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This week in photos: Snow-covered vessels, Holy Mother image and Omicron under microscope

Take a look at the world in pictures from a TASS photo gallery

Photo {{sliderIndex+1}} from 10

Russian President Vladimir Putin during the annual end-of-year news conference at the Manezh Central Exhibition Hall, Moscow, December 23. The head of state managed to answer questions from 44 people, which touched upon both domestic and international topics

© Sergei Karpukhin/TASS

The projection of the icon of Holy Mother on the facade of the Kazan Cathedral in New Year's St. Petersburg, December 20

© Alexander Demianchuk/TASS

View of the snow-covered civil ships and yachts moored in the South Bay of Sevastopol, December 22. The snowfall in Crimea since Tuesday has become the most powerful in the 21st century. According to preliminary information, about 30 cm of precipitation fell, this is the maximum over the past 30 years. On the night of December 22, the thermometers dropped to minus 12 degrees. The city authorities are preparing to protect against floods, which may pass after warming, in the coming days

© Alexei Konovalov/TASS

A man pulls his dog forward as he makes his way through flood water after flooding hit the Shah Alam area, about 40 km from Kuala Lumpur, December 21. Flooding in Malaysia, caused by two days of abnormally heavy rainfall, killed 17 people and displaced more than 70,000 people

© EPA-EFE/FAZRY ISMAIL

Rescuers work at the scene after a truck rammed several US military vehicles on the A3 motorway near the German city of Parsberg, December 20. According to the police, as a result of the collision, two military vehicles caught fire and several people were injured

© EPA-EFE/MARVIN KLEIN

The Moscow International Business Center "Moscow City" is shrouded in a frosty haze, December 22. The night of December 22 in the capital became the coldest in 54 years for this date: the temperature dropped to -22.2 degrees ℃

© Valery Sharifulin/TASS

Decorating the country's main New Year tree on the Cathedral Square of the Kremlin, Moscow, December 22

© Sergei Karpukhin/TASS

Boys choristers of St. Paul's Cathedral during a photo shoot, London, December 21

© REUTERS/Hannah McKay

Smoke over the building of the Lenta hypermarket during a fire that happened on Tuesday and covered an area of more than 5 thousand square meters, Tomsk, December 21. The amount of damage, according to a representative of the prosecutor's office of the Tomsk region, amounted to at least 2 billion rubles. All people were evacuated from the building. Police officers detained a resident of Tomsk, born in 1988, who was previously prosecuted, on suspicion of setting fire to a hypermarket

© Taisiya Vorontsova/TASS

A micrograph depicts viral particles of the COVID-19 Omicron variant. The picture was taken in the laboratory of the "Vector" center with a microscope magnification x 150,000, Moscow, December 21

© Rospotrebnadzor/TASS

Omicron under microscope, snow-covered vessels, and other stories are among some of the developments captured in this week's photos.

Former Ukrainian Deputy PM Yarema to go on trial at Russian court martial in absentia

He is charged with aiding terrorism

Latvia must name countries that allow Ukraine to hit Russia — MFA

In this way Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova commented on a statement by the Latvian Foreign Ministry that Kiev had already received from some partners Western weapons with permission to use them for strikes on Russian territory

Russian tech firm ramps up production of glide bombs — CEO

Rostec is "building up the production of air bombs of all calibers and types," Sergey Chemezov said

EU ambassadors unlikely to agree on use of Russian assets on May 8 — Politico

The EU countries expected a new proposal from Belgium, but it never came, the newspaper says

Retaking Chasov Yar is just a matter of time for Russia — Ukrainian intelligence

Vadim Skibitsky admitted that the Russian forces now operate as a "single body, with a clear plan, and under a single command"

Trinidad and Tobago recognizes State of Palestine

As of today, 141 out of the 193 UN member states, including Russia, recognize Palestine as an independent nation

Around 40% of US voters see possibility of civil war in their country — survey

The survey also found that 37% of voters believe another civil war is more likely to happen if incumbent President Joe Biden is re-elected

Sending NATO troops to Ukraine to lead to dangerous escalation — top UK diplomat

David Cameron opined that Ukraine's defeat in a conflict with Russia would create a "very dangerous future" because it would signal to China and Iran that aggression against their neighbors is acceptable

Azerbaijan’s president points to highest level of cooperation with Russia

Speaking of his recent visit to Russia, Ilham Aliyev stressed that it had been "very productive" and "once again demonstrated the strategic nature of allied relations" between the two countries

Freedom of the press dying in West, any dissent snuffed out — MFA

The Russian Foreign Ministry also pointed to the "incessant arbitrariness committed by the Western authorities against the Russian media and journalists, who have fully felt the repressive machine of the neoliberal West"

US confirms Russian troops enter US base in Niger

News of the Russian deployment to the airbase follows after Niger’s military rulers told Washington in March that it must withdraw the nearly 1,000 US military personnel stationed in the country

China may review its US investment after Washington’s new sanctions on Russia — investor

According to Kyle Shostak, the new restrictions imposed by the United States may affect bilateral trade in consumer goods between Russia and China as "Chinese banks will be increasingly selective toward the servicing of Russian and related Chinese counterparties"

Russia adds over 1 mln tons of grain to intervention fund

Russian Agriculture Minister Dmitry Patrushev said earlier that the ministry planned purchasing interventions on the grain market in the volume of up to 2 mln tons, adding that global grain prices and high yield expectations put pressure on domestic grain prices

Dollar will be worth nothing unless issue of country’s national debt solved, Musk says

Earlier, Vitor Gaspar, director of the International Monetary Fund’s Fiscal Affairs Department, said that the growth of the US national debt spurred side effects across the globe

Protesters against foreign-agents bill march through central streets in Georgian capital

Hundreds of people went near a church that sits opposite the parliament building and are burning candles on the occasion of coming Orthodox Easter

Russian ambassador slams Germany’s supplies of lethal weapons to Kiev as mistake

Neither Russia nor Germany will disappear from the European map, Sergey Nechayev noted

Sale potential of new Chinese electric cars in Russia is low — Russian car dealer

It is pointed out that the Russian government has limited the import of cars as part of parallel imports and now, in order to make an official delivery, one should obtain a VTA (vehicle type approval)

Fire gutting German plant of industrial group making IRIS-T air defense systems

The Diehl Group also makes ammunition and communications systems

Russia not to take part in any events on 'Zelensky's formula' — Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova emphasized that Switzerland cannot serve as a platform for a settlement dialogue

Slovakia to take part in conference on Ukraine in Switzerland — diplomat

Marek Estok stressed that there is no military solution to the conflict

US has 3-4 years to stand up new capacity to replace Russian uranium imports

The imports ban would also unlock $2.7 bln from previous legislation for building out the domestic uranium industry, Kathryn Huff noted

Russian ministry offers new standard of reporting on sustainable development to business

The document was presented at a meeting of an expert council on sustainable development at the Economic Development Ministry headed by Minister Maksim Reshetnikov

Swiss conference to be showcase for Zelensky's failed peace plan — Medvedev

"It will allow our armed forces to continue cleaning the territory of Novorossiya from neo-Nazis without interference and without looking back at someone's moronic 'peace initiatives,' and all of us - to carry out meticulous work on the speedy return of our ancestral territories to Russia," Dmitry Medvedev pointed out

Ukraine’s Zelensky warns troops about 'new round of war' coming

Previously, Russian Defense Minister Sergey announced, that, in 2024, the Ukrainian armed forces lost over 111,000 troops and 21,000 weapons and vehicles

Ukraine's intelligence recognizes impossibility of victory on battlefield

According to Vadim Skibitsky, "meaningful negotiations can begin only in the second half of 2025 at the earliest"

Russian lower house to cancel sessions on May 17, 16, hold them on May 10, 13

The inauguration of Russian President Vladimir Putin will be held on May 7

Russian international reserves up $2.5 bln in one week exceeding $603.2 bln — Central Bank

Russia’s international reserves are highly liquid foreign assets available with the Bank of Russia and the Russian government

G7 considers giving Ukraine $50 bln worth of aid — Bloomberg

The US pushing to sign an agreement when G7 leaders convene in Italy in June

Ukrainians to reunify with Russia in ten years — Medvedchuk

Ukraine is "genetically linked with Russia," leader of the Other Ukraine movement said

Republika Srpska president praises Moscow-Banja Luka relations, favors strengthening them

Milorad Dodik also touched upon the topic of sanctions mentioned by Patrushev earlier

Russian troops wipe out German-made IRIS-T air defense system over past day

The Ukrainian army lost over 350 personnel and several items of military hardware in battles with Russian forces in the Kupyansk area over the past day, the ministry reported

Russian embassy in UK says London’s role in Ukraine conflict rising

On May 2, Reuters published an interview with Cameron where he said Ukraine has the right to use UK-provided weapons to strike targets inside Russia

Protesters in Georgia plotted to wear police uniform to create provocations, ministry says

The Interior Ministry said that protesters appealed to police officers to join them

One Israeli considered hostage died on October 7, body found in Israel — IDF

Libman’s identify was confirmed after a forensics research, carried out by the IDF and the National Forensics Institute of Israel

Idea of cutting Russia off from Kaliningrad is absurd — region’s authorities

Dmitry Lyskov clarified that Russian passenger planes use the same GPS system as European ones and do not experience any difficulties in navigation

NATO wants 'hot war' with Russia which may destroy US, Carlson says

According to the journalist, everything that Washington does shows that it wants this war

Extinguishing fire at Berlin metal factory halted

Firefighters have suspended extinguishing a blaze due to the threat of contaminating local water with chemicals, Bild reported

Rostec plans to build long-haul aircraft in near future — corporation’s CEO

Sergey Chemezov also added that tests of the PD-35 engine are already underway

EU worried confiscation of Russian assets to unleash flurry of reparations claims — FT

The EU, Canada, the US and Japan froze Russian assets in a total amount of around $300 bln after the beginning of the special military operation in Ukraine

Russia launches production of smartphones with protection against data leakage

A special feature of AYYA T1 is the impossibility of unauthorized data collection by cameras and microphone thanks to the option of their hardware shutdown

Turkey does not intend to transfer S-400 to any country — defense minister

Britain and Spain are not against the sale of fighter jets to Ankara, while Germany, as a member of the consortium that produces the Eurofighter, has not yet approved the deal

Ukrainian politician names those behind Odessa tragedy in interview with TASS

Viktor Medvedchuk pointed out that in a premeditated act of intimidation, the Kiev regime led by then acting Ukrainian President Alexander Turchinov burned people alive inside Odessa’s Trade Union House

Ukrainian authorities unable to banish Russian language — Russian diplomat

Maria Zakharova stressed that the Kiev regime banned the Russian language, "ignoring its own constitution"

Certain countries hope US aid to Ukraine to lower pressure on Russian assets issue — FT

According to the newspaper, certain countries expect this problem to fall by the wayside because Ukraine is in a more stable financial position now

US fails to shoot down Iranian missiles, drones in strike on Israel — IRGC general

Ali Belali described Iranian weapons as "an important factor of strength and the exercise of power in the world"

Dollar almost completely gone from Russia-China trade relations — Lavrov

"The supply of our agricultural products to the Chinese market is growing," the top Russian diplomat noted

NATO accuses Russia of being behind 'hybrid, malign' activities on alliance’s territories

It is reported that NATO Allies express their deep concern over Russia's hybrid actions, which constitute a threat to Allied security

Wounded Ukrainian soldiers have to pay ambulances to take them to hospital — US expert

The ex-Pentagon adviser Douglas Macgregor also noted the continued Russian advance on the front line

Russia not depending on foreign gas turbines anymore — Rostec

"Two plants were constructed in Crimea and one in the Taman Peninsula - the Udarnaya, which we will launch in full as early as in this year," Sergey Chemezov noted

Cameron’s claims about Ukrainian strikes on Russia 'a direct escalation' — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov characterized Cameron’s remarks as "yet another very dangerous claim"

Russian Foreign Ministry calls new US sanctions 'another act of trade war'

Maria Zakharova noted that the new sanctions should be viewed as an attempt by the United States to "maintain leadership in the absence of the opportunity to do this legally"

Press review: Biden losing traction amid student protests and EU's right-wing prospects

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, May 3rd

Russian diplomat blasts Cameron for approving strikes on country with nuclear weapons

Maria Zakharova said Russian agencies in charge of defending the country would undoubtedly retaliate if there were any strikes inside Russia

Russia, Africa set to develop defense cooperation further — Kremlin

Earlier, Reuters reported, citing a senior US defense official, that Russian troops had allegedly entered an air base in Niger that is hosting US troops

Russian diplomat sees Kiev preparing for new attack on Crimean Bridge with Western support

According to Maria Zakharova, ahead of Victory Day celebrations in Russia, "the Kiev regime and its Western patrons are plotting new terror attacks on Russian soil," while aiming for the news to "reverberate in the media and have a propaganda effect"

Russia introduces temporary ban on sugar exports — decree

It will be possible to supply sugar in certain volumes to the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union

Forest fire sources growing twofold over day in Russia

More than 2,000 people, 440 vehicles and 14 aircraft are now engaged in firefighting

Press review: China to weather US storm and ATACMS not 'wonder weapons'

Top stories from the Russian press on Saturday, April 27th

Half of Avdeyevka’s territory cleared of explosives — newspaper

"We begin by talking to civilians and asking whether they came across anything unexploded," said the commander, identified by only his call sign Panda

Any aggression against Crimea to be met with crushing retaliation — Russian MFA

In recent days, Maria Zakharova continued, Ukrainian forces "have been seen using several US-made ATACMS long-range missiles, which were secretly received a month ago, against Crimea"

Russia open for proposals on Ukrainian settlement, rejects blackmail — Foreign Ministry

Meanwhile, Dmitry Peskov stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s position is also "well known," adding that "Russia’s position is consistent"

US official supports continued cooperation between Russia, US on space

This is the opinion of the US Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control, Verification, and Compliance Mallory Stewart

US destroyed Germany’s domestic energy supply as it blew up Nord Stream — Carlson

The journalist emphasized that the alliance "is terrible for the United States and should be disbanded immediately"

Georgian PM accuses ex-US ambassador of supporting revolutionaries

According to Irakli Kobakhidze, Degnan's actions were intended to promote violence by foreign-funded interest groups and to support revolutionary processes

Iran used Ghadr, Emad and Kheibar missiles to strike Israel, IRGC general says

It is reported that the US believes Iran has the largest ballistic missile force in the Middle East. Iran insists that its missile program is solely for defensive purposes

US mercenaries let their fighting skills 'atrophy,' one of them says after trip to Ukraine

It is reported that a lot of Western soldiers struggle in Ukraine as things were not as they had expected

West attempts to bury Odessa tragedy — Russian diplomat

Russian Foreign Ministry's special envoy for the crimes of the Kiev regime Rodion Miroshnik noted that the regime of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky will not conduct this investigation

Russia engages TOS-2 flamethrowers in Ukraine

220mm TOS-2 is a successor to TOS-1A with improved characteristics

Russian troops using FPV drone destroy enemy recon group in LPR — military expert

The entire group of Ukrainian militants was killed in the strike

Kiev loses 18 observation posts on right bank of Dnieper in past day — Russian official

The Russian army carried out active defensive operations on the left bank of the Dnieper, conducting precise strikes on enemy military facilities, equipment and artillery weapons on the right bank

Zelensky bowing to Western pressure, ready to give Ukrainian lands away — official

"Contrary to the Ukrainians' interests, Zelensky, blindly obeying the external control of the collective West, wants to give its lands, cities and subsoil to other countries," Viktor Medvedchuk pointed out

Any European country’s involvement in Ukrainian conflict to trigger world war — Szijjarto

Hungarian Foreign Minister noted that Europe is living through an emergency situation, with a war being held

Solar storm reaches Earth earlier than planned — scientists

Powerful solar flares were registered on April 30 and May 1

Fire at German plant won’t affect production of IRIS-T air defense systems — Spiegel

It is reported that the defense unit has not been affected

Export of Russian fish extended to 18 countries in 2023

This year Russian export is to reach $5.6 bln, Head of the Russian Federal Agency for Fisheries Ilya Shestakov said

Egypt, Israel, Qatar, US, Hamas to hold consultations on Gaza in Cairo on May 4

According to the Al Hadath television channel, they are going to reach a deal on the swap of Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails

Latvia digging anti-tank ditches on border with Russia, Belarus — media

Kaspars Lazdins noted that once the ditches were ready, the so-called dragon’s teeth barriers would be set up on the border

China's investments in Russia’s Far East make up 90% of foreign investments — Deputy PM

Yury Trutnev stressed that the Far Eastern Federal District still maintains economic ties with any of the countries of the Asia-Pacific Region

Former Ukrainian Deputy PM Yarema to go on trial at Russian court martial in absentia

He is charged with aiding terrorism

Putin calls T-90M Proryv world’s best main battle tank

"The tank fires to a longer range and more accurately. It also has better protection," the head of state noted

Ukraine’s military command throws soldiers into battle without training, says POW

The POW said that the Ukrainian army was experiencing a shortage of personnel

Italy to send latest package of military aid to Ukraine before G7 summit in June

According to the report, the aid package for Kiev, Italy's 9th, will include the delivery of a SAMP-T air defense system produced jointly with France

Putin stresses importance of realistic approaches to national budgetary policy

"I would like to remind that it is fundamentally important for us to maintain responsible, balanced and completely realistic approaches in the budgetary policy sphere, including planning of the main financial document of the country based on budgeting rules," the President noted

Zelensky cannot be legitimate president after May 21 — Medvedchuk

"Ukraine has already lost its statehood," leader of the Other Ukraine movement said

Weapons delivered to Kiev end up in West, Russian diplomat says

Maria Zakharova emphasized that all Western projects similar to Ukraine "ended the same way"

Electricity supplies to China cannot yet be restored to previous levels — Energy Ministry

According to Russian Energy Minister Nikolay Shulginov, the ministry will return to this issue later, as hydro resources accumulate after the rainy season

Russian senator warns against attempts to hamper Russia’s access to Kaliningrad

"I don’t think that anyone in Finland would venture to impose any restrictions," Alexander Shenzheryuk-Zhidkov noted

Hamas delegation setting off for Cairo to reach agreement on Gaza

It is said in a statement posted on the Telegram channel of Hamas that the delegation to the Egyptian capital city will be sent on May 4

Sanya's GRP up 3.1% in Q1

The figure amounted to $3.6 billion, according to Sanya Daily with reference to the local bureau of statistics

Russia making incremental progress in special operation — US intelligence official

Avril Haines said the supplies accelerated a "reconstitution of Russia's military strength" after a "costly" start of the country’s special military operation

Lower house may approve Russia’s PM on May 10 — source

The inauguration of Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled for May 7

Military attaches visit trophies exhibition on Poklonnaya Hill

The Russian Defense Ministry opened an exhibition of trophy equipment in front of the Victory Museum on May 1

Russian artillery wipes out Ukrainian field ammo depot near Avdeyevka

Artillery of the Battlegroup Center delivered a strike on the Ukrainian army’s field ammunition depot in the Krasnoarmeisk direction

Kremlin slams Macron's statement about possible sending troops to Ukraine 'very dangerous'

On May 2, the French President named in an interview two conditions for sending troops to Ukraine: Kiev's request and Russia's breakthrough on the front line

Europe facing 'triple existential risk,' Macron warns

According to the French leader, "a new geopolitical, economic and societal paradigm for Europe" is needed to address these challenges

Press review: US to ban Russian uranium and Georgia pushes ahead with controversial bill

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, May 2nd

Ukraine’s military command re-focuses on training mobilized soldiers for defense, says POW

As the POW elaborated, the intensity of Russian strikes on Ukrainian army positions was very high and it was hardly probable to hold the positions in these conditions

Turkish parliament passes bill on LNG sales as part of gas hub project — TV

The bill was submitted to parliament in January

Russian troops recover first Abrams tank from special military operation zone

It will be put on public display at the Patriot Park on Poklonnaya Hill

United States removes Emperor Aviation from anti-Russian sanctions list

In addition, seven aircraft associated with this airline were removed from the sanctions list

Ukraine presumably used US-made Excalibur shell for strike at Tokmak

Ministry of Emergency Situations employees continue to remove the debris