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

{{newsPoint.title}}

{{newsPoint.title+ ' '}}

{{newsPoint.subtitle}}

Strait of Hormuz developments

Three tankers attempt to traverse Strait of Hormuz, explosion occurs on one of them — IRGC

According to the statement, the other two turned around at full speed and retreated

© AP Photo/ Asghar Besharati

DOHA, July 23. /TASS/. Three oil tankers attempted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz without Iran’s authorization, resulting in an explosion and fire on one of the vessels, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC, an elite military force) reported.

"Three oil tankers <...> intended to traverse a mined route through the Strait of Hormuz. Following an explosion and a massive fire on one of them, the other two turned around at full speed and retreated," Iran’s state broadcaster cited a statement by the IRGC.

As long as the Strait of Hormuz remains under Iran’s control, no vessel will be able to enter or exit through the strait without the Islamic Republic’s approval, the armed forces noted.

US Department of Energy announces signing of nuclear program deal with Saudi Arabia

The authority reports that the agreement is designed for several decades and is intended to provide "great access for American companies in the Saudi nuclear energy program"

Russia to give proportionate response to Kiev's attack on civilian facilities — lawmaker

Efforts are already underway to identify those involved in the attack, Sergey Altukhov said

IN BRIEF: Ukrainian military reshuffle with new commander-in-chief, General Staff head

Under Ukraine’s national security law, Zelensky may appoint a new commander-in-chief only upon the recommendation of a serving defense minister, a position that is currently vacant

IRGC warns shipping companies southern Strait of Hormuz route mined

In response, Tehran began striking US facilities in the Middle East located in Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Oman

Zelensky reports holding 'important' conversation with US envoys Witkoff, Kushner

Vladimir Zelensky said the teams remain in close contact

Ukraine’s attack being repelled in Sevastopol, four drones shot down

Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev says air defense systems and mobile fire groups are in action

Serial production of propellers for fixed-wing combat UAVs starts in Novosibirsk

The production facilities’ output is 50,000 propellers per month, with a peak output of up to half a million pieces monthly

EU waging proxy war against Russia but unable to change course of conflict — politician

Armando Mema, a member of Finland’s Freedom Alliance, specified that the EU finances Ukraine "to fight a war it cannot win"

Seventeen injured: consequences of Kiev’s drone attack on apartment building in Crimea

Ukraine deliberately attacked the apartment building, as there are no military or energy facilities nearby, Oleg Kryuchkov said

Russia, China call on US, Iran to end fighting as soon as possible — MFA

According to the ministry, the sides noted that countries not involved in the fighting must promote peace, not strife

Three tankers attempt to traverse Strait of Hormuz, explosion occurs on one of them — IRGC

According to the statement, the other two turned around at full speed and retreated

FACTBOX: What is known about flight altitude restrictions in Moscow air hub area

Transit flights through the Moscow aviation hub are prohibited

Belgorod Reservoir equipment damaged: aftermath of Ukrainian attacks

Ukrainian forces continue to deliberately target the reservoir dam following the water release, with strikes still ongoing, according to the operational command

West makes no secret that it needs Ukraine for resources — Russia’s UN mission

Deputy Permanent Representative Dmitry Chumakov separately said that during the military interventions in Iraq, Libya, and Syria "the battle for political clout was accompanied by a struggle for natural resources"

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

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

Outgoing military chief Syrsky says leaves capable Ukrainian army to successor

However, Alexander Syrsky's statement conflicted with data from the Russian Defense Ministry showing that Ukraine loses roughly 1,500 troops daily as a result of actions of Russian battlegroups in the special military operation zone

Russian drones strike five ships transporting cargo for Ukrainian military

The ministry published what it described "objective control footage of the July 22 strikes involving Geran-4 Seeker drones on four vessels of the dry cargo carrier type and one bulk-carrier-type ship in the waters of the Black Sea and in the port of Chernomorsk

Iran continues to produce missiles at facilities unknown to US — IRNA

The production of drones and missiles in Iran did not stop during the war or during the ceasefire

Iranian military sees possibility of allowing some ships to cross Strait of Hormuz

Vessels are allowed to pass "in accordance with the established route and in line with the previously announced rules," the statement read

Ten regiments of Russia’s Strategic Missile Force placed on highest alert

Seven regiments armed with Topol, Topol-M and Yars mobile missile systems will advance for combat patrols in Russia’s regions

US forces launching another series of strikes against Iran — Central Command

The authority asserts that it is attacking military targets

US Department of Energy announces signing of nuclear program deal with Saudi Arabia

The authority reports that the agreement is designed for several decades and is intended to provide "great access for American companies in the Saudi nuclear energy program"

Nobody in region to be allowed to sell oil if Iran denied this opportunity — speaker

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf added that security in the strait is possible only if no American forces are present there

Russian troops control greater part of Pisarevka in Sumy Region — expert

Andrey Marochko says a portion of the settlement remains in the so-called gray zone

Southern Russia to boost anti-terrorist protection over increased Ukrainian drone attacks

The Krasnodar Region governor, Veniamin Kondratyev, said it is important to promptly analyze potential targets

Iran’s defense doctrine follows ‘eye for an eye’ principle — foreign minister

US President Donald Trump earlier said that for every strike on a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, the US armed forces would destroy an Iranian bridge or power plant

Kiev has no military commanders who can defeat Russia — Zaporozhye official

Oleg Murachev said that one of Mikhail Drapaty’s possible options to prove his mettle after the appointment is to rely on drones and strikes on civilians and civilian infrastructure

Tanker damaged by projectile off Saudi Arabian coast — UK Maritime Trade Operations

There have been no reports of casualties

Ukrainian forces under Syrsky lost control of 11,500 square kilometers

Despite mounting evidence, the Ukrainian military leadership stubbornly denied the deteriorating situation

Russia’s Gazprom delays introduction of advance payment for gas to Ukraine to June 9

US administration refuses to transfer military aid worth $400 million to Kiev — senator

Dick Durbin says the funds are unavailable until the next president is in office

Maersk suspends operations at one of Ukraine's largest ports

The company indicated that the vessel MEDKON MIRA V.629S with import cargo scheduled for discharge at Chernomorsk has been diverted to the Romanian port of Constanta

Trump seeks to soften Russia sanctions bill, secure broad waiver authority — expert

Dr. Mark Episkopos said that instead of holding up a sanctions bill that might secure a veto-proof level of support in the Senate next year, the White House opted to negotiate its contents

Romania faces fuel crisis due to Ukrainian attacks on CPC tankers in Black Sea — expert

Adrian Negrescu said that crude oil supplies via the Caspian Pipeline Consortium system to the Novorossiysk terminal were cut off

Serbia’s deputy premier thanks Russia for supporting his country’s territorial integrity

Ivica Dacic emphasized that both countries maintain an active political dialogue, based on longtime friendship and successful cooperation both on bilateral and multilateral levels

Conflict to go beyond regional borders if Trump delivers on his threats — Iranian military

The Iranian armed forces emphasized that Washington’s continuous threats will only make the conflict to expand in the region and even to go beyond its borders

Attack on Kuban caused by Ukraine’s failure on line of engagement — Russian lawmaker

Sergey Altukhov expressed condolences over the death of a person in Ukraine’s attack on Armavir

Wildberries halts warehouse operations in Krasnodar, Nevinnomyssk in southern Russia

Deliveries scheduled for these warehouses can be cancelled or redirected to any other facility

Ex-French president spills beans, tells Russian pranksters EU is party to Ukraine conflict

The ex-president of France reiterated that the sole objective of the Minsk agreements was to buy time to strengthen Ukraine’s combat capabilities

Russia ready for any developments as EU militarizes — Lavrov

Russia reiterates that it does not seek to attack anyone, the Russian foreign minister said

UAE facilitates exchange of over 2,800 prisoners between Russia, Ukraine since 2024

Overall number exchanged through UAE mediation efforts to 2,883 since the beginning of 2024

Zelensky says appointed Drapaty as new commander-in-chief instead of Syrsky

Many Ukrainian politicians and protesters have been demanding for a week the resignation of Alexander Syrsky

Moscow refuses to recognize G20 decisions made without it — Russian diplomat

Marat Berdyev commented on the Group of Twenty’s move to bar Russian officials from G20 events

Trump doing everything he can to secure peace in Ukraine — US envoy to UN

Mike Waltz acknowledged that the US president had underestimated the complexity of the task when he previously suggested that he could resolve the Ukrainian conflict in as little as a day

Epstein case reveals real face of Western elites seeking to rule world — Lavrov

"It is unnecessary to explain to any normal person that this is pure Satanism and is beyond human comprehension," the Russian Foreign Minister added

Russian forces pound Ukrainian ports, vessels, logistics centers used for military goals

Russian ground-based and air-launched precision-guided weapons and attack UAVs hit a dry cargo ship at the Chernomorsk port as it was unloading supplies intended for the Ukrainian armed forces

Bank of Russia lowers dollar rate to 78.48 rubles for July 23

The official euro exchange rate was lowered by 15.24 kopecks to 89.6034 rubles

Zelensky sacks military chief under pressure from Europe — media

Vladimir Zelensky reportedly had no plans to replace the military chief despite nationwide protests

IN BRIEF: Wildberries facilities hit as air defenses down 242 drones over Russian regions

One person was killed and ten others suffered injuries in a large-scale drone attack on the Krasnodar Region

Trump believes Iran will soon be ready to strike deal with US

The US president says that at this point, every time Iran makes a deal "they want to change it"

EU aims to sanction 90 banks, 215 individuals under new package — Reuters

The agency noted that the approval of these restrictions is complicated by "serious disagreements"

Putin to hold meeting with lawmakers on July 27 — Kremlin

According to Spokesman Dmitry Peskov, the discussion is expected to focus on results of the work of the current convocation

US to use another ceasefire with Iran to plan ground operation — expert

Ruhollah Modabber believes that the ten-day ceasefire period will enable the US to arrange logistical routes and redeploy troops without worrying about a potential Iranian attack against its targets

Russian troops liberate two communities in Ukraine operation over past day — top brass

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,270 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

FACTBOX: Latest update on Russia's strikes on Ukrainian ports

The Russian Armed Forces continued to strike Ukrainian ports used in the interests of supplying cargoes for the Ukrainian military, and military facilities in the Odessa Region

Russia-ASEAN settlement agreements will be fulfilled, Lavrov assures

This also applies to alternative payment platforms that allow bypassing the illegal so-called secondary sanctions, the Russian foreign minister said

Russia, Iran reaffirm commitment to Strategic Partnership Treaty — Russian MFA

An assistant to the Iranian Foreign Minister and Director General for Eurasian Affairs at the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Manouchehr Moradi, was received by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin

Venezuelan president Maduro’s trial in New York to begin on June 1, 2027

Lawyers on both sides earlier requested New York District Judge Alvin Hellerstein to set the trial for June 2027, but gave no exact dates

Kiev actively gearing up to resolve Donbass conflict through use of force, DPR says

It is also reported that Ukraine is relocating forces from their permanent deployment location in the Odessa region, disguised as a "planned tactical special exercise"

IN BRIEF: What is known about Wildberries operations after drone attacks

Wildberries warehouse operations in Krasnodar and Nevinnomyssk have been suspended, according to the WB Partners Telegram channel

US keen on adding Poland to G20 — Russian MFA

According to Russia's Ambassador-at-Large Marat Berdyev, "the US itself is aware that many of its initiatives lack unifying potential and are often shaped by domestic priorities, particularly in trade and innovation"

EU forces board oil tanker on suspicion of 'sailing under false flag'

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the move was aimed at increasing pressure on what she described as "Russia’s shadow fleet"

Zelensky reluctant to hand over real control over armed forces to Drapaty — portal

The sources believe that Vladimir Zelensky may resort to the work-to-rule tactics, also known as "Italian strike", relying on a loyal defense minister and direct communication with the General Staff

Trump orders to cancel UFO non-disclosure agreements for ex-officials — TV

Such a move does not follow as a "declassification directive" and only allowed employees to come forward through government channels

Up to 18% of Amur tigers die from natural causes — expert

Sergey Aramilev, director of the Amur Tiger center, says there are currently about 750 Amur tigers in Russia

Russia’s UN mission says worst-case scenario unfolds in Red Sea

The US and UK actions in the Red Sea only make matters worse, such a decision is a breach of international law, Dmitry Polyansky said

IN BRIEF: Kremlin addresses Ukrainian military chief’s dismissal, sanctions on Russia

Dmitry Peskov said the Russian Armed Forces continue offensive operations along the entire frontline

Expert warns arms deployment in outer space may cause global disaster

According to a Russian academician, the US is actively working on the use of laser weapons in space

What Solzhenitsyn said about Putin, and vice versa

The prominent writer and historian, who was exiled to GULAG camp, was born on December 11, 1918

Meeting with Rubio, nuclear arms, US involvement in Kiev's attacks: Lavrov's statements

Russia is prepared for any development in the context of the EU militarization, the Russian foreign minister noted

Moscow says Syrian opposition forming working groups on constitutional matters

The meeting’s participants were provided with the draft constitution drawn up by Russian and Arab experts

Russian stock market closes higher as major indices post gains

The yuan edged down 5 kopecks to 11.54 rubles

Drapaty's appointment highlights Zelensky's desperation — expert

According to Alexey Muratov, the reasons for the replacement were not officially named, but Western media linked it to the critical situation at the front for Ukraine

Hamas extends hand to all Palestinian factions, calls for dialogue — Politburo head

Khalil al-Hayya emphasized the need to "immediately begin a national dialogue" and identify mechanisms for rebuilding Palestinian national institutions

Russia seeks sustainable peace in Ukraine conflict — Kremlin spokesman

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

US may hit terrorist group in Mali — Washington Post

Senior US officials, however, disagree over whether to proceed with attacking the militant group

Russia not to concede to West in confrontation in Ukraine — expert

Hanna Notte added that since the beginning of the Ukrainian crisis, Moscow has gained support from non-Western countries that have refused to make "a binary choice between Russia and the West"

Death toll in Ukrainian attack on Russia’s Krasnodar Region rises to two

A young woman who was injured in the warehouse attack in Krasnodar has died in the hospital

Yemeni Houthis attack two Saudi Arabian oil tankers — statement

The Houthis emphasized that they also succeeded in forcing about ten vessels to turn back

Fighting over Hormuz won't do Iran, US any good — Lavrov

"It’s hard to prognosticate" as regards how much longer the conflict around Iran may last, the Russian foreign minister noted

Trump says Americans 'are not against' continuing war with Iran

The US president said that "nobody wants Iran to have a nuclear weapon

Russian AI-assisted Geran UAV swarms manage to overload Ukrainian air defenses by 400%

In February 2026, cases were registered when a swarm of 20-30 UAVs overloaded Ukrainian air defenses by 300-400%

Lavrov to ask Rubio for clarification about Trump's comments on Ukraine

The Russian foreign minister recalled that Marco Rubio also commented on the Anchorage outcome in a rather ambiguous way

FACTBOX: Putin outlines state of economy, fuel market, regional support

The key sectors of the Russian economy remain resilient, the Russian president said

Ukrainian attacks on Russia’s Black Sea coast target civilians — Duma member

Leonid Ivlev attributed the tactics to Kiev’s lack of battlefield success

Number of injured in chairlift collapse in Russia’s Nalchik climbs to eight

It was clarified that two of those injured had been discharged following a medical checkup

Ukraine's top brass reshuffle won't affect war effort in the least — Russian MP

Igor Kastyukevich said that Russia will continue to liberate territories from the Kiev regime’s power

Putin highlightes external attempts to destabilize Russia's energy sector

The Russian leader said that the condition of key sectors of the domestic economy remains stable

Military repels Ukrainian attack on Sevastopol, downs two drones

Preliminary reports indicate no casualties

Ukraine loses 6 Starlink communication stations due to Battlegroup East’s actions over day

56 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles and 35 unmanned aviation control points were also destroyed

EU ambassadors fail to agree on 21st package of anti-Russian sanctions — source

The European commission earlier proposed to ambassadors a draft version of its sanctions package with softer restrictions on Russian LNG transportation to third countries by European tankers

Ukrainian army flees Zakharovka in Kharkov region amid pressure from Russia — expert

Andrey Marochko says Ukrainian militants have abandoned some of their forward positions in the settlement as several strategic heights have come under Russia’s control

Press review: Houthis add new wrinkle to Mideast tailspin as UN stuck in bystander role

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, July 22nd

Russia to be represented at high level at G20 summit in US — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov added that Russian participations will be proactive

Rubio promises to discuss Ukraine with Lavrov

The US secretary of state said that Washington remains open and willing to play a constructive role in bringing the conflict to an end

Zelensky effectively launches Fedorov’s presidential campaign himself — Rada member

Maryana Bezuglaya recalled that Vladimir Zelensky and Mikhail Fedorov had worked together for years

Ukraine faces its toughest winter in five years due to vulnerable power grid

Work to protect Kiev’s critical infrastructure only began in May 2026 and is 49% complete

EU ambassadors fail to agree on 21st package of anti-Russian sanctions — source

According to earlier reports by Politico and Bloomberg, the proposed LNG transportation ban is being blocked by Greece, which fears that its shipping companies may suffer serious losses as a result

Kiev-based Rapid factory struck by Russian forces assembled Lyuty UAVs — expert

Dmitry Barov specified that the strike on the enterprise dealt a heavy blow to the Ukrainian defense industry sector

Global trade up 12.5% amid Strait of Hormuz shipping disruptions — UNCTAD

The organization said that "a significant share of the increase reflects higher prices rather than stronger trade volumes"

EU may allow Greece to continue transporting Russian LNG — FT

According to sources cited by the newspaper, the agreement will allow companies to continue transporting Russian LNG to third countries for 12 months with the possibility of extension, while volumes will be capped at 2025 levels