{{dayPoint.date | date : 'd MMMM yyyy'}}

{{newsPoint.title}}

{{newsPoint.title+ ' '}}

{{newsPoint.subtitle}}

Share of non-cash payments in retail turnover reaches 88.9% — Bank of Russia

According to the review, it grew by 0.9 percentage points over the quarter

MOSCOW, May 25. /TASS/. The share of non-cash transactions in retail turnover reached 88.9% in Q1 2026, according to the Bank of Russia’s analytical review.

It grew by 0.9 percentage points over the quarter, according to the review.

"The share of cashless payments in retail turnover continued to grow. The use of e-wallets rose most significantly. People were increasingly making online purchases this way," the regulator said.

Payments for goods, works, and services remain the most frequently used transaction, according to figures provided by the Central Bank. They accounted for 77% of the total number and 33% of the total volume of individual transactions. Compared to Q1 2025, their number increased by 5%, while their volume added 9%. This led to an increase in the share of such payments in the overall structure of transactions performed by individuals by 1 percentage point in the number and 2 percentage points in volume.

Money transfers between individuals accounted for more than half (56%) of the total volume and over 20% of the total number of payment transactions by the population. Compared to the same period last year, the number of such transactions lost 2%, while the volume edged up by 2%. The share of such transactions in the overall structure of individual payments fell slightly (by almost 1 percentage point in both the number and volume).

Cash withdrawal transactions decreased by 4% in both the number and volume compared to Q1 2025. That said, their share in the overall structure of payment transactions by individuals remained virtually unchanged: 1% in terms of the number, and 9% in volume terms.

Share of African countries in Rosoboronexport’s order portfolio totals 30% — CEO

Alexander Mikheyev said that Russia’s friendship with African countries is based on decades of good and trusting relations

Russian troops liberate Dobropasovo community in Dnepropetrovsk Region over past day

According to the latest figures, the Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,135 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

Trump doesn’t rule out Iran wanting to join Abraham Accords in future

The relationship with Teheran is becoming a much more professional and productive one, the US president said

Russian forces launching strikes on military-industrial complex sites in Kiev — MFA

The Foreign Ministry emphasized that "strikes will also be directed at decision-making centers and command posts"

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

US may resume operation against Iran, if talks fail — Rubio

The President of the US Donald Trump wants to make sure that Iran never has a nuclear weapon, the US Secretary of State said

Ukraine loses 7,830 soldiers, mercenaries in special military op over week — expert

Andrey Marochko added that during the aforementioned period, Russian forces also destroyed more than 4,000 Ukrainian fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles, which is almost double the amount from the previous week

Russia conducting combat trials of latest acoustic drone detection system

According to the developer, the system features a neural network module that can identify the type of unmanned aerial vehicles

Ukrainian media report air defense system failure in Kiev

The Russian Defense Ministry earlier reported that during a massive strike with Oreshnik, Iskander, Kinzhal, and Tsirkon missiles in Kiev and the Kiev region, the Russian Armed Forces hit Ukrainian military-industrial complex facilities

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

Belarussian President Lukashenko speaks with French President Macron over phone

The telephone call took place at the initiative of the French side

Media outlets that refused to go to Starobelsk cannot be called unbiased — Kremlin

This decision does not add credibility to the information they provide, Dmitry Peskov said

Kiev doing everything possible to provoke Minsk, draw it into conflict — politician

According to Viktor Medvedchuk, dragging Belarus into the conflict would only worsen the situation for the Ukrainian military

Israel eliminates Hamas sniper who took part in October 7 attack — IDF

The terrorist posed an immediate threat to IDF troops, the Israeli military said

What is known about Metropolitan Hilarion’s detention in Czech Republic

According to Metropolitan Hilarion’s attorney Michal Pacovsky, his client is suspected of drug possession

Israel suffering losses in Lebanon, killing civilians in response — Hezbollah leader

Naim Qassem called on Israel to stop its aggression, withdraw its troops, and release prisoners

Defense minister inspects Battlegroup East: what is known so far

Andrey Belousov presented orders to three units of the Battlegroup East for mass heroism displayed during the special military operation in Ukraine

Kiev seeks to whitewash attack on LPR college using media — military expert

Last week, many Ukrainian media outlets published reports aimed at discrediting Russia’s military and political leadership, while also spreading fabricated materials intended to justify the actions of Ukrainian militants

Finnish president says Europe may engage in dialogue with Russia this year

When asked whether he can act as a mediator, the Finnish president said that if he is asked, "it will probably be difficult to say ‘no"

Press review: Cuba readies for US attack as Moscow outlines ties with Washington

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, May 22nd

US expects Iran to approve peace agreement within several days — media

The official said there are still several details to close, Axios and Israel’s Channel 12 correspondent Barak Ravid said

Casualty in Yaroslavl Region, 173 UAVs target Russia: aftermath of new Ukrainian attack

Five civilians were injured in a Ukrainian drone strike on the Kalininsky District of Gorlovka in the DPR

US president threatens strikes on Iran’s energy, civilian infrastructure

Donald Trump called on Iranian leaders to open the Strait of Hormuz, claiming that otherwise the country "will be living in hell

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

Trumps says will not agree on deal with Iran if it doesn’t dismantle its nuclear program

According to the journalist Jennifer Jacobs, Donald Trump also insists on removing the enriched uranium from Iran's territory

Bank of Russia points to need for Mastercard, Visa to leave Russian market

They no longer provide the functionality they always ensured, Director of the Bank of Russia’s National Payment System Department Alla Bakina said

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

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

Death toll at Starobelsk college up to 21; search operations over — ministry

All the bodies of the victims have been recovered from the rubble

Pakistani army chief says Iran, US close to striking deal — Chinese foreign ministry

Pakistani Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir pledged that Islamabad is sparing no effort to get a deal done between Tehran and Washington

Serbian president may step down as Balkan nation faces protests

A major anti-government rally took place in Belgrade’s Slavija Square on the afternoon of May 23

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

IN BRIEF: Foreign Ministry statement on retaliatory strikes, bans by Western media

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova announced the ministry will soon issue a special statement on Russian retaliatory strikes against Kiev

US leader leans toward resuming strikes on Iran — Axios

Sources cited by the news portal say Donald Trump has grown "increasingly frustrated about the negotiations with Iran"

Trump says Iran has 48 hours to make deal or open strait

Time is running out: 48 hours remain before all hell rains down on them, US President said

Progress MS-29 undocks from ISS

The spaceship undocked at 9:43 p.m. Moscow time and will stitch on its engines at 00:46 p.m. a.m. Moscow time on July 2 to leave the ISS orbit and enter the Earth atmosphere

No Iran-US agreement expected anytime soon — Iranian Foreign Ministry

According to Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei, frequent changes in the US position are complicating the negotiation process

Fragments of drones that attacked Starobelsk college demonstrated to foreign reporters

The journalists also inspected the damaged and destroyed buildings of the educational institution, including the dormitory where students were staying at the time of the strike

Ukraine military strikes train in Lgov district of Kursk Region, one carriage is ablaze

According to unconfirmed information, there have been no reports as of yet regarding possible casualties, Kursk Region Governor Alexander Khinshtein stated

Ukrainian forces continuously attacking Energodar since Sunday — Zaporozhye NPP

No casualties have been reported

Iran sees no need to react to Trump’s social media threats — MFA

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei emphasized that Tehran was focused on promoting and protecting its national interests

Magnetic mines planted on vessel that arrived at Russia’s Ust-Luga port from Belgium — FSB

According to Russia’s Federal Security Service, the explosive devices were attached in the area of the engine room

Captain confirms two mines planted near stern of Arrhenius vessel calling at Ust-Luga

According to Igor Loy, his ship operates between the ports of Ust-Luga and Antwerp

Macron calls on Minsk to refrain from dragging into Ukrainian conflict

The French president also called on his Belarusian counterpart AlexanderLukashenko to take necessary measures to improve relations between Belarus and Europe

Detailing thwarted terrorist attack on gas tanker arriving from Belgium at Ust-Luga port

During an underwater inspection of part of the gas carrier’s hull, divers discovered foreign objects attached to magnets near the engine room that resembled explosive devices

Oman, Iran discuss principles of safe navigation in Strait of Hormuz

Omani Foreign Minister Bard al-Busaidi received the senior Iranian diplomat, who conveyed a verbal message from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi about "the ongoing Pakistani-mediated Iranian-US negotiations", аccording to the Omani foreign ministry

FACTBOX: Russia’s Oreshnik missile strike, breached Ukrainian air defenses

Ukrainian air defenses failed to counter Russian missile strikes on military installations in Kiev and the Kiev Region

Plane makes hard landing in Krasnoyarsk Region: what we know

The aircraft commander and the co-pilot were on board, they were injured

Over 50 foreign journalists from 19 countries set off to LPR’s Starobelsk — diplomat

They include media representatives from Austria, Brazil, Britain, Hungary, Venezuela, and Germany

Israel, US attack amusement park in central Iran

No information on casualties or damage has been reported yet

Press review: EU must recognize Ukraine crimes as US-Iran deal unlikely end conflict

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, May 25th

Foreign Ministry to make statement on Russian strikes against Kiev soon — spokeswoman

Maria Zakharova said the ministry will also issue a detailed warning to the diplomatic corps abroad

Iran divides countries into three categories based on use of Strait of Hormuz — TV

According to the TV channel, all states are divided into three categories — "hostile," "neutral," and "friendly"

Ukrainian attack on village in Bryansk Region leaves one civilian dead

A fire and rescue service employee was wounded

Gulf nations seek security guarantees in US-Iran talks — newspaper

The Wall Street Journal reported that the missile program had not yet been discussed in talks

Iran works to upgrade military equipment, maintain military capabilities

Commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters of the Iranian Armed Forces Ali Abdollahi stressed that Iran was determined to continue the fight against its enemies to the end and defeat them

US-Iran framework agreement is 95% complete — Fox News

According to the TV channel, US President Donald Trump could give the agreement another 5-7 days to finalize it

US cites disagreement on Iran as reason for lack of final NPT conference document

US Department of State Spokesperson Tommy Pigott also added that "the inability of some NPT States Parties to take Iran’s threat to global nonproliferation seriously will be addressed by the United States in its continuing engagements"

Orlan spacesuit operates like mini-spacecraft — ISS commander

Sergey Kud-Sverchkov said the suit weighs about 120 kg, and moving requires using the strength of your arms

Russia uses Oreshnik weapon to strike Ukrainian military command posts

That was response to terrorist attacks by the Ukrainian military against civilian facilities located on the territory of the Russian Federation, the Russian Defense Ministry reported

Russia determined to retake driver’s seat in space exploration

Russia’s State Space Corporation is determined to make sure that Russia regains its leadership in space, the corporation’s head says

Russia remains integral part of global economic system — Putin

The President noted that Russia remained open to constructive interaction with all partners who shared the principles of mutual respect and were ready to build honest long-term relations

Bion-M biological satellite descent module touches down in Orenburg Region

The spacecraft was launched from Baikonur on August 20

Death toll from railroad blast in Pakistan rises to 24 — media

More than 50 people were injured, the Pakistan Observer reported

General HQ of Iranian army warns of potentially larger strikes on Tel Aviv

The Iranian military also advised "host countries of US military bases to force the Americans to leave their territory, if they want to avoid damage"

Trump says deal with Iran not yet fully negotiated

The US leader stressed that he doesn't make bad deals

Putin: Russia stands for demilitarization of Ukraine

Russian President said he wished the Donbass problem could be settled through talks and the implementation of the Minsk agreements, but "regrettably, this is no longer relevant"

Progress MS-27 fragments that survived re-entry land in Pacific — Roscosmos

The spaceship undocked from the ISS at 3:53 p.m. Moscow time (12:53 a.m. GMT) on Tuesday, brought its engines to a halt and switched to a free flight

Russian snipers, mobile air defense teams successfully targeting long-range Ukrainian UAVs

The Russian serviceman stressed that sniper teams, consisting of several people, were fully mobile and could carry out drone-hunting missions for up to seven days

ADNOC uses 'shadow transit' to ship oil through Strait of Hormuz — Bloomberg

Vessels pass through the strait with their transponders switched off

Oreshnik strike, statements by Armenian PM: new briefing from Kremlin

According to Dmitry Peskov, the Russian leader will pay a state visit to Kazakhstan this week

Russia’s Battlegroup North shows best results in special op zone last week — expert

Andrey Marochko added that units of the Battlegroup East operating in the Dnepropetrovsk and Zaporozhye Regions inflicted the greatest damage on the Ukrainian armed forces’ manpower in their area of responsibility

Russian security services thwart terrorist attack aboard ship arriving from Belgium — FSB

The Arrhenius gas carrier was supposed to to be loaded and then head to the Turkish port of Samsun

Russia, Armenia are friends and continue dialogue — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov stressed that Moscow and Yerevan will continue to do so in the future

Share of Visa, Mastercard down to 17% in Russian market — official

Alla Bakina said the banks are performing the gradual substitution by other instruments, including Mir cards

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

Iran will emerge from war with US with its head held high — Hezbollah leader

Sheikh Naim Qassem emphasized that Iran "will become a pillar for all freedom-loving people in the world"

US to explore alternatives if fails to reach diplomatic solution with Iran — top diplomat

According to Marco Rubio, the parties are still working on potential agreements

Europe's 'indulgence' for Kiev prompts strikes on civilian targets — Russian envoy

Rodion Miroshnik noted that at the current stage, European states are deliberately ignoring violations of international and humanitarian law by Ukraine

Moscow to appeal to UN Court over violations of Russians' rights in Baltic states — MFA

All attempts to resolve the differences through negotiations have proven fruitless, the Russian Foreign Ministry said

Trump calls on several countries to normalize relations with Israel — Axios

The US leader expressed hope that after the end of the Iran conflict, countries that are not party to the Abraham Accords or do not have a peace treaty with Israel would normalize their relations with Tel Aviv

US fighter jet downed over Iran likely conducted strikes on ground targets — media

According to CBS News national security analyst Aaron MacLean, the pilots of the downed fighter had sidearms

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

Lavrov highlights need to achieve goals of Russia’s special military operation

Russia’s friends and neighbors, as well as its opponents and enemies, are keeping the closest eye on it, the foreign minister said

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

Peace deal, nuclear program to be discussed within 60 days — Iranian MFA

According to Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei, a 14-point memorandum of understanding focuses on ending the war is being discussed at this stage

Russian air defenses intercept 320 Ukrainian UAVs over past day — top brass

Seven guided aerial bombs and six Czech-made Vampire MLRS rockets were also destroyed during the day

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

Kremlin sees no condemnation of Ukrainian strikes on LPR college from West

According to Dmitry Peskov, Moscow has not seen any actions that could be interpreted as condemnation of this barbaric terrorist attack on young people

Ukrainian forces lose 67 heavy hexacopters to Battlegroup West operations over past day

Three electronic warfare stations, 54 UAV control centers, a Starlink satellite communications station, 20 ground robotic complexes, and three enemy field ammunition depots were also detected and destroyed.

Kremlin points out some Western media not willing to come to recently attacked Starobelsk

Dmitry Peskov also pointed to the efforts of the Russian Foreign Ministry, the Defense Ministry and other Russian state institutions, "for managing to promptly organize such an important and necessary trip"

Over 140 delegations from 120 countries to take part in int’l security forum in Russia

According to the Russian Security Council, there will be unofficial representatives from 12 unfriendly countries, who "stand for the development of constructive relations with Russia", among the participants

China launches Shenzhou-23 spacecraft — TV

The spacecraft was blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, China’s Central Television reported

Putin, King of Bahrain call for speedy resolution to Iranian crisis

Vladimir Putin and King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa also confirmed their commitment to further strengthening cooperation between the two countries in various areas

Cargo traffic via Northern Sea Route expected to reach 70 mln tons by 2030

First Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council Vladimir Yakushev stressed that the Far East and the Arctic are not only about geography and resources, but above all about the people who live, work, serve and raise children in these territories

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

EU preparing for possible energy supply crisis due to conflict in Iran — Spanish newspaper

The EC assures that there is currently no risk to supplies, though markets are feeling the impact of rising Brent crude oil prices, which has led to higher gas and oil prices in Europe

US president says new deal with Iran to be 'exact opposite' of JCPOA

The deal with Iran will either be a great and meaningful one, or there will be no deal, Donald Trump stated

Six parties to have seats in Cyprus’ new parliament

After counting 99.8% of ballots, the center-right Democratic Rally party garnered 72.1% of voted

Kiev troops bombard Donetsk People’s Republic 12 times over past day

Five civilians were wounded

Metropolitan Hilarion slams his detention in Czech Republic as provocation

Metropolitan Hilarion categorically denies any involvement in the illegal possession of prohibited substances