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Ruble’s rise slows following regulator’s decision to cut key rate to 14% per annum

In particular, prior to the publication of the regulator’s decision, the yuan exchange rate stood at 11.47 rubles, according to data as of 1:25 p.m. Moscow time

MOSCOW, July 24. /TASS/. The ruble’s exchange rate slowed during trading on the Moscow Exchange following the Central Bank’s decision to cut the key rate to 14% per annum, according to trade data.

In particular, prior to the publication of the regulator’s decision, the yuan exchange rate stood at 11.47 rubles (-9.35 kopecks), according to data as of 1:25 p.m. Moscow time (10:25 a.m. GMT).

As of 1:30 p.m. Moscow time (10:30 a.m. GMT) the yuan exchange rate was down by 9.15 kopecks at 11.48 rubles.

Military operation in Ukraine

Zaporozhye power station says has enough water for cooling equipment, nuclear safety

Yevgeniya Yashina emphasized that the systems ensuring safe operation of the plant are functioning as before

IRGC Navy’s HQ in northern Iran comes under US attack — authorities

According to preliminary information, no one has been reported injured in the attack

Rosatom chief highlights China partnership, Arctic logistics, ZNPP

Alexey Likhachev noted that Russia and China plan to double cargo transportation along the Northern Sea Route by 2030

Damage from Ukrainian forces actions exceeds $12.7 bln — Investigative Committee chief

Alexander Bastrykin added that efforts to assess the full scale of damage caused by Ukrainian forces are ongoing

One killed, three injured as Turkish cargo ship en route from Russia hit in Black Sea

According to Oksijen newspaper, the attack occurred in international waters off the coast of Turkey's Samsun province

Pentagon blacklists 32 Russian research institutes, universities to 'protect US tech'

The decision means that the Pentagon will not engage in research cooperation with those organizations it has placed on this list

Minsk shares with Warsaw evidence of risk of terrorist attack — Belarusian MFA

According to the statement, the primary target appears to be the underage children of a Polish activist with Belarusian citizenship

Zimbabwe joins BRICS New Development Bank

Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube said that it is a positive step in securing credit lines

FACTBOX: Oil price cap freeze, bank restrictions in EU’s 21st sanctions package

The EU has banned its banks from conducting cross-border transactions with 32 Russian banks, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said

Top Russian, Chinese diplomats discuss relations with US, Ukrainian crisis

Sergey Lavrov and Wang Yi hailed the positive dynamics of the development of Russia-Chinese relations

Congressional approval of new anti-Russian sanctions not inevitable — lawmaker

Anna Paulina Luna noted that "Congress members often put forward legislation mainly as messaging, but it doesn't necessarily mean that it's going to be voted on"

Ukrainian attack wounds four in Belgorod Region

A man in serious condition with multiple shrapnel wounds is being transported to hospital

US sets import tariffs for Russia at 12.5% — document

The tariffs will replace the temporary global tariffs on American imports that were introduced on February 24 for a 150-day period

Russia’s Battlegroup North destroys 24 Ukrainian drones in Sumy area over past day

According to the UAV company commander with the call sign Amur, the neutralized drones were used by Ukrainian forces for reconnaissance, fire adjustment, weapon targeting, and delivering strikes

Russia observing positive momentum in special military operation — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow is open to negotiations

EU blacklists founders of FPV drone maker Piranya

The company manufactures up to 10 000 drones monthly and the Russian Army views its products as being extremely valuable in its military operations, the document reads

Iran attacks US bases in Bahrain, Jordan with drones — army

Iranian drones attacked fuel storage tanks, warehouses, large hangars with equipment, and deployment areas of the American terrorist army at Isa Air Base in Bahrain

FACTBOX: Key takeaways from the Lavrov-Rubio meeting

The Russian foreign minister reaffirmed Russia's readiness to settle the conflict in Ukraine and its commitment to the agreements reached in Anchorage

Russia should exploit US dualism on Ukraine to its advantage — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov noted that Moscow takes into account the fact that Washington continues to arm Ukraine

Venezuela being run by US Secretary of Energy — Trump

Donald Trump asserted that the US has a great relationship with Venezuela

EC acknowledges EU failed to ban entry for participants in Russia's military operation

The European Commission president made no mention of the ban on transporting Russian liquefied natural gas to third countries

Press review: Zelensky gives army chief the heave-ho and US, Saudi Arabia tie nuclear knot

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

Iranian foreign minister warns countries against joining US aggression against Iran

According to Abbas Araghchi, Tehran reserves the right to take all necessary measures in self-defense and will consider any country that participates in the aggression as a legitimate target for its armed forces

Washington administration officials plan to visit Russia — US Congress member Luna

Anna Paulina Luna did not name these officials

Lavrov refutes Kiev’s lies about situation at front to Rubio — MP

The Russian foreign minister also confirmed the readiness of the Russian side for negotiations

Nearly 1,500 killed in Ukrainian attacks across Russia since 2022 — top investigator

Alexander Bastrykin said the cases document artillery and missile strikes, drone attacks, and cross-border incursions carried out by Ukrainian nationalists

EU imposes 21st sanctions package, targeting individuals, companies

The list includes, among others, Director General of ANO Dialog Vladimir Tabak, Public Chamber member Maxim Grigoriev, investment corporation Sistema, and FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich

Ukrainian agriculture to suffer most from country's port closure — expert

Alexander Dudchak said that recently grain terminals in Ukrainian ports reduced their operations by about a third, and cargo transshipment volumes began to decline sharply

Human rights advocates call US nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia extremely irresponsible

The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons urged Washington to reconsider its decision and the US Congress to ensure that "the strongest safeguards to prevent proliferation" are included in the agreement

Lavrov wants clarifications regarding Rubio’s remark about 'failed' Anchorage agreements

Sergey Lavrov recalled that Russian President Vladimir Putin had brought US proposals approved by American leader Donald Trump and accepted by Russia to the Alaska summit

Failure of information war against Russia forces US to revise approaches — expert

Sergey Grinyaev noted that the US and its allies had been unable to break the will of the Russian people or weaken the Russian leadership

FACTBOX: What is known about prevention of terror act against security officer in Moscow

A woman was detained while she was planting an improvised explosive device under a security officer’s car

Talks between Lavrov, Rubio have concluded, lasting more than half hour

During the conversation, the parties planned to focus particular attention on the settlement of the conflict in Ukraine

EU blacklists businessman Mikhail Gutseriyev, Russian energy companies

Other blacklisted companies include Slavneft-affiliated Baikit Oil and Gas Exploration Expedition, Slavneft-Nizhnevartovsk, Obneftegazgeologiya and Tatneft-Samara

Combat trainer aircraft crashes in Moscow Region — Russian Defense Ministry

The flight was carried out without ammunition

Wildberries warehouses in Russia targeted again in overnight Ukrainian drone attacks

Leningrad Region Governor Alexander Drozdenko said three people were injured

EU expands sanctions against Russian financial and banking sectors

The Council is imposing asset freezes and a prohibition to make funds available to 94 banks and major financial institutions, as well as to an important figure in Russia’s banking establishment

New eurosanctions against Moscow to worsen EU’s economic situation again — Russian mission

The mission said that Moscow will give an effective and adequate response

Zelensky admits Ukraine not yet prepared for winter

Vladimir Zelensky said that it is crucial to step up the work

At least 256 children killed by Ukrainian forces in DPR since 2014

The republic’s human rights commissioner Darya Morozova added that a total of 1,076 children have been wounded in the reported period

Ukraine repeatedly fails at International Court of Justice — Russian diplomat

According to Anna Yevstigneeva, the International Court of Justice has managed to defend its independence

NATO recon aircraft circling in Kaliningrad Region area

Over the past few months, air traffic controllers have recorded nearly a dozen similar flights of the Bombardier Challenger 650 Artemis II near the Kaliningrad Region

EU blacklists Gazprom Media Holding CEO Zharov

The sanctions against Alexander Zharov are justified by his company’s activities, which allegedly helps to form opinions about the conflict in Ukraine

Xi’s visit to US to begin on September 24 — Trump

The US president visited Beijing on May 14-15

Press review: US moves to tweak Ukraine strategy as EU rolls out new Russia sanctions

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, July 24th

Putin to hold meeting with lawmakers on July 27 — Kremlin

According to Spokesman Dmitry Peskov, the discussion is expected to focus on results of the work of the current convocation

Humanity in for all-time high oil prices — Dmitriev

The energy crisis tsunami is coming, Russian Presidential Special Representative for Investment and Economic Cooperation with Foreign Countries said

Russia’s Lavrov arrives in Kyrgyzstan to take part in meeting of SCO foreign ministers

The ministers are expected to discuss current issues of the international and regional agenda, including the situation in the SCO space, ensuring security and stability

Iran targets three US military camps in Kuwait with drones — army

The Iranian army delivered strikes on facilities housing military equipment of American terrorists at Camp Udairi, US troop positions at Camp Doha, and enemy deployment areas at Camp Arifjan in Kuwait, using Arash drones

Ukrainian counterattack by ex-convicts fails in Kharkov Region — Russian defense source

More than half of the Ukrainian nationalists were eliminated by Russian strikes, the source said

Kremlin spokesman addresses US contact, nuclear non-proliferation, peaceful nuclear energy

Dmitry Peskov said that Russia and the United States maintain contact on Ukraine but it would be premature to say that efforts to resolve the conflict are being stepped up

EU blacklists Inter RAO energy company

Naming the reasons for sanctioning Inter RAO, EU officials said that it s one of Russia’s largest energy companies with around 19 million consumers, and that it plays a significant role in Russia’s economy

EU slaps several Russian gold mining companies with sanctions

The blacklist also includes First Diamond Company, a diamond exporting company created in May 2022 by former Alrosa employees

Ukraine tries to prevent Russia evacuating citizens from Konstantinovka — officer

The deputy commander said the enemy fires back at the civilian population while the evacuation is underway

Woman detained in Moscow for plotting to attack Russian security officer — FSB

It was established that the suspect had established contact with a curator on messengers to tell him that she is willing to take part in terrorist activity in exchange for assistance in departure for the permanent residence in an EU country, the FSB specified

US air campaign against Iran running out of steam — Politico

According to the report, the conflict is unlikely to shift decisively without a major escalation, including the deployment of ground forces

US Congress delegation to visit Russia in fall or winter — US lawmaker Luna to TASS

Anna Paulina Luna didn't give specific dates because of security reasons

Use of depleted uranium munitions to bring down Ukraine’s agro-exports — Russian military

Earlier, the UK’s Minister of State for Defense Annabel Goldie said, in a written response to an inquiry by a member of the House of Lords, that the British authorities would provide Ukraine with shells containing depleted uranium, which were particularly effective against armored vehicles

EU adds AFK Sistema to sanctions lists

The EU calls Sistema a large business conglomerate, without making any other accusations, except that it is a legal entity engaged in an industry that provides a significant source of income to the government

Akkuyu project under Western pressure, affecting costs — Rosatom CEO

"That is precisely why the issue of mitigating risks and improving the project's overall economic efficiency has become critically important," Alexey Likhachev said

EU blacklist for Russia up to 3,100 individuals, entities after 21st sanctions package

All the measures introduced take effect immediately upon their publication in the Official Journal of the EU

Russian troops liberate Belitskoye community in Donetsk region over past day — top brass

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,420 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

Civilian infrastructure damaged during drone attack on St. Petersburg

Governor Alexander Beglov heads a crisis response center that coordinates first responders, utility workers and intra-departmental communications

Zelensky confirms that ships cannot enter Ukrainian ports

Earlier, Agrarian Policy and Food Minister Taras Vysotsky said that carriers had suspended operations with Ukrainian sea ports starting on July 22

Ukrainian missile attack on company kills six people in Kirov

Governor Alexander Sokolov added that the fire at the enterprise had been extinguished and water and electricity supply restored

SCO to grant partner status to 17 countries — Russian foreign minister

Sergey Lavrov said that current dialogue partners and observers will be merged into a single SCO partner category

US completes another wave of strikes on Iran — CENTCOM

According to the statement, the strikes targeted Iranian military command centers, drone storage facilities, communication networks, coastal surveillance sites, and maritime capabilities

Blasts heard in several Iranian cities, Qeshm Island — agency

Other details are unknown at this point

Situation with Middle East conflict getting out of control — UN secretary-general

Antonio Guterres said that "it is time to step back", noting that "there is no military solution to the conflict"

US lawmaker points to attempts to set people of Russia, US against each other — lawmaker

US Congress member Anna Paulina Luna stressed that сlaims about Russia’s interference in the US presidential election were disseminated in the United States as part of a political campaign

EU’s 21st package of anti-Russian sanctions blacklists 15 Chinese firms

The blacklist also includes three companies from Turkey, three from Kyrgyzstan, two from Kazakhstan, two from the United Arab Emirates and one from India

Russia to achieve its goals even if US joins EU in burying Alaska agreements — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister said that Russia prefers a political and diplomatic settlement

Foreign mercenaries threw grenades at Kursk residents — Investigative Committee

According to Alexander Bastrykin, there is no reasonable explanation for this behavior

SpaceX again postpones its Starship test launch

The previous test launch took place in May, when SpaceX launched Starship S39, the premier prototype of the company’s third-generation spacecraft

Iranian tanker passes through US blockade, entering Gulf of Oman — state television

On July 14, the United States renewed its naval blockade of Iran

Ukraine's losses from port shutdown estimated at $2 bln per month

An alternative export route runs through Romanian ports, but its capacity is limited

EU blacklists Indian branches of Russian banks VTB and Sberbank

Also, the EU blacklist includes Indian companies Falcon Toolings, and Zepto Microwave and Chip Devices Assembly

Bank of Russia cuts key rate to 14% per annum

According to the regulator, measures of underlying inflation remain within the range of 4-5% in annualized terms

EU says imposes sanctions against Russia’s central bank deputy chairman

Within the Bank of Russia, Sergey Belov oversees the Cash Circulation Department, the Field Institutions Department, the Administrative Department, and the Russian Union of Cash Collection Divisions

Ukraine stands zero chance of EU membership, DPR head says

Denis Pushilin described Western pledges to admit Ukraine as an EU member as a way of manipulation

Ukraine's security services try to trick Russia into striking civilian sites-intel officer

A military intelligence officer cited as an example the received coordinates of a target in Zaporozhye transmitted by the Ukrainian security services several days ago

Iran rejects new US ceasefire proposal — NYT

According to the newspaper, Iranian officials said Tehran was not interested in a temporary deal, which will leave the Strait of Hormuz issue unsolved

Russian stock market closes higher as major indices post gains

The yuan edged up 2.85 kopecks to 11.573 rubles

Syrsky knew about shady procurement schemes, Germany unhappy with his dismissal — sources

The Russian military sources say that German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul explicitly stated that he would review Vladimir Zelensky's personnel decisions

Most Moldovans oppose unification with Romania, NATO accession — poll

The poll surveyed 1,015 respondents between July 10 and 20

Russian Armed Forces liberate Belitskoye in DPR: what's known

The Russian Armed Forces are conducting measures to search for and eliminate Ukrainian soldiers still hiding in the basements

IDF to deal 'crushing blow' to Iran, if it attacks Israel — Ynet

Defense Minister Israel Katz stressed that Israel is ready for any development of events

US to retaliate against Iran for Houthi attacks — Trump

Earlier on Thursday, the Houthis fired ballistic missiles and drones at two oil tankers of the kingdom, which violated their naval blockade of Saudi Arabia

EU blacklists manufacturers of Russian drones Gortenzia and Veterok

The measures against Russia’s defense industry were imposed as part of the European Union’s 21st package of anti-Russian sanctions

Last night's Ukrainian attack on Russian regions one of year’s largest — TASS estimates

According to estimates, 571 Ukrainian drones were intercepted and neutralized over Russian regions

Russian ambassador explains special military op rationale, aims to Czech foreign minister

According to Anna Ponomaryova, appeals for the "end of the war" are baffling, coming from a high-ranking official of a country that is actively producing weapons and supplying them to the conflict zone for Ukraine

Trump believes Iran not ready for deal, thus US must continue combat operations

Iranians "got some evil intentions," the US president said

Russian diplomat calls on Musk to cut Ukraine off from Starlink

Elon Musk earlier said he was "offended" by diplomats who "pontificate about how Russia should withdraw"

Dvorkovich suspends duties as FIDE chess federation president

Arkady Dvorkovich considers this decision unlawful and unfair, and this decision will be immediately challenged by all possible means

Top US diplomat calls ICC 'stupid organization'

According to Marco Rubio, the US will not tolerate it if the ICC attempts to take action against American citizens now or in the future

Former Ukrainian soldier recounts story of his desertion, coming to Russia

According to Vladimir Lipka, while he was serving in the Sumy area, he saw Americans in the ranks of the Ukrainian armed forces

Anchorage failure, promise fulfilled, US military aid to Kiev: Lavrov's statements

The Russian foreign minister observed that the US has clearly shifted its stance on a Ukrainian settlement

Kiev nationalists hit children with drones on purpose — Investigative Committee

"There were no military targets near the victims," Alexander Bastrykin said

Kiev rejects Alaska peace plan largely because it is emboldened by US assistance — Lavrov

"Kiev's arrogant, even contemptuous, rejection of the American proposal largely occurs because Zelensky continues to be flooded with weapons," the Russian foreign minister said

FACTBOX: What is known about Russian forces’ group strikes on Ukrainian ports

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, tanks with fuel and lubricants for the Ukrainian armed forces were struck at the port of Odessa

Putin inspects MS-21-310 passenger aircraft at Irkutsk Aircraft Plant

During the visit, Rostec CEO Sergey Chemezov informed the Russian president that the first fully import-substituted serial MS-21-310 is nearing readiness for its maiden flight