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India boosts imports of Russian oil by 20% in April — newspaper

According to the report, Indian refineries bought a total of 1.96 mln barrels of Russian oil per day last month, the highest figure since last July

NEW DELHI, May 3. /TASS/. India scaled up Russian oil imports by almost 20% in April 2024 compared to March, The Indian Express newspaper reports, citing the Kpler analytical agency.

According to its data, Indian refineries bought a total of 1.96 mln barrels of Russian oil per day last month, the highest figure since last July and 19% above March imports. Russia accounted for 40.3% of India’s direct crude oil imports.

"It seems even direct sanctions are not a problem, especially as Russia’s shipping and India’s maritime regulatory services start to align," head of crude analysis at Kpler Viktor Katona said, cited by the news outlet.

Russian oil and petroleum product exports to India surged twofold to $45 bln and $4.5 bln accordingly in 2023, Moscow’s Ambassador in New Delhi Denis Alipov told TASS in an interview earlier.

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Russian stocks up as Monday trading opens

The dollar exchange rate was down by 0.12% at 90.84 rubles on Moscow Exchange, while the euro was up by 0.04% at 98.78 rubles

Area of search operation for Raisi’s helicopter reduced to 2 km — report

Citing a high-ranking Iranian Army general, the TV channel noted that the weather has worsened significantly

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Mikhail Razvozhaev warned of the danger of falling fragments and submunitions

Ukrainian boxer Alexander Usik becomes absolute world heavyweight champion

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Russian air defenses down Ukrainian drone in Russia’s Belgorod Region — top brass

Air defenses on duty destroyed the Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle over the Belgorod Region, the Defense Ministry reported

Russian rescue plane takes off for Tabriz to take part in search for Raisi

A second plane will take off shortly, the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations said

Ukrainian attack on bus in Kherson Region injures 16 civilians, kills one — governor

All the others have bruises and light wounds, Governor Vladimir Saldo told TASS

Russian troops deliver 28 precision strikes on Ukrainian military sites over week

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Russia, China sign ten joint documents

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Helicopter with Iranian president crash lands near border with Azerbaijan — agency

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and several more officials were reported onboard

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Three UAVs were destroyed over the territory of the Belgorod region

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Traffic on the Crimean Bridge has been temporarily closed

Starlink’s failure helps Russian army take Kiev forces by surprise in Kharkov Region — WP

In addition, Ukrainian forces were facing ammunition shortages due to a stalled US aid package

Ukrainian forces unprepared to withstand Russian offensive near Kharkov — newspaper

It also emphasized that Russia had "a huge advantage in artillery shells," adding that "depleted Ukrainian air defenses" were unable to counter Russian air power

Russian troops advance towards Borovaya in eastern Kharkov region — official

Vitaly Ganchev added that as of today, more than 200 square kilometers of the region had been liberated from the Ukrainian armed forces

US-made Bradley infantry fighting vehicle hit near Avdeyevka — security forces

According to objective control data, the crew members of the armored vehicle were injured

Kiev asks US to lift restrictions on using weapons against targets in Russia — newspaper

According to The Wall Street Journal, Kiev has also asked Washington to lift restrictions on the use of US weapons against targets on Russian territory

Georgian president vetoes bill on foreign agents

The Georgian legislature passed a bill on foreign agents in the third reading on May 14

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Tehran gives assurances of no disruptions to cabinet work following leader Raisi’s death

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French Interior Ministry ignores Russian volunteers banned from working at Olympics

In the text of the letter, the volunteers recalled that they had been "selected by the Organizing Committee of the 2023 Olympic and Paralympic Games (for the 2024 Paris Olympics), each one given a mission" and had already received visas, bought tickets to France and were ready to start working

Kiev deems dead fighters missing to avoid removing bodies from battlefield — Ukrainian POW

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Russian missile cruiser Varyag enters Mediterranean Sea

The ship's crew continues to fulfill the mission it was given for the long-range voyage

Contact established with two passengers of Raisi’s helicopter — vice president

According to Mansouri, there were three helicopters and radio contact was lost with the one carrying the president

One more Ukrainian drone shot down over Belgorod Region — defense ministry

Russian defense ministry said that this happened at about 10:00 p.m. Moscow time (7:00 p.m. GMT)

Stock markets on record-hitting spree around the world — Bloomberg

As the agency says, of the world’s 20 largest stock markets, 14 have hit all-time highs recently

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"By the end of the year the number of new Chinese brands may reach 10," analysts said

Medvedev says Kissinger ‘completely wrong’ about main threat to humanity

Dmitry Medvedev stressed that "subtle considerations about preventing existential threats do not work during bloody conflicts"

France preparing contingent of 2,000 troops to be sent to Ukraine — intelligence chief

According to Sergey Naryshkin, the French military "fears that such a large military unit cannot be transferred and stationed in Ukraine unnoticed"

Russia to take response measures amid nuclear threats — senior diplomat

"Yet this vagueness has always been typical of the Western group’s doctrinal approaches, including nuclear weapons," Sergey Ryabkov noted

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The French leader made the statement after his impromptu visit to Russia on Saturday for crisis talks with President Vladimir Putin, Le Figaro reported

Kiev insists on unattainable demands for settlement — expert

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Situation in Kyrgyz capital under authorities’ control — top diplomat

At the same time, Jeenbek Kulubayev expressed "serious concern" about the fact that foreign media and social networks are spreading "fake and false, not corresponding to reality information about the incident and the current situation in Kyrgyzstan"

Israeli fighter jets intercept suspicious target flying from Lebanon

No casualties or damage were reported

Iranian president planned to visit Armenia on Sunday — source

The Tasnim news agency reported earlier that the helicopter carrying the Iranian president made an emergency landing near the village of Uzi in Iran’s East Azerbaijan Province

At least 8 killed as helicopter carrying Iranian leader Raisi crashes — Tasnim

Iranian Vice President for Executive Affairs Mohsen Mansouri confirmed reports about the death of Iran’s leader

Russia, Iran turn US sanctions into new possibilities — senior Iranian diplomat

"It is impossible to build peace in the region without close economic ties," Ali Bagheri Kani said

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Russia’s upgraded T-80BV tank to feature capability of firing depleted uranium shells

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Russian Natural Resources and Environment Minister Alexander Kozlov also said that the Moscow Zoo and ballet dancers recently paid a visit to North Korea

London High Court to hold hearing on Julian Assange’s extradition to US

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Chairman of Georgia’s ruling party blasts foreign ministers for speaking at protest

Garibashvili suggested that foreign diplomats feel dismissive toward Georgia

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The Chancellor also said that sufficient humanitarian aid should be delivered to Gaza

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Maria Zakharova pointed out that behind these barbaric attacks with Western weapons the silhouettes of US and British handlers of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky's were clearly visible

Iran’s Red Crescent refutes reports that Raisi’s helicopter has been found

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Russia adds deputy head of Ukrainian presidential administration to wanted list

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DPRK forced to take measures to increase nuclear deterrence after US test — statement

The US carried out a subcritical nuclear test at the proving ground in Nevada

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French army train unit of ‘super covert’ scouts in Estonia — radio

This "experimental unit of super covert scouts" is designed to identify enemy strongholds, locate entrances to trenches, and coordinate assault teams to capture them, the RTL reported

Battlegroup North liberates settlement of Staritsa — Russian Defense Ministry

Russian air defenses down 37 drones, Tochka U missile, 21 HIMARS, Vampire, Olkha rockets in past day, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported

Four Ukrainian drones shot down over Belgorod Region — defense ministry

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"The greatest impression lies in the power of Harbin," the Russian leader noted, adding that "Harbin has turned into a powerful world-scale megacity in recent years"

Rasisi’s helicopter passenger twice called to say he was feeling bad — senior diplomat

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Finland may open its border with Russia after relevant law is passed — PM

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Russian MFA describes Putin’s China trip as defining for world’s future

The trip laid the groundwork for many years to come, Maria Zakharova said

Russia ready to send rescuers to help find Iranian president’s helicopter — diplomat

"We have declared our readiness and are waiting for the decision of the Iranian side," Russia’s Charge d’Affaires in Tehran added

Over 10,000 Ukrainian fighters surrender since summer using special radio frequency

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Russian defense minister: India’s SCO accession opens up new prospects for cooperation

Leaders of the SCO member states signed the document on the accession of India and Pakistan on June 9

Defense chief says Finland may reopen crossing points on Russian border

"The law is currently being finalized. It is expected to be submitted to parliament in one to two weeks. The law should enter into force very soon," the minister noted

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Russian artillery knocks out Ukrainian intel officers in Kherson — underground member

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11 civilians hurt in Ukraine’s shelling attack o Shebekino in Belgorod Region

According to the governor, the city was shelled from a multiple launch missile system

Assassination attempt on Slovak PM Fico was planned in advance — defense minister

It is reported that doctors are doing everything possible to stabilize the patient

Russian troops destroy Ukrainian combat group in eastern Chasov Yar, says DPR

Despite intensive strikes by the Russian Aerospace Forces and artillery, the Ukrainian military is still attempting to redeploy reserves to the town’s eastern part, according to the report

Russian forces reach Gulyapole’s suburbs in Zaporozhye Region

Russian force have advanced to about 1.5 kilometers and are now in Gulaypole’s suburb

Ukraine’s real losses should be counted in millions — ex-Polish army general staff chief

"The Ukrainians are losing this war," Rajmund Andrzejczak said, describing the situation as "very, very dramatic"

Congolese armed forces thwart coup attempt — spokesman

Gunfire was heard in the morning near the residence of Vital Kamerhe

Tanzania-flagged ships sinks in Black Sea

The ship sank 26 nautical miles from the Romanian town of Sfantu Gheorghe

Turkish drone discovers potential fragments of Raisi’s helicopter — Anadolu

The IRGC Commander Lieutenant General Hossein Salami confirmed it

Russian court seizes Deutsche Bank’s assets under RusChemAlliance’s claims

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Russia ready to help Iran in search operation for presidential helicopter — diplomat

The Tasnim news agency reported earlier that the helicopter carrying the Iranian president made an emergency landing near the village of Uzi in Iran’s East Azerbaijan Province

Russian troops use latest Upyr FPV drones in Kharkov push

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Putin-Xi talks were very successful, Kremlin aide says

The environment was very friendly and the leaders were in a good mood, Kremlin Aide Yury Ushakov told TV journalist.

Russia ready for talks with Ukraine, but needs to know who is trustworthy there — Putin

The Russian leader stressed that it was politicians in Kiev who "withdrew from the negotiation process" as soon as troops were pulled back from Kiev

Slovak PM's life no longer in danger, top defense official says

The prime minister has successfully undergone two surgical operations since Wednesday

US should explain to Ukraine that military aid won’t last forever — magazine

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Two powerful explosions rocks Kharkov

An air raid alert has been in effect in the Kharkov Region for almost eight hours

Press review: Day one of Putin's China visit and US stands by Ukraine

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Expert says ‘sanitary zone’ in Ukraine should be 300 kilometers deep

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T-80 tanks help Russian troops advance in Avdeyevka area

"Tanks delivered fire from a distance of 800 meters under constant enemy shelling," Russia’s Defense Ministry reported

Investigation made final conclusions on Kursk submarine tragedy — Kremlin

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Israel strikes back after ten launches from Lebanon — IDF

Throughout the day, approximately 10 launches were identified crossing from Lebanon into the areas of Malkia and Har Dov in northern Israel

SCO foreign ministers to consider candidates for new chief at Astana meeting

The ministers will consider candidates for the new SCO secretary general and the director of the Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure

President, Foreign Minister of Iran die in helicopter crash — Red Crescent

The helicopter carried Governor of the East Azerbaijan Province Malek Rakhmati and Tabriz Imam of Friday Prayer Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem

Ukrainian president rejects French leader’s idea of Olympic truce

According to Zelensky, Kiev does not believe in the idea of an Olympic truce as it would "play into the enemy’s hands"

Putin orders to send rescuers to assist in search for Raisi’s helicopter — aide

Russian President ordered to send two planes and helicopters with a group of 50 rescuers

Six drones fall near oil refinery in Krasnodar Region — authorities

Roman Sinyagovsky added that, according to preliminary information, there were no casualties or damage

Russian forces cut off ammunition supplies to Ukrainian forces in Volchansk — lawmaker

Viktor Vodolatsky also said the liberation of Staritsa would make it possible to reduce to a minimum and later completely remove the threat of bombardments for the Belgorod Region