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Military operation in Ukraine

Over 7,000 foreigners held hostage by Ukrainian neo-Nazis - Russian ministry

According to Mikhail Mizintsev, 21 countries have already issued formal applications to Russia's inter-agency coordination center

MOSCOW, March 10. /TASS/. More than 7,000 foreigners from 21 countries are held hostage by Ukrainian neo-Nazis, chief of the Russian National Defense Management Center Mikhail Mizintsev said on Thursday.

"More than 7,000 citizens of 21 foreign countries are still being held hostage by Ukrainian neo-Nazis," he said.

According to the official, those countries have already issued formal applications to Russia's inter-agency coordination center. Regretfully, the Ukrainian side practically ignores official and unofficial requests from international partners, he added.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a televised address on February 24 that in response to a request by the heads of the Donbass republics he had made a decision to carry out a special military operation in order to protect people "who have been suffering from abuse and genocide by the Kiev regime for eight years." The Russian leader stressed that Moscow had no plans of occupying Ukrainian territories.

The Russian Defense Ministry reassured that Russian troops are not targeting Ukrainian cities, but are limited to surgically striking and incapacitating Ukrainian military infrastructure. There are no threats whatsoever to the civilian population.

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Military operation in Ukraine

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Russia ready for talks on Ukraine, only if those discuss essential topics — Lavrov

"We are open to any negotiations, provided they essentially discuss the core causes [behind the Ukraine crisis] and the key principles put forward by Russian President Vladimir Putin in June," the top diplomat said

Russia practically eliminates remnants of Ukraine’s Air Force — source

The source said that attempts to recruit more pilots in Poland and other Eastern European countries were not particularly successful

Press review: Kiev escalates attacks as payments ease for Russian raw material buyers

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, December 23rd

Lavrov welcomes Trump team’s statements about willingness to resume dialogue

It is up to the US to take the first step towards restoring contact with Russia because it was Washington that suspended it after the launch of Moscow’s special military operation in Ukraine, the Russian foreign minister stated

Greece continues to ship munitions to Ukraine en masse — website

According to the report, the people of Greece witnessed the passage of convoys of Greek and foreign-made trucks transporting containers, mainly with shells, to Balkan states and Poland, and eventually to Ukraine

Russia to donate 1 million euro to UN Climate Convention

The document says that the goal of the payment is to ensure the representation of Russian staffers in the convention’s secretariat

Zelensky defines essence of next summit on Ukraine in four-letter explicit word — Lavrov

The first Kiev-initiated conference on Ukraine was held in Burgenstock, Switzerland, on June 15-16

List of BRICS partners to be announced soon — Brazil’s Foreign Ministry

Eduardo Paes Saboia also mentioned that the BRICS states' aim to increase the number of permanent members of the UN Security Council will drive the further growth of the organization, and Brazilian authorities will support this decision

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According to emergency services, the incident was caused by a household gas explosion

Russia’s Chechnya ships 200 ‘Jihad mobile’ vehicles for special military operation

The authorities of Chechnya handed over 200 "Jihad mobile"

Ukrainian agent planned to present explosive gift to Russian defense official — FSB

The Russian Federal Security Service reported earlier on Thursday that it had foiled a series of assassination attempts on the lives of high-placed Defense Ministry officials in Moscow and their family members

Decision-making centers in Kiev may be targets of Russia’s strikes, says Lavrov

Moscow selects targets for strikes on the territory of Ukraine, proceeding solely from threats to Russia, the foreign minister stressed

Production of passenger cars in Russia up 25% in November to 80,400 units — Rosstat

11M 2024 production totaled 679,000 passenger cars

Continued terror attacks by Kiev to be met with increasingly tougher response — Lavrov

The top Russian diplomat expressed disappointment that virtually none of the Western nations have joined Russia’s condemnation of these attacks, including the leaders of international organizations like the UN, OSCE, or UNESCO

Serious conflict between Israel, Turkey possible — Russian expert

"It’s important to note that the primary development in this context is the markedly increased role of non-Arab states in the region, particularly two key players," Vitaly Naumkin said

Launch of Russia’s Bion-M biosatellite scheduled for March 25 — manufacturer

The spacecraft, taking 75 mice and 1,500 drosophila flies, as well as plants and microorganisms to space, was initially planned to blast off on September 1, 2024

Russian gas is most profitable for Europe in terms of price and logistics — Novak

In conditions of competing China, Europeans pay significantly more for US LNG than for Russian gas, the official noted

Oboronlogistics company blames loss of its ship Ursa Major on terrorist attack

The Ursa Major dry cargo ship wrecked in the Mediterranean Sea

Diplomat refutes allegations about departure of new Russian ambassador to Washington

In late November, Russian media outlets reported that Director of the Foreign Ministry’s North America Department Alexander Darchiev may become Russia’s new ambassador to the US, taking over for Anatoly Antonov who returned to Moscow, having been relieved of his duties as envoy by President Vladimir Putin’s decree

Rescue workers recover bodies of all those killed in Kazakhstan plane crash

The ministry confirmed an earlier statement by the Kazakh authorities that the crash had killed 38 people

Shelling on Donetsk decreases as frontline shifts — DPR head

Denis Pushilin noted that shelling in Donetsk’s Kirovsky and Petrovsky districts is expected to diminish further once Kurakhovo is liberated

France made several requests to Russia on Ukraine topic through private channels — Lavrov

According to the Russian foreign minister, Paris proposed "to assist and facilitate dialogue on the Ukrainian issue"

Former Austrian minister names 4 suspect countries in connection with Nord Stream sabotage

Asked what countries could be behind the attack, Karin Kneissl replied that, like in an Agatha Christie novel, "there are many suspects in this imaginary room"

Russian investigators initiate criminal case into terror attack on borderline town

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Expert sees the collective West behind Ursa Major terrorist attack

Alexander Stepanov emphasized that "the goal of the enemy’s terrorist campaign on international shipping routes was to disrupt trade and economic cooperation"

Russian fighters control about 40% of Terny in Donetsk region, military expert says

Andrey Marochko added that Russian servicemen have advanced east of Yampolovka, bringing the distance between that village and Russia’s frontline positions to less than 1.2 miles

Russia expects from Abkhazia to honor obligations on Russian investments

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Over 30 killed during mass escape of prisoners from Mozambique jail — authorities

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Press review: Ukraine eyes missile programs as EU considers new sanctions on Russia

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, December 25th

Biden tasks Pentagon with boosting military aid to Kiev

In recent months, the United States has provided Ukraine with hundreds of air defense missiles, and more are on the way, the White House’s press service released

FACTBOX: Shelling of Lgov in Russia’s Kursk Region

The attack resulted in the deaths of three individuals, with a fourth victim passing away from injuries at the hospital shortly afterward

Azerbaijan Airlines says its ill-fated jet underwent full examination in October

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Denmark to strengthen control over Greenland after Trump’s words — top defense official

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Russian embassy refutes reports on Sudan’s refusal to host Russian base

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Benjamin Netanyahu promised that "this lesson would be learned throughout the Middle East"

FSB foils series of assassination attempts on senior Russian defense officials

The bombs intended for killing high-placed Russian Defense Ministry officials were disguised as a power bank and a document folder, the FSB press office specified

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Russia has no illusions that Ukraine conflict can be resolved easily — top diplomat

"We have never stated that the incoming administration of [US President-elect Donald] Trump will necessarily give a start to negotiations on global security, on Ukraine," Sergey Lavrov noted

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The spokeswoman went on to say that the stalemate began when Western countries de-facto blocked the work in this format

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According to Maria Zakharova, this is not the first statement of its kind from the US Department of State

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According to the press service, Ilham Aliyev has ordered the relevant government agencies to investigate the causes of the crash and take urgent action

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In the food sector, prices growth rates declined to 0.76% during the reporting week

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Thailand accepts invitation to become BRICS partner state — MFA

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A number of tankers of the ships' owner Volgatransneft did not have a license for transporting dangerous cargoes in inland waters

Putin offers condolences to Azerbaijani president over plane crash near Aktau

"Overall, we are expressing deepest condolences to those who lost their near and dear in this air disaster," Dmitry Peskov said

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South Korean opposition launches impeachment proceedings against acting president

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Mine removal at Donetsk airport to start in 2025 — official

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He expressed hope that the US president-elect will be able to achieve a settlement of the conflict in Ukraine in a "relatively near term."

Georgia became inconvenient for 'friends' after rejecting Ukrainian scenario — official

According to Kakha Kaladze, the country faced unprecedented pressure because of this

Former Austrian minister believes EU ignored message Russia sent with Oreshnik missile

According to Karin Kneissl, Russia doesn’t want to trigger any nuclear war

Finnish company says power cable’s emergency shutdown due to sabotage

Finland and Estonia are connected by two sets of high-voltage submarine cables

Syrian authorities introduce curfew in Latakia, Homs after Alawite protests

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Ukrainian agent fails to plant bomb under car of Russian defense official — FSB

The apprehended Ukrainian agent said that he had retrieved the explosive from a cache in the Moscow Region and tested its detonator

Oil slick monitoring zone in south Russia expanded

As of December 25, a total of 4,100 people have been taking part in the cleanup effort

Australia contacts Russia regarding captured mercenary — diplomat

Maria Zakharova emphasized that "Canberra obediently follows in the footsteps of the collective West, which pursues a Russophobic policy"

Middle East in for ‘chaotic and violent’ time after change of power in Syria – analyst

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Press review: US, Israel aim to curb Turkey’s gains while Moscow, Tehran strengthen ties

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, December 24th

Russian forces break through Ukrainian defense lines in Kharkov Region — expert

Marochko added that the operation allowed Russian troops to "expand their zone of control" in the area

Sandu regime may seize Moldavan power plant in Transnistria — Russian Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova noted that "under such a scenario, the Russian peacekeeping presence in the region will be jeopardized"

Houthis strike military facility near Tel Aviv with hypersonic missile

Earlier, the Israeli army press office reported that air-raid sirens sounded in several areas of central Israel following the launch of a missile from Yemen

Nine killed in shootout with law enforcers in Syria’s Tartus — TV

According to the report Al Hadath, the operation was aimed at detaining a high-ranking former officer of the previous government

Development of gas pipeline route from Russia to China via Kazakhstan launched — Deputy PM

The capacity of the new gas pipeline should be 45 billion cubic meters per year, Alexander Novak said

Ukrainian intel agent plotted to plant bomb under car of Russian defense official — FSB

The Ukrainian intelligence services planned to detonate the explosive device remotely from the territory of Ukraine, the press office said

IN BRIEF: What is known about passenger plane crash in Kazakhstan

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CIS countries share common approaches to resolving global issues — Putin

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Taxi ploughs into crowd of pedestrians in New York, six wounded — Fox News

Six people were hospitalized with injuries of varying degrees

Biden’s last aid package to Kiev won’t contribute to Ukraine’s security — Russian diplomat

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Russia’s 2,000th R-7 rocket delivers Resurs-P remote sensing satellite into orbit

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Ukraine’s General Staff reports tense frontline situation

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Russia says Su-35S fighter jets provide cover to Aerospace Forces in Kursk Region

Also, one aircraft used onboard weapons systems to detect enemy air defense sites, according to the ministry

Putin's principles of Ukrainian settlement stem from international law — Lavrov

The top Russian diplomat drew attention to the fact that "the Kiev regime plays into the hands the West, which needs to remove such a strong competitor as Russia from the international scene"

Russian forces pound Ukrainian military airfields, ammo depots over past day — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted roughly 380 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed six enemy artillery guns in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Russia not setting preconditions for talks on Ukraine — Lavrov

The foreign minister stressed that Russia was deceived "when they stated that NATO would not expand eastwards and when they emphasized their commitment to resolve [the conflict] based on the UN Charter"

Russian commissioner hopes for resumption of effort to bring children from Syria

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Russian MFA sees reports of potential deployment of EU troops in Ukraine as provocation

According to Maria Zakharova, for a peacekeeping force to participate in any conflict it requires the consent of all participants and a decision of the UN Security Council

Russian cancer vaccine to be free of charge — top oncologist

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

Nothing new in US statements on strategic stability dialogue — MFA

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Plane crash in Kazakhstan claims 38 lives

29 people had been hospitalized

Group of Syrian law enforcement officers ambushed in Tartus, 14 killed — minister

Previously, nine law enforcement officers were killed by gunfire during an operation to detain a high-ranking former officer of the previous government

Kremlin will not speculate about causes of plane crash near Aktau — spokesman

Dmitry Peskov recalled that the day before during the informal summit of the CIS, Russian President Vladimir Putin offered deep condolences to the families and friends of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the injured

Russia doesn’t need ceasefire in Ukraine, it needs legally binding guarantees — Lavrov

According to the foreign minister, these agreements should be aimed at eliminating the root causes of the Ukrainian conflict