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Defense chief highlights Iraq’s readiness to respond to external attacks

According to Thabet Muhammad Saeed Al-Abbasi, the Iraqi military prevented a number of attacks on the Kurdistan autonomous region in northern Iraq

DUBAI, January 17. /TASS/. Iraq’s armed forces are ready to respond to external attacks, the country’s Defense Minister Thabet Muhammad Saeed Al-Abbasi said.

"Our forces are ready to respond to external attacks," he pointed out in an interview with the Al-Hadath TV channel.

According to him, the Iraqi military prevented a number of attacks on the Kurdistan autonomous region in northern Iraq. However, Al-Abbasi did not specify who had planned to conduct those attacks.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) carried out ballistic missile strikes on several targets in Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, in the early hours of January 16. According to an IRGC statement, the bombing targeted several terrorist sites in Erbil in response to recent attacks inside Iran. Tehran added that the attack had destroyed "the main headquarters" of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency Mossad in Iraq’s Kurdistan region.

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The report also stated that this delivery highlights the strengthening of military-technical cooperation between Russia and Niger

Russia to pour over OPCW report on use of toxins in Ukraine — diplomat

"After careful analysis of the report, Russian specialists will issue their expert opinion on this matter," Vladimir Tarabrin noted

Japan's PM reiterates desire to sign peace treaty with Russia

Moscow and Tokyo have been negotiating a peace treaty to mark the end of World War II since the mid-20th century

Ukrainian army says desertion main reason for loss of Ugledar

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Foreign fighters involved in terrorist attacks in Aleppo, Idlib provinces — Syrian army

The Syrian Armed Forces’ General Command warned that "terrorist organizations are spreading misleading information, news and videos on their platforms aimed at intimidating citizens"

Russian forces wipe out five ATACMS launchers using Iskander missiles

In particular, two MLRS launchers and a transporter-loader vehicle were destroyed near the settlement of Tokari, and three HIMARS launchers were taken out near the settlement of Maly Bobrik, the statement reads

Russia weighs resumption of nuclear tests — senior diplomat

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Ukrainian forces follow Russian troops’ example to use fiber optics drones, Putin says

The head of state is confident that there will be a quick response from the Russian side

Closure of Russian consulates general in Poland possible, ambassador says

"Anything is possible, so we have long been prepared for any eventuality," Sergey Andreyev noted

UK continuing arms supplies to Kiev fraught with conflict of nuclear powers — diplomat

Andrey Kelin noted that "the British have utterly ignored all our warnings and opted for escalatory actions to further worsen the Ukrainian crisis"

Russia sees no need to downgrade relations with Poland, ambassador says

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NATO spies study damage from Oreshnik at Yuzhmash — expert

Alexander Stepanov emphasized that both Kiev and its Western allies are closely scrutinizing the consequences of the strike on the plant

Georgian riot police disperses protesters in central street

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Russian aerospace forces eliminate at least 20 militants in Syria’s Aleppo, Idlib

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Syrian government forces attacking terrorist headquarters in Idlib, Al-Dana — media

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Putin apologizes to Merkel over labrador incident

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Harald Vilimsky noted that the joint deployment of European troops will further escalate the security situation in Europe

Paris grants Netanyahu immunity for Lebanon ceasefire role, French magazine says

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West refuses to accept proof of Ukraine’s use of chemical weapons — Russian envoy

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On Tuesday, about 60 British military experts were stationed at US airbases across the UK to operate a counter-UAV system to operate a counter-UAV system designed to detect, track and destroy them

Decision-making centers in Kiev could be targeted in Oreshnik strikes — Putin

The Russian leader also mentioned military facilities and defense industry enterprises as possible targets

Russia-North Korea partnership pact reaffirms their interest in developing ties — Belousov

"We are grateful for the commitment to the course of deepening ties with Russia," the minister said

Police use water cannons against protesters at Tbilisi rally

The protesters were throwing eggs and firecrackers at the policemen

Kiev's defeatist rhetoric may be masking planned attacks on Russia — expert

The enemy may be trying to lull us into a false sense of security by saying that their situation is bad, only to hit us by surprise, Andrey Marochko said

Syrian army eliminates hundreds of terrorists, repelling their attack on Aleppo, Idlib

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US funds 'Nazis, maniacs' in Ukraine, Israel — American journalist

Jackson Hinkle also pointed out that the US authorities are no friend of "freedom-loving American patriots"

Romania, Poland, Germany, UK plan to divide Ukraine — Russia's foreign intel

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The EU diplomatic chief once again tried to portray Russia as an "imperialist" power that allegedly poses "an existential threat" to the EU, if the EU wishes to achieve victory in Ukraine

Welcome to Russia project helps to find spiritual, moral refuge — State Duma deputy

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Britain’s MI6 chief admits London's involvement in covert operations in Ukraine

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West deploying troops to Ukraine to up ante in fight with Russia — senior diplomat

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Russia winning in Ukrainian conflict, Polish national security chief says

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Lavrov clarifies Russia's position on Ukraine crisis to foreign diplomats — MFA

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Oreshnik becomes serious problem for Ukraine — Polish general

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Hungarian PM sounds alarm over presence of US, French troops in Ukraine

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Russia works on transforming '3+3' platform into organization — senior diplomat

Mikhail Galuzin stressed that the '3+3' regional cooperation platform is important for harmonizing the interests of all countries of the region

Medvedev says Zelensky's fate won't be pretty if Ukraine faces second Maidan

The Russian senior official was indignant over the fact that the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry "condemned the crackdown on protests in Georgia"

Syria will not let terrorists 'achieve their diabolical goals,' top diplomat pledges

The top Iranian diplomat noted that the increased terrorist activity in northern Syria is tied to "the US-Israeli plan to destabilize the region amid the Israeli regime’s failures in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon"

Russia ready for talks with Ukraine on conditions proposed in June — Putin

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Russia's opponents see Finland as springboard in case of open conflict — politician

Leonid Slutsky noted that the current and previous leadership of Finland has been and remains engaged "on the lower turn of the sine wave, which is now marked by a sharp cooling of bilateral relations"

Russian passengers on Antarctica cruise liner with engine failure go on hunger strike

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Defense Minister notes active expansion of Russia-North Korea military cooperation

"We look forward to close and fruitful cooperation with our Korean comrades," Andrey Belousov said

Russian diplomat says US won’t stop Russia from accomplishing special operation goals

Sergey Ryabkov was responding to a request to comment on news reports that US President Joe Biden had asked Congress for an additional $24 billion in aid for Ukraine

Aeroflot reports difficulties with purchases, returns of tickets

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Russian football chief disappointed national team left off 2026 World Cup draw list

"Until the decision is reversed, our team will have no chance to participate in international competitions," Alexander Dyukov said

Kiev troops attempted to kill British mercenary who surrendered to Russians — officer

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Scholz shares details of talks with Putin, Zelensky says

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Putting Oreshnik's in Eastern Russia strategic play to help allies, counter US

According to Alexander Stepanov, the deployment makes sense in a situation where the Pentagon continues to project its military presence on Russia's eastern borders

Western analysts describe Russia's Oreshnik as longest-range weapon ever used in Europe

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Russia’s top diplomat slams NATO for discussions of preemptive strikes on Russia

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Kremlin considers militants' attack on Aleppo encroachment on Syria's sovereignty

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Putin approves purchase of Russian Elevator Company from French grain trader Louis Dreyfus

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Kim Jong Un, Russian defense minister discuss development of partnership — KCNA

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Takeaways from Putin’s Q&A session in Kazakhstan: Oreshnik missile, inflation, ruble

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Hungarian PM’s office rules out his trip to Moscow for 80th anniversary of Victory

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NATO growing more inclined to freeze Ukraine conflict — Russia’s SVR

"NATO has been unfolding training centers in Ukraine in an effort to train at least 1 million mobilized Ukrainians," the SVR highlighted

Russia to continue gathering evidence about Kiev’s chemical crimes — diplomat

According to Vladimir Tarabrin, Russia’s mission to the OPCW has submitted more than 30 notes to the organization, and they are available to the general public

Russia against sending OPCW reps to probe into chemical incidents in Ukraine — diplomat

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Debt burden of Russian stands at 11% of total households income — Central Bank

"This is a comfortable level, so we do not see any risks at large," Deputy Governor of the Bank of Russia Philipp Gabuniya said

Russia designs Titan rifle for commandos

The rifle is reliable with precise and dense fire

Hungary greenlights pouring of first concrete in Paks-2 NPP foundation — MFA

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto noted that in order to approve the construction of Paks-2, some not-so-simple safety measures had to be taken

IN BRIEF: How Russia responded to Kiev’s strikes deep into its territory

Here are the key points about the strikes on Ukrainian military-industrial facilities