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Strait of Hormuz developments

US redirected seven ships since renewal of naval blockade of Iran — CENTCOM

The United States Central Command added that US military disabled one vessel

NEW YORK, July 20. /TASS/. The United States military has disabled one vessel and redirected seven more since the renewal of the blockade of Iran's seaports, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has stated.

"As of July 20, the US military has redirected 7 commercial vessels and disabled 1 to prevent the ships from leaving or entering Iranian ports," the command said in a statement on the social network X.

The United States renewed the naval blockade of Iran on July 14.

Russian Foreign Minister arrives in Philippines to attend ASEAN events

Sergey Lavrov will take part in events hosted by ASEAN

Putin expects to restore bilateral relations with Turkey soon

The Russian president has given instructions to the government to start talks with Turkey on the resumption of trade and economic cooperation

Kiev aims to further destabilize oil markets by striking Caspian Pipeline Consortium — MFA

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stressed that Moscow is in solidarity with the Kazakh Foreign Ministry in its decisive condemnation of this crime against a civilian facility

Russian envoy says Coalition of Willing exercises in Poland will be symbolic show

Andrey Kelin also claimed that he does not think the upcoming military drills will turn into anything large-scale

There can no longer be any rules against Kiev attacking cities in Russia — Medvedev

Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council emphasized that "back then, it was not customary to steal or kill the leaders of even hostile countries"

Senior Russian diplomat discusses preparations for Russia-Africa summit with ambassadors

The diplomats discussed a wide range of issues regarding the participation of official delegations from African countries in the upcoming summit

Press review: Russia offers lifeline on Iran and Trump works art of nuke deal with Saudis

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, July 20th

FACTBOX: What is known about new attack on oil tanker at CPC terminal

According to the report, the terrorist attack by air drone was made on tanker Nelsa, which was under loading at SPM-1

Current economic collapse in Europe stems from anti-Russian sanctions — RDIF CEO

EU sanctions are unpopular in Europe — they do not work and cost EU countries more than €3 trillion, Kirill Dmitriev said

Russian economy could grow up to 0.7% by year-end, expert says

Vladimir Yeremkin said the economy is paying the price for cooling down after overheating, but the base for recovery remains intact

Mediators present US, Iran with 10-day ceasefire proposal - Axios

According to the news outlet, neither side has accepted the mediators' proposal so far

US launches another series of strikes against Iran — CENTCOM

The strikes are designed to further degrade Iranian military capabilities used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz

New Iran-US agreement to envisage mutual refraining from aggressive actions — TV

Potential agreements would bind the sides to "implement provision of the memorandum of understanding" that was signed earlier, the sources said

WTA introduces mandatory gender testing for female tennis players

Under the new document refusal to undergo testing may result in disciplinary action by the association

Russia will respond proportionately to Seoul’s deployment of Typhon missile systems — MFA

However, Andrei Rudenko noted that the Russian Foreign Ministry currently has no information regarding the Republic of Korea's intentions to take such a step

Russia's strike on Kiev-based Rapid enterprise aimed at reducing long-range UAV attacks

The Russian developer of drone detectors said the strikes will reduce the number of attacks by the Ukrainian army’s long-range unmanned aerial vehicles

Merz led Germany to economic abyss — Russia’s State Duma

Russia never provoked an energy blockade of the Federal Republic of Germany; on the contrary, it always met the country halfway, State Duma member of the committee on international affairs Roza Chemeris told

Russia expects IAEA to give unbiased assessment of attack on Darkhovin NPP

Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova says Russia expects that the agency "will take immediate and concrete steps to end such lawlessness"

Russia fighting for its survival in special military operation — Duma deputy speaker

Pyotr Tolstoy said that Russia is defending its independence, freedom and "the ability to make its own decisions"

Ukraine’s attacks on Caspian Pipeline Consortium constitute terrorism — State Duma

According to the statement, this has nothing to do with military objectives

Indonesia continues military-technical cooperation with Russia, envoy says

Sergey Tolchenov noted that the cooperation is currently being conducted "behind the scenes"

Alrosa spots first signs of diamond market turnaround as investment stones rally

The company said that diamond values demonstrated significantly greater stability this year

Bank of Russia gold reserves sink to lowest level since February 2020

The decline in gold reserves has been ongoing since the start of the year

China’s exports of integrated circuits to Russia climb 183% in 1H 2026

The value of shipments amounted to $26.01 mln in the same period last year

Protests over defense minister’s dismissal spread to 12 Ukrainian cities

Protests against Ukraine’s Defense Minister Fydorov’s dismissal began in Ukrainian cities on July 16

Donbass fate to be decided by fight for Slavyansk, Kramatorsk — expert

Yevgeny Poddubny said the enemy will continue to use drones en masse, a wide range of Western-made weapons and will actively use the newest AI-powered unmanned systems

US imposes 50% import tariffs on range of Canadian goods

Energy products, critical minerals, seafood and potash will be exempt from the new tariffs

Wheat imports from Russia to Georgia gain 37% in 1H

Georgia purchased 160,614 tons of Russian wheat and meslin for $41.8 mln

Andy Burnham takes office as British prime minister

The newly elected leader of the United Kingdom’s Labour Party is the third prime minister formally appointed by King Charles III

Bureau 1440 launches second part of satellite constellation

The Russian aerospace company continues to deploy a low-orbit satellite constellation for new-generation communication services

Trump says he will meet new UK prime minister soon

UK and US leaders will discuss topics of mutual interest

Tanker hit by projectile off Oman coast, UKMTO says

Authorities are investigating, the coordination center stated

IMF announces $690 million tranche for Ukraine under new lending program

A preliminary agreement on allocating the tranche was reached on June 12

Russia concerned over delays in preparations for Haiti elections — mission to UN

Russia calls on "the interim government and all political forces to engage in dialogue and work together responsibly for the sake of the nation's interests", Russia’s acting Permanent Representative to the United Nations Anna Yevstigneyeva said

Putin, Balitsky discuss Novorossiya highway control, countering Ukrainian drones

Governor Yevgeny Balitsky said the enemy drones are less effective in the Zaporozhye Region thanks to improvements in air defense systems

Russian stock market closes higher as main indices rebound

The MOEX Index briefly dipped below 1,900 points at Monday's open before staging a quick rebound, with investors shifting to active buying later in the day

US forces complete another round of strikes on Iran, CENTCOM says

US forces struck Iranian military command centers and air defense systems, the US Central Command claimed

Russia poses no threat to EU, but conflict being deliberately stoked — Croatian president

Zoran Milanovic also emphasized that the EU "is exclusively engaged in talk of war and attempts to finance military production"

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

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

Five people killed, 23 injured as Ukraine attacks bus in Belgorod Region with drone

Alexander Shuvayev called the incident an "inhumane and vile" attack

NATO recon aircraft again shuttling over Black Sea from west to east, back

The plane took off from the base airfield in Constanta, Romania

Russia, North Korea intend to give extra impetus to cooperation — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister referred to the cooperation in the bilateral format, including issues of regional and international security

FACTBOX: Russia's latest strikes on Ukrainian ports

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, air-launched precision-guided weapons and loitering munitions struck fuel and lubricant storage tanks intended for the Ukrainian armed forces at the port of Odessa

Russian Central Bank may pause rate-cutting cycle, expert says

Vladimir Yeremkin believes the regulator's decision could be influenced by rising inflation expectations, which may prompt the Bank of Russia to upwardly revise its year-end inflation forecast

Saudi-led coalition warns Houthis of responding to their threats to ships in Bab El Mandeb

The coalition command has begun implementing measures in order to protect commercial vessels transiting the strait

Ukrainian forces strike Belgorod, surrounding area with missiles

According to the regional emergency operations center, no casualties are reported

North Macedonians understand joining anti-Russian coalition not good for them — diplomat

Russian Ambassador to Skopje Dmitry Zykov said that Europe made a significant "contribution" to fueling the Ukrainian crisis and its attempts to allegedly "settle" the situation yielded no success

State Department says relations between Russia and Cuba pose 'direct threat' to US

The report makes similar accusations against China and Iran

Drone attack on Moscow among largest in recent years — TASS calculations

According to Mayor Sergey Sobyanin, more than 400 hostile unmanned aerial vehicles headed toward the Moscow Region overnight

Ukraine never stops trying to inflict irreparable damage to CPC — Russian diplomat

Maria Zakharova said the attack was the fifth act of aggression against the company’s civilian facilities enjoying protection of international law

Putin extends visa-free entry for Chinese citizens until end of 2027 — decree

In May, China extended its own visa-free stay for Russians until the end of 2027

Russian troops repel all counterattacks at Konstantinovka, forcing Kiev retreat — expert

According to Andrey Marochko, the Ukrainian assault forces suffered losses

Kazakhstan’s energy ministry confirms another attack on oil tanker in Black Sea

An assessment of the vessel’s technical condition and the consequences of the incident is currently underway

Mandatory evacuation for residents announced in Kherson — governor

Vladimir Saldo said the city had been turned into a military staging ground

Protests over defense minister Fyodorov's dismissal spread to 16 Ukrainian cities

Demonstrations had taken place in Kiev, Chernigov, Dnepropetrovsk, Ivano-Frankovsk, Kharkov, Lutsk, Lvov, Nikolayev, Odessa, Ternopol, Sumy and Zaporozhye

Lavrov heaps praise on North Korean soldiers who fought on Russia's side in special op

The Russian foreign minister highlighted allied relations between the two countries

Putin continues playing hockey - Kremlin

Russian President does it infrequently due to his busy schedule

Ed Miliband appointed as new British foreign secretary

In the cabinet of former Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Ed Miliband held the post of Secretary for Energy Security and Carbon Neutrality of the United Kingdom

China’s exports of passenger cars to Russia soar 134% in 1H 2026

The value of shipments in the same period in 2025 amounted to $2.66 bln

Former UK health secretary Wes Streeting appointed defense secretary

The appointment has been approved by the King Charles III

Moldova secretly cedes right to manage Dniester waters to Ukraine — Chisinau mayor

Ion Ceban said the signed document is classified and is held by the Moldovan Foreign Ministry

EU wants to fight to last Ukrainian, destroy its own economy — Dodik

According to the chairman of Alliance of Independent Social Democrats party of Republika Srpska, the war is being fought only on Ukrainian territory, but it is essentially an attempt by the EU to break Russia

Russia’s Battlegroup North destroys over 150 Ukrainian rotor copters in Kharkov in July

Ukrainian troops used the drones to conduct reconnaissance and adjust fire of their artillery units

Kinzhal missile wipes out Patriot air defense system in Kiev — Russian Defense Ministry

On Tuesday, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that the Russian Armed Forces hit a US-made Patriot system in Kiev with a Kinzhal hypersonic missile

PREVIEW: Russian foreign minister to discuss Asia-Pacific militarization risks with ASEAN

Sergey Lavrov will visit Manila to take part in meetings of ASEAN foreign ministers

Russia expelling Italian military attache, his aide as response measure — diplomat

Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani said on July 9 that Rome was expelling two Russian embassy’s military attaches

NATO concerned over German nuclear weapons research — Russian SVR

Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service said that Germany's Western allies are also worried about the scale of the country's research in key nuclear weapons-related fields

Russian forces hit 200 railway engines hauling Western arms to Ukraine — diplomat

According to Rodion Miroshnik, "90% of military cargoes arrive from European countries"

Work on S-400 continues, results to be announced — Turkish Defense Ministry

The ministry did not provide any clarification on what exactly this work entails

New British PM says he will "bear down" on Russia regarding issue of Ukraine

London would continue to assist Kiev, Andy Burnham stated during a telephone conversation with Vladimir Zelensky

Tourist flow from China to Russia could surge 27-35% by end of 2026 — ATOR

Maya Lomidze, Executive Director of the Association of Tour Operators of Russia, noted that the tourism industry highly welcomes the extension of the visa-free regime

IDF says began coordinating actions with Lebanon in ‘pilot zones’

As part of the pilot, teams from the IDF, the U.S. military, and the Lebanese Armed Forces are conducting coordination and planning for the continued implementation of the agreement

IN BRIEF: Kremlin on dialogue with Europe, potential Lavrov-Rubio talks

Dmitry Peskov stressed that Russia became wiser, and will apply its newfound wisdom in relations with Europe

FBI Director plans visit to Russia in October - Politico

The visit could take place on October, 14-15

Putin open to contacts with Mojtaba Khamenei — Peskov

"There are currently no specific arrangements for such a phone call," the Russian presidential spokesman said

Russia has returned 550 servicemen from Ukrainian captivity since May, ombudswoman says

Russian Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova stated it as a result of several successful exchanges

Russia committed to strengthening bilateral cooperation with Nepal — MFA

According to the statement, relations between Russia and Nepal have always been friendly in nature and are based on the principles of mutual respect

Russian forces strike Ukrainian naval drone assembly sites over past day — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted roughly 210 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed eight enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Bank of Russia lowers dollar rate for July 21 to 78.31 rubles

The official euro rate was cut by 34.56 kopecks to 89.5542 rubles

IRGC says it carried out missile strike on US base in Kuwait

American HIMARS systems were targeted with surface-to-surface missiles

Trade turnover between Georgia, Russia up 18.9% in 1H

With Russia being Georgia’s second-biggest trade partner, its share in the republic’s total external trade volume equaled 11.8% in the reporting period

Nepal highly values relations with Russia — top diplomat

According to Shisir Khanal, his country highly values cooperation with Russia "as a symbol of unbreakable friendship between the countries"

US official describes SPIEF visit as Washington’s ‘pivot’ toward Russia

On whether US President Donald Trump had "blessed" his communication with Russian officials, Rodney Mims Cook Jr. responded affirmatively

DPRK’s position on Ukraine unchanged, Pyongyang commits to support Moscow — top diplomat

Choe Son Hui said that Russia’s special military operation is a holy war being waged to remove the root causes of the Ukraine crisis as well as to defend the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity

Odessa port strikes to deter foreign ships carrying weapons for Ukraine — Russian expert

Yevgeny Poddubny expects Russia’s military to continue carrying out such strikes, arguing that the cumulative effect will eventually be felt on the battlefield as Ukrainian forces face shortages of equipment, weapons and drones

Oil exports via Transneft system edged up 1.1% in 2025, annual report shows

Total crude intake into Transneft's trunk pipeline system in 2025 was 0.2% below 2024 volumes and 3% below 2023 volumes

Russia’s pipeline gas supplies to Turkey fall 4% in January-May

Turkey imported a total of 1.27 bln cubic meters from Russia in May

IN BRIEF: Ten injured after one of largest drone attacks in years targets Moscow Region

More than 400 unmanned aerial vehicles were detected heading toward the Moscow Region between the evening of July 19 and the morning of July 20

Russia’s ombudswoman announces preparations for new prisoner exchange with Ukraine

The will be separate lists for military personnel and civilians, Yana Lantratova said

EU countries increasingly reluctant to back sanctions on Russia — FT

Sources cited by the newspaper said European governments grow concerned that the restrictions could harm their leading companies

Russia, North Korea see US behavior as cause of degradation of global situation — MFA

The Russian foreign ministry noted that "under these conditions, the comprehensive deepening of relations between Russia and the DPRK contributes to ensuring regional and international security"

No threat of Netanyahu's arrest in US — Trump

The US president said that it will not happen in any way

Russia, Nepal mark 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations

These relations are traditionally friendly in nature, are based on a rich history of economic and cultural-humanitarian ties, Russian Ambassador to the republic Alexey Surovtsev noted

Russia is becoming priority for Mossad, experts say

According to analysts, a Russian-speaking Mossad director Roman Hoffman offers a distinctive advantage in operations across the post-Soviet space

Over 30 countries confirm participation in Russia-Africa Summit — Russian Foreign Ministry

Department Director Anatoly Bashkin says the number of countries expressing their readiness to attend the summit is rising "each day"

Iran strikes US facilities in Kuwait, Bahrain — IRGC

According to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the attack was carried out in three phases and involved the use of drones and missile

Ukrainian troops extensively use ground robots as mobile firepower — expert

Andrey Marochko added that Ukrainian forces have begun to modify Western-made armored vehicles and automobiles for remote control

US redirected seven ships since renewal of naval blockade of Iran — CENTCOM

The United States Central Command added that US military disabled one vessel

Four railway workers injured in Ukrainian drone attack on Kursk Region town

Governor Alexander Khinshtein said the regional doctors are providing the employees with all the necessary medical assistance

Russian Su-57, Turkish TF-X may become competitors at global arms market

In November 2017, then-Minister of Defense noted that Turkey designed the project in a way to not be ultimately dependent on any one nation or company

Iran fails to damage Bahrain's air navigation system with drones — agency

The attack did not affect its operations, the Kingdom's Civil Aviation Authority said