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Conflict in Syria

US Navy carrier strike group due in Persian Gulf in May — Russian top brass

The US aircraft carrier strike group is due to arrive in the Persian Gulf approximately at the beginning of May

© Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class J. M. Tolbert/ U.S. Navy via AP

MOSCOW, April 11. /TASS/. The US aircraft carrier strike group is due to arrive in the Persian Gulf approximately at the beginning of May, Lieutenant General Viktor Poznikhir, the first deputy chief of the Russian General Staff’s Main Operations Directorate, told reporters on Wednesday.

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‘Smart missiles’ should hit terrorists, not legitimate government — Russian diplomat

"We are aware that the US carrier battle group led by the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman and escorting ships are heading to the Persian Gulf and are scheduled to arrive in about early May," he said. "That is an established practice of US Navy’s presence in the region."

Poznikhir assured that Russia’s General Staff was closely watching "the situation unfolding around Syria and in the entire region." According to the general, of particular concern is the Syrian city of Raqqa because of an extremely dire epidemiological situation there.

"Instead of threatening with missile strikes on Syria, the US-led coalition should embark on reconstruction of the ruined city and to provide comprehensive aid to the population in distress," the general said.

Earlier, US Navy officials said that the US Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group would leave Norfolk, Virginia and head to the Middle East amid mounting tension in Syria sparked by an alleged poison gas attack in the Syrian town of Douma.

On Monday, President Donald Trump vowed that he would be making major decisions "over the next 24 to 48 hours" about the United States’ swift action against the Syrian authorities following the suspected chemical weapons attack on civilians in Douma.

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Russian Defense Ministry Syrian conflict

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Japanese lawmaker praises Putin's restraint amid decision to strike deep into Russia

Top EU diplomat Josep Borrell confirmed that the US administration had lifted restrictions for US-supplied missiles to be used for strikes up to 300 kilometers inside Russia

Russian embassy warns UK about dangers of calling for Moscow’s ‘defeat’

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US is now at war with Russia, Ritter says

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Russian forces push Ukrainian troops 10 km away from Lisichansk in LPR — expert

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US makes mistake by destroying INF Treaty — Putin

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Russian troops liberate Dalneye community in Donbass region over past day

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Russia’s reaction to Austrian OMV’s failure to pay for gas justified — MFA

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Biden's decision on missile strikes on Russia is his 'last gasp' — Japanese lawmaker

Earlier, Muneo Suzuki emphasized on his blog that the decision that this decision by Biden on the tail-end of his presidency looked like "a last gasp"

Zelensky admits Ukraine can't fight its way back to 1991 borders

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Trump seeks to restore peace in entire world — transition team on Putin’s address

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Zelensky begs ‘for his country to be flattened’ — US journalist

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Russia to address NATO’s engagement in strikes deep inside country — SVR

Sergey Naryshkin observed that the military and political elites in the West are increasingly recognizing the gravity of Russia's intentions and the need for greater caution in their actions

Moscow hopes West will thoroughly analyze Russia's nuclear doctrine — ambassador

Andrey Kelin also recalled that the policy of the Russian leadership enjoys the full support and confidence of the country's population

Russian State Duma passes law on federal budget for 2025-2027

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Ex-UK Labor party leader wants PM to clarify situation with Storm Shadow missiles

Jeremy Corbyn called for de-escalation of the situationin Ukraine and the search for a diplomatic solution to achieve peace

Russian troops raise flag in central Kurakhovo in Donetsk region — politician

Russian army units have advanced much farther into the city’s northern part, in particular, along the southern bank of the Kurakhovo reservoir, Vladimir Rogov specified

Decision on strikes inside Russia seals US puppet Zelensky’s fate — commentator

The New York Times reported earlier, citing sources, that US President Joe Biden had authorized the use of US-made ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles for strikes inside Russia

Trump's new presidency will be fundamentally different from his first — expert in the US

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Elon Musk denies his impact on Trump’s decisions on nominates for cabinet positions

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Biden's decision to use ATACMS on Russia threatens to kill Americans — Tucker Carlson

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ICC issues arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant for alleged crimes in Gaza Strip

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Enemy has no countermeasures for Russia’s Oreshnik missile — Putin

Speaking in a televised address, the head of state assured that Russia will issue notifications before using this type of missile

US Congressman urges to impeach Biden for allowing strikes deep into Russia

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US decision on missile strikes aimed at provoking Russia, expert says

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US journalist calls US President Joe Biden’s government 'the fascist state'

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Ukrainian conflict acquires global elements after strikes with Western missiles — Putin

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French Foreign Ministry refuses to disclose number of SCALP missiles shipped to Ukraine

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According to the report, the Ukrainian military has sufficient launchers that are capable of firing them

Soyuz rocket carrying Progress MS-29 cargo spaceship blasts off from Baikonur spaceport

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Russia hit Ukrainian military-industrial facility in response to use of Western missiles

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Residents of Kupyansk, Kovsharovka in Kharkov Region returning to their homes

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Official declines to say if US gives Ukraine targeting data for Storm Shadow missiles

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Russia encircles largest Ukrainian fortification in southern DPR — security services

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Angela Merkel added that another fallacy was the belief that the status "would act as a deterrent," and that Moscow "would accept these developments without taking action"

Railroad development to strengthen ties with foreign partners — Russian PM

Mikhail Mishustin added that "it is necessary to modernize border crossings in coming years, including introduction of practice of electronic paperwork"

Putin’s Q&A session and press conference to be held on one of December Thursdays — Kremlin

"The direct line and press conference are being prepared," Dmitry Peskov said

Russia counts on West's responsibility in nuclear deterrence issues — Kremlin

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin decreed to update the country’s nuclear doctrine, the Basic Principles of the State Policy of the Russian Federation on Nuclear Deterrence

Russian forces successfully advancing in all areas in special military op zone — Putin

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Russian diplomat accuses West of using coercive measures to punish certain countries

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Media from unfriendly states will be admitted to Putin's annual press conference — Kremlin

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Russian ambassador says UK prime minister doesn’t understand situation in Ukraine

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All restrictions that Western countries impose affect themselves in the first place, Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov added

Defeating Ukrainian forces near Olgovskaya wood, enemy losses: situation in Kursk Region

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Xi Jinping calls for unification of more voices for peace in Ukraine

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Russian air defense deflects attacks with Western missiles — Putin

"As a result, the goals that the enemy apparently set have not been achieved," the Russian leader said

US Senate refuses to block arms supplies to Israel

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US missile defense base in Poland long among Russian army’s targets — Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova stated that the US-NATO construction project, ongoing for nearly a decade with complete disregard to Russian security concerns, has consistently been a focus of Russia's attention

NATO enters conflict, Russia has every right to attack its targets now — expert

Col. (Ret.) Lawrence Wilkerson confirmed to TASS that the launch of ATACMS missiles would be impossible without "US/NATO satellite feeds and/or personnel"

Kremlin condemns report on Storm Shadow missile use against Russian targets as escalation

Dmitry Peskov chose not to respond to a question about whether Russia has proof that UK-made Storm Shadow missiles had been used against it

Biden’s decision to use ATACMS against Russia may 'blow up in America’s face' — US expert

According to Daniel Davis authorizing US long-range weapons to be used against Russia is "foolhardy to the highest order," "especially because there is no military upside for doing so"

NATO deployment to Ukraine would mark its entry into the war, Russian diplomat warns

According to Maria Zakharova, the Estonian minister is inciting other NATO members to engage in a venture that is "bound to fail"

US decision on strikes inside Russia stems from malice rather than strategy — journalist

According to Sumantra Maitra, Washington’s move will not improve Kiev’s situation

UK police say no video evidence of Russians’ involvement in Salisbury case

According to the report, CCTV cams were not installed on Christie Miller road in Salisbury

Trump to continue using Ukraine to contain Russia — Valdai program director

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Putin sends message to those seeking to 'add fuel to fire' before Trump’s return — expert

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Press review: Uranium costs soar as Moscow updates nuclear doctrine and US OKs attacks

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, November 20th

West’s decision on missile strikes gives Russia free hand to attack NATO bases — expert

According to Dmitry Suslov, retaliatory measures may include the handover of more advanced weapons to the forces "that are directly fighting against the US, particularly, in the Middle East"

NATO supports Ukraine not out of charity but for its own strategic interests — deputy head

Boris Ruge argued that NATO now has hundreds of thousands of troops that could be deployed to the alliance's eastern flank or elsewhere within ten days

China holds US responsible for disrupted defense ministers' meeting in Laos

Wu Qian stated that the United States must immediately correct its mistakes, "honestly respect China’s main interests, and seek to create favorable conditions for high-level contacts between the military of the two countries"

Moscow won’t allow US to silence UNSC as Washington backs Israel — Russian UN envoy

According to Vasily Nebenzya, the Security Council should "bring peace, stability and prosperity to the Middle East"

Press review: Russian air defenses can down Western missiles as EU conducts live exercise

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, November 19th

Romanian presidential candidate vows to end military aid to Ukraine

It is pointed out that Simion’s popularity has propelled him to number two in the polls after Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu

Trump may soon start talks with Russia following Biden’s decision on ATACMS — news agency

According to Andreas Kluth, the decision on ATACMS may have been another attempt by the current Washington administration to provide Ukraine with support until the president-elect comes to power

US uses veto right to block new UN Security Council draft resolution on ceasefire in Gaza

The resolution was drafted by ten non-permanent members of the Security Council and consists of nine paragraphs, the first of which calls for an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire respected by all parties

Lukashenko tells Putin situation is "starting to get tense with Wagner"

The Belarusian leader noted that they want to go to Warsaw

Moscow-Washington hotline not in use now — Kremlin spokesman

Dmitry Peskov added that there have been no contacts via this new channel lately

Canada neglects its sovereignty by approving transfer of land mines to Kiev — diplomat

According to Oleg Stepanov, since the authorities of the country have long acted, "especially in security matters, according to the rule 'what Uncle Sam says, so Ottawa will do' and don’t blush about this."

China slams US nuclear policy for undermining global stability

The United States continues to modernize its nuclear triad, Lin Jian noted

Russian troops liberate Ilyinka community in Donbass region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted roughly 500 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed five enemy ammunition depots in its area of responsibility over the past day

Putin warns West that Russia can respond to any turn of events

"There will always be an answer," the president said

IN BRIEF: What Putin said about Russia’s new missile, and Moscow’s response to the West

Moscow used its new Oreshnik medium-range hypersonic ballistic missile in response to the West’s decision to authorize strategic-depth strikes on Russia

Putin orders protection of critical infrastructure, including Crimean Bridge — Kremlin

Kiev has not accepted the legitimate results of the 2014 referendum, in which the people of Crimea and Sevastopol voted to become part of Russia, and is displeased by the operation of the Crimean Bridge, which connects the Kerch Strait with the Krasnodar Region

Biden’s actions increase likelihood of escalation in Ukraine — PM

Viktor Orban asserted that the government’s mission is to prevent Hungary from being dragged into the Ukrainian conflict

West launched missiles targeting Russia’s Bryansk, Kursk Regions — Putin

Russian air defenses repulsed all attacks, the Russian president said

Weapons supplied to Ukraine cannot reach Russian territory, Spanish defense minister says

The New York Times reported on November 17 that US President Joe Biden had authorized the use of US-supplied ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles for strikes inside Russia

Russian army pushes Ukraine out of Kurakhovo water reservoir’s north shore

According to Igor Kimakovsky, the only road the Ukrainian armed forces could use to leave the city is under Russia’s control

Russian forces dislodge Ukrainian troops from half of positions in Kurakhovo in DPR

The Ukrainian military is attempting to move reserves to the city’s western outskirts as shown by data-recording equipment, the source said

Ukrainian special services assemble unit for sabotage attacks in Kupyansk — official

According to Yevgeny Lisnyak, the special services threaten people with criminal charges of collaborationism if they refuse to join the unit

ATACMS missiles unlikely to keep Kiev from losing conflict — American expert

Daniel Davis also noted that "continuing to ignore reality" would only increase "the ultimate cost of losing" the conflict for Ukraine

US vote at UNSC rejected chance of stopping 'horrific bloodshed' in Gaza, Russian MFA says

"Once again, a chance to free the hostages, who include Russian nationals, has been missed," the statement reads

Putin confirms Russia’s readiness to assist CAR with security challenges

"Both leaders exchanged views on regional issues, focusing on the fight against the terrorist threat and ensuring stability across the Central African Republic," the statement reads

Russia’s revised nuclear doctrine makes defeat over its army impossible — SVR chief

According to the latest version of the document, the core principle is that nuclear weapons are a last resort to ensure the protection of the country’s sovereignty

Preliminary data shows anti-ship missile downed over Sevastopol waters — official

Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev said that all emergencies services currently work in the high alert mode

Russia to use revenues from frozen assets of Western investors — Finance Minister

Tit-for-tat measures will be implemented after receiving information about unfriendly actions of Western countries, Anton Siluanov noted

US, NATO decision on strikes continues policy of escalation — Putin

"Experts are well aware - and the Russian side has repeatedly underscored this - that it is impossible to use these weapons without direct participation of military specialists from the countries that produce these weapons," the president said