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Hungary’s purchases of Russian pipeline gas down by 12.5% in January-June

In June, the EU imported €542 million worth of Russian pipeline gas

MOSCOW, August 14. /TASS/. Hungary reduced its purchases of Russian pipeline gas by 12.5% in value terms in the first half of 2026, remaining the top buyer among EU member states, according to Eurostat data and TASS calculations.

In June, the EU imported €542 million worth of Russian pipeline gas. Currently, the TurkStream pipeline remains the only operational transit route for Russian gas supplies to Europe.

In June, the leading importers were Hungary (€218 million), Bulgaria (€143 million), and Slovakia (€113 million), while Greece purchased €67 million worth of Russian gas.

In total, the European Union paid €2.9 billion for Russian pipeline gas in January-June 2026, down from €3.2 billion a year earlier. The main buyers were Hungary (€1.3 billion, down 12.5%), Bulgaria (€704 million), and Greece (€539 million).

TASS previously reported that Russia increased its gas exports to Europe via the TurkStream pipeline by 5% year-on-year in the first half of the year, reaching 8.74 billion cubic meters.

Syrian Air confirms resumption of direct air service between Damascus, Moscow

Direct flights between Damascus and Moscow were suspended in December 2024

Russia’s Battlegroup West shoots down 110 Ukrainian heavy hexacopters over past day

Over the past 24 hours, the battlegroup detected and destroyed 58 UAV control posts, three Starlink satellite communication stations

Kiev regime poses threat to global community — Russian Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova recalled that Kiev had repeatedly carried out terrorist and sabotage operations as well as false-flag provocations

Battlegroup Center recon teams spend month deep behind Ukrainian lines undetected

According to a reconnaissance rifleman, Russian units moved into areas where Ukrainian soldiers were without armor and were moving freely in the open

FAZ journalist's comments about killing Russians totally unprofessional — embassy

According to the statement, it is also highly disheartening that German authorities, professional associations, including the German Journalists' Union, have not condemned Michael Martens for what he said

Explosion kills one person at port of Rotterdam — newspaper

The incident reportedly occurred during repair works

US energy secretary gives estimate of daily oil flows through Strait of Hormuz

Chris Wright said that eight to nine million barrels a day going through the strait

Four pyrotechnicians, one security guard die during munition disposal in Sevastopol

Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev said the Ministry of Emergencies employees have thousands of neutralized shells and minefields to their name

Russia’s Belgorod Region records over 72,000 Ukrainian attacks since 2022 — governor

Alexander Shuvayev also added that over 1,220 attacks involving multiple rocket launchers had also taken place over the past four and a half years

Japan summons Russian ambassador after Putin's trip to Iturup: what we know

The Russian embassy stated that the Japanese Foreign Ministry's "protest" and the summoning of the Russian ambassador because of Vladimir Putin's trip to Iturup were an unjustified demarche

US loses quarter of its MQ-9 Reaper drones in war with Iran — WP

The report claims that the US lost 45 MQ-9 Reapers

IN BRIEF: What is known about power outages in Central Asia

Many people reported blackouts in Kazakhstan’s Almaty and the Almaty region, and in the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek

Two Emirati vessels come under attack in Strait of Hormuz

No one was injured in the incident

Battlegroup Center snipers using special rounds to penetrate enemy UAV armor

Snipers work in close coordination with drone operators, which allows them to act proactively and know in advance where the Baba-Yaga is coming from

Ukraine using dry cargo vessels to launch UAVs under cover of grain deal — expert

According to Vitaly Kiselyov, such launches may be carried out from the neutral waters of Azerbaijan and Turkey

Iran continues US talks through intermediaries — ambassador

Nassereddin Heidari said the extent of the American side's adherence to its commitments is the thing that matters

Ensuring Russia’s security on all fronts: what is known about meeting held by Putin

The Russian leader stated that the main tasks are being addressed today as part of the special military operation, but it is necessary to "ensure the security of the Russian state along all its borders"

Vertical Corridor for gas supplies from Greece to Ukraine remains on paper — politician

According to Panagiotis Lafazanis, the difficulties are primarily related to the political and economic pushback from an increasing number of countries, parties, and popular associations

American mercenary Conor Kennedy arrested in absentia in Russia, placed on wanted list

He participated in combat operations on the side of the Ukrainian forces incognito

Tokyo's remarks on Putin's visit to Kurils absolutely unacceptable — Russian MFA

Japanese officials have gone so far as to brazenly tell Moscow which regions of its own country its leader can visit, Maria Zakharova noted

Deputy foreign minister comments on Tokyo summoning Russian envoy, Black Sea proposals

Alexander Grushko stated that the Russian Foreign Ministry was unaware of any British initiative to resume military contacts with Moscow

Putin's Kuril Islands visit does little to normalize bilateral relations — Japanese PM

Japan's Foreign Ministry summoned Russian Ambassador to Tokyo Nikolay Nozdrev over Vladimir Putin's visit to Iturup

Politico says Zelensky 'fumbled' Belgrade trip as Kosovo remarks cause stir

The publication noted that Albania had reacted sharply to the statement as well

Laser systems for countering UAVs showcased at Arkhangelsk forum

The systems are designed to search for, detect, and identify attacking drones, and subsequently destroy them using laser weapons

FACTBOX: Putin personally visits Kuril Islands for first time

The head of state, during his working trip to Iturup, also visited the secondary school named after Hero of Russia Eduard Norpolov

Investigation underway after WWII memorial vandalized in Washington

Unidentified individuals sprayed paint on the memorial and poured soap into its fountains

Russia to promptly arrange reception for Witkoff, Kushner — senior diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov said this issue remains on the radar

Russia's Ovechkin to come back to Washington in early September — spokesman

The 2026-27 NHL regular season kicks off on September 29

Ban on Russian LNG supplies to EU will ruin Greece and bloc itself, politician says

According to Panagiotis Lafazanis, the EU decision to ban Russian liquefied and pipeline natural gas supplies by 2027 undermines the fragile foundations of the EU's economic, social, and political framework

Putin ready to receive Witkoff, Kushner again, but wonders what they can say — Lavrov

The top Russian diplomat said that nobody refuses to talk to the US special presidential envoys

Russia hands over 261 bodies of fallen soldiers to Ukraine — war correspondent Kots

The war correspondent said that 24 fallen soldiers returned to Russia

Skat-220 UAV deployed to special military op zone features new anti-FPV drone sensor

Alan Lushnikov, CEO of the Kalashnikov Group, said the drone recently reached record speed during combat operations

US carries out three executions in one day for first time in 16 years

Eleven American states executed a total of 47 people in 2025

Patriot missiles Ukraine requests from US enough to counter 25 targets — Russian military

According to Ukrainian reports, 90 missiles were launched at Kiev in a single day, on May 26

Serbia has no intention of joining NATO — Vucic

The Serbian leader earlier stated that Belgrade would maintain military neutrality while simultaneously cooperating with the North Atlantic Alliance

Lavrov, Thailand’s foreign minister to discuss bilateral issues in Moscow

During the talks, the parties plan to sign a 2026-2028 plan for consultations between the two countries’ foreign ministries

Those who question Kuril Islands’s belonging to face dire consequences — Medvedev

The Russian politician underscored that the Kuril Islands "are, and will remain Russian land"

US to send USS George Washington to Middle East to replace USS Abraham Lincoln — WSJ

The USS Abraham Lincoln has been at sea for more than 250 days and has not entered ports for 200 days

Armenia, Russia to step up food safety cooperation — Armenian Economy Ministry

The agreement was reached at a meeting between Armenian Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan and Russian Agriculture Minister Oksana Lut in Almaty

Russian top diplomat’s takes on why Ukraine conflict cannot be halted along contact line

Sergey Lavrov stressed that Moscow will not stoop to Kiev’s methods but will take much tougher measures to destroy everything that fuels the Ukrainian military machine from the West

Political prisoner disappears from Ukrainian penal colony after interrogation — officials

He is serving a sentence for distributing Russian humanitarian aid in the Kiev region in 2022

Kyrgyz president Japarov to seek second term

Sadyr Japarov said that anyone wishing to take part in the election would be free to run

Monument to Soviet military commander Vasily Margelov to be dismantled in Dnepropetrovsk

The document was adopted on August 11

Israel stunned by Iran’s rapid military recovery — newspaper

If Iran can return to manufacturing 100-300 missiles per month, then it can restore its missile arsenal to June 2025 levels by early to mid-2027, the newspaper said

Serbian politician urges Vucic to stay in office until EU accession referendum

Chairman of Serbia's Movement of Socialists Aleksandar Vulin stressed that "this is the issue that everything else depends on"

Ukraine delivers NATO instructors by ships, which it asks Russia not to hit, expert says

Military expert Vitaly Kiselyov noted that Ukraine has long been using civilian vessels to transport military cargo and deploy its combat systems

US president’s son-in-law to visit Israel for Gaza talks — media

According to the portal, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government "is highly skeptical of the US Gaza plan, and the upcoming election in October is making the issue even more politically sensitive"

US vice president reveals Washington’s top priority in Iran conflict

JD Vance pointed out that the goal number one is to keep oil and gas cheap for Americans all over the country

EU turns blind eye to all totalitarian manifestations in Moldova — Russian diplomat

"It turns out that these are the true 'European values' which the Maia Sandu regime is ready to fight for, even to the detriment of its country's prosperity," Maria Zakharova noted

All US bases will be seized if Washington uses nuclear weapons against Iran — IRGC

Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Naqdi did not clarify whether the Iranian military would occupy the US bases on its own or with the help of other forces

Woman detained for blowing up serviceman in Crimea had been fined for discrediting army

Investigative and detective measures are ongoing

FACTBOX: What we know about killing of Russian serviceman in Sevastopol

A female suspect was detained after allegedly carrying out the attack on instructions from Ukrainian intelligence services

Ukrainian refugees leaving Poland in greater numbers than any EU country — Eurostat

According to the agency, more than 6,000 Ukrainians left Poland in June alone

Russia, Ukraine conduct another civilian exchange in Belarus — media

Eight people went to Russia, while seven returned to Ukraine

Moscow to respond in kind if West seizes Russian commercial vessels — Putin

The Russian president emphasized that it wasn’t just about the areas where Russian vessels could be seized but wherever Moscow founds it necessary and reasonable

Ukraine's war-fighting capacity dwindling — Russian MFA

Unable to strike Russian military facilities effectively, Ukrainian armed forces continue attempting to target civilian infrastructure in various Russian regions and the civilian population, Maria Zakharova stated

Russia unaware of Zelensky’s proposals to end Ukraine conflict — Ryabkov

The Russian deputy foreign minister said the US did not hand over these proposals to Russia via diplomatic channels

US continues training Ukrainian troops, including F-16 pilots — report

The United States also trained Ukrainian troops to operate and maintain "multiple weapons platforms," including Bradley and Stryker fighting vehicles and HIMARS launchers

Russian land to remain Russian — MFA on Russian ambassador to Japan’s summoning

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko stressed that Tokyo's diplomatic activity would lead to nothing

US can maintain naval blockade of Iran indefinitely, Pentagon says

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth specified that the US Navy planned to rotate ships maintaning the blockade

Egypt backs Turkey's steps to ensure safe navigation in Black Sea — Foreign Ministry

Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty highlighted that Cairo opposed attacks on merchant vessels

Zaporozhstal steel plant closure devastating for Ukraine, deputy believes

The area's economy depended on the enterprise, said Chairman of the Legislative Assembly of the Zaporozhye Region Viktor Yemelyanenko

Ukraine seeks moratorium on civilian-target strikes to achieve tactical goals — expert

Military expert Vitaly Kiselyov emphasized that Kiev needs to preserve its logistics routes

Any country including Iran can join Mecca Pact, Pakistani ambassador says

Faisal Niaz Tirmizi reiterated that the alliance was created for peace and stability

IN BRIEF: Casualties after UAV attacks, fire in Bashkortostan Region, Sevastopol blackout

A young woman was injured when a drone crashed in the Rostov Region

Energy crisis could render major Ukrainian uninhabitable in winter — newspaper

According to the newspaper, Ukraine's power generation capacity has fallen fivefold since 2022, from 60 GW to 12 GW, while the current energy shortfall of about 5-6 GW could double by the winter

Press review: EU braces for winter fuel shortage as gold prices set to recover

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, August 12th

CENTCOM to create first multinational attack drone strike force

According to CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper, the new group will be an offshoot of the Scorpion Strike unit created nine months ago

Russian forces strike two tugboats, Izmail port rail station in new attacks

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, a rail station at the port of Izmail has been used to load, store and transport military cargo and fuel for Ukrainian troops

Kiev offers to halt attacks on civilian targets in Black Sea — Reuters

According to the agency, a third party delivered the proposal

Colombia’s earthquake death toll reaches 281 — media

A total of 3,971 people were injured, while 379 remain missing

Drone shot down in Latvia’s airspace — army statement

Earlier, an air raid alert was issued for four municipalities in eastern Latvia

Houthis fire two missiles at military airfield near Bab el-Mandeb Strait

Yemeni government forces launched drone strikes on Ansar Allah fighters and barracks in the western part of Taiz Governorate

Special military operation to end or be suspended only on Russia's terms — Medvedev

The United Russia party’s Chairman noted that relations with the West will change little after that

Press review: Russia ready for US-Ukraine talks and oil prices may rise by 25% in 2026

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, August 13th

Zelensky trying to shift responsibility for missile shortage onto Trump — ex-spox

According to Yulia Mendel, her former boss requested 300 Patriot surface-to-air missiles from Washington

Zelensky ‘reaps fruits’ of miscalculated choices, veteran says about Russian strikes

The Russian Armed Forces are conducting targeted strikes against infrastructure and vessels used by the Ukrainian military in the Black Sea

Russian troops liberate Petrovka community in Ukraine operation over past day — top brass

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,410 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

India ready to develop Northern Sea Route jointly with Russia — official

India's Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Venkatesapathy Sivaperumal specified that the ship's engines and hulls could be built in India

World Dancing Sport Federation lifts previously-imposed sanctions against Russia

The International Olympic Committee announced a decision on July 7 to provisionally lift an earlier-imposed suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee and also recommended lifting restrictions on the participation of Russian athletes in all international tournaments

First import-substituted MC-21 aircraft completes flight from Irkutsk to Zhukovsky

According to the United Aircraft Corporation, the flight proceeded routinely, with all systems operating as expected

Mobilizing childless Ukrainian women to kill off population quicker — expert

According to Alexander Dudchak, the initiative is designed to continue a deliberate policy of genocide in areas controlled by the Kiev regime

Kalashnikov launches mass production of smoke grenade against AI-powered drones

According to the company CEO Alan Lushnikov, any form of visual camouflage is in extremely high demand

West always wanted to 'cancel' Russia, but now it's doing it brazenly — Medvedev

The politician noted that as soon as the special military operation had begun, it had come out in an absolutely cynical, undisguised, monstrous and even perverted form

EU puts its decisions above international law out of pride, self-importance — Lavrov

The Russian top diplomat underscored that Brussels had chosen "a very dangerous path" by claiming the unlawful right to label vessels it finds objectionable as part of a "shadow fleet"

Russian forces deliver strikes on Ukrainian military warehouses at Odessa, Yuzhny ports

A fuel and lubricant tank of the Ukrainian armed forces was hit in the port of Odessa

Ukrainian attack leaves Sevastopol without electricity

According to the city’s Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev, specialists are assessing the damage and emergency services are in a state of high alert.

Ukraine needs at least one year to repair high-capacity power plants — US intelligence

Ukrainian repair timelines are contingent on the level of further damage that Russian strikes inflict on them as well as partner contributions for repair equipment, the report says

Russia’s security must be ensured along all of its borders — Putin

The Russian leader noted that the situation in the Pacific Fleet’s operational area "is not easy"

US to announce unprecedented measures to ensure Iran’s economic isolation — official

US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent did not provide details, but said the measures would be combined with Washington's naval blockade of Iran

Trump imposes 100% tariffs on imports of certain drones

The proclamation also imposes a 25% ad valorem tariff on certain smaller drones and other drone components

Iranian forces say they fully control Strait of Hormuz

Tehran said that no commercial vessel or tanker has been or will be able to safely pass through the strait without the permission and supervision of Iran’s armed forces

Explosion, fire hit ammunition plant in Italy — media

The plant is the former Sammel Difesa ammunition factory

Veteran remembers inscription he left on Reichstag in TASS interview

Yevgeny Znamensky said that he was proud to have made it "to that lair from his hometown"

Russian troops liberate eight communities in Ukraine operation over week — top brass

Russian troops delivered 14 strikes by precision-guided weapons and attack unmanned aerial vehicles, hitting military-industrial enterprises, logistics centers, fuel and energy infrastructure used by the Ukrainian army over the week

Ukrainian Navy command post, port infrastructure hit in new strikes by Russian Forces

The Russian Armed Forces continue to target Ukrainian Navy facilities and port infrastructure used by the Ukrainian armed forces, the Defense Ministry reported

Dates of US envoys’ visit, Zelensky’s proposals, UN crisis: senior diplomat's statements

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stated that Moscow was unaware of any proposals from Vladimir Zelensky on the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict

China, India ready to partner with Russia in building merchant icebreaker fleet — official

According to Presidential Aide Igor Levitin, China and India are proposing cooperatetion in building such a fleet, with subsequent production localization in Russia

PSS pistol most unique domestically produced silent firearm — Kalashnikov

According to the statement, the cartridge may seem simple, but in reality it incorporated a great many different design solutions

Press review: Putin’s Iturup visit sends message to Japan as EU falls short of gas targets

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, August 14th

Thirteen countries join coalition to ensure security in Bab el-Mandeb Strait

A Saudi representative has been appointed commander of the coalition