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Source says launch of Proton rocket with US communication satellite postponed

MOSCOW, December 26. /TASS/. Launch of Proton-M rocket with US communication satellite EchoStar 21 has been postponed, apparently till mid-January, a source in the space rocket industry has told TASS.

"At this point it looks like the launch has been delayed till mid-January," the source said.

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Russia delays launch of Proton carrier rocket with EchoStar 21 satellite

Earlier, the Khrunichev Center (manufacturer of the Proton-M rocket) said that the launch of the rocket from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan has been postponed for more checks of the rocket and the booster unit. The manufacturer has mentioned no new date of the launch.

Originally, the rocket was to blast off in the first quarter of 2016. The launch has been repeatedly postponed.

The EchoStar-21 satellite (previously named EchoStar T2 and TerreStar 2), manufactured by Space Systems/Loral, is meant to provide communication services in Europe. It is going to become a sixth satellite in the orbital group EchoStar, put in space with a Proton rocket.

The previous launch took place on June 9. The Intelsat 31 satellite was put in space.

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Undocking of Crew Dragon with cosmonaut Grebenkin on board due on Oct. 20 or later — NASA

The undocking was again delayed by weather conditions

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Russian troops close to encircling Kurakhovo after liberation of Maksimilyanovka in DPR

"Maksimilyanovka brings closer the encirclement of Kurakhovo from the southeast," the defense circles said

'Deterrence package' in Zelensky's plan means deploying Western missiles in Ukraine

The Ukrainian president also reiterated his call to immediately invite Ukraine to join NATO, but quickly backtracked saying that "membership would follow later"

All African states to take part in Russia-Africa meeting of foreign ministers in Sirius

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Russia makes another real peace proposal to Kiev — Putin

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Russia, Iran in constant contact regardless of situation in Middle East — senior diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov emphasized that, given the current developments, there is an increased need for dialogue

Zelensky has no chance of implementing his settlement plan — news outlet

On October 16, Zelensky presented his plan for ending the conflict, in which he ruled out territorial concessions

Russia promotes true ideals in sports, such as honor and respect for opponents — Putin

"Building on the vast experience of holding large-scale sports festivals, including the Winter Games in Sochi and the FIFA World Cup, Russia promotes new formats of cooperation," the Russian leader said

Ukrainian trench system discovered in settlements liberated on way to Krasnoarmeysk

DPR head Denis Pushilin announced that he had visited Karlovka, Novosyolovka Pervaya, Peski and seven other settlements

Putin points to attempts of employing global sports arena for ‘unnatural norms’ propaganda

Russian President said that he is certain that global majority chooses a "path to follow that is based on equality"

Portugal’s Ronaldo world’s highest-paid footballer in 2024 — Forbes

Second on the Forbes list was Argentina’s Lionel Messi

Biden arrives in Berlin for meetings with Germany’s leadership

He is expected to hold meetings with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Chancellor Olaf Scholz

Slovak prime minister predicts imminent end of Ukrainian conflict

Robert Fico also noted that "there are talks again about the possibility of Ukraine joining NATO"

Russia has proof of US’, UK’s involvement in sabotage of Nord Stream pipelines — diplomat

The publication of the evidence will depend on how the situation around the investigation unfolds, Maria Zakharova said

North Korea fully severs transport communication with South

A spokesman for North Korea’s Defense Ministry said Pyongyang would take more measures "to permanently fortify the closed southern border"

Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

The Russian military must encircle and eliminate the Ukrainian servicemen operating in the Kursk Region, Major General Apty Alaudinov stressed

Ukrainian president makes nuclear weapons remark out of desperation — newspaper

The Daily Telegraph points out that Western officials have been lukewarm on Zelensky’s "victory plan," saying that it was a wishlist for more weapons rather than a deep strategic masterstroke

Press review: Zelensky's Victory Plan jumbled mess and SCO helps usher in new world order

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US sanctioned three companies, individual, for alleged development of Russian drone

Two Chinese companies, one Russian firm and one Russian national were blacklisted

Zelensky unveils his plan without getting West's approval — media

It is reported that Ukrainian officials were expecting a response during a meeting of the contact group on military assistance to Ukraine at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany

One Direction’s former member Liam Payne falls to death in Buenos Aires

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Ukrainian troops try to leave Selidovo in small groups — security forces

It is noted that the operational situation for the Ukrainian armed forces around the city is deteriorating

G7 working out details of $50 bln Russian-asset backed loan for Kiev — US official

The official said that "leaders will probably cover this in terms of the political will to make this happen by the end of the year"

Zelensky claims nukes only option for Ukraine if NATO denies it entry

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Top Israeli diplomat confirms killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar

Israel Katz described the assassination as "a major military and moral achievement"

Australia takes another step in West’s confrontation with Moscow — Russian envoy

Alexey Pavlovsky noted that the Australian government was "driven by the anti-Russian grand strategy of the West"

Kiev ready for ceasefire along current front line, without recognizing new border — media

A significant number of Ukrainian troops "find themselves trapped" on Russian territory (near Kursk) and are unable to come to aid in Donbass where they are outnumbered in men, the report added

Vessel capsizes on Russia’s Far Eastern island of Sakhalin, killing two — investigators

It is reported that the capsized vessel is the Grigory Lovtsov cargo ship, which was transporting crushed stone and sand

EU countries must take clear stand against Israeli aggression — Hamas

According to the militants, the calls to open the Gaza border crossings, deliver humanitarian aid to the population of the enclave and institute a ceasefire in the Strip contained in the final document of the Brussels meeting "require tangible steps and actions aimed at forcing Israel to cease hostilities and comply with the solutions adopted by the international community"

Russian forces liberate Maksimilyanovka community in Donbass region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted more than 460 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed six enemy ammunition depots over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Blowing up of roads means severance of ties with South Korea — North Korean leader

Kim Jong Un said that it is a foreign country and a hostile state

Ukraine fires at least six artillery rounds at Energodar — official

No casualties or damage were reported in the shelling, the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant's communications director said

Iran to respond 'painfully' if Israel attacks its facilities — commander-in-chief

Recalling Operation True Promise-2 (a massive missile strike on Israel on October 1 in response to the assassination of key leaders of Hamas, Hezbollah and the IRGC), Salami emphasized that it was only a warning for Israel to "learn a lesson"

Russia warns Israel not to attack Iran's nuclear facilities — senior diplomat

"This would be a catastrophic development and a complete rejection of the existing postulates in the sphere of nuclear security," Sergey Ryabkov stressed

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NATO cannot confirm reports about DPRK troops’ involvement in special op — Rutte

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Hamas head Sinwar eliminated during operation in Gaza’s south on October 16 — IDF

The identification process is complete

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There have been no reports of casualties or damage

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"This indicates that we have adopted an unsuccessful strategy in this conflict," Viktor Orban went on to say

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As Sergey Ryabkov noted, "China, being the current coordinator of the nuclear P5, is a more appropriate source for relevant assessments"

EU fails to persuade Gulf states to support anti-Russian sanctions

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"Hungary is a member of NATO, and NATO is rather powerful," Viktor Orban said

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Russian Olympic Committee’s work requires adjustments, says Putin

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Kiev realizes liberation of Kupyansk inevitable — official

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Hamas leader Sinwar eliminated thank to US intelligence - White House

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Germany prepares to give Ukraine AIM-9L missiles and 4,000 attack drones

The list also contains weapons that were already transferred to Kiev over the past month

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