Gulf war becomes test ground for Iran's defense industry, ministry says The Iranian Ministry of Defense said that each new act of pressure or sanction has highlighted the need to rely on domestic resourcesRABAT, August 20. /TASS/. The hostilities in the Persian Gulf have become a testing ground for Iran's defense industry and confirmed the need to effectively utilize the domestic resources, the Iranian Ministry of Defense said in a special statement. "Recent wars have become true testing grounds for the country's defense capabilities," the ministry stated in a document published on the occasion of Defense Industry Day, celebrated in Iran on August 21. It emphasized that "each new act of pressure or sanction has highlighted the need to rely on domestic resources, and each area has opened up new opportunities for the country's specialists." "What was created and developed over the years thanks to the knowledge and efforts of Iranian specialists in the defense industry was put into practice and, together with the capabilities of the Iranian army, thwarted a significant portion of the plans and goals of the adversaries and shocked them," the ministry noted. US-Israeli strikes on IranUS shows weakness by turning to its allies on Iran issue — Iranian diplomatSaeid Reza Mosayeb Motlagh said that Donald Trump "uses every means and every opportunity to isolate Iran and put pressure on the Islamic Republic of Iran in an attempt to compensate for its military defeat"Read moreKiev to return to talks with Russia on terms worse than those in 2022 — magazineAccording to The American Conservative, the Ukrainian armed forces are facing a shortage of manpower, and their stockpile of Patriot interceptor missiles "is at, or approaching, zero"Read moreTrump leaves open possibility of further sanctions on IranThe US president said "very draconian sanctions" were being consideredRead moreTrump says North Korea has 57 'very powerful' nuclear weaponsDonald Trump added that he would not have allowed it, had he been president earlierRead moreUS fighter jet flies over Baltic Sea near Russia’s Kaliningrad Region — sourceThe aircraft flew in from Reykjavík, passing through the airspace of Norway and Sweden along the way, and also flying over Poland Read moreJapan seeks to integrate into NATO, Chinese ambassador to Russia saysAccording to Zhang Hanhui, the official Tokyo's steps are steadily eroding the peaceful nature of the Japanese ConstitutionRead moreRussia entitled to view UK as party to Ukrainian conflict — LavrovThe Russian foreign minister said he feels sorry for the UK if it stays with Ukraine until the very endRead moreFuel imports to Russia: statements by Novak and overview of market situationRussian authorities expect a number of oil refineries to complete maintenance work soon, leading to a significant improvement in the fuel market situationRead moreNorth Korea’s Kim Yo Jong warns Japan of strike in response to possible threatKim Yo Jong stated that the DPRK is closely monitoring Japan’s attempts to build up its military capabilitiesRead moreRussia, China to oppose Japan’s attempts to obtain nuclear weapons — Chinese ambassadorZhang Hanhui also said that Moscow and Beijing think it necessary to "resolutely oppose Japan's accelerated remilitarization"Read moreRussian forces strike logistics center in Kiev Region with Geran UAVs — top brassThe strike destroyed the targetRead moreTrump announced unprecedented economic war against IranThe US president said that Tehran 'failed' to seize the opportunity to make a dealRead moreRussian troops liberate two communities in Donetsk region over past day — top brassRussia's Battlegroup South and Battlegroup Center units liberated settlements of Nikolaipolye and Matyashevo in the Donetsk People’s RepublicRead moreChina calls on Japan not to play with fire on nuclear weapons matters — ambassadorZhang Hanhui said that a nuclear arms race in the region could erupt at any moment if Tokyo decides to develop nuclear weaponsRead moreRussia is China’s most reliable supplier of energy sources — Russian senatorAndrey Denisov says oil supplies from Russia to China grew by 92% in the first seven months amid the crisis around the Strait of HormuzRead moreRussian troops liberate Vodyanskoye community in Donetsk region over past day — top brassRussia’s Battlegroup Center inflicted roughly 380 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed six enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reportedRead moreSlavyansk, Kramatorsk, Druzhkovka turned into ‘ghost cities’ by Ukrainian army — expertAndrey Marochko said that Ukrainian militants are using abandoned civilian facilities for military purposesRead moreNovak, Siluanov comment on Russia’s GDP growth, additional support for regionsTASS has compiled the key statements on the economic situation in RussiaRead moreDamage reported at Ufa oil refinery as Russia intercepts 453 Ukrainian drones overnightA medical university student from India was injured in the attackRead moreKhmara appointed defense minister by decision of Zelensky’s Western patrons — expertSergey Yurchenko added that the situation at the front and on the international stage will not change after this appointment, since it is too late for Ukraine to make any changesRead moreRussian envoy cautions US, West against triggering arms race in outer spaceAccording to Gennady Gatilov, individual Western countries and blocs directly mention near-Earth space as "yet another field for hostilities in their documents regarding space policy"Read morePress review: Ukraine crisis nears peak as Israel-Turkey tensions rise over SyriaTop stories from the Russian press on Thursday, August 20thRead moreStrike on Abu-Duhur could provoke military clash between Israel, Turkey, Syria — US envoyAccording to Tom Barrack, the lack of clear channels of communication between the states could have made the situation "much more serious"Read morePutin has no plans for now to meet with head of Vatican's diplomatic service — KremlinPaul Richard Gallagher's visit to Moscow will take place from August 25 to 28Read moreSome EU countries whipping up Russophobic hysteria to delegitimize elections — diplomatMaria Zakharova said it was not ruled out that such media campaigns might complicate the situation around the votingRead moreNorth Korea launches approximately 10 missiles toward Sea of Japan — South Korean militaryThe Joint Chiefs of Staff stated that they "maintain vigilance for additional launches"Read moreRussia’s trade infrastructure resilient despite terrorist attacks — PutinThe Russian president admitted that operations are running under intense pressureRead moreRada may change location for safety reasons — agencyThe Rada building is located in the center of KievRead moreNATO vows to defend US bases in Europe — ReutersEarlier, the anonymous sources claimed that Iran is allegedly prepared to launch strikes against US bases not only in the Middle EastRead moreRussia not going to terminate agreements with NATO, EU, WTO, IMF — envoyGarry Minkh says these documents can still be used as instruments for dialogue with the WestRead morePress review: Ukraine conflict fuels EU ultra-right as Trump seeks Iran pressure via OmanTop stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, August 19thRead moreIsrael won't put up with Turkey's military presence in Syria — NetanyahuThe Israeli prime minister said that the prior warnings on the issue were not heard "clearly enough"Read moreWestern countries on UNSC refuse to compromise on peace, security issues — Russian envoyVasily Nebenzya stated that decisions that are not adopted unanimously do not carry the same weight on the ground as consensus resolutionsRead moreRussian forces hit Fire Point facility manufacturing attack drone components in KievThe enterprise also assembled and stored boosters used in Flamingo cruise missilesRead moreNew batch of Pantsir-S, Pantsir-SMD systems delivered to troops — RostecThe system has shown itself as one of the most effective means of countering air targetsRead moreUkraine cannot sell 61 mln tons of grain due to ports’ shutdowns — Rada deputy90% of Ukrainian grain used to be exported via sea routesRead moreEuropean gas storage facilities could be depleted by April 2027 — HandelsblattIf the pace of purchases remains unchanged, storage facilities will be only 69% full by November 1, in which case they could be depleted by April, when Europe’s heating season ends, the newspaper said Read moreNetanyahu weighs confrontation with Trump — mediaAccording to the sources, Donald Trump has shifted to issuing ultimatums in his talks with Benjamin Netanyahu that give little consideration to Israel’s interestsRead moreCivilians injured, 726 UAVs downed: aftermath of attacks on Russian regionsAccording to the Russian Defense Ministry, the Ukrainian drones were intercepted over 19 Russian regionsRead moreJapan indulging in dangerous experiments in sphere of nuclear policy — Chinese diplomatZhang Hanhui noted that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi avoids clearly stating that her country will not import nuclear weaponsRead moreSome 250 drones were flying toward Moscow Region during nightMayor Sergey Sobyanin says most of them were destroyed at distant locationsRead moreRussian troops clear 400 buildings of Ukrainian forces in liberating VodyanskoyeAccording to the Russian Defense Ministry, the settlement was liberated on August 19Read moreLiberation of Kudiyevka creates logistical difficulties for Ukrainian troops — officialThe Russian Defense Ministry reported that the Kudiyevka settlement was liberated on August 16Read moreRussian aircraft to begin firefighting in Serbia on August 20 — group headAircraft Commander Andrey Vilkov says the city of Nis "is welcoming us with open arms and wonderful people"Read moreIran has enough currency to buy goods, medicine in coming months — Central BankAbdolnasser Hemmati says Iran is using "alternative solutions to ensure a sustainable supply of resources"Read moreRussian stocks down as main trading session opensThe yuan exchange rate against the ruble fell by 3.8 kopecks as trading openedRead moreUkraine’s losses from port shutdowns exceed $2 blnVessel traffic data show that large foreign commercial ships are not entering Odessa, Chernomorsk and YuzhnyRead moreTrump says he is only US president to establish contact with KimThe US president added that Japan, South Korea, and other nations are "a lot safer if I'm president than somebody else is president"Read moreReadiness to ask no questions led Khmara to defense minister’s seat — DPR politicianAlexey Muratov added that a similar principle was used in the case of Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga, whose main task is "to sell Kiev to Western sponsors, begging for money and weapons in exchange for guarantees Kiev cannot fulfill"Read moreZelensky's office dismisses possibility of holding elections in UkraineMikhail Podolyak, an adviser to Vladimir Zelensky’s office, cited ongoing hostilities, "occupied territories," and the displacement of citizens as obstaclesRead moreZelensky’s office unhappy with US appointment of its people to key positions in UkraineDeputy head of Vladimir Zelensky’s office Irina Mudraya expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of control over head of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office Alexander KlimenkoRead moreZelensky’s position threatened most since 2022 by Fyodorov’s comment — WSJAccording to the publication, Mikhail Fyodorov’s words are interpreted in Kiev "as the opening gambit in a potential run for the presidency"Read moreCollective Security Treaty Organization, CIS border troops drill interaction in crisesAccording to the CSTO, the main objective of the joint command-staff exercise was to improve coordination between border guard and other agencies of the CIS member statesRead moreUN deputy chief declines to assess Ukraine coordinator’s remarksTom Fletcher's statement followed a question about whether he considered Matthias Schmale’s actions to be a violation of Article 100 of the UN Charter, which requires UN staff to be impartial and independentRead moreUkraine’s Zelensky should resign before he is forced into it — German dailyThe author of the German-based Berliner Zeitung article believes that instability and weakening of negotiating positions are not the main threat to the countryRead moreKremlin reacts to 'fishing in troubled waters' in Ukraine, potential Wikoff, Kushner visitDmitry Peskov stressed that Russia highly values the efforts of all countries that sincerely seek to contribute to settling the Ukraine conflictRead moreRussian forces deliver strike on Antonov plant assembling Lyuty UAVs in Kiev — top brassThe enterprise also developed and manufactured various types of manned aircraftRead moreWest intends to monitor war financing in Ukraine with help of Khmara, expert saysAccording to Vitaly Kiselyov, at present the West is monitoring every personnel appointment in Ukraine, including those in the cabinetRead moreDate for new Russia-US contacts on removing ‘irritants’ being agreed upon — diplomatMaria Zakharova added that Russia is ready to cooperate with the US partners "to move toward substantive discussions on the issues that are of priority for us"Read moreRussia’s Battlegroup South confidently advancing after liberating Nikolaipolye in DPRThe liberation of the settlement became possible thanks to the coordinated efforts of reconnaissance units, artillery crews, and UAV operators from the unmanned systems forcesRead moreRussian forces hit Ukraine’s military warehouses in Chernomorsk, Yuzhny ports — top brassTargets were hit on the evening of August 19Read moreAuthorities expect fuel situation to improve as refineries return from maintenanceDeputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said the Russian government is monitoring the fuel market on a daily basis and working with companies to redirect fuel supplies to regions facing shortagesRead moreWith Khmara as defense minister Ukraine to continue sabotage against Russia — MPAlexander Boroday noted that Khmara essentially remains an "SBU special forces operative", which is why he will use the same methods in his new position that he used previouslyRead moreUS Golden Dome has offensive capabilities despite defensive claims — envoyAccording to Gennady Gatilov, the project envisages "the development and deployment of space-based interceptors"Read morePutin stresses need to strengthen Russia’s sovereigntyThe president highlighted that Russia was already implementing a plan for structural changes in the economyRead moreRussia has begun importing fuel to boost domestic supplies — NovakThe Russian government earlier decided to extend the import damper mechanism to diesel fuel, a move intended to provide additional economic incentives for supplying imported diesel to the domestic market if necessaryRead moreTehran virtually halts oil exports to foreign markets — central bank governorAbdolnaser Hemmati says that the country has foreign exchange reservesRead moreCuba wants to become BRICS’ full-fledged member — embassyAccording to the embassy, this step is a top priority for the country amid the unprecedented escalation of the US economic war against itRead moreTrump says pipelines can reduce Hormuz Strait's importanceRecord numbers of pipelines are being built, the US president addedRead moreRussian Su-25 plane safely returns to airfield in Ukraine sortie after Stinger strikeThe aircraft is "quite survivable in combat conditions", a navigator of a Russian air squadron notedRead moreEx-deputy head of Zelensky’s office Mudraya detained — lawmakerIrina Mudraya is currently under an investigative procedure at the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of UkraineRead moreNo proposals on new contacts with US negotiators so far — Russian diplomatMaria Zakharova said that Moscow is "ready to hear Washington’s constructive initiatives" on the settlementRead moreRussian Emergencies Ministry aircraft arrives in Serbia to help fight major wildfiresThe aircraft landed at Nis airport Read moreIN BRIEF: What we know about Russia’s massive attack targeting defense-tech sites in KievRussian forces struck a Fire Point plant, a Kiev-based assembly site owned by the Antonov aircraft manufacturing factory and an arsenal with M-900 thermobaric bombs and munitions for Baba-Yaga dronesRead moreUS establishes corridor in Strait of Hormuz for covertly transporting oil — news outletAccording to sources cited by Axios, between 15 and 20 tankers pass through the strait’s southern channel along the coast of Oman every day, exporting roughly half of the pre-war level of oil from the Middle EastRead moreCyprus taking precautions against potential threats — news agencyThe source said that four Greek Air Force F-16 fighter jets, as well as the Nikiforos Fokas frigate, are currently stationed in CyprusRead moreRussia’s key task is transition to sustainable economic development model — NovakAccording to the Russian deputy prime minister, this is precisely what the structural transformation plan is aimed atRead moreFrench politician calls Fyodorov's speech disaster for ZelenskyFlorian Philippot advised that the former Ukrainian defense minister watch his safetyRead moreDialogue with US to be fruitless, unless Iran combat ready — Majlis speakerMohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said "it is Washington and the war it unleashed that are causing instability in the region and disrupting normal trade routes"Read more20 Brazilian mercenaries eliminated in special military operation zoneAn official in Russian law enforcement structures said that after being recruited via social networks, they came to Colombia and signed contracts with the Ukrainian armyRead moreRussia’s Battlegroup West downs 124 Ukrainian dronesSpokesman Ivan Bigma said that the battlegroup had also destroyed 98 Ukrainian hexacopters and five HIMARS projectilesRead moreUkrainian army facing serious shortages of Patriot missiles — Russian defense sourceThe source noted that the global shortage of Patriot interceptor missiles had intensified following their large-scale use in the Middle EastRead moreRussia has no plans at present to sever agreements with NATO, EU, WTO or IMF — politicianGarry Minkh explained Russian ministries’ position, saying that the aforementioned documents, including the Russia-EU agreement, "have not exhausted their potential" in the context of conducting dialogue with the WestRead moreRussia to respond proportionately to Kiev’s terror attacks — diplomatMaria Zakharova pointed out that the Kiev regime demonstrated a complete inability to negotiateRead moreKiev building up forces to fight for Dobropolye in Donetsk region — Russian combatantAccording to the serviceman, the Russian troops are operating in a coordinated manner, eliminating enemy forces attempting to redeploy to better positionsRead moreUkraine plans to legalize disposal of missing soldiers' bodies as surgical waste — sourceAccording to the Russian security source, the measure is being considered in part because Ukrainian morgues are overcrowded with unidentified remainsRead moreFACTBOX: Putin’s statements on positive economic growth, impact of Ukrainian attacksBoosting investment activity is the primary condition for economic growth in Russia, the head of state saidRead moreRussia’s grain harvest to reach 100 mln metric tons in coming daysRussian Agriculture Minister Oksana Lut noted that the volume harvested this year is higher than last yearRead moreUS remains main threat to North Korea’s security — Kim Jong Un’s sisterKim Yo Jong also noted that Pyongyang attaches no significance to the reduction in joint military exercises with South Korea announced by US President Donald TrumpRead moreFyodorov's statements undermine Zelensky's position — mediaThe former minister's address also deepened skepticism toward Kiev in Washington, the newspaper wroteRead moreRussia reminds Japanese ambassador that it paid huge price for Kurils — MFARussia summoned the Japanese ambassador following Tokyo’s protest against Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to the Kuril Island of IturupRead moreJapan has enough plutonium to make 5.500 nuclear warheads — Chinese ambassadorZhang Hanhui concluded that Japan's "transformation into a nuclear power no longer looks like a fantasy"Read moreUS economic pressure threatens entire global financial system — Iran’s MFAAccording to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, the so-called economic ‘D-Day’ is a diversion from America’s own crisisRead moreTrump says blockade of Hormuz Strait was successful, now it is open"No boats have gotten into Iran" since the blockade started, the US president saidRead moreDovod delivery platform for FPV drones to have greater payload capacityCurrently, the platform is capable of carrying up to four FPV drones at a timeRead moreLarge-scale NATO air force activity recorded near Kaliningrad — Russian war correspondentYevgeny Poddubny reported that multiple reconnaissance aircraft operated simultaneously close to the Russian borderRead moreUkraine's cabinet initiates suspensions of Sense Bank leaders amid scandalThe bank is mentioned in newly released recordings by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of UkraineRead moreJapan begins converting ships into aircraft carriers — Chinese ambassador to RussiaFor the first time, the country has re-exported Patriot missiles and begun exporting military frigates, Zhang Hanhui notedRead moreChina, Russia insist that results of WW II regarding Japan are indisputableZhang Hanhui says Beijing and Moscow think it essential "to resolutely oppose any erroneous actions or statements aimed at rewriting the history of Japanese colonial aggression"Read moreRussia only country in world with expertise across entire nuclear energy sector — PutinThese competitive advantages enable the country to hold a leading position in the market for the construction of nuclear power plants abroad, the Russian leader stressedRead moreKusturica slams blocking of his YouTube channel as 'war on truth'Official reason for the channel's removal was not specifiedRead more
Bulgaria restricts operation of Kozloduy NPP due to low water level in Danube — ministry
• What happened: Bulgaria's Energy Ministry announced a reduction in the operational capacity of Unit 5 at the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant by 120 megawatt...