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Russian stocks down as main trading session opens

The yuan exchange rate against the ruble gained 3.25 kopecks

MOSCOW, August 17. /TASS/. Russia’s stock market went down as the main trading session started on Monday as the MOEX and RTS indices lost 1.43% to 2,105.81 and 784.64 points, respectively, according to trading data as of 10:00 a.m. Moscow time (07:00 a.m. GMT). The yuan exchange rate against the ruble gained 3.25 kopecks as trading opened compared with previous closing to 12.567 rubles.

As of 10:15 a.m. Moscow time (07:15 a.m. GMT), the indices were down by 0.7% at 2,121.29 points and 790.41 points, respectively. Meanwhile the yuan exchange rate was up by 4.5 kopecks at 12.58 rubles.

The MOEX Index with additional IMOEX2 ticker fell by 0.37% as morning trading session started on the Moscow Exchange as of 7:00 a.m. Moscow time (4:00 a.m. GMT), reaching 2,128.54 points.

Russia, China to set new record for trade turnover by year-end — envoy

Chinese Ambassador to Moscow Zhang Hanhui noted that Sino-Russian trade and economic cooperation was demonstrating steady growth

Kim Jong Un sends reply telegram to Vladimir Putin

North Korean leader wished Russian President good health and success in his work

Only previously manufactured US weapons can be supplied to Ukraine from Turkey — expert

Turkey does not plan to supply domestically produced weapons to Ukraine

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

Three killed, one injured in drone attack on Russia’s Rostov Region — governor

According to Yury Slyusar, more than 150 UAVs were destroyed over three cities and nine districts in the region

Israel strikes Hamas, Islamic Jihad terrorists in Gaza Strip — IDF

Prior to the strikes, steps were taken to mitigate harm to civilians, including the use of precise munitions and aerial surveillance, the Israel Defense Forces said

Takaichi has no right to criticize Putin for his visit to Iturup — news outlet

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has the cheek to lecture Russia about 'hurting Japanese feelings,' while Tokyo has the blood of Russian civilians on its hands by supporting the Kiev regime, the news outlet said

More US weapons supplies to Kiev via Turkey to make peace more distant prospect — expert

Ivan Timofeyev, director general of the Russian International Affairs Council, said that the US is not seeking a military defeat for Ukraine

Russian MFA calls on US, Turkey to "soberly assess" plans to supply weapons to Ukraine

It is not yet too late to soberly assess the situation, she said

West testing all its new weapons in Ukraine — Russian defense official

Akhmat Special Forces Commander Lieutenant General Apty Alaudinov opined that the West is preparing for a future conflict with Russia

Russian expert says not surprised at Turkey’s potential re-exports of US weapons to Kiev

Ivan Timofeyev, director general of the Russian International Affairs Council, said that Turkey has maintained quite a close and long-time relationship with Ukraine in the military-technical sphere

Russia-China trade turnover up 25% year-on-year in January-June to $135 bln

According to Chairman of the Union of Chinese Entrepreneurs in Russia Zhou Liqun, the number of Chinese enterprises in Russia's Far East is growing, alongside their operating income

Yemeni army reports over 180 operations against Houthis in past day

According to the Yemeni army spokesman Colonel Majed Al-Nuzaili, dozens of Ansar Allah rebels were killed, their numerous weapons systems and arms depots were eliminated

Russian forces hit Ukrainian uncrewed boats production facility

Russian drones struck facilities for the production and storage of components for uncrewed boats used by Ukraine to attack Russian coastal cities, ships and infrastructure facilities in the Black Sea, the Russian defense ministry said

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

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Russian air defenses down 822 Ukrainian drones overnight

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Ukrainian drones were intercepted over the Belgorod, Bryansk, Vladimir, Volgograd, Voronezh, Kaluga, Kursk, Lipetsk, Nizhny Novgorod, Oryol, Rostov, Ryazan, Tambov and Tula regions, the Moscow region, Krasnodar Krai and the Republic of Crimea, as well as over the Azov and Black Seas

CENTCOM chief acknowledges fatigue among crew of USS Abraham Lincoln

Admiral Brad Cooper stressed that the issues related to food, hot water and other concerns raised months ago were addressed by leadership and resolved

Massive missile strike hits Samara Region, causing casualties — city mayor

Ivan Noskov added that a crisis management center has been set up at the scene

Russian forces on the offensive on a 10 km-wide front near Olkhovatka — military expert

According to Andrey Marochko, the sector near Olkhovatka is being cleared of Ukrainian troops

Islam Makhachev beats Ian Machado Garry to defend UFC welterweight title

Makhachev won by unanimous decision at the UFC 330 tournament in Philadelphia

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

Ukraine’s losses from idle port capacities rise to $1.75 billion

Ukrainian farm exports have dwindled by approximately 60%

Kushner expected to visit Israel next week — source

US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law plans to discuss with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the implementation of the next stage of settling the situation in the Gaza Strip, Axios said, citing its sosurces

Ukraine has over hundred nationalist battalions — French expert

Laurent Braillard said that he counted the equivalent of 106 battalions across 85 units

Kremlin aide advises West to follow Putin’s speech at upcoming Eastern Economic Forum

Special attention is always focused on the Russian president's speech at the plenary session, Advisor to the Russian President and Executive Secretary of the forum's Organizing Committee Anton Kobyakov said

Flight from Damascus lands in Moscow as Syria, Russia reopen air service — airport

The direct air link between the cities was suspended in December 2024 amid the situation in the Arab republic

US launches 49 probes into weapons supplies to Ukraine

Representatives from the Pentagon, the Department of State, the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, as well as the US Navy and Air Force are taking part and are cooperating with Ukraine's NABU, SAPO, the police, and the prosecutor general’s office

Klyuchevskoy volcano in Russia’s Kamchatka sends 7-kilometer ash plume into sky

The ash trail stretched 10 kilometers to the northeast of the volcano

Russians win gold in Women’s Team at European Artistic Gymnastics Championships

The Russian team of Angelina Melnikova, Anna Kalmykova, and Liudmila Roshchina scored 165.430 points

Russian air defenses shoot down record-breaking number of Ukrainian drones in one day

The Russian army also destroyed 14 guided air bombs, a HIMARS projectile and 9 Flamingo long-range cruise missiles

Western sanctions only heighten interest to business contacts with Russia — Kremlin aide

Western sanctions have heightened interest in business networking among business representatives at major international events in Russia, such as the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) and the Russian Economic Week, Russian Presidential Aide and Executive Secretary of the Eastern Economic Forum Organizing Committee Anton Kobyakov said

Adopting West’s habit of resorting to violence, Ukraine regresses to dark ages — expert

According to Alexander Pataman, Ukraine has ceased to be a secular state, and the leader of the Kiev regime still has not understood his place

Several Middle Eastern countries secretly shipping oil through Hormuz — news agency

According to the news agency, the movement of such vessels carries the risk of attacks

Russian swimmer Samusenko wins bronze at 2026 European Aquatics Championships

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Zelensky will lose power if EU stops funding Ukraine — media

Mysl Polska editor Tomasz Jankowski said that after every scandal, Western partners ask Zelenskyy to "tighten controls" and fight corruption

Ukrainian counterattacks weak near Olkhovatka, enemy focused on defensive action — expert

Earlier, Andrey Marochko said that Russian forces are on the offensive on a front of 10 kilometers near the town

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

Hamas calls on mediators, Board of Peace to compel Israel to observe ceasefire

The radicals reiterated that they "accept the roadmap proposed to them," but did not revealed its details

South Korea, US conducting exercises as planned — news agency

Earlier, US President Donald Trump stated that he had ordered a reduction in the scale of the exercises

Putin to hold talks with Myanmar President on August 18 — Kremlin

The two leaders will discuss avenues for deepening Russia-Myanmar cooperation in various areas, as well as topical issues on the international and regional agendas

China shows stance on WWII outcome with Kuril Islands statement — Russian senator

Asia has not forgotten the lessons of history, and nobody will allow them to be rewritten to serve political ambitions, Natalya Nikonorova said

One civilian died, ten more wounded in Ukraine’s attacks on DPR

A fire crew was attacked by a drone in one of the liberated settlements, leaving two Russian emergencies ministry’s employees wounded, DPR’s head Denis Pushilin said

Thailand requests Russia’s support for free trade zone talks with EAEU — ministry

According to the Thai Foreign Ministry, participants of the 9th joint Russian-Thai commission on bilateral cooperation placed emphasis on promoting economic cooperation, particularly expanding trade and investment

Ukrainian forces shell DPR settlements 26 times over past 24 hours — statement

Reports indicate that one civilian was killed and ten were injured, including a child

Countering Iranian UAVs in Persian Gulf similar to killing mosquito with bazooka — experts

The main challenge for countries in the Arabian Peninsula is the enormous gap between the cost of attack weapons and interceptors, experts of the Center for Analysis of World Arms Trade said

Terms of new US arms supplies to Ukraine via Turkey controversial — Russian MFA

Judging by documents recently released by the US Congress, the matter concerns a formidable arsenal that includes offensive weaponry, she said

IN BRIEF: Yabloko appeals to Supreme Court: what we know

The Supreme Court will consider the appeals on August 17

Indiana storm claims at least seven lives — newspaper

The victims range in age from four to 86

Indonesian earthquake death toll exceeds 50 — agency

According to the AP, the earthquake left some 5,000 people homeless, with more than 900 buildings being ruined and some 450 damaged

Russian oil exports drop to 6.97 mln bpd in July, revenues fall to $13.76 bln, IEA says

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Russian Armed Forces liberate Rybalskyoe in Zaporozhye Region

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Yulia Mendel noted that the escalation strategy Vladimir Zelensky had chosen had yielded no positive results

5.7-magnitude earthquake strikes Indonesia — statement

The epicenter was located 175 kilometers east of the city of Labuan Bajo

Middle East crisis prompts Thailand to seek new energy sources — foreign minister

Sihasak Phuangketkeow noted that Thailand met about 50% of its energy needs through Middle Eastern countries

New arms supplies to Kiev to deal serious blow to Russia’s relations with US, Turkey — MFA

Multifaceted damage resulting from such supplies is inevitable, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said

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The battlegroup East’s assault troops were located a few dozen meters from the Ukrainian fighters attempting to flee and were covertly monitoring their movements

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Chinese Ambassador to Moscow Zhang Hanhui noted that Sino-Russian trade and economic cooperation was demonstrating steady growth

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The source recalled that France was one of the few NATO countries that did not shy to send its career servicemen to take part in combat operations

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According to Alexander Pataman, head of the secretariat of the Zaporozhye Region office of the World Russian People’s Council, Russia has sufficient resources and logistical alternatives to minimize the consequences of this scenario

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By 8:25 a.m. Moscow time, the MOEX Index declined by 2.14% and stood at 2,090.68 points

Merkel does not expect Russia to restrict gas supplies to Germany

The German Chancellor said that Russia always was a reliable supplier

Moscow beauty pageant crowns Mrs. Russia 2026

The winnner received the crown and the opportunity to shoot a music video as prizes

Epstein case reveals real face of Western elites seeking to rule world — Lavrov

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Russia launches investigation against FAZ journalist Martens for his remarks on Russians

An informed source said that questions of putting the journalist on an international wanted list and choosing his pretrial detention measure in absentia are being decided

Over 70 Ukrainian drones taken down over Russian regions during day

"From 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Moscow time (5:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. GMT), Russian air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 72 Ukrainian fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles over Crimea, the Belgorod, Bryansk, and Kursk Regions, and the Black and Azov Seas

Finnish politician slams Stubb as 'US vassal' in relations with Russia

Member of the Freedom Alliance national conservative party Armando Mema pointed out that the Finnish leader has repeatedly made political decisions aimed at pleasing American diplomats

Three injured as Moscow comes under massive drone attack — mayor

According to Sergey Sobyanin, emergency specialists are working at the scene where drone debris fell

Kushner holds talks with Egyptian president, Hamas representatives - TV

According to its sources, US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law met with mediators in the indirect talks between Israel and Hamas, with Hamas leaders, and with Nickolay Mladenov, the Gaza Board of Peace high representative

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Fuel tanks were also destroyed, the Russian defense ministry said

Aftermath of Ukrainian drone attack on Russian regions, one killed in Bryansk Region

On-duty air defense systems intercepted a total of 205 Ukrainian fixed-wing UAVs over nine Russian regions

Iranian army offers reward for killing of capturing US troops

"Brave Iranian women who will do this will receive double the reward", the Iranian army commander Amir Hatami said

Russian citizen sentenced to 23 years in jail for spying for Polish intel

Georgy Pirogov's task was to collect and share classified data about advanced weapons used by the Russian army in the course of the special military operation

Russian forces strike defense industry facilities, oil refinery, steel plant

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Russian troops also struck the UkrDefens company in Kyiv, which produces components for attack drones, Khrushch interceptor drones, and Harpia anti-aircraft missiles

Thousands of supporters of Russia tortured by the SBU — French expert

Mostly Russian-speaking residents in Donbass, southern Odessa and central Ukraine fell victim to repressions, Laurent Brayard revealed

Russian forces strike transport, energy infrastructure used by Ukrainian troops

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Russian forces also hit assembly facilities and storage sites for long-range drones and unmanned boats, as well as temporary deployment sites of Ukrainian forces and foreign mercenaries in 159 areas

Trump orders to scale down military drills with Seoul due to Pyongyang

The US leader noted that South Korea sends a hostile signal to North Korea

Envoy hopes Russian House in Berlin will not be closed

As a countermeasure, Russia may close the Goethe-Institut, said Sergey Nechaev

US should avoid tensions with Russia ahead of elections — candidate for president

The White House should seek to expand trade and joint projects in the spirit of Anchorage, said Diane Sare

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

Iran prepares to resume conflict with US — newspaper

The newspaper noted that Tehran believes that the memorandum signed was likely just an attempt by the US and Israel to take pressure off the global economy and buy time for a bigger attack down the road

Thailand shocked by murder of Russian tourists in Pattaya, foreign minister says

Bangkok is taking additional measures to ensure the safety of all travelers, said Sihasak Phuangketkeow

White House contacted IRGC via mediator who has offered assistance again - media

The United States wanted to organize closed-door bilateral settlement talks in Iraqi Kurdistan’s administrative center, the city of Erbil

Iran estimates environmental damage from Hormuz oil spill at trillions of dollars

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said that everyone involved in commercial shipping operations must bear legal and moral responsibility for clearing the aftermath in the region

Russian forces target over 130 ships serving Ukrainian army since July

The destroyed targets included bulk carriers and patrol boats

Russian swimmers win gold at 2026 European Aquatics Championships

The Russian team of Kliment Kolesnikov, Ivan Kozhakin, Andrey Minakov, and Egor Kornev covered the distance in 3 minutes and 28.67 seconds

Russian forces strike Ukraine’s Tarantul-class patrol boat at Odessa port overnight

Russian attack drones has also struck fuel tanks in Odessa port

Russia seeks sustainable peace in Ukraine conflict — Kremlin spokesman

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

Russian troops gain foothold on southern outskirts of Alekseyevo-Druzhkovka in DPR

Denis Pushilin stated that the Russian forces had the opportunity to move forward after the liberation of Konstantinovka

Kiev loses 9,500 fighters, mercenaries over past week — expert

According to Andrey Marochko, the heaviest losses on the enemy were inflicted by fighters of Russia’s Battlegroup Center

Western business may return to Russia only via pragmatic partnerships — presidential aide

No country wants to voluntarily build an autarky, Anton Kobyakov said

Russia’s advanced radar in Kaliningrad to monitor entire territory of Europe — source

The first Konteiner radar went on combat duty in the Volga area region of Mordovia on December 1, 2019

Trump praises Mecca Agreement as sign of unity among Middle Eastern countries

The US leader stressed that it shows how the Middle East is coming together, and how countries will finally be able to defend themselves in a more meaningful way

San Diego orders evacuation following wildfire on city outskirts

According to the authorities, 160 firefighters and 54 pieces of equipment have been deployed to fight the fire

INven unfriendly countries showing interest in Eastern Economic Forum — official

Specific figures and facts regarding individual businessmen or countries are a relative matter, Kobyakov noted

Passenger flight service between Moscow, Damascus back after 18-month pause

Flights will be performed on Sundays, a spokesman for Syrian Airlines said

Russian MFA has requested clarifications from US, Turkey regarding arms supplies to Kiev

The Russian Foreign Ministry has requested clarifications from Washington and Ankara regarding information released by the US Congress, according to Zakharova’s commentary