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Oil and gas sector stocks being most profitable instruments of Russian market in March

High returns were also noticed for foreign currency-denominated instruments

MOSCOW, April 8. /TASS/. Stocks of oil and gas companies and currency-denominated instruments became the most revenue-making instruments of the Russian market in March, the Central Bank said.

"Oil and gas industry stocks demonstrated the highest total return in March among Russian financial market instruments (9.3%) amid the rise in global oil prices. High returns were also noticed for foreign currency-denominated instruments: deposits in foreign exchange (from 2.3% to 5.4%, depending on the currency), substituting bonds (4.7%), and cryptocurrencies (7.2%)," the regulator said.

Currency sales by nonfinancial companies declined by 7% in March and totaled $14.9 bln, the Bank of Russia noted. This figure "is less than the average monthly indicator for previous six months ($15.6 bln), the regulator added.

Oil and gas revenues of Russian budget down 45.4% in Q1 — ministry

Monthly transactions on sale and purchase of foreign currency and gold to form additional revenues was suspended until July 1 of this year, the ministry said

Bahraini UNSC resolution jeopardized prospects for talks with Iran — Russian diplomat

Vasily Nebenzya says that a unilateral resolution would also hinder peace initiatives undertaken by China, Pakistan, and Turkey

Seoul aware of Moscow's military response if US deploys missiles — ambassador

According to Georgy Zinovyev, Moscow does not possess any data indicating an intention to deploy US intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles in South Korea

Israel may push US to return to war, Japanese expert says

Israeli actions may become a factor of instability that could obstruct the implementation of the agreement, Hideaki Shinoda said

Ex-chief of US counterterrorism center warns US against attempts to destroy Iran

There is still time to avert disaster if US President Donald Trump finds the courage to pursue serious negotiations rather than reckless rage and destruction, Joe Kent said

Iran makes its participation in talks with US conditional on ceasefire in Lebanon — WSJ

The Iranian side also warned that it would continue to strike countries in the region, including Israel, if Israeli attacks on Lebanon and Iran continue

EU explores ways to create nuke production capabilities — Russian intel agency

Moscow draws the attention of the US administration and the leaders of all other countries to the need to make everything possible to prevent the EU from creating its own nuclear weapons

Washington aware of Kiev’s attempts to interfere in US, Hungarian elections — Vance

The US vice president said this is part of the cost of doing business within some elements of Ukraine's system

EU seems much more interested in nuclear protection lately — Russian MFA

"Every day there is another remark by European officials speaking about how good it would be to obtain such weapons," Maria Zakharova noted

FACTBOX: Recent developments in the Middle East

Passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz has been suspended due to Israeli attacks on Lebanon, while Iran is considering retaliatory strikes against Israel due to the ceasefire violation

Israeli military reports conducting new wave of strikes on Iran before two-week ceasefire

The IDF reported that it had struck dozens of Iranian launch sites

First ships sail through Hormuz after announced ceasefire in region

MarineTraffic web service reported said that several hundred ships are still present in the Persian Gulf now, including 426 tankers

Press review: US, Iran agree 2-week ceasefire as Trump questions NATO role

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, April 8th

US achieves core military objects in Iran in 38 days — White House

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that tough negotiations created an opening for a diplomatic solution and long-term peace

US confirms to Israel that it remains committed to common goals — premier

The Times of Israel cites Benjamin Netanyahu as saying that these goals were shared by the US, Israel and Israel’s regional allies

Iran launches Wave 99 of its operation targeting US, Israel — IRGC

The military of the Islamic republic struck a number of targets in the UAE and Kuwait

Oil production dip in Middle East estimated at 7.5 mln barrels per day — EIA

"Oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz continue to be limited causing oil storage to fill quickly in countries that rely on the waterway for exports," the US Energy Information Administration said

Kiev is building bridges to Moldova for military cargo delivery — Russian military

The Ukrainian government plans to allocate 14.3 million euros in May for the reconstruction of the bridge in Mayaki, Odessa Region, as well as for the construction of additional roads in the area

Kuwait, UAE come under attack following strikes on Iranian oil refinery — TV

Earlier, the broadcaster accused the US and Israel of violating a ceasefire agreement over an attack on an oil refinery on Lawan Island

Russia’s Lavrov discusses Persian Gulf escalation with UAE counterpart

"The importance of an immediate cessation of hostilities, which leads to human casualties and causes serious damage to vital civilian infrastructure was noted," the Russian Foreign Ministry stated

US-Iranian ceasefire to come into force when Strait of Hormuz reopens — Axios

US President Donald Trump earlier announced a two-week postponement of the strikes on Iran’s civil infrastructure

Trump escalates rhetoric against Iran as deadline for deal nears

The US president said that "a whole civilization will die tonight"

Israeli opposition leader slams US-Iran agreement as catastrophe for Jewish state

Yair Lapid pointed out that Israel had not even been invited to take part in talks between Washington and Tehran

Kharkov soldiers shoot down drone carrying drugs for Ukrainian army

It was established that the drone was sent from the military positions of Ukraine’s 2nd Khartia Corps with the wrong coordinates and flew into territory controlled by the Russian army

Trump remains cautiously optimistic about negotiations with Iran — Fox News

According to Fox News host Laura Ingraham, the US president admitted that the negotiations were "incredibly complex"

Russia achieves major progress over course of special military operation — Roscosmos CEO

Dmitry Bakanov revealed that 1,357 Roscosmos staff were taking part in the special military operation

Russian troops strike Ukrainian cruise missile components enterprises over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicted more than 360 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed two enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Ceasefire, opening of Strait of Hormuz temporary steps — Russian expert

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif invited Iranian and US delegations to talks in Islamabad on April 10 to "reach a final agreement to resolve all disputes"

Russian troops hammer Ukrainian army’s energy, port infrastructure over past day

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,110 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

Damage caused to Iran to be compensated from investment fund being created — agency

Fars added that there is no information yet on its structure or management forms

Iranians take to streets to celebrate ‘US defeat’ — Mehr news agency

A video shot from Tehran's largest street shows people with Iranian flags, loud music is played in the background

US conflict with Iran delivers crushing blow to Western global hegemony — politician

According to Viktor Medvedchuk, the conditions that ensured prosperity and high living standards in Europe are being destroyed gradually

North Korea fires several ballistic missiles towards Sea of Japan — Yonhap

It was North Korea’s fourth missile launch this year

US lost aircraft worth more than $500 million during rescue of pilot in Iran — expert

Alexander Stepanov opined that the rescue operation was primarily a public relations effort, driven by the Trump administration’s desire for some form of victory

Ceasefire to cover all locations of Middle East conflict — Russian Foreign Ministry

Owing "to the sound position of the UN Security Council, formed at the insistence of Russia and China, required conditions were managed to be provided for reaching understandings of ceasefire and negotiating process start," the ministry noted

European NATO countries dissatisfied with Rutte’s approach to operation in Iran — agency

Because of Mark Rutte’s position, Donald Trump may have mistakenly assumed that NATO would support his operation in Iran, according to Bloomberg’s source

Cameroonian volunteer cites food crisis as motive to join special military operation

The Cameroonian volunteer emphasized that he had supported Russia from the very beginning

Pentagon says Iran to either give its uranium to US or it would be seized

"What the new Iranian regime knows is they'll never have a nuclear weapon or the capability to get a path to one," US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said

Russia’s Medvedev sees Iran’s success in Trump’s approval to discuss its 10-point plan

Dmitry Medvedev noted that it was not clear if Washington would accept the plan

Zelensky is crossing ‘red lines’ by attacking Russian schools — Russian diplomat

On the morning of April 7, Ukrainian artillery struck the school in Velykaya Znamenka, resulting in multiple casualties

US in intense talks on Iran — US leader

President Donald Trump also says he expects a briefing on Pakistan’s proposal to be held soon

IN BRIEF: Energy markets, stock exchanges react to Iran-US ceasefire

Energy markets may take months to stabilize even if the Strait of Hormuz remains open, Russian President’s Special Representative for Investment and Economic Cooperation with Foreign Countries and RDIF CEO Kirill Dmitriev said

Iranian attacks damage oil infrastructure, power plants in southern Kuwait — top brass

Several oil infrastructure facilities, power plants, and desalination plants "sustained major material damage"

Three injured in Lugansk, 73 downed Ukrainian drones: overnight attack on Russian regions

The aftermath of the attack is being eliminated

Russia’s former PM Mikhail Kasyanov put on foreign agent list

He is now living outside Russia

Power stations torched in France in apparent anti-war gesture — paper

The arson left about 3,000 houses without electricity

US promised Israel to seek removal of all nuclear materials from Iran — newspaper

According to a source cited by The Times of Israel, Washington also promised it would demand that Iran halt uranium enrichment

US president expects 'Golden Age' to begin in Middle East

Donald Trump claimed that Iran wants it to happen

Vance, Witkoff, Kushner expected at US-Iran talks in Pakistan — CNN

Pakistan agreed to mediate the negotiations at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif

EU leadership going crazy, seeking to acquire nukes: Russian SVR’s key statements

German experts are capable of covertly obtaining enough weapons-grade plutonium for a nuclear device within about a month, Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service said

Israeli military reports another missile launch from Iran

This is the second missile launch after the announcement of a US-Iranian ceasefire

Trump announces two-week bilateral ceasefire with Iran

The US has "already met and exceeded all Military objectives" and is "very far" advanced toward a long-term peace deal, the president says

Bahraini UNSC draft resolution would have greenlit aggression against Iran — diplomat

The draft resolution was not passed by the UN Security Council as it was supported by 11 members, while Russia and China voted against and Pakistan and Colombia abstained

Russia skips Bahraini UN resolution to avoid derailing process — diplomat

According to Maria Zakharova, Russia sought to ensure that the text would not harm anyone or be used for any malicious purposes

Iran has become world power, while US suffered humiliating defeat — portal

According to the media outlet, the event marks a pivotal turning point in global history and the international order

Carlson urges US military to disobey presidential order to strike Iran

The journalist warns that the world is at a "pivot point" after which "nothing is the same"

Ukraine's actions threaten to turn Mediterranean into new hotbed — Zakharova

Maria Zakharova highlighted a recent report by Intelligence Online, which details how Ukrainian military intelligence, specifically the unit called Group 13 - an entity specializing in covert maritime operations - has utilized a dry cargo ship to track Russia’s so-called shadow fleet in the Mediterranean

China facilitated US-Iranian ceasefire — AP

According to the news agency, Beijing initially tried to act through intermediaries, including Islamabad, Ankara, and Cairo. After that, Chinese officials directly contacted Iran

North Korea fires what could be ballistic missile — Japan Coast Guard

According to the report, the projectile has already fallen

US vice president says talks on Ukraine focus on 'a few square kilometers of territory'

JD Vance mentioned "some progress" being achieved

Ten-point plan to end war: US accepts Iran’s proposal

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, in turn, declared victory and a "historic and crushing defeat" of the US and Israel

Iran breaks off direct contacts with US after Trump threatened its destruction — WSJ

One source claims that Tehran took the step in a sign of defiance to Washington's position

Ex-head coach of Russia’s Zenit FC, Romanian national team Lucescu dies at age of 80

According to ESPN, Lucescu was hospitalized on April 3, after reportedly suffering a heart attack

India to purchase Russian oil regardless of duration of US sanctions suspension — source

"India needs to ensure energy security for the benefit of its people," the source said

Petrochemical plant in Iran’s Mahshahr comes under attack — news agency

In a separate report, Press TV says that Israel and the United States struck an aluminum plant in Arak

Nuclear material that Iran should not have to be immediately removed — Pentagon chief

Earlier, the US leader assured that Iran would no longer be involved in uranium enrichment

Western special services deliver chemical weapons to Ukraine — Russia’s OPCW envoy

Vladimir Tarabrin says the supplies of toxic agents and protective equipment may indicate "plans to hold large-scale false flag attacks"

Kiev has long since crossed 'red lines' with attacks on US tankers — expert

Olzhas Baidildinov said that such actions cannot be justified under any circumstances

Heavy UAV operators training takes around two months — deputy commander

A number of units that were formed at the end of 2025 and the beginning of 2026 are carrying out combat missions

US may 'very easily' resume its operation against Iran if deal not good enough — Trump

Iran’s state-run television earlier reported that Tehran put forward a 10-point proposal that the United States "was forced to accept"

Russia, China offer well-balanced UNSC draft resolution on Iran — diplomat

Vasily Nebenzya stressed that free navigation in the Strait of Hormuz was attainable only through ending hostilities and reaching a negotiated solution

Iran seeks $2 mln vessel fee for Strait of Hormuz passage under its peace plan — NYT

According to the newspaper, Tehran also intends to split the fees from vessels with Oman, which lies across the strait

IDF says started to intercept another Iranian missile launch

The statement was published after an announcement of a ceasefire with Iran was made public

Ukraine attacks Belgorod Region with more than 130 drones over past 24 hours

The Ukrainian military also fired approximately 20 munitions at the area

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

Iran war close to over, Kiev’s interference in elections: Vance’s statements

The US vice president said that reaching peace in the shortest order meets the interests of the United States, Europe and Ukraine

Rutte to have nothing to offer Trump on Iran in Washington — Politico

The NATO Secretary General will be in the United States from April 8 to 12

Iran considering retaliatory strikes on Israel after latest attack on Lebanon — agency

According to the report, there is a growing opinion in Tehran that continued Israeli attacks indicate either that the United States is unable to control Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or that Washington has given Israel the green light to do whatever it wants

Iran could have downed F-15 fighter with Soviet or Russian system — expert

Viktor Litovkin noted that Iran has man-portable air defense systems such as the Igla and Verba, which can also be used against aircraft, despite their limited range

Iranian crisis exposes weakness of NATO, EU — Russian presidential envoy

Kirill Dmitriev says the conflict has unveiled "their profound rift with the US"

Russia-China draft UN Security Council resolution calls for talks — China’s representative

Fu Cong criticized the hurriedness of UN Security Council’s decision to vote on Bahrain’s draft resolution amid serious reservations of Beijing and Moscow

Roscosmos suggests new group of Earth remote sensing satellites "Sovereign's Eye"

Roscosmos head Dmitry Rogozin said the "Sovereign's Eye" will help monitor dynamics of processes on the Earth

Vance condemns Zelensky’s threats to Orban ahead of Hungary election

The US Vice President criticized Zelensky’s actions as outrageous and unacceptable

Press review: Iran rejects US ultimatum as EU seeks to strip Hungary of voting rights

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, April 7th

Up to $10 mln brought from Ukraine via Romania to bribe European official

According to the source, dozens of Ukrainian citizens were transporting huge amounts of undeclared cash on flights from Bucharest airport

Kiev increases transit of NATO equipment through Moldova — military expert

Andrey Marochko said that Ukrainian engineering troops are constructing temporary pontoon crossings and using specialized medium-sized floating transporters

Israeli gas fields included in list of possible targets for IRGC attacks — agency

According to the report by Fars, the Karish and Tanin gas fields "play a key role in the energy supply" of Israel

Israel to continue strikes on Iran, operations against Hezbollah — The Times of Israel

According to the report, the Israel Defense Forces issued at least two statements about missile launches from Iran after the supposed ceasefire start

War between US, Iran likely over — cooperation agency head

Earlier, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that Iran and the United States had agreed to a ceasefire that would be effective immediately and would be observed in Lebanon and elsewhere

Parliament speaker Ghalibaf to lead Iranian delegation at talks with US — media

US Vice President JD Vance will head the US delegation

Waiting for Ukraine talks, Putin-Orban transcript leak: what Kremlin said

The Kremlin hopes that Washington pays more attention to Ukraine talks soon, Dmitry Peskov noted

Actress Peresild helped commander Shkaplerov during manual docking — Channel One's CEO

According to Konstantin Ernst, film director Klim Shipenko has already filled three flash discs with video footage for a future feature film with the working title Challenge

US yet to answer Pakistan’s proposal to extend deadline for deal with Iran — White House

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was quoted as saying that the president was aware of the proposal

Vance condemns EU attempts to interfere in Hungarian elections

The US vice president added that Hungarian citizens must make an effort to prevent external influence on their elections

Ukrainians in Hungary promised $6,000 to take part in antigovernment rallies — Russia

According to the source in Russia’s security departments, former head of Vladimir Zelensky’s office Andrey Yermak looks for people who speak fluent Hungarian, are physically fit, and can handle stress

EU to face austerity amid absence of cheap oil — Russian security official

Commenting on the situation in the Middle East in the context of the concluded ceasefire between Iran and the US, Dmitry Medvedev pointed out that there are not two "players" in this conflict, but three

Russian MFA summons Tokyo’s envoy over Japan-Ukraine agreement on drones

Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that a protest was lodged over reports of an investment agreement between Tokyo and Kiev

Trump agrees to ceasefire with Iran without achieving original goals — La Repubblica

As the newspaper recalls, when the US president ordered strikes on Iran, he made it clear that he was seeking a change of government and openly called on the country's population to take to the streets

Six cruise missiles intercepted over Iran’s Qazvin province

According to a report by Press TV, a Tomahawk was among the missiles

Final decision on Iran’s top negotiator at talks with US still pending — news agency

Earlier media reports said that Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf had been picked to lead the Iranian delegation at negotiations in Islamabad

US had to accept Iran’s ten-point plan — TV

According to the state broadcaster, the ceasefire preconditions of Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz, permission to enrich uranium, and compensations were accepted