{{dayPoint.date | date : 'd MMMM yyyy'}}

{{newsPoint.title}}

{{newsPoint.title+ ' '}}

{{newsPoint.subtitle}}

Russian upper house ratifies treaty on deepening cooperation with South Ossetia

According to the treaty, the parties plan to boost cooperation in various fields, particularly in order to pursue a coordinated foreign and defense policy, ensure socio-economic development and infrastructure growth

MOSCOW, May 20. /TASS/. Russia’s Federation Council (upper house of parliament) has ratified a treaty on deepening allied cooperation with South Ossetia.

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin submitted the document to the State Duma (lower house of parliament).

According to the treaty, which was signed in Moscow on May 9, the parties plan to boost cooperation in various fields, particularly in order to pursue a coordinated foreign and defense policy, ensure socio-economic development, and infrastructure growth. In addition, Russia and South Ossetia will harmonize legislation related to labor, social protection, and pensions, including the mutual recognition of citizens’ work experience.

The parties also intend to create favorable conditions for investors from Russia and South Ossetia, encouraging investment in infrastructure, industries, energy, and agriculture. Besides, Russia and South Ossetia aim to integrate their energy, transportation, communications, and telecommunications systems. Official documents issued by government agencies and local authorities will be recognized across both territories.

Tags

Military operation in Ukraine

Ukraine launches five attacks on DPR settlements over past day

Reports indicate that three civilians were wounded

Total victory over genocide-promoting Kiev only possible outcome of special op — Medvedev

The politician recounted that the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine said that it "has not found sufficient evidence that the actions of the Russian military in the country should be qualified as genocide"

FACTBOX: What is known about Bank of Russia vs Euroclear litigation

According to the case database, the appellate court partially upheld Pervaya Management Company's claims and ruled that Euroclear must pay it approximately 32 billion rubles

Russia to restrict flower imports from Armenia from May 22 — watchdog

The regulator clarified that the decision was made to protect Russia's phytosanitary safety and export potential

Zelensky, Europe practically hang off Trump's shoulders after Anchorage — Lavrov

They demanded that the Americans change course, the Russian foreign minister said

Armenia’s actions contradict relations with Russia, risk causing changes — senior diplomat

According to Mikhail Galuzin, Moscow had previously "conveyed its negative attitude toward such steps to the Armenian side in a completely frank and partnership-oriented manner"

Russia did not recognize Ukraine, which aspires to join NATO — top diplomat

Russia recognized Ukraine as a non-nuclear, non-bloc and neutral state, Sergey Lavrov said

Putin, Xi building world order free from Western influence — former CIA officer

Larry Johnson stressed that the visit by Vladimir Putin to Beijing underscores the seriousness of the relationship between Russia and China

China’s halt in rare earth exports forces US to negotiate — analyst

"By controlling the flow of these minerals, China effectively limits the West's ability to militarize and express its aggression against Russia," Janus Putkonen said

Bank of Russia lowers dollar exchange rate for May 21 to 70.95 rubles

The official euro exchange rate was lowered by 80.48 kopecks to 81.9823 rubles

Nine fast-neutron reactors to be built in Russia by 2042 — Rosatom

According to the statement, fast reactors with a closed fuel cycle are not just a means of increasing the efficiency of nuclear energy, but a prerequisite for its long-term existence

Iran’s new leadership agrees on no nuclear weapons — senior Russian diplomat

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov noted that the NPT provides Iran with the right to peaceful nuclear energy under IAEA supervision without any restrictions

Russia slightly exceeded OPEC+ oil output target in April, will compensate

It happened due to technical difficulties of cutting production, the Russian Energy Ministry said

Russian troops destroy German-made Gepard anti-aircraft gun in Ukraine operation

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 990 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

Development of Russia-China partnership: key Putin’s statements

Trade turnover between Russia and China has grown by more than 10% this year

Russia to respond to aggression as Kiev plans to launch drones from Latvia — intel agency

Russia’s Foreign Intelligence reported that service members from the Ukrainian army’s Unmanned Systems Forces had been deployed to Latvia to prepare attacks on Russia from the Baltic country’s territory

Russian army takes new positions near Konstantinovka — expert

Earlier, Andrey Marochko said that Russian forces are advancing near Konstantinovka, despite the Ukrainian army’s fierce resistance

Moscow heat wave breaks 129-year-old record

The previous warmest May 20 in Moscow was in 1897, when the air temperature reached 29.7 degrees Celsius

Visa-free travel, porcelain set, oil and gas: highlights of Putin's visit to China

The Russian president announced agreement on forty bilateral documents

RDIF to develop civilian space infrastructure with Chinese partners

Priority areas of the partnership include the development of commercially oriented projects, including the creation of commercial space clusters and space parks

Bank of Russia’s gold reserves in ounces fall to their lowest level since February 2022

In February 2022, the monetary gold reserves of the Bank of Russia also amounted to 73.9 million troy ounces

Chechnya head says Ukrainian forces suffer heavy losses in attacks near Soledar, Seversk

It is reported that a great deal of enemy manpower and equipment was destroyed

Chinese top diplomat calls on SCO countries to prevent color revolutions

According to the Chinese foreign minister, SCO countries can effectively maintain "the hard-won regional stability" only through joint efforts

Ukrainian counterintelligence officer supplies dozens of coordinates for Russian strikes

Sergey Mikhailov surrendered in the Zaporozhye direction. He said he does not want to return to Ukraine

Telegram founder Pavel Durov first time ranked in Fortune 40 Under 40

Durov is 25th in his debut appearance in the rating

Medvedev approves plan to refine energy-saving regulation

The full text of the document is posted at the government's official website www.government.ru

Trump says US has no plans of easing Iranian sanctions until deal is reached

Donald Trump said that he is not doing any relief until Iran signs an agreement

Technologies, quality of life to be main EEF 2026 topics — minister

Alexey Chekunkov noted that the new geopolitical realities evolve, and Russia has significance in many global processes as never before in such realities

Sarmat needs no advertising, no one else has analogues — Russian deputy foreign minister

This system allows guaranteed penetration of both existing and any missile defense systems still in the development phase, Sergey Ryabkov said

RDIF, Chinese partners to develop investments in SCO countries

The RDIF will facilitate the selection of promising projects and engage leading sovereign wealth funds as partners in their development and implementation

UK authorizes import of diesel and jet fuel produced from Russian oil from third countries

The exceptions to the sanctions rules come into force on May 20 and are of an indefinite duration

Russia’s Qiwi to sell 8 million depositary receipts in SPO

Qiwi will issue and sell 1.99 million securities, and 5.98 million securities will be sold by its shareholders

Svarog 1000 heavy-duty robotic platform to be tested in special military op

An important feature is the availability of two platform versions — one powered by gas and the other powered by diesel

US Navy's Nimitz aircraft strike group arrives in Carribean Sea — command

The carrier is accompanied by the destroyer USS Gridley and a supply ship

Merlin-VR recon drone can fly 150 km without losing signal — operator

The senior UAV crew operator noted that thanks to improved communication quality, the flight range can be increased to 260 km

UNSC to hold informal meeting on Ukraine’s incursion into Kursk Region on August 5

The topic of the Arria-formula meeting of the UN Security Council members will be "The failure of the Ukrainian army in the Kursk Region"

Interior walls of Crocus City Hall possibly decorated with flammable materials

Russian law enforcement bodies said all reports, documents and certificates were now being carefully studied and analyzed

Only 27% navigators are skilled in astronavigation — research results

All of them are specialists with extensive work experience who received education at the time when navigational astronomy was taught in detail

Russian lab in DPR assembles up to 400 FPV UAVs from seized Ukrainian drones in two weeks

According to the Russian officer, on average, it takes five to six captured enemy unmanned aerial vehicles to assemble one operational drone

Russian troops upgrading FPV drones in DPR against Ukrainian heavy UAVs — officer

The Russian serviceman noted that almost anyone can learn to fly an FPV drone, but not everyone is capable of effectively engaging targets

Cuban revolutionary leader Castro charged with murder, destruction of aircraft

Raul Castro was charged with four counts of murder, two counts of destruction of an aircraft and a conspiracy to kill US citizens

Russia receives permit to export beef to Indonesia — watchdog

An important milestone was the inspections of the Russian facility conducted by Indonesian representatives in March and October 2025

Close cooperation between Moscow, Beijing important amid global tensions — Putin

The Russian leader emphasized that the countries' foreign policy cooperation was one of the main stabilizing factors on the international stage

Russia develops Odyssey repeater to increase UAV strike range

The Aviatechnolab Design Bureau said the Odyssey system extended the range of attack unmanned aerial vehicles to 70 kilometers

Possibility of Putin-Trump meeting, spirit of Beijing: what Kremlin aide said

Yury Ushakov emphasized that he knew nothing about the "spirit of Anchorage," in contrast to the "spirit of Beijing," which indeed exists

Russia records deflation for 2nd time in 2026, at 0.02% from May 13 to 18

Earlier, from May 5 to 12, inflation was recorded at 0.07%

Press review: Turkey to host Russia-Ukraine talks as NATO starts drills by Russian border

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, May 12th

Russia considering projects with US investors as part of China partnership — RDIF chief

Kirill Dmitriev emphasized that Russia has the ability to provide the world’s cheapest energy for artificial intelligence

China interested in increasing volumes of oil supplies from Russia — Novak

The Russian deputy prime minister said earlier that Moscow and Beijing planned to discuss new energy projects during the Russian delegation’s visit to China

Opposition to challenge rallies law at Constitutional Court

Opposition activists will continue to delay the adoption of certain lawbills by introducing numerous amendments

Putin concludes his visit to China

A brief farewell ceremony was organized for the Russian leader upon his arrival at the airport

Trump says ready to wait for agreement with Iran for a few more days

Thus, the US leader commented on the possibility of resuming US strikes

Bilateral relations, energy and Russian delegation members: aide on Putin’s visit to China

There is no link between the visits to China by US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Yury Ushakov noted

Moscow, Beijing want to prevent multipolarity from turning into chaos — Lavrov

Russia and China are interested in building normal relations among all states, including between the SCO and BRICS, the Russian foreign minister said

SAS to cancel over 100 flights in Norway this week due to fuel prices

The company explained such measure by the conflict in the Middle East and high fuel prices

Putin, Xi Jinping wrap up informal meeting over tea

During the 90-minute sitdown, the most important issues on the agenda were broached

Drone attack being repelled by air defenses on Iranian island of Qeshm — agency

Tasnim did not elaborate on the incident

Russia’s nuclear drills 'silent message' to those who threaten it — expert

According to Yevgeny Poddubny, demonstrating the possibility of launching a nuclear strike in the event of a threat to the existence or integrity of the country could have a sobering effect on adversaries

Russia, China to discuss energy projects during Russian delegation's visit — Novak

Moscow is satisfied with the ongoing cooperation with China on oil and gas supplies, the Russian deputy prime minister noted

Putin initiates Russia’s denunciation of Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe

The treaty was signed in 1990 and amended in 1997

Putin offers to develop infrastructure of lands for large families

We have already allocated 7,763 land plots and another 31,000 land plots are planned to allocate this year

Armenia made series of unfriendly steps towards Russia recently — top security official

According to Sergey Shoigu, this is how Moscow views the decisions to join the International Criminal Court, to extradite Russian citizens to third countries, and to make things harder for Russian economic entities

FACTBOX: Review of Russia’s strategic nuclear forces drills since 2020

President Vladimir Putin reported in June 2025 that 95% of Russia's nuclear forces were equipped with modern weapons

Kremlin says calls from Lithuania’s top diplomat to attack Kaliningrad verge on insanity

Dmitry Peskov believes that such statements should not be taken seriously

Putin-Xi meeting highlights failure of attempts to isolate Russia — US expert

James Carden emphasized that the world order is now undoubtedly multipolar and the policy of the Donald Trump administration in the Middle East is only accelerating America's isolation

Euroclear refuses to unfreeze Russian Central Bank’s assets: what is known

The decision is based on the fact that the Russian regulator’s claim against Euroclear Bank is not recognized under EU legislation, and "Euroclear does not recognize the court’s jurisdiction"

Serbian minister highlights national food products most popular with Russians

Nenad Popovic said fresh fruit and frozen fruit, predominantly berries, as well as still and sparkling water have traditionally been the most popular on the Russian market

Russia-China ties rest on solid material foundation with focus on energy — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister reiterated that "Russia is the leading supplier of pipeline natural gas to the People's Republic of China"

FSB busts four underground arms workshops

A total of 74 artillery weapons were confiscated

Trump to discuss arms sales with Taiwan’s leader

The US president said that he speaks to everybody

Bombs with power of 13 kilos of trotyle found in Russia’s Kabardino-Balkaria

An active accomplice of bandits was detained in the search operation and gave confessing testimony

Russian stock market declines at opening of main trading session

The yuan’s growth had slightly slowed, with the exchange rate at 10.822 rubles, up 0.25 kopecks

Russian Defense Ministry keeps close watch on NATO drills in Black Sea

According to the Russian defense minister, the military is "keeping under control everything that is happening in the Black Sea"

CBR strikes foreign currency swap deals worth $581.4 million on September 30

European Commission head wants to turn Baltic states into anti-Russian base — MP

Chairman of the State Duma International Affairs Committee and leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia Leonid Slutsky also noted that the European Commission ignores the fact that drones detected in the Baltic countries are from Ukraine

Oil production in Russia to remain at 511 mln tons in 2026, in line with 2025

Under the baseline scenario, the ministry expects production to rise to 516 mln tons in 2027

Return of foreign military to Afghanistan unacceptable — Russian Security Council

The United States and its allies must acknowledge full responsibility for their 20-year presence in Afghanistan and assume the main burden of its post-conflict reconstruction, Sergey Shoigu emphasized

US seizes oil tanker allegedly affiliated with Iran — media

According to The Wall Street Journal , the seized vessel, Skywave, was put on the US sanctions list back in March

US searches Iranian tanker in Gulf of Oman — CENTCOM

According to the statement, over the course of the US naval blockade of Iran, which has lasted more than a month, US servicemen have redirected a total of 91 commercial vessels

Ruble tops ranking of world’s best currencies — Bloomberg

The ruble’s exchange rate against the dollar has fallen to its lowest since February 2023

US charges against Raul Castro have no legal basis — Cuban president

The Cuban President pointed out thatthe US is lying and manipulating the events surrounding the 1996 incident involving aircraft belonging to the narco-terrorist organization ‘Brothers to the Rescue'

Forest fires in Russia's Kamchatka Region subside, shrinking by over 30,000 hectares

34 forest fires engulfing 162,000 hectares are active in the region

Trump says in no rush to make decisions on Iran, Strait of Hormuz, giving diplomacy chance

The US president earlier stated that he had decided to postpone the resumption of hostilities against Iran at the request of Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia

Fire at Siberian plant producing ballistic missiles put out — emergencies ministry

The fire posed no danger to the workshops where the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) and Sineva submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM) were made

Putin gives start to construction of nuclear icebreaker Leningrad

The nuclear icebreaker Leningrad will be 173.3 m long and 34 m wide

Trump briefed on military options against Iran on May 18 — Axios

According to information obtained by the news portal, the meeting was originally scheduled for May 19, with some officials expecting the US president to make a decision on potential strikes against the Islamic Republic during the consultations

Participants in US-Russia talks in Riyadh leave for another break

The meeting has already been disrupted twice

Lavrov to hold talks with Iran’s top diplomat in Moscow on March 29

The top diplomats will exchange views on the situation around the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action for Iran's nuclear program, the situations in Syria, Afghanistan and the South Caucasus, as well as issues related to the Caspian Sea region

Kremlin spokesman explains what ‘spirit of Anchorage’ entails

According to Dmitry Peskov, understandings, achieved in Anchorage, are fundamental and they can move the settlement process forward and allow for a breakthrough

Russia ready to continue military-technical cooperation with Equatorial Guinea — Lavrov

According to the Russian foreign minister, intensive political relations have developed between the two countries, while the dialogue at the highest level is regular

Two-seat Su-57 fighter jet to be designed for control of Okhotnik drones — source

The fighter jet, already in development, is presumed to control about four Okhtonik drones

Forcing countries to abandon neutrality unacceptable — Russia-China declaration

The parties highlight the need to take into account the reasonable security concerns of all countries, focus on security cooperation

Russia holding nuclear forces drills — top brass

According to Russia’s Defense Ministry, the drills are set to practice readying some of nuclear forces’ units and formations for accomplishing assigned objectives

No significant damage reported in Kamchatka following large quake — emergencies ministry

Authorities also confirmed no significant water surges in residential areas following the tsunami alert

Putin, Xi Jinping set to discuss key global issues during talks in Beijing

The meeting will be their second contact this year

Russia to respond proportionately if any country conducts nuclear tests — senior diplomat

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov says the current situation requires the readiness of the national infrastructure

Russian upper house calls on UN to condemn attempts of meddling in Venezuela’s affairs

Russia is ready to continue providing the necessary support for Venezuela in fulfilling its chosen path of development

Kiev putting cart before horse by proposing Russian, Ukrainian leaders’ meeting — Kremlin

The complexities of the Ukraine settlement process make it impossible to achieve "immediate breakthroughs," Dmitry Peskov noted

UK becomes first G7 country to sign trade agreement with Gulf Cooperation Council

The agreement will "enable UK companies to store and process data outside the region for the first time ever, which will save businesses money on setting up costly data centers in the Gulf"

Aeroflot says flights to Cairo to be resumed on November 12

In October Aeroflot resumed flights to Egyptian resorts cities of Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh

Large delegation from Vietnam plans to participate in SPIEF — envoy to Russia

In particular, Vietnam plans to discuss economic cooperation with friendly countries during the forum, Dang Minh Khoi added