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Crimea’s air defense system tested in drills involving aviation

The drills were aimed at testing the combat readiness of the Crimean Peninsula’s alert force and air defense systems

SEVASTOPOL, June 29. /TASS/. Around 20 planes and helicopters of the Black Sea Fleet and the Southern Military District have tested the combat readiness of the Crimean air defense system during a military exercise, the Black Sea Fleet press service said in a statement on Tuesday.

"Crews of the Black Sea Fleet planes and helicopters and an air force formation of the Southern Military District carried out training with divisions of S-400 missile systems and Panzir missile systems to test the combat readiness of the Crimean Peninsula’s alert force and air defense systems" the statement reads.

Military operation in Ukraine

Seven Ukrainian drones taken down and jammed in Sevastopol — governor

According to the city’s rescue service, no damage was reported in the city, and its airspace is being monitored for threats

Israeli tanks spotted 20 kilometers from Damascus — TV

The Israel Defense Forces has yet to comment on the information

Trump invites Chinese president to his inauguration in Washington — CBS News

It is unclear whether the Chinese leader accepted the invitation, CBS News reported

Delegation of Islamic Jihad movement arrives in Cairo for talks on Gaza

The delegation plans to discuss "the process of Gaza ceasefire and prisoner swap negotiations"

Russia’s Alliance for Artificial Intelligence joins international AI-alliance

The document was signed in the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin

Kiev to last only six months if US cuts aid under Trump — finance minister

According to Sergey Marchenko, Kiev can "allocate sufficient budgetary resources to afford the necessary ammunition and military equipment in 2025"

Putin orders Russian forces pullout from Syria

Russia is ready to deal a new blow to terrorists if they again try to break peace in Syria, the president said

Erdogan says he and Putin are the only two leaders in world

Turkish President also said that he respects Germany’s former Chancellor Gerhard Schroder

Russian stocks close in the red on Wednesday

BCS World of Investment expects the MOEX Index at 2,500-2,600 points on December 12

Syria’s Ba’ath party announces suspension of its work

The party’s ruling body said in a statement, published in its official newspaper, that "party work and activities in all forms and aspects should be paused until further notice"

OMV announces termination of contract with Gazprom Export due to suspension of supplies

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Israeli actions in Syria escalate tensions instead of stabilizing — diplomat

Maria Zakharova stressed that under these challenging political conditions facing the Syrian people, "all members of the international community, particularly neighboring states, must exercise restraint, demonstrate maximum responsibility"

Over one million Syrians displaced by latest escalation — UN Human Rights Office

On November 27, armed opposition forces launched a large-scale offensive against government troops' positions in the Aleppo and Idlib provinces

Trump may unravel fresh loan to Kiev by lifting sanctions on frozen Russian assets — NYT

The move would not affect the European portion of the loan

Putin to award state decorations to outstanding Russians in Kremlin

More than 30 people were invited to the ceremony

Oreshnik missiles to eliminate need for nuclear weapons, Putin says

This is why, in President Putin’s words, Russia behaves with caution and even restraint in all areas

Russia helped Assad leave Syria as part of humanitarian gesture — diplomat

Maria Zakharova did not disclose any further details

Pentagon says Russia could fire Oreshnik missile at Ukraine again within days

According to Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh, the potential strike will not make a strategic impact on the conflict in Ukraine

Trump unlikely to keep US aid to Ukraine at current volumes — NYT

The report says that Kiev depends on foreign aid to keep its economy afloat

Rock-solid relations and Western machinations: What Medvedev said in China

Cross-party cooperation between the United Russia Party and the Communist Party of China is developing intensively, the Russian senior official pointed out

Israel openly acknowledges its role in recent events in Syria — diplomat

According to Maria Zakharova, the United States has also exacerbated the situation in Syria, deliberately imposing sanctions against the country and its people for many years

Russia completed its mission in Syria some time ago — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov added that "now, we need to proceed based on the realities on the ground"

Texas, California decolonization reflects global shifts, says Russian intel chief

"We are currently witnessing the true decolonization of the Global South, which has come to see itself as a full-fledged political actor rather than a subordinate ‘backyard,’" Sergey Naryshkin noted

Musk becomes first person to reach $400 bln in net worth — report

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Russian prime minister approves list of countries imposing destructive attitudes

It includes the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan and other states

President Macron to name France’s new premier on Thursday — Les Echos

Among possible candidates, Les Echos named Francois Bayrou, the leader of the centrist Democratic Movement party; Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu and Bernard Cazeneuve, who served as prime minister during the final months of socialist Francois Hollande’s presidency

Hungary, Russia find payment workaround for gas amid sanctions against Gazprombank

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto stressed that "there are no factors on either the Hungarian or Russian side that would prevent us from finding a way out of the current situation"

Israel to retain control of entire Jerusalem forever — PM

Jerusalem's status is one of the key issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Time magazine to give ‘Person of the Year’ status to Trump — Politico

To celebrate the unveiling of the cover, Trump will ring the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday morning, according to people familiar with the plans

Syrian caretaker government head says his predecessors left economy in ruins

Assad’s government has lost the support of its people, and, therefore, "fell faster than expected," Syria’s new transitional Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir said

Russia urges West to end support for Zelensky following attack on IAEA personnel — MFA

Russia also called on the US, the United Kingdom, and their allies to take measures to bring those responsible for the act of provocation to justice

US commercial satellites surveyed Russia’s Engels airstrip ahead of Kiev’s strike attempt

Earlier, it was reported that, on Monday morning, Kiev attempted to strike the two airstrips with Soviet-made jet drones in order to disable Russian long-range aviation planes

Russia to retaliate to Kiev’s ATACMS missile attack on Taganrog airfield — top brass

The ATACMS missile fragments that fell on the Taganrog military airfield caused injuries among the personnel and no destruction on the ground, the Russian Defense Ministry said

Russia comes close to achieving special military operation's goals — intel chief

"Russia holds the initiative in all areas, while the Ukrainian armed forces are on the verge of collapse and the Zelensky regime has lost its legitimacy, along with the ability to make agreements," Sergey Naryshkin pointed out

Russian forces liberate Daryino, Plyokhovo: situation in Russia’s Kursk Region

Over the day, Ukraine lost more than 200 troops, a tank, three Bradley infantry fighting vehicles of US manufacture, seven motor vehicles and six mortars, with one Ukrainian serviceman surrendering as a prisoner of war

Russia should become world leader in adopting AI in all areas of life — Putin

According to the Russian leader, the government would do right to blaze a trail with daring examples

Just a few km of Lugansk People’s Republic territory remain to be liberated — lawmaker

"People from all regions of our huge country are taking part in battles to liberate the remaining tiny piece of the LPR territory," Yury Yurov said

US withdrawal from Afghanistan helped rededicate resources for Ukraine — Blinken

Blinken was then asked whether he saw any connection between the US withdrawal from Afghanistan and the start of Russia’s special military operation

Seven Ukrainian drones taken down and jammed in Sevastopol — governor

According to the city’s rescue service, no damage was reported in the city, and its airspace is being monitored for threats

Lukashenko confirms Belarus has nuclear weapons

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Russian Su-35S fighters cover aircraft in air strikes on Ukrainian army in Kursk area

One of the fighter jets uncovered enemy air defense sites by its weapons suite, the statement added

Russian economy expected to grow by 3.9% in 2024 — Novak

This is much above the average growth rates globally, the Russian deputy prime minister noted

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According to AFP, seven more were wounded

Trump says he considers resolving Ukraine conflict as priority

The US President-elect believes that even though the situation in the Middle East is also important

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Russia calls for adherence to international law regarding its facilities in Syria — MFA

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EU anti-Russia sanctions package includes extension for Prague to import oil products

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Australians disillusioned by Western values seek visas to move to Russia — Consul General

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Kiev rejects peaceful solutions, Putin tells Orban

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

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FACTBOX: What we know about Mohammed al-Bashir, head of Syria’s interim government

The interim government’s mandate is expected to last three months

Russian troops gradually eliminate Ukrainian forces in Kharkov frontline area — official

Vitaly Ganchev added that Russian troops were conducting active operations across the entire Kharkov frontline

Putin says 'strong AI' may appear soon

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Hungarian PM lays out his vision for Ukraine resolution in call with Putin — top diplomat

Peter Szijjarto added that the Russian president also clarified his position on the matter, pointing to "obstacles hindering the process" of a peaceful settlement

British intelligence suggests al-Nusra start cooperating with West - diplomatic source

Western intelligence agencies are seeking to directly establish contact with international terrorist groups active in Syria

Moldova following Ukraine’s path, Russian diplomat warns

Maria Zakharova commented on reports of Chisinau signing a defense and security partnership agreement with London

Tomb of Bashar Assad’s father set on fire in Syria, report says

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Conversation with Putin took place in most dangerous period of conflict in Ukraine — Orban

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EU envoys agree on 15th package of anti-Russia sanctions

The new package adds more persons and entities to the already existing sanctions list, as well as constrains the activity of additional vessels of third states operating to contribute or support actions or policies supporting Russia’s actions against Ukraine

Russia’s Lifintsev wins gold in 100m backstroke at 2024 World Swimming Championship

The junior world record holder in the 100-meter backstroke clocked the distance in 48.76 seconds to win the gold

Moscow slams decision to grant Kiev loan funded by Russian frozen assets

"Theft of Russian assets will ricochet the United States and its satellites," the Russian Foreign Ministry said

Zelensky wrong to think that Biden corruption link gives him impunity to do what he wants

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova pointed out that the scale of corruption between the US and Ukraine is truly astonishing

Syria’s new leader says his forces had no outside support

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Syria’s new government to prevent attempts to split country — opposition

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UN General Assembly adopts resolution demanding immediate ceasefire in Gaza

Unlike Security Council resolutions, General Assembly documents are not legally binding

Syrians to decide on US military presence in republic themselves — opposition

Mohammed Alloush expressed hope that "Syria will become a country of local and global peace, without the presence of foreign military bases of any party there"

Press review: Israel controls Golan Heights as Kiev plans aid summit before Trump’s term

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, December 11th

Russian troops advance to better positions near Malaya Tokmachka in Zaporozhye Region

Russian servicemen struck Ukrainian artillery guns and their crews in the area of the town of Gulyaipole

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Taliban MFA hails Duma's decision to consider removing organization from terrorist list

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Minsk blasts Warsaw for attempting to compromise Belarusian diplomat

According to the ministry, the Polish envoy was warned that "Belarus reserves the right to take any response measures it deems necessary."

Medvedev to meet with senior Chinese officials in Beijing

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Kiev says Hungarian premier’s ceasefire proposal makes no sense

Viktor Orban wants to play the role of a man "who can resolve something, to make comments on something," an adviser to the Ukrainian presidential office, Mikhail Podolyak, said

Syria’s new government set to disband security forces

Syrian armed opposition leader Ahmed al-Sharaa said he is working to "dissolve the security forces of the previous regime and close the notorious prisons"

Analysts upgrade Russia’s key rate, inflation forecasts — Central Bank

Inflation outlook has been upgraded to 9.2% (+1.5 pp compared to October) for 2024, to 6% (+0.7 pp) for 2025, and to 4.5% (+0.4 pp) for 2026

Zelensky demands security guarantees for Ukraine at meeting with Trump — agency

According to the sources, Zelensky’s meeting with Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris lasted 35 minutes

Kremlin declines to reveal number of Russian troops stationed in Syria

"Only our military can provide you with this information," Dmitry Peskov told reporters

Two fixed-wing drones downed over Black Sea

The military keeps the situation under control, Sevastopol Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev said

West determined to dismember Russia, eliminate its peoples — Security Council’s secretary

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FACTBOX: Syria under President Bashar Assad

Bashar Assad took over as the leader of the Syrian Arab Republic in the summer of 2000 after the death of his father Hafez Assad, who had been at the helm of power since 1971

Many US partners asking Russia `not to stop halfway’ on Ukraine — SVR chief

The global prestige of Washington is steadily declining, Sergey Naryshkin emphasized

Tourism between Russia, China growing by leaps and bounds — Medvedev

The Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council noted that "we have to thank our Western 'friends' who spoiled the mood of our people and do not let them go anywhere or put spokes in their wheels"

Bashar Assad's son graduates with honors from Moscow State University — newspaper

Hafez Assad was handed his diploma by the rector of the university, Viktor Sadovnichy, along with other Syrian students who also graduated from MSU

Leader of South Korea’s ruling party favors impeaching president

"We must stop further confusion," Han Dong-hoon said

US may toughen sanctions on Russian oil exports — Bloomberg

Besides, the US administration is also looking into the possibility of imposing sanctions on "tanker fleet" allegedly transporting Russian oil, Bloomberg wrote

Zelensky rejects Hungary's proposal to establish Christmas ceasefire with Russia — Orban

The Hungarian prime minister did not specify how the peace proposal was sent to Vladimir Zelensky and, accordingly, how the response was received

West could make ‘crazy’ move to hand over nuclear weapons to Ukraine — National Interest

The transfer of American-made B-61 nuclear bombs appears to be the most likely scenario, the report said

Oreshnik launch serves as warning to certain political figures overseas — Ryabkov

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Robert F. Kennedy Jr. seeks to prove CIA involved in his uncle’s assassination — Axios

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Syria's new authorities will deploy security patrols across the country — report

According to the source, the opposition's goal is to "establish a new state based on institutions and law"