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Aeroflot Group carries 26 mln passengers in H1 2026, up 0.3%

International traffic increased 10.3% to 6.9 mln passengers

MOSCOW, July 14. /TASS/. Aeroflot Group carried 26 mln passengers in the first half of 2026, up 0.3% compared with the same period last year, according to the group's statement.

The group carried 19.1 mln passengers on domestic routes, down 2.9% year-on-year. International traffic increased 10.3% to 6.9 mln passengers.

Revenue passenger kilometers (RPK) increased by 5.1%, while available seat kilometers (ASK) rose 3.1%. The passenger load factor increased by 1.7 percentage points to 90.9%.

Aeroflot Airlines carried 14 mln passengers in January-June, up 0.7% year-on-year. Revenue passenger kilometers increased 7.7%, while the passenger load factor rose by 2.7 percentage points to 90.8%.

FACTBOX: Logistics, food supplies, fleet protection measures in Sea of Azov

Port captains are seeking to improve traffic management and reduce vessel handling times

FACTBOX: Logistics, food supplies, fleet protection measures in Sea of Azov

Port captains are seeking to improve traffic management and reduce vessel handling times

Putin awards citizenship to German horse trainer

Karin Martina Staemmler-Gerusel specializes in draft horses

US resumes blockade of Iranian seaports — Trump

"All other countries will have fair and open use of the Strait," the US leader said

Another prisoner exchange with Ukraine to take place soon — Russian ombudswoman

Another prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine will take place soon but its exact date will not be announced, Yana Lantratova said

Maven Smart AI system to become key component of NATO troop command — expert

According to Alexander Stepanov, one of the benefits of the Maven Smart System platform is its ability to be integrated into armies with different levels of capability, which will allow them to achieve consistent standards of military information management

Trump notifies US Congress about resuming warfare in Iran — NYT

The letter was sent to US lawmakers on July 10, the report says

Three killed in Moscow region as Russian air defenses shoot down 342 drones in past night

Ukrainian UAVs were intercepted over 15 Russian regions

West seeking to rewrite history to deprive Russia of its source of strength — MFA

"I believe this is exactly why they want to rewrite history for us - those who demolish monuments or engage in attempts to cancel culture, those who, essentially, have denied us the opportunity to remember our heroes in the information space," Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said

UK sanctions GRU officers, Rybar analytical center

In total, London expanded its anti-Russian sanctions list by 10 entries and added 14 new names to the sanctions list related to cybersecurity

Military targets to be focus of new wave of US strikes on Iran — CNN

According to the report, the list of targets includes coastal surveillance systems and facilities associated with missiles and drones

IRGC attacks two tankers attempting to pass through Strait of Hormuz — agency

According to a report by Fars, two supertankers ignored warnings from the Strait of Hormuz safety center and "endangered shipping in the area"

IN BRIEF: FSB thwarts large-scale swarm drone attacks on Russian military airfields

FSB officers seized 24 FPV drones equipped with neural control modules manufactured in the UK, the United States, Canada and Sweden that were resistant to electronic warfare

Iran, Russia nearing finalization of Russian gas supply contract — Minister

The main provisions of the final gas trade agreement between Iran and Russia have been agreed upon, Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad said

Russian forces advance toward Druzhkovka despite Ukrainian air counterstrikes — DPR head

In the neighboring Krasnoarmeysk-Dobropolye region, Russian forces have strengthened their positions following the liberation of Vasilyevka

China firmly established as Russia’s key partner — ambassador

Igor Morgulov highlighted that Russia ranked among China’s five leading foreign trade partners

Press review: Hormuz crisis overshadows Iran nuclear issue and EU divided on Russia talks

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, July 13th

Saudi Arabia receives US approval before strike on airport in Yemen — Axios

According to the publication, the Saudis are "concerned about a larger conflict with the Houthis," so the authorities decided to coordinate their actions with Washington in advance

US wants to be reimbursed for ensuring freedom of navigation in Strait of Hormuz — Trump

The US president added that Washington protects all Arab countries of the Persian Gulf

Several facilities near Iran’s Omidiyeh damaged by US strikes on region — agency

Mehr reported that at least four people were injured in the incident

Trump will support bill on anti-Russia sanctions — CNN

If passed by Congress, the document would pave the way for the administration to impose tariffs on countries purchasing Russian oil, according to the report

Kiev struck Russian territory up to 850 times per day over past week — envoy

Rodion Miroshnik says that over 300 civilians were harmed by the aggression of Ukrainian troops during this period

Kiev’s drone supplier Helsing makes its UAVs at secret plant in south Germany — NYT

According to sources cited by the newspaper, the factory can be dismantled and relocated within a day

Modernizing Russia’s armed forces, fuel situation — Putin’s remarks

The Russophobic factions within the so-called collective West are fighting Russia, but the country is forging ahead with remarkable progress, the Russian leader said

Kremlin spokesman describes 'coalition of the willing' as coalition of warmongers

"This group of countries does not want peace but rather a continuation of war," Dmitry Peskov pointed out

US troops accuse commanders of negligence over Iranian drone threat

US commanders deny the allegations and maintain that the military facility was adequately protected, The Washington Post reported

Kiev’s counterattacks near Krasny Liman in Donetsk on decline — expert

The attempts to retake lost lines and positions have declined several-fold, Andrey Marochko said

FACTBOX: German ambassador summoned to Russian foreign ministry

The ministry said the focus of the meeting was the unacceptability of growing support to the Kiev regime

Russia keeps modernizing its Armed Forces, says Putin

Russia will respond in kind to Ukraine’s attacks and its strikes will be much more powerful, the head of state said

Hungary’s parliament approves constitutional amendment to oust president

According to parliament speaker Agnes Forsthoffer, the amendment was supported by 139 lawmakers

Russian, Chinese Navy ships head out for joint patrol after drills

Rear Admiral Sergey Sinko stressed that the experience gained would be in demand in future naval activities of the two countries and would be an important contribution to deepening mutual trust and Russian-Chinese cooperation

Russian-Chinese exercise Joint Sea - 2026 concludes in Qingdao

The closing ceremony was held at the Qingdao Naval Base of the People's Liberation Army

Russia and Iran welcome positive dynamics in bilateral relations

Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilyov met with Mohsen Paknejad, Iran's Oil Minister and co-chair of the intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation, as well as Iranian Energy Minister Abbas Aliabadi

Russia states at G20 that economy should not be used as weapon — MFA

Russia also advocated for an open and inclusive economic system, calling for greater representation of the Global South in governance mechanisms

Russian kamikaze drone crew eliminates large network of Ukrainian fortifications

The targets were located in several basements of buildings equipped as command posts and UAV control posts

Ukrainian troops endanger civilian lives by firing from Kherson’s urban area — governor

For the Kiev regime, Kherson and its residents have long been expendable, Vladimir Saldo said

Russia's trade surplus rises to $14.2 bln in May — Central Bank

Compared with April 2026, the surplus increased by $3.148 bln

FSB prevents large-scale drone attack on strategic facility in Moscow Region

Following the instructions from his handlers, the detainee assembled and activated drones, established a communication channel with foreign operators, and then left the scene

Russia seeks sustainable peace in Ukraine conflict — Kremlin spokesman

According to Dmitry Peskov, The Ukraine process is currently on hold

Aliyev declares full normalization between Azerbaijan and Russia

Ilham Aliyev underscored the significance of Russia-Azerbaijan relations, both on a bilateral level and within a broader regional context

Polish defense minister says draft-age Ukrainians should be home, fighting for country

According to Wladysіaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, Ukrainians "driving around in luxury cars" and disturbing public order should be deported to their homeland

Kremlin addresses 'Coalition of the willing' illusions, Sea of Azov navigation

Russia will not seek to prove that the airspace of Baltic nations is being used for Ukrainian drone flights, Dmitry Peskov said

Azerbaijan considering complete withdrawal from Council of Europe, Aliyev says

According to the Azerbaijani president, his country has been discriminated against at the Council of Europe for two years already

Brent crude tops $83 per barrel on ICE for first time since June 16

As of 9:12 p.m. Moscow time, Brent crude was up 9.22%, trading at $83.02 per barrel

Zelensky confirms two civilians brutally murdered by Ukrainian soldiers

Ten servicemen of the Ukrainian armed forces’ 155th Separate Mechanized Brigade have been detained, including the now former brigade commander Stanislav Luchanov

FACTBOX: What we know about new EU, UK sanctions against Russia, restrictions on VK, Max

The United Kingdom imposed sanctions on GRU officers allegedly involved in cyber operations targeting the UK, as well as on the Rybar military analytical center

Millions sign online petition demanding Argentina be booted from World Cup

The petition claims that FIFA and the referees are biased toward Lionel Messi and the Argentininan national team

Venezuelan earthquake death toll reaches 4,561

According to the government’s daily bulletin, which Rodriguez published on his Telegram channel, as many as 16,740 people were injured

Almost 350 children killed in Ukrainian attacks since 2014, Russian commissioner reports

Maria Lvova-Belova noted that children who arrived in EU countries as refugees are often being bullied by local students and teachers

Russian troops repel all counterattacks at Konstantinovka, forcing Kiev retreat — expert

According to Andrey Marochko, the Ukrainian assault forces suffered losses

US launching another series of strikes on Iran — Central Command

According to the statement, the third night of the strikes is being carried out "at the Commander in Chief’s direction"

Russian air defenses destroy over 180,000 UAVs in Ukraine operation — top brass

Russian air defense forces intercepted and destroyed 926 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles and 12 smart bombs over the past 24 hours

Houthis blame Riyadh for the strikes on Sanaa airport

The Foreign Ministry in the Houthi government has regarded the attack on the airport as a declaration of war

Over 50,000 US troops currently deployed across Middle East — Central Command

The US CENTCOM published the corresponding report on X

Gas explosion in LPR kills one, leaves another person trapped under rubble — ministry

Emergency services are working at the scene

Russian forces strike military facilities in Kiev, Odessa Region — Defense Ministry

The Russian Armed Forces carried out group strikes using long-range precision air-and ground-launched weapons and unmanned aerial vehicles

Zaporozhye NPP to inform IAEA about Ukraine’s attack on fire station in Energodar

The management of the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant is also ready to show the aftermath, Yevgenia Yashina said

NATO summit in Ankara was pantomime, where leaders said absurd things — EUObserver

According to the report, the possibility of withdrawal of US troops from Europe remained the main unanswered question of the event

Russian forces suppress Ukrainian artillery in Krasny Liman direction — soldier

Crews of Russian 152-mm self-propelled guns of the Battlegroup West carry out fire missions daily, supporting assault units and destroying targets at ranges of over 25 kilometers

Kiev deliberately targeting humanitarian corridors in Konstantinovka in DPR — expert

The evacuation of the population of Konstantinovka is proceeding "with great difficulty," Andrey Marochko noted

US military aircraft spotted over Persian Gulf amid Trump’s threats of strikes on Iran

A source in Middle Eastern air traffic control services reported the sighting of a US Air Force Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker

Russia's oil products situation will gradually improve — Putin

Russia has a very strong and reliable energy foundation, the Russian president noted

Zelensky submits to parliament bills extending martial law, mobilization campaign

Martial law and general mobilization were declared in Ukraine on February 24, 2022

Iran and Russia need working groups to monitor joint projects — Iranian president

Masoud Pezeshkian emphasized that Iran and Russia are strategic partners and reliable friends

Seven OPEC+ countries produce 6.56 mln bpd below plan in June — report

While the planned production target was set at 29.548 million bpd, actual output stood at 22.988 million bpd

NASA chief arrives at Baikonur space center on his first visit in eight years

Jared Isaacman also met with Roscosmos CEO Dmitry Bakanov

Sanctions on Russia start triggering legal warfare within Western business, expert says

Ilya Grashchenkov noted that the financial cost of anti-Russian policies is now shifting from abstract markets to specific corporations

Kiev suffering unjustified losses counterattacking near Konstantinovka in DPR — expert

According to Andrey Marochko, all previous attempts by the Ukrainian command in this area have been futile and unsuccessful

UK Navy reports attack on tanker off coast of Oman

The crew members were not injured

Restrictions lifted: ITTF returns anthem, flag to Russian table tennis players

The decision will come into effect on July 28

UK hops on EU's Ukraine financing train

The announcement was made against the backdrop of Starmer’s participation in a summit of the Coalition of the Willing in Paris

NATO faces its worst crisis since WWII — former US ambassador

Ivo Daalder added that Europeans "no longer see the United States as a reliable partner"

Chinese, Russian naval forces to conduct patrols in Pacific — Chinese Defense Ministry

According to the statement, the patrols will "make a positive contribution to maintaining peace and stability at both the international and regional levels"

Price of Brent oil up above $85 per barrel on London’s ICE first since June 15

As of 12:23 a.m. GMT, the price was up by 2.78% reaching $85.64 per barrel

EU deliberately prepares Moldova for war — State Duma member

Alyona Arshinova emphasized that significant military funding is being allocated to Chisinau amidst Moldova's ongoing economic crisis

US to resume blockade of Iran’s seaports on July 14 — CENTCOM

US forces will enforce the blockade against vessels transiting to or from Iranian ports and coastal areas

Yemen reopens airports across country

The document takes effect upon publication and supersedes the previous circular dated July 13

NATO airborne early warning aircraft circling over Gulf of Riga

The aircraft took off from an airfield in Siauliai

Ukrainian conflict should be resolved through dialogue, diplomacy — Turkish leader

Recep Tayyip Erdogan says the NATO summit provided an opportunity for intense diplomatic contacts and bilateral meetings with leaders of the alliance’s member states and other high-ranking guests who were invited to Ankara

Putin grants Russian citizenship to man behind BMW X6 design

According to publicly available sources, Leclercq has worked for major automakers BMW, Kia, and Citroen

Iran to remain guardian of Strait of Hormuz — foreign minister

Abbas Araghchi also commented on US President Donald Trump’s plans to seize control over the waterway and to levy a security toll of 20%

Russian forces hammer military infrastructure at Ukraine’s Chernomorsk Port

In addition, the strikes targeted a seiner re-equipped for launching uncrewed boats, a patrol boat and a dry cargo ship

Europe faces difficulties due to conflicts in Ukraine, Middle East, gas shortages — Vucic

The Serbian president noted that gas reserves "have never been this low"

Kiev loses over 9,900 soldiers, mercenaries in fighting over week — expert

The greatest losses in manpower were inflicted on the Ukrainian armed forces in the area of responsibility of the Battlegroup East, operating in the Dnepropetrovsk and Zaporozhye Regions

Zelensky voices plans to replace government, dismiss prime minister

Vladimir Zelensky offered Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko a new position

Brent crude tops $81 per barrel on ICE for first time since June 22

As of 8:28 p.m. Moscow time, Brent crude was up 6.59%, trading at $81.02 per barrel

OPEC downgrades forecast for global oil demand growth in 2026

Growth of approximately 40,000 bpd is expected in OECD countries, while non-OECD countries are projected to see an increase of around 0.74 million bpd

Yemeni Houthis report attacking Abha Airport in Saudi Arabia

According to the Houthis, the attack was conducted in response to Saudi Arabia’s strike on Sanaa Airport

Germany becomes hostage to Ukraine's military-industrial complex — politician

Viktor Medvedchuk noted that no facility in Europe was unattainable for Russia

Iranian attacks on Arab countries violate international law — LAS secretary general

Nabil Fahmy stated that an infringement on the sovereignty of any Arab state required a unified and firm position from all alliance members

US wants to control Strait of Hormuz, receive 20% of cargo costs — Trump

"All other countries will have fair and open use of the Strait," the US president said

Brent crude tops $82 per barrel on ICE for first time since June 22

As of 8:51 p.m. Moscow time, Brent crude was up 7.99%, trading at $82.08 per barrel

Kremlin regrets Western attempts to cancel Russian culture

Dmitry Peskov commented on the European Commission’s move to withdraw funding for the Venice Biennale over the opening of the Russian pavilion

EU imports record volume of gas from Yamal LNG plant in 2026 — FT

According to the analysts, the main buyers were France, Belgium, and Spain

Russian forces have full control over skies in Konstantinovka — officer

The number of Russian reconnaissance and attack drones has significantly grown in the skies over Konstantinovka, a company commander of the Battlegroup South’s 1465th Motorized Rifle Regiment, call sign Grek, said

US completes five-hour wave of strikes against Iran — Central Command

According to the statement, the US military "struck military targets across Iran including Bushehr, Chah Bahar, Jask, Konarak, Abu Musa, and Bandar Abbas"

Russia remained largest oil supplier to India and China in May — OPEC report

Russia supplied approximately 2.1 million bpd of crude oil to India in May

Russia, Iran discuss joint projects in gas industry — Russian Energy Ministry

The parties also discussed the advancement in preparing bilateral cooperation agreements

Russian forces deliver overnight precision strikes on Ukrainian military-industrial sites

Russian forces hit the Kiev-79 industrial enterprise - a key enterprise in Ukraine for the assembly of combat payloads for unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles of various types

Greta Thunberg, other activists glue themselves to ground near Rheinmetall’s office

The protest is against the work of a Rheinmetall facility in the Wedding district of Berlin and the use of German weapons in the war against the Gaza Strip and other conflict zones

NATO reconnaissance aircraft once again operating over Black Sea

The source did not specify the flight’s intended purpose, but pointed out that the same aircraft circled around the Kaliningrad Region for two consecutive days last week