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Brent crude oil price drops below $103 per barrel for first time since May 8

By 8:56 p.m. Moscow time, Brent was down 2.53%, trading at $102.36 per barrel

MOSCOW, May 21. /TASS/. The price of Brent crude oil futures for July 2026 delivery on the London-based ICE exchange dropped below $103 per barrel for the first time since May 8 of this year, trading data showed.

By 8:49 p.m. Moscow time (5:49 p.m. GMT), Brent was down 2.15%, trading at $102.76 per barrel.

By 8:56 p.m. Moscow time (5:56 p.m. GMT), Brent extended its losses, slipping to $102.36 per barrel (-2.53%). Meanwhile, WTI crude oil futures for June 2026 delivery fell 2.33% to $95.97 per barrel.

Innovative Russian medicines account for over 60% of market — minister

Anton Alikhanov also recalled that the ministry is preparing support measures for companies registering drugs that meet first-in-class requirements

Putin’s visit to China shows growing understanding among SCO, BRICS members — US expert

Retired US Army Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson noted that BRICS countries stood for ‘Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability’ while the US seemed to stand for ‘Sanctions and War’

Trump says in no rush to make decisions on Iran, Strait of Hormuz, giving diplomacy chance

The US president earlier stated that he had decided to postpone the resumption of hostilities against Iran at the request of Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia

SpaceX files for IPO

The company plans to list on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol SPCX

Lukashenko, Putin discuss via video link joint nuclear forces drills — agency

The Belarusian president contacted his Russian counterpart while at the control center of the Belarusian Ministry of Defense

Russian troops destroy German-made Gepard anti-aircraft gun in Ukraine operation

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 990 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

US Navy's Nimitz aircraft strike group arrives in Carribean Sea — command

The carrier is accompanied by the destroyer USS Gridley and a supply ship

West mistakenly thought it can subdue Russia, China — Russia’s top diplomat

Great powers and peoples, such as the Russian and Chinese cannot be enslaved, Sergey Lavrov said

Russia liberates around 80 settlements as part of special military op in 2026 — Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister emphasized that Russia is consistently carrying out the objectives of the special military operation

'Russians ready for conversation' with Europe — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov noted that talking is always better than leading to complete confrontation

West to sacrifice Baltic states, Finland, Poland, Romania after Ukraine — diplomat

According to Rodion Miroshnik, the approach to warfare on the part of the Western countries is deeply cynical

Russian troops deliver nuclear warheads to missile brigade in Belarus during major drills

The personnel of the missile brigade of the Republic of Belarus are practicing combat training assignments of receiving special munitions for Iskander-M theater missile systems, loading launch tubes with them and stealthily advancing to the designated area to prepare for launches

Russian forces readied for missile launches during nuclear drills — top brass

Overall, the drills involve over 64,000 military personnel and more than 7,800 pieces of armament, including over 200 missile launchers, more than 140 aircraft, 73 surface ships and 13 submarines

Russia’s nuclear drills 'silent message' to those who threaten it — expert

According to Yevgeny Poddubny, demonstrating the possibility of launching a nuclear strike in the event of a threat to the existence or integrity of the country could have a sobering effect on adversaries

US charges against Raul Castro have no legal basis — Cuban president

The Cuban President pointed out thatthe US is lying and manipulating the events surrounding the 1996 incident involving aircraft belonging to the narco-terrorist organization ‘Brothers to the Rescue'

Putin meets Chinese engineer 26 years after iconic joint photo

The Russian president received a porcelain tea set as a souvenir from Peng Pai and presented him with a reciprocal gift

Iran asks Pakistan for more time to study US conditions — TV

According to the source, Iran's "enriched uranium is the main obstacle" in the indirect talks between Tehran and Washington

FACTBOX: What is known about Bank of Russia vs Euroclear litigation

According to the case database, the appellate court partially upheld Pervaya Management Company's claims and ruled that Euroclear must pay it approximately 32 billion rubles

Vietnam is long-standing, reliable partner of Russia in Southeast Asia — defense minister

Andrey Belousov emphasized that Russian-Vietnamese relations are based on the best traditions of strong friendship

New Ukrainian tactics for extreme overload of Russian air defenses fail — soldier

The unit's fighters have personally seen that the Moscow-made Yolka interceptor drone is capable of countering Ukrainian UAVs in various situations

Ukraine launches five attacks on DPR settlements over past day

Reports indicate that three civilians were wounded

Putin’s visit to China to boost trade, tech exchange — former US congressman

According to Dennis Kucinich, the meeting between the Russian and Chinese leaders underscores the significance of leaders who strive for mutual benefit through cooperation within the emerging consciousness of multipolarity

Bank of Russia petitions for immediate enforcement of court ruling on Euroclear — TASS

The Moscow Arbitration Court received a petition

Russia’s Battlegroup East fighters modernizing drones for specific missions — commander

According to the report, technical specialists can increase the number of engines, change battery capacities, upgrade the propeller-motor unit, and reinforce drones with new structures

EU, NATO will never admit Ukraine — Russian expert

The countries in these alliances understand they will have to feed and rebuild Ukraine, which they don’t want to do, Georgy Muradov said

FACTBOX: What is known about development of Ladoga aircraft

Information about the suspension of the TVRS-44 Ladoga turboprop aircraft project is incorrect, as no such decisions have been made at the current stage of development, Ural Works of Civil Aviation reported

Kremlin comments on readiness for talks with Europe, Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline

The Kremlin sees no risk of fuel shortages caused by ongoing Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil refineries

Bank of Russia’s gold reserves in ounces fall to their lowest level since February 2022

In February 2022, the monetary gold reserves of the Bank of Russia also amounted to 73.9 million troy ounces

Iran publishes map of IRGC-controlled area around Hormuz Strait

According to the Iran’s Persian Gulf Surveillance Agency, ships may pass through Iranian-controlled waters only with permission from the PGSA

Ukraine has to make painful concessions to achieve peace — media

The news outlet noted that the imbalance in resources between Russia and Ukraine has always meant that Kiev would never be able to succeed

Iran rebuilding military industrial base faster than expected — CNN

According to the TV channel, Iran could fully reconstitute its drone attack capability in as little as six months

Xi Jinping plans to visit North Korea — media

According to the news agency, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited North Korea in April

Europe seeks to block any talks on Ukrainian settlement — Russian diplomat

According to Russian Foreign Ministry's Ambassador-at-Large for the crimes of the Kiev regime Rodion Miroshnik, the European Union’s actions show a complete lack of willingness to follow a peaceful path

It’s getting harder for West to conceal negative effects of helping Ukraine — diplomat

The governments of European countries were unable to properly evaluate the potential consequences, Yulia Zhdanova said

US searches Iranian tanker in Gulf of Oman — CENTCOM

According to the statement, over the course of the US naval blockade of Iran, which has lasted more than a month, US servicemen have redirected a total of 91 commercial vessels

Armenia’s actions contradict relations with Russia, risk causing changes — senior diplomat

According to Mikhail Galuzin, Moscow had previously "conveyed its negative attitude toward such steps to the Armenian side in a completely frank and partnership-oriented manner"

EU plans to use Russian assets without consent amount to robbery — Zakharova

The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman stressed that any attempts to whitewash such actions with pseudo-legal statements, wording or invented slogans are untenable

Zelensky trades warnings with Lukashenko

Earlier, Kiev reported sending reinforcements to the Belarusian border

Russia to restrict flower imports from Armenia from May 22 — watchdog

The regulator clarified that the decision was made to protect Russia's phytosanitary safety and export potential

Ukraine to bear responsibility for attacks on Moscow, other Russian cities — diplomat

Rodion Miroshnik emphasized that all investigative actions will be carried out eventually

Putin announces ballistic, cruise missile launches as part of military drills

The Russian leader said that Moscow and Minsk will work through a wide range of tasks, primarily the actions of officials regarding command and coordination in the use of nuclear weapons

Root causes of conflict in Ukraine, visa formalities: Russia-China statement highlights

Russia and China will improve military cooperation mechanisms

Ukrainian counterintelligence officer supplies dozens of coordinates for Russian strikes

Sergey Mikhailov surrendered in the Zaporozhye direction. He said he does not want to return to Ukraine

Putin praises Belarusian allies for nuclear know-how

The Russian leader highlighted the well-coordinated work of the Belarusian military personnel

NATO’s attention, 'silent dialogue' with West: reaction to Russia’s nuclear drills

The North Atlantic Alliance is monitoring Russia’s nuclear drills but is not commenting on them, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated

Ukrainian drone attacks in Belgorod Region leave three people injured

In the town of Shebekino, a drone struck a moving vehicle

US pullout from Europe to weaken NATO's strategy against Russia, China — newspaper

According to Junge Welt columnist Arnold Scholzel, the alliance is struggling to maintain anti-Russian sentiment in the region, and US-China negotiations are creating doubts among the political elite about the confrontation with Beijing

Washington does not want Iran to charge shipping fees in Strait of Hormuz — Trump

"It’s an international waterway," the US president said

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

Putin’s visit to China to provide impetus to both countries’ projects worth $200 bln

Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov highlighted an in-depth dialogue that took place during the visit

Press review: Russia preps for Ukrainian V-Day attacks as US nears striking Iran again

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, May 6th

IN BRIEF: Putin, Lukashenko observe joint Russia-Belarus drills via video link

According to the Russian president, the use of nuclear weapons is an exceptional measure to ensure the country's security

Visa-free travel, porcelain set, oil and gas: highlights of Putin's visit to China

The Russian president announced agreement on forty bilateral documents

FACTBOX: Aftermath of Ukrainian drone attack on Russian regions, casualties in Syzran

Two people died and several others were injured in a drone attack on the city of Syzran in Russia’s southeastern Samara Region

Russian troops liberate Shesterovka community in Kharkov Region over past day — top brass

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,205 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

US set for long-term increase in tariffs worldwide — source

The US wants to overhaul the international trading system because it believes its national interests have been constrained by outdated mechanisms, the source said

Press review: Putin and Xi address Middle East and Ukraine as UN tires of debating Kiev

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, May 21st

Russia not out to force Kiev into talks — diplomat

While the Europeans and the Americans "are not very much concerned about Ukraine’s future," the Ukrainian population should care about their country’s destiny, Foreign Ministry Ambassador-at-Large for the crimes of the Kiev regime Rodion Miroshnik stated

Putin-Xi meeting highlights failure of attempts to isolate Russia — US expert

James Carden emphasized that the world order is now undoubtedly multipolar and the policy of the Donald Trump administration in the Middle East is only accelerating America's isolation

Medvedev sees seven signs indicating Ukraine is 'failed state'

The Security Council deputy chairman asserted that Ukraine's decline is an irreversible process

US deploys two laser-armed destroyers to Middle East — portal

Both ships are equipped with the ODIN laser system, which is designed to disorient drones

Likelihood of nuclear weapons being used in Ukrainian conflict increasing — diplomat

Rodion Miroshnik said that Europe is currently producing massive quantities of weapons, launching a huge number of new factories, and essentially openly preparing for war

Putin, Xi Jinping wrap up informal meeting over tea

During the 90-minute sitdown, the most important issues on the agenda were broached

Russia to use all means to ensure security of its nationals in Transnistria — diplomat

Maria Zakharova warned that any aggression against Russia's citizens living in Transnistria will be met with an immediate and adequate response

Russia did not recognize Ukraine, which aspires to join NATO — top diplomat

Russia recognized Ukraine as a non-nuclear, non-bloc and neutral state, Sergey Lavrov said

Armenia made series of unfriendly steps towards Russia recently — top security official

According to Sergey Shoigu, this is how Moscow views the decisions to join the International Criminal Court, to extradite Russian citizens to third countries, and to make things harder for Russian economic entities

Budapest links relations reset with Kiev to resolution of Hungarian minority issue

Hungary’s Prime Minister Peter Magyar said that improving the situation with the Hungarian minority in Transcarpathia was regarded as an essential condition for the launch of negotiations on Ukraine’s EU accession

Ukrainian troops mine road to Energodar that supplies Zaporozhye nuke plant — NPP

There were no casualties from the remote mining, the plant’s press service reported

Putin concludes his visit to China

A brief farewell ceremony was organized for the Russian leader upon his arrival at the airport

Moscow to protect Transnistrian Russians, respond to use of its assets to fund Kiev — MFA

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stressed that Kiev’s nervous reaction to the issue of Russian citizenship for Transnistrian residents was inappropriate

New round of Washington-Tehran talks may take place in early June — TV

According to the TV channel, the meeting is expected to take place "in Islamabad after the end of the Hajj season"

Tehran reviewing US response to ceasefire proposal — Iranian Foreign Ministry

The parties exchanged messages several times, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said

Zelensky, Europe practically hang off Trump's shoulders after Anchorage — Lavrov

They demanded that the Americans change course, the Russian foreign minister said

Cuban revolutionary leader Castro charged with murder, destruction of aircraft

Raul Castro was charged with four counts of murder, two counts of destruction of an aircraft and a conspiracy to kill US citizens

Russia to support Cuban people, Havana informed about assistance parameters — MFA

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Moscow strongly condemns any attempts to blatantly interfere in the internal affairs of the sovereign state

IN BRIEF: Kremlin spokesman speaks on Putin-Xi talks over tea, US pressure on Cuba

Dmitry Peskov said that the US blockade of Cuba was having catastrophic consequences for the island’s people

Israel frustrated with Trump's negotiating tactics, wants to reignite war — CNN

According to the report, the May 20 phone call between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was "tense"

Putin, Xi building world order free from Western influence — former CIA officer

Larry Johnson stressed that the visit by Vladimir Putin to Beijing underscores the seriousness of the relationship between Russia and China

Russia ready to help Iran, US reach solution on enriched uranium — MFA

Maria Zakharova reiterated Russia’s principled position on Iran’s inalienable right to develop a peaceful nuclear program in accordance with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons

Foreign air defenses fail to stop even 8% of Ukrainian drones attacking Russia — expert

According to Dmitry Kuzyakin, Russia has developed and produced new interception systems tailored to combat drones and organized a multi-layered, echeloned defense with an end-to-end targeting and control system

Moscow, Beijing want to prevent multipolarity from turning into chaos — Lavrov

Russia and China are interested in building normal relations among all states, including between the SCO and BRICS, the Russian foreign minister said

China, Russia to improve military cooperation mechanisms — joint statement

Moscow and Beijing intend to deepen mutual trust in the military sphere

Russian drone detectors upgraded to detect Ukraine’s Martian UAVs — developer

The developer noted that these AI-powered drones had been spotted on the line of contact at the beginning of the year, and now the Ukrainian armed forces had increased their use

Russian fiber optic drones have operating range up to 50 km — officer

The acting commander of a technical maintenance unit of the Russian Battlegroup East’s 29th Army added that the fiber optic cable length varies depending on the nature of the combat mission

Eurozone public debt to exceed 90% of GDP in 2026, reach euro crisis level in 2027

The European Commission attributed these figures to rising energy prices caused by the war around Iran, but made no mention of any connection between these numbers and military financing for Ukraine

Reaction to Putin’s China visit, clear message to world, failure to isolate Russia

According to former CIA analyst Larry Johnson, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping are signaling to the West that they are establishing a new world order free from its dominance

Russia receives permit to export beef to Indonesia — watchdog

An important milestone was the inspections of the Russian facility conducted by Indonesian representatives in March and October 2025

Russian defense minister holds talks with Vietnamese counterpart

Andrey Belousov noted that priority attention is being given to strengthening mutually beneficial military and military-technical cooperation

European Commission head wants to turn Baltic states into anti-Russian base — MP

Chairman of the State Duma International Affairs Committee and leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia Leonid Slutsky also noted that the European Commission ignores the fact that drones detected in the Baltic countries are from Ukraine

Trump says ready to wait for agreement with Iran for a few more days

Thus, the US leader commented on the possibility of resuming US strikes

Kremlin says calls from Lithuania’s top diplomat to attack Kaliningrad verge on insanity

Dmitry Peskov believes that such statements should not be taken seriously

EU uses civilian infrastructure for military purposes — Russian diplomat

Paris is using production capacities of major civilian companies for large-scale production of defense products, Yulia Zhdanova said

Belarusian MFA lodges protest with Lithuanian charge d'affaires over UAV border violation

According to the Belarusian Foreign Ministry, on May 17, a Ukrainian Chaika drone was detected near the village of Stanislavtsy in the Vitebsk Region

West's current aggression stems from decline in influence, fear of competition — Lavrov

Sergey Lavrov also noted that "the financial and economic system led by the West after World War II can no longer function in a way that guarantees continued benefit for Western countries"

Press review: Turkey to host Russia-Ukraine talks as NATO starts drills by Russian border

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

Pakistani army chief of staff to arrive in Tehran with message for Iranians — TV

The details of the message have not been disclosed

Camp of anti-Iranian opposition forces comes under missile fire near Erbil — TV

No information has yet been released regarding possible casualties from the attack

Nuclear triad to continue to guarantee sovereignty of Russia, Belarus — Putin

The Russian president mentioned the growing tensions in the world and the emergence of new threats and risks

Xi, Putin send clear signal of increased stability to global community — Chinese experts

According to the executive director of the Center for Russian Studies at East China Normal University Liu Jun, the statements by Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping indicate that relations between Beijing and Moscow are focused on the long-term strategic outlook

Merz proposes 'associate EU membership' for Ukraine — DPA

The German Chancellor expressed doubt that Ukraine’s EU accession negotiations would be concluded any time soon

Possibility of Putin-Trump meeting, spirit of Beijing: what Kremlin aide said

Yury Ushakov emphasized that he knew nothing about the "spirit of Anchorage," in contrast to the "spirit of Beijing," which indeed exists