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

{{newsPoint.title}}

{{newsPoint.title+ ' '}}

{{newsPoint.subtitle}}

FACTBOX: What we know about removal of Max and VK apps from Google Play

Previously installed services and applications continue to function normally without restrictions

© Alexander Melekhov/TASS

MOSCOW, July 16. /TASS/. The Max messenger and VK applications have been removed from the Google Play app store. Previously installed services and applications continue to operate normally without restrictions, VK said.

TASS has compiled the key facts known so far.

Removal of VK and Max apps from Google Play

- VK said the VK and Max applications have been removed from Google Play.

- Previously installed services and applications continue to function normally without restrictions.

Push notifications

- VK said Android users will continue to receive push notifications for messages, events, and calls in Max and VK applications.

- The VK and Max apps remain available for download through RuStore, Huawei AppGallery, Samsung Galaxy Store, Xiaomi GetApps, and other Android app stores.

Removal of VK and Max apps from the App Store

- On June 3, the Max messenger became unavailable in Apple's App Store.

- Following its removal from the App Store, Max said Apple device users would no longer receive notifications for messages and calls.

- At the same time, messages continued to be delivered and all Max functions remained available.

- Max later said Apple users could once again receive push notifications through the web version of the service by adding it to the iPhone home screen.

- On June 25, VK said Apple had removed its applications from the App Store without providing an explanation.

- The company noted that previously installed applications continued to work on Apple devices, although users would no longer receive push notifications.

- VK said it has never been subject to sanctions, citing legal opinions from international and US lawyers.

- The company added that Apple has long had access to those legal opinions and all the necessary information.

EU sanctions

- On July 13, the European Union imposed sanctions on VK and the legal entity behind the Max messenger.

- The EU said the sanctions against VK were based on its status as the parent company of Communication Platform LLC, the developer of the national messenger Max.

- The EU also imposed sanctions on Communication Platform LLC itself.

- The company had changed its name to Max LLC earlier in 2026.

- The EU cited several reasons for sanctioning Max.

- The bloc also imposed sanctions on Elena Bagudina, whom it identified as the CEO of Communication Platform LLC, a VK subsidiary.

- According to Russia's Unified State Register of Legal Entities, the company's current name is Max LLC, and its CEO is Farit Khusnoyarov.

- EU sanctions include asset freezes in Europe for companies, if such assets exist, and entry bans for sanctioned individuals.

- VK said the EU sanctions do not affect either the company's operations or those of the Max messenger.

Hungary’s purchases of Russian pipeline gas fall 14% in January-May

The European Union imported Russian pipeline gas worth 575 mln euros in May

US launches second wave of strikes on Iran — CENTCOM

The strikes are targeting Iranian military capabilities used to threaten vessels freely transiting through the Strait of Hormuz

EU readies infrastructure for large-scale military conflict — diplomat

Attention is being paid, among other things, to adapting the civilian transport and logistics infrastructure to the tasks of military planning and operational mobility, Yulia Zhdanova said

Kiev regime’s reshuffle is of little significance to Russia — Kremlin spokesman

Dmitry Peskov stressed that resolving the situation and ensuring its interests were more important things for Russia

EU ambassadors fail to agree on 21st package of anti-Russia sanctions — source

Negotiations have been postponed until next week

What we know about detention of man who planned sabotage at oil company in Russia’s Yugra

The detainee has confessed to plotting a terrorist attack on an oil company in Nyagan

US ends second series of strikes on Iran in 24 Hours — CENTCOM

The Central Command says the US struck Iranian command centers, air defense, missile, and drone sites, as well as coastal observation posts

Russia expresses readiness for contacts regarding Ukrainian settlement — Turkish MFA

Hakan Fidan highlighted that beyond a fundamental willingness to negotiate, the specific negotiating positions are also crucial

Trump believes Ukrainian crisis to be resolved before end of his presidential term

The US president thought it would have ended before

Serbia to stay out of military anti-Russian coalition being created by EU — Vulin

"Serbia did not sign the anti-Russian declaration in Kiev," the former Serbian deputy prime minister said

Von der Leyen, Vucic, Sandu, other leaders arrive in Kiev

They are expected to meet with Zelensky and participate in the Southeast European summit

Russian tech firm Gagaring offers jobs to Volkswagen employees on chopping block

For those who accept the offer, the laboratory guarantees permanent employment contracts, a competitive salary, and comprehensive relocation support for specialists and their families

Foreign interference in Russia intensifies ahead of elections — Security Council

According to Deputy Secretary of Russia's Security Council Yury Kokov, attempts to destabilize the situation from within have failed to produce the desired effect

Someone in Russia moves to trademark Spirit of Anchorage

The application for trademark registration was filed with the Federal Service for Intellectual Property, Rospatent, on July 10, 2026

International Handball Federation allows Russian teams to participate in tournaments

The IHF said that full reintegration may require a transition period for both Russian and Belarusian teams and officials

Trump says sets no deadline for expanding strikes on Iran

According to the US president, the Iranian leadership should be "better behaved"

IN BRIEF: What we know about death of Zaporozhye nuke chief engineer from Ukrainian strike

On July 15, Ukraine struck a service vehicle of the nuclear power plant with a drone, killing Alexander Yakovlev and his driver

Zaporozhye legislator slams trial against founder of SOS Donbass in Paris as hypocrisy

Stepan Kuvachev condemned the trial as baseless and politically driven

Russian opponents hit civilian targets out of despair, achieve nothing — security council

The bet on strategically defeating Russia has failed, and it is becoming increasingly evident day by day, Deputy Secretary of the Russian Security Council Yury Kokov stressed

Ukrainian military uses Grad multiple rocket launcher to attack Russia’s Bryansk Region

The attack killed a 15-year-old girl and her grandmother

Zaporozhye nuke calls chief engineer killing breach of nuclear facilities safety principle

Nuclear facilities "should always remain beyond politics and violence," the statement read

Iran warns of destroying all US infrastructure in region after Trump’s threats

According to the statement, the Strait of Hormuz is a red line for Iran and the country will not tolerate US interference in controlling it

Consulate general investigates detention of Russians in Istanbul's Hagia Sophia mosque

Sources inside the Istanbul police confirmed the incident but declined further comment

Iranian military says attacks on US bases to continue until ‘ultimate victory’

The IRGC has launched six drone attacks on US bases in the Middle East

Russian exports of grain, grain-based products up 69% year-to-date

An increase in grain shipments from Russia was recorded: to Turkey, Egypt, China, Iran, Kazakhstan, Sudan, Kenya

Europe silences breaches of rights of Russian-speaking Ukrainians — OSCE envoy

Even as 'sober voices' can still be heard in Europe, there are fewer of them, Dmitry Polyansky said

EU pays highest amount for Russian gas in nearly 1.5 years in May

In May, the EU imported a total of 1.5 bln euro worth of Russian gas

Russia's calm progress toward its goals angers opponents — Security Council official

Russian military personnel, confident in their capabilities, are diligently executing their assigned tasks, Yury Kokov noted

IRGC strikes US Al-Azraq Air Base in Jordan — Mehr agency

According to data obtained by the news agency, the IRGC hit communications systems and fuel storage facilities of the US Armed Forces

Iran could target US bases if Washington launches ground operation — ex-foreign minister

Iranian lawmaker and former Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki pointed out that all previous agreements with Washington, including the recent memorandum of understanding, "were nothing but deception"

Russia does not see real desire from Paris to seek peaceful solutions on Ukraine

Maria Zakharova said that Emmanuel Macron's approach fits into the current ruling European elites’ course of deterring Russia, wearing the "tricorn hat of the war party"

NATO, EU use radical tools of international terrorism — Russian Security Council

Deputy Secretary Yury Kokov noted that the use of violent methods for their own purposes has become "common practice for Anglo-Saxon financial elites"

Press review: Trump stuck over Iran war and Zaporozhye chief’s killing may affect peace

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, July 16th

Senator Lindsey Graham dies at 71

Republican Senator passed away from a brief and sudden illness

Long-range Ukrainian strikes possible only with Western help — Russian Security Council

Deputy Secretary Yury Kokov says that in particular, Kiev receives technical support in reconnaissance, targeting, and logistics

Russia says France's refusal to grant visa to TASS reporter for UNESCO events puzzling

According to Maria Zakharova, on July 17, during a global conference of the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development, a UNESCO-Russia International Prize for Achievements Fundamental Sciences will be awarded at UNESCO headquarters in Paris

Argentina to face Spain in World Cup final

The team beat England 2-1

Rostec unveils Pautina system for protection of industry facilities from drones

The state corporation said that the Pautina is capable of protecting facilities over 25 meters high and of any size

Russian forces hammer Ukrainian long-range UAV storage sites in past day

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,450 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

Russia tests Perun laser system against all types of drones

According to Svarog, the system has proven highly efficient in countering UAVs during field tests

Russia, China interested in developing energy cooperation

The participants of the meeting also shared views on cooperation within international organizations such as APEC, the SCO, and BRICS

Russian forces strike Ukrainian long-range UAV storage sites in past day — top brass

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,505 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

European leaders hold their peoples hostage to military-terrorist bloc — Russian SC

Yury Kokov said that a policy of 'double standards' is widely applied, where the same radical group can be recognized as a terrorist one day and a fighter for democracy the next

Russia-China transactions in dollars, euros diminished to ‘negligible level’ — Lavrov

The foreign minister says that financial settlements between Russia and China have been almost entirely converted to national currencies

Ukrainian forces attack DPR 24 times over past day

Four civilians were injured

US airstrikes in Iran kill 35 over past day, authorities say

Health Ministry Spokesman Hossein Kermanpour said that the number of killed citizens could rise

Military-industrial complex drew EU into NATO's sphere — Russian Security Council official

According to Yury Kokov, NATO has transformed from a defensive alliance into a tool for promoting the agendas of powerful military corporations

Europe is banking on Russia’s military defeat - envoy to OSCE

Dmitry Polyansky pointed out that the rhetoric and actions of Britain, France, Germany, Finland, and anti-Russian figures from Central and Eastern Europe have nothing to do with genuine efforts to achieve lasting peace in Ukraine and across the continent

FACTBOX: What we know about removal of Max and VK apps from Google Play

Previously installed services and applications continue to function normally without restrictions

US Air Force aircraft twice attack Iranian port of Sirik in Strait of Hormuz — TV

No information on casualties has been reported

US not to conduct ground operation to change Iran’s government — Vance

According to Vance, the United States is currently striving to ensure the unhindered transportation of oil and gas, as well as "to keep the Iranians from having a nuclear weapons program and using the tools of diplomacy and military power to accomplish that."

MOEX Index drops below 2,100 points for first time since Dec 2022 — trading data

By 07:15 a.m. Moscow time, the MOEX Index stood at 2,084.51 points

Spring draft brings 141,000 conscripts into Russian Armed Forces

The spring conscription campaign has concluded, the Defense Ministry says

Europe sees no foul in Russian civilian killings — permanent representative to OSCE

Europe is ready not only to ignore the manifestations of neo-Nazism in Ukraine, but also to "dust off" its own Nazi ideology, Dmitry Polyansky pointed out

Auterion, Skyfall to deliver 50,000 AI-powered Shrike FPV drones to Ukraine

The enterprise noted that the procurement is being financed by an unnamed NATO member in Europe

Protests over defense minister’s dismissal spread across 14 Ukrainian cities

The largest rally is taking place in Kiev, where hundreds have gathered near the government quarter

Press review: US, Iran vie for Hormuz leverage as Russia, US conclude ISS program by 2030

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, July 15th

FSB soldiers eliminate Ukrainian saboteurs, UAV control center in DPR

In total, FSB Gorynych unit operators eliminated four enemy sabotage-terrorist groups

Russian agricultural exports rise 26% in H1, exceed $20 bln

According to head of the federal Agroexport center Ilya Ilyushin, exports of grain and pulses rose by 43%, oil and fat products by 22%, fish and seafood by 28%, dairy products by 20%, confectionery by 13%, and processed food products by 15%

Ukraine's killing of ZNPP chief engineer another attempt to threaten plant's safety — MFA

The ministry noted that the extreme danger of the Ukrainian Armed Forces' presence near the Zaporozhye NPP is now more evident than ever

IN BRIEF: What is known about Russian strikes on Ukrainian ports

Russian forces hit Odessa and Chernomorsk port infrastructure facilities used to unload fuel and lubricants and fuel storage tanks for the Ukrainian military

Russian grain exports gain 11% to 61 mln tons in 2025-2026 season

Egypt, Turkey, and Iran were the largest importers of Russian grain products during the season

Those plotting 'new campaign' against Russia should remember lessons of history — MFA

Maria Zakharova advised them to stop deluding themselves into believing they can inflict a strategic defeat on Russia

Sergey Koretsky appointed Ukraine’s new prime minister

A total of 289 lawmakers supported the decision

Russian forces target logistical chains supplying Ukraine with weapons — MP

Russia is thereby responding to the Kiev regime’s terrorist attacks on Russian regions, Leonid Ivlev said

Ukrainian attacks on Belgorod region injure five people, including two children

Three civilian women were injured when an FPV drone detonated in the city of Shebekino

Mutual tourism of Russia and China grows at double-digit rates — Lavrov

The foreign minister says that the increase has been significantly supported by the existing visa-free travel regime between the two countries

Coalition of the Willing troops in Ukraine, Western sanctions: Foreign Ministry briefing

The conflict in Ukraine can only be resolved if arms supplies to Kiev stop, Maria Zakharova said

Closure of Bab el-Mandeb Strait by Houthis to deal blow to container shipping market

According to Vice President of the Russian International Affairs Council Mikhail Margelov, this event would not have a critical impact on oil supplies

Russian forces approach several Ukrainian positions near Slavyansk — DPR head

Denis Pushilin added that Slavyansk is located in a lowland relative to these positions

Qatar blocks Israel’s deal with Volkswagen to produce missiles for Iron Dome — media

The deal was blocked despite the memorandum of understanding signed by the parties in April

Kremlin briefing covers US sanctions plans against Russia, Baltic ‘fearmongering’

Dmitry Peskov revealed that Moscow had received signals through existing channels that the US was ready to resume work on the Ukraine settlement after the Iran situation was resolved

Russian, Myanmar special forces hold joint skills demonstration — Russian Defense Ministry

The ministry specified that during the training, the servicemen of the two countries used FPV drones and the Kurier ground robotic system

Trump says Iran is fighting US like 'great boxer'

The US leader stressed that Tehran continued to resist despite repeated US strikes

VK, Max apps disappear from Google Play

Installed services and apps continue to work normally, VK said

Russian defense chief orders to refine hardware-software to assess UAV crews

Andrey Belousov emphasized the importance of innovations for better assessment of UAV crews’ performance

Greece blocks 21st sanctions package against Russia over threat to business — FT

According to sources cited by the newspaper, the ban on the transportation of Russian LNG would ruin the Greek shipping company Dynagas

Russian troops approach second line of Ukrainian defense on way to Orekhov — official

According to Igor Kimakovsky, the Russian fighters have closely approached the Ukrainian defense line near the Verkhyaya Tersa settlement

Iran has no plans to negotiate with US, focused on defense — agency

Russian forces systematically push Ukrainian troops from Omelnik — expert

Andrey Marochko noted that Russian troops are particularly successful in advancing in the areas of Novoselovka and Verkhnyaya Tersa

Tourist arrivals in Russia rising despite EU restrictions — Kremlin

According to Dmitry Peskov, more and more tourists from China, Arab countries and Persian Gulf countries are visiting Russian cities

West to justify killing of Zaporozhye nuclear power plant chief engineer — Duma deputy

Mikhail Sheremet says the IAEA will "again take an ambivalent blurred position" on the incident

Zelensky to submit interior minister’s candidacy for defense minister post to parliament

Current head of the National Police Ivan Vygovsky will take over the post of the interior minister

Russian defense chief notified of UAV unit’s analytical groups formation

The task of these groups is to provide a detailed analysis of the use of unmanned systems and organize a more effective use of drones to engage the enemy

Russian troops advance northeast of Svyatogorsk in DPR — expert

According to Andrey Marochko, the combat conditions are the most intense in the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk area

Iranian ambassador to Tajikistan says US failed in attempts to control Strait of Hormuz

Ali Mojtaba Rouzbehani pointed out the republic's comprehensive military, missile, and geopolitical strength

Battlegroup Center’s new unmanned systems units fully formed, staffed

It made possible to more efficiently conduct fire missions to destroy enemy personnel and equipment

Europe faces wave of Kiev-orchestrated terrorist attacks — DPR head

Denis Pushilin expressed confidence that Kiev would stage more terrorist attacks following the explosion in Monaco

NATO unleashed over 30 military adventures in past 25 years — Russian SC official

Yury Kokov added that trillions of dollars were spent on these activities

Cabinet reshuffle in Ukraine, economic challenges: key topics of new Kremlin briefing

The Kremlin is following what’s going on in and around Ukrainian politics amid the ongoing special military operation, Dmitry Peskov said

New Russia-Ukraine prisoner swaps on deck, Kiev’s terror: ombudswoman’s key statements

Human rights commissioners are a "major shield protecting human rights" in Russia, Yana Lantratova said

Pentagon blocks publication of F-35 fighter jet program report — Bloomberg

This is the first year that the acquisition reviews has been determined to contain CUI information and be restricted from public release

Von der Leyen promises Kiev ‘safe and secure production sites’ for drones to attack Russia

The European Commission President also promised "huge technological and industrial capacity" in Europe

EU defense spending nearing pre-World War II levels, Russian diplomat says

According to various estimates, planned defense-industrial spending in some member states is approaching the levels seen on the eve of World War II," Yulia Zhdanova said

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

Russian defense chief inspects Battlegroup Center

The head of the formation’s department of unmanned systems forces reported to Andrey Belousov that the battlegroup had fully formed new units of unmanned systems forces and provided them with the necessary resources

Press review: EU struggles on Russia sanctions while Moscow trade surplus grows

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, July 14th

Messi named Man of the Match in World Cup semifinal win over England

Argentina's forward provided two assists

PayPal payment system being considered for acquisition for over $53 bln

A merger between Stripe and PayPal would create the world’s largest payment operator with an annual turnover of around $1.9 trillion

One civilian killed, several injured as air defenses down 375 drones over Russia

The Ukrainian UAVs were shot down over 19 Russian regions

Ukraine supports Turkey's security initiatives in Black Sea — Fidan

The Turkish foreign minister emphasized that "the war impacts every sector," but Turkey advocates for a focused, separate approach to addressing security of navigation and energy supplies