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Russian steel exports in 2025 near 2021 record levels — analysts

Total steel exports in 2025 approached 24 mln tons

MOSCOW, April 9. /TASS/. Russian steel exports in 2025 acted as a buffer, preventing a decline in production amid prolonged weakness in domestic demand, according to the Center for Economic Forecasting at Gazprombank.

Exports of pig iron from Russia rose by 6% year-on-year, steel semi-finished products by 20%, and finished rolled products by 30% in 2025, the report said.

"At the same time, total steel exports (finished rolled products and semi-finished products) in 2025 approached 24 mln tons, exceeding the transitional level of 2022 and moving toward the record of 2021," the analysts noted.

In addition, experts said Turkey remains the largest importer of Russian metal products. This is supported by short logistics routes, restrictions on supplies to the European Union, and price discounting. In 2025, Russian exports of ferrous metallurgy products to Turkey increased by 42% year-on-year to $3.3 bln.

The significance of Russian supplies to the Turkish market is reflected in their share of Turkey’s total imports in 2025: 78% for pig iron (66% in 2024), 52% for slabs (42% in 2024), and 44% for billets (12% in 2024).

Russia vows to keep UN World Food Program free from politicization — MFA

The Foreign Ministry pointed out that Russia is "ready for equal cooperation with other members of the Executive Board, prioritizing the interests of the most food-insecure populations"

IN BRIEF: Kremlin spokesman comments on Easter ceasefire, piracy issue in daily briefing

According to Dmitry Peskov, Moscow does not pose a threat to any country that does not intend to undermine Russia’s security

Iranian forces to respond ‘fittingly’ if Israel continues striking Lebanon — IRGC

The Israeli army's press service announced earlier in the day that the Israeli Air Force recently completed a new series of strikes across Lebanon

Envoys from 30 NATO countries to visit Japan for insights into its relations with US — TV

According to NHK, the delegation will also discuss policy toward Russia and China

Israel not happy with US approach to brokering ceasefire with Iran — newspaper

According to The Wall Street Journal, US President Donald Trump called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shortly before announcing the ceasefire and presented him with a fait accompli

Putin’s aide highlights loss ratio as he confirms 1,000 bodies transferred to Ukraine

Ukraine has transferred 41 bodies of Russian servicemen

Russia’s Medvedev comments on bioweapon manufacturing in Ukraine

Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev pointed out that the Ukrainian biolaboratories pose a great threat to Russia

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

US, Iran could jointly charge for passage through Strait of Hormuz — Trump

The US president says that the measure will secure the strait "from lots of other people"

Press review: EU sees Russia as threat while US ramps up attacks on boats near Venezuela

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, December 17th

Ceasefire between US, Iran must not be used to bolster forces — newspaper

The newspaper called on the parties to give due consideration to the concerns of the other side

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

JD Vance mentioned "some progress" being achieved

Over 100 Ukrainian drones attack Belgorod Region in past day

According to the regional crisis response center, the drone strike on a car killed one man and wounded four others

Moldova's withdrawal from CIS approved by president, enters into force

The withdrawal process will be finalized after a 12-month notice period

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

Iran won the war despite damage — leader’s statement

According to Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran will take the management of the Strait of Hormuz to a new level

FIFA World Cup in 2030 to be held in six countries

The first three games of the World Cup will be played in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, while the final is to be held in Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium

ENEOS mum on potential restart of Russian oil imports

The company pointed to economic sanctions introduced by Japan against Russia in view of the situation in Ukraine

Russian troops establish bridgehead for Rai-Aleksandrovka offensive — expert

Andrey Marochko said that Ukrainian militants still have a number of strategic advantages

Ukraine launches seven attacks on DPR over past day

The strikes damaged four residential buildings, three civilian infrastructure facilities, passenger cars, and a bus

Macron believes ceasefire should include Lebanon

The French head of state says he is convinced that the ceasefire acceptance was "the best possible" decision

Washington emerges as loser in Iran-US standoff — Chinese expert

According to Zhu Yongbiao, Washington’s serious underestimation of Iran’s capabilities, as well as American power and Israeli influence, contributed to this failure

US ready to offer Iran ‘a lot’ if it negotiates in good faith — vice president

JD Vance did not elaborate on whether the US could drop its demand that Iran abandon uranium enrichment

Zelensky names US as possible venue for meeting with Putin

Vladimir Zelensky said that he is ready for a meeting with the Russian president

Russia to thwart any NATO attempts aimed at controlling Kaliningrad — senator

Valentina Matviyenko stressed that the city was "Russia's outpost in the West" and it played an important role in ensuring Russia's security

US demands concrete plans from NATO allies regarding Strait of Hormuz — news agency

According to the news agency, several European allies of Washington have expressed their willingness to ensure the safety of the Strait of Hormuz since the ceasefire announcement

Talks with Ukraine on POW swap nearing completion — Russian human rights commissioner

Tatyana Moskalkova expressed hope that the prisoner exchange will take place before Easter

Lavrov slams Zelensky over his claims of not backing Nazis while okaying SS-hailing events

According to the Russian top diplomat, Ukraine’s authorities are conniving at the manifestations of neo-Nazism

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

Kiev regime plotting terror attacks on Russian ships in northern seas with Norway’s help

According to the source, Norway is thus dragging itself and the entire NATO bloc into a military conflict with Russia

Israeli actions risk derailing negotiations in Middle East — Russian MFA

Maria Zakharova noted that the attacks were carried out almost immediately after a US-Iran agreement on a two-week ceasefire came into effect

Iran presents US with ‘entirely different’ proposal, used as basis for talks — White House

"The Iranians originally put forward a 10-point plan that was fundamentally unserious, unacceptable and completely discarded," Karoline Leavitt said

EU leadership aims to curb Earth’s population, Russian political scientist says

Dmitry Elovsky said the European Union "is controlled by a small group of bureaucrats who are completely out of touch with both the national interests of the EU member states and simply the basic interests of the citizens"

Civilian casualties, 69 downed drones: aftermath of overnight attack on Russian regions

A man was killed as a result of a drone attack in the village of Sauk-Dere in the Krasnodar Region, Governor Veniamin Kondratyev reported

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

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

No agreements on Ukraine’s NATO membership in near future — Rutte

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte claimed that "the key" to resolving the Ukrainian conflict is providing security guarantees to Kiev

Vance says Lebanon not part of ceasefire deal with Iran

The US vice president says there is a "misunderstanding" between the sides

Iran directly shapes US stock market — news agency

According to Fars, for the first time in history, a single country is determining the New York Stock Exchange trends without using conventional financial instruments

Prior levels of oil supplies from Middle East require months to achieve — investor

The break in the form of the two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran "may end without even getting started," Kyle Shostak added

US engages in ceasefire after failing to achieve goals of Iran war — military expert

Abdel Hamid Mahfouzi believes that "the war has led to completely opposite results as it united Iranian society instead of encouraging attempts to change the regime and undermining domestic stability"

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

Russian troops strike Ukrainian army’s energy infrastructure over past day — top brass

According to the latest figures, Kiev loses 1,255 troops along engagement line in past day

Press review: US-Iran truce durability in doubt as Israel resumes Lebanon assault

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, April 9th

Iran to allow no more than 15 vessels per day through Hormuz — source

This new regulatory framework, operating under the supervision of the IRGC, has been officially communicated to regional parties, the sourse said

Despite resistance from Ukrainian troops, Russia continues advance near Konstantinovka

Military expert Andrey Marochko says that Russian troops are achieving successes in the sector "almost daily"

Iraq detains individuals linked to French officer’s killing near Erbil — PM

Mohammed al-Sudani and Emmanuel Macron also discussed the overall situation in the region and efforts to resolve the conflict

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

IN BRIEF: Ukraine readies terrorist attacks on Russian ships off coast of Norway

Ships traveling along sea routes in the Barents and Norwegian Seas from the port of Murmansk and back are under threat, the source said

Federal budget deficit totaled $58.6 bln in Q1 2026 — Finance Ministry

Expenditures of the federal budget are provisionally estimated at $164.2 bln as of the end of the reporting quarter, up 17% as compared to last-year figures

UN calls for investigation into Israeli strikes on Lebanon after US truce with Iran

High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk says Israel carried out about 100 strikes across the Arab republic within 10 minutes

NATO chief says he understands US disappointment with some alliance members

The recent conversation with US President Donald Trump was "a discussion between two good friends," Mark Rutte added

Iranian delegation to arrive in Pakistan on Thursday for talks with US — ambassador

Reza Amiri Moghadam said it is planned despite the skepticism of the Iranian public due to the repeated ceasefire violations by Israel

Russia’s Supreme Court recognizes Memorial movement as extremist organization

The court’s decision is immediately enforceable

US to not uphold ceasefire if Iran does not open Strait of Hormuz — vice president

JD Vance also said he saw signs "that the straits are starting to reopen"

EU complicity in attacks on Russia, Middle East peace process: MFA statements

Moscow sees that many European countries are showing increased interest in either fielding nuclear weapons or coming under the protection of nations who already have them, Maria Zakharova noted

Islamabad hotel vacating rooms ahead of arrival of US, Iranian delegations

A Serena employee said there is no precise information yet on whether the hotel will serve as the venue for US-Iranian negotiations

Russia-US contacts on Ukraine continue informally, confidentially — Lavrov

According to the Russian top diplomat, for quite some time, Moscow has seen no realistic prospects for resuming dialogue

Iran seeks new rules for ships passing through Hormuz — Reuters

"This war has affected everything," Ali Bahreini, Iran’s permanent Representative to the United Nations, noted

Russia ready to resume Ukraine talks soon — Foreign Ministry

Ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik says that the situation may depend on whom the US appoints to lead its dialogue with Iran

Iran condemns attacks on Lavan, Siri Islands after declared ceasefire — president

Masoud Pezeshkian says the Islamic Republic would "deliver a decisive response to any attack"

Australia diversifies foreign policy ties due to US unpredictability — Foreign Minister

Penny Wong says Canberra is strengthening relations with countries in Southeast Asia and the Pacific, the EU, Japan, and Canada

Rogozin speaks behind closed doors at Rodina party congress

However, his speech was behind closed doors. As the congress was over, he chose not to communicate with the press

Russia hands over 1,000 bodies of deceased Ukrainian troops to Ukraine — source

Ukraine handed over 41 bodies of Russian soldiers

White House says Iran agrees to transfer enriched uranium to US

Karoline Leavitt hopes that it will be through diplomacy

US forces to remain at Iran's borders until agreement terms are met — Trump

The president elaborated that the US would retain all ships, aircraft, and military personnel

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

Soyuz-2.1b launches Gonets-M satellites, first Sfera module from Vostochny spaceport

It is the first rocket launch from Vostochny in 2022

French politician sees signs of Paris preparing for war with Russia

Florian Philippot says a potential war on the eastern flank "does not look promising" and calls on Paris to withdraw from NATO to avoid it

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

After meeting with Rutte, Trump recalls disagreements over Greenland

The US president called the island a "big, poorly run, piece of ice"

Vance says Israel expressed readiness for more restrained operations in Lebanon

The vice president reiterated that the US "never once said" the ceasefire applied to Lebanon

Ukraine's own data confirms child trafficking — Russian MFA spokeswoman

Maria Zakharova emphasized that the Russian side has repeatedly drawn attention to this problem

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"

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

Senior Iranian diplomat urges US to choose between war and peace

Saeed Khatibzadeh revealed that Iran had communicated this "clear" message to Washington the day before

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

North Korean research institutes carry out tests of new weapons — KCNA

The tests were supervised by Army General Kim Jong-sik, a member of the Central Military Commission and First Deputy Director of the Workers' Party of Korea Munitions Industry Department

US, Israel to rearm during ceasefire with Iran — Dutch expert

According to Kees van der Pijl, this may indicate a desire by both sides to prepare for a potential continuation of the protracted standoff, even if a short-term pause is in place

Netanyahu says Israel to achieve Iran goals one way or another

Israeli Prime Minister said that there are still goals that Israel must achieve

Iran obliges ships passing through Hormuz Strait to follow alternative routes

The IRGC Navy directive specifies two alternative routes, both passing through the waters near Larak Island

Roscosmos chief informs partners of space station’s life extension to 2028

Roscosmos Chief Yury Borisov told TASS in November last year that the term of Russia’s participation in the ISS project would depend on the technical condition of the Russian segment, the timeframe of deploying the new Russian Orbital Station (ROS)

Global community has to accept Iran’s control over Strait of Hormuz — Japanese expert

It has become the new normal, Research Fellow of the Japanese National Institute for Defense Studies Yoshida Tomoaki said

Ali Khamenei’s death turns powerful catalyst to strengthen national ideals — ambassador

Ali Mojtaba Rouzbehani added that Iranian people are also mourning 168 innocent schoolgirls and teachers who were killed in Minab

Japan Airlines to consider invitation for participating in delegation

According to the statement, the company will evaluate the mission’s objectives, the significance of the company’s participation, and the local situation and safety

Carlson doubts US-Iran truce is victory for Washington

US Journalist Tucker Carlson says there has been no fundamental change in power in Iran, while US military bases in the Middle East have been damaged

JAL to consider resumption of flights to Russia when conditions will be in place

Japan Airlines said it suspended operations because the aviation insurance industry had stopped underwriting insurance for flights to Russia due to economic sanctions

Trump-Rutte meeting fails to soften US president’s hostile stance toward NATO — newspaper

After the meeting, the US leader reiterated the alliance’s disagreements over Greenland’s status and again stated that "NATO wasn't there when the US needed them"

Attempting to invade Iran will be suicidal for US — Dutch expert

According to Kees van der Pijl, scenarios involving limited actions and building up military resources remain more realistic than transition to a full-scale ground operation

Iran will not limit uranium enrichment despite enemy efforts — Iranian vice president

Mohammad Eslami believes the aggression by Israel and the United States against Iran has yielded no results

US-Iran talks to kick off on Saturday and last several days — source

The Serena Hotel is the most likely venue, the source added

No winner or loser in war with Iran, with fate of ceasefire remaining unknown — newspaper

Hurriyet noted that the ceasefire agreement was secured in part thanks to the efforts of the Turkish leadership

Russian Defense Ministry starts mass production of Tsirkon missiles - Shoigu

Russian Defense Ministry to continue production of Kinzhal missiles

Ceasefire offers chance to test US sincerity, Iranian envoy says

"Given the past bitter experience of Washington repeatedly violating agreements, Iran is entering talks relying on careful verification efforts performed in the field conditions rather than on trust," Ali Mojtaba Rouzbahani said

NATO Secretary General unable to protect alliance — Russian presidential envoy

Kirill Dmitriev commented on Mark Rutte's agreement with US President Donald Trump regarding NATO's failure

Belgian foreign minister says he narrowly missed being hit by Israeli strike in Beirut

Maxime Prevot did not comment on Israel’s actions

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

Iranian parliament speaker says talks with US unreasonable amid ceasefire breaches

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said three key clauses of the ceasefire proposal were violated, condemning continued military operations in Lebanon, an unauthorized entry into Iranian airspace, and denial of the Islamic Republic’s right to enrich uranium

EU ban on Russian energy imports condemns Europe to severe crisis — Russian diplomat

As Dmitry Lyubinsky noted, the social consequences were not long in coming

Damaged Russian gas carrier Arctic Metagaz taken under tow again

Khaled Ghulam noted that this outcome was achieved through intensive administrative and technical coordination among various Libyan institutions across different regions of Libya aimed at protecting the marine environment

Hezbollah warns of further attacks in response to Israel's actions

The organization said it had delivered a strike on northern Israel