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PUTIN'S Q&A SESSION

Putin says no to liberalizing drug laws

About 26% of those serving out prison sentences in the country were convicted under drug laws, the president noted

© Alexei Nikolsky/Russian Presidential Press and Information Office/TASS

MOSCOW, June 20. /TASS/. There is no need to liberalize laws related to the transport, storage and distribution of drugs, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at his annual televised Q&A session on Thursday.

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"Indeed, we see many indictments in drug cases. Moreover, about 26% of those serving out prison sentences in the country were convicted under drug laws," he noted. "Do we need to ease rules in this area? In my view, we don’t, because we are dealing with a great threat to our country and nation. If someone illegally transports, stores and distributes even the smallest amounts of drugs, they should be held accountable and there needs to be no liberalization," the Russian president added.

The Russian State Duma (the lower house of parliament) earlier suggested amending Article 228 of the country’s Criminal Code, mitigating punishment for the purchase and possession of large amounts of drugs without intention to resell them so that drug addicts could escape getting the same sentence as drug dealers.

Military operation in Ukraine

Russian ministry puts Ukrainian lawmaker Nalivaichenko on wanted persons list

Investigators determined that the lawmaker made threats to Russian servicemen participating in the special military operation during one of his appearances on Ukrainian television

Building housing offices, production lines catches fire in Moscow

The flames are covering an area of 2,500 square meters

Northern Sea Route emerges as key logistics channel amid Middle Eastern conflict — expert

The Middle Eastern conflict directly influences global supply flows, Alexey Fadeyev said

Russian defense ministry reports losses among Russian troops during special operation

Konashenkov also said that several Russian soldiers have been taken prisoner

Unaware of decline of its military industry US gets trapped in Ukraine — French historian

Emmanuel Todd believes that "one of Washington's goals is to prevent a rapprochement between Russia and Germany"

Putin to talk global security issues on visit to China — Kremlin

"Both international and regional security issues will be mentioned and touched upon one way or another," Dmitry Peskov said

Italian-Russian Chamber of Commerce suspends ruble payment mechanism

The mechanism of paying in rubles for Italian goods not covered by sanctions was launched by the Chamber for its members in the test mode in February

US mercenaries let their fighting skills 'atrophy,' one of them says after trip to Ukraine

It is reported that a lot of Western soldiers struggle in Ukraine as things were not as they had expected

Russia not to take part in any events on 'Zelensky's formula' — Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova emphasized that Switzerland cannot serve as a platform for a settlement dialogue

Russian forces strike Ukraine’s Operational Command South headquarters

The enemy’s troops and military hardware had been hit in 112 districts

Half of Avdeyevka’s territory cleared of explosives — newspaper

"We begin by talking to civilians and asking whether they came across anything unexploded," said the commander, identified by only his call sign Panda

Zelenodolsk shipyard to float missile, patrol ships on May 7

Project 22800 ships with Kalibr missiles are brown-water multirole missile-artillery boats designed to destroy surface warships and boats and repel air attacks

New Russian combat equipment in 2024

Kiev troops face 'two-week difficult situation' near Chasov Yar in DPR — journalist

Kirill Sazonov noted that the situation is difficult for Ukrainian troops and especially dangerous on the flanks with roads leading to the city under constant fire

Zelensky’s legitimacy to be soon called in question — Kremlin spokesman

According to Dmitry Peskov, it will be done from the legal point of view in any case

Russian, UAE officials discuss situation in Israeli-Palestinian conflict zone

According to the report, the sides also discussed key issues of further development of multidimensional cooperation between Russia and the UAE

Turkey does not intend to transfer S-400 to any country — defense minister

Britain and Spain are not against the sale of fighter jets to Ankara, while Germany, as a member of the consortium that produces the Eurofighter, has not yet approved the deal

Russian tennis player Daniil Medvedev retires from quarterfinal with injury

The match ended 6-4 in favor of the Czech tennis player

Turkey to continue efforts for Black Sea to remain calm — defense minister

Turkey strictly complies with the Montreux Convention by not allowing warships into the Black Sea

Eight Syrian servicemen wounded in Israeli strike on Damascus — SANA

Al Hadath channel said the attack targeted a base of Lebanon’s Shia militia, Hezbollah, located southwest of Damascus International Airport

TikTok again restricts app operation in Russia

TikTok has earlier become fully accessible for users of iOS and Android mobile operation systems in Russia

Soros family makes deal with Kiev to use Ukrainian land as toxic waste dump — journalist

"This agreement authorizes the disposal of chemical waste from companies linked with financier George Soros in the black soil of Ukraine," he said

Delo Group Terminal sets record by processing 1 mln tons of grain in April

The previous monthly record was set in February 2024 when KSK processed 900,010 tons of grain, the group noted

Ban on Russian uranium supplies to have negative effect on US economy — investor

"It will be very hard to replace such volumes within a very short period of time," Navigator Principal Investors CEO Kyle Shostak said

Russian troops liberate Berdychi community in DPR over past day — top brass

Russian troops inflicted casualties on four Ukrainian army brigades in the Kherson area over the past day, the ministry reported

Kalashnikov ups firearms output 9% in first quarter

The company also upped civilian output 50% in the first quarter

Donetsk official says Ukrainian troops left positions near Arkhangelskoye

Igor Kimakovsky also said Ukrainian troops suffered heavy losses at this section of the front

Cocoa beans prices plummeting on mercantile exchanges

The price weakening process has started recently because many companies halted procurements, the experts said

Press review: China to weather US storm and ATACMS not 'wonder weapons'

Top stories from the Russian press on Saturday, April 27th

Wounded Ukrainian soldiers have to pay ambulances to take them to hospital — US expert

The ex-Pentagon adviser Douglas Macgregor also noted the continued Russian advance on the front line

ICRC says two staffers killed in Sudan

"They must never be directly attacked," the organization said

Kiev confirms that Biden administration sponsors terrorism — Russian diplomat

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman noted remarks by Chief of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry’s Main Intelligence Directorate who asserted that Ukraine had been and would be killing Russians "anywhere on the face of this world until the complete victory of Ukraine"

Russian tourist flow to Uzbekistan grows tenfold in four years — ministry

According to the ministry, Uzbek tourists' interest in Russia is also on the rise

Solar storm reaches Earth earlier than planned — scientists

Powerful solar flares were registered on April 30 and May 1

Zelensky cannot be legitimate president after May 21 — Medvedchuk

"Ukraine has already lost its statehood," leader of the Other Ukraine movement said

T Plus reports electricity generation up 6.5% in Q1 2024

Higher electricity generation was driven by the increase in heat distribution in the first quarter of 2024 because of the cold weather against the like period in 2023, the company said

Hypocrites in US ignore Kiev's crackdown on Orthodox Church — Russian embassy

Instead of condemning Kiev's illegal actions such pseudo-activists are pointing to Russia’s special military operation as an excuse

Reuters again publishes its previously withdrawn Cameron’s interview

According to the news agency, the publication was withdrawn to review some of its details, and the news agency promised to publish the new version in due time

Paris, London should reflect on need for tactical nuclear weapons — Macron

The French leader also emphasized that the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons was in the interests of the whole of Europe and the world

Azerbaijan’s president points to highest level of cooperation with Russia

Speaking of his recent visit to Russia, Ilham Aliyev stressed that it had been "very productive" and "once again demonstrated the strategic nature of allied relations" between the two countries

Retaking Chasov Yar is just a matter of time for Russia — Ukrainian intelligence

Vadim Skibitsky admitted that the Russian forces now operate as a "single body, with a clear plan, and under a single command"

Russian flag hoisted over northern outskirts of Rabotino in Zaporozhye — politician

Rogov remarked that there were no houses left in the village now, for which reason it made no sense to fortify positions there

Mongolia to enter into free trade agreement with EAEU by year-end

Counsellor Delgertsetseg Unubilegt noted that Mongolia and Russia have "a rich history of solidarity and cooperation," though the countries "are under great influence of political and social factors"

New car sales in Russia soaring by 71% in 4M 2024 — Ministry of Industry

Sales of cars surged by 84% to 465,000 units in the reporting period

Georgian protestors block traffic via Kura River embankment

No vehicles are allowed to pass, except for ambulances

Europe facing 'triple existential risk,' Macron warns

According to the French leader, "a new geopolitical, economic and societal paradigm for Europe" is needed to address these challenges

US fails to shoot down Iranian missiles, drones in strike on Israel — IRGC general

Ali Belali described Iranian weapons as "an important factor of strength and the exercise of power in the world"

Latvia must name countries that allow Ukraine to hit Russia — MFA

In this way Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova commented on a statement by the Latvian Foreign Ministry that Kiev had already received from some partners Western weapons with permission to use them for strikes on Russian territory

Around 40% of US voters see possibility of civil war in their country — survey

The survey also found that 37% of voters believe another civil war is more likely to happen if incumbent President Joe Biden is re-elected

Russian, Algerian officials discuss situation in Sahara-Sahel Region — MFA

According to the department, the sides also "reviewed the current situation in the Sahara-Sahel Region with a focus on further coordination of efforts in order to promptly establish a constructive political dialogue"

Russia urges partners not to take part in conference on Ukraine in Switzerland — diplomat

Bern had invited more than 160 delegations to the conference on Ukraine

Exhibition of captured NATO military hardware kicks off in Moscow

In all, there are 32 items

Ukraine talks without Russia's participation not aimed at result — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov pointed out that Russia's position on the peace talks is well known

Russian forces use Kornet anti-tank system to hit heavy Ukrainian drone

According to the Russian defense ministry, man-portable anti-tank missile systems are widely used in coordination with drone operators to hit the enemy positions

French politician demands Macron drop plans to send troops to Ukraine

The French president said earlier in an interview with The Economist that sending troops to Ukraine could be considered based on Kiev’s request if Russian forces broke through the front lines

US seeking to throw Balts, Poles, Germans, French ‘into fire of war’ — Medvedchuk

"They are clearing the way for this, since the Ukrainians are running out while the scheme of turning their deaths into America’s profits is waiting for new victims," leader of the Other Ukraine movement said

Russia making incremental progress in special operation — US intelligence official

Avril Haines said the supplies accelerated a "reconstitution of Russia's military strength" after a "costly" start of the country’s special military operation

French president doesn’t rule out sending troops to Ukraine if Russia breaks front lines

Emmanuel Macron pointed out that "many countries understood" Paris’s approach and agreed "that this position was a good thing"

Modern weapons make up 82% in Russian air defense troops — Shoigu

"The Kiev regime has failed to achieve the goals of its counteroffensive prepared by NATO instructors," the defense minister said

Republika Srpska president praises Moscow-Banja Luka relations, favors strengthening them

Milorad Dodik also touched upon the topic of sanctions mentioned by Patrushev earlier

Price of gas for Moldova from EU to decrease by €119 per 1,000 cubic meters in May

In 2022, Gazprom, which was previously the only gas supplier to the republic, reduced its daily supply by 30%

US Congress passes bill to ban enriched uranium imports from Russia

It now needs to be signed by US President Joe Biden

Georgian authorities decline invitation to visit US to discuss partnership — ambassador

Robin Dunnigan also pointed out that the United States urges the Georgian government to "recommit the country to its Euro-Atlantic future, as written in Georgia’s constitution"

EU eyeing response to Russian decision on assets of Italian, German companies

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree earlier, whereby 100% of participation interests in the Russian entity of Ariston and the Russian entity of BSH Hausgerate are transferred to be managed by Gazprom Butovye Systemy company

Turkish ministry confirms halting trade with Israel

Turkey's trade sanctions will remain in force until Israel declares a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip

Court hearing on Gazprom Export lawsuit against Czech CEZ scheduled for May 24

It was reported in February 2023 that Czech energy company CEZ (70% of shares owned by the state) had initiated an arbitration worth $45 mln against Gazprom Export due to a gas shortfall in 2022

Turkish parliament passes bill on LNG sales as part of gas hub project — TV

The bill was submitted to parliament in January

Officials request aircraft to help put out fire in Moscow building

Two traffic police crews have also been asked to be dispatched to the scene

This week in photos: Putin-Shoigu taiga tour, tending goats and online study, lava franks

Take a look at the world in pictures from a TASS photo gallery

Russian Defense Minister attends meeting on special military operation

Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu gave instructions to take measures to reduce the maintenance and repair time for military hardware, increasing supplies of spare parts in combat zones and support areas

Raiffeisen to drop Strabag stake purchase if deal breaches sanctions

In December 2023, Raiffeisen announced its plans to buy from Rasperia Trading Limited their stake in Strabag for 1.51 bln euro

Press review: US to ban Russian uranium and Georgia pushes ahead with controversial bill

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, May 2nd

NATO proposes $100 bln aid fund for Ukraine — top Hungarian diplomat

"In the coming weeks, during the negotiations, we will fight for Hungary’s right to stay away from this madness, from collecting these 100 billion dollars and pumping them out of Europe," Peter Szijjarto said

Range of Russian EMP weapons increased to 10 km — sources

Фn electromagnetic pulse lasts a fraction of a second and reaches the target almost immediately, travelling with the speed of light

Russia calls for investigating mass graves in Gaza — Russian diplomat

"An independent international investigation in needed to bring the criminals to responsibility," Vasily Nebenzya said

NORAD tracks four Russian military planes off Alaska — statement

"This Russian activity in the Alaska ADIZ occurs regularly and is not seen as a threat," the statement says

Death toll in China highway collapse climbs

At least 24 people were killed

Hamas to release Israeli soldiers, hostages under deal with Jerusalem — TV

The document provides for three phases, each of which will last about 40 days

No decisions in EU to send troops ‘in a direct way into Ukraine’ — Latvia’s top diplomat

"Discussions take place all the time, but again, we only can talk when the decisions are made," Baiba Braze added

Russia holds rehearsal of Victory Day air parade over Moscow

Two groups of aircraft, namely, a flight of Su-27 fighter jets, and Su-25 close support aircraft flew over Moscow’s Red Square, releasing fumes in the colors of the Russian national flag

Ukrainians to reunify with Russia in ten years — Medvedchuk

Ukraine is "genetically linked with Russia," leader of the Other Ukraine movement said

Kyrgyzstan advises citizens not to travel to Russia

According to the Kyrgyz side, so far there have been no signals about cases of mass refusal of entry to Russia "to Kyrgyz citizens from the [country’s] diplomatic mission and consular offices"

Example of Great Patriotic War veterans inspires amid current trials — Putin

President expressed hope that the festival would arouse great interest among the participants and become a bright event among the events dedicated to Victory Day

Zelensky bowing to Western pressure, ready to give Ukrainian lands away — official

"Contrary to the Ukrainians' interests, Zelensky, blindly obeying the external control of the collective West, wants to give its lands, cities and subsoil to other countries," Viktor Medvedchuk pointed out

West attempts to bury Odessa tragedy — Russian diplomat

Russian Foreign Ministry's special envoy for the crimes of the Kiev regime Rodion Miroshnik noted that the regime of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky will not conduct this investigation

NATO accuses Russia of being behind 'hybrid, malign' activities on alliance’s territories

It is reported that NATO Allies express their deep concern over Russia's hybrid actions, which constitute a threat to Allied security

Gazprom posts net loss under IFRS for 2023 amounting to $6.8 bln

The group’s EBITDA amounted to $19 bln in 2023 against $44.9 bln in the previous year

Truck runs over 29 children in Kyrgyzstan

According to preliminary information, the hit-and-run on a group of schoolchildren was unintentional

Crowd blocks traffic at key junction in Tbilisi in protest against bill on foreign agents

Groups of protestors blocked all access and exit roads leading to an elevated highway nearby, thus completely paralyzing all traffic

Sweden approves Quran-burning rally ahead of Eurovision Song Contest

In Malmo, two pro-Palestinian demonstrations are planned for May 9 and 11

Peace talks on Ukraine make no sense without Moscow — Russian Embassy

"We do not accept the language of ultimatums," the embassy stressed

Russian users having full access to TikTok

TikTok halted streaming and posting of new videos in Russia on March 6, 2022

West plans to give Kiev not only F-16s, but also weapons for them — Pentagon

"It’s not only the airplanes, but also the training of the pilots, training of the maintenance and also making sure we have the weapon systems to go with it," US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Charles Brown said

Iran used Ghadr, Emad and Kheibar missiles to strike Israel, IRGC general says

It is reported that the US believes Iran has the largest ballistic missile force in the Middle East. Iran insists that its missile program is solely for defensive purposes

Russian ministry puts Ukrainian lawmaker Nalivaichenko on wanted persons list

Investigators determined that the lawmaker made threats to Russian servicemen participating in the special military operation during one of his appearances on Ukrainian television

US, UK launch 452 strikes on Yemen since January, 40 people killed — Houthi leader

Following the escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the Gaza Strip, the Ansar Allah movement said it would strike Israeli territory and prevent ships associated with Israel from passing through the waters of the Red Sea

Ukrainian politician names those behind Odessa tragedy in interview with TASS

Viktor Medvedchuk pointed out that in a premeditated act of intimidation, the Kiev regime led by then acting Ukrainian President Alexander Turchinov burned people alive inside Odessa’s Trade Union House

Ukraine deploys reserves due to challenging situation near Ocheretino

Nazar Voloshin conceded that Russia had "certain tactical success" in the area

Russia puts top Ukrainian security official on wanted list

Secretary of the Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Alexander Litvinenko it put on wanted list on unspecified criminal charges

Ukraine’s military command throws soldiers into battle without training, says POW

The POW said that the Ukrainian army was experiencing a shortage of personnel

Operation in Rafah to have ‘devastating’ impact on Middle East — UN chief

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres recalled that more than 1.2 million people are seeking shelter in Rafah