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Putin signs decree to draft over 130,000 conscripts into Russian Army in spring

In the spring of 2020, Russia drafted 135,000 conscripts

MOSCOW, March 29. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree on the Army's spring draft that will run from April 1 to July 15 this year, according to the document posted on the website of the government’s legal information web portal on Monday.

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Putin signs decree on military conscription for 132,000 people this autumn

"To draft 134,650 Russian citizens aged 18-27 for military service from April 1 to July 15 this year who are not in reserve and are subject to active duty," the document says.

The decree also orders to discharge soldiers, seamen, sergeants and master sergeants whose conscription term has expired from military service.

In the spring of 2020, Russia drafted 135,000 conscripts into the Armed Forces.

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While Western anti-missile systems have seen "substantial" upgrades, no one will ever be able to shoot down Oreshnik missiles, the Russian leader boasted

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Dmitry Peskov pointed to "stagnation in Europe and a fairly high rate of development in our economy"

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The flames, which are suspected to have been set off by a short circuit, were put out and no casualties were reported

First ATM servicing Russia’s Mir cards open in capital of Nicaragua — Ambassador

According to the ambassador, a more active entry of Russian financial structures into the Nicaraguan market is on the agenda

Russian troops advance towards Neskuchnoye in Donbass region

Vladimir Rogov told TASS on December 17 that Russian troops had approached the outskirts of Storozhevoye from the side of the liberated settlements of Makarovka and Blagodatnoye and engaged in battles for that community

Air defenses shoot down four missiles over Zaporozhye Region, governor says

"The fragments of one of the missiles fell into the Sea of Azov near Berdyansk, while the fragments of others fell in a field west of Tokmak," Yevgeny Balitsky said

Ukraine’s army attacks Russia’s borderline Belgorod Region with 34 UAVs in past day

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US allegations on China’s support of Russian military-industrial complex are groundless

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Gerasimov says international security deteriorates as West wants to keep dominating

It is reported that the Russian forces keep the initiative and advance in the whole front despite colossal aid to Kiev from the West

Crimean air assault regiment destroys Abrams tank in Russia’s Kursk Region

The statement highlighted that advanced FPV drones, equipped with munitions and operated via fiber optics, take off for daily missions

Number of injured people in collision of trains near Murmansk rises to 31

Murmansk Region Governor Andrey Chibis stated earlier in the day that one of victims in the trains’ collision died in a hospital bringing the death toll to two people

US keeps silent its money turns Zelensky regime into terrorist cell — Russian MFA

According to Maria Zakharova, the State Department "did not hesitate to include blatant falsehoods in its report"

NATO’s intention to integrate Ukraine prevents long-term settlement — Russian diplomat

According to Sergey Ryabkov, this is an attempt by the world's largest military bloc to make one of the largest nuclear powers suffer a strategic defeat

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

According to Andrey Kelin, the UK’s official reaction to the launch of the Oreshnik missile was rather vague

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Israeli tanks open fire on civilians in southern Gaza Strip — TV

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Kremlin spokesman highlights need for Russia to clarify its position globally

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Kiev redeploys troops from Kharkov area to Krasnoarmeysk — security forces

In addition, according to the security forces, the Ukrainian military is also transferring equipment and weapons to this section of the line of engagement

Medvedev takes The Times to task over story saying Kirillov murder 'legitimate act'

According to the official, by this logic all NATO officials who decided to provide military aid to Ukraine can and should be considered a legitimate military target for the Russian state

Ukrainian expert doubts existence of ‘laser trident’ in Kiev’s arsenal

Ukrainian expert on defense technologies Sergey Zgurets explained that, according to his information, work in this field in Ukraine has remained at the level of scientific research

Kiev deploying reserve troops toward Kremennaya in Lugansk region — military expert

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NATO secretary general claimed that Western states should focus on arms shipments to Ukraine

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Earlier, Bloomberg reported that Keith Kellogg was planning a visit to Kiev in January

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Dmitry Peskov refrained from responding to a question regarding potential involvement of third countries in Kirillov’s assassination

Ukrainian forces try leaving positions southwest of DPR’s Krasnoarmeysk — security service

It is reported that Ukrainian positions in the settlement are under intense artillery fire by the Russian Armed Forces

Russian authorities do everything to minimize consequences of sanctions — Kremlin

"These sanctions are aimed at containing our country, at suppressing economic, political and other interests," Dmitry Peskov stressed

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West continues losing influence in Africa — Russian General Staff

Valery Gerasimov reminded that Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger proclaimed the Alliance of Sahel countries to support regional security and strengthen control over the national territory and left the Economic Community of West African States because of its inability to help in fighting terrorism

Two Ukrainian border guards desert their posts, flee country

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Russian troops complete mop-up operation in Novy Komar, push north — official

On December 16, the official told TASS that Russian forces repelled several Ukrainian counterattacks towards Novy Komar, inflicting significant casualties on the enemy

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Annual inflation in Russia on December 10-16 accelerates to 9.52% — ministry

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Two dead, 27 injured after collision of trains near Russia’s northern city of Murmansk

One passenger died on the way to the hospital

Beach in Russian Black Sea village cleaned of spilled oil — officials

A total of 2 kilometers of the coastline was cleaned that day in the Krasnodar Region’s Temryuk District, with almost 5 tons of oil-soiled sand removed, according to the statement

Use of several Oreshnik missiles comparable to nuclear weapons — Putin

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Russia’s Medvedev threatens punishment over attack on senior general Kirillov

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Russian forces setting up fire pocket for Ukrainian troops in Kharkov area — expert

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Accident in Russia’s Murmansk Region leaves 1 person dead, 17 injured — official

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Trump’s call to Putin may put an end to Ukrainian conflict – US expert

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Russian troops advance deep into northern Chasov Yar neighborhood

It is reported that the neighborhood is mainly composed of private residences, most of which have been burned or destroyed

New regions may join Russia, Medvedev says

"This is quite possible," Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman said

Italian couple appeals to Putin for Russian citizenship — TV

Italian war correspondent Andrea Lucidi also said that he had requested a Russian passport from the president

Russia seeks to reduce nuclear risks — deputy foreign minister

Sergey Ryabkov added that at the same time, the United States continues to exert increasing pressure on Russia and on some other nuclear-armed countries

Russians submit over two million appeals for Q&A session with Putin — TV

More than 232,000 citizens appealed to the Russian leader through Odnoklassniki and VKontakte social networks

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Uzbek citizen accused of killing Russian general previously resided in Kazan

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Zelensky admits the impossibility of reclaiming Donbass, Crimea

Vladimir Zelensky responded negatively when asked whether Kiev could temporarily abandon its claims to Crimea or Donbass

Putin challenges West to try to intercept Oreshnik missile in Kiev

"Let them choose a target, say, in Kiev, and amass their air and missile defense systems there, while we will launch an Oreshnik missile at the target," the Russian leader said

At least nine killed in Israeli air raids on Yemen — TV

Earlier, the same television said two central power plants in Sanaa had come under attack

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

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Massacre staged by retreating Ukrainian troops in Selidovo — report

According to Maxim Grigoryev, videos of interviews with witnesses and preliminary forensic examination of the bodies indicate that most of the victims are elderly women

FSB detains Uzbek national for carrying out terrorist attack that killed Russian general

It is reported that the security forces identified and detained a citizen of Uzbekistan, born in 1995, who detonated a homemade explosive device near a residential building on Ryazansky Avenue in Moscow

Russia trusts Turkey committed to Syria’s sovereignty — MFA

"We view these remarks as purely hypothetical and trust that the Republic of Turkey is committed to the principles of Syria's sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, and to the provisions of UN Security Council Resolution 2254," Maria Zakharova said

Ukrainian units in Kurakhovo ordered to hold ground until Trump’s inauguration — official

According to Vladimir Rogov, Russian assault teams in the city continue to advance westward

Venezuela’s Maduro reveals ultra-right plot to trigger civil war in South American nation

Plots and attempts to destabilize the situation in Venezuela had been "foiled by military and police units, as well as judicial and law enforcement forces," Nicolas Maduro stated

Spain expands deliveries of lethal weapons to Ukraine — Russian ambassador

Yury Klimenko welcomed both the embargo imposed by Spain already after October 7, 2023 on arms shipments to the Middle East conflict zone, and the words of the Spanish prime minister to the international community with a call to follow the example of his country

European nations discussing deployment of up to 100,000 troops to Ukraine — agency

The sources also point out that "the debate so far revealed confusion over whether a future European mission would undertake a traditional peacekeeping role, such as monitoring a ceasefire line, or provide a robust deterrent against" Russia

Russia’s IT industry will show an even higher growth rate in 2024 than in previous years

Russian Minister of Digital Development Maksut Shadayev noted that this year alone, the industry has increased the number of employees by 100,000

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

What is known about apprehension of perpetrator of terror attack on Russian general

The suspect admitted to being recruited by Ukrainian intelligence services

Mother of missing US reporter asks Putin for help in bringing her son home from Syria — TV

Debra Tice noted that the Russian President had "profound ties" with the Syrian government

Over 30 drones, three projectiles target Russia’s Rostov region last night — governor

According to Yury Slyusar, a man was injured by the falling debris of an unmanned aerial vehicle

UN General Assembly adopts Russian-backed resolution on fight against neo-Nazism

The document was supported by 119 countries, 53 were against

Half of YouTube traffic moved to Russian video hosting websites — minister

The YouTube started malfunctioning on August 1, which also affected Russian users of the video hosting app on iOS and Android

Ukraine unlikely to be invited to join NATO under Biden, US security official says

He also stressed that Ukraine’s accession to NATO would require a cessation of hostilities and a show of political will by the bloc’s members

Results of Russian cancer vaccine’s preclinical studies due in late 2024 — minister

The research "is financed by the state as part of the governmental order," Mikhail Murashko said

Air defenses down 84 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions

It is reported that 36 UAVs were downed over the Rostov Region

Western hysteria over North Korea-Russia cooperation proves success — Foreign Ministry

North Korea's Foreign Ministry has criticized the G7 and several Western countries, labeling them "a bunch of thugs," for their statements on cooperation between North Korea and Russia

Erdogan calls for preventing Syria from turning into hotbed of terrorism

"Turkey is the only country and ally that defeated both of these terrorist organizations," the Turkish leader stressed

Press review: Who benefits from Russian general's murder as Trump lacks Kremlin strategy

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, December 18th

Many countries mull response to US’ withdrawal from arms control agreements — Gerasimov

"Overall, the issue of arms control is now a thing of the past, because the return to even a minimum level of trust is impossible due to the West’s double standard policy," Valery Gerasimov said

More than 1.7 mln submissions filed for Putin’s Q&A session — spokesman

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Russian troops liberate two communities in Donbass region over past day — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup North inflicted roughly 50 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed four enemy howitzers in its area of responsibility in the Kharkov Region over the past day, the ministry reported

US games against Russia, China, DPRK could lead to nuclear catastrophe — Russian MFA

"The United States and its allies long ago began to trample on the principle of equal indivisible security and the fundamental security interests of other states," Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov emphasized

Video camera used to surveil Russian general found inside car sharing vehicle — source

Items of interest to the investigation were seized from the car

London’s opposition to Washington aimed at preserving Zelensky, politician says

According to Viktor Medvedchuk, Britain does not hide its intention to "ruin the European Union with the Ukrainian conflict, and then traditionally hide behind the US as soon as things get tense"