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Russian oil companies pay $187 mln to budget under fuel damper mechanism in March

Oil producers received $11.31 bln from the budget under the damper mechanism in 2025

MOSCOW, April 3. /TASS/. Russian oil companies paid 15 bln rubles ($186.8 mln) into the federal budget under the fuel damper mechanism in March 2026, according to materials published by the Finance Ministry. In February, oil companies paid 18.8 bln rubles ($241 mln).

Oil producers received 881.8 bln rubles ($11.31 bln) from the budget under the damper mechanism in 2025, and 1.815 trillion rubles ($23.27 bln) in 2024.

Oil companies receive payments under the damper mechanism from the government when the export price of petroleum products exceeds the domestic price. If the export price is lower than the domestic price, oil companies must compensate the budget for the difference.

Egypt may expand air service with Russian for tourism in Mediterranean

Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said that tourist exchanges between Egypt and Russia are an important factor in developing bilateral relations

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

Iran reports shooting down US F-35 fighter jet

The Iranian military specified that the likelihood that the crew had managed to eject was low

Russian official says Trump Route agreement upset regional balance in South Caucasus

Alexey Overchuk emphasized that Moscow’s participation in the trilateral working group of deputy prime ministers allowed for a balance of interests among all countries present, taking into account Armenia’s sovereignty, jurisdiction, territorial integrity, and economic interests

US needs Russia, support for Ukraine is meaningless, analyst says

According to Scott Ritter, the US needs Russia to sell energy on the global market to keep the dollar, keep the petrodollar alive and keep the American economy normal

US should remember consequences of neglecting other countries’ interests — diplomat

In response to a question whether US commitments, made under the context of the Caribbean crisis, remained legally bound today, Sergey Ryabkov pointed out to the efficiency of all agreements breached by the US side

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

Today’s world faces highest degree of conflicts — Russia’s senior diplomat

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stressed that "today’s international relations system is under severe stress as a result of the subversive activities carried out by a number of governments regarding the international law"

Russian First Deputy PM discussed expansion of trade, investment ties with India

Denis Manturov was received by Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi

US journalist Carlson calls Trump’s speech an announcement of the end of American empire

"There’s turbulence ahead, but long term it’s a huge win for the United States," Tucker Carlson said

Modi says looks forward to further dialogue with Putin

The Indian prime minister conveyed warm regards to the Russian leader

Iran’s will power stronger than United States’, says Japanese expert

Iran is demonstrating political will and it has no reason to agree to make peace with the United States through a compromise, Ryoji Tateyama pointed out

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

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

Russia urges to lift blockade of Cuba, says Russian diplomat

Cuba is experiencing severe shortages of gasoline and diesel fuel, as well as shortages of food and medications

Hormuz conference participants refuse to send military forces to region

The conference, chaired by the United Kingdom, was held as a virtual call and brought together 41 countries

Iran accuses Israel of attacking desalination plants in Kuwait

The statement strongly condemned what it described as an inhumane act

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

Pakistan says ready to host US-Iran talks

A five-point initiative proposed earlier by China and Pakistan to restore peace and stability in the Middle East has been met with approval in the region and beyond

US ambassador to NATO demands allies prove their value to Washington

They have a culture of talking, the United States has a culture of action, Matthew Whitaker told

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

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

US-Israeli strikes on civilian facilities will not force Iranians to surrender — Araghchi

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized that "every bridge and building will be built back stronger"

EU may turn into very hostile military alliance for Russia, worse than NATO — Medvedev

The deputy head of the Russian Security Council that said until now the Russian rhetoric about EU membership had been restrained and calm in relation to all neighbors, even to Ukraine

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

Iran threatens to throw US military back to period before Stone Age — TV

According to the report, the Iranian troops "after many years of intensive training are fully ready" to defend their country

Russia becomes third largest gas supplier to the EU in Q1 after Norway and US

In January-March, Russian gas supplies to the EU totaled almost 11.5 billion cubic meters

Ukraine must withdraw troops from Donbass to stop hot stage of special op — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov emphasized that there was no deadline for a Ukrainian troop withdrawal

Russian UAV operators in Zaporozhye using fiber optics, have no need for Starlink

According to the Russian serviceman, the unmanned system operators are successfully carrying out their missions

Two people injured in Leningrad Region as 192 drones attack Russia overnight

Russian air defenses destroyed 24 UAVs over the Novgorod Region overnight on April 3

Leaving with reservations: what we know about Moldova’s withdrawal from CIS

The CIS Executive Committee has not yet received a formal note on Moldova’s withdrawal

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

Russian companies capable to increase oil, LNG supplies to India

Russia increased supplies of highly sought-after mineral fertilizers to India by 40% as of the end of 2025 and is ready to continue meeting its needs for such products

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

Japan should lift sanctions before sending delegation to Russia — lawmaker

"There is no specific plan to send an economic delegation," Muneo Suzuki said

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 can't have unilateral control over Hormuz - Arab League secretary general

In the opinion of Ahmed Aboul Gheit, "the draft document on freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz proposed by the Gulf Cooperation Council should be supported"

Yemen’s Houthis claim missile attack on targets in Tel Aviv

The movement’s military spokesman Yahya Saree also indicated the Houthis "will act according to further developments, based on escalation or de-escalation by the enemy"

Reconnaissance work excludes Russian UAV strikes on civilian targets — operator

The serviceman emphasized that the absence of collateral damage is a priority for Russian UAV operators

Strait of Hormuz to be closed to US, Israel for long time — Iranian General Staff

A representative of the Iranian armed forces Abolfazl Shekarchi stressed that "under no pretext will they approach it"

Russian air defenses destroy seven Ukrainian UAVs in airspace over Leningrad Region

Two people were hospitalized without life-threatening injuries

Russia testing new night-time FPV interceptor drones in special military op in Ukraine

The use of night-time homing UAVs operating by the "fire and forget" principle will complement the actively used Yolka-type daytime interceptor drones

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 wants corridor through Armenia to supply minerals, control Iran — Russian deputy PM

According to Alexey Overchuk, there are a lot of interests surrounding this road

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

Russian deputy foreign minister discusses Middle East situation with Israeli ambassador

The diplomats also discussed some issues of Russian-Israeli relations

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

Beijing not source of Europe's challenges — Chinese foreign minister

Wang Yi expressed hope that the European side would develop a comprehensive and objective view of China and support the right direction for the development of relations between the EU and Beijing

US prioritizes revenue and oil, not human rights — Lukashenko

The Belarusian leader emphasized that the republic adhered to a different approach

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

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

Ukraine wants to acquire US THAAD systems — Zelensky

Kiev is also trying to obtain PAC-3 missiles for Patriot air defense systems from its partners, but this requires US approval

Checkmate fighter’s designers took into account Lockheed F-117A’s weaknesses — patent

The invention’s technical result was the achievement of the aircraft’s better stability and controllability without compromising radar invisibility characteristics, the document reads

Explosions reported in Iran’s southern city of Bushehr — TV

According to TV channel, missile launch systems were shelled

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

Japan FM denies reports about plans to send delegation to Russia

According to the report, the issue of purchasing Russian oil could be raised during the visit if it takes place

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

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

Kiev troops bombard Donetsk People’s Republic three times over past day

A civilian was wounded

US rescue mission for pilot of shot down F-35 fighter jet fails — agency

According to the report, Black Hawk helicopters and a C-130 Hercules aircraft took part in the operation

Long-term outlook for loading Trump Route uncertain — Russian deputy PM

Alexey Overchuk said the development and maintenance of port infrastructure to support the required level of cargo traffic "carry serious investment risks"

Oil refinery in Kuwait on fire after Iranian drone attack

According to available information, there were no casualties

Iran, five nations submit IAEA attack-ban resolution — Iranian diplomat

Esmaeil Baghaei noted that the draft resolution underscores that all countries hold the "inalienable right to pursue nuclear energy for peaceful purposes" and are entitled to "effective protection against any attack or threat of attack"

Death toll from strike on bridge in Iran rises to eight — authorities

95 people were injured

Russia’s international reserves down $21.4 bln over week — Central Bank

Russia’s international reserves totaled $755.4 bln

More bridges, power stations to be destroyed in Iran — US President Trump

Donald Trump stressed that Iran has should go for a deal with the United States

Ex-NATO chief agreed to consider buffer zone between alliance, Russia in 2021 — portal

Jens Stoltenberg wrote in his memoirs that he agreed to consider the possibility of withdrawing some NATO troops from Eastern Europe

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 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

US not intending to give back frozen assets — White House

According to National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, the US' goal is "to put them to a better use"

Russia develops new cartridge with lead-free bullet — Rostec

This ammunition will expand the IGLA range of cartridges, which replace products from foreign manufacturers that have withdrawn from the Russian market, the company said

Press review: Trump puts NATO at risk as Houthis threaten to block Bab el-Mandeb

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, April 3rd

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

Iran targets Oracle data center in Dubai — IRGC

Earlier on Thursday, Iran’s elite army unit claimed to have carried out strikes on a cloud computing center of US tech firm Amazon in Bahrain

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

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"

EU has no intention to change its course on abandoning Russian LNG — FT

European Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jorgensen recommended that EU member countries approach the United States and other partners operating in "the free market" regarding the issue of securing additional energy supplies

Doomsday Clock chief points to risk of nuclear weapons use in Iran conflict

According to John Mecklin, editor-in-chief of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, there is currently a "low probability" that the US or Israel could use nuclear weapons on Iran

West has declared total war on Russian World — Lavrov

The top diplomat warned that the Western policy of "cancelling" Russia would continue for a long time

FACTBOX: What we know about passenger train derailment in Russia’s Ulyanovsk Region

According to available information, the eight-car train was carrying 415 passengers

FSB says prevents Ukrainian bombing plot against prominent security official in Moscow

According to the report, an electric scooter was found parked near the entrance to a business center, and in the trunk there was a powerful improvised explosive device

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

Japan wants to send business delegation to Russia in May — Kyodo

The delegation's visit is planned with the focus of resuming the business activity after the end of the conflict in Ukraine

Anti-Russian and pro-Ukrainian policy has only harmed West — Ritter

Former US Marine Corps intelligence analyst Scott Ritter also noted that the conflict in Ukraine is a "byproduct of decades of anti-Russian, anti-Soviet policy"

Russia to send second oil vessel to Cuba — Energy Minister

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

Kiev attack on Zaporozhye kills several rare horses

It will take at least ten years to restore livestock, Gennady Shcherbak, the owner of the herd, told

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

US reliance on use of force behind series of crises across world — Russian senior diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov highlighted that the emphasis on exclusivity, hegemonism, and the use of force was absolute in Washington’s current policy

Iran warns of heavier strikes on US targets if attacks on civilian sites continue

On Thursday, Donald Trump demanded that Iran’s authorities accept a deal in the near future and threatened to destroy civilian infrastructure in the Islamic Republic

Europe’s largest airliner opts to cancel 10% of its flights due to lack of fuel

Chief Executive of Ryanair Michael O’Leary blamed the announced air traffic disruptions on the United States that jointly with Israel had launched a military operation against Iran

Doomsday Clock chief slams US-Israeli operation against Iran as 'absolutely idiotic'

John Mecklin believes that the US and Israel are unlikely to achieve the goal of destroying Iran’s nuclear capabilities

Russia sees signs of crisis in NATO, EU — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister remarked on Western countries' approach to non-Western organizations, referencing a line from the film A Cruel Romance, based on Alexander Ostrovsky's play Without a Dowry

Halting US weapons deliveries to Ukraine fastest way to achieve settlement — Russian MFA

According to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov, Moscow's signals are conveyed to Washington, but they do not yield the necessary effect

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov to meet Egyptian counterpart Abdelatty

The main issue on the ministers' agenda is expected to focus on the escalation of the Iranian conflict

Russian troops destroy 496 drones, 2,388 tanks in Ukraine operation — top brass

According to Russian Defense Ministry Spokesman Igor Konashenkov, Russian missile and artillery troops delivered strikes against 1,053 Ukrainian military facilities overnight

Russian troops liberate seven communities in Ukraine operation over week — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup North inflicted more than 1,535 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed eight enemy armored combat vehicles in its areas of responsibility over the week, the Defense Ministry reported

Iran strikes US landing craft in Kuwait, radar station in Bahrain — army

According to the military, in a subsequent phase of the attack, the Iranian Armed Forces struck the Israeli Ramat David Air Base, home to squadrons of Israeli F-16 fighter jets

US would side with Russia if it understood Donbass conflict — Ritter

According to the former US Marine Corps intelligence analyst, there is an inherited policy in the United States that downplays Russia’s importance in the eyes of American politicians

Egypt, Russia see eye to eye on threats from conflict around Iran — foreign minister

Badr Abdelatty emphasized that Egypt's position fully coincides with that of the Russian Federation regarding the need to find a political-diplomatic solution to this crisis

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

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

US-initiated regime changes in other countries never end with promised results — diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov's commentary comes in the wake of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s statement, who said earlier that Cuba's economy "needs to change"