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Coronavirus pandemic

Over 122,000 coronavirus tests conducted in Russia

Test results can be obtained within two to four hours

© Yevgeny Sofiychuk/TASS

MOSCOW, March 18. /TASS/. More than 122,000 novel coronavirus tests have been conducted in the laboratories of the Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing as of Tuesday, the watchdog’s press service reported on Wednesday.

"More than 122,000 coronavirus tests have been conducted in Russia," the press service said.

Read also

56 coronavirus cases confirmed in Moscow

The test systems are based on the molecular genetic method of research - polymerase chain reaction (PCR). They have high sensitivity, which makes it possible to detect single copies of viruses. Test results can be obtained within two to four hours.

The current coronavirus illness was registered in central China at the end of December 2019. On March 11, the World Health Organization declared it a pandemic. COVID-19 infection cases have been recorded in more than 130 countries. According to the latest data, over 190,000 people have contracted the virus, about 8,000 of them have died. A total of 114 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia so far.

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Over 3,100 foreign mercenaries fight for Ukraine, most of them from US

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Inflation in Russia slowing down gradually — Putin

"Inflation is slowing down gradually, same as inflation expectations, which is especially important, including households’ expectations, meaning their estimates, suggestions on how prices will behave in the future," the head of state said

Kiev refused to sign Istanbul agreements under pressure from London, Kremlin says

"Everybody knows very well that the document was actually initialed and everyone is also well aware, thanks to a statement from the Ukrainian side, of the reason behind Ukraine halting negotiations and not finalizing the document," Dmitry Peskov stressed

China, US free to have their own friends, partners — President Xi

Beijing sticks to the principle of non-alignment with any blocs, the Chinese leader said and called on Washington "to refrain from teaming up in small groups"

Russia has many questions for UN chief, Russia’s envoy says

Vasily Nebenzya said that he has "good personal relations" with the secretary general

Ukrainian troops fire at least 60 rounds at borderline Belgorod Region

The debris from air defense operations shattered windows and damaged walls in four private residences in the Yakovlevsky Municipal District

Ukrainian army says it will not ‘hide’ Abrams tanks, but keeps quiet about their location

On Friday, the Pentagon refused to comment on the rumored withdrawal of Abrams tanks from the battlefield and said that the Ukrainians themselves were in a position to say how they "use their Abrams tanks"

Worst human rights situation currently observed in US, North Korean Foreign Ministry says

The spokesman also pointed out the claims of US officials about the "necessity of informational infiltration of Korea"

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

Economic figures turn out above projections in early 2024 — Putin

Russia’s GDP grew by 6% in January-February in annual terms, the Russian president stressed

Landfill fire localized in Krasnodar Territory

According to the emergency response center, the area of the fire measured 2,500 square meters

US’ Blinken to visit Israel amid rising tensions between two countries — NYT

Israel’s military upcoming operation in Rafah will also be on agenda, the New York Times reported

Chances of Baku-Yerevan conflict settlement higher than ever, Scholz says

The German chancellor emphasized that Berlin's "offer to lend support in finding a long-term and acceptable solution remains valid"

Taiwan says 22 Chinese aircraft approach island

The Taiwanese army said that 12 aircraft had crossed the so-called median line of the Taiwan Strait

Polish leader cautions NATO allies against provoking Russia

Andrzej Duda slammed the reported instances of Russian missiles entering Poland's airspace as "a Russian provocation"

Russia fights West’s sanctions at UN for the sake of developing countries — envoy to UN

According to the diplomat, Russia is engaged in "fierce battles on this issue in different committees of the General Assembly"

Erdogan moves back from May 9 his trip to US — report

The report hasn’t been officially confirmed

NATO bears direct responsibility for Ukraine crisis — Chinese Foreign Ministry

Spokesman Wang Wenbin stressed that China was not providing weapons to the conflicting parties and strictly controlled dual-use goods, including the export of drones

Poland practices transfer of mechanized brigade to Lithuania's Suwalki Corridor area

The exercise under the classified Orsha plan involves 1,500 military personnel from Lithuania's Zemaitija Motorized Infantry Brigade, Poland's 15th Mechanized Brigade, allied US and Portuguese units, as well as about 200 pieces of military equipment

Court places Forbes reporter under house arrest for discrediting Russian armed forces

The press service specified that investigative and procedural actions are underway in coordination with Russia’s Federal Security Service

Press review: US tries to strong-arm China and Zelensky's bid to bring men home

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, April 25th

Refinery in southern Russia partially suspends operations after Ukrainian drone attack

Ten unmanned aerial vehicles flew directly into the plant, causing a big fire

Russian GDP to add over 3% in 2024 — Putin

The current real state of economy allows improving its development forecasts, the head of state noted

Ukraine’s army leaves first defensive line in Berdychi near Avdeyevka, says DPR

The Ukrainian military has suffered heavy casualties among personnel and military hardware in that community, Igor Kimakovsky said

Russia grateful to DPRK for unconditional support of special operation in Ukraine — MFA

Ivan Zhelokhovtsev said that the agreements that were reached during the DPRK leader's visit to Russia represent "evidence of the mutual desire of the sides to consistently implement and expand the rich heritage" that was passed down from previous generations

Tourists discover fragment of Iranian missile in Israeli desert

According to the report of the IDF press office, the discovered missile was of "surface-to-surface" type

Regulators close US’ Republic First Bank — FDIC

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation signed an agreement with Fulton Bank to assume all of the closed bank’s deposits and on purchase of all its assets.

Injury toll in Kiev’s strikes on DPR rises to three civilians over past day

Local Administration Head Ivan Prikhodko said that "a female resident of Gorlovka was injured as a result of yesterday’s shelling of the Stroitel residential compound in the Nikitovsky district of Gorlovka"

Erdogan’s May 9 visit to US postponed to more convenient date — Foreign Ministry

"The high-level dialogue between Turkey and the US will continue," the spokesman Oncu Keceli said

China is able to defend its interests, Kremlin says about US pressure on Beijing

Dmitry Peskov emphasized that Moscow and Beijing would push ahead with developing cooperation

Russian gas production to gain 4.6% in 2024 — Economy Ministry

Pipeline gas exports are forecast to edge up by 7% to 108 bln cubic meters

Russia delivers 35 precision strikes on Ukrainian military sites over week — top brass

Russian troops liberated the communities of Novomikhailovka and Bogdanovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic and advanced deep into the enemy defense

West reluctant to punish those responsible for Nord Stream blasts — Russian diplomat

According to Vasily Nebenzya, the situation is as though a year-long probe into a murder yielded a conclusion that "the victim was murdered"

Polish general expects Russia to continue wiping out Abrams tanks in Ukraine

Waldemar Skrzypczak underlined that "no tank is invincible"

TotalEnergies to announce force majeure for Yamal LNG in case of EU sanctions

The company has two contracts for LNG supplies to Europe from the Yamal LNG project and one for Asia that requires closer consideration, CEO of the French energy company Patrick Pouyanne said

Russia warns US, NATO against harming its security — diplomat

Maria Zakharova stressed that "the level of nuclear risks have risen dramatically as a result of the West’s destructive policy, which is fraught with a direct military confrontation between nuclear powers"

Russian aerospace forces hit two terrorists base in Syria’s Homs governorate

Yury Popov, deputy chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria, also said that one shelling attack on the positions of government forces was reported in the Idlid de-escalation zone from positions of the Jabhat al-Nusra

Kiev may use ATACMS missiles to hit Crimean Bridge — Russian defense ministry official

Russian military will do its utmost to repel such attacks, Apty Alaudinov said

Top security official advises West to keep door open for joint research work with Russia

Nikolay Patrushev cited recent research showing that a simulated eruption of the Yellowstone Caldera, which has shown increasing signs of active volcanic status over the years, and what consequences such a natural disaster could potentially leave in its wake

Wreckage of US MQ-9 Reaper drone is of interest to Russian defense industry — Rostec

According to the US version of events, a pair of Russian Su-27 aircraft intercepted the MQ-9 while it was on a recon mission and dumped their fuel several times toward the drone

Shoigu talks about ties with NATO, attacks on Zaporozhye NPP as he attends SCO meeting

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Kremlin spokesman describes European Parliament as 'Russophobic machine'

Dmitry Peskov added that the EP "has turned into a machine brimming with internal contradictions that keeps generating boorish statements"

Press review: Belarus' new national security strategy and Russia, US butt heads at UN

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, April 26th

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Previously, the media reported that the Russian Health Ministry registered the first treatment for the Bekhterev’s disease in the world

Ukraine struggles to use GLSDB efficiently due to Russian jamming capabilities — report

When the GPS signal is suppressed by Russian electronic warfare equipment, the munitions can only rely on their inertial navigation system to calculate their impact location, and this causes them to miss the target

Russia strikes major thermal power plant in western Ukraine — underground resistance

Five missiles hit Dnepropetrovsk while a strong blow with the subsequent detonation was registered in Krivoi Rog, the spokesman specified

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

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"Some European intelligence agencies have been told of the US view," The Wall Street Journal added

West prepares puppet structures in case of coup in Belarus — KGB

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"The investigation is already being conducted by the German Public Prosecutor General’s Office," the German foreign ministry spokesman said

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The movement will analyze the Israeli proposal and will provide its own response afterwards, Hamas politburo member Khalil al-Hayya said

One floor at Vnukovo airport evacuated due to bomb threat — police

"The premises and rooms are being checked for explosives," the source said

Ship receives damage in missile attack off Yemeni coast — UKMTO

The Master has reported two attacks

Ukraine’s army chief reports deteriorating battlefield situation to Western allies

The Ramstein group meeting also discussed the state of the Ukrainian energy infrastructure, Alexander Syrsky said

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The move is to facilitate maintenance of stability of the foreign currency exchange rate and sustainability of the Russian financial market, the government noted

Police checks reports of bomb allegedly planted at Russian embassy in Brazil — newspaper

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The detention was reported earlier by the media, which said that police had captured Tajik national Djumokhon Kurbonov

Kiev's attacks on ZNPP may trigger another Chernobyl — Zaporozhye governor

Tensions in the area of the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant and in Energodar, where the nuclear power plant is located, escalated at the beginning of the month

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Igor Kimakovsky reported that the enemy "experiences problems with logistics and the supply of ammunition and essentials"

Russia-Europe relations require fresh approach — Kremlin

Russia and Europe are geographically close anyway, Dmitry Peskov noted

Russia closely watches all NATO maneuvers — MFA

Maria Zakharova pointed out that the lion’s share of the alliance’s wargames is designed precisely as the unfolding scenarios of confrontation with Russia

Abrams tanks easy targets for drones — Russian expert

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Russian Economy Ministry expects trade balance surplus to decline

Exports of goods are expected to drop to $419.7 bln this year. Imports are forecast to grow to $315.7 bln in 2024

Russian troops wipe out military train with Western armaments in DPR over past day

Russian troops improved their tactical position and repelled eight Ukrainian army counterattacks in the Avdeyevka area over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Lithuania’s prime minister warns US may curtail aid to Ukraine

Ingrida Simonyte called for getting ready for such a turn of events right away, and not just watch and wait

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

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US can send Ukraine Patriot air defense systems currently deployed in other regions

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan added that the his country had doubled artillery production in order to help Kiev

Istanbul accords could have stopped hostilities in Ukraine — German newspaper

The deal still looks advantageous even after two years of war, Welt am Sonntag said

Kremlin spokesman addresses WSJ article about Putin’s non-involvement in Navalny’s death

"I wouldn’t describe it as a high-quality article that deserves attention," Dmitry Peskov went on to say

No conditions for talks with Kiev at this time — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov stated that the position of Russian President Vladimir Putin "is well-known"

Russia proposes new rules for foreigners buying sim cards, requires biometric data

People covered under the new rules will only be allowed to buy a sim card at physical telecom locations, and not via the Internet

Alrosa may leave Catoca project in Angola — Finance Ministry

Alrosa is working in Angola since 1992

Russian cutting-edge missile frigate holds artillery firings in Arctic drills

"The combat exercises were conducted in the Barents Sea waters closed for shipping," the Russian Defense Ministry reported

Ukrainian troops fire 57 rounds at DPR over 24 hours

According to the statement, a civilian fatality was reported, and two civilians sustained wounds

Kiev recognizes difficulties, losses on battlefield over six months of waiting for US aid

The office of the Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky notes that the Ukrainian army needs to stabilize the frontline

Ukraine had to negotiate agreements with Russia with ‘three masters’ — Russian envoy

"It is very difficult to negotiate with those who are unable to make decisions, even if they want, they can’t, and only act as a side to a difficult conflict," Vladimir Medinsky explained

Terrorist attacks occur in Iran, Russia due to US support for terrorism — Iran’s top brass

According to the news agency Tasnim, when speaking about NATO eastward expansion, Mohammad Reza Ashtiani emphasized that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states should utilize the SCO potential in order to neutralize common threats

Miguel Salgado’s ‘Shame’ wins main prize at Moscow International Film Festival

The film is focused on two teenagers Pedro and Lucio, who are forced to fight each other to the death in order to survive after being abducted

Belgium’s rejection of exchange of assets in Russia to impede process — Kremlin

It was reported earlier that the Belgian side did not recognize the exchange of blocked assets

DPRK supports Russia in defending sovereignty, security — ambassador

The North Korean ambassador Sin Hong Chol praised the "sincere and excellent friendly relations" between Russian President Vladimir Putin and DPRK leader Kim Jong Un

Trade turnover between Russia, Indian surpass targets over past years — envoy

Vinay Kumar added that Moscow and New Delhi will have to work on supporting this level of bilateral trade in coming years

Settlement proposal on Gaza to Hamas provides for release of 20-40 hostages — TV

A source told the news outlet that the agreement will be most likely reached in the next couple of days

French neo-Nazi ringleader liquidated near Avdeyevka — sources

There is confirmed evidence of his connections with French secret services

UN bound to stay as unique world organization — Russian ambassador

"If the UN did not exist, it should have been created," Vasily Nebenzya said

‘Pointless’ to talk Easter ceasefire with irreverent Ukraine — Russian Orthodox Church

Since the onset of Kiev’s military operation in Donbass in 2014, ceasefires have been repeatedly declared on major holidays, including religious ones and most of them were broken by Ukrainian forces within hours

Black Sea dolphins on verge of extinction, expert says

Irina Logominova noted that after catching dolphins was banned, their population was affected by large-scale fishing, which depleted their food base

Putin’s trip to China will rivet world’s attention, Kremlin spokesman predicts

The countries will jointly announce the time of this trip, Dmitry Peskov said

Kremlin spokesman says Zelensky’s fate is sealed

The comment concerns both the fate of Zelensky and the outcome of the Russian special military operation

Musk concurs that civil war looming in West

The US businessman commented on remarks by Gad Saad, a Canadian professor of Lebanese origin, who insisted that "the path that the West is taking will result in civil war"

EAEU trade turnover reaches record high level of $8.7 bln in 2023 — Russian Prime Minister

The trade turnover between Russia and Belarus reached 4 trillion rubles ($43.8 bln)

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

Kremlin spokesman offers no specifics about Putin’s potential visit to Vietnam

Speaking about relations between the two countries, Dmitry Peskov noted that Hanoi was a good partner for Moscow

Medvedev vows Moscow's response to US law on seizing Russia's frozen assets will sting

The Russian Security Council deputy chairman suggested enacting legislation to allow Russia to confiscate assets belonging to the citizens of unfriendly countries

Moscow to overcome possible EU sanctions against Russian LNG — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov pointed out that "the attempts to squeeze Russia out of energy markets continue"

Lukashenko invites South Africa’s Ramaphosa to visit Belarus

The Belarusian President noted that, in the three last decades, Minsk and Pretoria supported each other at multilateral platforms, developed trade, industrial and scientific cooperation, expanded the contacts between businessmen

Network of international conspirators plotted Crocus terrorist attack — watchdog

Yury Chikhanchin pointed out that the perpetrators of the attack were provided with money, weapons, transportation and ammunition