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Conflict in Syria

Diplomat confirms Russia to support Syrian government’s efforts against terrorism

Moscow and Damascus confirm commitment to political settlement in Syria through a broad intra-Syrian dialogue

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General Staff: Syrian army takes control of 93% of Aleppo’s territory

MOSCOW, December 9. /TASS/. Russian president’s envoy for the Middle East and African countries and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov met on Friday with Syria’s Ambassador to Russia Riyad Haddad and confirmed Russia’s principled position in support on the Syrian government in its efforts against terrorism and extremism, the Russian foreign ministry said.

"The sides discussed the current military and political situation in Syria, primarily in its northern areas," the ministry said. "The Russian side confirmed its principled position in support of the Syrian government in its efforts against international terrorism and extremism and commitment to further humanitarian assistance to civilians affected by the conflict."

"The sides stressed Moscow’s and Damascus’ commitment to political settlement in Syria through a broad intra-Syrian dialogue in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254," the ministry underscored.

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Foreign policy Syrian conflict

Slovak PM thanks Putin in Russian for meeting with him

This was Putin’s first personal meeting with Fico since 2016

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Russian Defense Ministry Spokesman Igor Konashenkov also informed of the death of the deputy commander of the army corps for military-political work, Colonel Yevgeny Brovko, who led the efforts of the personnel

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The ministry clarified that Ukraine launched a missile strike against the Kamensky Integrated Plant in the Rostov Region using six US-made ATACMS missiles and four Storm Shadow cruise missiles

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Scholz says he intends to continue to speak directly with Putin in future

The German Chancellor claimed he intended to "make clear" to the Russian leader the need for his contribution to ending the conflict and withdrawing troops

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The defebse minister noted that "instead of working for the reconstruction of Afghanistan after the hasty withdrawal from it, the NATO countries are trying in various ways to restore their military presence in the Central Asian region"

Putin opens new transport infrastructure sites in Russian regions via video link

Putin also took part in the ceremony of opening international airports in Magadan, Cheboksary, and Stavropol

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According to Dmitry Peskov, although the upcoming meeting will be informal, its agenda is going to be quite busy

Oreshnik’s launch is sudden, undetectable by satellites — analyst

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Victor Orban also said that hopes for the development of economic cooperation with the United States after President-elect Donald Trump takes office

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Eight motor vehicles and two electronic warfare stations were also destroyed? the ministy added

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Musk believes Germany’s Scholz should step down after car drives into crowd in Magdeburg

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Oreshnik test launch forces London to take a step back — Russian ambassador

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Trump appoints TV producer Burnett as special envoy to UK

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The Russian Aerospace Forces downed two Su-27 fighter jets of Ukraine’s air forces in 24 hours

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Kiev to face more destruction after its UAV attack on Kazan, Putin warns

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Putin responds to question about Russia's weakness by quoting Mark Twain

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Death toll from Israeli strikes on Gaza Strip exceeds 45,200 — health ministry

More than 107,600 people received wounds

Mourhaf Abu Qasra becomes top Syrian defense official in transitional government — TV

According to Al Watan newspaper, Abu Qasra was the commander of the military wing of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham movement

Russia continues to provide military assistance to Syria — Lavrov

"It is not our business to forecast," he said

Two freight trains collide at Trans-Baikal Railways, traffic suspended

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Ukrainian troops struggling to escape being trapped in Lozovaya in Kharkov region — expert

In general, "quite active hostilities" are taking place near Dvurechnaya and Lozovaya in the Kupyansk sector of the line of engagement, Andrey Marochko noted

Assad allegedly hands list of military targets over to Israel before leaving Syria — media

According to the Turkish newspaper, the former Syrian president did it to ensure his own safety

Civilian industrial complex supplies Russian army with over 65 types of units — top brass

Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov praised the new mechanisms for accelerating the introduction of advanced weapons and equipment developed by the civilian defense industrial complex in the interests of the Russian army

US confirms strikes on Houthi command posts in Yemen

CENTCOM forces also shot down several Houthi unmanned aerial vehicles and an anti-ship cruise missile over the Red Sea

Houthis say attacked US aircraft carrier in Red Sea, shot down US fighter jet

According to the Houthi spokesman, the strike on US vessels was delivered with the use of "eight cruise missiles and 17 drones"

Drone attack triggers fire at fuel infrastructure facility in Russia’s Oryol Region

Currently, the Oryol Region is yet again under a massive enemy UAV attack

Russia ready to normalize relations with US without detriment to its interests — Putin

The previous generation of Russian politicians chose the course towards the country’s destruction for the sake of joining the so-called civilized world but this was what the West wanted, President Vladimir Putin

Lavrov describes attack by insurgents in Syria as carefully planned

"We will oppose this in every possible way. We will support the legitimate Syrian government. And at the same time, of course, we will actively advocate the need to resume dialogue with the opposition, as required by [UN] Resolution 2254," Lavrov continued

Russia to retaliate against Ukrainian strikes, just as Putin said — Kremlin

"Russia’s position is well known, it was voiced by Putin back in St. Petersburg," Dmitry Peskov stressed

Key rate, inflation and criticism of Central Bank: statements by regulator’s chief

The Bank of Russia has taken a pause in raising the key rate, though a long period of tough monetary policy will be required to bring inflation back to the target

Ukraine’s General Staff admits tense situation along entire frontline

The Ukrainian military also admitted the Russian army’s supremacy in terms of military equipment and the size of personnel

Zelensky actually flips the bird to Trump by insulting Putin, Medvedev says

The politician emphasized that "the president of a major country should be extremely polite and amiable"

Air raid alert issued in six Ukrainian regions

Earlier, an air raid alert was declared in the Kiev, Sumy and Chernigov Regions

Russia’s Battlegroup South liberates settlement of Ostrovskogo in DPR — Defense Ministry

"The enemy lost up to 285 troops, two armored combat vehicles, two motor vehicles, a D-30 122 mm howitzer, a US-made M119 105 mm howitzers and five field ammunition depots," the ministry added

Almost 20 drones downed over four Russian regions, Black Sea last night

According to Russia's Defence Ministry, attempts to conduct attacks against facilities on Russian soil were thwarted

Top Turkish diplomat calls for listing anti-Syrian sanctions

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Turkish president calls on West to stop Israel in Syria before it’s too late

"All international mechanisms need to be effectively employed in order to prevent Israel from exploiting the situation in Syria," Recep Tayyip Erdogan said

Press review: EU imposes new anti-Russian sanctions and Russia braces for NATO conflict

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, December 17th

Syrian development help prevent regional war — Syria’s new leader

Ahmed аl-Sharaa expressed hope for building strategic relations with Lebanon