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Putin says he plans to meet with his election rivals

The meeting is scheduled for March 18

MOSCOW, March 18. /TASS/. Russian presidential race frontrunner and incumbent President Vladimir Putin said he planned to meet with other presidential candidates on Monday.

"A meeting with all presidential candidates is scheduled for tomorrow," Putin told reporters at his campaign office.

With 95.08% of ballots counted, Russia’s incumbent president, Vladimir Putin, leads the 2024 presidential race with 87.32%, according to the Russian Central Election Commission. Communist Party candidate Nikolay Kharitonov is the runner-up with 4.28%, followed by the New People party candidate Vladislav Davankov with 3.85%. LDPR candidate Leonid Slutsky is fourth, garnering 3.15%.

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Vladimir Putin Russia's domestic policy

Russian PM Mishustin proposes Denis Manturov as his first deputy

During the State Duma’s debate on the candidacy for prime minister, the lawmakers proposed to promote the industry sector supervisor to first deputy prime minister

Gas supply by Gazprom for Europe through Ukraine totals 42.4 mcm via Sudzha

The nomination for the Sokhranovka gas pumping station has been rejected

Russian envoy vows both mirror, asymmetrical response to provocations by Baltic states

According to Sergey Belyaev, diplomatic relations with the three Baltic states have been downgraded to a charge d’affaires level

At least 3 killed in Ukrainian strike at fuel depot in Rovenki, LPR

According to LPR Head Leonid Pasechnik, the Ukrainian forces opened fire at the city of Rovenki, causing fire at the local fuel depot and damaging several houses

Israel and Russia double number of flights for spring and summer — ambassador to Moscow

Tourist flow between the countries is not high for a number of reasons, Simona Halperin said

US veteran says Soviet Union turned the tide of World War II

Frank Cohn said the people that refuse to do justice to the Soviet role in the war simply don't understand what was going on

Russia to bring peace to Donbass — Putin

The Russian president highlighted the fact that entire Russia supports the residents of Donbass while over the years of blockade, the people of Donbass have confirmed their will to be together with Russia

Putin approves structure of new government

According to his decree, the distribution of authority between deputy prime ministers has changed

China supports Serbia in defending its sovereignty on Kosovo issue — Xi

Xi Jinping is on a state visit to Serbia on May 7-8

London refuses to engage with Moscow on Skripals — senior Russian diplomat

According to Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Second European Department Sergey Belyaev, the Russian Embassy in London has sent over 60 written inquiries to the UK Foreign Office since the provocation in March 2018

British national dies of wounds in Gaza, says Hamas

One of the hostages, a 51-year-old man "who was of a British national, died of wounds sustained in an attack by an Israeli aircraft on the location where he was being held"

Russian government done a lot in difficult conditions — Putin on Mishustin’s candidacy

Putin added that he hopes that parliamentarians will support his choice

Residential building partially collapses in Russia’s Komi Region

The press service told TASS that 14 people had been evacuated which is everyone who was present in the building at the time of the collapse

Three people killed, eight wounded in Ukrainian shelling of Donetsk restaurant — official

According to the DPR head, among the injured people was a child

FACTBOX: What is known about string of blasts at Ukraine’s power facilities

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the strikes were carried out with drones as well as sea-and air-launched precision weapons, including Kinzhal hypersonic ballistic missiles

UK announces expulsion of Russian defense attache, new diplomatic visa restrictions

According to Home Secretary James Cleverly, this is a message to Moscow in response to its actions allegedly aimed at undermining British assistance to Ukraine

Residents in DPR, LPR commemorate vote in favor of independence

To commemorate the vote, a decision was made to set May 11 as DPR Day and May 12 as LPR Day

Actions by Finland, Sweden pose increasing threats to Russia’s security — diplomat

Sergey Belyaev said that Moscow is closely watching the integration of Finland and Sweden to the military bloc

State Duma approves Mikhail Mishustin as Chairman of Russian Government

Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin thanked State Duma lawmakers for approving his candidacy for the prime minister’s office

IIHF implements 24-month ban on international transfers by CSKA Hockey Club

The ban is imposed from the day the original one-year transfer ban concludes

Ukrainian troops shell DPR 14 times over 24 hours, killing two civilians

The mission said that overall, the adversary fired 39 rounds of various munitions

ISS orbit not to be adjusted over solar flares, subsequent geomagnetic storm

The Institute of Applied Geophysics told TASS that the geomagnetic storm on Earth has intensified from the G3 (strong) to G4 (severe) level

Ukrainian army loses up to 160 troops in Battlegroup East responsibility zone

The military agency added that Ukrainian losses included two armored fighting vehicles, five motor vehicles, a Grad multiple launch rocket system combat vehicle, a self-propelled artillery system and three howitzers

UN General Assembly recommends Security Council consider making Palestine UN member state

The resolution was supported by 143 states; 9 states, including Argentina, Hungary, Israel, the US and the Czech Republic, voted against; 25 states abstained

Russia to restore peace in Donbass regardless of Zelensky’s attempts — MFA

Russia will bring back the long-awaited peace and will solve the most complex tasks, Maria Zakharova said

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 didn’t invite officials from unfriendly countries to victory parade, diplomat says

Maria Zakharova said veteran organizations in unfriendly countries weren’t affected by the decision not to invite officials

Russia welcomes 16 new foreign brands in 2023

The majority of new foreign companies on the Russian market this year are Turkish brands of clothing, footwear and household products

Russia knows how to deal with Ukrainian drones — Putin

The Russian leader noted that those tasks that until recently were solved exclusively with the help of aviation systems are now being solved with small means, but with great effect

Aerospace Forces receive new Su-35S fighters

Su-35S have passed ground and flight trials and flew from Komsomolsk-on-Amur to the deployment airfield

Hungary supports Chinese peace plan on Ukraine — Orban

Hungary urges for an immediate ceasefire and peace talks, the prime minister said

Israel has no plans to introduce Russian Mir payment cards — ambassador

Israeli Ambassador to Russia Simona Halperin said said that Israel works with the international SWIFT system

Gazprom gas supplies to Europe through Ukraine reach 42.4 mln cubic meters

The transit line through Ukraine remains the only route to supply Russian gas to western and central European countries

Twelve Vampire missiles destroyed over Russia’s Belgorod Region

The on-duty air defenses destroyed 12 missiles over the Belgorod Region

Driver lost control of vehicle resulting in bus crash in St. Petersburg — report

Representatives of the company and the committee management were sent to the scene of the accident

Macron denies death of French troops in Ukraine out of fear of protests — SVR head

According to Sergey Naryshkin, the French Army is "visibly concerned" over the growing number of French citizens killed in Ukraine

Russia’s 6th-generation fighter jet to get lasers capable of burning missile homing heads

In addition to electromagnetic guns, the Russian sixth-generation fighter jet will also get guided electronic munitions

Four residential blocks catch fire as Ukrainian attack hits oil depot in LPR

Presumably, US-supplied cluster warhead ATACMS missiles had been fired on Rovenki, LPR Head Leonid Pasechnik wrote on his Telegram channel

Putin re-appoints Mishustin as Prime Minister of Russia

The decree enters into effect since the day of signing

Russian diplomat slams Western ambassador for being absent from Putin’s inauguration

Maria Zakharova also asked a rhetorical question about what these countries’ new ambassadors would do when they have to hand over their credentials to the president

Eight civilians injured as several aerial targets downed over Belgorod

Five of the injured people have been taken to hospital,Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor of the region said

Zelensky cannot be legitimate president after May 21 — Medvedchuk

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

Russia’s Battlegroup West destroys Ukrainian armored vehicles, M777 howitzer

Crews manning the Msta-SM2 self-propelled artillery system from the 1st Guard Tank Army also destroyed a manpower, the Russian Defense Ministry reported

Europeans go for broke seeing risk of collapse for Kiev in special op situation — Kremlin

According to Peskov, currently, "the moment is crucial."

Russia’s top brass mulls arming military pilots with PP-2000 submachine gun

A more compact PP-2000 submachine gun is meant to replace the Kalashnikov AKS-74U assault rifle

Cuba thanks EAEU countries for support amid US blockade — president

We are a small country, which has been under the [US] economic, trade and financial blockade for more than 60 years, Miguel Diaz-Canel said

Presence of French-speaking mercenaries identified in 20 cases in Zaporozhye — politician

Ethnic Poles and Georgians account for the largest groups of mercenaries in the Ukrainian army

Russia's largest hydroelectric plant: five years after the accident

The dam in Russia’s Siberia suffered an industrial disaster on August 17, 2009

Russian military fights Nazi followers in special military operation — Shoigu

He stressed that during the war, the qualities of a multinational people were revealed — its strength and fortitude, incredible mutual support, and a commitment to fight for the ideas of justice and humanism

Medvedev warns that Russia’s default may entail Europe’s default

Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council added that the European Union’s financial system is not very stable and people are losing confidence

US State Department approves possible sale of three HIMARS systems to Ukraine

The cost of multiple rocket launchers is $30 mln, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced

Geomagnetic storm on Earth reaches extreme levels first time since 2005

The extreme level of a geomagnetic storm on Earth may trigger damage to energy systems

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Russia’s Dnepr group repels counterattack by 118th brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces

Over the week, units of the Dnepr group of troops defeated the manpower and equipment of three brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

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Putin confident in Russia’s victory in special military operation

The Russian people show their best qualities in difficult moments, their courage and heroism, which is confirmed by the special military operation, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a meeting with military on May 7, following the inauguration ceremony

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According to Frank Cohn, life would never be the same in the event of a global military conflict

Russian sniper reports elimination of Ukrainian serviceman wearing helmet with SS emblem

He specified that his group took the helmet as proof of the elimination

Israel supports families of 9 killed Russian IDF servicemen — envoy

The embassy noted that there are many Russians with double citizenship currently enlisted in the IDF

Lukashenko dismisses Chairman of General Staff of Belarusian Armed Forces

According to the press office, Gulevich was discharged due to retirement age, with a right to wear military uniform and rank badges

Russian defense ministry reports losses among Russian troops during special operation

Konashenkov also said that several Russian soldiers have been taken prisoner

French tired of supporting Ukraine — war correspondent

Christelle Nahan noted that people were tired of the fact that there was not enough money for the development of infrastructure, hospitals and schools, for pensions and benefits for children

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Ukrainians actively using British weapons to strike Russian regions, diplomat says

"According to the English themselves, since 2022, London has already donated around 7.1 bln pounds for Ukraine’s defense purposes," Sergey Belyaev said

Pashinyan remains silent over opposition’s demand for his resignation within one hour

Neither the government’s press office nor Pashinyan himself have somehow responded to the opposition’s demands yet

Russian forces hit Ukrainian points of deployment and equipment at railway stations

Тhe Russian Ministry of Defense noted that "air defense systems, arsenals, fuel depots, workshops for the production and repair of unmanned boats and UAVs, temporary deployment points for foreign mercenaries

White House claims Russian forces started offensive on Kharkov

" We’ve been coordinating closely with Ukraine to help them prepare", John Kirby said

Kazakhstan purchases around 280 mln kWh of electricity from Russia in 2024

Minister of Energy of Kazakhstan Almasadam Satqaliev added that the price of electricity varies depending on the time of day

Trump sees Biden willing to stop all aid to Israel soon

Earlier, former US President said that the Democratic Party actually hates Israel

Ukraine turns into self-imposed pariah over past ten years — diplomat

Ten years have gone by and nowadays it is obvious to everyone that the people of Donbass made the right choice then and defended it on the battlefield, said Maria Zakharova

Fire extinguished following Ukrainian attack on oil depot in LPR

The staff of the Russian Emergencies Ministry eliminated 18 blazes

Efforts to distort World War II events grow over the world — ambassador

The diplomat noted that he believes it's everyone's duty to tell the younger generation the historical truth about the events of World War II

Russia, US to straighten out relations despite difficulties — US WWII veteran

The veteran answered in the negative to a question as to whether the US-Russian ties had been ruptured for good

Russian PM Mishustin proposes Denis Manturov as his first deputy

During the State Duma’s debate on the candidacy for prime minister, the lawmakers proposed to promote the industry sector supervisor to first deputy prime minister

Putin submits Mishustin's candidacy for post of prime minister to State Duma

State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin recalled that the State Duma "for the first time in the history of modern Russia will form the line-up of the government: approve the chairman of the government, his deputies, and federal ministers"

At least 90,000 soldiers attend Victory Day celebrations across Russia

Celebrations marking have been held in over 300 cities and towns across Russia

Ukrainian nationalists financed by US, Britain after WWII — declassified archives

In particular, Ukrainian nationalists carried out terrorist acts in small groups of 3-5 members and sometimes engaged in individual terrorism

Putin describes attempts to ban Ukrainian language and culture as unjust

The head of state noted that about three mln Ukrainians permanently resided in Russia

Volunteers from Turkey join Zaporozhye Region’s Sudoplatov battalion

When asked about the potential reaction of Turkish authorities, another volunteer, code name 'Laz' noted that Turkey and Russia have good relations, so he believes that Ankara will take this decision "well"

Belarus, Russia conduct tactical nuke drills amid current situation — Lukashenko

"An escalation is ongoing," the president said

Medvedev gives warning amid talk of deploying Western troops to Ukraine

According to the politician, the cause of the discussion on dispatching Western troops to Ukraine, launched by French President Emmanuel Macron, is a "shameless calculation for political bonus points"

Relations with Russia are really important for Israel — Ambassador to Moscow

Dialogue between Israel and Russia is important, including on those topics where the parties "absolutely disagree," Simona Halperin said

Putin shows West dialogue on security issues is possible — ambassador

Antonov said that during his inaugural speech, President Putin gave a clear message to Western powers

Hungary, China ink 16 cooperation agreements, including on nuclear energy

The cooperation agreements tackle such fields as investment, energy, trade, finance, customs control, agriculture, tourism, science, culture and media

Russia does not accept US policy to limit Cuba’s development — Putin

According Russian President, the Cuban people have been fighting this for decades and they are confident

Russia’s Battlegroup East strikes Ukrainians near Staromayorskoye in DPR

According to Spokesman Alexander Gordeyev, the Ukrainians lost roughly 50 troops

Israeli army attacking Rafah in southern Gaza — media

Lebanon’s Al Mayadeen television said the Israeli air force is also delivering airstrikes at Khan Younis

Death toll in Ukrainian strike on LPR oil depot climbs

At this time, 15 people have been affected by the catastrophe at the Rovenki oil depot

Air defenses down 21 Vampire rockets, nine drones over Russia’s Belgorod Region

Also, seven UAVs were intercepted and destroyed over the Kursk and Volgograd regions, tthe Russian Defense Ministry added

Russia mulls developing vertical take-off fighter jets for new aircraft carrier

"We are discussing this with our aircraft-building companies," Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov said

Mishustin plans to increase volume of non-resource, non-energy exports by 2/3

The Russian government will increase the attractiveness of Russian jurisdiction for business, acting Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin

New US arms shipment to Ukraine a reaction to Russia’s success at frontline — envoy

Anatoly Antonov also castigated the US administration for shrugging off responsibility for Ukrainian attacks at civilian facilities in Russia with the use of weapons being supplied from the United States

Pentagon awards $332 mln contract to produce GMLRS

The estimated completion date is October 20, 2027, the US Department of Defense added

Death toll of bus crash in St. Petersburg rises to 7

A passenger bus fell into the river in downtown St. Petersburg earlier on May 10

Russian paratroopers thwart attempt by Ukrainian troops to cross Dnieper — ministry

The coordinates of the targets were transmitted to the group’s artillerymen, who hit the infantry positions and also destroyed the Ukrainian armed forces’ boats

Polish PM says NATO troops are in Ukraine

Polish prime minister emphasized that NATO’s direct engagement in the military conflict in Ukraine must be avoided

Putin awards Soviet WWII veterans in Israel lifetime benefits

According to Israel’s Ministry of Immigrant Absorption, some 10,000 veterans of the Second World War live in the country

Hungary views China as pillar of multipolar world — Orban

Hungarian prime minister recalled that Hungary has always adhered to the ‘one China’ principle

Russia has no territorial claims to Poland, Latvia or other countries — Putin

The President assured that Russia can use military force against Poland "only in one case, if Poland attacks Russia"

Russia pre-emptively plans intermediate-range missile sites to counter US moves — diplomat

Correspondingly, specialists are carrying out preliminary pre-emptive planning, Sergey Ryabkov said

Aurus Merlon electric motorcycle available for pre-order — acting Deputy PM

The Aurus Merlon made its public debut at the inauguration of the Russian President