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Anti-Russian sanctions

German authorities freeze Russian assets worth 4.8 bln euros — Spiegel

Of this amount, sums of money account for more than 2.2 billion euros and movable property accounts for more than 1 billion euros

BERLIN, September 21. /TASS/. The German authorities froze Russian assets to the tune of over 4.8 billion euros as of September 16 as part of the sanctions, the Spiegel publication reported on Wednesday citing the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action.

Of this amount, sums of money account for more than 2.2 billion euros and movable property accounts for more than 1 billion euros. The rest is real estate and "other assets".

In July, the frozen assets amounted to 4.5 billion euros. According to the publication, the German government, within the Ministry of Economic Affairs, set up a special working group to combat the circumvention of sanctions. The ministry explains that commercial banks, insurance companies and other economic entities are responsible for blocking assets as part of the relevant decision of the European Union. The ministry notes that, despite the difficulties in enforcing the sanctions regime, these measures "significantly harm the Russian economy."

In addition, it is proposed to create a separate Federal Central Authority for the implementation of sanctions, clarify the procedure for investigating assets and create an appropriate register.

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Sanctions vs. Russia

Staff shortage cannot be covered by labor migration — Putin

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

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

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According to the report, "the danger of Japan's participation in AUKUS is making the whole international community tense, not to mention the regional countries"

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"Today, 20-30 reconnaissance planes fly in the airspace of the Baltic states and Poland weekly," Pavel Muraveiko added

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Armenian police arrests people protesting against demarcation with Azerbaijan

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Ukraine exhausted, needs constant money flow from outside — defense official

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Belarusian KGB reports thwarting attempted drone strikes on Minsk from Lithuania

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Viktor Khrenin emphasized that provocations by Western countries could become a catalyst for unleashing a military conflict

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Maria Zakharova pointed out that Russia reaffirms its "strict commitment" to the international legal obligations under space law

Ukrainian army strikes own surrendering soldiers — POW

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"The fact that ATACMS long-range missiles were financed is very dangerous," the Belarusian president noted

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Men of conscription age try to leave the country in every possible way, often putting their lives at risk

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Khalil al-Hayya said that Hamas would like to see "a fully sovereign Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and the return of Palestinian refugees in accordance with the international resolutions"

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Ukrainian army short about 150,000-200,000 troops, says Polish general

Waldemar Skrzypczak also said it was "a matter of hours" until Kiev received the weapons allocated by the US as part of its latest military aid package

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Court in Cyprus rules to extradite Russian national Petrov to US

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White House alleges that Russia working on satellite carrying nuclear device

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

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

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

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Radicals, intel services behind terror attacks in various countries, says Putin

The tactics employed by these criminals are becoming increasingly complex and barbaric, the Russian leader pointed out

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Russian court arrests in absentia four foreign agents charged with terrorism

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Global community changing tune about how Ukraine conflict started — security official

According to Nikolay Patrushev, these countries "understand perfectly well who is financing" the Kiev regime

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 Foreign Ministry denies report of consular services ban abroad

"The ministry's detailed commentary on this outright piece of disinformation will follow in a short while," the Consular Department said

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

"I think that Beijing understands this perfectly well and will not even pretend being ready to reach any agreements with the Americans to the detriment of Russia’s interests," Sergey Ryabkov said

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

Bolivarian Alliance countries stand for multipolar world — Maduro

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13 violations by US-led international coalition’s aircraft recorded in Syria

According to Major General Yury Popov, nine violations of the deconfliction protocols of December 9, 2019

Agreements on security with Iran, Myanmar, Ethiopia to come into force in 2024 — MFA

"A whole number of similar agreements with Asian, African, Middle Eastern, Latin American countries are being worked out," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin added

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

Russia’s victory in Ukraine to change course of history in Europe — von der Leyen

Ukraine "is carrying a heavy burden" for the benefit of the EU, and therefore EU member states must "provide Ukraine with means to defend themselves," European Commission president said

Ukraine says Western systems ineffective against Russia's electronic warfare

Maria Berlinskaya emphasized that the real effectiveness was determined in real combat conditions, and not at "some training ground in Texas"

Radioactive cloud from Ukraine’s eliminated munitions drifts to Europe — Security Council

"An increase in radiation levels has already been registered in Poland," Nikolay Patrushev warned

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"

Russia tasked with 'building new world' — Putin

Speaking at a plenary session of the Valdai Discussion Club, the Russian leader also highlighted "the role and responsibility" of its members

US waging hybrid war against Serbs to snuff them out for good — Republika Srpska head

"Republika Srpska comes under direct pressure and under constant US sanctions; and we are looking for ways to solve this problem," Milorad Dodik said

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

Russia dissatisfied with UN’s activity under grain deal — senior diplomat

Alexander Pankin noted that during his visit to New York he did not have any talks with UN officials on the Russian-UN memorandum

US stops hiding true purpose of sanctions on Moscow, Russian envoy says

"It’s not about any mythical aspirations to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, but about banal opportunistic and predatory ambitions," Anatoly Antonov said

Russian troops wipe out Ukrainian UAV production workshop over past day

The Russian forces improved their frontline positions and inflicted casualties on five Ukrainian army brigades in the Donetsk area over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Russia vetoes US-backed UNSC resolution on banning nuclear weapons in outer space

The resolution gained 13 votes

Russia’s top brass reports destroying US-made Hawk air defense system in Ukraine operation

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted casualties on personnel and equipment of two Ukrainian army brigades and improved its tactical position over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Ukrainian troops in Kharkov Region lift antennas with kites to get better signal

Military expert Andrey Marochko speculated that the Ukrainian army had to resort to this tactic because the TV tower in Kharkov was damaged

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

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

Russian defense minister dismisses his deputy Ivanov

Timur Ivanov was removed from the office of deputy defense minister of the Russian Federation of the federal government’s civil service

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"