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Brent crude oil price exceeds $112 per barrel for the first time since May 5, 2026

As of 9:22 p.m. Moscow time, the price of Brent crude oil was up 2.65%, reaching $112.15 per barrel

MOSCOW, May 18. /TASS/. The price of futures contracts of Brent crude oil for July 2026 delivery on London’s ICE exceeded $112 per barrel for the first time since May 5, 2026, according to trading data.

As of 9:22 p.m. Moscow time (6:22 p.m. GMT), the price of Brent crude oil was up 2.65%, reaching $112.15 per barrel.

By 9:30 p.m. Moscow time (6:30 p.m. GMT), Brent crude oil was trading at $112.12 per barrel (up 2.62%). Meanwhile, the price of WTI crude oil futures for delivery in June 2026 added 3.36% to $104.41 per barrel.

US-Israeli strikes on Iran

Erdogan says Iran conflict 'devastating' global economy

The extent of the damage caused by the shockwave that has swept across the world like a tsunami cannot yet be accurately assessed, the Turkish president said

China reassures US of not providing material support to Iran — official

According to Greer, the United States is not seeking "to have joint military options with the Chinese" in the Strait of Hormuz

Russian troops deliver massive overnight strike on Ukrainian military-industrial sites

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,075 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

Iranian national football team to take part in 2026 FIFA World Cup — Foreign Ministry

According to the statement, the decision was made based on the evaluation of the Iranian Ministry of Sports and Youth and the Iranian Football Federation

Leaders of Russia, China to discuss global, regional issues — Chinese diplomat

Guo Jiakun emphasized that Russia and China will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the strategic partnership and the 25th anniversary of the Treaty of Good Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation

Trump may resume operation against Iran if it makes no concessions — TV

According to the source, the US leader’s patience is "beginning to run out due to a lack of progress"

Political relations between Russia, China spearheaded by two leaders, senior official says

Russian Deputy Prime Minister and Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District Yury Trutnev also added that it is impossible not to say that these relations are built between specific people

New phase of crisis, oil price at $111 per barrel: situation on energy markets

The global energy crisis caused by the Middle East conflict is entering a new phase as the summer season approaches

Putin, Xi to discuss most sensitive issues of bilateral relations — Kremlin aide

Yury Ushakov said the Russian president will begin his meeting with Xi Jinping after the welcome ceremony in the Great Hall of the People

Iranian issue, Eurovision criteria and Anchorage’s six-month anniversary: Lavrov’s remarks

The Russian foreign minister stressed that Moscow is not trying to intrude into the negotiation process between Washington and Tehran, wishing this process every success

Death toll from Israeli attacks on Lebanon nears 2,990 — health ministry

9,210 people being injured

IN BRIEF: On consequences of Zaporozhye NPP shelling by Ukrainian military

According to Yevgenia Yashina, the Ukrainian armed forces are attempting to attack Energodar and the Zaporozhye NPP site not only to cause damage but also to exert psychological pressure on the plant's employees

Bilateral relations, energy and Russian delegation members: aide on Putin’s visit to China

There is no link between the visits to China by US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Yury Ushakov noted

US pushing forward bill imposing sanctions on countries purchasing Russian oil

US Senator Lindsay Graham said this would give President Donald Trump another powerful tool to lead on the world stage

Court receives full bail amount paid for Yermak

Ukrainian journalist Mikhail Tkach said there were about 200 payments

Tea talk with Chinese leader to conclude Putin’s visit to China — Kremlin aide

Yury Ushakov said that Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping are set to discuss all the most important issues in a friendly and sincere manner

Kiev loses over 6,500 soldiers, mercenaries in special op zone over week — military expert

Ukrainian armed formations suffered the heaviest losses in the area of responsibility of Russia's Battlegroup Center

Libya sends message to both friends, foes with major military exercise — general

According to the report, over 25,000 troops are participating in the exercises under the command of Marshal Khalifa Haftar

International Gymnastics Federation lifts restrictions against Russian athletes

The decision applies to all five disciplines governed by the Russian Gymnastics Federation

Israel stepping up fight against FPV drones, analyzing Ukraine conflict experience — PM

Touching upon the issue of the use of drones during a war cabinet meeting, he recalled that six year ago he had warned about this threat

Putin holds phone conversation with Kazakh President Tokayev — Kremlin

The two leaders discussed current matters pertaining to the preparations for Vladimir Putin's upcoming state visit to Astana and the meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council to be held there

Bushehr NPP project concerns only Russia and Iran — Lavrov

Russia's position is that "the project is being implemented, and additional power units are being constructed," the foreign minister stressed

German politics centered on image of Russia as an enemy — expert

According to Reiner Braun, Russia possesses the potential of a great power

Zelensky becomes ‘inconvenience’, setting stage for his removal — expert

Viktor Medvedchuk recalled that Vladimir Zelensky's name had repeatedly popped up in corruption investigations

IOC should allow all world's athletes to compete — Russian lawmaker

The IOC press office said earlier in the day that the organization must take into account the present-day political context, but does not take sides in global conflicts, as that falls outside its intended mission

US has no good options left to end Iran conflict — ex-ambassador to Israel

Dan Shapiro noted that the US leader continued to toggle back and forth between the same unappealing options

US agrees to suspend Iranian oil sanctions during talks — Tasnim

The source noted that Tehran, for its part, insists on lifting all the restrictions

Russian air defense shoots down 1,054 Ukrainian drones, Flamingo, Neptune-MD missiles

The Black Sea Fleet destroyed six unmanned boats of Ukrainian armed forces

Kiev actively pushing toward escalation of terrorist war — Russian Foreign Ministry

Ambassador-at-Large for the Kiev regime's crimes Rodion Miroshnik pointed to Ukraine's deliberate attacks on the civilian population and infrastructure

Pakistan conveys Iran's revised proposal to US — media

According to the source, both sides "keep changing their goalposts"

36 Ukrainian drones taken down over Russian regions, Azov Sea in seven hours

Russian air defense systems intercepted and destroyer 36 Ukrainian fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles over Crimea, the Belgorod, Bryansk, Kursk, Novgorod, Rostov, Smolensk, Moscow, and Krasnodar Regions, and the Azov Sea

Belarus kicks off military exercise to practice nuclear weapons use — top brass

According to the statement, a key feature of the exercise is to check the preparedness of troops for accomplishing the tasks of combat use from unprepared areas across the entire territory of the republic

US needs stability on Taiwan issue — trade representative

Taiwan has been governed by its local administration since 1949 when the Kuomintang’s remaining forces headed by Chiang Kai-shek (1887-1975) were defeated in the Chinese Civil War and took refuge on the island

Finland scrambles fighter jets over potential drone activity — media

According to Yle, defense forces officially confirmed that control in these areas had been tightened

Iranian diplomat calls on Middle East countries to learn from recent events

Esmaeil Baghaei emphasized that Iran strongly protests Middle Eastern states making their territory "available to aggressors"

Russian scientists peek into skull of Earth’s top predator from 250 million years ago

The Garjainia reptile genus that inhabited the Earth approximately 250 million years ago, was an archosaur - the ancestor of the dinosaurs

Superiority of Russian services and proactive work: statements by Mishustin

Advances in import substitution and development have reduced the urgent need for domestic software by a factor of four in recent years, the Russian prime minister noted

Finland to practice forcefully crossing Russian border during naval drills — expert

Alexander Stepanov warned that industrial facilities in northwestern Russia as well as taking control of Karelia may be priority objectives in the course of potential aggression against Russia

Naval blockade unlikely to undermine Iran’s economy, envoy says

Alireza Sanei noted that Iran shares borders with 15 countries, including Russia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkey, Iraq, Azerbaijan, and Armenia

Ukrainian military drone found crashed in Lithuania — crisis management center

The drone fell near the village of Samane in Utena District Municipality in eastern Lithuania

Sweatshirts with Putin's quotes turn into top sellers at Harbin expo

Besides clothing, high-quality Russian handicrafts are generating immense interest among Expo visitors

Leaders of Russia, China to adopt declaration on emergence of multipolar world — Kremlin

Yury Ushakov said that Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping will sign a Joint Statement on further strengthening the comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction

Much global attention now paid to Russia-US relations — Lavrov

The Russian top diplomat briefed Equatorial Guinea’s Foreign Minister Simeon Oyono Esono Angue on the state of affairs in relations between Russia and the United States

US leader holds national security team meeting on Iran — CNN

Meanwhile, the Pentagon has prepared military target plans should the US leader decide to resume the hostilities against the Islamic Republic

Iranian military ready to unveil 'new surprises' to the enemy — Foreign Ministry spokesman

Esmail Baghaei said that Tehran is fully prepared for any contingency

Senior Russian official sees prospects for cooperation in energy, agriculture with China

Russian Deputy Prime Minister and Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District Yury Trutnev highlighted tourism as yet another promising sphere

Russia has completely switched to its own software in oil, gas sector — PM

Mikhail Mishustin added that domestic software accounts for more than 90% in transport sector

Russian physicists divide magnetic vortices into collectivists and individualists

Studying the behavior of skyrmions will help to create unique quantum devices based on new physical principles

Iran to stand firm on its demands to US — president

Masoud Pezeshkian emphasized that Tehran is conducting negotiations with honor

US to extend sanctions relief on Russian oil transactions for 30 days — Reuters

As the agency specified, several countries had previously requested the waiver

US Congress unlikely to approve more military aid for Kiev — lawmaker

Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Brian Mast also emphasized that Washington’s European allies should increase their support for Kiev

Iran continues dialogue with Oman on security in Hormuz Strait — Foreign Ministry

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei stressed that Tehran was in constant contact other stakeholders to develop a mechanism to ensure safe passage for all nations

Putin's test for Europe, Nazi revival, US-China relations: Lavrov's statements

Russia will not be drawn into any triangulation attempts by the US to pit Moscow and Beijing against one another, the Russian foreign minister said

Skydweller drone completes record 8-day flight before coming down in Gulf of Mexico

The solar-powered UAV performed reconnaissance and surveillance missions as part of the US Navy’s annual Fleet Experimentation (FLEX) 2026 exercise

Six Ukrainian attacks on DPR recorded over past day

One person was reported killed and four civilians sustained wounds

Iran ready to hand over enriched uranium to Russia instead of US — Al Hadath

The required conditions were not specified in the media report

Sarmat needs no advertising, no one else has analogues — Russian deputy foreign minister

This system allows guaranteed penetration of both existing and any missile defense systems still in the development phase, Sergey Ryabkov said

Press review: Russia not done building nuke triad and Trump taps Xi to help with Iran

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, May 14th

MV Hondius cruise ship arrives at port of Rotterdam — news website

Crew members and the remaining staff from the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment disembarked under medical supervision

Zaporozhye NPP’s Raduga substation attacked by Ukrainian drone

Apart from that, according to the ZNPP, Ukrainian troops also attacked the facility’s transport shop, damaging its roof and personnel buses

One civilian killed, four wounded in Ukraine’s attacks on DPR during day

Apart from that, according to Pushilin, two civilian infrastructure facilities, two cars, and two trucks were damaged

Press review: Putin V-Day speech gives life to Ukraine peace and Iran's new superweapon

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, May 12th

US sets Iran five conditions for continuing peace process — Fars news agency

According to the agency, the US refuses to pay any compensation for damage caused by the bombings of Iranian territory

Ukrainian attack on Belgorod Region leaves two dead, two wounded

According to the regional emergency response center, one man is currently in intensive care at Borisovsky Central District Hospital

Cuba to use its right to self-defense if attacked — Foreign Ministry

The New York Times reported on Saturday, citing sources, that the United States does not rule out capturing one of the leaders of the Cuban Revolution, Army General Raul Castro

Bank of Russia’s assets to remain frozen — Euroclear

The decision is based on the fact that the Russian Central Bank's claim against Euroclear Bank is not recognized under EU law, and Euroclear "does not recognize the court’s jurisdiction"

Israel build two covert bases in Iraq for Iran war — media

According to The New York Times, Israel began preparations to build one of the bases in late 2024

Kiev forces lost over 1,100 troops in 24 hours across all special military operation zone

In the Battlegroup North zone, the enemy lost up to 155 soldiers

Yermak leaves pre-trial detention center after spending four nights there — TV

He reluctantly answered journalists’ questions and confirmed that he had been held in a paid cell

Presidential Aide Ushakov to reveal details of Putin’s China visit later — Kremlin

Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov stressed that expectations from the Russian leader's upcoming visit to China are very serious

Russian presidential envoy urges EU to find constructive voice in support of peace

Kirill Dmitriev’s statement came in response to former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who said that the European Union has failed to use its diplomatic potential in the situation around Ukraine

Europe ready to come to negotiating table to resolve conflict in Ukraine — Merz

The German chancellor underscored that "the fighting must cease first"

Press review: US, Israel preparing new strikes against Iran as Ukraine mum on Russia talks

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, May 18th

Expectations from Putin’s visit to China and Zelensky’s remarks: Kremlin's briefing

Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that any contacts between President Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping help create new momentum for the further development and expansion of relations between Moscow and Beijing

German expert sees EU weakening on a scale unimaginable five years ago

"In response to this weakening, there's a perceived need to fight adversaries like Russia and China, to regain lost ground," Reiner Braun said

Iran wants to strike deal, but its proposals are irrelevant — Trump

The US president previously urged Iran to act quickly on the potential deal, noting that time is of the essence

Iran believes attack on Namu ship could be false-flag operation

Esmaeil Baghaei said it is important to consider that "there are forces interested in instability in the region"

Chinese embassy condemns planned trip by Canadian MP to Taiwan

A certain Canadian MP's visit to the Taiwan region and his meetings with officials of the Taiwan region authorities gravely contravene the one-China commitment Canada upholds and send a wrong message of support for 'Taiwan independence', the Chinese embassy said

Russia no longer looking for replacing Western products but introducing its own — PM

Mikhail Mishustin made this statement during the Digitalization of Industrial Russia conference

Global energy crisis over Middle East conflict enters new phase

Around 80 countries have introduced emergency measures to shield their economies

Kremlin hopes Ukraine peace process will resume

Dmitry Peskov said the process is currently on hold

US to waive sanctions on Russian oil shipments for 30 days — Treasury Secretary

This will ensure the most vulnerable countries have access to energy, Scott Bessent said

Trump warns Iran of harder strikes than before if there is no deal

Earlie on Sunday, the US president urged urged Iran to act faster to move to a potential deal

IN BRIEF: Drone attack on Moscow, surrounding region kills three people, leaves 18 injured

According to preliminary reports, three people were killed and another six suffered injuries in the Moscow Region

Zaporozhye NPP, Energodar under repeated attack over past day — Rosatom CEO

According to Alexey Likhachev, the Ukrainian troops attack civilian buses used by the plant’s employees, and residential houses

A 'no-money world' and things for free? Japanese billionaire views our future from space

No signal from Kiev regarding new round of talks, senior Russian diplomat says

Mikhail Galuzin noted that for successful negotiations Vladimir Zelensky will need to order the Ukrainian armed forces to cease fire and pull troops from Donbass

Zaporozhye NPP, Energodar see increased Ukrainian troop activity during weekend

According to ZNPP Communications Director Yevgenia Yashina, the Ukranian attacks continue around the clock, with both artillery threats and drone activity

Cuba has right to self-defense in case of US aggression — Cuban diplomat

Ernesto Soberon Guzman emphasized that Cuba has the right to legitimate self-defense, which is based on the principle of international law and the United Nations Charter

Iran calls on Saudi Arabia to ‘eject’ US troops from region

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stressed that Iran respects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and considers it a brotherly nation

Putin to meet in China with grown-up participant in 2000 joint photo — Kremlin aide

Yury Ushakov emphasized the significance of this encounter

Kremlin views discussions on dialogue with Russia in Europe as positive thing

Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said that "the shift in thinking that ‘at some point we’ll have to talk to the Russians,’ that’s a good thing"

Difficult to expect major peace talks under Zelensky, former Ukrainian PM says

Nikolai Azarov noted that the scenario of "Vladimir Zelensky stepping down and an interim government being formed at the helm for a transition period will be the best"

Kallas would face difficult time as negotiator with Russia, Kremlin spokesman says

EU foreign policy chief won't have an easy time, Dmitry Peskov said

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

Brent futures on ICE climb above $110 per barrel for first time since May 5

By 1:20 a.m. Moscow time, Brent pared gains to trade at $110.40 per barrel

Ukraine attacking Energodar, Zaporozhye NPP site virtually continuously — plant

ZNPP Communications Director Yevgenia Yashina emphasized that there were no casualties as a result of the strikes over the weekend

Russia’s Battlegroup North artillery destroys over 500 Ukrainian troops in week

The platoon commander said that artillery crews of the Battlegroup North thwarted several attempts by the Ukrainian army to rotate personnel in the Sumy and Kharkov Regions, accomplishing over 350 firing missions

Ten-point plan for talks with US is 'red line' for Iran — lawmaker

Mohammad Saleh Jokar, Chairman of the Iranian Parliament's Interior Affairs Committee, noted that Iran "never trusted the US," and his country has no other option but to "become stronger"

Russian forces moving in western part of Konstantinovka — DPR head

According to Denis Pushilin, fighting continues in the industrial zone and near the railway terminal

US ammunition stocks running low due to conflict with Iran — experts

Retired Major General John Ferrari did not specify which types of ammunition were running low, but he called the current situation in US arsenals "a strategic red flag"