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Lukoil increases refinery throughput in Russia by 2.3% to 41.7 mln tons in 2025

The increase in refining volumes was mainly due to major maintenance work carried out in 2024, the company noted

MOSCOW, March 31. /TASS/. Lukoil increased oil refining throughput at its refineries in Russia by 2.3% in 2025 to 41.7 mln tons, according to the company’s report.

"Following the results of 2025, refining of crude feedstock at the group’s own refineries in Russia increased by 2.3% year-on-year and amounted to 41.7 mln tons," the report said.

The increase in refining volumes was mainly due to major maintenance work carried out in 2024, the company noted.

Urea production in India plunge to 1.8 mln tons in March — newspaper

The decline is caused by disrupted supplies of liquefied natural gas

Russia says interested in Modi's visit to Moscow for summit

Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko pointed out that Moscow is hosting the Russian-Indian summit this year

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

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

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

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"

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

North Korea committed to strategic partnership agreement with Russia — Jo Yong-won

Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly stressed that the Workers' Party of Korea and the government of the DPRK will remain faithful to the spirit and obligations under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement with Russia

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

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

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

Western weapons do not change picture of fighting in northern DPR — Russian military

According to the source, the primary advantage for Ukrainian forces lies in the terrain and the strength of their fortifications within the urban area

Almost 40 drones downed over northwest Russia’s Leningrad Region, three injured

Overnight, the Russia's air defenses downed 92 Ukrainian UAVs over 12 Russian regions

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

JP Morgan sees oil price growing to $150, if Hormuz closed for another month

According to the chief economist Bruce Kasman, a scenario in which the strait remains closed for an additional month would be consistent with constraints on industrial consumers of energy supply

US proposes placing Strait of Hormuz under international control — newspaper

According to the report, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio presented the initiative at a meeting of G7 foreign ministers

Tanker hit by shell, burning off UAE coast — UKMTO

The crew are accounted for and safe

No dates for Ukraine talks, but Russia ready taking into account Anchorage realities

Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko stressed that due to various circumstances, negotiations on the settlement in Ukraine were put on ice

Iran significantly cuts discount on its oil amid conflict — Oil Minister

According to Mohsen Paknejad, the necessary measures have been taken to ensure fuel security, and citizens can rest assured

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

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

FACTBOX: Three people injured as 92 drones attack Russian regions overnight

Damage was reported at the port of Ust-Luga while repelling the drone attack on the Leningrad Region

Zelensky offers others military aid because he doesn't care about Ukraine — expert

American political scientist Garland Nixon emphasized that Vladimir Zelensky acts in the interests of Western intelligence services

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

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

IRGC deputy commander blames US for blocking global access to Strait of Hormuz

General Ali Fadavi said that Washington miscalculated and set goals that were supposed to be achieved within three to five days, but it failed to achieve any of them

US legislators concerned over New START’s expiration, senior Russian lawmaker says

According to Svetlana Zhurova, the New START topic was raised at the meeting between Russian and US legislators but not in great detail

Iran to foil enemy attempts to pass through Strait of Hormuz — IRGC

Any slightest movements by enemies will be suppressed with missiles and drones

Sending North Korean troops to Kursk Region ideal strategic partnership — Foreign Minister

Choe Son Hui also expressed confidence that TASS's information activities would make "the most significant contribution to the strengthening of military brotherhood between the peoples of Russia and the DPRK"

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

Lavrov to visit India on May 14-15 for BRICS foreign ministers' meeting — Foreign Ministry

"It is also planned to hold a separate working visit by Sergey Lavrov to India to meet with Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and other Indian officials," Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko said

Russia says India studies its proposal on visa-free travel for tourists actively

Moscow has proposed to establish visa-free travel for groups of three to 50 people for no more than 21 days

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

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

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

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

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

Only Russia can make 'grand bargain' in Middle East — expert

A former US Marine Corps intelligence analyst and former United Nations arms inspector in Iraq Scott Ritter stressed that Russia is the one nation that can talk to all sides of the conflict

Kiev, amid waning Western support, in agony launching massive strikes at LPR — governor

Leonid Pasechnik said that the Alchevsk Metallurgical Plant sustained serious damage

Japan deploys new weapons, gaining retaliatory strike capability for first time

According to the Japanese Defense Ministry, the country has deployed Type 12 land-based cruise missiles with a range of over 1,000 kilometers at two bases of its Ground Self-Defense Force

Kyrgyz embassy in Iran suspended — Foreign Ministry

Kyrgyz citizens staying in Iran were strongly recommended to exercise increased vigilance

FACTBOX: What's the deal with Telegram in Russia

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

G7 countries powerless in Iran crisis — newspaper

The publication notes that on Monday, the heads of finance and energy ministries and central banks of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom held an "unprecedented joint meeting" to coordinate their response

Trump may politically eliminate Zelensky — US expert

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

Russian security services analyzing Ukrainian drones shot down over DPR

Arina Klepanova, spokesperson for the regional Federal Security Service Directorate, emphasized that most of the drones launched over the region were produced in NATO countries

Iran calls on Saudi Arabia to ‘eject’ US troops from region

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stressed that Iran respects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and considers it a brotherly nation

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

Russia says not to supply oil to countries that support price cap

Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko stressed that official appeals from foreign countries will be subjected to careful consideration

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

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

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

Russia mulls abolition of declarative principle for oil and gas licenses

Head of the Federal Agency for Mineral Resources Oleg Kazanov said that "some work is being done in this direction"

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

Maldives cannot be home to foreign military bases — top diplomat

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

Hezbollah takes responsibility for attack on Israeli military intelligence headquarters

Missile strikes also targeted an Israeli naval base in Haifa Bay

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

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

US Navy aircraft carriers withdraw 1,000 km from Iranian shores — IRGC Deputy Commander

The most vulnerable point for the US is its ships, Major General Ali Fadavi stressed

EU calls Ukraine’s move to hold up inspection of Druzhba 'an enigma'

The EU diplomats dismissed Kiev’s attempts to block an inspection as "not smart" enough and "unclear"

Russia to respond immediately if London escalates situation — ministry

Earlier, the Russian Federal Security Service uncovered evidence of intelligence and sabotage activities by the British diplomat

Trump does not link end of war with Iran with opening of Hormuz — WSJ

The American authorities believe that restoring navigation through the Strait of Hormuz will mean a six-week operation against Iran, the newspaper said

Iran holds funeral ceremony for naval commander Tangsiri — TV

Around a thousand people carrying Iranian flags and portraits of Tangsiri gathered for the ceremony

Russia’s 2025 budget deficit at 2.6% of GDP — Finance Ministry

The ministry said that last year's budget met the targets - primary structural deficit, adjusted for the balance of budget and interstate loans

Iranian military urges US to abandon plans to control Strait of Hormuz

This strategic mistake by the American and Zionist enemies of Islamic Iran has humiliated them and set them on a path to destruction, Ibrahim Zolfaghari, representative of the Iranian Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said

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

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"

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

US-Iran talks continue, going well — White House

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

EM Rus plans to sell over 3,000 UMO 5 electric vehicles in 2026

Founder and CEO Ilya Rashkin noted that dozens of UMO 5 electric vehicles are already working as taxis

Putin to meet with election commission head soon — Kremlin

Ella Pamfilova became Russia’s first Central Election Commission head to be re-elected for a third term

Croatia refuses to host Serbian President Vucic and cancels regional summit

The office of the Croatian leader said that "the political statements and actions of the President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic undermine interstate relations and threaten peace and stability in the region of southeastern Europe"

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"

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

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

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

Zelensky offers Easter ceasefire to rotate Ukrainian troops on front lines — expert

"As experience has shown, such initiatives from the Ukrainian side are primarily aimed at addressing their own local military and logistical needs," Alexander Mikhailov said

Gulf states urge US to continue war with Iran, AP says

According to the news agency, UAE, Saudi Arabian, Kuwaiti and Bahraini officials said that they would like to continue the American-Israeli military operation until radical changes take place in the leadership of the Islamic Republic

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Russian lawmakers tell US colleagues Ukraine fears 'Witkoff plan'

The Ukrainian side is reluctant to accept the terms of the plan, as they are perceived as a defeat, Svetlana Zhurova, first deputy chair of the State Duma international committee, said

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"

Donbass Dome system now covers DPR areas liberated from Ukrainian forces

The system neutralized over 50,000 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles

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

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

Persian Gulf countries running out of interceptor missiles - Bloomberg

Iran has fired almost 1,200 ballistic missiles and 4,000 Shahed drones at the Gulf states since the start of the war

Iran completes 87th wave of attacks on Israel and US bases in Middle East — IRGC

During the 87th Wave of Operation True Promise 4, control centers, weapons depots, drones, and hiding places for terrorists and US pilots in various areas were hit

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

Venezuelan politician praises delivery of humanitarian aid from Russia to Cuba

Vice president of the We Can party Willian Rodríguez emphasized that "Russia is again giving the world a lesson in solidarity by risking sending a tanker with oil as humanitarian aid to Cuba during the blockade of the island"

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."

Prospecting gold placer licenses to be retained, declarative principle to end

According to the head of the Federal Agency for Mineral Resources Oleg Kazanov, the prospecting licenses will remain

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

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

Almost all oil and gas fields with reserves transferred to companies — agency

"What we're licensing now are mainly the subsurface areas with predicted resources," head of the Federal Agency for Mineral Resources Oleg Kazanov said

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

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

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

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

Russia’s first deputy prime minister to visit New Delhi soon — Foreign Ministry

Denis Manturov will meet with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar

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

King of Jordan refuses to meet with Netanyahu — media

The purpose of the meeting was to make it clear to the United States that Israel and Jordan are on good terms, especially after the ceasefire in Gaza