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Moscow receives tourists from smorgasbord of countries — official

Over the past 12 months, nine additional flights to Moscow from five countries, chairman of the Russian capital’s tourism committee, Yevgeny Kozlov, said

MOSCOW, April 2. /TASS/. Moscow remains a tourist haven, chairman of the Russian capital’s tourism committee, Yevgeny Kozlov, said.

"Today, tourists from more than 100 countries visit Moscow," the official said, addressing the International Transport and Logistics Forum in St. Petersburg.

Over the past 12 months, nine additional flights to Moscow from five countries - Cuba, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Oman, and Uzbekistan - were launched.

In addition, more flights along the existing routes have been added since March, with the number of weekly flights from China rising from 85 in March 2025 to 112 last month. The same increase was recorded for Vietnam.

The forum organized by the Russian Transport Ministry with support from the government is taking place on April 1-3. The event operator is the Roscongress Foundation.

TASS is the general information partner of the forum.

Russian stock market mixed on Thursday — market data

The MOEX Russia Index lost 0.03% to 2,774.41 points, while the RTS Index edged up by 0.33% to 1,087.97 points

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 foreign trade not declining since 2022, despite sanctions

According to Deputy Head of the Russian Presidential Administration Maxim Oreshkin, the geography and currency of payments changed over that period

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Russia to send second oil vessel to Cuba — Energy Minister

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

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"

Meeting between Putin, Pashinyan ends — Kremlin

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

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

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

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

Few reasons for cargo to transit through Armenia if Moscow has no interests there

Armenia’s ability to negotiate the direction of the cargo flow after the Meghri section is limited, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk said

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

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

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

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

The mission is scheduled to last 10 days

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

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"

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

The liberation was completed by units from Battlegroup West

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

The Russian president emphasized that the difference is huge

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"

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

Modi says looks forward to further dialogue with Putin

The Indian prime minister conveyed warm regards to the Russian leader

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

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

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

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

Two NATO reconnaissance aircraft spotted over Black Sea

The British aircraft traversed Dutch, German, and Central European airspace before beginning a flight along the Romanian Black Sea coast

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

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

7.4-magnitude quake recorded off coast of Indonesia

There have been no reports of casualties or damage

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

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

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

There were no casualties

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

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

The restriction will not apply to supplies under international intergovernmental agreements

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

Iran’s IRGC claims attack on Amazon’s computing center in Bahrain

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps emphasized that this is only a first warning, and if the aggression continues, "the next companies, which have already been mentioned, will be punished much more severely"

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

FACTBOX: Day of Unity of the Peoples

On April 2, 1996, Russian President Boris Yeltsin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko signed in Moscow a treaty establishing the Community of Russia and Belarus, which envisaged the creation of a politically and economically integrated association

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

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

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

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

Russia, Ukraine are working hard on prisoner exchanges ahead of Easter — ombudswoman

Tatyana Moskalkova revealed that an agreement had been reached with Ukrainian authorities prior to the holiday to ensure that prisoners of war can observe Easter in a manner that honors their traditions

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

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"

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

US puts NATO at arms length as Brussels pushes escalation with Russia — expert

"The US is distancing itself from NATO, but continues its persistent militarization through its assets in the European military-industrial complex," Alexander Stepanov said

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

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

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

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

"We cannot speak of any real peacetime,"

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

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

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

Top diplomats of Russia, Iran discuss situation in Middle East over phone — Russian MFA

Sergey Lavrov and Abbas Araghchi also exchanged opinions on the course of debate at the UN Security Council regarding ways to ensure the safe passage of vessels in 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

Iran destroys US bases in Middle East, says Houthi leader

Abdul Malik al-Houthi is convinced that the Iranian operations were accompanied by "heavy losses among officers and soldiers" of the armies of the United States and Israel

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

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

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

Russia’s Shoigu pushes for collective efforts to resolve Middle East conflict

According to the Russian Security Council secretary, everybody is extremely concerned about the situation in the Middle East

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"

Iran’s elite army unit dismisses US back-to-Stone-Age threats as Hollywood fantasies

Earlier, the US leader asserted that Iran’s Navy and Army have been obliterated, while the Islamic republic’s missile capabilities will soon be reduced to a minimum

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

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

China blames US, Israel for crisis in Hormuz Strait

Official representative of the Chinese Foreign Ministry Mao Ning also called on the parties concerned to "work together to de-escalate the situation and prevent further negative effects of regional instability on global economic and energy security"

FACTBOX: What is known about new drone attack on TurkStream compressor station

The holding company clarified that the attack was carried out by three fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Arctic Metagaz tanker attacked by sea drone from Libyan territory — radio station

According to radio station sources, the gas tanker was attacked by a Ukrainian Magura V5 sea drone

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

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

IN BRIEF: What to know on Arctic Metagaz breaking loose from tow, now adrift at sea

It is impossible to predict which way the gas carrier will drift, said Khaled Ghulam, official representative of the Libyan Emergency Committee dealing with the incident

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

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

Russia’s LNG exports to Europe hit record high in March as Middle East supplies suspended

In January-March, EU imports of Russian LNG amounted to approximately 6.8 billion cubic meters, compared to 5.7 billion cubic meters a year earlier

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The government has not commented on the information

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"