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Conflict in Syria

US withholds info on Syria chemical attack because it proves nothing — Russian military

Anonymous US government sources earlier said that the US intelligence allegedly intercepted conversations in which Syrian military officials discuss preparations for using sarin

Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov Sergei Bobylyov/Russian Defense Ministry's press service/TASS

Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov

© Sergei Bobylyov/Russian Defense Ministry's press service/TASS

MOSCOW, April 14. /TASS/. The fact that Washington chose not to disclose its information on the alleged chemical attack in Syria proves that the United States has no convincing evidence, a spokesman for the Russian Defense Ministry said on Friday.

"If the US special services choose to further keep secret their alleged evidence of crimes against humanity, there can only be one possible explanation for it - they simply have no irrefutable evidence," Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said, commenting on media reports about the alleged records of communications between the Syrian military intercepted by the US intelligence.

Read also

Syria ready to provide OPCW investigators access to Shayrat airbase — UN envoy

"In line with a long-standing tradition, the Pentagon always mentions some ‘irrefutable’ evidence of atrocities in an attempt to justify every US violation of the international law and particularly US military aggression against sovereign states. And the more contrived this pseudo-evidence is, the more secretive they are," the spokesman added.

CNN reported Wednesday, citing unnamed US government sources, that the country’s intelligence allegedly intercepted conversations in which Syrian military officials discuss preparations for using nerve agent sarin in the province of Idlib. The sources blamed forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Asad for the alleged chemical attack in the province on April 4.

Russia’s Defense Ministry said that on April 4, the Syrian air force had delivered an airstrike on militant-held eastern outskirts of the town of Khan Shaykhun to destroy facilities that illegal armed groups used to produce chemical-laden munitions.

Washington accused Damascus of using chemical weapons against civilians. On April 7, US President Donald Trump ordered to strike the Shayrat military air base in the Homs Governorate with 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles in retaliation for the alleged attack.

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Middle East conflict

US should assist ICC in arresting Netanyahu — Columbian president

Earlier on Thursday, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Palestine

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

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

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

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

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Zelensky to have no input if Russia, US negotiate, ex-Prime Minister says

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

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Ukraine’s former top commander sought to blow up Turkish Stream pipeline, report says

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

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China slams US nuclear policy for undermining global stability

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Bitcoin price exceeds $96,000, sets new historical record — Binance platform

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Romanian presidential candidate vows to end military aid to Ukraine

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

Six European countries accuse Russia of allegedly attacking security architecture

"Moscow's escalating hybrid activities against NATO and EU countries are unprecedented in their variety and scale," the statement reads

US admiral says Washington should be ready for talks with Russia, China

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

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Kiev suffering fiasco on entire front line — aide to DPR head

Igor Kimakovsky said that "if the West is not physically involved in this war, that is, if NATO is not involved, then Ukraine is actually losing"

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

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

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

People are refusing to go to safer places because of Ukraine's unwillingness to provide basic sanitation for refugees

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

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

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

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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"

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"The US continues to benefit from the Ukrainian crisis, regardless of which administration is in power," Andrey Sushentsov said

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It was also reported that over 100 people were wounded

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Major-General Gholamreza Soleimani stressed it was essential to inform the world that Israel had failed and now survives solely relying on support from the United States

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

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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

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

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Humanitarian crisis in Kiev-controlled Kupyansk district of Kharkov Region near critical

According to Yevgeny Lisnyak, the Ukrainian authorities supply water for a short time, once every three days

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

Indonesia accepts invitation to become partner state in BRICS, ambassador announces

In this role, Indonesia "will actively contribute to and participate in any initiatives of BRICS," Jose Antonio Morato Tavares emphasized

Ukraine, not Russia, posing a threat to the Baltic region — Kremlin

Two underwater cables were damaged in the Baltic Sea on November 17 and 18

Putin previously warned about Kiev's attempts to blow up TurkStream pipeline — Kremlin

According to the newspaper, Zaluzhny was so enthusiastic about the Nord Stream pipelines sabotage that he "even wanted to expand" the operation

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

More desperation in Zelensky's appeals, ex-NATO commander says

According to Stavridis, the Ukrainian armed forces are facing "mounting personnel losses," while Kiev is growing concerned about the possibility of the incoming US administration

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

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

The last Direct Line Q&A session and year-end press conference was held on December 14, 2023

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

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

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

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

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

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

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FACTBOX: What is known about UAV attacks on Russian regions

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Moscow-Washington hotline not in use now — Kremlin spokesman

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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

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

Gallup poll shows sharp decline in Ukrainian support for American policies

The number of people who oppose what the US authorities are doing has risen by 21% and now stands at 37%

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"

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

Ministry Spokesman Christophe Lemoine also avoided answering if Paris supports strikes with these missiles on Russian territory, only saying that the missiles were shipped to Ukraine, and Ukraine

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"

Newly arrived Ukrainian soldiers rob, loot in Kharkov Region’s Kupyansk

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Russian troops liberate Dalneye community in Donbass region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted roughly 380 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed a British-made howitzer and four US-made artillery guns in its area of responsibility over the past day

Moscow, Minsk in constant contact on potential threats to Belarus — Kremlin

"We have obligations to ensure the security of our ally Belarus within the framework of the Union State, and these obligations are enshrined in the recently published Basic Principles of the State Policy of the Russian Federation on Nuclear Deterrence," Dmitry Peskov pointed out

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"

Japanese lawmaker urges global condemnation of decision on missile strikes on Russia

Muneo Suzuki described Joe Biden’s decision as "dangerous and provocative"

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

The journalist also criticized US House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson (a Republican representing the state of Louisiana) for "not even mentioning it in public or in leadership meetings" with factions in the lower house of Congress

Russian troops liberate Ilyinka community in Donbass region over past day

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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

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."

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 is now at war with Russia, Ritter says

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

Vladimir Zelensky also talked about the Crimean Peninsula, stating that Kiev is ready to "bring Crimea back diplomatically"

US strategic forces ready for Biden-Trump transition — Pentagon

"The nuclear forces is ready on January 19, just like it will be ready on January, 20," Rear Admiral Thomas Buchanan said

Freezing Ukrainian conflict unacceptable for Russia, says Kremlin

"It is important for us to achieve our goals, which are well known to everyone," Dmitry Peskov emphasized

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

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

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

Earlier, Tucker Carlson said that Joe Biden's approval of long-range missile strikes by the Ukrainian army deep inside Russia could threaten US people

Russian forces gain foothold in central Chasov Yar in DPR — expert

While Ukrainian commanders have been making every effort to stabilize the situation in Chasov Yar, Kiev does not have enough soldiers, weapons or military hardware for that, Andrey Marochko said

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

"By authorizing long range missiles to strike inside Russia, Biden is committing an unconstitutional Act of War that endangers the lives of all US citizens," Thomas Massie said