What happened on the day of May 18. The main thing

The US Treasury Department has announced the extension of a temporary license that removes operations for the sale and transportation of Russian oil and petroleum products from sanctions. A new permit has been issued for 30 days. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent explained that this is necessary to stabilize the energy markets against the backdrop of the war in Iran, but the Reuters news agency calls the decision insufficient. Other main events of the day are in the Izvestia digest.

Ushakov's briefing on Putin's visit to China

Russian Presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said that about 40 documents are scheduled to be signed during Russian Leader Vladimir Putin's official visit to China on May 19-20. These are intergovernmental, interagency, and commercial agreements, as well as a declaration on a multipolar world. Putin will be accompanied by five deputy prime ministers, eight ministers, as well as representatives of the presidential administration, heads of regions and heads of large businesses. Negotiations are planned in a narrow format with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Russian gymnasts allowed to compete with a flag and anthem

The Executive Committee of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) has allowed Russian gymnasts to participate in international competitions under the national flag and with the national anthem. Prior to that, starting in 2024, Russians had the opportunity to perform on the world stage only in a neutral status. Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev congratulated the Russian athletes on this decision.

Former head of Zelensky's office Ermak released from jail on bail

The former head of the office of the President (OP) of Ukraine, Vladimir Zelensky, Andriy Ermak, was released from jail after posting bail in the amount of 140 million hryvnias (about $ 3.2 million). According to Ukrainska Pravda, the money was transferred by seven individuals and seven legal entities. Ermak himself assured that he was not going to flee Ukraine while his criminal case on money laundering through real estate was being investigated.

The Russian army has launched a massive attack on Ukrainian military installations

On the night of May 18, the Russian Armed Forces launched a massive strike with high-precision land-based, sea-based weapons and attack drones (UAVs) against enterprises of the military-industrial complex (MIC) of Ukraine. Fuel and energy, transport and port infrastructure facilities used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces and military airfields were also hit. The Russian Defense Ministry stressed that the strike was a response to Kiev's terrorist attacks on civilian targets in Russia.

Putin discussed the development of the rare earth metals industry with the Security Council

Putin held a meeting with permanent members of the Security Council of the Russian Federation. The Head of State discussed the development of the rare earth metals sector to ensure technological sovereignty and national security of the Russian Federation. Putin noted that this issue is extremely important. The meeting was attended by Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, FSB Director Alexander Bortnikov and his colleague from the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) Sergei Naryshkin.

Ex-deputy of the State Duma Gadzhiyev was sentenced to life in absentia.

The Supreme Court of Dagestan has sentenced former State Duma deputy Magomed Gadzhiev (recognized as a foreign agent in the Russian Federation) to life imprisonment in absentia for organizing murder and extortion on an especially large scale. According to the investigation, in 2011 he organized the murder of Maksud Sadikov, rector of the Institute of Theology, and his nephew in Makhachkala. Gadzhiev's brother, the former head of the Makhachkala seaport, Ahmed Gadzhiev, received 10 years in prison for raiding.

Drone attacks on Russian regions

UAV attacks have been reported in several regions of Russia. In Sevastopol, according to the authorities, 66 residential buildings and 34 cars were damaged as a result of the previous massive attack. In the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), a civilian was killed and another man was injured by a Ukrainian drone strike on a car in the village of Dmitrovka. In the Nizhny Novgorod region, the air defense forces repelled an attack by more than 20 UAVs. According to Governor Gleb Nikitin, there were no casualties, but minor damage to civilian infrastructure was recorded.