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Cessation of gas supply via Nord Stream was not unexpected — European Council head

Gazprom’s move is sadly no surprise, Charles Michel said

MOSCOW, September 2. /TASS/. The cessation of gas supply via the Nord Stream pipeline was not unexpected, European Council President Charles Michel said on his Twitter Friday.

"Gazprom’s move is sadly no surprise. Use of gas as a weapon will not change the resolve of the EU. We will accelerate our path towards energy independence. Our duty is to protect our citizens and support the freedom of #Ukraine," he tweeted.

On Friday evening, Gazprom announced that damages were discovered during operations on the last working Nord Stream gas pump, which require total shutdown of the supply until the damage is repaired. A number of oil leaks were found during operations on pump number 24 at the Portovaya compressor station, carried out together with Siemens representatives.

"The oil leak discovery act was also signed by Siemens representatives," Gazprom noted.

Earlier, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Moscow rejects accusations that Russia uses gas or oil as a "weapon of political pressure.".

Slovak PM Fico’s life out of danger — deputy PM

Fico was wounded in a shooting incident that happened after a government meeting in the city of Handlova in the western part of Slovakia

Military counterintelligence needs higher status, more functions — expert

"In the new military-political reality there is an obvious need for transforming the Department of Military Counterintelligence into a full-fledged 3rd service within the FSB," Igor Korotchenko pointed out

Moscow ready to navigate market challenges amid US' uranium import ban

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov noted that this latest move from Washington showed just how low it would go to try to hurt the Russian economy

Several airborne targets downed approaching Belgorod — governor

Vyacheslav Gladkov added that three houses were damaged in the settlement of Petrovka

Attack on Fico targets friendship with Russia — former Slovak prime minister

"The assassination attempt can be blamed only on a political madman, brainwashed by Slovakia's opposition media," Jan Carnogursky stressed

Death toll from Israeli military operation in Gaza exceeds 35,200 — health ministry

According to the report, 79,141 Palestinians have been injured in the enclave

President of Slovakia confirms PM Fico’s assailant detained — report

Zuzana Caputova called the attack on Fico an "attack on democracy," adding that such crimes are being motivated by the "hateful rhetoric"

Russia seeking comprehensive, just settlement of Ukraine conflict — Putin

"Such negotiations must take into account the interests of all countries involved in the conflict, including Russia's," the Russian President pointed out

Putin thanks outbound Russian defense minister for his work

The Russian leader added that Sergey Shoigu would now serve as Russian Security Council secretary

Israeli losses surpass 620 troops since Gaza conflict escalated

It is reported that since the onset of the ground operation in Gaza the Israeli army has lost 273 troops

US reaction to terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall raises questions — MFA

"If there is no such evidence, then neither the White House nor anyone else is in a position to postulate anyone’s innocence," Maria Zakharova said

Russian troops destroy over 16,000 armored vehicles in Ukraine operation — top brass

Russian troops improved their frontline positions and inflicted casualties on the Ukrainian army in the Kharkov area over the past day, the ministry reported

Slovakia’s Fico suffers several wounds, in life-threatening condition — PM’s Facebook page

As the post on the prime minister’s profile specifies, he was rushed by helicopter to a hospital of the city of Banska Bystrica in central Slovakia

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

Russian troops repulsed ten Ukrainian army counterattacks in the Kupyansk area over the past day, the ministry reported

Russia's top brass stresses special nature of Russian-Belarusian armed forces relations

"Lieutenant General Viktor Khrenin, Minister of Defense of Belarus, and Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov held a telephone conversation," the Belarusian Defense Ministry's press service reported

Russian Emergencies Ministry publishes updated list of wounded in terrorist attack

The list published includes 99 people that were injured

Russia’s UN mission expects Georgia to be wise enough not to sell out to US like Ukraine

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said earlier the US demand that Tbilisi change its policy course raised the question of Washington’s true values

Russia knows how to achieve large-scale goals, Putin says

Moscow prioritizes increasing people’s well-being in terms of economic development, the Russian President said in an interview with the Chinese news agency Xinhua

US imposes sanctions against Russian police training center in Nicaragua

According to Washington, the training center "contributes to anti-democratic actions and repressions from the Ortega-Murillo regime"

All Ukrainians who covered up Nord Stream sabotage identified, politician says

According to Andrey Derkach, members of the group led by Roman Chervinsky acted under instructions from Christopher Smith, "the No.2 at the US Embassy in Ukraine at that time and a well-known" CIA agent

Kiev describes situation in Volchansk as extremely challenging

According to Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, "fierce fighting" is taking place in the Kharkov Region

Rescue operation at the scene of the terrorist attack in Crocus City Hall is over

Over the past 24 hours, 133 bodies have been recovered from under the rubble

Georgian parliament approves foreign agents bill in third reading

According to the procedure, the bill will be submitted to President Salome Zourabichvili, who has already vowed to veto it

US Congress has evidence of Biden family’s involvement in terrorism — Ukrainian politician

Andrey Derkach pointed out that "the criminal case that was initiated against Burisma was being actively investigated under [Ukrainian] Prosecutor General [Viktor] Shokin [in 2014-2016]"

Putin arrives in China on state visit

The Russian president is scheduled to visit Beijing and Harbin

Taliban signals it doesn’t pose threat to India, Russia — Russian diplomat

"If they want to remain Afghan patriots, albeit with a large share of Islamism, they must act so that not to spoil relations at least with the surrounding world," Zamir Kabulov noted

Kamaz recalls over 23,000 vehicles in Russia

Transport vehicles are remembered due to the lack of an accident emergency response device, Rosstandart reported

Upgraded tank anti-FPV drone systems arrive for Russian troops in Ukraine operation

New Triton drone suppression systems can be mounted on both armor and quad bikes, sea boats and any objects that require protection against FPV drones, Denis Oslomenko elaborated

Taiwan registers approach of 45 Chinese aircraft

Earlier, the military agency reported spotting 23 Chinese aircraft near the island on Tuesday night, including Su-30 fighter jets and drones

Russian president’s visit to Vietnam to propel deepening of bilateral ties — envoy

The exact dates of the visit are yet to be coordinated

US discusses deployment of Patriot systems in Kharkov with Ukraine — Blinken

Russia’s Defense Ministry reported earlier that Russian troops had liberated several communities in the Kharkov Region

China supports Serbia in defending its sovereignty on Kosovo issue — Xi

Xi Jinping is on a state visit to Serbia on May 7-8

Putin pardons 52 female convicts — Kremlin

First and foremost, the pardon covers women with minor children, pregnant women and women, whose relatives are involved in the special military operation

Europeans go for broke seeing risk of collapse for Kiev in special op situation — Kremlin

According to Peskov, currently, "the moment is crucial."

Slovakia’s PM allegedly suffers chest, abdominal wounds — newspaper

The condition of Slovakia’s prime minister, who was rushed to hospital by helicopter, is estimated as extremely serious

Dushanbe in contact with Moscow on alleged involvement of Tajik citizens in terror attack

The Tajik authorities are in close contact with their Russian colleagues, said a spokesperson for the Tajik Foreign Ministry

Blinken says Ukraine may engage in talks if Russia shows 'interest'

Antony Blinken noted that in terms of negotiations, these are "decisions for Ukraine to make"

Russia, OIC to combat Islamophobia, Russophobia worldwide — top diplomat

Sergey Lavrov asserted that Russia is a consistent supporter of shaping a more fair and democratic multipolar world order based on the principles of the UN Charter

Avtovaz to produce up to 50,000 Lada Largus cars by year-end

Earlier, Avtovaz resumed the production of gasoline-fueled Lada Largus cars at its facility in Izhevsk

SCO Secretary General sends condolences amid terrorist attack in Moscow region

Zhang Ming expressed solidarity with the Russian people in this sad and difficult time

State Duma approves Mikhail Mishustin as Chairman of Russian Government

Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin thanked State Duma lawmakers for approving his candidacy for the prime minister’s office

Putin signs law banning foreign agents’ participation in elections

The elections include those to federal and regional state bodies, to public authorities of a federal territory, as well as to local self-government bodies

Putin appoints acting governors of five regions

All of the appointed acting governors, except Dmitry Milyayev, are participants in the School of Governors - a program created on presidential instructions to train administrators for possible promotion at the regional and federal levels

Annual inflation in Russia up to 7.91% on May 7-13 from 7.81% in previous week — ministry

In the food sector prices changed by 0.09% during the reporting week, while in the non-food segment inflation equaled 0.23%

UAE interested in supporting big cluster of Russian specialists — REC

Many free economic zones work in the UAE, in industrial clusters and in other areas, the REC’s representative noted, adding that such free economic zones attract foreign players

Blinken says current special military operation stage critical for Kiev

According to the US secretary of state, Russia is "ramping up another offensive against Ukraine, at Kharkov and across the east"

What we know about attempt to assassinate Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico

Robert Fico was shot after a cabinet meeting in the city of Handlova in western Slovakia

New head of Taiwan claims readiness for dialogue with mainland China

China’s authorities have repeatedly noted that what is known as the 1992 Consensus is a condition for dialogue with Taiwan, however, Lai Ching-te claimed not to support it

UAE rates high Made in Russia brand, understands its reliability — REC

The UAE is a very competitive market, though the Russian brand has managed to prove its stability, due to a good marketing campaign in particular, Najibullo Jabbori said

Several people injured in knife attack in Switzerland’s Zofingen — report

The attacker has been detained, AFR reported

At least 145 people sent to hospitals after terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall

According to the Moscow Region’s Health Ministry, at least nine of them are in grave condition

World’s largest copter Mi-26 engaged in firefighting efforts at concert hall near Moscow

The aircraft scoop water from the Moskva River

Russian air defenses down several projectiles near Sevastopol, Belbek airfield

The city’s Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev noted that there had been no reports of damage to civilian infrastructure

Air defenses destroy ten ATACMS missiles over Crimean Peninsula — Russian Defense Ministry

"The attacks involved US-made ATACMS missiles, French-made Hammer guided aerial bombs, US-made HARM, large-caliber projectiles and fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles," the statement says

Russia to invite numerous global South leaders to BRICS summit — Lavrov

The top Russian diplomat recalled that the participants in last year's BRICS summit in Johannesburg (South Africa) decided to form a new category of partner countries, which "will largely replace the BRICS+ format that has existed so far"

US did not enable Ukrainian strikes beyond Ukrainian territory — Blinken

The US secretary of state noted that Ukraine must decide on how to carry out combat action on its own

Orban expresses condolences to Russian people amid terrorist attack

"We pray for the families of the victims," hungarian prime minister said

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

Russia opposes external interference in Bosnia's affairs — envoy to UN

Vasily Nebenzya noted that only the Dayton Agreement can be the "starting and ending point" for resolving the situation in the country

Head of Main Personnel Directorate of Russia’s Defense Ministry Yuri Kuznetsov detained

A search was conducted at both Kuznetsov's job and his home, other specifics about the criminal case have not been revealed, law enforcement agencies told TASS

Nord Stream saboteurs prepped in Ukraine, Romania — Ukrainian politician

According to Andrey Derkach, they trained on the South Stream, rented a large yacht, and then they were taken to Poland

UNSC meeting on Western weapons supplies to Kiev to be held on May 20 — Russian mission

"We will respond to the Westerners," Dmitry Polyansky said

Slovakia’s PM Fico in critical condition — defense minister

Robert Kalinak said that the prime minister had been undergoing surgery for more than 3.5 hours

Intel agencies detain 11 people involved in Crocus City Hall attack — FSB

Work is underway to identify terrorist accomplices and establish all the circumstances of the attack

Putin asks Belousov to "open" Defense Ministry as much as possible

The Russian president set another task for the new defense minister to address - to continue handling economic matters

Air defenses down two HARM missiles, two Hammer air bombs over Belgorod Region

Five UAVs were wiped out over the Kursk Region and three drones were intercepted over the Bryansk Region

Russia’s onslaught on Kharkov may compel Ukraine to truce — NYT

On May 11, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported liberating several populated localities in the Kharkov Region

Kremlin clarifies Patrushev’s new appointment

Since 2008, Patrushev has been the secretary of Russia’s Security Council, serving the longest in this capacity

Russian forces advancing daily in special op, everything going according to plan — Putin

The Russian leader opened his meeting with commanders of troops of military districts by extending his greetings on the occasion of Victory Day

No changes in General Staff management, none planned — Putin

"This combat operation bloc is well-established," the Russian leader went on to say

Afghanistan needs wheat and asks Russia to lower grain prices — minister

Nooruddin Azizi also said that he will work to ensure that exports from Afghanistan are subject to tariff preferences provided for least developed countries

Russian, Ukrainian people to restore relations sooner or later, senior diplomat says

"The Anglo-Saxons have always feared our unity and they have long been trying to pit us against each other and drown us in a bloody fratricide," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin said

If West wants to solve Ukraine conflict on battlefield, 'so be it' — Lavrov

Sergey Lavrov reiterated that Russia was ready to negotiate peace not only in words, but also in deeds

Press review: New Russian government taking shape and Georgia's path to EU gets cloudy

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, May 14th

Russian Su-25 attack aircraft wipe out Ukrainian equipment, personnel over past day

After employing air-launched munitions, the pilots performed a missile evasion maneuver, fired flares and returned to their airfield, it said

Putin warns against imbalances in economy, industry related to special military operation

The Russian leader also stated the importance of diversification of military production at a meeting with commanders of military district troops

China, Turkey could mediate Russia-Ukraine peace talks — former Czech president

According to Milos Zeman, a ceasefire must be reached first

Russian MFA sees Western media focus on Georgian protests, silence on Armenian rallies

According to Maria Zakharova, Western news media "forgive everything" to protesters in Georgia

Slovak PM Robert Fico wounded in shooting — portal

The suspected shooter has been apprehended

Latin America refuses to sacrifice its future for US interests, Russian envoy believes

Dmitry Feoktistov noted that the EU industry, which refused direct supplies of Russian hydrocarbons due to sanctions, is currently experiencing a deep crisis, losing its profitability and competitiveness

Ukraine’s military has about 2,000-strong garrison in Kherson — resistance fighters

Ukrainian service members have been moving little in the city lately and normally only at night, the Kherson Resistance guerilla unit commander added

Afghanistan ready to sign agreement on transit of goods with 3 countries, including Russia

Acting Industry and Trade Minister Nooruddin Azizi noted that Afghanistan could become a convenient point for the transit of goods to the states of South Asia

Putin, Xi to discuss Ukrainian crisis, development of bilateral ties

Priority attention will be focused on trade and economic cooperation

Ukrainian crisis may be resolved by yearend, says former Virginia senator

"The shortage of artillery and other weapons causes problems, but the critical issue is their shortage of fighting men," Richard Black emphasized

Afghanistan plans to cooperate with Russia on mining of rare earth metals — minister

"There is good potential for the extraction of these metals and minerals, and I hope that Russian companies will invest in Afghanistan in this area," Nooruddin Azizi added

Ukrainian commanders flee Kupyansk, leaving covering force — Russian lawmaker

The Kharkov direction is the most important and challenging frontline area for Russian troops, Viktor Vodolatsky pointed out

EU agrees to ban access to three Russian media outlets, one European

The measure needs to be approved by the EU foreign ministers

African Union expresses solidarity with Russia following terrorist attack near Moscow

African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat said, that was shocked to learn of the horrific terror attack in Moscow

Prime Minister of Slovakia shot by 71-year-old assailant — report

The man reportedly owned his weapon legally

West would try to exhaust Russia’s resources in potential conflict — Naryshkin

According to Sergey Naryshkin, the West is also seeking to force Russia to stop its anti-NATO efforts

Erdogan says government knows 'puppet master' behind reported conspiracy

The Turkish leader said it is unacceptable to break laws, and warned that "anyone who goes beyond the limits will be held accountable"

Czech president speaks out in favor of halting hostilities in Ukraine

Petr Pavel believes it is "naive" to imagine that Kiev will be able to regain territory taken by Russia in the foreseeable future

Blinken’s visit to Kiev shows US concerned over Ukrainian failures on frontline — diplomat

"He sang a song, ate some pizza and left," Maria Zakharova noted

Dyumin, Patrushev, Yampolskaya et al. — who joined Russia’s renewed presidential staff

Alexey Dyumin, who quit the post of the Tula Region’s governor, and Nikolay Patrushev, who left the post of secretary of the Security Council, have become new aides to the Russian leader

Russia, Vietnam register positive dynamics of rising trade turnover — trade representative

Business activity is on the rise, with certain progress and prospects in a number of joint projects in various fields in place

Foreign mercenaries in Ukraine to inevitably become Russia’s targets — MFA

"Any weapons supplied to Kiev’s Nazi regime are considered by Russia’s Armed Forces as legitimate military targets and must be destroyed," Maria Zakharova stressed

Political motives behind assassination attempt on Fico

The shooter made a statement right after his detention, saying that he had opposed the government’s policy limiting media freedom

US to allocate $2 bln to Ukraine through new defense industry fund — Blinken

According to the US secretary of state, the money of the fund will be divided into three parts

Liberation of Rabotino to accelerate Russian advance in Zaporozhye Region — politician

Vladimir Rogov said Ukraine still holds the heights to the north of the village, and fierce battles are underway to control them

Nearly 8,000 people evacuated from borderline districts in the Kharkov Region

Oleg Sinegubov specified that 2,202 people had been evacuated from the Chuguevsky District, 3,533 - from the Kharkovsky District, 79 - from the Bogodukhovsky District and 2,177 people had been evacuated by volunteers

Russia’s new defense minister should pay attention to strategic nuclear forces — expert

"In case of a first nuclear missile strike against Russia we should be able to destroy the aggressor with a retaliatory strike in a guaranteed manner," Igor Korotchenko noted