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Czech Foreign Ministry calls in Russian envoy over alleged threats to two firms — agency

Comments to the list by Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev also raised concern, according to the Czech media

PRAGUE, April 16. /TASS/. Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka has summoned the Russian ambassador over alleged threats to two companies stemming from the publication by the Russian Defense Ministry of a list of European companies manufacturing UAVs for Ukraine, CTK news agency reported.

"Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka, in connection with threats to two companies in the republic, summoned the Russian ambassador to explain these statements to the Czech side," the statement said.

Comments to the list by Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev also raised concern, according to the Czech media.

The Russian ambassador, according to the agency, is due to arrive for the meeting early next week. The Russian embassy would not comment.

Iran welcomes ceasefire in Lebanon — ministry spokesman

Esmail Baghaei thanked Pakistan for help in reaching the deal

Russia’s Belogor heavy-duty robot deployed for mine clearing in Donbass

The robotic system detonates up to 90% of the mines, depending on their depth

Accelerated military push underway in Finland, Russian ambassador says

Pavel Kuznetsov described NATO’s large-scale radio-electronic and aerial reconnaissance activity being carried out in Finland as posing a serious threat to Russia’s security

Ukraine launches 207 drones at Russian regions last night, strikes kill two children

According to preliminary reports, two adults suffered injuries

One killed, four others injured in drone attack on southern Russia’s Taganrog

Also, a bulk carrier sailing under a foreign flag was damaged by falling debris from a drone interception, Rostov Region Governor Yury Slyusar added

Germany's economy stuck in ‘valley of death,’ Saxony's minister president says

In Michael Kretschmer's view, Germany is currently in the midst of an "economic war with China and Russia," and under Donald Trump, the United States has become more foe than friend

Two supertankers U-turn in Strait of Hormuz — Bloomberg

According to the news agency, three large crude carriers began to approach the waterway from the Gulf of Oman late on Saturday

Israel, Lebanon agree to cease fire — Trump

The ceasefire will enter into force at 9 p.m. GMT

US’ blockade of Hormuz illegal, escalates conflict — Russian Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova stressed that Washington's actions contribute to further escalation of the conflict and lead to corresponding economic consequences

Russian forces advancing in downtown Konstantinovka in DPR — expert

Andrey Marochko pointed out that the Russian forces continue advancing in the center of the city and expanding the zone under their control

Germany becomes main sponsor of Ukrainian militarization — Russian MFA

Maria Zakharova emphasized that Germany is Vladimir Zelensky’s main partner in sending Ukrainians to their deaths

Russian army takes new positions near Konstantinovka — expert

Earlier, Andrey Marochko said that Russian forces are advancing near Konstantinovka, despite the Ukrainian army’s fierce resistance

Analysis shows active use of AI-generated content for voter manipulation in Hungary — GFCN

GFCN experts referred to a fabricated video that circulated on social media in which Tisza party leader Peter Magyar allegedly calls US President Donald Trump "a senile grandpa" and declares his intention to sever agreements on nuclear energy and defense with the United States in the event of his election win

Russian troops hammer Ukrainian army’s fuel and energy infrastructure in massive strike

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted roughly 190 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed two enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Container ship enters Iranian port of Larak, bypassing US blockade

According to TASS calculations, 16 ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz on April 14

Pentagon plans to deploy nuclear reactors to power bases in Pacific Ocean

In May 2025, the US president signed a decree ordering the launch of the first such reactor at a military facility no later than September 30, 2028

Iran capable of sinking all US naval ships in Persian Gulf, official says

Mohsen Rezaei said there are currently reasons to maintain the ceasefire and hold talks simultaneously

US, its allies turning space into springboard for aggression — diplomat

Maria Zakharova emphasized that it was a "destructive course"

Iran to become a transport bridge between Asia, Europe, Africa — official

Mohammad Reza Aref said the development of transport infrastructure in Iran will create favorable conditions for growth of foreign trade volumes, economic development rates

Top brass discloses addresses of firms in Europe producing UAVs for strikes on Russia

The branches of Ukrainian companies producing drones for strikes on Russia are located in cities of eight European countries, including London, Munich, Prague and Riga

IDF to remain in its positions in Lebanon after ceasefire takes effect — Netanyahu

The Israeli PM announced that, at the request of US President Donald Trump, the ceasefire "would begin at midnight"

Medvedev says UAV manufacturers in Europe may be targeted now

The Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council wished his European partners "sweet dreams"

Macroeconomic indicators below expectations — Putin

The unemployment rate remains record low at the same time and totals 2,1%, the head of state noted

Russian Foreign Ministry calls Kiev's plans to ban Russian in Odessa theater of absurdity

Maria Zakharova drew attention to the statement by the representative of the language ombudsman in Ukraine, Anna Nerush, that on the eve of the tourist season in the Russian-speaking Odessa, a one hundred percent ban on the use of the Russian language should be introduced

US Senate rejects resolution to end war with Iran

A total of 47 senators voted in favor of the document, while 52 voted against it

Russian stock market closed mixed on Thursday

The MOEX Russia Index ticked up by 0.03% to 2,741.14 points

Russian forces consolidate near Grigorovka, Ukraine’s counterattacks futile — expert

Military expert Andrey Marochko said that it will be extremely difficult for the Ukrainian command to dislodge Russian servicemen from their positions

Two minor die, two adults get injured after Ukrainian drone attack on Tuapse

Apart from that, falling drone fragments damaged one multi-apartment and five single-family houses

EU countries risk war with Russia by housing sites producing UAVs for Ukraine — envoy

According to Dmitry Polyansky, Europe has shifted to a strategy of establishing ‘Ukrainian’ companies that manufacture drones and their components in EU member states in order to prevent its Ukrainian partners from losing, or at least from losing quickly

Kiev did not demonstrate a will for peace during the Easter truce — Russian MFA

Maria Zakharova recalled that Zelensky never gave the order to cease fire, and the Ukrainian Armed Forces violated the silence regime more than 6,000 times

Press review: Pakistan advances US-Iran ceasefire as Russia joins Hormuz talks

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

Ukraine and Netherlands team up to produce drones

On January 30, the leaders of the new ruling coalition of the Netherlands presented a coalition agreement, which says that the new cabinet plans to send 3 billion euros annually to support Ukraine over the next three years, and seeks to increase military spending to the NATO target of 3.5% of GDP

Moscow International Film Festival opens at Rossiya theater

The jury for the main competition is chaired by Sri Lankan director Prasanna Vithanage

Saudi Arabia demands US stops blockade of Strait of Hormuz — newspaper

The report pointed out that the Persian Gulf countries do not want the Strait of Hormuz to end up under Iran’s control

IN BRIEF: Interest rates, fiscal rule discussed at Moscow Exchange Forum 2026

Governor of the Bank of Russia Elvira Nabiullina said the Russian economy faced the workforce shortage "for the first time in modern history"

US gained nothing from war with Iran, suffered huge losses — Chinese economist

He Weiwen noted that Washington had failed to achieve its goal of changing the government in Tehran

Gorbachev recalls August 1991 coup, upholds defending values of democracy, rule of law

He noted that the August events created conditions where it was incredibly hard to go ahead with efforts for preserving the Soviet Union

Iran offers US to halt its nuclear program for up to five years — newspaper

According to the The New York Times, the fact that the parties are negotiating a timeframe for suspending Iran’s nuclear activity suggests that there is a chance a settlement could be achieved

Situation in Energodar remains tense due to power outage at Zaporozhye NPP

Yevgenia Yashina, the NPP’s communications head, the city had been completely without power for the second day running, and all public facilities were operating on generators

Erdogan offers Istanbul as venue for further talks on Ukraine — Federation Council speaker

According to Valentina Matviyenko, Ankara holds a balanced position on the issue

Moldova declares Russian command in Transnistria persona non grata

If the Russian officers try to leave Transnistria for Moldova, he added, they will be deported back to Russia without the right of return

Israeli war cabinet makes no decision on ceasefire in Lebanon — media

The meeting lasted nearly four hours

UK to provide 120,000 drones to Ukraine in biggest-ever package

According to the statement, deliveries of these new drones to Ukraine have already started this month

Russian Security Council warns negotiations could mask planning for Iran strike

The Pentagon continues to increase US troop numbers in the region, the Russian Security Council said

US leader says he is reopening Hormuz Strait for Iran

According to Donald Trump, China "agreed not to send weapons to Iran"

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

Arrest lifted: Deyna tanker leaves French territorial waters

There are no Russian citizens among the Deyna tanker's crew

Estonia to receive proportionate response to all unfriendly actions against Russia — MFA

During a briefing, Maria Zakharova spoke about "another wave of Russophobia" in the Baltic country

Forced evacuation announced in 23 settlements in Kharkov Region — authorities

These evacuations will impact a total of 128 children, alongside adult residents

Russian command in Transnistria declared persona non grata — media

The agency and other local media report that they have not received official confirmation

Drone hits residential building in Russia’s Vladimir Region, three killed, including child

Governor Alexander Avdeyev said that another child managed to escape and is now in hospital with burns

Two people dead in Ukrainian drone attack on cargo ship that sank in Sea of Azov

The vessel sank 300 miles north of Kerch

Kiev regime keeps getting rid of witnesses of Bucha staging — Russian Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova called all the stories about the alleged killings of civilians in Bucha by the Russian military in April 2022 "nonsense"

Mexican ambassador summoned to Russian MFA over detention of Russian woman — diplomat

Maria Zakharova noted that the Russian Foreign Ministry is keeping a close eye on this matter in close coordination with State Duma Deputy Chairwoman Anna Kuznetsova and presidential children’s rights commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova

US’ violation of obligations prevents establishment of peace — Iranian parliament speaker

Bagher Ghalibaf expressed gratitude to Pakistan for the support and mediation efforts to resolve the conflict

Europe risks being left without jet fuel in six weeks — speaker IEA chief

The current situation is the largest "energy crisis", IEA head Fatih Birol noted, stressing that it will lead to the increase in gasoline, gas and electricity prices

Venezuela joins Russian-Chinese lunar station project

Under the joint declaration, China can use Venezuelan ground-based stations for space control

Fishing vessel with Russian crew arrested in Namibia — Russian Embassy

The Russian Embassy in Namibia stressed that it is proactively interacting with government authorities for the soonest possible resolution of the occurred problem

IDF strikes rocket launchers in Lebanon that were used to attack Israel

The army press service also said that search and rescue forces were operating at sites in northern Israel where strikes had been reported

Trump wants to end war with Iran as soon as possible — media

The US leader is convinced that the only way to bring Iran back to the negotiating table is to ramp up pressure on it

Russian air defenses intercept 259 Ukrainian UAVs, 12 smart bombs over past day

Overall, the Russian Armed Forces have destroyed 671 Ukrainian combat aircraft, 284 helicopters, 133,387 unmanned aerial vehicles

CSTO defines measures to build up military potential — chief of Russia’s General Staff

During the meeting, its participants discussed in detail the military and political situation developing in the regions of the CSTO collective security, Valery Gerasimov said

Four members of female cell of terrorist group arrested by Kazan court

According to the investigation, the accused women were members of the Islamic Liberation Party international terrorist organization

Russia patiently waiting for Finland to be ready for dialogue — ambassador

Pavel Kuznetsov said there are no signs that Finnish authorities are ready to resume constructive dialogue on the normalization of bilateral relations

Russia’s top brass sets up Rubicon Center of Advanced Unmanned Technologies

A key area of the Center’s work is to train highly skilled instructors from among UAV specialists of military units and formations and operators of unmanned combat systems within single units and groups of units, the Defense Ministry specified

US Army ready to use force against ships attempting to breach blockade of Iran

According to General Dan Kane, 13 ships have made a choice of turning around so far

Process equipment on fire in Tuapse port after drone attack

The crisis response center reported that forces engaged in firefighting comprise 157 people and 49 vehicles

Russia, China joining forces to get planet 'off the hook' — diplomat

Maria Zakharova stressed that Moscow and Beijing are focusing on stabilizing the international situation rather than carving up regions

Death toll in Kahramanmaras school shooting up to nine — Turkish Interior Ministry

Thirteen people are receiving medical treatment

Russia becomes top sunflower oil exporter globally — Agroexport

Russia exported almost eleven million tons of oils and fats as of the end of 2025, head of the Agroexport federal center Ilya Ilyushin said

Kiev ban on all Russian, cyberattack allegations: Foreign Ministry’s statements

Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova points out that the Kiev regime is purposefully turning Ukraine "into a military tool against Russia"

Pope condemns leaders using religion to justify war

Pope Leo XIV said the world is "being ravaged by a handful of tyrants"

Czech Foreign Ministry calls in Russian envoy over alleged threats to two firms — agency

Comments to the list by Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev also raised concern, according to the Czech media

Russia to assess Hungary’s new government by its deeds, ready for dialogue — MFA

Maria Zakharova noted that "Russia respects the results of the will of the Hungarian people, as well as any other people who act independently on the basis of their own laws"

Beijing to monitor living conditions of giant pandas abroad — Chinese official

Plans call for expanding international cooperation in this area, arranging daily monitoring of the pandas' health condition, and further improving the inspection and supervisory system

France lifts seizure of tanker Deyna after fine, vessel leaves territorial waters

The Mediterranean maritime prefecture reported that Deyna remains under the supervision of the competent maritime authorities led by the Mediterranean maritime prefect

Russia’s T-90M tank destroys Ukrainian strongholds in Zaporozhye Region

After completing the combat mission, the tank crew quickly withdrew and left the firing position

Oil revenues in April, May to differ from Q1 figures — Russian finance minister

Anton Siluanov noted that extra oil and gas revenues will make it possible to compensate the shortfall in the industry income suffered in the first quarter

BRICS member states discuss joint reaction to Persian Gulf conflict — Russian ambassador

According to Denis Alipov, current contradictions "should be regarded as a working, a natural working process, a natural situation, since the BRICS is not any formal organization"

Europe de facto declares drone war on Russia — expert

Alexander Stepanov specified that a regional military-industrial cluster is effectively being created, with the UK, Germany, and France as key players in the market

Russian, Indian armored infantry troops repel enemy attack during Zapad-2021 exercise

Russian and Kazakh airborne forces practiced joint operations in urban areas

Russia ready to supply India with as much oil, LNG, LPG as needed — ambassador

Denis Alipov stressed that Moscow had been very consistent in its position and commitment

US avoids cooperation with Russia on information security — Russian Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova highlighted that NATO and the US confirmed the course towards further militarization of the information and communication sphere in their March cybersecurity strategy

In southern Lebanon, Israel will do what it did in Gaza — defense minister

Israel Katz said that he and Benjamin Netanyahu gave instructions to the Israel Defense Forces to destroy terrorist infrastructure in Lebanese border settlements just as was done against Palestine’s radical movement Hamas in Rafah, Beit Hanoun and the terror tunnels in Gaza

Not a single ship from Iran overcame US blockade, CENTCOM says

Six merchant vessels complied with direction from US forces to turn around to re-enter an Iranian port on the Gulf of Oman

Shoigu reminds Baltic states of Russia’s right to self-defense over Ukrainian UAV attacks

The Russian Security Council secretary emphasized that significant damage is caused to civilian infrastructure

EU's anti-Moscow course detrimental for Europe — Russian Foreign Ministry

According to Maria Zakharova, the Russia-EU trade turnover fell form 253 billion euro in 2021 to 58 billion in 2025

FACTBOX: What's the deal with Telegram in Russia

People in Russia are still complaining that the app doesn't work well

Hainan's Sanya to explore ways of becoming Asia-Pacific yachting capital

It will promote environmental and low-carbon science-based projects and deepen international programs, including cross-border tourism

Russia says internal contradictions in NATO obvious and overwhelming

Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova added that the contradictions "have gone over the top"

Drone swarm batted away at Madagascar presidential palace — spokesman

Harry Laurent Rahajason said that it could be "an intimidation attempt by external forces," dissatisfied with the Malagasy leadership's plans to diversify sources of energy supplies to the country

Australia diversifies foreign policy ties due to US unpredictability — Foreign Minister

Penny Wong says Canberra is strengthening relations with countries in Southeast Asia and the Pacific, the EU, Japan, and Canada

Russia goes from drone zero to drone hero — Medvedev

Speaking at a meeting with the expert council on the preparation of the party’s national program, the politician noted that drones had become one of the most pressing issues these days

Number of people wishing to join Bundeswehr spikes by 20% compared to 2025

About 22,700 people applied for military service in the first quarter of 2026

US statements on Russian cyberattacks ahead of elections come just out of habit — MFA

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said there is no evidence of Moscow’s involvement

Tehran needs ceasefire in both Lebanon and Iran — parliament speaker

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said that he is monitoring the situation in Lebanon and the establishment of a ceasefire there

Finland will be unable to control what US brings into its territory — Russian ambassador

Finland plans to deploy a NATO communications and information system unit in Riihimaki, southern Finland, by early 2027