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Russian stock market rebounds after decline

The Moscow Exchange and RTS indices were down 0.26%, to 2,657.36 and 1,182.55 points, respectively

MOSCOW, May 22. /TASS/. The Russian stock market rebounded after decline at the start of the main trading session, according to Moscow Exchange data. The yuan is rising.

As of 10:00 AM Moscow time, the Moscow Exchange and RTS indices were down 0.26%, to 2,657.36 and 1,182.55 points, respectively. The yuan rose by 5.1 kopecks compared to the previous session's close, reaching 10,486 rubles.

By 10:15 AM Moscow time, the Moscow Exchange Index had risen to 2,675.97 points (up 0.44%), while the RTS Index was at 1,190.83 points (up 0.44%). Meanwhile, the yuan accelerated its gains to 10,516 rubles (up 0.815 kopecks).

EU will not return to Russian oil and gas purchases under any circumstances

European Commissioner for Economy Valdis Dombrovskis said the largest gas supplies for the European Union now come from Norway

Luxury car sales in Russia hit a 4.5-year high in April — Avtostat

According to the agency, Rolls-Royce led the luxury brands

Press review: Israel-Hamas truce starts today and NATO drills raise the alarm in Russia

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, November 23rd

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 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

Russia is protected from fertilizer price fluctuations — Agriculture Ministry

Since 2021, Russia has maintained a quota mechanism in the mineral fertilizer market, with maximum domestic fertilizer prices currently frozen at the September 2022 level

Russian high-explosive bomb strikes eliminate large Ukrainian UAV group in Zaporozhye

Enemy communications equipment was completely destroyed

Iran taking steps to strengthen its defense capabilities, modernize weapons — president

The government provides comprehensive support to the armed forces, Masoud Pezeshkian said

EU leaders urge Zelensky to investigate Yermak’s case for EU membership — Zeit

According to the newspaper, immediately after the corruption scandal came into the spotlight in November, heads of several European countries urged Vladimir Zelensky to fully investigate the matter and take appropriate measures if necessary

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

Both Russia, US view mutually respectful co-existence as acceptable variant

Sergey Ryabkov also stressed that Moscow is ready to examine other variants as well

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

Industry leaders talked Trump out of signing AI executive order — WP

The US leader said the measure "could have been a blocker" to AI development, which benefits the US economy

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

Putin praises Belarusian allies for nuclear know-how

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

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

Some 18 people may be trapped under rubble of attacked college in LPR — diplomat

Rodion Miroshnik said there were 86 children aged between 14 and 18 in the facility at the time of the attack

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

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

Zelensky ready to 'burn down Ukraine' for his survival as politician — Russian senator

Alexander Voloshin highlighted that the Zelensky team had destroyed a whole generation of Ukrainians with his decisions

Putin signs laws admitting four new regions to Russia

One can obtain Russian citizenship after having taken the oath of allegiance, provided a relevant request has been filed beforehand

Chernobyl exclusion zone becomes one of Europe’s largest wildlife habitats

Among species registered by camera traps are lynxes, wolves, elks, deer and Przewalski’s horses

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

US arrests sister of Cuban conglomerate GAESA’s head

Marco Rubio claimed that Adys Lastres Morera "was managing real estate assets and living in Florida, while also aiding" the Cuban government until the US administration terminated her permanent resident status

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

DOBRO Association ready to welcome new member countries

According to DOBRO Association Chairman Zarnigor Rajabzoda, "Russia has tremendous experience" that can help develop the volunteer movement

World to face crisis like in 2008 if Strait of Hormuz remains closed — Bloomberg

Acccording to the analysis by Rapidan Energy Group, if the Strait reopens in July, an average oil demand reduction of 2.6 million barrels a day and the spot-market price for benchmark Brent crude peaking near $130 a barrel over the summer could be expected

Expert highlights crucial role of Russia-China partnership in reshaping world order

Tiberio Graziani opined that diplomacy between Moscow and Beijing should be viewed in a broader context

Russian premier to visit Council of CIS Heads of Governments in Turkmenistan

In line with the schedule, Turkmenistan holds the rotating CIS presidency in 2026

US lost almost 20% of its MQ-9 Reaper drones during operation against Iran — Bloomberg

The agency estimates the overall damage at $1 billion

CSTO member states discuss air defense improvement

In the course of the consultations, the participants agreed on drafts of relevant documents being developed as part of the Organization’s priority areas of activity during Russia’s presidency in 2026

Putin, Xi discussed Iranian conflict settlement during tea-drink ceremony — Kremlin

The Russian president’s visit to China was timed to coincide with the 25th anniversary of "The Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation"

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

US plan to resolve Gaza issue remains largely on paper — Russia’s UN envoy

Claims of achievements are aimed at masking unpleasant realities in the Strip, Vasily Nebenzya noted

Zelensky trades warnings with Lukashenko

Earlier, Kiev reported sending reinforcements to the Belarusian border

Trump’s initiatives on Ukraine hampered by globalists in Europe — expert

While Moscow should take the stance and actions of other countries into account, others’ position is not a priority to Russia, Yevgeny Poddubny stressed

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

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

Friendly countries remain key markets for Russia's agricultural exports — Agroexport

Alena Shatkova, head of the analytical department at the Agroexport Federal Center, noted that by the end of 2025, domestic companies had generated $41.6 billion in revenue from agricultural exports

No fuel shortages on Russian market, country prepared for demand growth — Energy Ministry

According to the ministry, particular attention is being paid to meeting the needs of the agricultural sector during the sowing campaign period

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

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

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"

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

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

Network of labs modernized under Pentagon’s program operates in Ukraine — expert

Igor Nikulin added that, judging by documents, "a conclusion can be drawn that local specialists gathered, studied and artificially boosted tuberculosis pathogens with high resistance to antibiotics"

Ukraine’s associate member status to ruin EU financially — French politician

Florian Philippot noted that this status would allow Ukraine even access to European funds

Kiev troops fire 11 munitions towards DPR in past day, one killed

Cars and a civilian infrastructure site were damaged as a result

Trump says not trying to intimidate Cuba by sending aircraft carrier to Caribbean Sea

On March 5, the US president announced Washington's intention to develop a further course of action regarding Cuba after the conclusion of military operations against Iran

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

Baltic states to be punished for assisting Ukraine in attacking Russia — MP

Speaking about Lithuanian threats against Kaliningrad, Leonid Slutsky noted that by making such statements the "hotheads" in the Baltics "are drawing fire not only upon themselves, but also on Europe as a whole"

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

Russia sees no reason to theorize about less intense dialogue with US — senior diplomat

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov also adeed that "nothing is impossible, but success here will require both parties to demonstrate political will and a realistic approach"

Enemy drone attacks on college building in Starobelsk in LPR leave 35 wounded — official

According to LPR head Leonid Pasechnik, there were 86 children aged between 14 and 18 in the building at the time of the attack

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

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

Pakistani officials to visit Tehran soon to help broker settlement — top US diplomat

The US president’s preference is to do a good deal, Marco Rubio emphasized

EU will not return to Russian oil and gas purchases under any circumstances

European Commissioner for Economy Valdis Dombrovskis said the largest gas supplies for the European Union now come from Norway

Israeli attacks result in 3,089 fatalities in Lebanon — Health Ministry

According to the report, 9,397 people were injured

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

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

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

Palestine withdraws its diplomat’s candidacy for post of UNGA Vice President

The spokeswoman for the office of the 80th session’s president, La Neice Collins, noted that the UN General Assembly’s presidential office has received a nomination for this post from Lebanon

Energy crisis greatly increases attractiveness of Power of Siberia-2 for China — expert

The project could consolidate the mutually beneficial economic interdependence between China and Russia, Charles Freeman said

Nabiev scales Mount Everest using hands only, plants Russian flag at peak

Rustam Nabiev is the first person ever to scale Mount Everest using only his hands

Teenage son of Russian figure skating star to compete for Azerbaijan

The Figure Skating Federation of Russia has authorized Alexander Plushenko’s transfer to Azerbaijan’s team, a source told TASS

Iranian army ready to respond to any aggression, commander says

Amir Hatami reported that Iranian military forces improve coordination between military branches and enhancing the combat capabilities

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

China’s top parliamentarian to visit Russia, Kazakhstan on May 25-30 — Xinhua

As part of his visit, Zhao Leji will attend the 11th meeting of the China-Russia committee for parliamentary cooperation

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

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 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

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

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

Russian security chief, Vietnam’s deputy premier to discuss Asia-Pacific, Mideast

The press service of the Russian Security Council said the sides "will discuss the current situation worldwide from the perspective of the Middle East conflict and the situation in Asia-Pacific"

European Commission recognizes Russia's economic resilience — expert

According toVladimir Yeremkin, the EC forecast exaggerates the positive impetus from instability in the Middle East and does not fully account for the scale of monetary tightness imposed by the Bank of Russia itself

NATO military activity along Russian borders reaches Cold War levels — Moscow’s envoy

Dmitry Polyansky explained that Kiev was actively working out scenarios of sabotage attacks on Russia from Latvia’s territory

Rubio’s new lies aimed at provoking aggression against Cuba — foreign minister

Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla emphasized that "Cuba is not, nor has it ever been, a threat to the national security of the United States"

Putin, Xi Jinping offer world alternative to militarization — US expert

According to Peter Kuznick, Xi Jinping and Putin demonstrated not only "their open and explicit embrace of multipolarity," but also their rejection of unilateral force

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 brought diplomatic property talks with Russia into stalemate — diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov stressed that Americans have brought to a dead end negotiations not only on this subject, but on other related matters as well

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

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

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

'Russians ready for conversation' with Europe — Kremlin

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

Russia condemns US pressure on Cuba aimed at government change — MFA

"It seems that everything possible is being done to signal the possibility of an armed intervention in Cuba," the Russian Foreign Ministry said

Senior Russian diplomat explains what Russia means by 'spirit of Anchorage'

It's about the atmosphere of trust that emerged between the presidents of Russia and the US, which, in the context of last year’s Alaska summit, allowed to shape the basic contours of the Ukrainian peace process, Sergey Ryabkov said

Afghanistan lowers legal age of marriage for girls to nine years old — newspaper

The article noted that the government has effectively abolished the minimum marriage age for girls by linking the possibility of marriage to the onset of puberty

Putin authorizes transactions with Metalloinvest Holding Company shares

The relevant executive order has been published on the official portal of legal acts

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

US companies looking forward to return to Russian market — senior diplomat

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov that the United States continues to conduct the policy of sanctions on Russian partners by prohibiting them from buying Russian fuel and preventing cooperation in other areas

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

The Russian president announced agreement on forty bilateral documents

S7 Airlines to increase frequency of flights to China starting this winter

The airline is exploring new routes

Nine districts of Kherson Region completely out of power after Ukrainian drone attack

Governor Vladimir Saldo said that utility workers are doing their best to restore power supply as quickly as possible

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

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

Ukrainian attacks wound 35 people in LPR, 217 UAVs target Russia: aftermath of new strikes

The UAVs were shot down over the districts of Belgorod, Bryansk, Voronezh, Vladimir, Kaluga, Kursk, Leningrad, Lipetsk, Nizhny Novgorod, Novgorod, Oryol, Ryazan, Smolensk, Tver, Tula, and Yaroslavl, as well as the Moscow Region and St. Petersburg

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

SpaceX again delays test flight of new-generation Starship rocket

When the launch window opened, SpaceX rescheduled the start several times for technical reasons

Medvedev sees seven signs indicating Ukraine is 'failed state'

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

US approves possible sale of equipment for HAWK SAMs to Ukraine worth $108.1 mln

According to the US Department of State, the Kiev government requested to buy spare parts, maintenance and service support, as well as repair and return support

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

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