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MOEX Index up as main trading session opens

The yuan exchange rate had narrowed losses to 0.55 kopecks reaching 12.562 rubles

MOSCOW, September 16. /TASS/. Russia’s MOEX and RTS indices added 0.29% to 2,343.92 and 876.56 points, respectively, as the main trading session started on Wednesday, according to trading data as of 9:00 a.m. Moscow time (6:00 a.m. GMT). The yuan exchange rate against the ruble lost 0.95 kopecks compared to previous closing to 12.558 rubles.

By 9:23 a.m. Moscow time (6:23 a.m. GMT), the MOEX Index had moved to negative territory reaching 2,336.67 points (-0.02%), while the RTS was down by 0.02% at 873.85 points. Meanwhile the yuan exchange rate had narrowed losses to 0.55 kopecks reaching 12.562 rubles.

The MOEX Index with additional IMOEX2 ticker lost 0.24% as morning trading session started on the Moscow Exchange as of 7:00 a.m. Moscow time (4:00 a.m. GMT) to 2,331.41 points.

The Moscow Exchange has extended the duration of the main trading session by one hour to 10 hours starting September 14. The main trading session on the Moscow Exchange’s securities, derivatives, FX, and precious metals markets will begin at 9:00 a.m. Moscow time (6:00 a.m. GMT). The calculation and publication of the key indices of the Moscow Exchange will also start at 9:00 a.m. Moscow time (6:00 a.m. GMT).

Russia backs sovereign right of nations to choose their energy mix — Energy Minister

"Russia’s position is to respect the sovereign right of every country to determine its own development path and energy mix," Sergey Tsivilyov said

Iran lifts ban on use of foreign messengers by government agencies

Islamic Republic Government Spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani said that the main goal of the move is "to ensure the ability to promptly respond to emerging doubts and planted information, as well as effectively counter psychological operations and the information war" against Iran

Trump’s call to halt attacks on energy sites shows dissatisfaction with Zelensky — expert

Alexander Protsenko said Donald Trump had also stressed that global diesel shortages were the result of Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries

Russia readies to strike Ukraine’s energy sites to retaliate attacks on its infrastructure

At the same time, Russian servicemen continued to launch coordinated strikes against Ukrainian military-industrial facilities that support the Ukrainian military overnight, the ministry emphasized

Zelensky dismisses Kravchenko as prosecutor general

Kravchenko had held the post since June 2025

Russia, US need to launch dialogue on trade, investment prospects — MFA

Maria Zakharova noted that in relations with the United States, "with the arrival of the current administration, some things have moved in the right direction"

Russia presses for urgent measures to prevent arms race in space — diplomat

The statements from US Air Force Secretary Troy Meink only serve as evidence how relevant Russian multilateral initiatives toward launching talks, Maria Zakharova said

Switzerland not being considered for new round of Ukraine talks — Russian foreign ministry

Maria Zakharova cited the loss of neutrality in Switzerland’s policy, Russophobia in the context of joining anti-Russian sanctions and related statements as reasons

Any use of Russian assets would cause greater damage to Europe than to Russia — portal

Europe is forced to balance between aiding Ukraine and financial suicide, media outlet InsideOver said

Kalashnikov Group presents Kalitka-KA anti-drone system

The system is designed to protect strategic facilities from drone attacks at low and extremely low altitudes

Russia backs sovereign right of nations to choose their energy mix — Energy Minister

"Russia’s position is to respect the sovereign right of every country to determine its own development path and energy mix," Sergey Tsivilyov said

Ukraine carries out two attacks on residential areas in DPR in past day

One civilian was reported injured

Russia's pipeline gas exports to Turkey fall 10% in January-July

In July alone, Turkey imported a combined 948 million cubic meters of Russian gas via the TurkStream and Blue Stream pipelines

Press TV: Israeli military abducted Iranian TV journalist near Bethlehem

According to one of Hamed’s colleagues, the Israelis detained the entire crew and searched them, after which the cameramen were released, while the journalist herself was taken to an unknown location

Only 20-25 million people live in Ukraine now, former Zelensky press secretary says

Yulia Mendel added that Ukrainians continue to flee the country

Diplomat blasts European attempts to pull nukes closer to Russian borders

Maria Zakharova commented on Finland’s move to join a France-led nuclear deterrence initiative

US policy compels North Korea to strengthen nuclear deterrence — agency

Security expert Choe Ju Hyun wrote in an op-ed for the Korean Central News Agency that US actions are accelerating "the corrosion of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime"

Europe unlikely to go back to being Russia's top gas buyer — expert

The European market will remain large and attractive for Russia, Ilya Grashchenkov noted

Information warfare has no rules, creating them is our next step — GFCN president

Interview with Vladimir Tabak, president of the Global Fact-Checking Network

Viktor Bout sees no real readiness from US to restore relations with Russia

Viktor Bout noted that the US Congress continues to consider new sanctions against Russia

British PM to discuss Ukraine at first meeting with Trump in New York — newspaper

According to The Times, the talks are set to be held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on September 22

Russia says Chisinau has no right to strip Russians in Transnistria of chance to vote

"Russian citizens have the right to freely express their will; this is one of the fundamental human rights," Maria Zakharova noted

Sikorski's plans to restore Poland's greatness show 'unhealthy ambitions' — Kremlin aide

Nikolay Patrushev said he was previously surprised with the Polish foreign minister's lack of knowledge about history and Russia

Explosions heard in Iranian city of Qeshm — agency

According to sources cited by IRNA, the sounds came from the sea

US House approves resolution demanding end to Iran war

The resolution is not legally binding and serves as a recommendation

Only few ships passed through Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday — news agency

According to analysts, none of the ships were supertankers with oil or tankers transporting liquefied natural gas

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The Russian foreign minister stressed that Western interference with freedom of navigation is a concern, as European states have detained 12 vessels since January of this year

US cannot trust Merz’s words — Trump’s envoy

"Merz is mad that Americans want the German government to pay its NATO obligations," Richard Grenell said

UN secretary-general candidate wants peace in Gaza based on Oslo, Abraham Accords

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UN secretary-general candidate proposes creating special body on AI

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UN secretary-general candidate calls for comprehensive agreement on Iran

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According to the vice president, the US has already completed the first phase, which was to destroy the nuclear program and conventional military of Iran

Kiev loses some 1,225 troops along engagement line in past day — Defense Ministry

Overnight, the Russian Armed Forces struck a logistics center in Velikaya Balka in the Odessa Region

US, Germany agree to advance defense industrial cooperation — Pentagon

According to the statement, Pete Hegseth and Boris Pistorius signed an agreement that aligns the Pentagon’s "acquisition transformation strategy with Germany's Procurement Acceleration Act"

Kiev deliberately turns its civilian facilities into military targets — Russian diplomat

Ukraine is now reaping the inevitable consequences, Rodion Miroshnik stated

EU foreign policy chief Kallas says would answer phone call from Russia’s Putin, Lavrov

Kaja Kallas also recalled her meetings with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov at international forums, including at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the G20

US seeks to normalize military use of outer space — newspaper

The Wall Street Journal reported that, according to officials, open discussion of the issue could deter adversaries that also seek to launch weapons into orbit

Three fires break out after massive attack on Taganrog

Mayor Svetlana Kambulova said the missile attack had damaged windows in five apartment buildings and three private homes

Russia to respond accordingly if Lithuania moves to field nuclear weapons — MFA

As for the autumn session of the Lithuanian Seimas on amending legislation to allow the deployment of foreign nuclear weapons, this is a completely irresponsible act, Maria Zakharova said

Large group of countries ready to host Ukraine talks, source tells TASS

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US laying ground for Iran making changes to nuclear doctrine — parliament

In the absence of any international protocols, the United States is requesting Iran cooperate by allowing inspections of its nuclear facilities that have been subjected to bombing, Hassan Ghashghavi said

Shanghai Cooperation Organization calls for preventing arms race in space — official

Secretary General Nurlan Yermekbayev said the organization advocates for the development of a correspondent legally binding international document

DPR leader sees Kiev regime, West making money on continued Ukraine conflict

EU countries capitalize on weapons supplies to Kiev, Denis Pushilin says

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Progress MS is used to deliver various cargo to the ISS, as well as to adjust its orbit

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The situation for Ukrainians has clearly worsened, Kersti Kaljulaid said

Russia to secure return of its foreign exchange reserves from West — Lavrov

The Russian Foreign Minister said the European Commission still wants to confiscate these assets

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An article in The Washington Post explained that the deal was planned to be implemented through the Foreign Military Financing mechanism, which provides grants and loans to help other countries buy American weapons

European Council president to call for creating European Security Council — media

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Bank of Russia lowers dollar exchange rate to 84.24 rubles for September 16

The official euro exchange rate has been lowered by 46.14 kopecks to 97.3012 rubles

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Sergey Tsivilyov commented on Moscow's key proposals for the G20 ministerial energy meeting in Houston, Texas, which runs through September 16

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Dong Jun stated that this architecture "should address the legitimate security concerns of all countries"

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Russian national pleads guilty to illegally exporting aircraft parts — Justice Department

Samuylovsky faces up to 20 years in prison

Russian indices decline as trading closes on Moscow Exchange

The MOEX Index falling 1.02% to 2,337.1 points and the RTS Index dropping 0.90% to 874.02 points

'Whisky war' brewing between England, Scotland — newspaper

Scotch Whisky Association Chief Executive Mark Kent said the rules governing English whisky are "entirely inconsistent with the reputation of single malt whisky"

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Maria Zakharova's comment came in response to a question from media regarding allegations in the Western press about a recent "deliberate" Russian strike on a passenger train carrying former and current Western officials

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Denis Pushilin added that the Ukrainian military receives support from Western intelligence services

UN secretary-general candidate calls for organizing peace conference on Ukraine

Olara Otunnu called for urgent work with key stakeholders

Russia, Ukraine preparing new family reunification initiative — human rights commissioner

Yana Lantratova declined to specify the number of people involved or when the humanitarian initiative might take place

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US agrees to return 'unreleased funds' to Belarus — Trump’s envoy

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Merz cancels trip to New York for UNGA events — news agency

German officials told DPA that the situation requires chancellor's presence in Berlin

West’s interference with freedom of navigation causes concern — Lavrov

"European states have detained 12 vessels since January this year based on made-up categories unknown to international law, such as the so-called 'shadow fleet' and others," the Russian foreign minister said

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On September 8, Hungary’s top diplomat Anita Orban said Budapest was expelling 10 Russian diplomats, citing the need to protect national security

Massive missile attack on Taganrog, 222 downed drones: Ukrainian strikes' aftermath

Warehouses belonging to the Ozon company and agricultural enterprises were damaged, as were the windows of residential buildings and an educational institution in Rostov Region’s Taganrog

US House advances Russia sanctions bill

The House of Representatives voted 214-211

Press review: EU eyes Russian assets as Ukraine corruption scandal erodes Western trust

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, September 15th

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Russian pilots used aerial bombs and X-39 missiles to hit temporary deployment sites and drone command posts in the communities of Fyodorovka in the Kharkov Region and Zemlyanoye in the Sumy Region, respectively

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As a result of strikes in the Velikaya Balka settlement in the Odessa Region, a logistics center for the storage and distribution of military cargo arriving in Ukraine from abroad was struck

British national eliminated in Russia’s special mil-op zone in Ukraine — top brass

The sources said that three more Ukrainian officers have been killed as well, including a senior lieutenant of the National Guard of Ukraine

Brent crude surges past $109 a barrel in ICE trading rally

By 08:19 p.m. Moscow time, Brent was up 3.38%, trading at $109.25 per barrel

UK actively explores participation in NATO’s defense bank — newspaper

A senior Labour figure told The Financial Times that participation in the DSRB initiative could potentially help the UK reach a milestone of spending 3% of GDP on defense by 2030

Kiev authorities lost control over Ukrainian security forces — underground resistance

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Russia remains guarantor of global energy security — Energy Minister

Russia holds the world's largest combined oil and gas reserves, amounting to approximately 60 billion tonnes of oil equivalent, Russian Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilyov said

Ruble’s real effective exchange rate down 7.1% in August — Central Bank

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A search operation is currently underway

Trump became $2.7 bln richer after 2024 election — media

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Three killed as helicopter crashes in Los Angeles

Another person was injured

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Russia to work on permanent visa-free regime with China — foreign ministry

Maria Zakharova recalled that Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed a visa-free regime through mid-September 2026 a year ago, an initiative supported by Russian President Vladimir Putin, after which a reciprocal visa-free regime was introduced for Chinese citizens

Iran-backed Houthis’ actions go beyond domestic conflict — Yemen’s PM

Shaya Mohsen al-Zindani says Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia "cannot be separated from the military escalation" on Yemen’s Red Sea coast

Denmark’s provocative actions against Russian frigate raise concern — ambassador

Vladimir Barbin expressed regret over Denmark’s reluctance to prevent maritime escalation and push toward strengthening mutual confidence

Russia tests new concept for intercepting UAVs, unmanned surface vehicles

Alexey Chadayev emphasized that the tests demonstrated the concept’s effectiveness and feasibility

Mideast facing worst energy logistics crisis in modern history — Russian Energy Minister

Sergey Tsivilyov commented on the situation in the Strait of Hormuz

Kremlin briefing touches on Ukrainian attempt to strike energy site, Trump’s truce idea

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Overwhelming majority of Germans dissatisfied with Merz's performance — poll

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Leaders of Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland sign memorandum on right to leave UK

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Middle Eastern countries disappointed with US security guarantees — ex-top diplomat

Antony Blinken said the US had no good military solution to the current conflict "absent a full-scale invasion of Iran, which would be a disaster"

Taimazova, Tasoyev to headline Russian squad at 2026 World Judo Championship in Baku

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Russian diplomat warns NATO countries against supporting nuclear proliferation

Maria Zakharova advised Western European hotheads to take a sober look at the world

AfD seeks full normalization of relations with Russia — Bild

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Russian football stars Safonov, Batrakov on national team’s roster for upcoming friendlies

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Thousands of migrants remain in Spain’s Ceuta — European Commissioner

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Ukraine's interceptor drones fall short in July tests — Reuters

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Ukrainian servicemen shot, tortured civilians in Kursk Region — human rights commissioner

Yana Lantratova said that many civilians were shot in their homes

Most UAVs flying deep into Russia downed by mobile armed units along border — expert

Oleg Ivanov said that mobile armed units had become an effective layered defense system in the Kursk Region

NATO intelligence services find evidence linking Kiev to Leipzig incident — Russian SVR

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Russian Baltic Fleet pilots destroy simulated enemy fortifications during exercise

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