Russian Mi-171A3 helicopter certified; NATO, Ukraine and other developments

Russian Mi-171A3 helicopter certified in import-substituted configuration

The helicopter was certified for carriage of passengers and cargoes, instrument flights in challenging weather conditions, and takeoffs from and landings on elevated pads

No NATO-Kiev agreement on production of Patriot systems by winter — US envoy to NATO

Matthew Whitaker said that Washington is "going to do first things first"

Mercenaries from six countries fighting alongside Ukraine in Kharkov Region — authorities

According to the official, some of the mercenaries, primarily those from NATO countries, pose themselves as motivated and experienced fighters

New Pentagon contracts won’t help Ukraine with Patriots — expert

Nikolay Novik, an expert at the Higher School of Economics, says that the actual increase in output will occur in 2027-2028, not in the coming months

Zelensky convenes security council to discuss winter preparedness

According to TASS calculations, by the middle of the year, the country had only managed to accumulate about 7 billion cubic meters of gas

Bank of Russia raises dollar exchange rate for December 31 - January 9 to 78.23 rubles

The regulator raised the official euro exchange rate by 62 kopecks to 92.0938 rubles

IN BRIEF: SVR statements on EU plans for Ukrainian soil, Kiev’s EU membership prospects

The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service stressed that European bureaucrats intend to mislead the Ukrainian people and use them as "cannon fodder" in their confrontation with Russia

Putin calls for ensuring ‘capacity reserve’ when upgrading Eastern polygon project

The head of state drew attention to the fact that when constructing new facilities, one must not forget about the existing infrastructure and maintaining it in standard condition. He stated that this work "has problem areas"

NATO command responsible for coordinating arms supplies to Kiev remains in US hands

The process of transferring command positions in Europe to European generals did not affect this command structure of the alliance

Kremlin urges not to believe speculation about alleged sanctions against Russian banks

Dmitry Peskov also recalled that representatives of the SWIFT system had previously said that it was virtually impossible to disconnect Russia from it

FACTBOX: Danube River's low water level and effect on nuke plants in Hungary, Romania

Due to a severe drought, the Danube's water level has dropped to a 30-year low of 1,700 cubic meters per second

Six people injured by mines remotely planted by Ukraine in Energodar over day

Mayor Maxim Pukhov said that medical workers are providing all necessary assistance to the victims

Houthis say eight Saudi tankers change course amid naval blockade

The Houthis added that they would continue enforcing the naval blockade of Saudi Arabia and attacking its vessels wherever possible

Russia driving Ukraine from its positions in Veliky Burluk direction — administration head

According to preliminary information, the Kiev regime will tighten mobilization in Kharkov and the Kharkov Region to replenish the shortage of personnel in the armed formations, Vitaly Ganchev said

European leaders rule out possibility of Kiev joining EU in future — Russian intel agency

The intelligence service stated that European bureaucrats were intent on continuing to mislead the Ukrainian people, seeking to use them as ‘cannon fodder’ in the confrontation with Russia

Zelensky seeks to drag Muslim world into conflict in Ukraine through Umerov’s appointment

Russian lawmaker Leonid Ivlev recalled that Rustem Umerov is a Crimean Tatar and Kiev has been unsuccessfully seeking to use them for its purposes for decades

US and Iran discuss resumption of shipping in Strait of Hormuz by August 4, Trump says

The US president mentioned complete opening of the strait

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

Russian Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) rose to 50.7 in July

The study notes that total new sales rose for the second consecutive month in July, and the pace of growth accelerated to the highest since May 2025

Hamas urges mediators to push Israel to agree to ceasefire in Gaza

According to the source, the movement insists on "direct intervention" by mediators to compel Israel to fully halt the fighting

Board of Peace seeks de-escalation in Gaza following latest series of strikes — envoy

Nickolay Mladenov emphasized that both sides, Israel and the radical Palestinian movement Hamas, are responsible for fulfilling the terms of the peace agreement

New car sales in Russia up by 10% yoy in January-July reaching 815,100 units — ministry

The domestically produced car market exceeded 516,000 units during the reporting period

Russia’s holdings of US Treasuries remain at $29 mln in December 2025

Of the total Russian holdings in December, $21 mln was invested in long-term government bonds and $8 mln in short-term securities

US still has resources to fuel Ukraine conflict — Russian diplomat

Rodion Miroshnik also pointed out that, at present, keeping the conflict in Ukraine going benefits Washington

Seventeen injured in Ukrainian drone attack on Gelendzhik hospitalized

Four of the injured, among them two children, are in serious condition

Russian oil supplies to India in July reach highest level since 2022

According to vessel-tracking data from Kpler, India imported just over 5 million bpd of crude oil in July, up slightly from June

Russia’s antimonopoly watchdog opens antitrust case against Apple

The watchdog stated that Apple had failed to comply with an earlier warning regarding the pre-installation of a national messenger and a Russian application store on iOS devices

Yakutia and China's Provinces session due at Northern Sustainable Development Forum

The discussion will focus on strengthening Russian-Chinese ties and on regional cooperation where Yakutia and China's provinces are forming new growth points

Ukraine loses about 1,295 troops in special military operation zone in past day

Units of Russia's Battlegroup East inflicted the heaviest losses on the enemy in their area of responsibility

Trump claims US fully controls Strait of Hormuz

The US president said that nothing gets through to Iran, unless the United States wants it to

Liberation of Svetloye creates springboard for offensive on Dobropolye — Russian soldier

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the settlement of Svetloye in the Donetsk People’s Republic was liberated on July 29

Transport Ministry works on alternative logistics due to attacks on vessels in Sea of Azov

The ministry noted that the headquarters aims to protect the transport industry and economic interests

Russia expects Kazakh media to objectively report on root causes of Ukraine conflict

According to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, the Nazi regime in Kiev has gone so far as to blatantly attack the economic interests of Russia and Kazakhstan

Iran drops plans to strike Ukraine after its apology for attack on ship — TV

According to Press TV, Mohsen Rezaee, a military adviser to the Iranian supreme leader, earlier reported plans to attack three facilities on Ukrainian territory

Russia takes control of nearly 600 sq km of land in special military op zone in July

Expert Andrey Marochko said that 32 settlements came under control of Russian forces over the month

What we know about drone attack on Gelendzhik, resulting in six deaths

Emergency and special services are working at the crash sites

IN BRIEF: Seven people killed in drone attack on Gelendzhik, three children among them

The regional emergency center said 40 people were injured