Reps of 120 Tajik companies meet with Russian business mission in Dushanbe — REC The Russian Export Center office also organizes visits for Tajik companies to RussiaDUSHANBE, August 20. /TASS/. Representatives of around 120 Tajik companies met with a Russian business mission in Dushanbe to discuss the import of Russian products into the republic, Magomed Tashtamirov, head of the Russian Export Center (REC) office in Tajikistan, told TASS. Representatives from 20 Russian companies operating in agriculture, food processing, pharmaceuticals, construction materials, and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) arrived in Tajikistan to forge new trade ties and expand their market reach. The event took place over two days, on August 19-20. "Today was much busier than yesterday, with representatives from individual companies, retail chains, and distributors in agribusiness and construction meeting with Russian firms. Over the course of two days, representatives from 120 local companies attended the event," the official said. According to Tashtamirov, the mission aimed to facilitate visits for export-oriented Russian enterprises. At the same time, Tashtamirov noted that the REC office also organizes visits for Tajik companies to Russia. "We periodically organize inbound trade missions, inviting companies from Tajikistan that want to cooperate with Russian businesses, with their flights and accommodation fully covered. We take them to one of Russia's regions, such as Kazan or Chelyabinsk," he explained. He stressed that this is a key mechanism for maintaining and expanding business ties, adding that "the presidents of Russia and Tajikistan have set a goal to double bilateral trade by 2030, and we are working within this framework." Russia remains one of Tajikistan's largest trading partners after China. By the end of 2025, bilateral trade between the two nations exceeded $2.47 billion, up nearly 25% compared to 2024. Russia's share in the republic's foreign trade volume stood at nearly 22.9% last year. Furthermore, mutual trade between Tajikistan and Russia in the first six months of 2026 grew by 22.9% year-on-year. Bank of Russia lowers dollar exchange rate for August 21 to 83.36 rublesThe regulator lowered the official euro exchange rate by 1 ruble 81.22 kopecks to 96.7335 rublesRead 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 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 moreRussia to respond proportionately to Kiev’s terror attacks — diplomatMaria Zakharova pointed out that the Kiev regime demonstrated a complete inability to negotiateRead morePress review: Ukraine crisis nears peak as Israel-Turkey tensions rise over SyriaTop stories from the Russian press on Thursday, August 20thRead 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 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 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 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 moreRussia’s Battlegroup West downs 124 Ukrainian dronesSpokesman Ivan Bigma said that the battlegroup had also destroyed 98 Ukrainian hexacopters and five HIMARS projectilesRead 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 forces deliver strike on Antonov plant assembling Lyuty UAVs in Kiev — top brassThe enterprise also developed and manufactured various types of manned aircraftRead 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 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 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 is sole guarantor of Ukraine's sovereignty — MFARussian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova criticized Western policies, suggesting that the West has little genuine interest in Ukraine as an independent or prosperous nationRead 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 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 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 moreRussian Emergencies Ministry aircraft arrives in Serbia to help fight major wildfiresThe aircraft landed at Nis airport Read 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 moreTehran virtually halts oil exports to foreign markets — central bank governorAbdolnaser Hemmati says that the country has foreign exchange reservesRead 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 moreNew mobilization rules forcing Ukrainians into servitude, driving them to front — diplomatMaria Zakharova stressed that Ukrainian leaders offered no explanation to ordinary people about how they are supposed to surviveRead 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 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 moreLiberation of Matyashevo opens way for Russian forces’ advance in Dobropolye areaThe settlement was liberated by Pskov Guards Airborne Forces formationRead moreUkraine cannot sell 61 mln tons of grain due to ports’ shutdowns — Rada deputy90% of Ukrainian grain used to be exported via sea routesRead 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 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 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 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 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 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 moreFyodorov's statements undermine Zelensky's position — mediaThe former minister's address also deepened skepticism toward Kiev in Washington, the newspaper wroteRead 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 moreTrump leaves open possibility of further sanctions on IranThe US president said "very draconian sanctions" were being consideredRead moreFACTBOX: What to know of Omsk oil refinery intel sharing, foiled terrorist attack in LPROfficers detained two men in the Lugansk People’s Republic, who helped the Security Service of Ukraine plan a terrorist attack against the republic’s interior ministerRead moreUkrainian women in EU must now prove compliance with military duties — ECThe measure was initially expected to apply only to men of conscription ageRead moreSlavyansk, Kramatorsk, Druzhkovka turned into ‘ghost cities’ by Ukrainian army — expertAndrey Marochko said that Ukrainian militants are using abandoned civilian facilities for military purposesRead moreRussian stocks down as main trading session opensThe yuan exchange rate against the ruble fell by 3.8 kopecks as trading openedRead 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 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 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 moreKusturica slams blocking of his YouTube channel as 'war on truth'Official reason for the channel's removal was not specifiedRead 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 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 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 moreDamage reported at Ufa oil refinery as Russia intercepts 453 Ukrainian drones overnightA medical university student from India was injured in the attackRead moreRussian forces hit Fire Point facility manufacturing attack drone components in KievThe enterprise also assembled and stored boosters used in Flamingo cruise missilesRead moreFrench politician calls Fyodorov's speech disaster for ZelenskyFlorian Philippot advised that the former Ukrainian defense minister watch his safetyRead moreRussian ambassador says German MFA’s statements on FAZ journalist case unfriendlySergey Nechayev emphasized that German Foreign Ministry spokesman Martin Giese’s remarks effectively excused Michael Martens and overlooked the broader contextRead 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 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 moreRussia’s trade infrastructure resilient despite terrorist attacks — PutinThe Russian president admitted that operations are running under intense pressureRead 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 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 moreLiberation of Kudiyevka creates logistical difficulties for Ukrainian troops — officialThe Russian Defense Ministry reported that the Kudiyevka settlement was liberated on August 16Read 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 morePutin stresses need to strengthen Russia’s sovereigntyThe president highlighted that Russia was already implementing a plan for structural changes in the economyRead 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 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 moreTrump says pipelines can reduce Hormuz Strait's importanceRecord numbers of pipelines are being built, the US president addedRead moreUkraine’s losses from port shutdowns exceed $2 blnVessel traffic data show that large foreign commercial ships are not entering Odessa, Chernomorsk and YuzhnyRead 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 moreUltranationalist groups hunting Poles in Ukraine — underground resistanceThe source said that law enforcement agencies are aware of what is happening and could be overseeing such raidsRead 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 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 moreRussian forces strike logistics center in Kiev Region with Geran UAVs — top brassThe strike destroyed the targetRead 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 moreUpgraded Kuryer robotic system evacuates wounded while providing drone coverThe vehicle not only transports people, but is also capable of automatically engaging enemy drones, providing fire cover for the evacuated personnelRead moreTrump says North Korea has 57 'very powerful' nuclear weaponsDonald Trump added that he would not have allowed it, had he been president earlierRead morePress review: Ukraine conflict fuels EU ultra-right as Trump seeks Iran pressure via OmanTop stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, August 19thRead 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 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 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 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 moreRada may change location for safety reasons — agencyThe Rada building is located in the center of KievRead 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 moreRussian forces hit Ukraine’s military warehouses in Chernomorsk, Yuzhny ports — top brassTargets were hit on the evening of August 19Read moreRussian troops clear 400 buildings of Ukrainian forces in liberating VodyanskoyeAccording to the Russian Defense Ministry, the settlement was liberated on August 19Read 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 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 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 moreNovak, Siluanov comment on Russia’s GDP growth, additional support for regionsTASS has compiled the key statements on the economic situation in RussiaRead 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 moreTrump announced unprecedented economic war against IranThe US president said that Tehran 'failed' to seize the opportunity to make a dealRead 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 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 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 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 moreSome 250 drones were flying toward Moscow Region during nightMayor Sergey Sobyanin says most of them were destroyed at distant locationsRead 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 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...