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Container traffic from China to Europe gain 40% in March — Russian Railways

The flow was smaller in 2021-2022, Russian Railways CEO Oleg Belozerov noted

ST. PETERSBURG, April 2. /TASS/. Container transportation from China to Europe soar by 40% during the last several weeks, Russian Railways CEO Oleg Belozerov told Vesti news program.

"A large number of containers started their travel from China to Europe and from other growth. We see incremental growth - and this is also actually during the last several weeks - incremental growth in March is over 40%. Figures are huge," the chief executive said.

The flow was smaller in 2021-2022, Belozerov noted. "However, the shippers understood even then that our East - West railway corridor is reliable and good," he added.

Russia gets export access to 22 countries for 72 agricultural products — deputy PM

Dmitry Patrushev noted that the Chinese market offers significant prospects for Russian companies

Russia, Egypt could discuss creating grain and energy hub in the republic — Putin

The Russian president noted that the two countries have a lot of plans, and many of them are already being implemented

Iranian deal offer, US stance: what we know about situation around Strait of Hormuz

Head of the Government Information Council Elias Hazrati said that Iran will invite European, Asian, and Arab countries that want to use the Strait of Hormuz to enter into an agreement

Thirty casualties of plane crash over Crimea: what is known about missing An-26 aircraft

The An-26 military transport aircraft crashed into a cliff

FACTBOX: How energy markets, stock exchanges reacted to Trump’s address

The price of futures contracts of Brent crude oil for June 2026 delivery on London’s ICE has risen by more than 6.5% following Trump’s televised address

Turkey rejects compromise on Montreux Convention — Turkish Defense Ministry

Turkey’s approach to Black Sea security is based on maintaining the balance and stability ensured by the convention and on the leading role of the Black Sea littoral states, the ministry noted

Iran warns no survivors among invaders in case of ground operation

Earlier, US President Donald Trump said he did not rule out that US armed forces could attempt to seize Iran’s Kharg Island

US, Israel strike only minor military targets in Iran — army headquarters

"Iran's strategic military equipment is produced in locations you know nothing about and will never reach," Ebrahim Zolfaghari stated

Russian troops complete liberation of Lugansk People’s Republic — top brass

Russian troops liberated two communities in the Kharkov and Zaporozhye Regions over the past 24 hours, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported

Another batch of Krasnopol-M2 guided shells sent to troops — Rostec

Rostec noted that the Krasnopol-M2, actively used in Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine, is highly effective and boasts exceptional accuracy even at extreme ranges

Belarus does not want war, but is preparing for it — Lukashenko

"We cannot speak of any real peacetime,"

US has four options regarding Iran, all fraught with risks — magazine

The analysts cited by The Atlantic say that Tehran sees its position as relatively strong thanks to its control over the Strait of Hormuz

Pentagon threatens Iran with especially powerful strikes

"If Iran is wise, they will make a deal," assistant to the US Secretary of War Sean Parnell said

Russian Alexander Nevsky Brigade UAVs down 14 Ukrainian drones in one day

Over the past month, Russian air defense crews have shot down 102 large enemy UAVs

Trump threatens to stop arms supplies to Ukraine — FT

Sources told the newspaper that in response, several countries issued a joint statement on March 19, pledging to support efforts to ensure the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz

Russian troops firmly hold initiative in conflict with Ukraine — deputy foreign minister

As for issues, the Kiev regime has had and continues to have many, with more to come in the future, Mikhail Galuzin noted

UK has 'extremely limited capability' to counter ballistic missile threats — expert

The Ministry of Defense and the Treasury have still not clarified, in his words, the amount of "sufficient funding" in this area, Colin Da Silva noted

Meeting between Putin, Pashinyan ends — Kremlin

The meeting started at about 2:30 p.m. GMT

Iranian MFA confirms US uses PrSM missile with tungsten pellets in strike on sports hall

"This is a despicable war crime," Esmaeil Baghaei said

Trump gives thumbs down to British Navy — Daily Telegraph

The US president said the UK has aircraft carriers "that didn’t work"

NATO readies for clash with Russia, Kiev truce ploy: Foreign Ministry statements

As Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova noted, the NATO report again names Russia as the most significant threat to security, peace and stability in the Euro-Atlantic region

Russia resorts to preventive measures to provide security under present-day conditions

According to Yury Kokov, it is an unprecedented moment in the world history when so many military-technical forces and financial resources have been combined "to wage an undeclared war with one state"

IN BRIEF: Putin, Pashinyan discuss Armenia elections and EAEU-EU ties

The Russian president expressed hope that local political processes in Armenia amid the election campaign would not harm relations between the two countries

US reconnaissance drone detected off Iran coast calls Italian base home

The UAV, which has been repeatedly detected in this area, including near the city of Bushehr, has been in the air for multiple hours and is operating at an altitude above 14.5 km, according to the source

Ukraine to receive $14.4 million in aid from Canada

The money is to be sent to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko says

Remarks by Kallas show ignorance, lack of education — senior Russian lawmaker

Earlier, The EU top diplomat stated in an interview that Russia had supposedly attacked 19 countries over the past century

Ukraine attacks Kursk Region with 47 drones over past 24 hours

There were no fatalities or injuries

Iranian supreme leader’s advisor seriously injured in shelling — TV

According to sources cited by the channel, the official is in critical condition

IN BRIEF: Kremlin statements on US gameplan in Iran

Dmitry Peskov said the current situation in the Middle East should be "shepherded to the peace track" as soon as possible

FACTBOX: What we know about Russia's liberation of Lugansk People’s Republic

The liberation was completed by units from Battlegroup West

Iran war becomes diplomatic disaster for Trump — Bloomberg

According to the agency, the conflict has strained ties with key European allies, exposed wealthy Gulf monarchies to deadly Iranian drone and missile attacks, and raised food, fertilizer and fuel prices in Europe and poorer countries across Asia

Iran offers agreement on use of Strait of Hormuz

Tehran is ready to reach agreements with European, Asian, and Arab countries on this issue, Head of the Government Information Council Elias Hazrati said

First batch of Skvorets-opto drones deployed to special military operation zone

Radio jamming of all kinds is not a problem for Skvorets-opto drones

Russia still has potential for discovery of giant hydrocarbon fields

Director General of the All-Russia Scientific Research Geological Oil Institute Pavel Melnikov said there are deep formations that have not yet been explored

Press review: Russian control of LPR reshapes Ukraine talks as Trump pressures NATO allies

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, April 2nd

US exit from NATO to hurt Ukraine, set stage for high drama Ankara summit — newspaper

The NATO summit in Ankara is to take place on July 7 and 8

Iran receives settlement proposals containing illogical demands — Foreign Ministry

Esmaeil Baghaei once again assured that no negotiations are currently underway between Iran and the United States

EC to transfer €1.4 bln in revenue from Russian assets to Ukraine — statement

The funds will be directed "to sustain the Ukrainian State, preserve essential public services" and support the Ukrainian military

Northern Sea Route may experience increased traffic in coming years — IMO Chief

Arsenio Dominguez noted Russia's contribution to the IMO which shares its shipping expertise with other countries

Ordinary Armenian consumers will pay for Western data centers — Overchuk

The Russian deputy PM noted that the West was shifting the burden of costs onto other countries

Ovechkin ‘the only one’ to break Gretzky’s last-standing record, says Tretiak

After a match against Philadelphia Flyers on March 31, Ovechkin scored an overall of 1,005 goals, while the record set by Gretzky stood at 1,016 goals

Oil from Russian tanker to ease fuel shortage in Cuba in coming weeks — president

Miguel Diaz-Canel thanked Russia's leader Vladimir Putin for sending the tanker to the island

US close to achieving its key objectives in operation against Iran — Trump

The president says that the US armed forces "have been extraordinary"

Former NATO AF personnel incur losses in Russian strikes on Ukrainian airfields — expert

Boris Rozhin said that strikes on airfields like Starokonstantinov or Knatovo are carried out quite regularly

Russia ready to do everything to stabilize situation in Middle East — Putin

The situation in the region is of universal concern, the Russian leader said

US to step up strikes against Iran in next two to three weeks — Trump

The US leader reiterated that "all of America's military objectives" in the operation would be reached soon

Russia to send second oil vessel to Cuba — Energy Minister

Russia won't leave the Cubans hanging, Sergey Tsivilyov said

Kiev lost over 35,000 soldiers, mercenaries in March fighting — expert

Andrey Marochko attributed the heavy losses in the Battlegroup Center’s area of responsbility to Kiev's ongoing "massive assaults" in that sector

IRGC says about 200 US troops killed, wounded in attack on airbase in Saudi Arabia

According to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the majority of those killed and wounded are fighter pilots

Moldovan Parliament approves withdrawal from CIS core treaties

The decision was enacted through a two-thirds majority vote during a session livestreamed on the legislative body's official website

Iran’s parliament speaker says 7 million Iranians ready to defend their country with arms

On March 29, US President Donald Trump announced that US troops may as well seize Kharg Island

US says France can't use America's GMLRS missiles with domestic MLRS — Euractiv

The French are now considering the creation of two new missile systems

Ban on gasoline exports from Russia extended to producers of petroleum products

The restriction will not apply to supplies under international intergovernmental agreements

US Gaza settlement plan remains declaration — Russia’s Security Council deputy secretary

Yury Kokov said that no practical steps had been taken to implement it

Dmitriev calls on UK, EU officials to acknowledge their mistakes, switch to Russian oil

The head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund commented on an address to the nation by US President Donald Trump, containing a remark that Washington does not need the Strait of Hormuz

Iranian diplomat slams Washington's demands on Tehran as ‘irrational’

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei says that the republic does not participate in direct negotiations with the US

Russian lunar station segment creation under project with China greenlighted

In May 2025, Roscosmos and the China National Space Administration signed a memorandum on the construction of a power plant for the International Lunar Research Station

Residential building damaged in Ufa as 147 drones attack Russian regions overnight

There were no casualties

Europe sets all-time record for LNG imports in March

The supplies from European terminals into the EU gas transmission system reached approximately 13.7 billion cubic meters in the period

US Senate won’t support potential attempt to withdraw from NATO — Democratic leader

Chuck Schumer thanked the secretary of state for passing a bill prohibiting US leaders from withdrawing the country from NATO without congressional approval

Iran refuses cycle of talks with US followed by conflict — Foreign Ministry

"This is a catastrophe not only for Iran but for the entire region and beyond," Esmaeil Baghaei pointed out

Iranian ambassador to Russia outlines Iran’s demands to US, Israel

Kazem Jalali said the Islamic Republic of Iran "has always welcomed any constructive and sincere efforts to establish stability and security in the region"

Putin to hold phone call with Saudi Crown Prince — Kremlin aide

The conversation will take place after the Russian president’s talks with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty

Iran’s judiciary chief killed in attack on Tehran, says Al Hadath

The government has not commented on the information

Errol Musk says he believes Lavrov’s explanation of special military op reasons

Errol Musk mentioned that he had spoken with Sergey Lavrov about Donbass

Russian envoy lists EU countries which suffer most from Gulf oil shock

According to Kirill Dmitriev, Italy is highly dependent on gas ports, while Germany relies on imports and has a high demand for energy

Strait of Hormuz will open after conclusion of conflict with Iran

The US president says that after the opening of the strait "gas prices will rapidly come back down"

Zelensky plea for Easter truce yet another PR stunt — Russian MFA

According to Maria Zakharova, this is simply "another step on the advice of his European, Western allies, to obtain a truce for a month or two in order to replenish losses, regroup and prepare the Ukrainian armed forces to go on fighting"

Gulf countries considering new oil export routes — FT

The region is discussing the expansion of existing capacity, including the Saudi Arabian East-West oil pipeline

Israeli army reports hitting IRGC ground forces base near Tehran

According to the Israeli side, it was one of the "central units" within the Islamic republic’s army

If Iran rejects deal with US, its oil infrastructure will be destroyed — Trump

According to the president, the US is trying to reach an agreement with Iran’s new leadership

Grain supplies to Egypt, helping bring peace to Middle East: Putin’s statements

The Russian president invited Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to Russia and expressed hope that Egypt will be represented at a high level at the Russia-Africa summit in October

Iran carries out strikes at US AWACS aircraft, refueling planes at Ben Gurion Airport

According to the Iranian military, the strikes also targeted a US radar detection and missile and drone tracking facility in the United Arab Emirates

Military presents Trump with plan to seize Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles — newspaper

According to sources cited by the newspaper, the plan could require the airlift of "hundreds or thousands of troops and heavy equipment"

Putin orders Central Election Commission to pay special attention to election security

The Russian president asked the commission "to be in constant contact with the Interior Ministry, the National Guard, and other agencies"

Conflict around Iran catches major energy traders off guard — FT

According to the report, companies including Vitol, Trafigura, and Mercuria suffered losses due to logistical disruptions and poor market positions

Russian-Arab summit would be useful for easing tensions in Middle East — Kremlin

The summit is not a matter of the near future, Dmitry Peskov said

Ukraine’s MFA recruits foreigners through embassies to serve in Azov battalion — expert

Vitaly Kiselev specified that Ukrainian diplomats were active in Latin America, Europe, and countries of the Malay Archipelago

Russian troops pound Ukrainian military-industrial, energy, transport sites over past day

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,305 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

AI takes center stage in Iranian conflict — Russian parliamentarian

According to Alexey Pushkov, the first thousand targets hit in Iran were designated by artificial intelligence through a special system

German gas importer urges Cabinet to interfere in storages filling situation

VNG CEO Ulf Heitmueller said that things are not moving in the right direction

Russia is selling gas to Armenia much cheaper than European prices — Putin

The Russian president emphasized that the difference is huge

Iran attacks US steel plants in UAE, Bahrain, strikes Israel's Rafael plant

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated that the strike had been launched in response to attacks on Iranian industry which resulted in the deaths and injuries of a number of workers

Russian Skvorets UAV manufacturers develop interceptor drone

"A focused munition is used to inflict pinpoint damage and minimize damage to surrounding areas," Anton Belozerov said

First patient in Russia receives personalized domestic cancer vaccine — Health Ministry

The first patient to receive the vaccine was a 60-year-old resident of the Kursk Region

Trade turnover with Armenia reach $6.4 bln last year — Putin

The head of state noted that Russia's trade turnover with Azerbaijan is less than $5 billion

Putin holds meeting with Egyptian foreign minister

Badr Abdelatty arrived in Russia on a working visit during which he is also scheduled to hold talks with Russian officials

7.4-magnitude quake recorded off coast of Indonesia

There have been no reports of casualties or damage

Iran’s actions are measured response, not start of war or aggression — Pezeshkian

The president says that in its modern history, Iran "has never initiated a war"

US still participates in NATO despite criticism — newspaper

A diplomatic source told Politico that the US president’s threats of weakening the relations with NATO looked more like a "bluff"

Russia’s oil industry ready for seasonal growth in fuel demand — Energy Ministry

The minisry highlighted that there had been no disruptions in regional supply

Spacecraft with NASA astronauts sets off for Moon for first time in over 50 years

The mission is scheduled to last 10 days

Placing Strait of Hormuz under third party control won't work — Russian MFA

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stressed that the move would violate international maritime law

Russian MP warns of nuclear proliferation risk if Israel uses nukes against Iran

Alexey Pushkov noted that the question of whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will use nuclear weapons in Iran has been actively discussed on American television in recent days

IRGC launches several drones at American aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln — TV

According to the available data and satellite images, the aircraft carrier strike group left its former location and retreated deep into the Indian Ocean

European officials believe NATO ‘falling apart’ over US threats — Politico

European officials are discussing "how to handle the US president’s threats to quit NATO and what they would do if he followed through," the newspaper said

Trilateral talks on hold, but Russia remains in touch with US on Ukraine — Kremlin aide

As Yury Ushakov added, Moscow sees that the Ukrainians are also actively negotiating with Washington

Press review: US may end Iran war as Ukraine drones strike Russia’s Ust-Luga

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, April 1st

Russia develops long-range KVN-35 drone delivering warhead at distance of up to 35 km

The drone is capable of delivering a 3-kilogram warhead

Iran denies Trump’s statements about destroying Iranian military capabilities

According to Ebrahim Zolfaghari, with such an assumption the US will only sink deeper into the swamp they are already in

US destroyed Iran's Navy, Air Force — Trump

The US president says Tehran’s missile capabilities will soon be cut to a minimum