{{dayPoint.date | date : 'd MMMM yyyy'}}

{{newsPoint.title}}

{{newsPoint.title+ ' '}}

{{newsPoint.subtitle}}

Strait of Hormuz developments

Trump points to ‘greater alternatives’ to Strait of Hormuz for oil deliveries

The US president also said that the strait is closed only for Iran

NEW YORK, July 15. /TASS/. There are "greater alternatives" to the Strait of Hormuz for delivering oil to global markets, US President Donald Trump said in an interview with Fox News.

Commenting on shipping data showing a decline in the number of vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, he said the waterway is "open if people want to go through it."

"We’re not opening it for Iran; that's the only one it's closed for. It's closed for Iran, both in and out," Trump pointed out. "A lot of things have happened in the last few months. Pipelines are being built. We're coming up with greater alternatives, including Texas, including Alaska," Trump added.

Tags

US-Israeli strikes on Iran

US, Iran continue to maintain contact, Trump says

The US president separately said that he would "save the energy targets for last" but would ultimately attack them. He stated the unwillingness to negotiate himself at the moment

Russian air defenses destroy over 180,000 UAVs in Ukraine operation — top brass

Russian air defense forces intercepted and destroyed 926 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles and 12 smart bombs over the past 24 hours

Modernized Shturmovik ground robot deployed to Russia’s special op zone in Ukraine

The Shturmovik can carry up to 70 kg on the road and up to 50 kg on rough terrain

South Korea begins importing less nuclear fuel from Russia — Yonhap

From 2020 to 2024, South Korea imported a total of more than 2,000 tons of enriched uranium, while 38% came from France, 32% from Russia, 25% from the United Kingdom, and another 5% from China

Russian Tango light aircraft completes maiden flight — S7 Group

Vladimir Barsuk, a first-class test pilot and director of the Chaplygin Siberian Scientific Research Institute of Aviation, was at the controls

Like a Hoover, West sucked out goods from poorest nations, leaving behind scraps — Putin

According to the Russian president, while US imports were about $250 billion a month at the end of 2019, now they have surged to $350 billion

Russian customs officers seize over nine tons of drugs in H1 2025

In total, 161 criminal cases were opened from January to June 2025

China to produce over 100,000 human-like robots in 2026

Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology under the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology Gan Xiaobin stressed that the artificial intelligence ecosystem in China was driving the rapid development of robotics

Kremlin rejects idea that Russia is China's 'junior partner'

According to Dmitry Peskov, the bilateral relationship is "based on the principle of equality" that respects the interests of both sides

Russia seeks sustainable peace in Ukraine conflict — Kremlin spokesman

According to Dmitry Peskov, The Ukraine process is currently on hold

What we know about FSB-prevented large-scale drone attack on facility in Moscow Region

According to the FSB, the Ukrainian side recruited a former member of an ethnic organized crime group through a terrorist organization banned in Russia to carry out the attack

Russian troops testing heavy-lift quadcopter drone Slon in four frontline areas

The Slon drone has a working weight of 50 kg, the Groza Group noted

Moscow at odds with Baku over Ukraine, sees no reason to spoil relations — Kremlin

Moscow is pragmatic and does not see it as a reason to jeopardize relations, Dmitry Peskov said

Spain defeats France 2-0, moves into 2026 FIFA World Cup Final

Spain has become the first team to reach the final

Slovakia, Azerbaijan negotiating long-term gas supply contracts — TASR

The agency said that Slovakia must stop importing Russian gas from October 2027

Press review: EU struggles on Russia sanctions while Moscow trade surplus grows

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

Russia to upgrade Su-35C fighter

Sukhoi Su-35C will be upgraded in 2017 based on the experience from the combat use in Syria

Trump promises to review updated bill on sanctions against Russia

The US president also said that the lawmakers may also extend the document to Iran and the Shiite movement Hezbollah

Russia ready to continue Anchorage talks with US — diplomat

Foreign Ministry’s Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova added that the sides had every opportunity to intensify the dialogue

Ukrainian parliament dismisses PM Sviridenko, government

Under Ukrainian law, the resignation of the prime minister automatically results in the resignation of the entire government

German envoy arrives at Russian Foreign Ministry

Earlier, the Foreign Ministry stated that it would present Alexander Lambsdorff with Moscow’s official response to the harassment of Russian journalists in Germany

Two-fifths of Russians not driven by becoming rich — poll

Experts note that the monthly income needed to be considered wealthy has increased from 95,000 rubles in 2005 to almost 400,000 rubles in 2026

Finnish airport left without Russian tourists to be closed until year-end

The spokesperson for the Lappeenranta Airport did not exclude the possibility of one-off flights from the airport but special requests will be needed to be submitted in order to organize them

Ukrainian army carries out 18 attacks on DPR in past day, kills civilian

Six civilians were injured

Russian permanent mission accuses EU of making unfounded public accusations against Moscow

The Russian position was brought to the attention of the EU side during a meeting at the European External Action Service on July 14, 2026

Trump urges Netanyahu to withdraw Israeli forces from Syria, Lebanon — media

A US official told Axios that the US president warned the Israeli prime minister that the presence of Israeli forces on Syrian territory "creates tensions and could lead to an escalation"

Duma addresses US Congress over use of Patriot missile system in terror attack on Il-76

"The plane was downed by Ukrainian armed formations from the area of the locality of Liptsy in the Kharkov Region using a US-made Patriot missile system," the document noted

Trump will support bill on anti-Russia sanctions — CNN

If passed by Congress, the document would pave the way for the administration to impose tariffs on countries purchasing Russian oil, according to the report

Death toll from earthquake in Venezuela up to 4,734

According to the official daily bulletin, as many as 16,740 people were injured and 17,907 were left homeless

Ruble's real effective exchange rate up 0.3% in June — Central Bank

Since the beginning of the year, the exchange rate has increased by 7.1%

Russia’s Battlegroup South UAVs disrupt Ukrainian ammunition supplies in Druzhkovka

In addition, Battlegroup South UAV operators struck Ukrainian drone control posts in Alekseyevo-Druzhkovka and Nikolaypolye

Russia's oil products situation will gradually improve — Putin

Russia has a very strong and reliable energy foundation, the Russian president noted

Kiev suffering unjustified losses counterattacking near Konstantinovka in DPR — expert

According to Andrey Marochko, all previous attempts by the Ukrainian command in this area have been futile and unsuccessful

Bank of Russia raises official dollar rate to 77.49 rubles, euro to 88.53 for July 15

The official yuan exchange rate went up by 8.5 kopecks to 11.3775 rubles

NATO intelligence community behind foiled terrorist attack in Moscow Region — expert

Alexander Stepanov highlighted the critical role of specialized software, primarily developed in Canada, which was to be used alongside drone components of the same origin

Hungary’s parliament approves constitutional amendment to oust president

According to parliament speaker Agnes Forsthoffer, the amendment was supported by 139 lawmakers

Danish F-16’s to be priority target for Russian forces if supplied to Ukraine — MP

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said earlier after a meeting with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen that Kiev expects Denmark to supply F-16 fighter jets in the near future

Russia, United States continue cooperation in space — Dmitriev

The RDIF head earlier participated in the crew’s readiness report for Soyuz MS-29

Trump says no one should charge fee for passage through Strait of Hormuz

Earlier US President Donald Trump said he had abandoned plans to charge a 20% fee for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz in favor of trade and investment agreements

Russian stock market closes mixed — MOEX Index up 0.15%, RTS down 0.97%

The MOEX Index ticked up to 2,167.7 points, while the RTS Index shed to 881.22 points

Russian stocks down as main trading session opens

The MOEX and RTS indices lost 1.53% as of 10:00 a.m. Moscow time

Soyuz MS-29 carrying new international crew docks with ISS

A Soyuz-2.1a launch vehicle lifted off from the Baikonur spaceport at 2:48 p.m. GMT carrying the primary crew of the ISS' 75th long-duration expedition

Roscosmos, NASA to coordinate satellite operations to prevent collisions

Roscosmos Director General Dmitry Bakanov says Russia's satellite constellation includes hundreds of spacecraft, while partner constellations include thousands

Turkish defense ministry posts photos of first batch of S-400 equipment

Activities to deliver S-400 systems to Turkey scheduled for Friday are over

Russia-Africa counterterror cooperation to be in focus at October summit — Lavrov

"This cooperation will continue," the Russian foreign minister said

Explosion takes place on Iran’s Hengam Island in Strait of Hormuz — agency

No further details were provided

Real number of Ebola cases in Congo may be four times higher than official tally — WHO

According to Executive Director of the WHO Health Emergencies Program Chikwe Ihekweazu, many patients die at home without ever reaching a medical facility

Russian forces strike Ukrainian UAV assembly, storage sites in past day — top brass

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,380 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

Kiev struck Russian territory up to 850 times per day over past week — envoy

Rodion Miroshnik says that over 300 civilians were harmed by the aggression of Ukrainian troops during this period

Ambassador to Austria rejects accusations of Russia’s involvement in cyberattacks

Andrey Gromov expressed regret that official Vienna shares EU’s confrontational stance toward Moscow

Russia, China share vision on international relations — Russian ambassador

According to Igor Morgulov, the two countries "are working together to promote the formation of a fairer multipolar world where the interests of all countries will be duly taken into account"

Russia extremely concerned about new round of hostilities involving Iran — MFA

Dmitry Lyubinsky reaffirmed its call for the resumption of dialogue to foster a lasting peace and stability in the region

Air defenses down 340 drones heading for Moscow Region in 24 hours — authorities

Mayor Sergey Sobyanin says most of them were shot down at distant approaches

Brazil doesn’t want war, but should be ready to defend itself — President Lula da Silva

The Brazilian president stressed that the defense of national security is not reduced to the protection of borders

Russian forces strike military facilities in Kiev, Odessa Region — Defense Ministry

The Russian Armed Forces carried out group strikes using long-range precision air-and ground-launched weapons and unmanned aerial vehicles

ISS operations extended through 2030 — Roscosmos chief

Dmitry Bakanov says that this was agreed upon between Roscosmos and NASA

EU openly preparing for conflict with Moscow — Russian embassy

The embassy stressed that Russia calls on the Netherlands to recognize that pressure on Moscow and the use of unlawful unilateral "coercive measures" will not change Russia's position but will only further increase the already extremely high level of instability in Europe

Kiev deliberately targeting humanitarian corridors in Konstantinovka in DPR — expert

The evacuation of the population of Konstantinovka is proceeding "with great difficulty," Andrey Marochko noted

Nevsky Shipyard floats out Project 23130 medium sea tanker for Russian Navy

The ceremony was attended by representatives of the Navy Main Command, the Nevsky Shipyard of the United Shipbuilding Corporation and honorary guests

Price of Brent oil up above $85 per barrel on London’s ICE first since June 15

As of 12:23 a.m. GMT, the price was up by 2.78% reaching $85.64 per barrel

Russian forces strike Ukrainian military-industrial sites, port infrastructure

Russian forces hit the Kiev-79 industrial enterprise - a key enterprise in Ukraine for the assembly of combat payloads for unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles of various types

Interference in Ukrainian settlement, Kiev's terrorism: Lavrov's statements

The Russian top diplomat noted that Europe was still trying to get in the way of a Ukraine peace deal, seeking to undermine agreements reached between Moscow and Washington

Millions sign online petition demanding Argentina be booted from World Cup

The petition claims that FIFA and the referees are biased toward Lionel Messi and the Argentininan national team

FACTBOX: Logistics, food supplies, fleet protection measures in Sea of Azov

Port captains are seeking to improve traffic management and reduce vessel handling times

Moscow castigates restrictions of movement imposed on Russian senators in Strasbourg

"Entry to the France, the host country of the Council of Europe at the invitation of the organization, has been difficult under the pretext that Russians are not vaccinated by EU-approved jabs," Russian Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe Ivan Soltanovsky noted

German drone factory for Ukraine legitimate target for Russian military — expert

Chairman of the State Council of the Republic of Crimea Vladimir Konstantinov added that with a new wave of military aid to Kiev, Germany is trying to escalate the conflict

Qatar blocks Israel’s deal with Volkswagen to produce missiles for Iron Dome — media

The deal was blocked despite the memorandum of understanding signed by the parties in April

Russian troops destroying over 80% of Ukrainian drones in LPR — expert

Andrey Marochko emphasized that Russian soldiers at this point "are handling the challenges from the Ukrainian militants quite effectively"

West seeks to disrupt Russia-Africa cooperation by any means — Lavrov

As an example, the Russian top diplomat cited what happened in 2022, when 200,000 tons of Russian wheat were seized in EU ports following the launch of the special military operation

FSB prevents large-scale drone attack on strategic facility in Moscow Region

Following the instructions from his handlers, the detainee assembled and activated drones, established a communication channel with foreign operators, and then left the scene

Aeroflot Group carries 26 mln passengers in H1 2026, up 0.3%

International traffic increased 10.3% to 6.9 mln passengers

Trump speaks contradictorily about chances of passing bill on sanctions against Russia

The US president said that key provisions of the document had not been discussed with him and that he needs to review them

Russia rejects Western accusations of cyberattacks — embassy in The Hague

Vladimir Tarabrin warned Dutch authorities that any further expansion of EU sanctions would provoke retaliatory measures from Moscow

Iran seeks lawful sovereignty over Strait of Hormuz — vice president

Mohammad Reza Aref said that it is natural for Iran to control the Strait of Hormuz, just as it is natural for other countries to have the right to use it

Modernizing Russia’s armed forces, fuel situation — Putin’s remarks

The Russophobic factions within the so-called collective West are fighting Russia, but the country is forging ahead with remarkable progress, the Russian leader said

Idea of excluding Russia from talks on Ukraine shows EU's deadlock position — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov emphasized that Ukraine’s security guarantees are impossible without Russia

US, Iran continue to maintain contact, Trump says

The US president separately said that he would "save the energy targets for last" but would ultimately attack them. He stated the unwillingness to negotiate himself at the moment

Russia’s Battlegroup West eliminates 107 Ukrainian heavy quadcopters over past day

The air defense crews and mobile armed units also shot down 188 fixed-wing UAVs

CSTO nations discuss details of Interaction, Search, Echelon-2026 military exercises

According to the organization, representatives of the defense ministries of the Russian Federation, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, as well as the CSTO Joint Staff and Secretariat, took part in the staff talks

FACTBOX: German ambassador summoned to Russian foreign ministry

The ministry said the focus of the meeting was the unacceptability of growing support to the Kiev regime

Russian forces disrupt Ukraine’s `victorious’ plan near Volchansk — expert

Andrey Marochko stressed that Russian defense had proven far stronger than the enemy thought, and Ukrainian reconnaissance had been incorrect

FACTBOX: Ukrainian parliament dismisses prime minister, government

Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada voted by a majority to dismiss Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko

Gas explosion in LPR kills one, leaves another person trapped under rubble — ministry

Emergency services are working at the scene

Turkish experts call Ukraine's Black Sea commercial ship attacks energy security threat

Turkish maritime expert Kozan Erkan said that Ukrainian attacks between July 9 and 11 damaged or disabled around 50 vessels near Zmeiny Island

Over 50,000 US troops currently deployed across Middle East — Central Command

The US CENTCOM published the corresponding report on X

Trump says Strait of Hormuz open to all ships except Iran’s

The United States will have a full Blockade, but only on Ships coming to and from Iranian ports, or carrying anything have to do with Iranian cargo, the US president said

Russia's post-2030 SDG reform vision resonates within UN — envoy

Boris Titov made this statement following meetings on the sidelines of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in New York

Zelensky confirms two civilians brutally murdered by Ukrainian soldiers

Ten servicemen of the Ukrainian armed forces’ 155th Separate Mechanized Brigade have been detained, including the now former brigade commander Stanislav Luchanov

Casualties in Kuban, fire at Afipsky refinery, 288 UAVs: aftermath of attacks on regions

In total, the Ukrainan drones attacked 15 Russian regions

International cooperation to become this year’s central theme of SME Forum at SPIEF

The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum will be held this year from June 18 to 21

France to transfer ready-made SCALP missiles to Ukraine — Russian military analyst

This is a de facto outright legalization of deliveries, Alexander Stepanov said

Russia, US ready to discuss cooperation between their national space stations

During the meeting, the sides elaborated a joint program to complete the station’s flight in late 2030

Kiev’s attack on Kursk NPP is nuclear terrorism — envoy

"The Ukrainian militants have committed another nuclear terrorism attempt, launching at least 12 unmanned aerial vehicles towards the Kursk NPP-2," Rodion Miroshnik said

Russian envoy emphasizes Moscow has no commitments in Minsk accords

In its attempts to justify its inactivity in fulfilling the Minsk accords, Kiev is shifting responsibility onto Russia, the diplomat pointed out

Moldova's involvement in Ukraine conflict escalates it further — expert

The actions of the President of Moldova and the government, aimed at supporting Ukraine, can be perceived as part of a broader strategy developed by EU intelligence services and MI6, Dmitry Sorokin said

Security guarantees for Kiev, sanctions against Max — Kremlin briefing highlights

Dmitry Peskov expressed confidence that Max would keep evolving fast despite the European sanctions

Final test launch of Russia's new RS-26 Rubezh ballistic missile successful — designer

The RS-26 Rubezh missile based on the previous RS24 Yars is expected to be put on combat dutiy in 2015.

Hungarian defense minister promises to 'slam the door on Russia'

Romulus Ruszin-Szendi stated that Hungary must restore the trust of its allies

Trump points to ‘greater alternatives’ to Strait of Hormuz for oil deliveries

The US president also said that the strait is closed only for Iran

Scientists find on Yamal six burials with 13th century mummies

The researcher said that studies of the burial grounds will tell more about how people lived in Western Siberia in the Middle Ages

Trump says US to continue attacks unless Iran returns to talks

The US president promised to carry out strikes "tonight," "tomorrow night," "the night after," and next week