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PUTIN'S Q&A SESSION

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Whale of a problem: Putin links orca dilemma in Russia’s Far East to ‘big money’

Eleven orcas were kept for sale to China in Srednyaya Bay along with 90 beluga whales. Later, three went missing, and one orca reportedly disappeared

© Yuri Smityuk/TASS

MOSCOW, June 20. /TASS/. The problem with releasing two killer whales (orcas) kept at a rehabilitation center in Srednyaya Bay in Russia’s Far East is related to the high price of these mammals, Russian President Vladimir Putin pointed out at Thursday's Q&A session.

"The problem is well-known, and in general it is clear why these difficulties are emerging. As far as I know, the orcas cost nearly $100 mln. That’s why there are a lot of interested parties here, and that’s why the problem cannot be solved easily. There are always hurdles in finding a solution when this concerns big money," Putin said, adding that the problem is being ironed out now.

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Eleven orcas had been kept for sale to China in the facility in Srednyaya Bay along with 90 beluga whales. However, three beluga whales went missing, and one orca reportedly disappeared. A criminal case has been launched into illegal hunting of these mammals.

Putin instructed the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture together with scientific organizations in late February to come up with a solution for the whales. The Russian presidential administration took the whale issue under special control. In mid-May, the authorities in Primorye announced that the mammals could be freed within two months.

In late May, the Federal Security Service’s Border Directorate in Primorye sent to court files on three cases on administrative offence against several legal entities, which had been involved in hunting the mammals. The court has found three companies guilty of violating the rules of fishing and ordered them to pay fines of between 28 mln rubles ($443,000) and 56 mln rubles ($886,000).

Putin wants number of foreign students in Russia to rise to 500,000 by 2030

According to the Russian Education and Science Ministry, more than 355,000 foreigners are currently studying in Russian universities

Stay in custody extended for Russian held over suspected spy activities in Estonia

According to the portal of ERR, "the investigation into the criminal case against Morozov is currently ongoing

Russia may strike Britain's military facilities if London's threats materialize — MFA

Maria Zakharova described British Foreign Secretary David Cameron’s remark that London considered it legitimate for the Kiev regime to use British weapons for strikes on Russian territory as "something absolutely insane"

British envoy reiterates London’s course on aiding Kiev will continue — Foreign Office

British Ambassador to Russia Nigel Casey was warned that any British military facilities and vehicles on Ukrainian territory and beyond may become targets in response to Ukrainian strikes, carried out via British-made weapons

Cuban president hails Putin’s taking presidential office for another term

"March election demonstrated a record-breaking voter turnout," Miguel Diaz-Canel said

Insolent western policy makes Russia hold tactical nukes drills — ambassador

"We do not threaten anyone. However, the strategists in Washington and their satellites have gone nuts but must understand that Russia will use all the means to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity in response to the rising stakes," Anatoly Antonov said

Putin wants number of foreign students in Russia to rise to 500,000 by 2030

According to the Russian Education and Science Ministry, more than 355,000 foreigners are currently studying in Russian universities

UN chief to send letter to Putin in connection with inauguration — spokesman

"A letter will be sent by the secretary general as he does whenever new head of state is inaugurated or reinaugurated," Stephane Dujarric said

Russia hands over last RD-180 rocket engines to US under existing deal

The United States has received 122 RD-180 rocket engines over more than 20 years of cooperation

Zelenodolsk shipyard floats two warships

Project 22160 ships are designed to guard and protect maritime economic zone

Russian government resigns

The cabinet will continue to carry out its duties until a new government is appointed

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

Putin directs to scale up revenues of small technology companies

The share of domestic high-technology goods and services created on own development lines is set to grow by 1.5 times in the total volume of their consumption in the country by 2030 against the level in 2023

Claims about Russia’s plans to attack NATO a lie, US intelligence ex-officer says

According to Rebekah Koffler, US intelligence agencies regularly leak classified information to certain media, if it benefits the American political establishment

Serbian government adopts several documents on cooperation with China

"These documents cover such spheres as infrastructure, agriculture, information and communications, as well as tourism," the government said

US accuses Russian Khoroshev of creating LockBit cyber-crime gang — Department of State

The Department of State has announced a $10 mln reward for information "leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Russian national Dmitry Yuryevich Khoroshev"

Belarus gears up for trial run mounting nukes to delivery platforms

According to Alexander Volfovich, the Belarusian military's capabilities will be tested in the field of "delivery of warheads to military units, their mounting on launchers and their attachment to Su-25 jets"

Emergency Ministry employee detained in Kherson Region over collaboration with Ukraine

According to the investigators, he kept improvised explosive devices for sabotage operation

Russia must save world from West's insanity — top security official

Nikolay Patrushev believes that Russia "resolutely and consistently defends its cultural sovereignty, history and Russian moral ideals that unite the multinational country"

US concocting latest counter-offensive narrative to justify aid to Kiev — DPR head

Denis Pushilin stressed that Ukraine would not be able to launch a new counteroffensive before 2025

Putin’s inauguration kicks off in Kremlin

The main event will be held at the Grand Kremlin Palace but parts of it will take place outside at Cathedral Square where the Kremlin Presidential Regiment will march following the ceremony

Russia to join ranks of top four global economies — presidential decree

The government is tasked to present eleven new National Projects by September 1 of this year

Putin may propose candidate for prime minister as early as today — spokesman

Dmitry Peskov recalled that after the inauguration, the Russian government resigned and the members of the Cabinet continued to work in the status of acting ministers

Israel strikes back on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon

Light damage was caused and no injuries were reported

Macron’s aggressive rhetoric baffles even his allies — diplomat

"Very often France’s allies from the UK and Germany, as we understand, try to get clarifications as to what the French leadership means, without getting a direct answer," Maria Zakharova pointed out

Russian Foreign Ministry tells French ambassador Paris’ policies destructive

Pierre Levy was told that the French authorities' attempts to create some kind of "strategic uncertainty" for Russia with their "irresponsible statements about the possible dispatch of Western military contingents to Ukraine are doomed to fail"

French Foreign Ministry denies France sent troops to Ukraine

Earlier, media reports said that France had sent 1,500 troops to Ukraine, citing a statement by former US Deputy Under Secretary of Defense Stephen Bryen

Expert on inaugural speech: Putin proposes equal dialogue, West will hear these signals

It is stressed that Vladimir Putin proposes a certain general model, a certain general solution to the security system

Bolivian president wishes Putin success on path toward new world order

Luis Arce congratulated Vladimir Putin, who today took office as President of Russia for the fifth time

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

New round of talks in Cairo to be Israel’s last chance to return hostages — Hamas

The Israeli officials said on condition of anonymity that "indirect talks" on the draft ceasefire agreement are expected to begin in the Egyptian capital city on Tuesday evening

Xi Jinping arrives in Serbia on his first visit in eight years

Chinese President began his visit on the day marking the anniversary of the bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade by NATO aircraft

After drone attack on Kremlin Russia has no choice but to eliminate Zelensky — Medvedev

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, according to Dmitry Medvedev, "is not even needed for signing an instrument of unconditional surrender"

Advertising campaign launched in Ukraine to enroll volunteers into army

Ukrainians are expected to more actively sign up for "more prestigious and possibly better equipped units"

Tehran's talks with IAEA chief constructive, Iranian energy head says

Rafael Grossi said the AEOI and the IAEA decided to draw on the March 4, 2023 joint statement as a basis for further talks

Belarusian president sees aggravating military situation at western, southern borders

"Remarks of war and nuclear strikes can already be heard from certain figures," the Alexander Lukashenko said

IN BRIEF: Unity, care for people, country-civilization: Putin’s inaugural speech

The atmosphere in society has changed, now "reliability, mutual responsibility, sincerity, decency, nobility and courage" are highly valued, the Russian leader stressed

US begins Astral Knight 2024 exercise in Europe involving 5,000 troops — Pentagon

The purpose of the exercise is to strengthen collective air and missile defense in Europe

Putin says Russia had to use force to defend people in Donbass as peaceful means failed

"A little later it became clear that we were simply being led around by the nose, and we had to take extraordinary measures to protect these people with military force," the Russian leader said

Israeli operation in Rafah undermines mediation efforts — Hamas

Political Bureau member Osama Hamdan warned Israel that its "invasion of Rafah won’t be an easy walk"

Container shipments by Russian Railways add 9.4% in 4M 2024 — company

The increase was the highest in container traffic of lumber and chemical and mineral fertilizers

FSB declassifies Hitler aide’s testimony how Red Army rescued Allies in Ardennes in 1945

Hitler's former adjutant Otto Guensche was captured during the battle of Berlin in April-May 1945 and, while being kept in custody in an investigative prison in Moscow, presented a firsthand account of what was happening at Hitler's headquarters in the last months of the war

Appeal for Western troops posted on Ukrainian president’s website

A petition needs to be signed by at least 25,000 people to be referred to the president for consideration

US-led coalition’s aircraft violate Syrian airspace eight times in past day

Apart from that, two shelling attacks on positions of Syrian government troops by militants of the Jabhat al-Nusra and Islamic Party of Turkestan groups (both outlawed in Russia) were reported in the Idlib de-escalation zone

Russia to become technologically independent in key areas — decree

The head of state set the task to increase the level of the gross added value in real terms and the production index in the processing segment of the industry by at least 40% by 2030, compared to the level in 2022

Russian forces destroy Ukrainian missile solid propellant workshop over past day

Russian troops gained better positions in the south Donetsk area over the past day, the ministry reported

Aleksandar Vucic greets Chinese leader at Belgrade Airport

The ceremony on the occasion of the visit of the 400-strong Chinese delegation will take place at Palata Srbije

West plotted aggression against Russia on eve of special military operation — top brass

"History repeats itself," Chief of the Russian General Staff’s Main Intelligence Department, Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Hero of Russia Admiral Kostyukov said

Hamburg branch of AfG seeks to expel party member over trip to Russia as election observer

Olga Petersen had earlier been kicked out AfG’s parliamentary group

Top UK diplomat knows nothing of repentance, Lavrov says

David Cameron "reiterated his position that British weapons can be used by the Ukrainians to attack any target on Russian territory," the minister emphasized

Five workers wounded during Ukrainian strike on oil storage facility in Lugansk

Leonid Pasechnik also said the strike "damaged power lines, disrupting electricity supplies to nearby houses"

Russia signals unfriendly countries by inviting ambassadors to inauguration — diplomat

"We assumed that some of them (ambassadors from unfriendly countries - TASS) would not come, which is what happened in the end," Sergey Ryabkov pointed out

Kiev troops presumably used ATACMS missiles to strike Lugansk — politician

"Missiles hit an oil storage facility within city limits," Vladimir Rogov said

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

Ukrainian army last weekend tried to regain positions near LPR's Svatovo — expert

Andrey Marochko noted that on Easter Ukrainian troops opened fire on the territory of the LPR and positions of Russian troops

Australian Navy’s destroyer, helicopter impede Chinese drills in Yellow Sea — top brass

The Australian side "calls black white and lays the blame on someone else" in its comment on the incident, Zhang Xiaogang noted

France not at war with Russia — Macron

"We are also not seeking a change of power in Russia," the French leader underscored

Euroclear fighting over 100 lawsuits in Russian courts against investors demanding refund

According to Euroclear's new chief executive Valerie Urbain, the likelihood that the depository will win these cases is quite low

Belarusian forces to rehearse tactical nuclear strikes as part of snap readiness test

An Iskander missile system battalion and a squadron of Su-25 airplanes are being brought to readiness to perform planned missions

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"

UNSC to hold Russia-requested closed-door meeting on Middle East on May 9

The Security Council will hear a report of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO)

Sweden approves Quran-burning rally ahead of Eurovision Song Contest

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

Detention of US soldier in Russia’s Vladivostok has no relation to espionage — diplomats

Russian Foreign Ministry’s mission in Vladivostok that "not following the case of the US citizen closely"

Indonesia making every effort to launch direct flights to Russia — Ambassador

Jose Tavares did not clarify whether the launch of such flights is possible in 2025

Russia engages TOS-2 flamethrowers in Ukraine

220mm TOS-2 is a successor to TOS-1A with improved characteristics

Russia values Qatar, Egypt’s mediatory efforts on Gaza — senior diplomat

According to Russian presidential envoy for the Middle East and African countries Mikhail Bogdanov, the Israeli government has not yet given its consent to these proposals

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

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

Southern neighbors of US to regain stolen lands — Russian Security Council’s secretary

Nikolay Patrushev speculates that country may split into the North and the South again to get back to its original shape

Belarus won’t succumb to provocations or go to war with anyone — president

The Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko doubts that any serious political force in Western Europe wants a military conflict

Kyrgyz president arrives in Russia to attend Victory Day parade

Sadyr Japarov was met at the Vnukovo-2 airport by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin

Senior Russian diplomat, Libyan general discuss ensuring Libya’s sovereignty

"During a thorough exchange of views on the settlement of the military-political crisis in Libya, the focus was on the task of uniting all patriotic political and religious forces in the interests of ensuring the unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Libyan state," the ministry said

Russian troops liberate two communities in Ukraine operation over past day — top brass

Russian air defense forces shot down a Ukrainian Su-27 fighter jet and 23 unmanned aerial vehicles over the past day

Putin will now use restyled Aurus car — Kremlin

Putin made the first trip on the Aurus exactly six years ago, on May 7, 2018, when he also departed to the inauguration

Medvedev warns Russia will pull no punches with France in response to Macron

The politician also wrote, "In hostem omina licita," a Latin phrase that can roughly be translated as "everything is legal if it is done to an enemy"

Apple unveils new iPad, stylus

In particular, the new iPad Air was presented with 11" and 13" diagonal

Press review: Russia flexes nuclear muscle and Israel signals imminent offensive in Gaza

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, May 7th

Belarus to respond instantly to any military aggression, says Lukashenko

Alexander Lukashenko stressed that Belarus would not draw any lines

Putin formally takes office as Russian president for six-year term

After being sworn in, the head of state delivered a speech

US intensifying efforts to find replacement for Zelensky — SVR

It is reported that all those politicians may be sought-after were the situation on the front line to deteriorate sharply or if the need arises to replace Zelensky as soon as possible

Russia wants no country to interfere in its election process — Kremlin spokesman

"We elect out parliament. We elect our president. We vote for the president or don’t want to vote for the president. And we insist that we have the right to do it the way we want to do it," Dmitry Peskov emphasized

Turkish expert says Putin's inauguration speech echoes what he said in Munich years ago

Aydin Sezer recalled that during the Munich Security Conference back in 2007 "Putin said that the unipolar world had no future and a multipolar world order was needed"

Trump develops plan on peaceful resolution in Ukraine — Telegraph

Former US President will not reveal it until the election, the Daily Telegraph reported

Russia working to bring senior Ukrainian officials before tribunal, diplomat says

According to Rodion Miroshnik, "the official process is underway with the Russian Interior Ministry beginning to determine those to be placed in the defendant pool"

Tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus intended for defense, says Lukashenko

The Belarusian leader stressed that the combat readiness inspection is solely of a defensive nature

US sees no signs indicating Russia’s plans to use nuclear weapons — Pentagon

Department of Defense spokesperson Sabrina Singh said that the United States views the decision to hold a military exercise of this kind as "deeply irresponsible"

FACTBOX: Russian President Vladimir Putin’s biography

Since June 12, 2013, Putin has been the leader of the non-governmental movement All-Russia People’s Front, created at his initiative as a coalition of social and political forces

Russian embassy slams ‘unacceptable’ Berlin’s decision to ban Russian flag on May 8-9

"We consider the bans discriminatory and contrary to the spirit of post-war historical reconciliation of the peoples of Russia and Germany," the Russian diplomats pointed out

Russia to open embassy in Sierra Leone this year — Lavrov

Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in January 1962

SBU claims it prevented plot to kill Ukrainian president

The SBU reported that two colonels from Ukraine’s state security administration had been arrested for purportedly handing over classified information necessary to carry out assassinations

Russian lawmaker sees 'scare effect' in West as Russia prepares for nuclear drills

Vladimir Chizhov insisted that the drills do not mean "the Russian side is ready or intends to use these weapons immediately"

Four single-family houses damaged in Donetsk after Ukraine’s shelling attack

Head of the Donetsk People’s Republic Denis Pushilin said earlier that five civilians were wounded in Ukraine’s attacks in the republic during the day

West shows no will for peace, keeps pumping weapons, money into Kiev — French politician

The way leader of the French Patriots party Florian Philippot sees it, NATO’s sole aim is further escalation

Putin’s schedule of foreign travels almost finalized — Presidential Aide Ushakov

It is noted that this schedule primarily concerns "major summits"

Putin signs decree setting Russia’s development goals for 2030

The decree is titled On the National Development Goals of the Russian Federation until 2030 and for a Longer Term until 2036

Hamas confirms participation of its delegation in Cairo talks

"A Hamas delegation led by Khalil al-Hayya has arrived in Cairo from Doha to bring the talks on ending Israel’s aggression in Gaza to the logical end, together with the Egyptian and Qatari mediators," the radical group said

Dutch MEP congratulates Putin on his inauguration

"Congratulations president Putin and congratulations people of Russia with your president," Marcel de Graaff from the Dutch party Forum for Democracy said

US envoy leaves Russia for certain amount of time — senior Russian diplomat

"The Foreign Ministry was told about this some time before the issue with inviting ambassadors to the inauguration ceremony of the Russian president was resolved," Sergey Ryabkov said

German envoy recalled from Moscow returns to Berlin — media

On Monday, the German Foreign Ministry said that Minister Annalena Baerbock had decided to recall Alexander Lambsdorff for consultations due to an alleged cyberattack by Russia against the Social Democratic Party of Germany and a number of German enterprises

NATO wants 'hot war' with Russia which may destroy US, Carlson says

According to the journalist, everything that Washington does shows that it wants this war

Inquiry against German Air Force chief over leaked conversation closed

"In particular, there was no evidence of deliberate actions on behalf of the above-mentioned individual," Business Insider wrote

What we know about Israel’s military operation in Gaza’s Rafah

The Israeli army announced that it had "eliminated about 20 terrorists" of Hamas since the launch of the operation