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Ruble tops ranking of world’s best currencies — Bloomberg

The ruble’s exchange rate against the dollar has fallen to its lowest since February 2023

© Sergey Karpukhin/TASS

NEW YORK, May 19. /TASS/. The ruble has strengthened against the dollar by around 12% since the beginning of April, demonstrating the best result in terms of this indicator among all currencies globally, Bloomberg reported.

The ruble’s exchange rate against the dollar has fallen to its lowest since February 2023, according to the report. The agency cited high energy prices amid the US-Israeli war against Iran as the reason for this development.

The ruble has been strengthening for the second consecutive year, defying economists’ forecasts. Analysts interviewed by the agency believe this may indicate an overvalued currency. In particular, Iskander Lutsko, a senior portfolio manager at Istar Capital, called the current macroeconomic conditions "ideal for further strengthening" of the ruble.

Trade turnover between Russia, Belarus up in Q1 2026 — official

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk specified that bilateral trade turnover grew by 7.1% in the reporting period

Chances for agreement with Iran appear very good right now — Trump

The US president added that Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and several other countries asked the US to delay strikes on Iran by two to three days, believing that a deal is close

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

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

Yury Ushakov emphasized the significance of this encounter

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

Most Americans believe Trump made a mistake launching Iran war — poll

Americans cited the war's strong impact on the US economy as the main reason that it should not have been launched

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

Death toll from Israeli attacks on Lebanon exceeds 3,000 — health ministry

According to the report, 9,273 people were injured

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

EU aid to Ukraine frozen — Borrell

The ex-chief of EU diplomacy said the situation is similar with the approval of new sanctions against Russia

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

The required conditions were not specified in the media report

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

US troop buildup near Iran not sign of any new decisions — White House

The United States and Israel launched a military operation against Iran on February 28

Ukrainian troops attack localities in Russia’s Kursk Region with artillery 171 times

A private home completely burned down in the village of Novaya Krivtsovka in the Oboyan District as a result of the attack

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

US laboratories in Ukraine violate legal norms, threaten millions of people — Miroshnik

The Russian Foreign Ministry’s ambassador-at-large added that the activities of the laboratories constitute "a deception of US taxpayers"

Israel, US attack amusement park in central Iran

No information on casualties or damage has been reported yet

Naval exercises involving six NATO countries begin in Black Sea

The exercises involve Bulgaria, Canada, Portugal, Romania, the United States, and Turkey

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

German carmakers face chip shortages due to EU anti-Russian sanctions — Handelsblatt

The situation was triggered by Brussels' decision in April to include Chinese company Yangjie in the 20th package of sanctions against Russia

Russian anti-drone technology market may reach $2.76 bln in 2026

Bulat Khabriev, managing investment director at VEB.RF, says that cyberattacks and UAV attacks have ceased to be abstract risks

IN BRIEF: Putin’s statements on unprecedented level of ties with China and mutual support

The Russian president says that the two countries are ready to support each other on key issues, including the protection of sovereignty

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

US increasingly leaning toward use of military force against Cuba — Politico

According to one of the newspaper’s sources, US President Donald Trump and his aides have grown frustrated that the US pressure campaign has not led Cuba’s leaders to agree to significant economic and political reforms

MOEX Index up as morning trading session opens

As of 7:10 a.m. Moscow time, the MOEX Index was up by 0.03%

Bulgaria insists on need to begin negotiations between Europe and Russia

The time has come for diplomacy, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev said

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

Iranian president says dialogue with US doesn’t mean surrender

Tehran will not "retreat from the legal rights of the people and the country," Masoud Pezeshkian says

US extends sanctions waiver until June 17 on Russian oil loaded by April 17

The document emphasizes that the license does not authorize transactions related to a number of Russian regions, including Crimea, the Donetsk People's Republic, and the Lugansk People's Republic, as well as Iran, Cuba, and North Korea

Russia’s envoy highlights importance of Russia-China investment cooperation

According to Kirill Dmitriev, the Russian Direct Investment Fund has invested in more than 50 projects with Chinese partners

Pezeshkian asks global community to judge which side, Iran or US, actually favors dialogue

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian invited the world to judge which side engages in terrorism

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

Kiev will spare no one if left unrestrained — Kremlin

Actions by the Kiev regime may lead to more resignations in Europe, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told

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

Russia, China stand for independent foreign policy and supreme rule of law — Kremlin aide

Vladimir Putin will pay an official visit to China on May 19-20

Russia’s air defenses destroy six Ukrainian UAVs over Kaluga Region

According to preliminary information, there were no casualties or damage

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

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

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

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"

Russia maintains strategic advantages in Ukraine — US authorities

According to a report compiled by inspectors general of the Pentagon, the Department of State, and the US Agency for International Development, now effectively terminated, the collective West’s assistance to Kiev has amounted to more than $325 billion since February 2022

Israel occupies nearly 1,000 sq. km of Middle East territory since Oct 2023 — newspaper

According to the newspaper, Israeli forces control over half of the Gaza Strip

Representative delegation of senior officials, businessmen to accompany Putin in China

The presidential administration will be represented by Yury Ushakov, deputy head Maxim Oreshkin, and presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov

Trump says not ready to make concessions to Iran during peace talks

The US president also made it clear that Washington may take new measures against Tehran

Drone attack being repelled by air defenses on Iranian island of Qeshm — agency

Tasnim did not elaborate on the incident

Russia’s former rights commissioner thanks Cardinal Zuppi for assisting return of Russians

Matteo Zuppi said he was looking forward to working with Russia’s new human rights commissioner, Yana Lantratova

Russia wipes out part of Ukraine’s Alpha special forces in Dnepropetrovsk Region — sources

The Ukrainian troops have been eliminated with aerial bombs and guided munitions

US probe confirms presence of military-biological facilities near Russian border — expert

According to Boris Rozhin, the probe will transfer the issue of American military-biological activity abroad from the level of charges to the status of legal recognition

Unidentified gunman opens fire at Islamic Center in San Diego

No information about deaths or injuries is available at this point

Vladimir Region creating BARS-Vladimir anti-drone unit

Under the guidance of instructors with real combat experience, the BARS-Vladimir unit members will master firearms, tactical, engineering, and medical training, as well as the basics of electronic warfare and communications

World Gymnastics clears Russians to compete under country’s flag: what to know

European Gymnastics will make its own decision on lifting restrictions on Russian athletes by the end of the week

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

Russia successfully expanding its export range to Chinese market — Russian Export Center

Director Veronika Nikishina clarified that in the first months of this year, the volume of goods exported as part of the Made in Russia festivals increased by 30%

Nobel Prize in Economics awarded to American researcher Claudia Goldin

The American researcher "provided the first comprehensive account of women’s earnings and labor market participation through the centuries"

US continues to train Ukrainian pilots to use F-16 fighter jets — report

According to the report issued by inspectors general of the US Department of War, the Department of State, and the Agency for International Development, the training commitments are coordinated by the Air Force Capability Coalition that the US co-leads with Denmark and the Netherlands

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

US-Israeli strike on humanitarian aid aircraft in western Iran reported

The Civil Aviation Organization of the Islamic Republic called on all international bodies to take appropriate measures in response to this incident

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

Roscosmos CEO says in-person meeting with NASA chief planned for summer

CEO of Russia’s Roscosmos State Space Corporation Dmitry Bakanov noted that the details of the meeting are currently being worked out

Chinese diplomat dismisses report of Xi Jinping’s remark about Ukraine as 'pure fiction'

Guo Jiakun said the Financial Times information contradicts the facts

Preliminary data shows Luna-25 lunar probe collided with Moon’s surface – Roscosmos

Automatic station "Luna-25" ceased to exist, noted in the state corporation

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

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

Moscow, Beijing manage to return to positive trade dynamics — Russian first deputy PM

Denis Manturov noted that investment activity is having a positive impact on the development of bilateral trade

Tanker with Iranian oil change course, heading to China — PTI

The change in the destination of Pin Shun appears to be payment-related, Sumit Ritolia, Lead Research Analyst at Kpler, noted

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

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

Iran, US still far apart on key issues — agency

The American side "is still seeking to link talks on ending the war to the nuclear issue"

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

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

US military aircraft struck by Iran makes it to Kuwait — TV

Iran also fired at two US UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters conducting a search and rescue operation

Russia to respond to aggression as Kiev plans to launch drones from Latvia — intel agency

Russia’s Foreign Intelligence reported that service members from the Ukrainian army’s Unmanned Systems Forces had been deployed to Latvia to prepare attacks on Russia from the Baltic country’s territory

Russia’s air defenses destroy 17 Ukrainian UAVs over Voronezh Region overnight

According to preliminary information, there were no casualties or damage

Current account surplus down to $12.2 bln in January-March — Bank of Russia

Russia's foreign trade surplus in March 2026 increased by $1.7 billion compared to the same period last year

UK premier intends to lead Labour Party into next parliamentary election

Keir Starmer said he had no intention of resigning

United States to conduct test launch of nuclear-capable Minuteman III ICBM on May 20

The statement emphasized that the test launch is routine, was planned several years ago, and is not in response to current world events

Asia, Europe showing interest in Russia’s anti-drone nets — developer

The nets feature an innovative "spider knot" weave

US oil sanctions relief aimed at stabilizing market — Treasury Secretary

"It will also help reroute existing supply to countries most in need by reducing China’s ability to stockpile discounted oil," Scott Bessent believes

Ukrainian forces attack DPR territory 11 times over past day, one person killed

Two people were injured

Putin to arrive in China on evening of May 19 to be met by Wang Yi — Kremlin aide

As Yury Ushakov specified, the Chinese side will organize a formal welcome ceremony at the airport

Spokesman says Kremlin has no reaction to award of Nobel Peace Prize to Iranian activist

Narges Mohammadi was awarded "for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran and her fight to promote human rights and freedom for all"

Extension of Russian oil sanctions relief a positive signal — Dmitriev

"Global energy security is impossible without Russian energy resources," the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund said

Nobel Prize in medicine awarded to two scientists for COVID-19 vaccine research

"The discoveries by the two Nobel Laureates were critical for developing effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 during the pandemic that began in early 2020," the statement reads

Roscosmos to bring US astronaut back to Earth March 30 as scheduled

Earlier, some US media expressed doubts if Russia would agree to take US astronaut Mark Vande Hei back to Earth amid the sanctions imposed on Russia over the situation in Ukraine

Russia holding nuclear forces drills — top brass

According to Russia’s Defense Ministry, the drills are set to practice readying some of nuclear forces’ units and formations for accomplishing assigned objectives

Euroclear refuses to unfreeze Russian Central Bank’s assets: what is known

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

Revenue of Russian theaters rises 18% to $819.66 mln in 2025

According to a report by RBC, attendance at theater events rose by 3.5% to 44.3 mln people

US investigates 56 cases of corruption and theft of American weapons in Ukraine

According to a report prepared by the inspectors general of the Pentagon, the State Department, and the now effectively dismantled US Agency for International Development, 13 other investigations have been closed

Iran without Internet for 80 days — NetBlocks

The blackout has become the longest nationwide internet disruption ever recorded worldwide

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

US says Iran’s new proposal 'insufficient for a deal' — media

According to the report, Iran rejects many of Donald Trump's demands and refuses to make any meaningful concessions on its nuclear program

US military intelligence believes Ukraine is delivering chaotic strikes on Russia

Ukrainian strikes lack the coordination, tempo, and concentration on critical Russian military infrastructure, according to a report compiled by inspectors general of the US Department of War, the Department of State and the Agency for International Development

Industrial site affected in Yaroslavl as Russia downs 315 Ukrainian drones overnight

There were no casualties or injured

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

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

Iran to hit more targets if US attacks Kharg Island — ambassador

Tehran’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe Amir Hossein Hosseini also expressed hope that the conflict would be resolved diplomatically

Putin to travel to China on two-day visit

The Russian leader will meet with his Chinese counterpart, President Xi Jinping, hold Russian-Chinese talks in both narrow and expanded formats

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

Esmail Baghaei said that Tehran is fully prepared for any contingency

Ukrainian forces subject Zaporozhye NPP to massive shelling — plant’s management

Communications Director Yevgenia Yashina said the exact number of drones that attacked Energodar is being established

Iran to stand firm on its demands to US — president

Masoud Pezeshkian emphasized that Tehran is conducting negotiations with honor

US has already spent more than $85 bln on military operation in Iran

As calculated by Iran War Cost Tracker, basing on a Pentagon briefing for the US Congress on March 10, Washington planned to spend $1 bln for each day of the conflict

Biden spared no expense on deadly biological research in Ukraine — Miroshnik

The Russian Foreign Ministry’s ambassador-at-large says that the results of the research could have included the development of biological weapons