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Birth rate in Russia up 7.3% in January 2025 — statistics

The number of contracted marriages increased to 48,334 or by 28.7% against the like period of the last year, the Russian Federal Statistics Service, Rosstat, reported

MOSCOW, March 14. /TASS/. The birth rate in Russia edged up by 7.3% month on month in January 2025, the Russian Federal Statistics Service, Rosstat, reported.

"In January 2025, 104,954 infants were born. This is 1.5% more than in January 2024 and 7.3% above the figure in December. The number of contracted marriages increased to 48,334 or by 28.7% against the like period of the last year," the statistics service said.

The divorce rate dropped in January 2025 by 21.2% annually and by 23.9% against December 2024.

Total mortality declined by 6.5% annually in January 2025. Infant mortality dropped by 9.4% annually and by 12.6% monthly in January of this year. The natural loss rate of the population dropped by 17.2% year on year in January 2025.

US special flight from Moscow arrives in Oman — airport

The aircraft en route from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida landed at Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport on the morning of April 25

Kiev may resort to terror attacks with use of biopathogens — Shoigu

According to the official, "the Ukrainian special services are actively seeking those supporting pro-Ukrainian nationalist and neo-Nazi groups"

Deteriorating situation along entire front, Ukrainian General Staff reports

The Ukrainian news outlet reported explosions in the Vinnitsa, Ivano-Frankovsk, Kiev, Odessa, Rovno, Sumy, Ternopol, Khmelnitsky, and Chernovtsy regions on Monday night

Ukraine loses over 76,500 troops during incursion in Kursk area

Overall, during military actions in the Kursk area, the Ukrainian armed forces have also lost 412 tanks, 341 infantry fighting vehicles, 64 multiple launch rocket systems, the Russian Defense Ministry said

China launches Shenzhou-20 spacecraft with three taikonauts to its space station — TV

The current crew replaces the previous Shenzhou-19 mission, which was at the station for six months

Direct impact of US tariffs on Russia is minimal — Central Bank chief

According to Elvira Nabiullina, Russian exports to the US are insignificant

Russian Space Systems presents technologies to develop Northern Sea Route

The company's implemented products include an information and analytical geo platform that performs functions of a network operator offering solutions in navigation and operational monitoring in real time, including transportation of potentially hazardous cargoes

Key rate as 'prescription drug' to fight inflation — Central Bank

TASS has collected key statements of the Central Bank chief

Putin proclaims Odessa Russian city, challenges Ukraine's historical narrative

At the same time, the president noted that once upon a time "Vladimir Lenin gave away the whole of Ukraine when he created the Soviet Union"

Special flight from US arrives at Vnukovo Airport

There are no regular flights between the two countries

Putin to decide makeup of delegation to be sent to Pope’s funeral — Lavrov

"This is a decision for the president, and I am sure that you will be informed about it very soon," the Russian foreign minister said

UN chief offers condolences over Pope Francis’ death

Antonio Guterres noted that the pontiff "was a man of faith for all faiths"

Ukraine submits peace terms to US, ready to trade land for security guarantees — newspaper

According to the report, the Ukrainian plan consists of five points, the first of which concerns renouncing its claims to Crimea and the regions that became part of Russia after the start of the special military operation

Russia’s Battlegroup North eliminates over 60 troops in Belgorod area

Yaroslav Yakimkin said that in the Belgorod area, units of Battlegroup North inflicted damage on groups of two mechanized brigades of the Ukrainian army near settlements of Yablonovka, Yunakovka, and Petrushevka of the Sumy region

Battlegroup Dnepr destroys up to 90 Ukrainian troops in 24 hours

Roman Kodryan said that Battlegroup Dnepr units inflicted damage on groups of a mechanized brigade and two coastal defense brigades of the Ukrainian army near Zaporozhye, Pavlovka, Novodanilovka, Ponyatovka, and Antonovka

Kiev detains 52 Kursk Region residents in violation of international norms — ombudswoman

Tatyana Moskalkova said that they were forcibly relocated by Ukrainian troops

Rubio won’t attend Ukraine talks in London

US President Donald Trump's Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg will attend the discussions

Trump is the only leader ready to address root causes of Ukrainian crisis — Lavrov

According to Russian foreign minister, US leader said "it was a huge mistake to pull Ukraine into NATO, and this was a mistake by the Biden administration, and he wants to rectify this"

New Russia-US arms race already in progress — Academy of Sciences

Fyodor Voytolovsky, Director of the Primakov National Research Institute of World Economy and International Relations of the Russian Academy of Sciences, emphasized that Russia remains either the second or an equal first in terms of nuclear capabilities

Sending peacekeepers to historical Russian lands may lead to WWIII, Shoigu warns

According to Sergey Shoigu, rather, the notion of `peacekeepers’ conceals the pursuit of control over Ukraine and its mineral resources

Russian army conducting attacks in five directions at once in Ukraine’s Sumy Region

Military expert Andrey Marochko told TASS that there is 'major combat clashes are underway'

Monument to Big Three Allied leaders installed in Crimea

The huge statue is the work of the famous Georgian-born sculptor Zurab Tsereteli

Russia delivers batch of wheat to Syria first time under new power — source

The Pola Marina vessel supplied 6,600 tons of wheat to the Syrian port of Latakia on Sunday, April 20

VK’s revenue under IFRS grows by 23% in 2024 to $1.75 bln

The revenue of the Social Platforms and Media Content segment rose by 23% in 2024, reaching 104.3 bln rubles ($1.24 bln) compared to the previous year

Iran makes clear to US it has no intention to restore JCPOA — MFA

The second round of talks between the U.S. and Iran concluded on Saturday after nearly four hours of discussions in Rome, mediated by Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi

Russia ready to strike deal on Ukraine, but some details yet to be agreed — Lavrov

"We are busy with this exact process," the minister said

Construction rates going down in Russia — Putin

The Russian Cabinet already made certain decisions in this regard, the head of state said

Trumps says work on peace deal between Russia, Ukraine proceeding smoothly

Earlier in the day, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with visiting US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff

Houthis report delivering strikes on USS Harry Truman

US aircraft carrier was attacked in the northern part of the Red Sea

Russia ready for talks with Kiev without any preconditions, Putin says

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated that earlier, "Putin repeatedly stated this"

Funeral ceremony begins in St. Peter’s Square to pay last respects to Pope Francis

The funeral of the first Latin American pope is being attended by over 160 delegations, including more than 60 heads of state and governments and also leaders of the European Union, according to the data of the Holy See’s press office

Syrians from Latakia, Tartus take shelter from violence at Russian base — Moscow’s envoy

According to Vasily Nebenzya, Russia urges the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs "to pay special attention to the humanitarian situation in these regions"

Russian defense chief inspects Battlegroup Kursk — Defense Ministry

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Ukraine has lost over 75,000 troops and more than 400 tanks since fighting began in the Kursk Region

Europe to face difficulties with filling storages with gas — GECF report

About 35 million cubic meters remained in European UGS after the end of the previous heating season

Russia is not going to attack anyone — Kremlin spokesman

Dmitry Peskov stressed that Russia has not had any problems with Finland or Sweden

Putin-Witkoff talks see progress made — Putin’s envoy

The meeting between the Russian president and the US special envoy lasted three hours

Large-scale glitch hits Ukraine’s banking system — media

Users across Ukraine are complaining that they cannot pay with bank cards in stores, on transport and in the taxi service

Russian army putting serious pressure on Ukrainian troops new Loknya in Sumy region

Overall Russian troops "have slightly advanced" in this section of the frontline, Marochko added

Russia’s military chief reports on complete liberation of Kursk Region

The Kiev regime lost more than 76,000 troops in its incursion in Russia’s borderline Kursk Region, Valery Gerasimov said

Trump says Witkoff had good meeting

Russian Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov said earlier that President Vladimir Putin had received Steve Witkoff at the Kremlin

Press review: Europe, Ukraine undermine US peace plan and Washington seeks return to Libya

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

Russia unlikely to shun current partners in East, West if ties with US warm — analyst

Fyodor Voitolovsky said that Russia will definitely not downgrade relations with the countries of the global South and East if Moscow’s relations with Washington improve

Houthis report drone strike on Ashkelon, Tel Aviv

"Yemen’s unmanned system forces have carried out two military operations using drones," the movement’s military spokesman Yahya Saree said

Kremlin spokesman describes US envoy Witkoff’s visit to Russia as shuttle diplomacy

According to Dmitry Peskov, "it is about mediation efforts that the United States is making"

Bitcoin price exceeds $95,000 for first time since February 24

Bitcoin is a decentralized system of a crypto currency of the same name based on the blockchain technology

Kiev’s forces left without logistics in Gornal in Kursk Region — Akhmat commander

The Ukrainian military is close to relinquishing its positions in Gornal, the Akhmat commander said

When’s ‘our upcoming invasions, I’d like to plan my vacation’: Diplomat mocks US-UK media

According to the Politico newspaper, US President Joe Biden claimed that Russia could allegedly attack Ukraine on February 16

Death toll in blast in Iranian port climbs to eight, over 750 injured

"The rescue and law enforcement agencies are on site and we hope that the situation will be under complete control in a matter of hours," Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni said

Trump comments on killing of senior Russian army officer

Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalik, deputy chief of the Main Operations Directorate of the Russian General Staff and the Russian Defense Ministry’s negotiator, was killed in a car explosion on Friday morning

French general predicts Russia will be through with special military op by Christmas

The French military expert confidently stated that Russia will continue its operations not only until it fully liberates the four federal regions but may even advance as far as Odessa

Russia files statement to ICAO Council over West's air traffic rules violations

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the defendants in the case were 37 countries, including the United States, Canada, Britain and all members of the European Union

Third round of indirect talks between US, Iran concludes in Oman — Iranian state TV

According to the Omani Foreign Ministry, the talks between the US and Iran will continue next week with another high-level meeting slated for May 3

Russia being polite, never discusses details of talks in public as Zelensky does — Lavrov

According to Russian Foreign Minister, Moscow is making and considering serious proposals on settlement of the Ukrainian conflict

Russia reserves right to use nuclear arms in event of Western aggression — Shoigu

According to the official, Russia is "carefully monitoring Europe’s military preparations"

Russia can offer Africa what other nations cannot, says Kenyan media outlet

Editor Eric Biegon noted that active student exchanges were underway between Africa and Russia, as well as joint projects in nuclear energy, medicine, and other fields

Trump administration lays out roadmap to streamline tariff talks with 18 countries — WSJ

US officials expects agreements on reciprocal tariffs to be reached by July 8

Former US official doubts that Zelensky will take chance for peace in Ukraine

Colin Powell said that Vladimir Zelensky should "call elections for a date certain in the not too distant future, and become the savior of what remains of an independent and neutral country in the heart of a new Europe ready to build with Russia a new security architecture for Eurasia"

Zelensky seeks to deceive Trump, Russian diplomat says

Maria Zakharova also stressed that Zelensky 'is now also eliminating his own fellow citizens who live in the rest of Ukraine'

Lengthy period of tough monetary policy needed to reduce inflation — Bank of Russia

Further action of the Central Bank will depend on the pace of inflation to slow down, the regulator said

Peace in Ukraine possible after Kiev withdraws troops from Donbass, Novorossiya — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov recalled that these regions are enshrined in the Russian Constitution as an integral part of it

Ukrainian army’s rout in Kursk Region brings defeat of neo-Nazi regime closer — Putin

The Kiev regime’s venture has failed completely and the enemy has suffered huge losses, the Russian President said

Pollster says 13% of Ukrainians plan to leave country within six months

Ukrainians usually choose to move to Germany or Poland

Putin, Trump won’t issue joint Elbe Meeting statement — Kremlin

The Kremlin said earlier on Friday it is symbolic that the latest meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff happened on the day of the 80th anniversary of the Elbe meeting

Death toll in blast in Iranian port climbs

"The number of fatalities in the blast has climbed to five," Mehrdad Hasanzadeh, a local disaster management official, said

Britain may resort to provocations against Russia in any country — intel chief

Russian Ambassador to the UK Andrey Kelin said earlier in an interview with TASS that the latest publications in Western newspapers indicated that Great Britain was conducting undeclared hostile actions against Russia

Press review: US could rally 70 countries against China and EU targets Russia before May 9

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, April 17th

Reopening of Nord Stream pipeline depends on Germany’s political will — Russian ambassador

According to Sergey Nechayev, the German coastal town of Lubmin had everything in place to start getting gas

EU boost Russian pipe gas, LNG purchases by 40% in 2M 2025

EU member-countries paid 832 mln euro for Russian LNG in February 2025

FSB detains suspect in murder of Russian general Moskalik

Agent of Ukrainian special services Ignat Kuzin born in 1983 with a Ukrainian residence permit was detained

Russia increases fertilizer output by 7% in Q1 2025 — Rosstat

Ammonia production in January-March grew by 7.9% year-on-year, reaching 4.9 mln metric tons

Popular singer Vitas cleared of part of charges for presumed drunk driving

The investigation claims that after the incident Vitas escaped from the scene

High-ranking Russian Orthodox church delegation expected to attend Pope’s funeral — church

The Vatican said the pope died earlier on Monday

Russia’s Battlegroup East destroys up to 175 Ukrainian troops, T-64 tank in 24 hours

The group inflicted damage on troops and equipment of groups of a mechanized and a jaeger brigades of Ukraine’s assault regime near Bogatyr, Volnoye Pole, Otradnoye, Malinovka, Zelyonoye Pole, Alekseyevka, Yablokovo, and Zelyony Kut, Gordeyev added

Central Bank forecasts average key rate to be 19.5-21.5% by year-end

The key rate forecast for 2026 is kept equal to 13-14%

Putin-Witkoff meeting ends after lasting three hours

The previous encounter took place in St. Petersburg on April 11 and lasted for more than four hours

Ukrainian army loses up to 405 troops in responsibility area of Battlegroup Center

Alexander Savchuk said that battlegroup Center continues carrying out military tasks in the area of the special military operation

EU defense spending could rise to 1 trillion euros by 2030 — head of Rheinmetall

Rheinmetall is poised to significantly increase its investments in production expansion

Lavrov hears 'whispers' from French about mending ties

The Russian foreign minister criticized what he described as a "false and crude primitive explanation" of the Ukraine conflict being promoted in French society

Russia scales up domestic production in response to reduced trade with Europe — IMF

The Russian economy is expected to see "a quite sharp slowdown this year from last year's growth," Director of the European Department at the International Monetary Fund Alfred Kammer said

Trump holds brief meeting with Ukraine’s Zelensky in Vatican — media

The funeral of Pope Francis has brought together 160 delegations, including more than 60 heads of state and governments and the EU leaders

T-Bank adds Chinese to customer support, ATMs

The Chinese language has become the fifth one spoken by T-Bank’s support and the seventh one offered in ATM functions

Russia’s revised nuclear doctrine contains provisions on potential response to West

"This doctrine is available to the public," Dmitry Peskov said

Iran confirms acquisition of Russian Mi-28, Su-35, Yak-130 aircraft

The agency said the aircraft were already in Iran and accepted into service

Ukraine masses up troops, vehicles in village close to Russia’s Belgorod Region — official

According to Yevgeny Lisnyak, Ukraine is also busy assembling various military equipment

Kremlin slams as fake news rumors of DPRK military’s participation in special operation

South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun has alleged that DPRK soldiers might have been sent to Ukraine

Putin, Witkoff meeting for more than 2 hours now

From the Russian side, the meeting is also attended by Russian Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov and the head of Russian Direct Investment Fund, Kirill Dmitriev

Russia needs to develop domestic production of rare earth metals — top security official

Sergey Shoigu underscored the importance of creating backup production facilities, given the threats that emerged during the special military operation

Russian foreign intelligence chief says that Moldovan leader is indeed 'playing with fire'

Sergey Naryshkin commented on the situation with Gagauzia's head Evghenia Gutsul and other politicians

Press review: Vatican adjusts after Pope’s death as Moscow eyes Afghan projects post-ban

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, April 22nd

Russian Foreign Ministry cites Kiev's link to killed Russian general

"If the investigation confirms that Ukraine is behind this, it will again demonstrate to the international community the barbaric and treacherous nature of the Kiev regime," Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said

Russia hammers Ukrainian military airfields, ammo depots over past day

Russian air defense forces destroyed 236 Ukrainian UAVs and eight JDAM smart bombs over the past day, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported

Prices rising for cocoa beans due to poor harvest in grower countries — trade association

It is noted that since some companies still have inventories of cocoa beans purchased under previously lower prices, the increase will be gradual

Russia invites 19 countries to Victory Day parade on Red Square — minister

According to Andrey Belousov, solemn events involving military personnel will be held in 370 settlements

Russian forces wipe out deployment site of elite Ukrainian UAV unit

The strike destroyed a large number of the Ukrainian army’s personnel together with special equipment and explosives, the defense source said

Ukrainian troops fleeing positions near Bogatyr in Donetsk region — defense source

Battles have begun at approaches to that community, the defense source added

Press review: White House irritated with Zelensky’s behavior as India-Pakistan ties worsen

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

Trump to meet with Meloni, Starmer, Zelensky in Rome — media

Trump’s stay in the Italian capital is limited by 15 hours

S-500 system to be supplied to Armed Forces after 2015

Victor Gumenny said the advanced systems may solve the tasks of air-space defence and may fight hypersonic weapons

West should stop using human rights doctrine for geopolitical games — Russian ambassador

Anatoly Antonov believes that attempts to use the doctrine of human rights to justify the political, financial, economic and ideological dominance of the West must stop

Russian forces move forward in Gornal after wedging in Ukrainian defenses — officer

According to the regiment commander with the call sign Apostol, Gornal is the last settlement in the Kursk Region that is being held by Ukraine

Drone attack repelled in Russia's Rostov Region — interim governor

According to Yury Slyusar, no one was hurt