3 or 4 candidates likely to participate in Abkhazia's early presidential election

The early presidential elections scheduled for August 24

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Situation in Abkhazia quiet, successful presidential election main task now - Bgangba

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Russia credits former Abkhazian president Ankvab with preserving civil peace

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Russia considers events in Abkhazia internal matter of Abkhazian people — Lavrov

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Opposition rallies in Abkhazia

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Abkhazia Conflict in Abkhazia

US continues to train Ukrainian pilots to use F-16 fighter jets — report

According to the report issued by inspectors general of the US Department of War, the Department of State, and the Agency for International Development, the training commitments are coordinated by the Air Force Capability Coalition that the US co-leads with Denmark and the Netherlands

Libya sends message to both friends, foes with major military exercise — general

According to the report, over 25,000 troops are participating in the exercises under the command of Marshal Khalifa Haftar

Sanya's economic growth rate reached 7.5% in January-March

Gross regional product reached $3.64 billion during the period

Iran to stand firm on its demands to US — president

Masoud Pezeshkian emphasized that Tehran is conducting negotiations with honor

Erdogan says Iran conflict 'devastating' global economy

The extent of the damage caused by the shockwave that has swept across the world like a tsunami cannot yet be accurately assessed, the Turkish president said

Press review: US, Israel preparing new strikes against Iran as Ukraine mum on Russia talks

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, May 18th

Most Americans believe Trump made a mistake launching Iran war — poll

Americans cited the war's strong impact on the US economy as the main reason that it should not have been launched

US to waive sanctions on Russian oil shipments for 30 days — Treasury Secretary

This will ensure the most vulnerable countries have access to energy, Scott Bessent said

US continues to train Ukrainian pilots to use F-16 fighter jets — report

World Gymnastics clears Russians to compete under country’s flag: What to know

European Gymnastics will make its own decision on lifting restrictions on Russian athletes by the end of the week

Oil prices may stop falling at $15-20 per barrel, Lukoil says

The company's vice president believes that the failure of the OPEC+ agreement contributed around $20 per barrel to the oil price drop

Share of ruble payments in foreign trade reaches record 60% in February — Bank of Russia

The share of currencies of unfriendly countries in Russia’s foreign trade payments fell to 13.1%

State Duma ratifies trade regime agreements with Abkhazia, South Ossetia

Russian army controls 85% of Krasny Liman, over 50% of Shiykovka — Gerasimov

The troops of the grouping are also successfully operating on the Boguslav and Rubtsovsk directions, the Chief of Russia’s General Staff Army General said

Gas supplies via Nord Stream restored, says Gascade

Representative of the operator company assured the system is functioning properly

Ukrainian military drone found crashed in Lithuania — crisis management center

The drone fell near the village of Samane in Utena District Municipality in eastern Lithuania

Bank of Russia’s assets to remain frozen — Euroclear

The decision is based on the fact that the Russian Central Bank's claim against Euroclear Bank is not recognized under EU law, and Euroclear "does not recognize the court’s jurisdiction"

Belarus kicks off military exercise to practice nuclear weapons use — top brass

According to the statement, a key feature of the exercise is to check the preparedness of troops for accomplishing the tasks of combat use from unprepared areas across the entire territory of the republic

Russia maintains strategic advantages in Ukraine — US authorities

According to a report compiled by inspectors general of the Pentagon, the Department of State, and the US Agency for International Development, now effectively terminated, the collective West’s assistance to Kiev has amounted to more than $325 billion since February 2022

Roscosmos CEO says in-person meeting with NASA chief planned for summer

CEO of Russia’s Roscosmos State Space Corporation Dmitry Bakanov noted that the details of the meeting are currently being worked out

Israel, US attack amusement park in central Iran

No information on casualties or damage has been reported yet

Rosgvardiya chief, Iranian counterpart discuss struggle against terrorism

A memorandum of understanding between Rosgvardia and the Iranian Law Enforcement Command was signed

Unidentified gunman opens fire at Islamic Center in San Diego

No information about deaths or injuries is available at this point

Russian forces obliterate almost 400 air defense systems in Ukraine op — top brass

Russian aircraft down Su-27 warplane, Mi-24, Mi-8 helicopters and Russian forces strike 53 Ukrainian artillery sites in past day, Defense Ministry Spokesman Igor Konashenkov says

Russia’s former rights commissioner thanks Cardinal Zuppi for assisting return of Russians

Matteo Zuppi said he was looking forward to working with Russia’s new human rights commissioner, Yana Lantratova

Three combat ships join Russia’s Navy in special ceremony Dec 29

The hoisting of the flag heralds the acceptance of the ships into the Russian Navy

Russia’s Battlegroup North artillery destroys over 500 Ukrainian troops in week

The platoon commander said that artillery crews of the Battlegroup North thwarted several attempts by the Ukrainian army to rotate personnel in the Sumy and Kharkov Regions, accomplishing over 350 firing missions

Iranian president says dialogue with US doesn’t mean surrender

Tehran will not "retreat from the legal rights of the people and the country," Masoud Pezeshkian says

Kiev will spare no one if left unrestrained — Kremlin

Actions by the Kiev regime may lead to more resignations in Europe, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told

US pushing forward bill imposing sanctions on countries purchasing Russian oil

US Senator Lindsay Graham said this would give President Donald Trump another powerful tool to lead on the world stage

Naval blockade unlikely to undermine Iran’s economy, envoy says

Alireza Sanei noted that Iran shares borders with 15 countries, including Russia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkey, Iraq, Azerbaijan, and Armenia

Russian troops deliver massive overnight strike on Ukrainian military-industrial sites

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,075 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

Russian armed forces liberate Borovaya and Kutkovka in Kharkov Region

The Russian Defense Ministry also reported that Ukraine lost about 1,045 servicemen in the special military operation zone over the past day

Putin inspects Pacific Fleet corvette in Russia’s Far East

The flotilla chief told Putin about the troops and means from his unit as well as their operational procedures

BRICS companies to invest up to $500 mln in gold mine in Russia's Siberia

Among those involved in the international consortium are China National Gold Corporation, Indian SUN Gold Ltd., TransAfrica Capital Limited and a Brazilian investment fund

36 Ukrainian drones taken down over Russian regions, Azov Sea in seven hours

Russian air defense systems intercepted and destroyer 36 Ukrainian fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles over Crimea, the Belgorod, Bryansk, Kursk, Novgorod, Rostov, Smolensk, Moscow, and Krasnodar Regions, and the Azov Sea

Carmakers halting production in Russia

Earlier, Putin signed a decree declaring a paid week off from March 30 to April 3 in move to curb the rate of the coronavirus infection in Russia

About 15 more people may be evacuated to Moscow from Volgograd after explosions

The authority will send over two-three patients at a time

Finland to practice forcefully crossing Russian border during naval drills — expert

Alexander Stepanov warned that industrial facilities in northwestern Russia as well as taking control of Karelia may be priority objectives in the course of potential aggression against Russia

Iranian diplomat calls on Middle East countries to learn from recent events

Esmaeil Baghaei emphasized that Iran strongly protests Middle Eastern states making their territory "available to aggressors"

Ukraine lists owner of AliExpress as 'international sponsor of war' — NACP

The agency claimed that the platform allegedly censored various Ukrainian content on its sites

Kalashnikov Group delivers large batch of Saiga carbines to foreign customer

Contractual obligations to the foreign buyer were fulfilled ahead of schedule

Bank of Russia purchases yuan worth $16 mln with settlements on May 15

The Central Bank also purchased yuan on the domestic market in the amount of 1.2 bln rubles with settlements on May 14

Tea talk with Chinese leader to conclude Putin’s visit to China — Kremlin aide

Yury Ushakov said that Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping are set to discuss all the most important issues in a friendly and sincere manner

Iran ready to hand over enriched uranium to Russia instead of US — Al Hadath

The required conditions were not specified in the media report

Russian soldiers shatter illusion of invincible Western military tech — Putin

According to the Russian leader, those being honored "successfully and skillfully used modern technologies, unmanned aerial vehicles, risked their lives to rescue and evacuate wounded comrades" to fulfill their combat missions

New version of bill on prison terms for rehabilitation of Nazism referred to State Duma

Circulating false information about the activity of armies of the anti-Hitler coalition countries during World War II may lead to 300,000 fine or up to 3 years jail

Putin, Xi to discuss most sensitive issues of bilateral relations — Kremlin aide

Yury Ushakov said the Russian president will begin his meeting with Xi Jinping after the welcome ceremony in the Great Hall of the People

Russian antimonopoly watchdog approves application of Kinross Gold

Kinross Gold has been operating in Russia since 1995

Drone attacks on Moscow leave 12 people injured — mayor

Sergey Sobyanin added that three residential buildings had been damaged

One civilian killed, four wounded in Ukraine’s attacks on DPR during day

Apart from that, according to Pushilin, two civilian infrastructure facilities, two cars, and two trucks were damaged

US says Iran’s new proposal 'insufficient for a deal' — media

According to the report, Iran rejects many of Donald Trump's demands and refuses to make any meaningful concessions on its nuclear program

Kiev stages attacks on airfields in five Russian regions — Russian defense ministry

"No casualties were reported either among servicemen or civilians," Russian defense ministry said

UK premier intends to lead Labour Party into next parliamentary election

Keir Starmer said he had no intention of resigning

Trump says not ready to make concessions to Iran during peace talks

The US president also made it clear that Washington may take new measures against Tehran

Next Yars ICBM placed into silo in strategic missile formation in central Russia

The Kozelsk missile formation was the first unit in the Russian Strategic Missile Force to be rearmed with silo-based Yars ICBMs

US extends sanctions waiver until June 17 on Russian oil loaded by April 17

The document emphasizes that the license does not authorize transactions related to a number of Russian regions, including Crimea, the Donetsk People's Republic, and the Lugansk People's Republic, as well as Iran, Cuba, and North Korea

Iranian military ready to unveil 'new surprises' to the enemy — Foreign Ministry spokesman

Esmail Baghaei said that Tehran is fully prepared for any contingency

Drone attack being repelled by air defenses on Iranian island of Qeshm — agency

Tasnim did not elaborate on the incident

Viktor Bout to serve sentence in medium security prison Marion

Russian businessman Viktor Bout, who was sentenced in April by a U.S. court to 25 years in prison for conspiracy to smuggle weapons

Russian presidential envoy urges EU to find constructive voice in support of peace

Kirill Dmitriev’s statement came in response to former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who said that the European Union has failed to use its diplomatic potential in the situation around Ukraine

Kiev forces lost over 1,100 troops in 24 hours across all special military operation zone

In the Battlegroup North zone, the enemy lost up to 155 soldiers

Europe ready to come to negotiating table to resolve conflict in Ukraine — Merz

The German chancellor underscored that "the fighting must cease first"

Putin's test for Europe, Nazi revival, US-China relations: Lavrov's statements

Russia will not be drawn into any triangulation attempts by the US to pit Moscow and Beijing against one another, the Russian foreign minister said

Zelensky becomes ‘inconvenience’, setting stage for his removal — expert

Viktor Medvedchuk recalled that Vladimir Zelensky's name had repeatedly popped up in corruption investigations

Dollar exchange rate surpasses 105 rubles, euro – 110 rubles on Forex

By 16:42 Moscow time, the dollar accelerated its growth and reached 105.259 rubles

Chief of Russia’s General Staff inspects Battlegroup West

Valery Gerasimov praised the performance of the battlegroup and set further objectives

Iran continues dialogue with Oman on security in Hormuz Strait — Foreign Ministry

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei stressed that Tehran was in constant contact other stakeholders to develop a mechanism to ensure safe passage for all nations

Iranian issue, Eurovision criteria and Anchorage’s six-month anniversary: Lavrov’s remarks

The Russian foreign minister stressed that Moscow is not trying to intrude into the negotiation process between Washington and Tehran, wishing this process every success

Top-notch Sarmat ICBMs to be mainstay of Russia’s silo-based missile force — commander

Today researches are being carried out, in particular, by the Russian military industrial sector under the state armaments program with the aim of boosting the combat potential of state-of-the-art missile systems and reliably providing strategic deterrence, Sergey Karakayev said

Hundreds of foreign mercenaries wiped out by Russian smart weapons in Ukraine — top brass

The inflow of foreign mercenaries into Ukraine to fight against Russian troops has waned since early May, Defense Ministry Spokesman Igor Konashenkov pointed out

Kremlin derides US bid to create 'Navalny list' as absurd

The Kremlin spokesman called for a sober attitude to the situation

Press review: US, Russia hold first talks in Riyadh as Kiev and Paris stress security

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, February 19th

Iran without Internet for 80 days — NetBlocks

The blackout has become the longest nationwide internet disruption ever recorded worldwide

Expectations from Putin’s visit to China and Zelensky’s remarks: Kremlin's briefing

Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that any contacts between President Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping help create new momentum for the further development and expansion of relations between Moscow and Beijing

Eurasian Economic Union replaces Eurasian Economic Community

Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan will discuss further integration at a summit in Minsk

US ammunition stocks running low due to conflict with Iran — experts

Retired Major General John Ferrari did not specify which types of ammunition were running low, but he called the current situation in US arsenals "a strategic red flag"

'Cancellation' or isolation of Russia in World Bank failed — director

"Calm, non-politicized and balanced opinion of Russia in the World Bank Group enjoys particular respect, and not only from the side of our traditional allies," Roman Marshavin noted

Kalashnikov completes import substitution for all required ERP systems — CEO

Alan Lushnikov explained that Kalashnikov had implemented a project on a domestic platform to refine and implement a unified corporate product lifecycle management system

Telegram can now disclose user data by court decision

Telegram has never passed user data before

Putin to arrive in China on evening of May 19 to be met by Wang Yi — Kremlin aide

As Yury Ushakov specified, the Chinese side will organize a formal welcome ceremony at the airport

Kiev loses over 6,500 soldiers, mercenaries in special op zone over week — military expert

Ukrainian armed formations suffered the heaviest losses in the area of responsibility of Russia's Battlegroup Center

Russia offers India technology to build advanced minesweepers made of composite materials

Twelve new-generation minesweepers can reportedly be built to replace the Indian Navy’s Pondicherry-class ships

US to slap restrictions on some Chinese investments

The United States will also impose restrictions on 25% customs duties on certain categories of Chinese goods supplied to the US

Russia, China stand for independent foreign policy and supreme rule of law — Kremlin aide

Vladimir Putin will pay an official visit to China on May 19-20

Bilateral relations, energy and Russian delegation members: aide on Putin’s visit to China

There is no link between the visits to China by US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Yury Ushakov noted

Defense contractor completes delivery of upgraded T-80BVM tanks to Russian troops

The T-80BVM is an upgraded version of the T-80BM tank, featuring an improved 125mm cannon and an enhanced 1,250 hp gas turbine engine

EAEU to create free trade zone with ASEAN, says Russian expert

Acording to Program Director of Russia’s Valdai Discussion Club Yaroslav Lissovolik, the creation of a free trade zone with Indonesia

FSB cracks down on illegal arms trade inside Russia

"The activity of 38 underground workshops involved in weapons modernization and ammunition manufacturing has been stopped," the security service noted

Defense contractor delivers new batch of Su-30SM2 fighter jets to Russian troops

The Irkutsk Aviation Plant of the United Aircraft Corporation also has manufactured and delivered new Yak-130 combat trainer aircraft to the Defense Ministry of Russia

Varyag cruiser and Admiral Tributs destroyer conduct firing drills

The ships also trained to repel air attacks and jammed and fired an air target

Ukraine loses over 1,100 troops in special military op zone over past day

Russian troops have also gained control of the settlement of Bochkovo in the Kharkov Region

German carmakers face chip shortages due to EU anti-Russian sanctions — Handelsblatt

The situation was triggered by Brussels' decision in April to include Chinese company Yangjie in the 20th package of sanctions against Russia

Vladimir Region creating BARS-Vladimir anti-drone unit

Under the guidance of instructors with real combat experience, the BARS-Vladimir unit members will master firearms, tactical, engineering, and medical training, as well as the basics of electronic warfare and communications

Iran, US still far apart on key issues — agency

The American side "is still seeking to link talks on ending the war to the nuclear issue"

EC intends to hold trilateral meeting on gas after presidential elections in Ukraine

The contract for the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine, signed in 2009, expires in late 2019

US military intelligence believes Ukraine is delivering chaotic strikes on Russia

Ukrainian strikes lack the coordination, tempo, and concentration on critical Russian military infrastructure, according to a report compiled by inspectors general of the US Department of War, the Department of State and the Agency for International Development

Kiev actively pushing toward escalation of terrorist war — Russian Foreign Ministry

Ambassador-at-Large for the Kiev regime's crimes Rodion Miroshnik pointed to Ukraine's deliberate attacks on the civilian population and infrastructure

Battlegroup West advances west in Kharkov Region — Chief of Russia’s General Staff

The destruction of enemy formations in Svyatogorsk in the Donetsk People's Republic continues, Valery Gerasimov said

Gazprom’s gas exports demonstrate upwards tendency

Gazprom’s exports to European countries reached 9.407 billion cubic meters in April

Superiority of Russian services and proactive work: statements by Mishustin

Advances in import substitution and development have reduced the urgent need for domestic software by a factor of four in recent years, the Russian prime minister noted