Ukraine has only 72% of minimum gas volume required for winter by end of summer. If the current rates are maintained, Ukraine will put no more than 12.1 bcm into the storages by November 1 out of the required 13.2 billion cubic meters.
US, Brazilian presidents call for soonest settlement of conflict in Ukraine. According to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's press service, the Brazilian president also drew attention of his US counterpart to the need for discussing a reform of the United Nations and its Security Council.
American lawmakers’ visit to Russia to help in fight against Russophobia in US. Dialogue is always better than silence, independent candidate for US President Diane Sare said.
More than 20 people injured in earthquake near Tokyo. No abnormal situations were recorded at the nuclear facilities, the fire service reported.
Press review: US, Iran opt for war of attrition as Kiev diverts focus with Russia attacks. Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, August 17th.
Protests in Ukraine unlikely to change regime, expert believes. Alexander Dudchak, a leading researcher at the Institute of CIS Countries, said that the protests "can be used as a formal pretext" if there is an order "to replace Zelensky".
Russia’s Iskander missiles destroy up to 40 trucks modified for UAV launches near Kiev. Throughout the day, the Russian armed forces continued to strike drone launch sites, as well as ships and seaports used by the Ukrainian military, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
Israel sees US joint mechanism to resolve Gaza problem pointless — portal. "Just as it is clear that Hamas will not disarm of its own free will, so it is clear that such mechanisms will not work," the source said.
West welcome to join work on Eurasian security without connivance with Brussels — Lavrov. Countries across entire Eurasia are invited to take part in efforts to build a continental security architecture, Russian Foreign Minister emphasized.
Four injured in drone attack on Ozon logistics center in Russia’s Samara region. Of them, one is in critical condition after jumping out of a window on the second floor.
Russian Defense Ministry delegation discusses cooperation with its Indian colleagues. The issues and prospects for the development of cooperation were negotiated in the framework of the working subgroup of the intergovernmental commission.
Shutodown of Armenian NPP to make Yerevan more dependent on other states — diplomat. Maria Zakharova noted that the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant is a "system-forming element in the republic’s energy balance".
Finland closes border with Russia to prepare for military conflict — war correspondent. Claims that Russia is waging some kind of hybrid war against Finland using Middle Eastern migrants are absolute nonsense, Kosti Heiskanen said.
West's war on Russia, Russian flag as symbol of justice — Lavrov’s remarks. The foreign minister emphasized that the West will try to disrupt the September elections to the State Duma, but "these plans will thwarted".
Trump frames upcoming midterms as battle to defeat communists who he says never laugh. US President said he has never seen a happy communist.
Nearly 70 houses damaged, 15 people injured in fire and explosion in Taiwan — newspaper. According to Taipei Times, by now, the fire was extinguished.
India expects to boost ties with Moscow during top diplomat’s visit — source. Speaking about Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar’s planned meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, the government source said that along with bilateral issues, the top diplomats will also "discuss geopolitical, international and regional topics".
Fake news on Armenian NPP aimed at undermining ties with Russia — diplomat. Earlier, foreign media started to publish rumors about an alleged safety threat posed by the NPP.
Nvidia in $6 billion deal to create competitor to Chinese AI models — WSJ. According to sources cited by the newspaper, the deal will allow the company to use AI startup Poolside’s technologies and hire most of its engineers.
Russian forces strike Darnitsa locomotive depot in Kiev — top brass. Russian forces also struck the Brovary logistics center, a major sorting facility of Nova Poshta, where components for UAVs were stored, in an attack on the Kiev Region.
Prince Harry and his family not to return to Britain permanently — The Times. A source close to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex told the newspaper that they are not sure how long their stay would last.
Iran to attack other oil export routes if Gulf countries support US sanctions — official. Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Mohsen Rezaei said that "not a single drop of oil will be shipped from the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz" if Iran's neighbors join the sanctions.
Kiev builds up grouping near Druzhkovka to contain Russia — expert. According to Andrey Marochko, there is an influx of enemy personnel and equipment both in the settlement of Raiskoye and in Alekseyevo-Druzhkovka.
Putin assesses Russia’s grain export potential at no less than 60 million tons. According to the Russian president, wheat is among the main items of Ukrainian exports, but logistical problems caused by Russia’s retaliatory strikes, will not lead to a shortage on global markets.
Militants carried out more than 10 attacks injuring two people in southern Thailand. The perpetrators set fire to vehicles belonging to utility services, damaged cell phone towers, and attacked administrative buildings and a shop, Thai PBS reported.
IN BRIEF: Putin comments on Kiev’s provocative moves and Russia’s retaliatory strikes. The enemy is trying to intimidate Russians and disrupt the upcoming parliamentary elections, due in September, but these attempts will fail, the president said.
Lebanon 'in no rush' to hold further talks with Israel — TV. According to the official Lebanese source, Beirut insists on expanding the so-called pilot zones free from Israeli troops in southern Lebanon, consolidating the ceasefire, and halting strikes on infrastructure.
US may be forced to take unpopular measures over mounting debt — WP. The story says that the US pays about $1 trillion annually in interest on the national debt.
Kiev’s attacks increasingly barbaric amid worsening front line situation for it — Putin. The special military operation is ongoing, Russian President said.
