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Strait of Hormuz developments

Transit through Strait of Hormuz falls to low amid risks to vessels — Reuters

According to the analysts, four vessels entered the strait and three exited it

LONDON, August 21. /TASS/. The number of vessels crossing the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday fell by half compared with the previous day. Only seven vessels carrying commodities passed through the waterway amid growing concerns over risks to shipping in the Middle East, Reuters reported, citing analytics firm Kpler.

According to the analysts, four vessels entered the strait and three exited it. None were large oil or liquefied natural gas tankers, although a very large gas carrier transporting propane and butane passed through the strait along the Iranian route.

The current situation surrounding the Strait of Hormuz has further dampened optimism that an agreement can be reached on fully reopening the waterway. The price of Brent crude oil futures with October delivery on London’s ICE exchange rose above $94 per barrel for the first time since July 24 of this year, according to trading data.

The United States and Israel launched a military operation against Iran on February 28. In June, Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding providing for an immediate cessation of hostilities on all fronts, including in Lebanon. However, on the night of July 8, the United States resumed large-scale strikes on Iran, accusing Tehran of violating the agreements concerning the Strait of Hormuz. The Wall Street Journal previously reported, citing satellite data, that an average of 26 vessels passed through the strait each day in July, five times fewer than before the conflict began.

Strait of Hormuz developments

Hormuz risks remain even if Iran-Oman talks yield positive results, Russian diplomat says

The current situation in the Persian Gulf can hardly be called a "pause", given quite a regular exchange of strikes, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov noted

FAZ journalist Martens’ profile appears on Russian Interior Ministry’s wanted list

Reason for being wanted is a Criminal Code article

FSB detains Ukrainian intel agent, foils terror plot near Moscow

The perpetrator sought to launch a drone from a Moscow railway station to identify railcars carrying petroleum products

US shows weakness by turning to its allies on Iran issue — Iranian diplomat

Saeid Reza Mosayeb Motlagh said that Donald Trump "uses every means and every opportunity to isolate Iran and put pressure on the Islamic Republic of Iran in an attempt to compensate for its military defeat"

Russia ready to cooperate with everyone who cares about South Caucasus — envoy to UN

Vasily Nebenzya added that Russia is guided by the interests of preserving and strengthening security in the region

US may halt exports of petroleum products this autumn — expert

Strategic reserves in the US are dwindling, and a new decision on releasing stocks to balance the market may be required in 78 days, Andrey Polishchuk said

Russian aircraft hit Ukrainian army’s deployment sites by FAB-500 bombs in Kharkov area

Live-recording images verified the successful destruction of all the designated targets

Russia expects new UN chief to show courage in settling conflicts — envoy

Vasily Nebenzy noted that the UN can be the platform for Ukraine crisis resolution

Ukrainian attack on Crimea kills two people, injures four others — regional head

Sergey Aksyonov expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and stated that the authorities would provide all the necessary assistance

By attacking ships, Kiev risks to spoil relations with partners — Kherson governor

Vladimir Saldo stressed that Ukraine is destroying its own reputation among international partners

Slavyansk, Kramatorsk, Druzhkovka turned into ‘ghost cities’ by Ukrainian army — expert

Andrey Marochko said that Ukrainian militants are using abandoned civilian facilities for military purposes

Russia is sole guarantor of Ukraine's sovereignty — MFA

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova criticized Western policies, suggesting that the West has little genuine interest in Ukraine as an independent or prosperous nation

FACTBOX: What to know of Omsk oil refinery intel sharing, foiled terrorist attack in LPR

Officers detained two men in the Lugansk People’s Republic, who helped the Security Service of Ukraine plan a terrorist attack against the republic’s interior minister

Russian strike brings Ukrainian industrial site in Brovary near Kiev offline — top brass

The facility was struck by Separate Unmanned Systems Brigade Varyag

Russia’s Battlegroup South confidently advancing after liberating Nikolaipolye in DPR

The liberation of the settlement became possible thanks to the coordinated efforts of reconnaissance units, artillery crews, and UAV operators from the unmanned systems forces

Collective Security Treaty Organization, CIS border troops drill interaction in crises

According to the CSTO, the main objective of the joint command-staff exercise was to improve coordination between border guard and other agencies of the CIS member states

Kiev to return to talks with Russia on terms worse than those in 2022 — magazine

According to The American Conservative, the Ukrainian armed forces are facing a shortage of manpower, and their stockpile of Patriot interceptor missiles "is at, or approaching, zero"

Kiev troops shell DPR 33 times in past day, three wounded

Six civil infrastructure sites were damaged, as well as three residential buildings and a number of cars and trucks

Press review: Ukraine crisis nears peak as Israel-Turkey tensions rise over Syria

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, August 20th

Plane with eight people on board crashes in Alaska — Associated Press

The fate of those on board is currently unknown

Kiev building up forces to fight for Dobropolye in Donetsk region — Russian combatant

According to the serviceman, the Russian troops are operating in a coordinated manner, eliminating enemy forces attempting to redeploy to better positions

IN BRIEF: Putin’s key statements at meeting on nuclear energy

According to the head of state, there are plans to broaden the geographic distribution of nuclear power plant units across Russia's regions

Germany detains suspect involved in inciting schoolboy to kill child in Russia

According to investigators, the suspect created at least two online communities in 2024 that brought together followers of far-right extremist ideology

Plane makes emergency landing in Sakhalin after engine catches fire

There were seven people on board

Russian envoy sees possibility of more candidates seeking top UN post

They may emerge, if the current candidates fail to secure the required support

US wants its economy to grow faster than state debt — Vance

US Vice President JD Vance did not disclose details of the plan

International organizations become accomplices in Kiev’s crimes against media — MFA

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the reaction of international organizations to the murder of war correspondent Darya Dugina in 2022 was particularly telling

Croatian court rules to place in custody Ukrainian suspect in Nord Stream sabotage

Germany is seeking his extradition

Trump orders to increase number of space launches five-fold by 2030

The US leader gave instructions to explore commercial robotic access to the surface of Mars

Battlegroup North UAVs destroy two US armored vehicles near Kharkov

The FPV drone crews eliminated two US-made Humvee armored vehicles and one Ukrainian Kozak armored fighting vehicle

West provided only quarter of required funds to Kiev — lawmaker

Kiev admits that the country has completely exhausted its own resources, and it is getting harder and harder for it to secure the required funds every time

Zelensky complains about lack of funds to continue war

Vladimir Zelensky also expects Khmara to audit all agreements with Western partners and take a "more humane approach" to the organizational issues in the army

Battlegroup North artillery eliminates 71 Ukrainian troops, 34 UAV control posts overnight

Artillery crews of the Battlegroup North carried out over 200 fire missions last night

Germany doesn't expect winter gas shortage despite low storage levels — ministry

The Ministry for Economic Affairs believes that the primary responsibility lies with the private sector

American mercenary Conor Kennedy arrested in absentia in Russia, placed on wanted list

He participated in combat operations on the side of the Ukrainian forces incognito

EU attempts to interfere into Georgia’s affairs to do no good — Russia’s UN envoy

Attempts by the EU to interfere in the country’s domestic political situation, as well as to drag Tbilisi into NATO, will not lead to anything good," Vasily Nebenzya said

Polish prime minister defends Nord Stream sabotage — TV

Donald Tusk opined that those who built the pipeline should be held accountable, not those who destroyed it

Zelensky shouted demanding dismissal of official who failed to pay bail for Yermak

A court session to choose a preventive measure for Makim Mikitas will continue on Friday

Russia expects major economic forum during Arab summit

Moscow will announce summit dates as soon as all conditions have been met, Anton Kobyakov stressed

Eight detained for attempting to launch drone attack on strategic plant near Moscow — FSB

One of the accomplices put up armed resistance during the arrest and was neutralized

Ukraine imposes sanctions against Rusal group of companies

Kiev also imposed sanctions on several dozens of Russian citizens, including those who, as Ukraine claims, are working in the Russian defense industry

Deaths of ‘Iranian leaders’ hindering deal with US — Trump

The US leader emphasized that Washington was successfully achieving its goals in the conflict with Iran

North Korea launches approximately 10 missiles toward Sea of Japan — South Korean military

The Joint Chiefs of Staff stated that they "maintain vigilance for additional launches"

Chinese company aims to increase Northern Sea Route shipments to 1.2 mln tons by 2027

NewNew Shipping Line intends to put six new container ships into service by the end of October this year

Russia’s Battlegroup West downs 54 Ukrainian fixed-wing UAVs, 91 hexacopters over past day

The battlegroup's units eliminated over 210 Ukrainian military personnel, two Kozak armored fighting vehicles and a Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer

Court finds farmer who shot at drone caused less harm than he prevented — documents

Earlier, a source in the judicial system said the Volgograd Regional Court had terminated the proceedings in the case of 66‑year‑old Nikolay Mukhin

Gold futures top $4,600 per troy ounce, first time since May 29

By 4:45 a.m. the growth slowed down to $4,583.5 per troy ounce

Russia’s Battlegroup North destroys 443 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones over past day

The battlegroup's units eliminated up to 200 enemy personnel, an infantry fighting vehicle and three armored combat vehicles over the past 24 hours

Russian stock indices decline by the end of trading on Moscow Exchange

The Chinese yuan edged down 10 kopecks to 12.32 rubles

Germany, UK, France, Italy call on Israel to withdraw its E1 settlement project plans

The international community has long opposed this settlement expansion, and has voiced their grave concerns privately and publicly, the joint statement said

Tougher US sanctions against Iran constitute economic terrorism — MFA

According to the statement, Washington's new restrictions against Tehran represent "a continuation of a failed US policy, the repetition of which will lead only to another failure"

Ukraine’s ex-defense minister urges to mobilize women

Alexey Reznikov noted that women can enter military service not just as medical workers

Russian envoy cautions US, West against triggering arms race in outer space

According to Gennady Gatilov, individual Western countries and blocs directly mention near-Earth space as "yet another field for hostilities in their documents regarding space policy"

Russia only country in world with expertise across entire nuclear energy sector — Putin

These competitive advantages enable the country to hold a leading position in the market for the construction of nuclear power plants abroad, the Russian leader stressed

Israel won't put up with Turkey's military presence in Syria — Netanyahu

The Israeli prime minister said that the prior warnings on the issue were not heard "clearly enough"

UN chief calls for halt to attacks on civilian infrastructure, including in Russia

Spokesman Stephane Dujarric said that Antonio Guterres remains deeply concerned by the continued escalation of the Ukrainian conflict

NewNew Shipping Line sees significant business prospects in Murmansk Region

Chief Executive Officer Ke Jin said that Murmansk offers the best conditions thanks to the governor’s support and the fact that it is the only ice-free port in western Russia

US establishes corridor in Strait of Hormuz for covertly transporting oil — news outlet

According to sources cited by Axios, between 15 and 20 tankers pass through the strait’s southern channel along the coast of Oman every day, exporting roughly half of the pre-war level of oil from the Middle East

Parliament votes on new Bangladesh’s president

The Times of India reported that 255 members of parliament voted for Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the candidate from the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party

Iran supports Iraq’s plan to control armed groups’ weapons — Majlis speaker

Qasim Al-Aboudi added that Tehran "is committed to the security agreements concluded between the two countries"

Northern Fleet ships finish preparations for long-range Arctic deployment

The Fleet press service specified that naval Arctic deployments are aimed "at ensuring the safety of Russia’s maritime navigation and maritime economic activities in the Arctic"

Russian Il-76 aircraft drops ten loads of water on active fire sites in Serbia — ministry

The Emergencies Ministry said that Russian rescue teams are working closely with Serbian ground services and receiving organizational support from the Russian-Serbian Humanitarian Center

Kremlin reacts to 'fishing in troubled waters' in Ukraine, potential Wikoff, Kushner visit

Dmitry Peskov stressed that Russia highly values the efforts of all countries that sincerely seek to contribute to settling the Ukraine conflict

Several hundred Ukrainian soldiers desert during training in Germany — newspaper

Under Ukrainian law, these individuals could face up to 12 years in prison if they return home

Russia’s Lokomotiv FC confirms transfer of its midfielder Batrakov to Galatasaray

The contract with the Russian midfielder is for five years

Presidential spokesman describes fortifications on eastern border as 'full of holes’

Rafal Leskiewicz pointed to statements by Polish politicians about just how narrow and small a section of the sky along Poland’s eastern border is protected by air defense systems

US extends general license for talks on Lukoil's foreign assets until September 19

The license greenlights transactions related to negotiations on the "sale, disposition, or transfer of Lukoil International GmbH" and its assets

Some US allies in Mideast took 'semi-neutral' stance on Iran

The Iranian authorities said on many occasions that Tehran had not attacked any country in the region, targeting only US military bases

Russia calls on Japan to stop revising history of World War II — MFA

Maria Zakharova highlighted that instead of openly acknowledging its role in initiating aggression across Asia and the Pacific, Japan appears to be increasingly engaged in whitewashing its wartime crimes

Hormuz risks remain even if Iran-Oman talks yield positive results, Russian diplomat says

The current situation in the Persian Gulf can hardly be called a "pause", given quite a regular exchange of strikes, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov noted

Israel could cease to exist after the Middle East conflict — senior Russian officer

Apty Alaudinov says Israel’s objective is to drag both the US and the entire NATO bloc into the struggle

Vucic thanks Russia for providing Serbia with aircraft for fighting forest fires

Serbia is currently facing wildfires, prompting local authorities to turn to Moscow for assistance

Moscow to respond to any hostile actions by Helsinki — MFA

Maria Zakharova noted that Finland, starting in 2022, "has become one of the most ardent sponsors of the Kiev regime"

IN BRIEF: Russian MFA statements on FAZ reporter’s provocation, UN criticism

The Foreign Ministry calls on the citizens living abroad to be vigilant and not to give in to provocations ahead of the State Duma elections

Conflict in Ukraine requires prompt measures — candidate for UN secretary-general

Yvonne A-Baki believes that the Ukrainian crisis can be resolved through a solution, which both parties will find acceptable

Production of fuel for Ukrainian missiles in Denmark delayed until 2027

Euractiv noted that Danish authorities had "cleared more than 20 bureaucratic hurdles for the construction of the plant," but this did not help

Bulgaria restricts operation of Kozloduy NPP due to low water level in Danube — ministry

The capacity of Unit 5 will be scaled down by 120 megawatts on August 21 to avert a potential emergency

IAEA Director General Grossi’s visit to Zaporozhye plant delayed — director

The reason given is safety concerns for the delegation

Russia starts serial production of Garpiya-A1 drone — Rosoboronexport

The Garpiya-A1 (E) is a loitering munition with a range of up to 1,000 km

Russian troops liberate two communities in Donetsk region over past day — top brass

Russia's Battlegroup South and Battlegroup Center units liberated settlements of Nikolaipolye and Matyashevo in the Donetsk People’s Republic

Ukrainians' right to protection in EU depends on their usefulness on frontline — senator

Alexander Voloshin remarked that Kiev has long promoted Europe as a sanctuary where human rights are a fundamental priority

Russia, China to oppose Japan’s attempts to obtain nuclear weapons — Chinese ambassador

Zhang Hanhui also said that Moscow and Beijing think it necessary to "resolutely oppose Japan's accelerated remilitarization"

Russia open to dialogue with US, refuses to sacrifice its principled positions — diplomat

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stressed the importance whether "Washington can influence the decisions of the Kiev regime and its European sponsors"

Attempts to cut Russia off from world permanent tactic of Western policy — adviser

Anton Kobyakov noted that Russia had never closed itself off from the world throughout its history

IN BRIEF: What we know about Russia’s massive attack targeting defense-tech sites in Kiev

Russian forces struck a Fire Point plant, a Kiev-based assembly site owned by the Antonov aircraft manufacturing factory and an arsenal with M-900 thermobaric bombs and munitions for Baba-Yaga drones

Liberation of Matyashevo opens way for Russian forces’ advance in Dobropolye area

The settlement was liberated by Pskov Guards Airborne Forces formation

Russia has no need for mobilization — envoy to UN

Vasily Nebenzya emphasized that mobilization is not planned and expected

Russia open to dialogue on stabilizing strategic stability — MFA

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov recalled that, had Washington not rejected Russian President Vladimir Putin’s initiative for the parties to preserve the New START legacy through voluntary self-restraints, the current situation could have been avoided

Iran was not the one to trigger escalation in Middle East — Russia’s UN envoy

Vasily Nebenzya said that the US should be the one to blame for the latest escalation in Middle East

Ukraine imposes sanctions on authors of Russian comedy cartoon 'Masha and the Bear'

An executive order, published on Vladimir Zelensky’s website, imposes sanctions on the Animaccord animation studio, the cartoon’s producer Dmitry Loveyko and animator Oleg Kuzovkov

Japan begins converting ships into aircraft carriers — Chinese ambassador to Russia

For the first time, the country has re-exported Patriot missiles and begun exporting military frigates, Zhang Hanhui noted

Candidate for UN secretary·general declares neutrality in conflict in Ukraine

Yvonne A-Baki opined that for a final settlement, both sides need to make certain concessions

New mobilization rules forcing Ukrainians into servitude, driving them to front — diplomat

Maria Zakharova stressed that Ukrainian leaders offered no explanation to ordinary people about how they are supposed to survive

Lithuania seeking to take Russians hostage by tightening transit from Kaliningrad

Chairman of the region’s Legislative Assembly Andrey Kropotkin noted that such moves were driven by a political agenda of further pressure on Russia

Fuel imports to Russia: statements by Novak and overview of market situation

Russian authorities expect a number of oil refineries to complete maintenance work soon, leading to a significant improvement in the fuel market situation

US company Powerus to deliver anti-drone systems to Middle East — Bloomberg

The US company will provide its customer with detection and tracking equipment

UN secretary-general candidate A-Baki proposes agreeing that Ukraine abstains from NATO

Yvonne A-Baki believes that Russia and Ukraine should sit together in the United Nations and talk

US has no idea of how long its economic pressure on Iran will take — Vance

Earlier, US President Donald Trump announced the beginning of the "most crushing economic operation" against Iran

Government submits space cooperation agreement with Myanmar to State Duma for ratification

As noted in the explanatory note, the ratification will contribute to expanding cooperation between the two countries in such areas as satellite navigation, space communications, satellite TV and radio broadcasting

Date for new Russia-US contacts on removing ‘irritants’ being agreed upon — diplomat

Maria Zakharova added that Russia is ready to cooperate with the US partners "to move toward substantive discussions on the issues that are of priority for us"

Musk agrees that state debt of $50 trillion will be critical for US

Earlier this week, the US state debt exceeded record $40 trillion