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Russia busts crime rings hauling Afghan narcotics

Activities of several dozen organized crime groups engaged in wholesale supply of Afghan heroin to Russia from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have been tracked and terminated

Seized drugs (archive) EPA/ARSHAD ARBAB

Seized drugs (archive)

© EPA/ARSHAD ARBAB

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Synthetic drugs worth $2.4 bln seized in Russia since early 2015

MOSCOW, December 14. /TASS/. Federal Drugs Control officers have wound up several dozen criminal groups engaged in wholesale supply of Afghan heroin to Russia from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, agency director Viktor Ivanov said on Monday.

"We managed to achieve a significant increase of effectiveness in tracking and eliminating international crime groups," Ivanov told a government commission developing anti-drug programs. "Amounts of seized heroin have grown substantially both in these republics and in Russia," he said.

"Activities of several dozen organized crime groups have been tracked and terminated," he added.

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Afghanistan Fight against drugs

Demarche delivered to UK consul general in Yekaterinburg over propaganda work

Alexander Kharlov also specified that the provision of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and the bilateral Consular Convention on the need for foreign diplomats to comply with the laws and rules of the host country had been reiterated to Kotecha

Arbitration rules for recovering 114.8 mln from Glencore in favor of Sber

In February 2023, the Moscow Arbitration Court ruled to recover the debt totaling 117.9 mln euro in favor of Sberbank from Glencore Energy UK Ltd

Senior Russian diplomat warns West against aggressive statements about Russia

Sergey Ryabkov pointed out that the West "is ignoring elementary and, as a matter of fact, absolutely obvious principles," such as the idea that a nuclear power "can never be defeated"

Netanyahu a threat for Israel, opposition leader says

According to Yair Lapid, Israeli allies "smell this weakness," too

Russian paratroopers seize Ukrainian stronghold on tanks, combat vehicles

Russian troops suffered no casualties, the Russian Defense Ministry reported

Russian Armed Forces hit IRIS-T air defense system launcher, Ukrainian ammunition depot

The personnel and equipment of the Ukrainian Armed Forces were also defeated in 129 districts

Israel to soon retaliate Iranian attack, no exact date yet — media

The Wall Street Journal did not specify the exact day

Italy’s minister estimates Israeli capability to defend from Iranian attack at one billion

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Russian stock indices rising on Monday — market data

The dollar surged by 0.32% to 93.75 rubles, while the euro edged up by 0.22% to 99.83 rubles

Demarche delivered to UK consul general in Yekaterinburg over propaganda work

Alexander Kharlov also specified that the provision of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and the bilateral Consular Convention on the need for foreign diplomats to comply with the laws and rules of the host country had been reiterated to Kotecha

Ukraine hits medical center in Belgorod Region

The fire was extinguished, no casualties occurred

Press review: Iran fires back at Israel and Russia, West spar over AI rulebook

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, April 15th

Ukrainian paratroopers surrender in Avdeyevka area — Russian Defense Ministry

Nine Ukrainian paratroopers of the airborne platoon of the elite brigade of the Ukrainian armed forces seized the opportunity to surrender near Vodyanoye, turned to Russian soldiers and laid down their arms, the ministry said

Israel remains on highest alert as it chooses response to Iran’s attack — senior commander

"Iran will face the consequences for its actions," IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi said

Water level in Tobol River near Kurgan city may rise to 1,082 cm — authorities

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New sanctions against Moscow to push supplies of Russian metal to China up — Bloomberg

The London Metal Exchange’s ban on Russian aluminum, copper and nickel produced after April 13, 2024 leaves the Shanghai Futures Exchange as the only major commodities bourse in the world to accept Russian shipments of the three metals

US reaffirms commitment to defending Japan, including with nuclear weapons

Joe Biden reiterated the unwavering commitment of the United States to the defense of Japan under Article V of the Treaty, using its full range of capabilities

FACTBOX: Water down in Orenburg, Kurgan and Tyumen at risk

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Russia raises issue of transferring talks on South Caucasus from Switzerland — ministry

Maria Zakharova emphasized that "several states rightfully lay claim to such a role, and some of them have already agreed to provide their territory for holding regular discussion meetings"

Putin signs decree on spring draft to armed forces

The document also dismisses soldiers, sailors, sergeants and petty officers, whose conscription time span has expired

Russia unaware of any UN Security Council document on Iran — envoy

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Kazakhstan ready to host talks on Ukraine — envoy to Spain

Diplomacy is the wisest approach in today's age, Danat Mussayev noted, adding that it should take the interests of all parties into account

Russian air defenses suppress up to 400 Ukrainian UAVs in DPR over week

The drones neutralized by the air defenses included a Mavic-3 UAV and three Baba-Yaga drones carrying improvised explosive devices manufactured with the use of anti-tank aerial bombs and mines

Russian Ocean Way vessel docks at Socotra, captain needs medical aid

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Russian forces suppress nearly 80% of Ukrainian drones in island zone of Dnieper River

According to a servicemen of Russia's Northern Fleet marine infantry from the battlegroup Dnepr, control of this area is necessary to organize a buffer zone that ensures the safety of Russian units on the left bank and civilians

Journalist Hinkle agrees with Carlson that Moscow is cleaner and safer than US cities

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Russian skiers unlikely to return to int’l competition before 2028 — sports official

Russian cross country skiers have been barred from taking part in international competitions since 2022 due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine

Ukraine suffered substantial power generation losses over recent weeks — minister

According to German Galushchenko, the value of the damage is being verified and could reach billions of dollars

Press TV reports all of Iran's hypersonic missiles hit intended targets in Israel

The report did not specify which facilities in Israel had been attacked with hypersonic missiles

Freshly mobilized Ukrainian soldiers holding first-line defense in Chasov Yar, says DPR

Igor Kimakovsky said that the Ukrainian combat group in Chasov Yar is suffering heavy casualties

Ukraine actively uses Caesar self-propelled howitzers in Zaporozhye Region — politician

Vladimir Rogov did not specified the amount of Ukrainian equipment

Macron draws distinction between Israeli, Russian Olympic participation

The French leader stressed that Israel was responding to a terrorist attack

China’s Jetour plans to sell up to 50,000 cars in Russia this year

Sales volumes depend on the demand for it, Liang Bin stated, noting that this refers not merely to sales of the Jetour Dashing crossover but also to other brand models, including X70 and X90 crossovers and the T2 SUV

Attacks on ZNPP raise risks for nuclear safety — IAEA chief

Rafael Grossi reminded the Security Council that last year he outlined the principles of ensuring safety at the ZNPP to avert the danger of a nuclear incident and called on Russian and Ukraine to observe them

Hamas not to make any concessions on Israeli troops’ withdrawal from Gaza

Izzat al-Rishq noted that Israel’s attempts to release its hostages held by radicals in the Gaza Strip have failed and "there is no alternative to a real deal on this matter with Palestinian groups"

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On the evening of April 13, Iran launched dozens of drones and missiles toward Israel in response to what it called "repeated crimes" from Tel Aviv, including the attack on the consular office of the Iranian Embassy in Damascus ascribed to Israel

Volume of frozen Russian assets in Germany reaches around €3.9 bln

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Russia, Belarus boosting interaction despite sanctions

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Moscow shooter identified as European boxing champion Nikita Ivanov

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General agreement includes organizing the production of the brand’s products in Russia and gradually increasing the level of localization

Ukraine offers to use neighbors' air defense systems to protect its gas storage facilities

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Georgian protesters end rally in Tbilisi over foreign agents bill

Rustaveli Avenue has been opened for traffic

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Russia’s UN envoy says statements by West expose Kiev’s responsibility for attacks on ZNPP

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Russian, Algerian financial intelligence representatives to talk shop in Moscow

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Iran sought to ‘graduate’ scale of damage during attack on Israel, EU’s Borrell says

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Ukrainians attack Lugansk, presumably using two Storm Shadow missiles — security officer

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Georgian parliament passes bill on foreign agents in first reading

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Ukraine announces blocking of 83 TikTok channels, including 'tass_agency'

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Ukrainian armed forces launch drone offensive on Belgorod Region

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Tobol River level may reach more than 10 meters near Kurgan — authorities

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Russian forces find coordinates of DPR churches at former Ukrainian positions in Avdeyevka

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Russian Su-34 jets destroy Ukrainian command post with high-explosive aerial bombs

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Man killed in DPR's Gorlovka in Ukrainian drone attack

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Iran plans negotiations with Russia on purchase of Sukhoi fighters

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Russian envoy calls UN Security Council meeting on Iran strike parade of hypocrisy

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Iran has warned US that Israeli response would set off harsh retaliation — minister

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Restoration of Notre Dame de Paris enters its final stage

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Russian investors in Belarus interested in logistics, oil refining — minister

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West believes Israel may retaliate against Iran as early as April 15 — WSJ

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'Iron Dome' can't fully protect from UAV swarms — Chinese expert

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Iran has no need to buy Russia’s S-400 missile systems — defense minister

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Russia, Belarus sign aircraft production agreement

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Russian foreign ministry blames Paris for death of French mercenaries in Kharkov

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French mercenaries operate Caesar howitzers in Ukraine — French reporter

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IAEA chief slams attack on ZNPP dome as ‘very dangerous precedent’

Rafael Grossi calls for attacks on ZNPP to stop as they raise safety risks

Share of young men in Ukrainian population drops to record low, says paper

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Russia to continue boosting cooperation with countries of Global South, East — Lavrov

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Europe may soon toughen policy on Ukrainian migrants — expert

Vilde Hernes stressed that the protection permits for Ukrainian migrants contain many restrictions "such as fewer integration measures, less financial assistance, and no path to permanent residency"