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Freak snowstorm hits Moscow

The snow falling on the ground does not melt immediately

MOSCOW, May 8. /TASS/. A freak snowstorm has left Moscow blanketed in snow, TASS correspondents located in different parts of the capital report.

In particular, snow accompanied by strong wind is observed in the southeast, east and northeast of the city. It is also snowing downtown, including near the TASS headquarters on Tverskoy Boulevard.

Earlier, the city had already experienced snowfalls, but they were not as continuous and intense as the latest one. The snow falling on the ground does not melt immediately, unlike a few hours ago.

At the moment, the city has a yellow weather danger level, symbolizing potentially dangerous conditions. It is associated with wind gusts, which could reach 15-20 m/s. The alert is in effect until 9:00 p.m. Moscow time.

According to the Russian Hydrometeorological Center forecasts, the upcoming night in the capital region will be cold with possible wet snow and icy conditions. The air temperature in Moscow may drop to minus 3 degrees Celsius (26,6 Farenheit) within the city and to minus 4 degrees Celsius (24.8 Fahrenheit) in the suburbs. On May 9, the city will experience light precipitation in some places, mainly wet snow, with highs reaching plus 5 degrees Celsius (41 Fahrenheit). The wind will blow north-west at a speed of 8-13 m/s with occasional gusts up to 15-10 m/s.

Russia has 10 wildfires in close proximity to populated areas — minister

If more remote wildfires are counted, Russia has a total of 51 of conflagrations on an area of 43,058 hectares, he said

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

According to article, a security agreement between Washington and Kiev would prolong the fighting in Ukraine and could become "a liability for the United States"

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

it should be enough to make sure that US, French and British-made long-range weapons don’t reach Russia, including the country’s new regions, Igor Korotchenko, editor-in-chief of Russia’s National Defense magazine told TASS

South Korea-Russia relations were not doomed to worsen because of Ukraine, says expert

According to Park Byung-hwan, director of the Eurasian Strategy Research Institute, countries in their relations with each other are not guided by morals, but only pursue state interests

Energy infrastructure facility suffers damage in Ukraine’s Poltava Region

Ukrainian media outlets reported explosions in the city of Mirgorod

Israeli fighter jets intercept suspicious target flying from Lebanon

No casualties or damage were reported

Repelling missile attack in Sevastopol completed — governor

Mikhail Razvozhaev warned of the danger of falling fragments and submunitions

Air defenses down 103 Ukrainian drones, 12 ATACMS missiles, 4 Hammer bombs over day

Russian forces also hit concentrations of Ukrainian manpower and equipment in 112 areas over the past 24 hours

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"

Georgian president vetoes bill on foreign agents

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

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

Slovak PM Fico’s life out of danger — deputy PM

Robert Fico was wounded in a shooting incident that happened after a government meeting in the city of Handlova in the western part of Slovakia

Over 500 military, special vehicles commissioned to Russia’s Central Military District

According to the press office, the commissioned vehicles made it possible to complete equipment of seven motorized infantry and tank units

Air defense is repelling a missile attack in Sevastopol — region’s governor

Traffic on the Crimean Bridge has been temporarily closed

Congolese armed forces thwart coup attempt — spokesman

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

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"

Tourist exchanges between Russia, North Korea gain traction — minister

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

Russian troops use latest Upyr FPV drones in Kharkov push

Russian troops employed the Upyr FPV drone for the first time in the special military operation in Ukraine in May 2023

FSB foils terrorist attack in Stavropol Region

The Federal Security Service has suppressed the terrorist activities of three citizens from a Central Asian country

Honduran ambassador to Moscow dies — Honduran foreign ministry

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told TASS that the Russian foreign ministry has extended its condolences over the Honduran ambassador’s death

North Korea tested tactical ballistic missile with new guidance system on May 17

The test launch confirmed the accuracy and reliability of the system, the Korean Central News Agency 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

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)

Riyadh already attending 2024 BRICS events, group’s new makeup clear — Russian Sherpa

According to Sergey Ryabkov, Saudi representatives told Moscow that "the work on the corresponding decision [on accession] continues"

Patriot supplies unlikely to impact Russia’s plans to liberate Kharkov, expert says

According to Roman Shkurlatov, two Patriot systems will not make Kharkov safe

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

According to the files of arbitration cases, the court has partially upheld RusChemAlliance’s claim for interim measures against Deutsche Bank

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

Garibashvili suggested that foreign diplomats feel dismissive toward Georgia

German Chancellor Scholz warns against a full-scale ground operation in Rafah

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

Russian troops destroy 600 combat aircraft in Ukraine operation — top brass

The Ukrainian army lost over 520 troops in battles with Russian forces in the Donetsk area over the past day, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported

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

Russian forces advanced to better positions and inflicted casualties on 18 Ukrainian army brigades in the Kupyansk area over the week, the Defense Ministry reported

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

Putin holds meeting on floods, wildfires

He said while flooding is not over yet, there are also fires or fire-hazardous situations in some regions

13 shelling attacks by Ukrainian troops reported in DPR during day

According to DPR’s head, Denis Pushilin, five passenger cars were damaged by munitions dropped from Ukrainian drone on Donetsk and Gorlovka

Fico’s bodyguards saved his life — Slovakia’s Interior Minister

"The prime minister’s personal protection group acted absolutely properly amid a rapidly developing emergency situation," Matus Sutaj-Estok underlined

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

Investigation made final conclusions on Kursk submarine tragedy — Kremlin

The nuclear submarine missile cruiser K-141 Kursk sank on August 12, 2000, during exercises in the Barents Sea as a result of an explosion in a torpedo tube

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"Once the Kiev regime uses Storm Shadow / SCALP-EG missiles with a range of at least 550 kilometers when the distance between Belgorod and Kiev is 429 kilometers, practically the entire central and most of the western parts of Ukraine fall within this sanitary zone," the deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council said

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

West attempts to destabilize situation around Nagorno-Karabakh – Kremlin

According to the press secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov, this led to the Azerbaijani side officially declaring that these countries can hardly lay claim to any role as mediators, because they have taken a one-sided position

Qatar to focus efforts on partnership with Russia on North-South project — envoy

The North-South project is also important for many countries of the region, Ahmed bin Nasser bin Jassim Al-Thani added

Mistral delivery connected with implementation of Minsk accords — Hollande

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

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"

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

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"

Four Ukrainian drones shot down over Belgorod Region — defense ministry

Kiev attempted attack on facilities in Russia’s territory with the use of a fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle was thwarted, the Russian defense ministry 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"

Four DPR servicemen killed in shellings by Ukrainian troops in past week

The self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic urged international organizations to condemn the actions of Ukrainian forces

Legitimate Ukrainian president needed to sign any agreements, says Putin

Ukraine was expected to hold its presidential election in March but the vote was canceled because martial law is in effect in the country

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.

Ukraine was ready to sign peace deal with Russia but gave up under US pressure — Patrushev

The first Russian-Ukrainian negotiations after Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine took place in Belarus in early March 2022 but the talks yielded no tangible results

Tanzania-flagged ships sinks in Black Sea

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

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

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Special attention will be focused on the prospects for the organization’s further development and its adaptation to the formation of a new world order

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

Six drones fall near oil refinery in Krasnodar Region — authorities

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

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

Earlier, the state-run Press TV reported that rescuers have found Raisi’s helicopter

Dnepr battle group destroys 15 Ukrainian boats in one day — Kherson governor

In addition, 23 drone control centers were destroyed and 34 drones shot down or disabled

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

European Council suspends broadcasting activity of four Russian media outlets

According to the Council, this ban does not apply to any activities other than broadcasting

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

According to Andrey Lazarkevich, in the current situation Ukrainian servicemen prefer to surrender as prisoners of war

US has long been hatching plans to put end to Russian energy exports — ambassador Antonov

"We are talking about a blatant thirst for profit, multiplied by neocolonial aspirations," Anatoly Antonov said

Russia adds deputy head of Ukrainian presidential administration to wanted list

Roman Mashovets wanted under a Russian Criminal Code article, the database said

Russia remains open to security dialogue with West but only on equal terms — Lavrov

Lavrov pointed out that those issues should be considered in their entirety

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

The prime minister cited intelligence data indicating that the situation on the border is unchanged

Russian missile cruiser Varyag enters Mediterranean Sea

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

Ukrainian boxer Alexander Usik becomes absolute world heavyweight champion

He beat Briton Tyson Fury in a 12-round fight held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

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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The Russian leader blamed Kiev’s sponsors in the West for organizing this coup, saying they escalated it into an armed conflict

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

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

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Armenian opposition leader Bagrat Galstanyan calls for more protests across country

He said that the opposition movement "will increase pressure across the entire country, from the north to the south"

Russia, China sign ten joint documents

The agreements penned included an initiative to develop the Bolshoy Ussuriysky Island, protocols on requirements for beef and other products exported to China

Preparations for Putin’s visit to DPRK ongoing — Kremlin spokesman

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un invited the Russian President to visit his country when he traveled to Russia in September

Russian air defense shot down 57 UAVs in Krasnodar region overnight — Defense Ministry

Three UAVs were destroyed over the territory of the Belgorod region

Russian stocks close in the green on Friday

The dollar edged down by 0.02% to 90.95 rubles, while the euro decreased by 0.13% to 98.74 rubles

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

Attack had caused multiple casualties and that at least several Ukrainian security officers had been killed, said a member of the pro-Russian underground in the city

Russian embassy in US blames Washington for trying to manage epidemics

Under the guise of monitoring diseases, Washington is scattering its illegal laboratories across the world, brazenly and with impunity; establishing numerous facilities of this kind along Russia’s borders, the Russian Embassy in Washington said in a statement

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

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, May 17th

Russia to find platforms for speaking out if US refuses to issue visas — senior diplomat

According to Sergey Ryabkov, it is necessary to "treat both the issuance and non-issuance of American visas with coldness and detachment"

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

The use of depleted uranium ammunition does not violate any international treaties, expert says

Ukraine’s 2014 coup was CIA’s political mistake — Putin

The Russian president noted that the US agency had achieved its goal of changing the government but failed to see what it would evolve into

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Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, May 13th

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

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

According to the source, the radio frequency operates in all directions of the line of engagement in the special military operation zone

It is time for Ukraine to recognize realities on the ground, Lavrov says

The conversation with the top Russian diplomat took place on the sidelines of the state visit of the Russian leader Vladimir Putin to China

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

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

Lavrov believes Europe won’t be Russia’s partner for at least one generation

He made the remark in response after the idea was suggested by Dmitry Trenin, research director at the Institute of World Military Economy and Strategy

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

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

Russian oil exports to Asia exceed exports to EU in May 2022 — Deputy PM

"At the same time, systematic work to diversify the export of Russian energy resources has been going on for more than a year. Today we see that such a policy has fully justified itself," Alexander Novak said

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

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

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

The prime minister has successfully undergone two surgical operations since Wednesday

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

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

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

Volkswagen Group Rus to continue work in Russia under new name

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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

Russia actively shifting energy exports to Asia-Pacific region — Deputy Energy Minister

Sergey Mochalnikov noted that the energy consumption market in the Asia-Pacific region is growing faster than in any other region of the world

Putin apologizes to Harbin residents for tight security measures over his visit

"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"