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Russian Sports Ministry backs decrease in foreign football players’ quota — minister

Under previous regulations, RPL clubs were allowed to roster 13 foreign players and field eight legionnaires on the pitch during matches

MOSCOW, April 24. /TASS/. The Russian Sports Ministry has signed a draft a law regulating a number of foreign footballers allowed to be rostered with the country’s top football league clubs, which represent the Russian Premier League (RPL), Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev said on Friday.

Under previous regulations, RPL clubs were allowed to roster 13 foreign players and field eight legionnaires on the pitch during matches.

"At today’s meeting with the managing authorities of the Russian Premier League clubs, I signed an order to change the limit on foreign players," Degtyarev wrote on his Telegram channel.

"Starting next season, there can be no more than 12 foreigners in the RPL team's roster and no more than seven [players] on the field," he added.

Russia’s football ban

The world’s governing football body, FIFA, announced on February 28, 2022, that the Russian national team and all professional clubs representing the country were barred from participating in FIFA tournaments.

In turn, the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) made a similar decision regarding the Russian national football team’s participation in UEFA tournaments.

Both FIFA and UEFA cited Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine as grounds for their respective bans on Russian teams’ participation in competitions.

Russian cyclist Savelkin wins gold at 2026 UCI Track World in Malaysia

Savekin won with 600 points

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Internet outages in major Russian cities are linked to preventing terrorist threats, the Russian president said

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According to Jonathan Edward, Western fighter jets have recently demonstrated a lack of readiness for the realities of modern combat

US leader says he needed no NATO support in Iran, was simply testing allies

Speaking about the prospects of reaching an agreement with Iran, the White House host stated that the republic "is dying to make a deal"

Kremlin considers Finland’s plans to allow import of nuclear weapons confrontation

Moreover, confrontation in a concentrated form, Peskov indicated in a comment to Channel One

Russia views European arms production sites for Ukraine as military targets — diplomat

Rodion Miroshnik pointed out that "Ukrainian militants underwent training on a whole number of territories in other states and some countries use their territories as logistics depots for weapons delivered to Ukrainian militants"

Slovak PM sees resumption of Druzhba oil supplies as more important than Kiev funding

Robert Fico said the Slovak government did not approve the loan and is not taking part in it

Trump supports maintaining direct contacts with Putin

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Investments in Russia's Arctic zone to exceed $396 bln over next 10 years

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Zelensky offering Middle East 'non-existent services' — diplomat

Ukraine and its European partners are currently making every effort to stay in the news so that the conflict in the Middle East does not push them out of the media spotlight, Rodion Miroshnik noted

Moscow prepares official invitations for participants in Russia-ASEAN summit — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov explained that any potential bilateral meetings at the upcoming summit would depend on the progress of preparations

New sanctions package comprises 36 export bans for Russian energy sector

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London, Paris seek to escalate tensions to nuclear level — Russian MFA

Maria Zakharova pointed out that the destabilizing steps taken by Britain and France are at odds with their NPT obligations to avoid provoking an arms race

Other oil supply routes to secure interests of Kazakhstan — Kremlin

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At least 10 people injured in shooting in Louisiana, US

The city's mayor Sid Edwards noted that the shooting incident is being investigated as a probable targeted attack

China rejects Trump’s hints of military aid to Iran — MFA

"China opposes any accusations and hints that have no factual basis," Guo Jiakun said

France seeks to replace US, but Macron 'will not become Napoleon' — Russian MP

According to Andrey Kartapolov, these attempts are "pathetic"

Kiev may shut off Druzhba pipeline again even after receiving loan from EU

The pipeline recovery is "a miracle of miracles," the news outlet said

Indian Navy declares Strait of Hormuz maritime zone of interest — newspaper

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Unity of Eurasian peoples, EU conditions for Serbia: remarks by Kremlin spokesman

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Mexican President Sheinbaum demands US explain unauthorized CIA operations on its soil

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EU resorts to coercion of sovereign states in 20th sanctions package — Russian mission

"The European Union has once again demonstrated its complete disregard for international law and the UN Charter," the Russian Mission to the EU said

Israel’s defense minister declares readiness to resume war with Iran if US permits

The Israel Defense Forces are prepared for both defense and offense; the targets have been identified, Israel Katz emphasized

Two injured in drone attack on Sevastopol humanitarian aid convoy

The injured received first aid on the spot and were then taken to the hospital

Press review: Forty nations back Gulf vessel evacuation plan and Germany seeks to lead EU

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

EU intends to use Russian assets as compensation of loan for Kiev

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Trump says Strait of Hormuz ‘sealed up tight’ by US until Iran agrees to make deal

No ship can enter or leave without the approval of the United States Navy, the US leader noted

EU to never get back €90 billion allocated to Ukraine — Medvedev

The politician emphasized that it was money from Europeans' pockets

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Ukrainian army losses in Dnepropetrovsk Region increase over past week — expert

According to Andrey Marochko, Kiev is also suffering severe losses near the Verkhnyaya Tersa locality in the neighboring Zaporozhye Region

Russian forces thwart Ukrainian counteroffensive in Zaporozhye Region — expert

Vitaly Kiselev noted that Ukrainian military analysts are panicking

Bank of Russia cuts key rate for third consecutive time since start of year

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Russian envoy taken aback by newspaper article on Germany’s military might

The paper pointed out that Germany’s new military strategy "means becoming the strongest conventional army in Europe"

EU seeks to compensate for ‘erosion in NATO’ by declaring Russia enemy — Kremlin

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Combat use experience is significant advantage of Russian UAVs — expert

Denis Fedutinov urged caution regarding predictions concerning possible supplies of the Russian systems abroad, including to the Southeast Asian region

Nuclear issue not main topic in talks with US now — Iranian MFA

The main issue now is ending the conflict in a way that meets Tehran’s interests, Esmaeil Baghaei emphasized

Road bridge on Russia-North Korea border to help foster cooperation — agency

The bridge is scheduled to open in June 2026

Russia’s steel output down 11.4% YOY in March — WSA

Steel production in Russia amounted to 5.4 mln metric tons in March 2026

Nuclear weapons transfer to Kiev would greatly undermine NPT principles — Russian MFA

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova noted that the British and French authorities sought to intimidate their own people, citing a bogus threat from Russia

Ukraine’s public debt to grow to $300 billion by end of 2027 — economist

But there is also good news: neither we nor our children will have to repay it, because repaying such a debt is physically impossible, Kushch said

Photos and videos from Bucha staged by Kiev regime for Western media — defense ministry

"The photos and videos from Bucha are fakes staged by the Kiev regime for the Western media," it stressed

Kiev ‘resets to zero’ territories it cannot hold — Russian special envoy

Rodion Miroshnik criticized Kiev’s political regime, highlighting its "disregard for human rights not only of residents in Russian regions but also of the Ukrainian citizens still officially registered as such"

Iran compiles list of targets in Middle East in case of US attacks — agency

According to the report, the list was drawn up on the principle of reciprocity

European Union bans digital ruble support — statement

The EU also banned transactions in RUBx cryptocurrency

Iranian ambassador to Russia outlines conditions for talks with US

According to Kazem Jalali, if there are talks, they must be fair and aimed at achieving lasting peace

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

Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicted more than 2,295 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed 29 enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the week, the Defense Ministry reported

EU’s imposing a transaction ban on 20 Russian banks

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US considers strikes on Iranian targets in Strait of Hormuz — CNN

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The hospital’s duty team remains at their post

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The New York Times noted that a single missile costs about $4 million

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EU could collapse if it hitches wagon to Trump, European Council chief warns — Bloomberg

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US uses over 1,000 Tomahawk missiles in war with Iran — newspaper

According to the newspaper, fully replenishing the depleted stockpiles could take up to six years

Ukrainian saboteurs, UAV control centers destroyed in Konstantinovka — FSB

According to the report, the terrorists were preparing ambushes along the route of Russian troops

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Bank of Russia board to decide on key rate on April 24

At its previous meeting in March, the Bank of Russia cut the key rate for the second time in a row since the beginning of the year by 0.5 percentage points to 15% per annum

Entire units of Ukrainian motorized infantry brigade missing near Volchansk

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Two doctors injured in knife attack at hospital in Russia’s Dagestan

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Trump plans to invite Russian president to G20 summit in December — WP

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Europe begging for seat at negotiating table, adding fuel to Ukraine conflict — MFA

Europe's actions are contradictory, Maria Zakharova stated

Launch of Luna-26, Luna-27 may be postponed, space chief Rogozin says

After its trials are concluded, the control launch date will be determined

Russian diplomat calls Zelensky’s ideas of new military bloc in EU 'insane'

Maria Zakharova pointed out that the European Union once rejected Russia’s concept of combining peaceful potential and creating a common space for cooperation

Russia sees rising threats to nuclear sites, including Zaporozhye, Bushehr — MFA

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova noted that Moscow attaches great importance to strengthening physical nuclear security across the world

Nuclear drills by France, Poland will not intimidate Russia, lawmaker says

According to Andrey Kartapolov, such plans mean that Russia's relations with France and Poland are going to be even more unfriendly

NATO officers are being planted in Ukraine under cover — Russian MFA

Maria Zakharova said that Western military personnel involved in this structure orchestrating terrorist operations against Russia

Loan to Kiev is step toward European capitals' loss of sovereignty, Shoigu believes

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Kiev’s AI-powered drones are half-baked, cannot distinguish targets — expert

The AI-equipped drones of the Ukrainian armed forces are carrying out random strikes, Vitaly Kiselev noted

Putin’s presence at G20 summit in December would be very helpful — Trump

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US faces difficult dilemma over weapons spending — NYT

The shortage of munitions for air defense systems will affect the combat readiness of US forces in Asia

Russia sees no intention of Kiev, Europe to settle Ukrainian conflict — MFA

Rodion Miroshnik emphasized that Europeans "have not once made a proposal for a peaceful resolution of the conflict"

Israel reports first rocket fire in north since truce with Hezbollah

Several projectiles were launched toward the northern border community of Shtula

Kremlin calls Tusk's latest statements on Russia another manifestation of Russophobia

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk earlier told the Financial Times that Russia could allegedly soon attack one of the NATO countries

EU sanctions Russian oil producers, refineries

Sanctions affected Tuapse, Komsomolsk, Angarsk, Achinsk, Syzran, Ryazan and Afipsky refineries

Ukraine eliminates own mercenaries in friendly fire episode in Kharkov Region — expert

Andrey Marochko said the shots were likely fired by a retreat-blocking detachment

EU to ban LNG terminal services for Russian companies since 2027

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Russian presidential envoy comments on possible Putin invitation to G20 summit in US

"Russia has always been part of the G20," Kirill Dmitriev noted

Crew-13 mission with cosmonaut Teteryatnikov expected from mid-September

Alongside Sergey Teteryatnikov, NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins and Luke Delaney, as well as Canadian Space Agency astronaut Joshua Kutryk, will travel to the orbital station

Russia’s Battlegroup South eliminates 20 Ukrainian ground robots over past 24 hours

Each robotic system was used by the enemy to deliver materiel, ammunition and control panels

Russian, Iranian presidents stay in close contact — ambassador to Moscow

Kazem Jalali noted that Vladimir Putin and Masoud Pezeshkian have held three phone calls since the start of the US-Israeli military operation against Iran

New round of Israel-Lebanon contacts to take place at White House — Axios

On April 14, the first round of direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon in 43 years took place in Washington with the participation of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio

Russia invited to partake at highest level in G20 summit in US — deputy foreign minister

It will be held in Miami, Florida, on December 14-15

Aoun, Netanyahu may arrive in Washington within 3 weeks — Trump

The US President confirmed that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to extend the ceasefire for three weeks

Zelensky frightens Europe to receive more weapons supplies — MFA

According to Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Vladimir Zelensky spreads false claims that Russia allegedly wants to attack European countries

US, their allies' space policy becoming increasingly aggressive — diplomat

According to Maria Zakharova, the West is trying to whitewash its own illegal actions by accusing Russia of something

Iran does not trust US when it comes to negotiations — ambassador to Russia

Kazem Jalali stressed that the US side had betrayed diplomacy several times and left the negotiating table

Ukrainian forces attack DPR territory four times over past day

Reports were received of two civilians being wounded

EU imposes sanctions on creator of drone that destroyed first Abrams tank

The EU also imposed sanctions on the Arkhangel Center military training center

West ignores environmental consequences of Ukrainian attacks on Black Sea coast — diplomat

Accordig to Maria Zakharova, the contaminated area amounts to about ten thousand square meters

Russian diplomat slams UN official’s data on those affected by Kiev’s attacks as 'big lie'

"The Westerners make every effort to ignore and hush up or distort these horrible numbers, particularly with the help of UN officials," Rodion Miroshnik pointed out

No information on new round of US-Iran talks in Islamabad — Iranian ambassador to Russia

The sides held several rounds of talks in Islamabad on April 11

Searches in Dagestan, 'Eksmo' scandal: latest Kremlin briefing

The Russian president gave instructions to help residents of Dagestan with housing restoration, including housing that is not properly registered

Trump’s rhetoric pushes Tehran away from talks with Washington — Bloomberg

According to the report, the rhetoric of the American leader has already damaged the ongoing diplomatic efforts with the participation of intermediaries

Russian troops take up positions on outskirts of Rai-Aleksandrovka in DPR — expert

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Italy actively supplies weapons to Ukraine, deploys UAV production facilities — Miroshnik

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Russian defense minister holds talks with Chinese counterpart — Chinese Defense Ministry

Beijing noted that under the strategic leadership of the leaders of the two countries, Russian-Chinese ties maintain a high level of healthy development