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Belarus develops trilateral cooperation with Russia, North Korea, top diplomat says

Maxim Ryzhenkov noted that Belarus is "actively working on options for the development of trilateral cooperation"

MINSK, March 29. /TASS/. Minsk develops trilateral cooperation with Moscow and Pyongyang, Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov told reporters.

"We are actively working on options for the development of trilateral cooperation, bearing in mind that any route that leads from Belarus to North Korea passes through Russia. There certainly are some very interesting projects. I think our president will surprise us with something regarding our three countries," he noted in a TV interview.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko made an official visit to Pyongyang on March 25-26, holding talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

US-Israeli strikes on Iran

US-Israeli strike targets petrochemical facility in Iran’s Tabriz — CEO

No release of toxic or hazardous substances has been detected

UAVs from Iraq attack Qasrak military base in northwestern Syria — army

No casualties or damage have been reported

Ukraine planted explosives in Seversky Donets — Donbass Canal

Earlier reports said that the distance from the outermost position of Russian troops to the canal, the main water artery in the region, declined significantly

About 21,000 Iranian civilians suffer injuries in US-Israeli strikes — Red Crescent

The attacks have killed 214 children and 244 women, the Red Crescent stressed

Number of injured in Ukrainian attack on Russia’s Taganrog rises to eight

Eight more Taganrog residents sought medical assistance

Middle East conflict risks leading to another round of nuclear arms race — agency

According to the media outlet, governments "from the North Atlantic to the West Pacific" are debating whether they, too, should seek nuclear weapons

Drone attack leaves two civilians injured in Zaporozhye Region

Two civilians suffered injuries and were taken to the hospital for medical treatment, the statement reads

TASS exclusive interview with Putin closely studied in all capitals, says Kremlin

There have been quite a few foreign comments on Putin’s statements in the TASS special project, the Kremlin spokesman said

Russia and Kazakhstan sign joint plan of action until 2019

Russian nuclear agency Rosatom, the Kazakh Energy Ministry and Kazatomprom signed a memorandum extending strategic cooperation in the field of nuclear fuel cycle

Largest fuel price crisis in history is approaching — Russia’s envoy

Kirill Dmitriev stressed that rising oil prices were positive for Russia, and Europe would beg for supplies

Ukraine running out of money to fund its war machine — Bloomberg

Kiev currently has enough money to cover military spending until June

Belarus develops trilateral cooperation with Russia, North Korea, top diplomat says

Maxim Ryzhenkov noted that Belarus is "actively working on options for the development of trilateral cooperation"

US attack against Iran caused harmful consequences for peace — Peskov

These implication will not probably be of a short term, the Kremlin spokesman said

Energodar head says Ukrainian drone attacks intensity critically high

Maxim Pukhov urged local residents to be extremely careful

Ukrainian attack leaves host city of Zaporozhye NPP without power — mayor

The attack is not over yet, so it’s hard to assess the scale of damage

US-Israeli strikes hit Iran’s Isfahan University of Technology

According to the media outlet, some of the university’s buildings were damaged and at least four employees suffered injuries

Western Europe to be first victim falling to Zelensky's nuclear blackmail — Zakharova

He will not just be demanding money and weapons, he will be requesting from them conditions to uphold his regime, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman added

Israeli PM orders expansion of security zone in southern Lebanon

I have just issued orders to further expand the existing security zone in order to ultimately thwart the threat of invasion and prevent missile attacks on our border areas, he said in a video address

Court repeatedly fines Twitch over $67,770 for refusal to delete video with Zelensky aide

It is noted that the court found Twitch Interactive Inc. guilty under part 2 article 13.41 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation

Putin orders accelerated introduction of autonomous systems in economic sectors

The government, with the participation of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, has also been instructed to ensure the legal regulation of issues related to the production, release, and operation of autonomous systems in various economic sectors

Russia has decided on voluntary reduction of oil output only for March, says Novak

It is noted that companies’ output reduction in March will be proportional to production

Lavrov hopes war against Iran will not undermine nuclear non-proliferation principles

"It is already being loudly said that by proclaiming the goal of depriving Iran of nuclear weapons, in fact the United States and Israel can encourage the nuclear arms race," Sergey Lavrov said

BRICS accounts for 72% of global rare-earth metals reserves — official

"One of the possible areas of cooperation in this sphere is to expand the mutual trade in mineral commodities and metals for the purpose of ensuring continuity of supplies and stability of prices," Evgeny Petrov noted

Air defenses down 155 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions last night — Defense Ministry

The drones were shot down over the Bryansk, Leningrad, Smolensk, Belgorod, Kursk, Pskov, Kaluga, Tver, Voronezh, Rostov, Ryazan, Oryol, Tula, Yaroslavl, Novgorod and Moscow regions, as well as over Crimea, the statement reads

Iranian energy facilities come under attack — energy minister

Meanwhile, the Fars news agency said that electricity supplies to Tehran and Karaj had been restored

Iran-US talks may take place in Islamabad in coming days — Pakistani foreign minister

Pakistan is very happy that both Iran and the US have expressed their confidence in Pakistan to facilitate the talks, Dar added

Putin to meet with his CIS counterparts on his birthday

It will be held in the Konstantinovsky Palace near St. Petersburg

Iran permitted two ships of friendly countries to pass through Strait of Hormuz

Iran hit more than ten ships, including tankers, in the Strait of Hormuz since the moment when the US and Israel attacked it on February 28

US air forces expose F-35 jets to enemy fire by coming closer to Iran — analyst

According to Scott Ritter, the US has been "very successful in blowing up points on the ground" but it has not degraded the Iranian defense industry, which was relocated and hidden

Ammunition depots attacked at US military bases — Iran’s IRGC

They are located in Iraq, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, the IRGC press service said

Iran receives second humanitarian aid shipment from Russia

The operation was carried out under the instructions of Russian President Vladimir Putin

Press review: Trump searches for Iran offramp as one Gulf state weighs joining war

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, March 25th

Third of Ukrainian troops surrender near Lisichansk, LPR’s envoy to Russia says

According to Rodion Miroshnik, the operation to liberate the LPR would be brought to an end as soon as the operation in Lisichansk was finished

Lebanon’s death toll from Israeli strikes reaches 1,238 — Health Ministry

Over 3,500 people have been injured

Iran shows itself 'military adept' in conflict with US, Israel — expert

American political scientist Garland Nixon opined that Iran has shown "to be quite good at military strategy"

Crimea as important for Russia’s security as Greenland for US — Lavrov

Donald Trump has repeatedly stated the need for Greenland to join the United States

Hezbollah aims to kill as many Israeli troops as possible — expert

As Hezbollah is well-versed in the terrain, it has the upper hand in carrying out ambush attacks, Lebanese General Hassan Juni noted

FACTBOX: What we know about attack on Turkish tanker Altura in Black Sea

Coast Guard speedboats and an emergency response vessel are working at the scene

Board of Peace appears less current amid US aggression in Iran — Peskov

Russia has not yet decided whether to enter the Board of Peace or not, the Kremlin spokesman said

Russian Battlegroup North destroyed 142 Ukrainian drones

Four ammunition depots and ten materials storages were also destroyed, Battlegroup spokesman Vasily Mezhevykh said

Russian Battlegroup West downed 68 Ukrainian drones over day

Air defense crews and mobile firing teams shot down 15 fixed-wing type unmanned aerial vehicles and 53 heavy combat quadcopters in air

British MFA condemns Israel’s plans to expand security zone in Lebanon

Hamish Falconer stated that Israel must avoid further exacerbation of the conflict

Pace of recovery in Russia-US relations depends on Washington — Kremlin

Spokesman Dmitry Peskov says that Moscow is ready to develop the contacts "to the same extent and at the same pace" as the US

Ukrainian command declares troops missing immediately after deployment — sources

The most widespread problem that relatives of Ukrainian servicemen talk about is the inhuman treatment of subordinates and their relatives

Power of Siberia 2 pipeline route being finalized — Novak

A project of building a gas pipeline branch from Naushki to Ulan-Ude and then to Chita with the total length of 700 km is also under review, the deputy prime minister noted

Russia’s MiG-31 fighter scrambled to intercept Norwegian spy plane over Barents Sea

The Russian fighter’s crew identified the air target as a Norwegian Air Force Falcon 20 radio-technical reconnaissance and electronic warfare aircraft

Fire at Samara Region market results in one casualty

According to the press service of the region’s Investigative Committee, an initial investigation into the death of a man has already been launched

One person killed in drone attack on southern Russian city of Taganrog

According to the Governor Yury Slyusar, local residents have been evacuated from the area where drone debris came down

Eliminating of Middle East crisis consequences to take months — Novak

The crisis is indeed such that nobody could have imagined it, Russian Deputy Prime Minister said

Conflict around Iran threatens to trigger severe crisis in fertilizer market — media

The military operation halted shipments of urea, ammonia, and sulfur

Iran wipes out anti-drone warehouse in Dubai with over 20 Ukrainian experts — commander

The Iranian broadcaster never mentioned the severity of wounds sustained by Ukrainian servicemen

Russia wishes the US good luck in settlement with Iran — Kremlin aide

The continuation of bombing is just terrific, Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov said

Kiev working hard to maintain control of Nikolayevka near DPR's Konstantinovka — expert

Andrey Marochko says that Ukrainian forces have strong fortifications in the city

Former State Department official believes US may attempt ground operation against Iran

Tehran shows no signs of willingness to capitulate, Nate Swanson says

Trumps speaks rudely about Saudi Arabia’s crown prince — newspaper

According to Trump, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud perceived him as "another American president that was a loser" with his country going downhill

Hainan's Sanya plans to secure innovation status by 2025

The government plans to form up to two highly competitive industry clusters, key to regional development

Sri Lanka, Russia discuss energy cooperation

Sri Lanka approached Russia with a request to consider energy supplies in mid-March amid the crisis

Russian troops liberate Kovsharovka settlement

The Ukrainian armed forces lost about 1,275 troops over the day in the zone of the Special Military Operation

Death toll in Pakistan mosque blast climbs to 90 — radio station

It is reported that soon after the blast, more than 200 people were taken to hospitals

Russian MP convinced Zelensky's requests to West may lead to world war

Leonid Slutsky says Zelensky is a master of "repeating his mistakes" and "crossing red lines"

Russian army repels four attacks by Ukrainian assault groups in Kupyansk direction

According to the ministry, enemy losses amounted to up to 120 military personnel

Russia, China will continue to develop settlements in national currencies, Putin says

The Russian leader also touched upon certain areas of cooperation between the two countries - in particular, he praised the interaction in the energy sector

Dmitriev denies Russia offered the US $12 trillion worth projects

According to the CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, the lifting of sanctions will be eventually dictated by Washington's interests

Ukrainian troops fire 13 NATO-standard shells towards Donetsk in 10 minutes

According to the report, the fire was coming from three different area

Russian, Mongolian troops kick off Selenga 2021 joint counter-terror drills

The servicemen have also accomplished a complex combat training operation within specified time limits for unloading military hardware from a railway platform and conducted a march about 60 km long to the Doytym An proving ground

Pentagon prepares for possible US ground operations in Iran — media

The ground campaign could last several weeks

IT developments of Skolkovo residents to support import substitution — expert

According to Denis App, there can be several solutions, "depending on where they are used, and their rollout will provide for import substitution at the least"

Iran launches another missile strike on Israeli territory — IDF

Defense systems are operating to intercept the threat

Nuclear research reactor with highest capacity will be built in Russia

Total cost of the project is around $101.6 mln. The reactor is scheduled to be commissioned in 2020

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

Khodorkovsky not to seek parole again-lawyer

Khodorkovsky will not request release on parole again, because he believes that the “system” has already given a response to him

Ukrainian military thrown from left bank in Kherson Region, fighting underway on islands

The fighting has moved to the islands, with the Russian army having ramped up activities

Russia ready to offer all exploration stages to foreign countries — official

The Russian geological sector is at the world level absolutely, head of the Russian Federal Agency for Subsoil Use Oleg Kazanov said

Japanese PM Takaichi preserves anti-Russian policy — senior Moscow diplomat

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko says that the bilateral relations "continue to decline"

Russia seeks to boost cooperation with Gulf countries — Kremlin spokesman

They are among the countries we would like to develop bilateral cooperation with, Peskov added

Plant in Togliatti attacked by drones — authorities

According to preliminary information, nobody was injured, head of the Samara Region Vyacheslav Fedorishchev said

Novak instructs to prepare draft decree on gasoline export ban

The measure is aimed at stabilizing prices and prioritizing domestic supplies

US proposals on Ukraine interesting, not materializing yet — Kremlin aide

The proposals made by Washington are useful, Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov noted

Hainan’s Sanya introduced more than 60 measures to optimize operation of market entities

Chinese authorities intend to pursue a policy to simplify formalities for issuing land exploitation licenses

Kremlin advisor calls for fining Google every day

Earlier on Thursday, Russia’s Federal Antimonopoly Agency (FAS) determined the fine in the amount of 438 mln rubles ($6.7 mln) penalty for US Google Corporation

Moscow to respond to Seoul in case of arms supplies to Kiev regime — diplomat

I hope that we won't be forced to resort to such steps, Rudenko added

Russian, Chinese strategic bombers conduct joint aerial patrol in Asia-Pacific

Su-30SM and Su-35S jets of the Russian Aerospace Forces provided fighter support for the air task force

Bahrain, Kuwait keep airspace closed

Transit flights to third countries are also prohibited

Staying in place suicidal for Patriot air defense crews in Middle East — US expert

Scott Ritter says that there is no defense against Iran's attacks

Court in New York concludes second hearing in Maduro case

The central topic of the hearing was the issue of the US authorities’ obstruction of payment for Maduro’s and his wife Cilia Flores’ legal services by the Venezuelan government

Trump cannot declare victory if Iran continues launching missiles at Israel — US expert

Ritter also noted that declarations of victory would look questionable if the Strait of Hormuz remained blocked

Top diplomats of Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey meet in Islamabad

According to a Pakistani Foreign Ministry source, the parties are discussing communication between Washington and Tehran

Iran to hit more targets if US attacks Kharg Island — ambassador

Tehran’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe Amir Hossein Hosseini also expressed hope that the conflict would be resolved diplomatically

Small business in Russia made long stride from kiosks to high-tech — Putin

Putin stressed that in the 2000s nearly all of Russia’s small businesses were in retail trade

Russia successfully tests swarm drone attack tactics, developer says

Three drones, each capable of carrying a warhead weighing up to 3 kilograms, operated independently to target and engage the simulated vehicle

Russia develops new camouflage coating to protect EW systems from thermal imagers

According to the manufacturer, the outer layer of the camouflage blanket has a non-uniform texture, "which easily adapts to any type of terrain, blending in with the surrounding area."

Russia continues to supply oil and fuel to India, sees potential in LNG — First Deputy PM

Denis Manturov noted that, in addition to direct supplies, joint investment projects are being implemented to extract and process hydrocarbons in Russia and India

Russia to start upgrading Su-30SM fighter aircraft in 2018

The upgraded planes will join the army in 2019

FACTBOX: Hungary suspends gas supplies to Ukraine

Hungary intends to increase its gas reserves using the volumes that will no longer be supplied in transit to Ukraine, seeking to force the country to end the oil blockade, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said

Russia’s Finance Ministry to suggest increasing wines and spirits excises

According to the ministry, proposal of the Economic Development Ministry to lower excises on alcoholic drinks in strained budget conditions appears strange

Russia ready to host Olympic Games in the future — Putin

The president congratulated the Russian Olympic Committee on its 115th anniversary

Jet fuel prices surge twofold due to conflict in the Middle East — expert

Executive Director of Aviaport agency Oleg Panteleev said

Ukrainian forces open fire on DPR nine times in three hours, says DPR mission

The Ukrainian military had fired 45 shells of NATO-standard 155mm from 01:20 p.m. to 04:20 p.m. Moscow time

Two drones fall in southeastern Finland

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said that the drones were likely Ukrainian

Russia achieves success in degrading weapons provided to Ukraine by West — analyst

Meanwhile, the US "has not had any success at all" in the Middle East, Ritter noted

Reform of China’s public companies to fuel economic growth

On Monday, China’s President Xi Jinping said it was the public sector that he saw as the key factor for national economic growth