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FBI investigating Russia’s alleged meddling in US election

The probe "includes investigating the nature of any links between individuals associated with the Trump campaign and the Russian government," FBI Director James Comey said

© AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta

WASHINGTON, March 20./TASS/. The FBI is carrying out an investigation to prove possible attempts by the Russian government to interfere in the 2016 US presidential election, FBI Director James Comey said on Monday.

The FBI director acknowledged the existence of investigation against the FBI’s practice not to confirm the existence of ongoing probes. "But in unusual circumstances, where it is in the public interest, it may be appropriate to do so," Comey told the House Intelligence Committee.

The probe "includes investigating the nature of any links between individuals associated with the Trump campaign and the Russian government and whether there was any coordination between the campaign and Russia's efforts," he said.

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He pledged the FBI will be basing on facts. The US authorities hold Russia responsible for cyberattacks, but no proof has been furnished as of yet. These accusations were one of the main reasons for Washington’s slapping sanctions on December 29 that involved several Russian companies, the Federal Security Service and the Main Intelligence Agency of Russia’s General Staff. Besides, the US expelled 35 Russian diplomats and shut down two recreational compounds in New York and Maryland, owned by the Russian government.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Moscow would not expel US diplomats from Russia in response to "unfriendly actions by the outgoing US administration."

Moscow has repeatedly denied any role in cyberattacks. Commenting on the new sanctions, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said they were a manifestation of aggression.

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Military operation in Ukraine

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Russia has confidence in its weapons, senior diplomat says

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Yemen’s Houthis announce hypersonic missile strike at military facility near Tel Aviv

Israel’s Ynet media outlet reports that at least 30 people suffered injuries after a missile fired from Yemen fell in central Israel

Scholz, German Interior Minister booed during visit to terrorist attack site — newspaper

A protest broke out during the chancellor's and minister's visit, with demonstrators whistling and shouting "Get out!"

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

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

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Russian cancer vaccine to be free of charge — top oncologist

It is planned to launch it in general circulation in early 2025

What is known about Russia’s retaliatory strike on Ukraine after attack on Rostov Region

Kiev Mayor Vitaly Klitschko reported the fires in Solomensky and Shevchenkovsky districts

Russian troops liberate 10 communities in Donbass region over week — top brass

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Aleppo taken by 350 militants while 30,000 gov’t troops retreated without fight — Putin

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Earlier, Ukrainian media reported about explosions in the capital, and local authorities informed about the work of air defenses

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Ukrainian shelling of Russia’s Rylsk damages 12 buildings — governor

Three of them are not subject to restoration, Alexander Khinshtein said

Russia manages situation in Ukraine, while West in big trouble — US political scientist

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Kremlin spokesman clarifies Putin’s statement about Oreshnik 'duel'

"It is very important to talk about these statements by the president in the context of the question he was asked," Dmitry Peskov pointed out

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US Navy cruiser mistakenly downs F/A-18 fighter over Red Sea

According to US Central Command, the incident occurred during airstrikes on Houthi facilities

Ukraine to halt Russian gas transit on January 1, 2025 — Ukrainian PM

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Airborne troops from Russia’s Battlegroup Dnepr wipe out enemy position in Kherson region

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Putin to extend New Year greetings to peoples of several unfriendly countries — Kremlin

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Andrey Marochko noted that Russian forces had "slightly advanced" in the northern and southern parts of Chasov Yar

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All foreign personnel of international humanitarian organizations have also left, the Russian Embassy in Pyongyang said

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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

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

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

The president noted that Russia had become much stronger over the past two or three years as it became a truly sovereign country

Trump appoints TV producer Burnett as special envoy to UK

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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

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

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Proposal to duel with West response to claims of Oreshnik missile vulnerability — Kremlin

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Eight people killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza Strip — TV

According to Al Jazeera, Israeli forces shelled a residential building in Deir al-Balah and a downtown Khan Yunis

Russia to raise issue of Ukrainian strikes on Rylsk at UNSC meeting on Friday — diplomat

Acting Kursk Region Governor Alexander Khinshtein said earlier that the town of Rylsk, located some 120 kilometers west of Kursk, had come under Ukrainian fire

Moscow lets US media freely work in Russia, despite opposite situation in US, Putin says

The Russian President stressed that, judging by the questions coming from the Western media as well as those who pay their salaries in the US, there is a clear desire to portray Russia as being in bad shape

Slovak PM to visit Moscow for talks with Putin, Serbian president says

"Robert Fico will travel to visit Putin as a European countries leader," Aleksandar Vucic said

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

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

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Press review: Putin outlines Russia's future goals and Tehran faces energy blackout riots

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German chancellor exasperated by idea of spending frozen Russian assets to help Kiev

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Kiev takes out its anger for military defeats on Russian people — diplomat

Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also emphasized that Moscow is outraged by the hypocritical silence of the West and its media on the terrorist attacks in Russia

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Russian sleeper agents open up about secret trip to 2018 World Cup

The married couple, Artyom Dultsev and Anna Dultseva, returned home as a result of an exchange

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

An-2 plane missing in Kamchatka located, survivors found — regional emergencies ministry

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Kremlin mum on reports about Slovakian prime minister's plans to visit Moscow

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said earlier that the Slovak prime minister intended to hold talks with Putin on December 23 amid Vladimir Zelensky's refusal to extend gas transit through Ukraine

Artyom military plant reportedly on fire after explosions in Kiev

The Artyom plant is known for producing air-to-air missiles, as well as equipment for aircraft

Putin suggests Zelensky may flee abroad, says Russia would take him in

"But he will be taken care of by those people whose interests he is serving now," the Russian leader said

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