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Fire at oil depot in Russia’s Belgorod may spread to all fuel tanks, source says

On Friday, two helicopters of the Ukrainian armed forces carried out two air strikes in Belgorod that caused a fire at the city’s oil depot

MOSCOW, April 1. /TASS/. The flames engulfing fuel tanks at an oil depot in Belgorod may spread to other tanks, a source in the emergency services told TASS.

"In all, there are 27 tanks of various volume at the premises of the oil depot. Currently, firefighters are focusing on cooling the remaining ones," the source said.

Russia’s Emergencies Ministry has increased the firefighting contingent almost to 200 people, the agency’s press service told TASS.

"Eight fuel tanks are currently on fire. A foam attack is underway. A firefighting train has been engaged. Some 194 people and 59 units of equipment are operating at the site of the fire," the agency said.

On Friday, according to the region’s governor Vyacheslav Gladkov, two helicopters of the Ukrainian armed forces carried out two air strikes in Belgorod that caused a fire at the city’s oil depot. The flames engulfed the fuel tanks at the depot. The city’s authorities are evacuating residents from the buildings adjacent to the oil depot. There are no casualties.

Terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall

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Labor productivity requires a significant increase in all sectors of the economy, the President stressed

US government prepares to sign $6-bln contract for arms deliveries to Ukraine — Politico

According to the article, the United States "is putting the finishing touches" on one of its largest Ukraine military aid packages to date, which may be announced on Friday

US 'not forgetting' to help itself with aid to Ukraine — Kremlin

"In any case, whatever the modality of providing this aid, de facto it is about provoking Ukraine into further hostilities down to the last Ukrainian, putting guarantted money in the pockets of the US," Dmitry Peskov said

West views Europe as potential theater of military operations — Lukashenko

The number of operational and combat training activities in Poland and the Baltic states increases every year, the Belarusian President noted

US effectively dooms Ukraine by its new decisions, Russian envoy says

"The American aid won’t save Zelensky. New weapons will be destroyed, and the special military operation goals will be achieved," Anatoly Antonov stressed

Casualties reported after Ukrainian strike on residential house in Zaporozhye Region city

The rescuers are involved in efforts to clear the rubble of a five-story house on Kuibyshev Street

Network of international conspirators plotted Crocus terrorist attack — watchdog

Yury Chikhanchin pointed out that the perpetrators of the attack were provided with money, weapons, transportation and ammunition

Promotion of Russian brands gives good return — Putin

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Bolivarian Alliance countries stand for multipolar world — Maduro

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Ukraine to cease to exist unless it enters into talks, Belarusian president warns

Alexander Lukashenko stressed that his Ukrainian counterpart Vladimir Zelensky should have realistic expectations

Top Chinese diplomat calls for creating conditions for talks on Ukraine

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Rescue craft were promptly sent to the ship, fire extinguishing started, the crew was evacuated

Russian troops wipe out Ukrainian UAV production workshop over past day

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Israel ready to accept release of fewer than 40 hostages in deal’s first phase — newspaper

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Russian Embassy to Austria denied participation in ceremony at Nazi concentration camp

The embassy said that the Austrian Mauthhausen Committee had also cautioned the organizations of Russian compatriots in Austria against participating in the event

Houthi leader says group attacked more than 100 ships in Red, Arabian seas so far

Ansar Allah strikes one ship every two days, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi said

European Parliament urges EU states to regard Russian presidential vote as illegitimate

The resolution passed in a 493-11 vote, with 18 abstentions

French neo-Nazi ringleader liquidated near Avdeyevka — sources

There is confirmed evidence of his connections with French secret services

Houthis say they attacked MSC Darwin vessel in Gulf of Aden

The Houthis also confirmed that the movement will "continue its military operations, impeding the navigation of Israeli vessels in the Red Sea, the Arab Sea and the Indian Ocean"

Foreign delegations show great interest in Russian defense products — security official

The 12th International Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues took place in St. Petersburg on April 23-25

Press review: US tries to strong-arm China and Zelensky's bid to bring men home

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, April 25th

All-Belarusian People's Assembly adopts new military doctrine, security concept

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Russian diplomat accuses US of coordinating Ukraine’s terrorist attacks

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Global community condemns use of terrorists in geopolitical struggle — Russian official

Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolay Patrushev noted that the heads of foreign delegations expressed sincere condolences to the Russian people over the casualties of the attack on a concert hall outside Moscow

US first caused, now purposefully drags out Ukraine conflict — Shoigu

The Russian top defense official added that in order to achieve its goals, Washington is exerting unprecedented pressure, including on its partners

Kiev violates diplomatic relations convention by recruiting mercenaries abroad — diplomat

Maria Zakharova pointed to media reports, according to which Ukrainian embassies in a number of countries are openly campaigning local citizens to join the so-called International Legion of Ukrainian Territorial Defense

Europe should be prepared to build relations with Russia post-Ukraine conflict — Macron

According to the French leader, when building relations with Russia, Europe needs to rely upon its own strong security system

US military advisers, if sent to Ukraine, won’t come close to frontlines — Pentagon

"United States has no intent of conducting combat operations inside of Ukraine, nor are these forces going to be anywhere near the frontlines," Patrick Ryder said

West bends sanctions rules when it suits them — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov noted that, "according to some parameters, companies in Europe and other regions can hardly maintain their competitiveness if they completely abandon our products"

Kremlin announces creation of blockchain-based payment system in BRICS

Work will continue to develop the Contingent Reserve Arrangement, primarily regarding the use of currencies different from the US dollar," the Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov pointed out

Russia needs to boost production of goods based on domestic technologies — Putin

The President undescored that Russia did not plan to produce absolutely everything domestically

China vows decisive response to US move to deploy intermediate missiles in Asia-Pacific

The Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson stressed that "US steps are posing a major threat to security and stability of regional players"

Space station’s orbit raised by 1 km — Roscosmos

According to preliminary information, the average altitude of the orbital outpost was increased to 414.8 km above the Earth’s surface

Over 3,100 foreign mercenaries fight for Ukraine, most of them from US

The Russian Investigative Committee added that measures are underway to locate their whereabouts and bring them to criminal liability

Russian court arrests in absentia four foreign agents charged with terrorism

"The court has selected a measure of restraint for Garry Kasparov, Gennady Gudkov, Yevgenia Chirikova and Ivan Tyutrin, charged with establishing and heading a terrorist society, funding terrorist activity and justifying it publicly," the court said

Negative trends still on rise in US-China relations — top Chinese diplomat

The United States should not cross the red lines with regard to China’s sovereignty and security, Wang Yi added

West prepares puppet structures in case of coup in Belarus — KGB

Ivan Tertel said various methods were being considered, up to "instigating a forceful seizure by illegal armed groups" being trained in the West and Ukraine

Russian defense chief points to West’s double standards on right to self-defense

In this regard, Sergey Shoigu mentioned the operation that Tehran carried out "in retaliation for a blatant attack on the Iranian consulate building in Damascus"

Kiev troops may strike targets in Crimea with ATACMS missiles — newspaper

The goal "is to put more pressure on Crimea," The New York Times said

Putin stays in daily contact with Sergey Shoigu, Kremlin spokesman says

Timur Ivanov was arrested by Moscow’s Basmanny Court

Venezuelan foreign ministry, Russian embassy hold joint conference in Caracas

The event brought together almost 200 diplomats, foreign ministry staffers and experts in international relations

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Blinken’s visit to China meant to shatter Russian-Chinese ties — senior Russian diplomat

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Russian foreign minister to meet with Bolivian counterpart in Moscow

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Russian children’s commissioner holds first face-to-face talks with Ukrainian counterparts

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North Korea to take part in SPIEF — Embassy in Russia

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Russia says its battlegroup West seized better positions

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Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun noted that he wanted to discuss "the most fundamental issues" with his Russian counterpart, given the constraints of time and place

Better situation for peace in Ukraine, threats to Belarus: new statements by Lukashenko

The head of state accused Washington of preparing a "Belarusian liberation army" and reiterated Minsk's readiness to "defend its country"

Transfer of US ATACMS missiles to Ukraine cannot be justified — Russian ambassador

"Neither these missiles nor other weapons can help defeat the Russian Federation," Anatoly Antonov said

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Swiss conference on Ukraine undermines European security — Russian diplomat

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SCO expects Belarus to join the organization very soon — Shoigu

The Russian defense chief is certain that "this is an important moment in strengthening security in the SCO space"

Russia to hold next international security meeting in 2025 — top security official

The date and location will be announced later

Fatah accuses Hamas of actions that led to Israeli control of Gaza — report

Fatah also said Hamas is currently seeking to become part of the Palestine Liberation Organization, but is doing this "only to preserve itself and survive"

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"The catastrophe in Gaza proves once again that the inability of the Palestinian people to implement their legitimate national rights is the root of the Palestinian-Israeli contradictions and the essence of the Middle East issue," Wang Yi stressed

Polish leader cautions NATO allies against provoking Russia

Andrzej Duda slammed the reported instances of Russian missiles entering Poland's airspace as "a Russian provocation"

Ukrainian army strikes own surrendering soldiers — POW

Andrey Babenko said that after a crash course in Britain he had been sent to the frontline near Liman

US incapable of replicating Cold War-era arms race — Valdai club expert

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TASS, SMI2 to launch positive content aggregator on Internet

Positive agenda promotion mechanisms should appear in Russia, SMI2 CEO Yury Belousov said

Senior security official points to rising tensions on Belarus’ western border

Tensions "have reached a peak where the slightest imbalance can lead either to a serious, high-profile and large-scale provocation or a conflict," Pavel Muraveiko stressed

Russian cosmonauts begin first spacewalk in 2024

Oleg Kononenko and Nikolay Chub are expected to spend 6 hours and 52 minutes outside the orbital outpost

FSB nabs Neo-Nazi group members in Volgograd Region plotting high-profile terror act

During the questioning, the detainees gave confessionary evidence that sharing the ideas of racial and religious supremacy, they established contact with the ringleaders of the pro-Ukrainian terrorist organization

Crocus City Hall attack funded using cryptocurrency, Russian finance watchdog says

Russia’s Federal Financial Monitoring Service head added that the act of terrorism was intricately planned and it took an international network of conspirators to carry it out

Right to secession from USSR was ‘time bomb’ under its statehood — Putin

The text of the Declaration of the Creation of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the subsequent 1924 USSR Constitution contained the right of free secession from the Union, the Russian President pointed out

Iran calls on BRICS states to facilitate ceasefire in Gaza Strip

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani called for a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza

IAEA chief to have working contacts with Rosatom, no meeting with Putin is planned

Rafael Grossi may visit Russia in late May

Hungary sees Ukraine conflict entering new phase, NATO involvement rising

According to the minister Gergely Gulyas, the North Atlantic Alliance "wants to provide financial assistance, as well as supply weapons and train Ukrainian soldiers"

Ukraine could send special forces to capture Zaporozhye NPP — politician

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Pelosi's remarks about US protesters undemocratic, Russian diplomat says

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Ukraine had to negotiate agreements with Russia with ‘three masters’ — Russian envoy

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Ukraine turns into testing ground for future world order, says Belarus president

"The largest nuclear powers, albeit indirectly, are actually fighting on Ukrainian territory. And not indirectly," the president of Belarus noted

Serial production of missiles for S-500 air defense systems begins in Russia — source

State trials of S-500 are under way at a testing range in southern Russia

SCO should unite against foreign attempts to trigger revolutions — Shoigu

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Armenian police arrests people protesting against demarcation with Azerbaijan

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Positive trends in Russian economy become stronger — Putin

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ATACMS shipment proves ‘Zelensky’s formula’ needed in US as ‘smoke and mirrors’ — diplomat

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Russia ready to cooperate with all interested partners to ensure security — Putin

The Russian leader expressed confidence that the the 12th International Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues "will bolster cooperation for the mutual benefit of our countries and peoples"

West again tried to obstruct international security meeting in Russia — security official

According to Nikolay Patrushev, some representatives planned to attend the meeting, but later succumbed to pressure and refused

Press review: NATO flexes muscles near Russian border and South China Sea runs hot

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, April 24th

Potential nuclear facilities in Poland to be military target for Russia — senior diplomat

According to Sergey Ryabkov, discussions around the deployment of NATO nuclear facilities in Poland are an "unfolding story"

Kremlin vows to resolve situation with Turkish Airlines refusing service to Russians

Russia has "very constructive and friendly relations" with Turkey, Dmitry Peskov stressed

US-oriented structures try to reformat security system in Asia-Pacific region

Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu underlined that this is being done by strengthening "military-political structures such as QUAD, AUKUS and the US-Japan-Philippines triad"

Ukrainian opposition demands parliament speaker's resignation over pro-Hitler remarks

The speaker’s shocking remarks sparked outrage among the public

North Korea tests multiple rocket launchers produced at new defense enterprise

Country’s leader Kim Jong Un said the systems feature advanced technologies and "will contribute to strategic changes in the process of strengthening the artillery forces."

Putin vows maximal predictability for doing business in Russia

The President ordered to expand the public finance planning level to cover six instead of three years

Kiev may use ATACMS missiles to hit Crimean Bridge — Russian defense ministry official

Russian military will do its utmost to repel such attacks, Apty Alaudinov said

NATO bears direct responsibility for Ukraine crisis — Chinese Foreign Ministry

Spokesman Wang Wenbin stressed that China was not providing weapons to the conflicting parties and strictly controlled dual-use goods, including the export of drones

Press review: Belarus' new national security strategy and Russia, US butt heads at UN

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, April 26th

US nukes in Poland to become target for Russia should confrontation with NATO occur — MFA

"The impression is that Warsaw is maniacally seeking to attract even more attention from military planners in the Russian General Staff," Maria Zakharova added

Unemployment rate in Russia remains less than 3% — Putin

The unemployment rate went down in regions and settlements where it was historically high, the head of state stressed

Moscow, Minsk pushing for peace even as 'war in the air' — Belarusian official

Pavel Muraveiko stressed that "the leaders of Belarus and Russia are doing everything possible and impossible to ensure peace and security on western borders"

Reinforced Ukrainian battlegroup fails to break through Russian defenses in DPR — expert

Andrey Marochko added that the Ukrainians have also intensified artillery and drone attacks at Russian positions