MOEX Index up as main trading session opens The yuan exchange rate had narrowed losses to 0.55 kopecks reaching 12.562 rublesMOSCOW, September 16. /TASS/. Russia’s MOEX and RTS indices added 0.29% to 2,343.92 and 876.56 points, respectively, as the main trading session started on Wednesday, according to trading data as of 9:00 a.m. Moscow time (6:00 a.m. GMT). The yuan exchange rate against the ruble lost 0.95 kopecks compared to previous closing to 12.558 rubles. By 9:23 a.m. Moscow time (6:23 a.m. GMT), the MOEX Index had moved to negative territory reaching 2,336.67 points (-0.02%), while the RTS was down by 0.02% at 873.85 points. Meanwhile the yuan exchange rate had narrowed losses to 0.55 kopecks reaching 12.562 rubles. The MOEX Index with additional IMOEX2 ticker lost 0.24% as morning trading session started on the Moscow Exchange as of 7:00 a.m. Moscow time (4:00 a.m. GMT) to 2,331.41 points. The Moscow Exchange has extended the duration of the main trading session by one hour to 10 hours starting September 14. The main trading session on the Moscow Exchange’s securities, derivatives, FX, and precious metals markets will begin at 9:00 a.m. Moscow time (6:00 a.m. GMT). The calculation and publication of the key indices of the Moscow Exchange will also start at 9:00 a.m. Moscow time (6:00 a.m. GMT). Russia backs sovereign right of nations to choose their energy mix — Energy Minister"Russia’s position is to respect the sovereign right of every country to determine its own development path and energy mix," Sergey Tsivilyov saidRead moreRussia tests new concept for intercepting UAVs, unmanned surface vehiclesAlexey Chadayev emphasized that the tests demonstrated the concept’s effectiveness and feasibilityRead moreMerz cancels trip to New York for UNGA events — news agencyGerman officials told DPA that the situation requires chancellor's presence in BerlinRead moreTrade, tech curbs only worsen global energy imbalances — Russian Energy MinisterSergey Tsivilyov commented on Moscow's key proposals for the G20 ministerial energy meeting in Houston, Texas, which runs through September 16Read moreTrump’s call to halt attacks on energy sites shows dissatisfaction with Zelensky — expertAlexander Protsenko said Donald Trump had also stressed that global diesel shortages were the result of Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineriesRead moreEurope unlikely to go back to being Russia's top gas buyer — expertThe European market will remain large and attractive for Russia, Ilya Grashchenkov notedRead moreNot enough air defense assets in whole world to meet Kiev’s needs — former Estonian leaderThe situation for Ukrainians has clearly worsened, Kersti Kaljulaid saidRead moreLukoil refinery crisis shows Europe cost of severing ties with Russia — expert"The longer the Petrotel refinery remains idle, the more the sanctions issue will transform from a foreign policy matter into a domestic political challenge for the country's authorities," Ilya Grashchenkov saidRead moreIran lifts ban on use of foreign messengers by government agenciesIslamic Republic Government Spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani said that the main goal of the move is "to ensure the ability to promptly respond to emerging doubts and planted information, as well as effectively counter psychological operations and the information war" against IranRead moreAfD seeks full normalization of relations with Russia — BildSources told the newspaper that the party is also seeking an end to military aid to UkraineRead moreOverwhelming majority of Germans dissatisfied with Merz's performance — pollOnly 10% of respondents, three percentage points fewer than last week, gave a positive assessment of the government head’s performanceRead moreMoscow vows response to Hungarian move to expel Russian diplomats — MFAOn September 8, Hungary’s top diplomat Anita Orban said Budapest was expelling 10 Russian diplomats, citing the need to protect national securityRead moreRussia, Ukraine preparing new family reunification initiative — human rights commissionerYana Lantratova declined to specify the number of people involved or when the humanitarian initiative might take placeRead moreBrent crude surges past $109 a barrel in ICE trading rallyBy 08:19 p.m. Moscow time, Brent was up 3.38%, trading at $109.25 per barrelRead moreUS, Germany agree to advance defense industrial cooperation — PentagonAccording to the statement, Pete Hegseth and Boris Pistorius signed an agreement that aligns the Pentagon’s "acquisition transformation strategy with Germany's Procurement Acceleration Act"Read moreRuble’s real effective exchange rate down 7.1% in August — Central BankSince the beginning of this year the exchange rate has decreased by 5.1%Read moreMassive missile attack on Taganrog, 222 downed drones: Ukrainian strikes' aftermathWarehouses belonging to the Ozon company and agricultural enterprises were damaged, as were the windows of residential buildings and an educational institution in Rostov Region’s TaganrogRead moreJapan maintains its presence in oil and gas projects in Russia — diplomatMaria Zakharova noted that Tokyo maintains and reaffirms the importance of its relations and energy cooperation with MoscowRead moreKiev deliberately turns its civilian facilities into military targets — Russian diplomatUkraine is now reaping the inevitable consequences, Rodion Miroshnik statedRead moreKiev loses some 1,225 troops along engagement line in past day — Defense MinistryOvernight, the Russian Armed Forces struck a logistics center in Velikaya Balka in the Odessa RegionRead moreThousands of migrants remain in Spain’s Ceuta — European CommissionerAt the end of July, nearly 80,000 illegal migrants crossed from Morocco into Spain’s African exclave of CeutaRead moreUK actively explores participation in NATO’s defense bank — newspaperA senior Labour figure told The Financial Times that participation in the DSRB initiative could potentially help the UK reach a milestone of spending 3% of GDP on defense by 2030Read moreUkraine's interceptor drones fall short in July tests — ReutersMany of the interceptor drones proved difficult to control at speeds sometimes exceeding 400 kilometers per hour, with some crashing into nearby fields and forests, the news agency notedRead moreUS House advances Russia sanctions billThe House of Representatives voted 214-211Read moreExplosions heard in Iranian city of Qeshm — agencyAccording to sources cited by IRNA, the sounds came from the seaRead moreUkrainian servicemen shot, tortured civilians in Kursk Region — human rights commissionerYana Lantratova said that many civilians were shot in their homesRead moreThree fires break out after massive attack on TaganrogMayor Svetlana Kambulova said the missile attack had damaged windows in five apartment buildings and three private homesRead moreIran-backed Houthis’ actions go beyond domestic conflict — Yemen’s PMShaya Mohsen al-Zindani says Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia "cannot be separated from the military escalation" on Yemen’s Red Sea coastRead moreRussia to secure return of its foreign exchange reserves from West — LavrovThe Russian Foreign Minister said the European Commission still wants to confiscate these assetsRead moreMost UAVs flying deep into Russia downed by mobile armed units along border — expertOleg Ivanov said that mobile armed units had become an effective layered defense system in the Kursk RegionRead moreUN secretary-general candidate calls for comprehensive agreement on IranOlara Otunnu identified the resolution of the Iran conflict as one of the areas to which he intends to immediately give priority in the sphere of international peace and securityRead moreLarge group of countries ready to host Ukraine talks, source tells TASSEarlier, Kremlin Aide Yury Ushakov told Russian state-controlled television Channel One in a comment that Abu Dhabi has been discussed as a platform for hosting trilateral talks between Russia, Ukraine and the United States, and that Turkey and other countries too have offered their servicesRead moreDPR leader sees Kiev regime, West making money on continued Ukraine conflictEU countries capitalize on weapons supplies to Kiev, Denis Pushilin saysRead moreUN secretary-general candidate proposes creating special body on AIAccording to Olara Otunnu's assessment, the world is simultaneously on the threshold of a potential "golden age" and a period of serious upheaval, during which "drones and artificial intelligence might evolve to dominate the human race"Read moreTrump became $2.7 bln richer after 2024 election — mediaAccording to Forbes, the US president cashed in on crypto ventures and overseas dealsRead moreThree killed as helicopter crashes in Los AngelesAnother person was injuredRead moreInformation warfare has no rules, creating them is our next step — GFCN presidentInterview with Vladimir Tabak, president of the Global Fact-Checking Network Read moreRussian forces break through Ukrainian defenses in Orekhov area — expertAndrey Marochko noted that Russian troops had made significant advances in this sectorRead moreIN BRIEF: Russian Foreign Minister on asset dispute, threats to freedom of navigationThe Russian foreign minister stressed that Western interference with freedom of navigation is a concern, as European states have detained 12 vessels since January of this yearRead moreAny use of Russian assets would cause greater damage to Europe than to Russia — portalEurope is forced to balance between aiding Ukraine and financial suicide, media outlet InsideOver saidRead morePREVIEW: Beijing Xiangshan Forum opens with around 100 state delegations attendingThe three-day event has brought together official representatives from around 100 countriesRead moreRussia remains guarantor of global energy security — Energy MinisterRussia holds the world's largest combined oil and gas reserves, amounting to approximately 60 billion tonnes of oil equivalent, Russian Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilyov saidRead more'Whisky war' brewing between England, Scotland — newspaperScotch Whisky Association Chief Executive Mark Kent said the rules governing English whisky are "entirely inconsistent with the reputation of single malt whisky"Read moreUS plans $2.8 bln sale of heavy aerial bombs to Israel — newspaperAn article in The Washington Post explained that the deal was planned to be implemented through the Foreign Military Financing mechanism, which provides grants and loans to help other countries buy American weaponsRead moreZelensky dismisses Kravchenko as prosecutor generalKravchenko had held the post since June 2025Read moreOnly 15% of Russia's trade done in dollars, euros — Kremlin officialMaxim Oreshkin, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Russian Presidential Executive Office, noted that sanctions pressure enabled a faster transition to a 'new track'Read moreUS seeks to normalize military use of outer space — newspaperThe Wall Street Journal reported that, according to officials, open discussion of the issue could deter adversaries that also seek to launch weapons into orbitRead moreDiplomat blasts European attempts to pull nukes closer to Russian bordersMaria Zakharova commented on Finland’s move to join a France-led nuclear deterrence initiativeRead moreUnlike Ukraine, Russian army not targeting civilians in its attacks, diplomat saysMaria Zakharova's comment came in response to a question from media regarding allegations in the Western press about a recent "deliberate" Russian strike on a passenger train carrying former and current Western officialsRead moreRussia to respond accordingly if Lithuania moves to field nuclear weapons — MFAAs for the autumn session of the Lithuanian Seimas on amending legislation to allow the deployment of foreign nuclear weapons, this is a completely irresponsible act, Maria Zakharova saidRead moreRussia, US need to launch dialogue on trade, investment prospects — MFAMaria Zakharova noted that in relations with the United States, "with the arrival of the current administration, some things have moved in the right direction"Read moreWar with Iran costs US taxpayers $38 billion — congressional budget officeThe authority also confirmed that the war had depleted US weapons stocks, including critically important interceptors for air defense systemsRead moreRussian national pleads guilty to illegally exporting aircraft parts — Justice DepartmentSamuylovsky faces up to 20 years in prisonRead moreUN secretary-general candidate calls for organizing peace conference on UkraineOlara Otunnu called for urgent work with key stakeholdersRead moreChina calls for building more balanced security architecture — defense chiefDong Jun stated that this architecture "should address the legitimate security concerns of all countries"Read moreLeaders of Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland sign memorandum on right to leave UKThe signing ceremony took place in the Welsh capital of CardiffRead moreMideast facing worst energy logistics crisis in modern history — Russian Energy MinisterSergey Tsivilyov commented on the situation in the Strait of HormuzRead moreFACTBOX: Russian strikes hit Kievstar mobile provider building, railway facilitiesRussian pilots used aerial bombs and X-39 missiles to hit temporary deployment sites and drone command posts in the communities of Fyodorovka in the Kharkov Region and Zemlyanoye in the Sumy Region, respectivelyRead moreRussia fighting against both Ukrainian army, Western war machine — DPR leaderDenis Pushilin added that the Ukrainian military receives support from Western intelligence servicesRead moreShanghai Cooperation Organization calls for preventing arms race in space — officialSecretary General Nurlan Yermekbayev said the organization advocates for the development of a correspondent legally binding international documentRead moreRussian diplomat warns NATO countries against supporting nuclear proliferationMaria Zakharova advised Western European hotheads to take a sober look at the worldRead moreRussia's pipeline gas exports to Turkey fall 10% in January-JulyIn July alone, Turkey imported a combined 948 million cubic meters of Russian gas via the TurkStream and Blue Stream pipelinesRead moreUS cannot trust Merz’s words — Trump’s envoy"Merz is mad that Americans want the German government to pay its NATO obligations," Richard Grenell saidRead moreDrone attacks fishing vessels near Iran’s Hormozgan province, IRIB reportsA search operation is currently underwayRead moreRussia to work on permanent visa-free regime with China — foreign ministryMaria Zakharova recalled that Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed a visa-free regime through mid-September 2026 a year ago, an initiative supported by Russian President Vladimir Putin, after which a reciprocal visa-free regime was introduced for Chinese citizensRead moreUN secretary-general candidate wants peace in Gaza based on Oslo, Abraham AccordsHe described the resolution of major conflicts as one of the issues he intends to prioritize, noting that international peace, security, and international cooperation constitute "the core mandate of the United Nations"Read moreEuropean Council president to call for creating European Security Council — mediaAccording to an article in Euractiv, Ursula von der Leyen will announce the proposal in her annual State of the European Union address in Strasbourg on WednesdayRead moreSwitzerland not being considered for new round of Ukraine talks — Russian foreign ministryMaria Zakharova cited the loss of neutrality in Switzerland’s policy, Russophobia in the context of joining anti-Russian sanctions and related statements as reasonsRead moreIN BRIEF: Russian Armed Forces strike Ukrainian military, energy, transport facilitiesAs a result of strikes in the Velikaya Balka settlement in the Odessa Region, a logistics center for the storage and distribution of military cargo arriving in Ukraine from abroad was struckRead moreDenmark’s provocative actions against Russian frigate raise concern — ambassadorVladimir Barbin expressed regret over Denmark’s reluctance to prevent maritime escalation and push toward strengthening mutual confidenceRead moreSikorski's plans to restore Poland's greatness show 'unhealthy ambitions' — Kremlin aideNikolay Patrushev said he was previously surprised with the Polish foreign minister's lack of knowledge about history and RussiaRead morePress TV: Israeli military abducted Iranian TV journalist near BethlehemAccording to one of Hamed’s colleagues, the Israelis detained the entire crew and searched them, after which the cameramen were released, while the journalist herself was taken to an unknown locationRead moreRussia presses for urgent measures to prevent arms race in space — diplomatThe statements from US Air Force Secretary Troy Meink only serve as evidence how relevant Russian multilateral initiatives toward launching talks, Maria Zakharova saidRead moreUkraine carries out two attacks on residential areas in DPR in past dayOne civilian was reported injuredRead moreCasualties in Sochi, 399 UAVs: aftermath of Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian regionsFalling UAV debris injured five people, including a child, in Russia’s southern city of Sochi in the Krasnodar RegionRead moreTaimazova, Tasoyev to headline Russian squad at 2026 World Judo Championship in BakuThe 2026 World Judo Championships is scheduled to take place on October 4-11, 2026, at the National Gymnastics Arena in Baku, AzerbaijanRead moreRussia readies to strike Ukraine’s energy sites to retaliate attacks on its infrastructureAt the same time, Russian servicemen continued to launch coordinated strikes against Ukrainian military-industrial facilities that support the Ukrainian military overnight, the ministry emphasizedRead moreKremlin briefing touches on Ukrainian attempt to strike energy site, Trump’s truce ideaIt is possible to discuss the resumption of Russian gas supplies to Europe only if they are beneficial for the country, Dmitry Peskov saidRead moreRussia backs sovereign right of nations to choose their energy mix — Energy Minister"Russia’s position is to respect the sovereign right of every country to determine its own development path and energy mix," Sergey Tsivilyov saidRead moreRussian Baltic Fleet pilots destroy simulated enemy fortifications during exerciseCrews of Su-30SM2 multi-role fighters and Su-24M tactical front-line bombers from the Baltic Fleet’s naval aviation participated in the exerciseRead moreUS laying ground for Iran making changes to nuclear doctrine — parliamentIn the absence of any international protocols, the United States is requesting Iran cooperate by allowing inspections of its nuclear facilities that have been subjected to bombing, Hassan Ghashghavi saidRead moreWest’s interference with freedom of navigation causes concern — Lavrov"European states have detained 12 vessels since January this year based on made-up categories unknown to international law, such as the so-called 'shadow fleet' and others," the Russian foreign minister saidRead moreUS policy compels North Korea to strengthen nuclear deterrence — agencySecurity expert Choe Ju Hyun wrote in an op-ed for the Korean Central News Agency that US actions are accelerating "the corrosion of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime"Read moreNATO intelligence services find evidence linking Kiev to Leipzig incident — Russian SVRThe Russian Foreign Intelligence Service noted that "many in the West are merely pretending to believe the German leadership"Read moreMiddle Eastern countries disappointed with US security guarantees — ex-top diplomatAntony Blinken said the US had no good military solution to the current conflict "absent a full-scale invasion of Iran, which would be a disaster"Read moreNorth Korea, Russia strengthening solidarity amid complex global situation — Kim Jong UnThe North Korean leader also reiterated his country government’s unwavering resolve to expand and deepen cooperation with RussiaRead moreEU foreign policy chief Kallas says would answer phone call from Russia’s Putin, LavrovKaja Kallas also recalled her meetings with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov at international forums, including at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the G20Read moreBritish national eliminated in Russia’s special mil-op zone in Ukraine — top brassThe sources said that three more Ukrainian officers have been killed as well, including a senior lieutenant of the National Guard of UkraineRead moreKalashnikov Group presents Kalitka-KA anti-drone systemThe system is designed to protect strategic facilities from drone attacks at low and extremely low altitudesRead moreRussian indices decline as trading closes on Moscow ExchangeThe MOEX Index falling 1.02% to 2,337.1 points and the RTS Index dropping 0.90% to 874.02 pointsRead moreNew cargo spacecraft to be launched to ISS this week — Roscosmos CEOProgress MS is used to deliver various cargo to the ISS, as well as to adjust its orbitRead moreBritish PM to discuss Ukraine at first meeting with Trump in New York — newspaperAccording to The Times, the talks are set to be held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on September 22Read moreBank of Russia lowers dollar exchange rate to 84.24 rubles for September 16The official euro exchange rate has been lowered by 46.14 kopecks to 97.3012 rublesRead moreViktor Bout sees no real readiness from US to restore relations with RussiaViktor Bout noted that the US Congress continues to consider new sanctions against Russia Read moreRussian football stars Safonov, Batrakov on national team’s roster for upcoming friendliesAccording to last week’s reports from the Russian Football Union, the national squad is set play friendly matches next month against Namibia and NigeriaRead moreOnly 20-25 million people live in Ukraine now, former Zelensky press secretary saysYulia Mendel added that Ukrainians continue to flee the countryRead morePress review: EU eyes Russian assets as Ukraine corruption scandal erodes Western trustTop stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, September 15thRead moreKiev loses some 1,375 troops along engagement line in past day — Russia’s top brassRussian airstrikes hit Ukrainian targets in Kharkov, Sumy RegionsRead moreUS House approves resolution demanding end to Iran warThe resolution is not legally binding and serves as a recommendationRead moreWar between US, Iran to enter 'different phase' in coming months — VanceAccording to the vice president, the US has already completed the first phase, which was to destroy the nuclear program and conventional military of IranRead moreRussia says Chisinau has no right to strip Russians in Transnistria of chance to vote"Russian citizens have the right to freely express their will; this is one of the fundamental human rights," Maria Zakharova notedRead more
EU chief von der Leyen delivers State of the Union address
• What happened: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered her annual State of the Union address to the EU Parliament in Strasbourg, discussi...