of the Russian President

Strategic partnership with Russia underpins bilateral ties — North Korean foreign minister

A TASS delegation led by Andrey Kondrashov is currently visiting North Korea at the invitation of the Korean Central News Agency

At least hundred Ukrainian troops wiped out in battles for DPR's Bogatyr — commander

He added that the Ukrainian grouping in the settlement was quite large, but a significant part of the troops, who lacked combat experience, fled when Russian servicemen approached the village

Staying in place suicidal for Patriot air defense crews in Middle East — US expert

Scott Ritter says that there is no defense against Iran's attacks

Russia revokes accreditation of British diplomat — FSB

The second secretary of the British embassy in Moscow was ordered to leave Russia within two weeks

Ukraine loses up to 8,900 troops, mercenaries in special op zone over week — expert

According to Andrey Marochko, the Russian troops destroyed five tanks, nearly 700 various combat vehicles and 51 electronic warfare and counter-battery stations over the past week

Aid to Cuba from Russia: arrival of Russian oil tanker, energy crisis in region

The Russian tanker Anatoly Kolodkin transported 100,000 tons of crude oil

Ratnik manufacturer spells out key features of individual soldier combat gear

Ratnik’s designers plan to create special footwear protecting soldiers from land mines

Iran blames Israel for attack on power, desalination plant in Kuwait

According to Ebrahim Zolfaqari, the recent attack on a desalination plant in Kuwait, accompanied by accusations against Iran, is a sign of Israel's meanness and baseness

Dovod cargo drones with machine vision developed in Russia

The Dovod drones use algorithms that allow them to locate points on the ground

US Special Op Forces in Mideast not yet assigned specific missions — NYT

According to the officials, the elite units, including Army Rangers and Navy SEALs could be deployed as part of a mission to try to seize Kharg Island

Retired MMA icon Emelianenko wants to fight at Russia's 2027 Sambo Championship

Fedor Emelianenko retired in February 2023 after a rematch against America's Ryan Bader

Railway bridge over Amur river to China will be built by end of 2020, envoy says

The timeframe for its completion has been repeatedly postponed

Russian engine maker unveils cutting-edge aircraft engine

"The state-of-the-art 177S engine for tactical aircraft boasts improved characteristics and is of the fifth generation class," the press service said

Trump says he looks forward to seeing Belarusian president at next Board of Peace meeting

Donald Trump also thanked his Belarusian counterpart for ordering the release of 250 prisoners

Seligdar’s gold reserves to increase by more than 32 tonnes in 2025

According to the company’s president Alexander Khrush, Khvoinoye and Ryabinovoye area deposits will each add approximately 16 tonnes to reserves as a result of geological exploration

Russia to showcase newest BTR-22 APC at exhibition in Riyadh

The vehicle features a new layout and significantly improved ballistic protection and blast resistance

G7 ministers call on all countries not to restrict energy exports — communique

The G7 Energy and Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors expressed their strong commitment to "maintaining price stability, and to ensuring the continued resilience of the financial system"

Duma's resolution to denounce May 6 rallies provocateurs

Some 40 police officers had been injured. Of those, 20 were hospitalized

Russian troops liberate two communities in Ukraine operation over past day — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted roughly 190 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed two enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported

Medvedev approves draft agreement on Defense Ministry representative office in CAR

The draft agreement was put forward with the aim of providing assistance to the Central African Republic in the issues of military and military-technical cooperation

Final meeting of APEC senior officials begins in South Korea

This year, the APEC discussed ways to reduce "paperless trade," approaches to the use of artificial intelligence, as well as health issues

Persistence of high fuel and food prices will trigger inflation worldwide — IMF study

The experts stressed that for many countries that had only just brought inflation closer to target this risks a renewed period of uncomfortable price pressures

Indifference to US-Israeli aggression against Iran undermines UN system — Iranian MFA

According to Esmaeil Baghaei, the consequences of this will affect all countries

Iranian parliament committee approves Strait of Hormuz toll plan

According to the plan, transiting the strait is banned for the ships associated with the US, Israel and the countries that have imposed unilateral sanctions on Iran

Iran receives second humanitarian aid shipment from Russia

The operation was carried out under the instructions of Russian President Vladimir Putin

Iran strikes US, Israeli military positions in region — IRGC

According to the report, the targets were located in Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia

PM Fico rejects EC demand to end fuel premium for foreign drivers at Slovak stations

He stated that the premium on foreign drivers is due to the Kiev authorities' suspension of oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline

Russia’s Skat-350M recon drone equipped with anti-jamming system — Kalashnikov

Thanks to its specialized optical navigation system, the drone continues to perform its mission using previously loaded maps even when a false GPS signal is transmitted from the ground

Russia’s Ratnik soldier combat outfit outshines foreign rivals — commander

Colonel General Andrey Mordvichev also highlighted the growing role and number of electronic warfare systems

Figure skater Gumennik in 12th place after short program at Olympics

US' Ilya Malinin wins the competition, Japan's Yuma Kagiyama scores second

US Democratic Party used war in Ukraine to receive kickbacks — congresswoman

According to Anna Paulina Luna, this may be the greatest, most corrupt scandal in American history

Moscow, Havana discuss joint work to restore Cuba's energy system — ministry

During the meeting, the parties discussed the possibility of involving Russian companies in a project to build a new 200 MW power unit in Cuba and overhaul existing 100 MW power units

Heating season in Europe being extended, gas withdrawal from UGS facilities accelerates

Gas withdrawal from underground gas storage facilities amounted to around 150 mln cubic meters (mcm) on March 28, while pumping equaled 103 mcm

Energy transit halt via Strait of Hormuz leads to largest oil market disruption — IMF

The analysts said that for fuel-importing economies, the effect is that of a large, sudden tax on income

Iranian air defenses down US drone MQ-9 Reaper over Isfahan — IRGC

The IRGC emphasized that the drone "was destroyed by an advanced air defense system, which is part of the country’s integrated air defenses."

FACTBOX: What to know on expulsion of British diplomat from Russia over spying allegations

The FSB cautioned Russian citizens to refrain from holding unsanctioned meetings with British diplomats, including within the premises of the British diplomatic mission

Strait of Hormuz closure threatens to impact global fertilizer market — Rystad Energy

According to the report, about 15% of global ammonia sales and 21% of urea, the most concentrated nitrogen fertilizer, are tied to exporters potentially impacted by the closure

Putin relieves Russian Ambassador to US Antonov of his post — decree

The Russian diplomat returned to Moscow on October 6

Russia and North Korea lead fight for formation of multipolar world — TASS CEO

Russia and the DPRK act as absolutely equal partners and defend their right to choose their own path of development, Andrey Kondrashov said

Canada slaps sanctions on nine Russian officials over Navalny

The sanctions list includes Russia’s FSB chief Alexander Bortnikov, First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Administration of Russia Sergei Kiriyenko, Director of the National Guard Viktor Zolotov, and other officials

Entire EU defense industry cannot match Russia’s arms production — expert

"Russia's foreign contracts now total around $60 billion, and after the end of the special military operation, Russia is expected to earn even more from arms exports," Alexander Mikhailov predicted

Over 6,000 people hospitalized in Israel since operation against Iran — health ministry

The department added that one of the injured is in critical condition, 16 are in serious condition