S7 Airlines to increase flights to China, Ukraine-Russia conflict escalates

S7 Airlines to increase frequency of flights to China starting this winter

The airline is exploring new routes

Ukraine to bear responsibility for attacks on Moscow, other Russian cities — diplomat

Rodion Miroshnik emphasized that all investigative actions will be carried out eventually

Russian premier to visit Council of CIS Heads of Governments in Turkmenistan

In line with the schedule, Turkmenistan holds the rotating CIS presidency in 2026

US lost almost 20% of its MQ-9 Reaper drones during operation against Iran — Bloomberg

The agency estimates the overall damage at $1 billion

China’s top parliamentarian to visit Russia, Kazakhstan on May 25-30 — Xinhua

As part of his visit, Zhao Leji will attend the 11th meeting of the China-Russia committee for parliamentary cooperation

Putin announces ballistic, cruise missile launches as part of military drills

The Russian leader said that Moscow and Minsk will work through a wide range of tasks, primarily the actions of officials regarding command and coordination in the use of nuclear weapons

Iran calls on Saudi Arabia to ‘eject’ US troops from region

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stressed that Iran respects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and considers it a brotherly nation

Russian fiber optic drones have operating range up to 50 km — officer

The acting commander of a technical maintenance unit of the Russian Battlegroup East’s 29th Army added that the fiber optic cable length varies depending on the nature of the combat mission

FACTBOX: Aftermath of Ukrainian drone attack on Russian regions, casualties in Syzran

Two people died and several others were injured in a drone attack on the city of Syzran in Russia’s southeastern Samara Region

US companies looking forward to return to Russian market — senior diplomat

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov that the United States continues to conduct the policy of sanctions on Russian partners by prohibiting them from buying Russian fuel and preventing cooperation in other areas

Brent crude oil price drops below $103 per barrel for first time since May 8

By 8:56 p.m. Moscow time, Brent was down 2.53%, trading at $102.36 per barrel

Kiev troops fire 11 munitions towards DPR in past day, one killed

Cars and a civilian infrastructure site were damaged as a result

Moscow to protect Transnistrian Russians, respond to use of its assets to fund Kiev — MFA

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stressed that Kiev’s nervous reaction to the issue of Russian citizenship for Transnistrian residents was inappropriate

Nine districts of Kherson Region completely out of power after Ukrainian drone attack

Governor Vladimir Saldo said that utility workers are doing their best to restore power supply as quickly as possible

Rubio’s new lies aimed at provoking aggression against Cuba — foreign minister

Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla emphasized that "Cuba is not, nor has it ever been, a threat to the national security of the United States"

Nabiev scales Mount Everest using hands only, plants Russian flag at peak

Rustam Nabiev is the first person ever to scale Mount Everest using only his hands

US brought diplomatic property talks with Russia into stalemate — diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov stressed that Americans have brought to a dead end negotiations not only on this subject, but on other related matters as well

EU leaders urge Zelensky to investigate Yermak’s case for EU membership — Zeit

According to the newspaper, immediately after the corruption scandal came into the spotlight in November, heads of several European countries urged Vladimir Zelensky to fully investigate the matter and take appropriate measures if necessary

Foreign air defenses fail to stop even 8% of Ukrainian drones attacking Russia — expert

According to Dmitry Kuzyakin, Russia has developed and produced new interception systems tailored to combat drones and organized a multi-layered, echeloned defense with an end-to-end targeting and control system

European Commission recognizes Russia's economic resilience — expert

According to Vladimir Yeremkin, the EC forecast exaggerates the positive impetus from instability in the Middle East and does not fully account for the scale of monetary tightness imposed by the Bank of Russia itself

Russian drone detectors upgraded to detect Ukraine’s Martian UAVs — developer

The developer noted that these AI-powered drones had been spotted on the line of contact at the beginning of the year, and now the Ukrainian armed forces had increased their use

Ukraine has to make painful concessions to achieve peace — media

The news outlet noted that the imbalance in resources between Russia and Ukraine has always meant that Kiev would never be able to succeed

Russia condemns US pressure on Cuba aimed at government change — MFA

"It seems that everything possible is being done to signal the possibility of an armed intervention in Cuba," the Russian Foreign Ministry said

Trump’s initiatives on Ukraine hampered by globalists in Europe — expert

While Moscow should take the stance and actions of other countries into account, others’ position is not a priority to Russia, Yevgeny Poddubny stressed

Enemy drone attacks on college building in Starobelsk in LPR leave 35 wounded — official

According to LPR head Leonid Pasechnik, there were 86 children aged between 14 and 18 in the building at the time of the attack

Pakistani officials to visit Tehran soon to help broker settlement — top US diplomat

The US president’s preference is to do a good deal, Marco Rubio emphasized

Russia not out to force Kiev into talks — diplomat

While the Europeans and the Americans "are not very much concerned about Ukraine’s future," the Ukrainian population should care about their country’s destiny, Foreign Ministry Ambassador-at-Large for the crimes of the Kiev regime Rodion Miroshnik stated

Washington does not want Iran to charge shipping fees in Strait of Hormuz — Trump

"It’s an international waterway," the US president said

Russia sees no reason to theorize about less intense dialogue with US — senior diplomat

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov also adeed that "nothing is impossible, but success here will require both parties to demonstrate political will and a realistic approach"

Budapest links relations reset with Kiev to resolution of Hungarian minority issue

Hungary’s Prime Minister Peter Magyar said that improving the situation with the Hungarian minority in Transcarpathia was regarded as an essential condition for the launch of negotiations on Ukraine’s EU accession

Eurozone public debt to exceed 90% of GDP in 2026, reach euro crisis level in 2027

The European Commission attributed these figures to rising energy prices caused by the war around Iran, but made no mention of any connection between these numbers and military financing for Ukraine

Palestine withdraws its diplomat’s candidacy for post of UNGA Vice President

The spokeswoman for the office of the 80th session’s president, La Neice Collins, noted that the UN General Assembly’s presidential office has received a nomination for this post from Lebanon

CSTO member states discuss air defense improvement

In the course of the consultations, the participants agreed on drafts of relevant documents being developed as part of the Organization’s priority areas of activity during Russia’s presidency in 2026

Likelihood of nuclear weapons being used in Ukrainian conflict increasing — diplomat

Rodion Miroshnik said that Europe is currently producing massive quantities of weapons, launching a huge number of new factories, and essentially openly preparing for war

Russian forces readied for missile launches during nuclear drills — top brass

Overall, the drills involve over 64,000 military personnel and more than 7,800 pieces of armament, including over 200 missile launchers, more than 140 aircraft, 73 surface ships and 13 submarines

No fuel shortages on Russian market, country prepared for demand growth — Energy Ministry

According to the ministry, particular attention is being paid to meeting the needs of the agricultural sector during the sowing campaign period

Bank of Russia’s gold reserves in ounces fall to their lowest level since February 2022

In February 2022, the monetary gold reserves of the Bank of Russia also amounted to 73.9 million troy ounces

West's current aggression stems from decline in influence, fear of competition — Lavrov

Sergey Lavrov also noted that "the financial and economic system led by the West after World War II can no longer function in a way that guarantees continued benefit for Western countries"

Russian troops destroy German-made Gepard anti-aircraft gun in Ukraine operation

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 990 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

IN BRIEF: Putin, Lukashenko observe joint Russia-Belarus drills via video link

According to the Russian president, the use of nuclear weapons is an exceptional measure to ensure the country's security

Ukrainian troops mine road to Energodar that supplies Zaporozhye nuke plant — NPP

There were no casualties from the remote mining, the plant’s press service reported

US approves possible sale of equipment for HAWK SAMs to Ukraine worth $108.1 mln

According to the US Department of State, the Kiev government requested to buy spare parts, maintenance and service support, as well as repair and return support

FACTBOX: What is known about development of Ladoga aircraft

Information about the suspension of the TVRS-44 Ladoga turboprop aircraft project is incorrect, as no such decisions have been made at the current stage of development, Ural Works of Civil Aviation reported

Senior Russian diplomat explains what Russia means by 'spirit of Anchorage'

It's about the atmosphere of trust that emerged between the presidents of Russia and the US, which, in the context of last year’s Alaska summit, allowed to shape the basic contours of the Ukrainian peace process, Sergey Ryabkov said

Baltic states to be punished for assisting Ukraine in attacking Russia — MP

Speaking about Lithuanian threats against Kaliningrad, Leonid Slutsky noted that by making such statements the "hotheads" in the Baltics "are drawing fire not only upon themselves, but also on Europe as a whole"

World to face crisis like in 2008 if Strait of Hormuz remains closed — Bloomberg

Acccording to the analysis by Rapidan Energy Group, if the Strait reopens in July, an average oil demand reduction of 2.6 million barrels a day and the spot-market price for benchmark Brent crude peaking near $130 a barrel over the summer could be expected

Russian troops deliver nuclear warheads to missile brigade in Belarus during major drills

The personnel of the missile brigade of the Republic of Belarus are practicing combat training assignments of receiving special munitions for Iskander-M theater missile systems, loading launch tubes with them and stealthily advancing to the designated area to prepare for launches

Russian security chief, Vietnam’s deputy premier to discuss Asia-Pacific, Mideast

The press service of the Russian Security Council said the sides "will discuss the current situation worldwide from the perspective of the Middle East conflict and the situation in Asia-Pacific"

EU, NATO will never admit Ukraine — Russian expert

The countries in these alliances understand they will have to feed and rebuild Ukraine, which they don’t want to do, Georgy Muradov said

Innovative Russian medicines account for over 60% of market — minister

Anton Alikhanov also recalled that the ministry is preparing support measures for companies registering drugs that meet first-in-class requirements

IN BRIEF: Kremlin spokesman speaks on Putin-Xi talks over tea, US pressure on Cuba

Dmitry Peskov said that the US blockade of Cuba was having catastrophic consequences for the island’s people

Reaction to Putin’s China visit, clear message to world, failure to isolate Russia

According to former CIA analyst Larry Johnson, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping are signaling to the West that they are establishing a new world order free from its dominance

Trump says not trying to intimidate Cuba by sending aircraft carrier to Caribbean Sea

On March 5, the US president announced Washington's intention to develop a further course of action regarding Cuba after the conclusion of military operations against Iran