Russia’s annualized GDP gains 0.6% in 1H — ministry

Russia’s annualized GDP gains 0.6% in 1H — ministry Accoridng to he Russian Economic Development Ministry, growth in the second quarter was driven by robust domestic demand and positive performance across several sectors of the real economyMOSCOW, August 12. /TASS/. Russia’s annualized GDP grew by 0.6% in the first half of 2026, according to an estimate by the Russian Economic Development Ministry. "According to estimates by Russia’s Economic Development Ministry, the economy grew by 0.6% year-on-year in the first half of 2026. Growth in the second quarter was driven by robust domestic demand and positive performance across several sectors of the real economy. Consumer activity among the population continues to rise. Wholesale trade, freight turnover, and manufacturing, including the machinery sector, pharmaceuticals, and the food industry, also made positive contributions. The gradual easing of monetary conditions is also becoming a key factor in the recovery of economic activity," the ministry said. Minister announces recovery in Russia's economic growth ratesAccording to Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov, the recovery in growth rates was first observed in March and is continuing despite persistent external pressureRead moreRussian rhythmic gymnasts return to World Championships after five seasonsThe national team will compete in Frankfurt am MainRead moreUS could face 'bloodbath' if it launches ground operation against Iran — expertMikhail Margelov said there can be a lot of scenariosRead moreRussian strikes destroy 80,000-100,000 sq m of refrigerated warehouses near Kiev — expertAccording to Alexander Bondarenko, the remaining facilities cover only 20-30% of the region’s needsRead moreItalian PM faces growing pressure over support for Ukraine — mediaAccording to the report, Giorgia Meloni is also "hardening her tone" on migrationRead moreMultinational statement on missile launches signals preparations for major war — expertAlexander Stepanov pointed out that, of the 41 countries, only the US, France and Britain possessed ICBM technologyRead moreRussian swimmer Kornev wins gold at 2026 European Aquatics ChampionshipsMaxime Grousset of France won silver and Grigori Pekarski of Belarus finished thirdRead moreRussia’s defenses in Zaporozhye make Ukraine’s military 'hit brick wall' — military expertAccording to Andrey Marochko, the Russian army manages to hold back the enemy and advance on this directionRead moreMoscow ready to exchange over 220 convicted Ukrainians for Russians — rights commissionerYana Lantratova added that the Russians in question included residents of the Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics and CrimeaRead moreSyrian court sentences Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia — TVThe court also sentenced Atef Najib, the former head of the political security directorate in the Syrian province of DaraaRead moreIN BRIEF: Putin’s key statements on innovations, sovereignty, SKIFThe head of state noted that Russia has grown even stronger by expanding its technological capabilitiesRead moreUkrainian drone attack kills civilian in CrimeaRegional head Sergey Aksyonov urged residents of Crimea to stay calm and vigilantRead moreGender transition surgeries in US to no longer be paid for by Medicaid insurance — TrumpAccording to the US president, dozens of US hospitals have ended "this so-called 'gender-affirming care'"Read moreSwitzerland adds 45 entities, 9 individuals to anti-Russian sanctions list — TASSNine individuals have been blacklisted for the first time, including Rostec Executive Director Oleg YevtushenkoRead moreRussia’s BARS-Kursk crew destroys over 30 Ukrainian UAVs in Sumy Region — soldierThe serviceman added that using radar stations, the troops track the flight of Ukrainian UAVs, lock onto the target, and then a Russian drone approaches the target and detonatesRead moreGeorgia rules out restoring diplomatic ties with Russia — prime ministerAccording to Irakli Kobakhidze, Georgia’s objective with regard to Russia is a peaceful settlement of the conflictRead moreDefeat in Kramatorsk to deal massive blow to Kiev — BildThe situation is getting worse day by day, and the frontline is moving closer to Ukrainian positionsRead moreRussian troops liberate two communities in Ukraine operation over past day — top brassBattlegroup North units took control of the settlement of Shcherbakovka in the Kharkov Region and Battlegroup East units liberated the settlement of Novoye Pole in the Zaporozhye RegionRead moreUkrainian troops burn corpses of Colombian mercenaries with acid — war prisonerThe captured Ukrainian soldier added that he was guided to the position by a drone and was not provided with water or food, so he decided to surrenderRead moreUkrainian MiG-29 fighter jet shot down by friendly fire — defense sourceUkraine’s State Bureau of Investigation opened a criminal probe after the fighter’s crashRead moreRussia has right to attack any ships carrying cargo for enemy — MedvedevThe Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman stressed that Russian armed forces were capable of significantly extending their operations beyond the borders of the Black Sea basinRead moreRussian army is global military powerhouse — expertAccording to Hero of Russia Yevgeny Poddubny, Russia currently has the most combat-ready and powerful army in the worldRead moreJapan expresses protest to North Korea over launch of ballistic missileDefense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi has said that Japan, together with the US and the Republic of Korea, is currently continuing to analyze information related to North Korea's missile launchRead moreRussia poses no threat to Japan, Moscow has no claims against Tokyo — PutinDespite this, Japan has classified Russia as a major threat, the Russian leader saidRead moreYabloko receives Supreme Court’s reasoned decision for removal from electionsThe court session lasted more than nine hoursRead moreRussia destroys Ukraine’s US-made Humvee vehicle in Donetsk regionAs a result of a single precision strike, the enemy armored vehicle caught fire and its fuel detonated, the Russian Defense Ministry reportedRead morePlans to deploy new weapons in Asia-Pacific region pose threat to Russia, says PutinThe Russian president said the conflict potential is growing in the Asia-Pacific region and NATO forces are infiltrating itRead moreIran's Supreme Leader avoids public appearances for security concerns — IRGCMojtaba Khamenei has not appeared in public since the start of the US-Israeli military operation against IranRead moreRussian troops liberate Vodyanoye community in Kharkov Region over past day — top brassRussia's Battlegroup North units took control of the settlement, destroyed an enemy armored combat vehicle and inflicted more than 210 casualties on Ukrainian troops over the past dayRead moreConflict exposes US military’s weakness — Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard CorpsBrigadier General Mohammad Reza Naqdi said that Iran had not yet reached its final objectiveRead moreGagauzia head transferred to prison with conditions degrading to human dignity — lawyerSergiu Moraru says that in this prison there is often no water for two or three daysRead moreTensions mount both in Asia-Pacific region, Arctic zone — PutinThe head of state stresses that Russia has always advocated, and continues to confirm its readiness to cooperate in the Arctic and the use of the Northern Sea RouteRead moreWorld's first stratospheric platform successfully launched in ArcticResults of the platform's launch will be used for improving communications quality along the Northern Sea RouteRead moreMoldova's return to cooperation with EAEU would be in its best interests — ex-presidentIgor Dodon recalled that during his presidency, Moldova had become the first country to be granted EAEU observer status in May 2018Read moreCENTCOM reports disabling ship that attempted to breach blockade on IranAccording to the US military, the vessel has ignored repeated warnings while en route to an Iranian port via the Gulf of OmanRead moreUK seeks to ‘reboot’ high-level military contacts with Russia — The TimesAccording to the report, UK military chiefs fear an "unintended escalation" caused by the lack of dialogue with MoscowRead moreTrump says he would like to run for third term, but US laws very strictAccording to the US president, "everybody wants" him to do soRead moreUS expert views Gilman’s release as step towards de-escalation ahead of Witkoff’s visitAccording to Gilbert Doctorow, the move also could be aimed at de-escalation between Russia and NATORead moreEU can supply Ukraine with weapons purchased from US — TrumpThe US president reiterated that he does not give weapons to UkraineRead moreRosatom completes construction of Siberian Ring Photon Source compoundThe Siberian Ring Photon Source is a complex of 34 buildings, facilities, and engineering and technological equipment spanning approximately 90,000 square metersRead moreRussia develops Darwin-D protective net to shield roads from UAV attacksThe net is designed to shield highways, major roads, and transportation arteries at least 12 meters wide from attacks by FPV drones and fixed-wing UAVsRead moreTurkey to keep Black Sea closed to military vessels - expertCanan Tercan noted that withdrawing from the Montreux Convention is legally possible, but quite unlikelyRead moreJD Vance personally asks Kiev to stop strikes on CPC infrastructure — newspaperAccording to the Financial Times, the US vice president conveyed Washington’s request in a phone call with Vladimir Zelensky on July 31Read moreRussia warns Ukraine against any provocations against Belarus — Russian diplomatMikhail Galuzin reiterated that the Agreement on Security Guarantees between Russia and Belarus implies "an obvious mechanism for joint response" to actions considered threats to a member of the Union StateRead moreUkrainian forces choose targets to sow fear, panic, but Russia shall win — expertYevgeny Poddubny emphasized that the most important thing for Russia right now is to prevailRead moreIran to join BRICS New Development Bank soon, says Central Bank GovernorAbdolnasser Hemmati said the most important outcome of cooperation among BRICS member states is the creation of the New Development BankRead moreMissile launched by North Korea falls outside Japan's exclusive economic zone — KyodoA source in the country's Defense Ministry told the news agency that there was no information about damage to vessels in the regionRead moreEU uncertain who to pay for Kiev’s 90 bln euro loan — German MEPFabio De Masi accused the German government of irresponsibility for approving the loan to Ukraine without properly assessing the risks and consequences while "nothing has functioned in Germany for a long time."Read moreRubio says Trump nominated him for Secretary of State without prior discussionThe US president called him and said he was going to be the secretary of state, the politician saidRead moreRussian Air Force aircraft fleet almost 100% modernized — commanderSergey Kobylash added that since the start of the Russian special military operation in Ukraine, the Russian Air Force has "achieved impressive results in engaging both ground and air targets"Read moreExpert doubts US is ‘running out of weapons’ due to conflict with IranMikhail Margelov explained that the Americans "have always been very businesslike and efficient in managing their weapons stockpiles, giving up very little over the years"Read morePentagon contractors for Golden Dome complete their first tests — BloombergAs the agency notes, the program included testing data transmission from sensors to the interceptor, as well as demonstration of propulsion systemsRead moreHouthis say they attacked Saudi forces’ positions in YemenThe attack left "dozens killed and wounded, including Saudis," Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree saysRead moreTrump expresses his distrust of IranAt the same time, in the president's opinion, the US is in "a very good position" on the Iranian issueRead moreImplementation of US peace plan for Gaza de-facto stalled — Russia’s UN envoyVasily Nebenzya stated that the ceasefire was still being consistently violated, first of all by the Israeli sideRead moreGerman lawmaker calls on government to rein in financial aid to UkraineMarkus Frohnmaier recalled that since February 2022, Germany has allocated more than 100 billion euro in assistance to UkraineRead moreSu-35S pilot destroys two Ukrainian Su-27s in single air battle — commanderSergey Kobylash added that, "after skillfully executing a maneuver and taking up an advantageous tactical position," the Russian pilot fired three air-to-air missilesRead moreWitkoff says he is meeting released American Gilman in United StatesThe US president's special envoy thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for granting the pardon and for "his personal engagement throughout this process"Read moreSouth Korea calls on North Korea to cease missile launchesThe presidential administration stated that the actions of Pyongyang "are a provocation that violates UN Security Council resolutions"Read moreUS Department of Energy raises Brent oil price outlook to $86.81 in 2026The authority expects "most production" to recover by early 2027Read moreEU wary of 'Trojan horse' as it considers faster enlargement — mediaAccording to the sources, the European Commission was drawing up revised rules for new members, which will be presented to EU leaders at a European Council meeting on October 15Read moreUkrainian parliament admits country’s air defense forces in shamblesAccording to the statement, the authorities stopped informing society instead of addressing "the catastrophic state" Ukraine finds itself in due to "a lack of air defense systems"Read moreTrump says Russia agreed to release Gilman without exchangeAccording to the US leader, the Russian president agreed to release Gilman on a humanitarian basisRead morePutin arrives aboard Varyag missile cruiserPacific Fleet Commander Admiral Viktor Liina reported to the president on the fleet’s ongoing drillsRead moreAircraft possibly carrying Gilman makes stopover in IrelandA source in EU air traffic control services said that Shannon Airport is often used to refuel aircraft before flying over the AtlanticRead moreMoscow to respond in kind if West seizes Russian commercial vessels — PutinThe Russian president emphasized that it wasn’t just about the areas where Russian vessels could be seized but wherever Moscow founds it necessary and reasonableRead moreNovorossiysk declares state of emergency after Ukrainian drone attackAccording to the latest reports, a secondary school, a sports school and a college had been damaged in the attackRead morePutin arrives in Far Eastern city of Yuzhno-SakhalinskThe Russian president will attend the final stage of the Pacific Fleet’s exercisesRead moreRussian Air Force Commander calls Su-57 fighter key element in achieving air superioritySpeaking about the Air Force’s fleet, Sergey Kobylash noted that the "4++" generation multi-role fighters Su-35S and Su-30SM, as well as the Su-34M bombers perform ground support missionsRead moreUS may launch ground operation against Iran by year-end — expertMikhail Margelov said Donald Trump will make decisions depending on how much Republicans loseRead moreIN BRIEF: What we know about release of American Robert Gilman, convicted in RussiaRobert Gilman was detained in 2022 at the Voronezh railway station after being involved in a drunken brawl on the Sukhum-Moscow trainRead moreRussian citizen detained in US state of Louisiana with big batch of drugs — ICEThe investigation is ongoingRead moreUkrainians in Poland paying price for Kiev’s glorification of Nazism — Russian senatorAlexander Voloshin highlighted that the Ukrainian leadership had fostered the most radical forms of nationalism in Eastern Europe for many yearsRead moreIN BRIEF: Latest Russian strike targets defense industry sites, logistic centersThe crews of the Russian Aerospace Forces delivered strikes against Ukrainian temporary deployment sites and drone control centers in the DPR, the Kharkov and Sumy Regions, the Defense Ministry reportedRead moreUS faces $13 billion in damage from Iranian strikes — newspaperIran has damaged or destroyed more than 42 US military aircraft, mostly large drones, but also fighter jetsRead moreKiev concerned over Russia’s Rassvet low-Earth orbit satellite constellationIn late March, Russia’s Bureau 1440 company successfully orbited the first 16 satellites of the Rassvet low-Earth orbit constellationRead moreMoldovan authorities ignoring threats to world from Kiev regime — Russian embassyThe diplomatic mission called on Chisinau to refrain from further escalatory steps that prove to be harmful for Moldovan citizensRead moreTokyo changes position despite prior constructive relations with Russia — PutinAs the Russian leader recalled, the Soviet Union and Japan signed a declaration in the mid-1950s that opened the way to a peace treaty and, consequently, a solution to the issue of the Kuril islandsRead moreSpecial op is most serious test Russia facing over past 30 years — Kalashnikov CEOAccording to Alan Lushnikov, it is still too early to assess the results of the company’s work during the special military operationRead moreRomania's MFA provides no evidence of Russia's involvement in UAV incidents — embassyThe Russian diplomatic mission stated that the officials "were shown pieces of styrofoam" during the meeting with ministry representativesRead moreIN BRIEF: Casualties, strike on overpass in Novorossiysk, 502 UAV attack aftermathAir defense forces shot down several hundred UAVs during a massive attack on Russia’s southern Krasnodar RegionRead moreSupreme Court rules to disqualify Yabloko party from parliamentary pollsThe Yabloko party has five days to appeal the rulingRead moreAll US bases will be seized if Washington uses nuclear weapons against Iran — IRGCBrigadier General Mohammad Reza Naqdi did not clarify whether the Iranian military would occupy the US bases on its own or with the help of other forcesRead moreRussia slams Yerevan over plans to interrogate WWII veteranIt is hard to find clearer evidence of the moral and spiritual decay that leads to rapprochement with the modern faceless, morally impoverished Europe and fraternization with the neo-Nazi Kiev regime, Maria Zakharova statedRead moreIN BRIEF: Putin’s statements on Western 'piracy, robbery', groundless Japan’s claimsThe Russian president said the Pacific Fleet’s marines carry out missions in the Pacific Operational Area "boldly, professionally, and heroically"Read moreSerbian politician questions necessity of Zelensky's visit to BelgradeIn Milos Jovanovic's words, the people of Serbia "feel sad for casualties inflicted by the conflict on the two Slavic peoples," and Belgrade should "maintain the best possible relationship with all countries, including UkraineRead moreThirty-six special op military pilots honored as Heroes of Russia — Defense MinistryAugust 12 marks the 114th anniversary of the establishment of Russian Air ForceRead moreDeath toll in Houthi strike on Tihama rises to sixAnother 10 people were injuredRead moreKiev asks NATO for underwater vehicles, remote detonation systems — documentThe State Emergency Service of Ukraine requested the assistance in enhancing capabilities for humanitarian demining and transportation of explosive ordnanceRead moreSiding with West in conflict with Russia unacceptable for Serbs — politicianMilos Jovanovic explained that the reason was that the West positioned itself as an enemy of Serbia and the people of SerbiaRead moreRussia to resort to measures in response to growing NATO presence in Finland — embassyAccording to a source in the embassy, Russia has repeatedly drawn attention to the detrimental consequences of this policy, and the diplomats are sure that Helsinki are aware of these signalsRead morePress review: EU braces for winter fuel shortage as gold prices set to recoverTop stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, August 12thRead moreUS controls Strait of Hormuz, would strike Iran if it attempted to change that — TrumpThe US president clarified that the strait was under complete controlRead moreTwo suspected Russian drones found floating in Black Sea — Romanian defense ministerAccording to Romania’s acting Defense Minister Radu Miruta, the drones were spotted by a ship working in this area which called a coastal guard boatRead morePress review: NATO boosts Northern Europe presence as Israel blocks Gaza peace effortsTop stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, August 11thRead moreBiden caused US munitions problems by aiding Kiev — TrumpAccording to the US leader, Joe Biden gave Kiev munitions worth $300 billion to UkraineRead moreIN BRIEF: What we know about foiled terrorist attack against Defense Ministry officerThe suspect planned to blow up a car of the employee of the military commissariat of the Krasnodar RegionRead moreTrump confirms release of US citizen Robert Gilman convicted in RussiaAccording to the US President, Robert Gilman will arrive in the United States early on Wednesday Moscow timeRead moreCuba to embark on path of major change before end of Trump's presidential term — RubioThe head of the US foreign policy department did not disclose details of the changes he expectsRead moreSu-57 constitutes key element for achieving air superiority — Russia’s Air Force CommanderSergey Kobylash stated that during the special military operation, Russian aviation and aviation munitions "reached a qualitatively new level"Read moreNearly half of Russians expect app removal to push users to Android, poll showsExperts note that the consequences of removing Russian apps from the App Store could impact not only the current user experience but also the future of Apple's ecosystem in RussiaRead more