Conflict in Syria

14 Apr, 17:06

Syria’s ambassador has no plans to return to Damascus for now — source

Earlier, the source said that Bashar Jaafari had requested asylum in Russia

MOSCOW, April 14. /TASS/. Syria’s ambassador to Moscow, Bashar Jaafari has no plans to return to Damascus for now; his request for asylum in Russia will be considered, a source told TASS.

"The Syrian ambassador's request for asylum will be considered. He has no plans to return to Damascus for now," the source told TASS.

Earlier, the source said that Jaafari had requested asylum in Russia.

Before that, it became known that the diplomat had been notified of his recall to Damascus and the appointment of another head of Syria’s diplomatic mission in Russia.

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Syrian conflict

Russian experts see signs that March 15 events in Belgrade were orchestrated

"A study revealed the following: sonic devices were not used to disperse the rally," Serbia’s Security Information Agency report says

WTO expects growth of Chinese exports in almost all regions of the world

At the same time, US imports from China are expected to fall sharply

Rubio, Witkoff heading to France for talks on Ukraine, Iran, tariffs — newspaper

The sides will also discuss the situation in Gaza, where Israel is conducting a military operation

Yesterday, 15:23

Mercenaries from Colombia, other countries trapped in Gornal monastery — State Duma member

The encircled gunmen are unwilling to surrender because they came to Kursk "to hunt humans"

Yesterday, 18:58

EU threats to Serbia over potential Victory Day visit to Russia ‘Euronazism’ — Zakharova

"80 years ago, this is how the fascists forced those who were considered ‘second-class citizens’ to abandon their homeland, ethnicity, and faith," the diplomat stated

Russian stock market closes with gains in major indices

The MOEX Index rose by 2.01%, the dollar-denominated RTS Index increased by 1.65%

Pace of dedollarization will accelerate in near future — expert

Andrey Kostin emphasized that an increasing number of countries are becoming convinced of the risks associated with dependence on the US currency

Russian troops liberate Kalinovo community in Donetsk region over past day

Russian air defense forces shot down 223 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and 11 JDAM smart bombs over the past day, the ministry reported

7 Sep 2023, 21:35

West blocked sovereign Russian assets worth $280 bln — US Treasury Department

According to the document, the task force has completed its “initial effort to map and account for Russian sovereign assets that are immobilized and held in REPO member jurisdictions”

11 Oct 2024, 09:36

Russia’s Rubicon UAV technology teams operating in special military op area — top brass

"The Center’s teams have destroyed more than 400 items of armament and equipment of the Ukrainian army and wiped out about 800 site targets," the Defense Ministry said in a statement

Russian envoy says it's time to talk about reforming WTO

During the meeting, the chairman expressed concern over the state of affairs in global trade amid a rise in the application of unilateral restrictions, Platonov noted

Minister of state: Qatar committed to stronger ties with Russia despite differing views

Over recent years, Russia and Qatar have intensified their engagement, which has continued to grow amid heightened global and regional tensions, particularly in the Middle East. As Doha maintains its role as an effective intermediary in conflict resolution, it has emerged as a nexus for both global and regional interests. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov alone has traveled to the Qatari capital on two occasions in the past six months

Putin says new national project on space to be approved shortly

The new national project "aims to cover all areas most important for Russia, ranging from the creation of its own multi-satellite groups of various applications and national orbital station to farther space exploration programs"

Time names Trump, Starmer, Milei, Merz among 100 most influential people of 2025

The politicians are part of the Leaders category

IAEA chief says Iran is close to going nuclear

On April 14, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi announced that Grossi is scheduled to arrive in Tehran on the evening of April 16 for meetings with Araghchi and Mohammad Eslami, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran

Yesterday, 12:10

Ukrainian army sustains colossal losses in Chasov Yar area — DPR head’s adviser

The Ukrainian troops are reluctant to surrender this location, which overlooks the entire agglomeration north of Konstantinovka, Igor Kimakovsky noted

Air traffic between Russia, US should resume if sanctions on Aeroflot lifted — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister assured that Moscow would continue to work with Washington on the matter of restoring air connections

US oil inventories up 0.5 mln barrels over week — Department of Energy

The current stock level is 6% below the five-year average typical for this time of the year

US State Department closes center on information counteraction to Russia, other countries

The top US diplomat specified that "under the previous administration, this office spent millions of dollars to actively silence and censor the voices of Americans they were supposed to be serving"

UNCTAD forecasts recession in global economy in 2025

According to the report, the pressure on the global economy mounts due to demand slowdown, trade shocks and system uncertainty

WTO projects contraction of global trade in 2025 by up to 1.5%

Baseline projections by the organization suggest that merchandise trade growth could have been as high as 2.7% this year had tariffs and uncertainty remained low

International Trade Center forecasts global trade dip due to mutual duties

"Global trade could shrink by 3%, with significant long-term shifts in trade patterns and economic integration," Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton noted

FSB foils terror attack plot in Russian resort city of Pyatigorsk

Law enforcement discovered Molotov cocktails upon searching his place of residence

US actions are transforming global trade system into regional one — expert

According to Gao Jian, the current US administration is attempting to reshape the global trade structure to suit its own interests

WTO Director-General says she knows nothing about US plans to withdraw from organization

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What we know about Russia’s Iskander strike on Ukrainian military command in Sumy

The strike on the target eliminated more than 60 Ukrainian army personnel, Russia’s Defense Ministry said

Yesterday, 12:19

Energy strikes, dialogue with US, new intel: SVR chief Naryshkin talks to reporters

Russian Foreign Intelligence Service Director lauded the renewed dialogue between Russia and the United States

Russians' interest in new Chinese cars skyrockets by 81.2% in 2024, study reveals

The rating of the most popular brands includes Haval, Chery and Geely

Moldova’s President Sandu pulls country into war by eliminating Gagauzia — lawmaker

Andrey Safonov reiterated that earlier this year Moldova’s President Sandu and her Prime Minister Dorin Recean bluntly opposed natural gas supplies from Russia to Transnistria in the form of humanitarian aid to achieve "an agreement of withdrawing the only real guarantee of peace on the Dniester - Russian troops’ - as well as to eliminate the unrecognized republic"

IN BRIEF: What we know about Ukrainian UAV attack on Russia’s central Ivanovo Region

An UAV attack alert has been issued in Shuya in the Ivanovo Region

Yesterday, 14:27

Sappers destroy more than 185,000 mines, explosive items in Kursk Region

More than 675 kilometers of roads and 26,000 hectares of land have been cleared of mines

Yesterday, 22:39

Zelensky hopes Europe purchases Patriot SAMs for Ukraine — MP

The Ukrainian state budget is currently deficient and will not be able to bear the burden of buying weapons, noted Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada lawmaker Anna Skorokhod

Two days ago, 10:55

Russia ready to supply grain, fish, meat, seafood to Indonesia

Veronika Nikishina also called the mining and oil and gas sectors promising for cooperation between the two countries, adding that Russia, in turn, could offer technologies for greenfield exploration and efficiency improvement at brownfields

Russia’s oceanographic vessel Admiral Vladimirsky pays visit to Venezuela

The Admiral Vladimirsky left Kronshtadt on March 13

Mongolian MFA says Russia applied no pressure on EAEU accession

The Mongolian side has endorsed preferences on nearly all significant EAEU goods, including confectionery and dairy products, petroleum products and petrochemicals, and vehicles, under the Russia-Mongolia economic corridor initiative

Yesterday, 21:34

Russian envoy to Sweden responds to country’s position on Sumy strike

"The Ukrainian army regularly used civilians as human shields for military facilities in violation of international humanitarian law," the Russian embassy in the kingdom said

Russia’s Finance Ministry considers creating domestic stablecoin

The ministry explores the possibility to develop internal instruments akin to USDT

Russia needs to support national shipbuilding industry — Putin

The Russian leader asked the government to consider the issue of construction of new shipyards in the country

Three major hurdles to clear to make mission to Mars a reality, Putin tells students

The Russian leader stressed that it looked like a very distant goal at the moment

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

Two days ago, 09:31

Ukrainian army leaving positions in Gornal community in Kursk Region — officer

The artillery of Russia’s 30th Motor Rifle Regiment has cut off all the supply routes for the Ukrainian combat group in the village of Gornal, he said

Press review: Russia, US move past Biden’s legacy as Kiev assures NATO of fight readiness

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, April 11th

Yesterday, 18:37

Russia, US public figures to send letter to Putin, Trump to commemorate meeting on Elbe

Citing historical parallels, they stressed that good relations between Russia and the United States are achievable today, and noted the importance of the activity of social movements in the two countries for the preservation of a common history

Serbia's accession to EU loses significance — Serbian minister

Milica Durdevic-Stamenkovski recalled that Serbia began the process of European integration at a time when the idea of EU membership was much more attractive to the public in Serbia and in other potential candidate countries

Russia must live up to its pioneering legacy in space — Putin

The Russian president highlighted the need to give a boost to Russia’s space program "so that it becomes a driving force" behind national progress, technological advancement and improved quality of life

US tariffs to reach 245% on certain goods from China, not on all its imports — White House

Media reports saying that the US may impose tariffs of up to 245% on all imports from China are "misleading," according to the statement

Two days ago, 12:28

Ukrainian troops in Kursk Region deflated, actively surrendering — Russian officer

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Bank of Russia ‘concerned’ inflation has been above target for four years

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Russian experts see signs that March 15 events in Belgrade were orchestrated

"A study revealed the following: sonic devices were not used to disperse the rally," Serbia’s Security Information Agency report says

Press review: Moscow mulls energy ceasefire extension as Trump eyes State Department cuts

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, April 16th

Russia’s longtime relations with Palestine help release Russians in Gaza, Putin says

"I think we should express our gratitude to the leadership, the political wing of Hamas for agreeing to meet us halfway and performing this act, a humanitarian act of releasing you," he added

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"An understanding was reached with Hamas that his release will be a priority during phase two of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal," according to the Kremlin's handouts to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s meeting with former Gaza hostage Alexander Trufanov

Hamas may respond to proposal on Gaza in coming hours — TV

The radicals were still "examining the proposal, handed over by the mediators", according to Al Qahera Al Ekhbariya

28 Nov 2017, 15:16

Russia reacts to ex-Yukos shareholders’ attempt to reinstate Hague Tribunal’s $50bn ruling

The arbitration tribunal had no competence to examine claims filed by Yukos, Head of the International Legal Protection Center Andrei Kondakov said

Russian intel agency says foreign pundits hope Russia, US will team up to prevent conflict

The agency also stated that analysts are not surprised by London's leading destructive role in the Ukrainian conflict

Roscosmos chief, NASA deputy head discuss further cooperation on ISS

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Putin says will not make any political comments on events in Palestine

During a meeting with former Gaza hostage Alexander Trufanov, Russian president added that everything that has happened to Trufanov "is a tragedy"

Former Kursk Region governor detained on suspicion of fraud

Alexey Smirnov's former first deputy Alexey Dedov have also been detained

OPEC+ deal restricts abilities to expand benefits for oil sector

Denis Borisov still noted that the OPEC+ deal is an important element for us for the Finance Ministry

Kiev attacks Russia's energy infrastructure six times over past 24 hours — top brass

Over 17,400 people were left without electricity as a result of the Ukrainian attacks in the Belgorod Region

US may introduce tariffs up to 245% on imports from China — White House

The White House did not give details regarding the timeframe and the configuration for toughening these measures

Gas price in Europe up 1.6 times in Q1 2025

Gas prices grew during the heating season from November 2024 to March 2025 by 36% in annual terms to $501 per 1,000 cubic meters

Russian specialists already working in Iran on Rasht-Astara railway project — Deputy PM

Russia and Iran signed an agreement to jointly build a 160-kilometer section of the Rasht-Astara railroad on May 17, 2023

Yesterday, 17:14

US sanctions slow development of China-Russia ties, but they will be overcome — ambassador

According to Zhang Hanhui, Russia and China need to settle the issue of mutual payments and are considering such options as an alternative to SWIFT

Yesterday, 21:19

Hamas says sees no actual guarantees in Israel’s new Gaza ceasefire proposal

Hamas did not give an unequivocal answer whether it rejects the proposal

Russia is one of key guarantors of food security — Lavrov

"It can be stated that the active work of the regions really contributes to the progressive consolidation of our country's position in foreign agricultural markets, and the deepening of our cooperation with the countries of the world majority as a whole," the top Russian diplomat said

12 Aug 2017, 14:07

Russia to start training female military pilots

Russian Defense Ministry received hundreds of letters, Sergey Shoigu told reporters

US starts pulling out forces from military base in southern Syria — TV

The US has established nine military bases and three outposts in Kurdish-controlled areas of Syria in 2015-2018

Serbian president cites FSB report as proof of attempted color revolution

A group of Federal Security Service experts said in a report published by Serbia’s Security Information Agency on Wednesday that the government of Serbia did not use sonic devices to disperse the March 15 rally in Belgrade

Two days ago, 16:50

Technology to jam Starlink signal begins to be used in Kherson Region — governor

This technology has already started to be deployed, and the effects are already being felt, Vladimir Saldo stressed

14 Dec 2023, 11:55

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"

Two days ago, 09:19

Russian delegation arrives in Jakarta to attend forum, joint commission meeting

In 2025, Russia and Indonesia are marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations

Ukrainian forces launch 67 drones on Belgorod Region over day — governor

One munition and seven drones were launched at the Volokonovsky district, damaging a private house, an outbuilding, and destroying a car

Yesterday, 16:04

Russia, China continue to discuss Power of Siberia-2 route — ambassador

According to Zhang Hanhui, as for the price of gas, the parties already have the first pipe, so it is easier for them to agree

Slovak PM slams top EU diplomat over warning on May 9 visit to Russia

Robert Fico noted that during his visit to Russia he intended to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and take part in the Immortal Regiment march

Despite suspending space ties with Moscow, Europe still uses its equipment — Putin

The head of Russian state reiterated that given how complicated space technologies can be, cooperation becomes all the more important

Gold price hits fresh all-time high surpassing $3,350 per troy ounce

By 9:37 p.m. Moscow time the gold price continued growing to 1.72% and reached $3,354.4 per troy ounce

Kazakhstan invites GCC states to jointly develop its $46 trillion rare metals reserves

Kazakh Foreign Minister also proposed that the GCC initiated the creation of a unified tourist route through Central Asia for travelers from the Gulf states

Yesterday, 14:04

Russia lists BMD-4M advantages for foreign customers

BMD-4M can be airlifted and dropped on a parachute from Il-76MD-90A(E) aircraft

Putin says many countries eager to cooperate with Russia in space industry

The President emphasized that Russia and China have "major plans - interesting, ambitious, and grandiose"

15 Jul 2023, 21:12

Ukrainian UAV control center, Starlink station hit in airstrike on Dnieper right bank

A spokesman for the region’s emergency services said that thanks to cohesion of Battlegroup Dnepr units, three M777 155 mm howitzers were destroyed in the past day

24 Jun 2019, 13:27

Russian hi-tech firm to feature Soviet experimental assault rifle at Army-2019 arms show

The rifle developed in 1965 will be the central exhibit among Soviet experimental firearms

Gasoline prices in Russia up 8 kopecks in a week, diesel rises 5 kopecks — Rosstat

Between April 8 and 14, the price of automobile gasoline increased in 56 Russian regions

Yesterday, 21:22

US not to discuss relaxing sanctions on Russia until Ukraine ceasefire — State Department

"It's clearly a dynamic where there have to be more questions about the nature of who's really committed to peace and a ceasefire," Spokeswoman for the US Department of State Tammy Bruce said

Moscow court rules to arrest former Kursk Region governor in fraud case

"The court granted the petition of the investigation and ruled to take into custody former Kursk Region Governor Alexey Smirnov until June 15 while pending trial," the statement says

Zakharova brands Ukraine’s bid to host EU leaders on May 9 'theatre of absurd'

"For more than a decade now, these two words have characterized most of the events, steps, and statements that we hear and see from the so-called collective West and all those who pledge loyalty to it," the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman stressed

Sending Danish troops to Ukraine to draw Denmark into conflict — Russian ambassador

According to the reports, the Danish Armed Forces are planning to send soldiers to a training camp in Ukraine

Russia hopes for Iran's swift ratification of comprehensive partnership deal — diplomat

"We also very much hope that through our inter-parliamentary ties, taking into account the close relations between the parliaments of the two countries, distinguished senators and deputies will also motivate their Iranian colleagues during their contacts not to delay this process artificially," Andrey Rudenko said

Taurus supplies to Kiev would usher in ‘new quality’ of Russia-Germany ties — ambassador

Russian Ambassador to Germany Sergey Nechayev emphsized that the Ukrainian soldiers could not operate these long-range weapons

UK wages unannounced hostilities against Russia, ambassador says

Andrey Kelin also pointed to London's desire to prevent a peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian crisis

People worldwide increasingly see Russia as keeper of traditional values, says Lavrov

The foreign minister stressed that "Russia has consistently upheld the belief that reliance on enduring values common to all major world religions and cultures along with respect for the unique identities of all nations and their right to sovereign development is key to building a fairer multipolar world order"

Yesterday, 07:22

Russia, US, China to divide spheres of influence under new world order — Argentine leader

According to Javier Milei, Europe is currently incapable of claiming global leadership

Iran ready to discuss potential agreement with US on acceptable terms — top diplomat

According to Abbas Araghchi, the US side continues to make controversial statements regarding its demands on Iran, "but all positions are clarified at the negotiating table"

Putin to hold talks with Qatar’s emir in Moscow on April 17

According to the Kremlin, the plan is to discuss pressing issues of Russia-Qatar cooperation in various areas with a focus on trade, economic and humanitarian areas

Putin likens Elon Musk to Russia’s rocket engineer Korolev, says such people are rare

A mission to Mars would be very hard, the Russian leader noted

Demobilization would strip Ukraine of one-third of its army, senior commander says

According to Alexander Syrsk, Ukraine cannot rotate troops due to problems with recruiting new servicemen

ISS end won't mean end to space cooperation, Putin assures

The People’s Republic of China has huge plans, interesting and promising ones, the Russian leader noted

Two days ago, 08:51

Uncontrolled AI growth in US could doom humanity — Chinese ambassador

Zhang Hanhui stressed that China regards security as a fundamental principle of AI development, "emphasizing the priority of ethical norms and the need to keep AI under control"

Yesterday, 17:03

Situation with inflation in Russia changing to the better — Putin

The Bank of Russia and the economic bloc of the government want to achieve reduction of mortgage lending to improve the macroeconomic situation, including as regards inflation, the Russian leader stressed

Russian ruble becomes world’s top-performing currency amid dollar weakness — media

Iskander Lutsko, the Dubai-based head of research and portfolio management at Istar Capital, noted a visible thaw in relations between Moscow and Washington, which, in his view, also played a role in making the Russian currency more attractive to investors

Vucic says he faces tremendous pressure for his plans to visit Moscow on May 9

"Serbia made a significant contribution to the fight against fascism, something we take pride in, unlike many countries that are attempting to rewrite history on global, continental, regional, and even local levels," the Serbian leader stated