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US, European leaders’ Statements on Arctic expose their Russophobia — Russian Navy chief

Key political statements emphasize the increasing pace of the Arctic’s militarization and preparations for a potential military confrontation in the region under the pretext of ‘protecting against threats from Russia and China,’ Alexander Moiseyev said

ST. PETERSBURG, December 19. /TASS/. Comments by US and European military-political leaders regarding the Arctic underscore their Russophobia, Russia’s Navy Commander-in-Chief Alexander Moiseyev said at the international forum: ‘Arctic: The Present and Future.’

"Statements made by US and European military-political leaders on the Arctic highlight their Russophobic sentiments. Over the past two years, Finland and Sweden have joined the anti-Russian hysteria. Key political statements emphasize the increasing pace of the Arctic’s militarization and preparations for a potential military confrontation in the region under the pretext of ‘protecting against threats from Russia and China,’" the Navy chief noted.

Russian army protects territorial integrity in the Arctic — Navy chief

Alexander Moiseyev noted that the main tool for implementing these commitments is the Russian Navy

Netanyahu says his regular contacts with Putin are in Israel’s interests

The United States, India, Germany, and Russia are the four powers Israel has bolstered ties with in the past two years, the Israeli prime minister added

Kaspersky Lab reveals patterns from Russia's data-leaked passwords

According to the company’s data, the average lifespan of a password is 3.5 to 4 years

UN court accepts Russia’s lawsuit against Ukraine, gives Kiev one year to answer

Russia can submit its objections by December 7, 2027

Chief executives of European multinationals losing interest in EU investments — report

76% of respondents said they have not seen so far practically any positive effect from the initiatives

Valdai conference on Eurasian security to attract over 40 international experts

The theme of the conference is "Security in Eurasia: From Concept to Practice," which, according to the organizers, refers to Russia’s initiative to create a unified Eurasian security architecture

Turkey reaches deep into diplomacy bag to resolve Ukraine conflict — Erdogan

"We will spare no effort to reach a settlement and will be guided by the motto that there can be no losers in a fair world," the Turkish president said

France does not want to expropriate Russian assets held in its private banks — FT

French banks hold around 18 bln euros in Russian assets, which is the second-highest figure in Europe, the paper said

Russia-China missile defense exercises aim to create common security system — expert

Russia is acting as an engineering driving force for ensuring not only regional but also global security and building a system based on a balance of power, with the potential to deter Western opponents who regularly resort to nuclear blackmail

Zelensky says new proposals for peace plan to be submitted to US on December 9

"The plan has been reduced from 28 points to 20," and a compromise on the issue of territories "has not yet been found," he said

Russia hopes that US refrains from full-scale conflict with Venezuela — diplomat

The US-Venezuela conflict threatens to cause unpredictable consequences for the entire Western hemisphere, Maria Zakharova said

Russian Navy chief points to difficult situation in Arctic region

Instead of discussions of cooperation, there are increasingly more statements that the Arctic is the region of a potential future conflict, Admiral Alexander Moiseyev noted

National projects must lead to creation of domestic technologies — Putin

The head of state stressed that "technological leadership projects did not exist in isolation but had systemic significance for all spheres of life"

FACTBOX: Russia hit by 121 Ukrainian drones overnight, nine wounded in Cheboksary

The injured people are getting all necessary medical assistance

Press review: EU seeks to push US peace plan to stalemate as Thai-Cambodia clashes flare

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Kiev’s power grid may collapse in coming months following Russian strikes — expert

Vitaly Kiselev believes that for greater success in the zone of the special military operation, Russian troops need to "put out of existence" the Ukrainian railways network

Russian troops destroy Ukraine vehicles, stronghold in Zaporozhye

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the enemy was using the vehicles to covertly transport personnel to Gulyaipole to reinforce positions in the locality

Europe is 'moving in some bad directions' — Trump

Donald Trump voiced concern about the current political track taken by EU countries

Ukraine conflict likely to be resolved with Russian victory, US expert says

John Mearsheimer stressed that there’s nothing US President Donald Trump "can do to assuage Russian fears that any agreement Moscow reaches with Ukraine and the West will stick over time"

Ukrainian PM involved in secret plot to oust Yermak — media

According to the news report, after Andrey Yermak discovered the plot, he demonstratively blocked some participants in messaging apps and ignored their messages

Ukrainian military brings tanks, artillery, mercenaries to Kharkov Region — official

Reports indicate the presence of mercenaries from Poland, Georgia, and various Latin American nations, according to the press service of the Military-Civilian Administration of the Kharkov Region

Fire at Novosibirsk college extinguished after affecting 700 sq m

Firefighters are continuing to spray the building

Brazil urges Venezuela not to enter into war with US, even if attacked — newspaper

Lula da Silva’s administration will work to prevent the US attacks from happening

Thai Navy launches operation to drive Cambodian troops out of Trat Province

Cambodian troops dug defensive trenches, deployed heavy weapons, and used UAVs to conduct continuous surveillance of Thai positions and military facilities, Thai Navy Spokesman Parat Rattanachaiphan said

Ukraine's new budget lays foundation for country's complete economic defeat

On December 3, the Rada adopted Ukraine’s draft budget for 2026 with a record deficit of $47.5 bln

Soyuz MS-27 carrying two Roscosmos cosmonauts, NASA astronaut undocks from ISS

The spacecraft will now switch to autonomous flight and ignite its engines for deceleration at around 4:10 a.m. GMT before leaving orbit

Putin signs annual decree to call up reservists for military training

The Russian government and regional authorities are instructed to ensure the implementation of measures related to the call-up of citizens for military training and the conduct of these training sessions

Kremlin wants to understand results of US' work with Kiev after meeting with Witkoff

Dmitry Peskov did not comment on US President Donald Trump's statement that, unlike his entourage, Vladimir Zelensky was not familiar with the peace plan's contents

French politician calls Zelensky ‘irresponsible’ for not reading Trump peace plan

"Zelensky is disregarding the peace plan: this is inadmissible and irresponsible," Florian Philippot stated

Press review: Kushner emerges in Ukraine talks as world reacts to new US security strategy

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, December 8th

Cosmonauts, astronaut move from ISS to Soyuz MS-27 spacecraft, shut hatches

The descent module is expected to land 146 km southeast of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan, at 5:04 a.m. GMT

Russian House in CAR finds interesting fix to snake problem — organization head

"It turned out that simple housecats were perfect for the job - to keep the Russian House territory safe," Dmitry Syty explained

Chechen leader urges Ukrainians to make a stand against conflict with Russia

Ramzan Kadyrov added that captured Ukrainian servicemen often ask not to be returned back, fearing for their lives

Earthquake with 6.4 magnitude strikes northern Japan

The earthquake’s epicenter laid at a depth of 22 km

Biden’s policy made any criticism of NATO taboo — Russian envoy

Kirill Dmitriev added that the "dam" of false narratives of the Biden administration is breaking

Liberation of Konstantinovka by Russian troops to affect whole military operation — expert

According to Vitaly Kiselev, Konstantinovka is currently one of the most difficult areas in the zone of the special military operation

Russian top security official lays wreaths at Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum, monument to heroes

Sergey Shoigu also visited the house where Ho Chi Minh spent the final years of his life

Trump could quickly broker Russia-Ukraine deal — Swiss Foreign Minister

Ignazio Cassis emphasized that Switzerland’s goal as OSCE Chair for 2026 is "to ensure the OSCE is ready" for such developments

Liberation of Novodanilovka lets Russian troops advance to Orekhovo — expert

The Russian Defense Ministry announced on December 8 that the Russian army had liberated Novodanilovka in the Zaporozhye Region

Russia alarmed by US rhetoric on China in new security outlook — diplomat

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also noted "calls to all prominent regional partners to grant the Pentagon broader access to their ports and other facilities"

Europe feels humiliated as US, Russia determine Ukraine's future — media

According to the newspaper, "the Europeans are becoming irrelevant on their own turf"

Kiev invents new scheme to steal Western taxpayers’ money — Russian intel agency

According to the SVR, the supplies will be financed by Germany, France, Denmark, Norway, and the UK

Russian army controls key highways in Kupyansk district — expert

The Ukrainian army sends its units to this area with full knowledge that the city and the region are lost, head of the Kharkov Regional State Administration Vitaly Ganchev said

Rosatom ready to starting operations at Rooppur plant — CEO

"Construction of the first unit is almost completed," Alexey Likhachev said

Soyuz MS-27 turns on engines for braking ahead of descent to Earth

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Russian Ambassador to North Korea Alexander Matsegora dies at age of 70

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Trump threatens Mexico with new tariffs

Mexico is violating water supply agreement, the US President said

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Russian industrial products export up 18% in 9M 2025 — PM

Machine-building, chemicals and metallurgy were the main drivers, Mikhail Mishustin noted

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Cambodia starts shelling Thai territory from multiple rocket launchers — army

Cambodian forces fired first, prompting a Thai response

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Along with Japan, the US rejected the European Union’s offer to join its plan to use frozen Russian state assets to fund Ukraine

Kiev is luring foreigners into trenches, Ukrainians are hard to come by — Russian envoy

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Russia, Hungary must resist external pressure — Szijjarto

Peter Szijjarto added that Budapest and Moscow should make a breakthrough to increase the interaction rates

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Zelensky unveils shortlist for new chief of staff — media

Among them are Defense Minister Denis Shmygal, First Deputy Prime Minister and Digital Transformation Minister Mikhail Fedorov, First Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Kislitsa, head of Ukraine’s military intelligence Kirill Budanov, and Pavel Palisa, deputy head of Zelensky’s office in charge of military issues, the Novosti.Live portal said

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US continues working on Ukraine settlement for 'humane' reasons — Trump

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Ukraine needs $15 bln to buy weapons under PURL program in 2026 — Zelensky

Vladimir Zelensky said that as for this year, Ukraine was short of $1.5 billion but The Netherlands allocated $700 million

German chancellor, other European leaders urge Zelensky to reject US peace plan — WSJ

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Russian security chief arrives in Vietnam for talks with country’s leadership

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An-22 aircraft crashes in Ivanovo Region — emergency services

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Putin to award Heroes of Russia with Gold Star medals today

The ceremony will be held in the St. George Hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace

EU, UK trying to sabotage Ukrainian peace deal — Russian envoy

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Some 670 students evacuated from Novosibirsk school due to fire — Emergencies Ministry

There are no any reports of injuries

Ukrainian attacks kill seven Russian civilians, injure nearly 60 in week — diplomat

Rodion Miroshnik specified that Ukrainian strike drone attacks were the most common cause of death and injury to Russian civilians

Liberation of Volchansk year in making — expert

The Russian army began to move forward in the northern territory of the Kharkov Region back in 2024, Vitaly Ganchev noted

Number of Thai soldiers injured in fighting on border with Cambodia up to 29

The Thai Second Army Area also reported that Cambodia had shelled Thai territory on Monday and Tuesday with BM-21 multiple rocket launchers and kamikaze drones

US pressuring Zelensky into accepting peace plan terms — media

Donald Trump's administration is pushing Vladimir Zelensky to act quickly, while Europeans are advising him to be careful and patient, the news agency said

Russian troops liberate two communities in Ukraine operation over past day — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted more than 145 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed three enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

North Korean leader offers condolences on death of Russian envoy to Pyongyang

Kim Jong Un emphasized that the course in which the DPRK-Russia relations have developed into the present firm alliance is clearly associated with the devoted efforts of Alexander Matsegora

No Putin-Trump meeting planned until New Year — Kremlin spokesman

Dmitry Peskov added that at this point, Moscow has no information about the outcome of talks between Washington and Kiev in Florida

Ukrainian troops suffer heavy losses in Zaporozhye — official

The region's governor Yevgeny Balitsky said that the Zaporozhye Region authorities were ready to provide all necessary administrative and humanitarian assistance to residents of the liberated territories.

Defendants in Donbass genocide case facing life sentence

The case has been referred to the DPR Supreme Court for consideration on the merits

Benin coup attempt aimed to undermine regional stability, Russian expert says

Alexander Ivanov also highlighted France’s role, saying it is particularly noteworthy as the country seeks to maintain its influence in Africa

Tony Blair not to join Gaza 'Peace Board' due to Arab countries' stance — media

According to the newspaper, Tony Blair’s candidacy was rejected by several Arab and Muslim states because of his active support for the US invasion of Iraq in 2003

Putin renews ban on deals with stakes of foreigners from unfriendly countries

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Foreigners wishing to move to Russia are calling Putin's Direct Line

A significant number of foreigners are calling the hotline to express support for the Russian president

Ukrainian militants ordered to shoot retreating troops near Kupyansk — radio interception

This is evidenced by radio intercepts obtained by TASS

Israeli army launches eight attacks on southern Lebanon — website

No casualties or injuries have been reported

Expropriation of Russian assets being 'crucial act for European defense' — von der Leyen

"Securing financial support will help ensure the survival of Ukraine," President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen added

Japan refuses European plan to seize Russian assets — media

Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama stated that Japan has no legal authority to dispose of Russian assets

DR Congo faces its worst cholera outbreak in 25 years — UNICEF

Cases have been reported in 17 out of DRC’s 26 provinces, with the capital Kinshasa being one of the hotspots

Kiev concentrates up to 7,000 Ukrainian soldiers in DPR's Konstantinovka — military expert

Vitaly Kiselev also added that Russian aviation is currently playing a decisive role in the advance on Konstantinovka

E3 leaders instruct their advisors to continue work on settling Ukrainian conflict

The leaders of UK, Germany and France discussed the importance of the US-led peace talks for European security and supported the progress made

Europe remembers Turkey as NATO ally only when it suits them — newspaper

Tunja Bengin pointed to the cases, when hypocritical statements are being made by Europe

GDP growth rate expectably declined this year — Putin

Growth rates of the Russian economy passed through the expected slowdown stage in the present year, the head of state noted

Kiev's European allies seek to undermine US, Russian efforts on Ukraine — mission

Russian First Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Dmitry Polyansky stated that history will harshly judge Kiev's European allies

Putin extends ban for residents to buy stakes in foreign companies without permit

The ban is renewed for transactions of residents on paying for participation interests, contributions or capital units in property of a nonresident foreign entity

Adversaries of Russia, Iran, China try to undermine their cooperation — MP

Iranian parliament member Ebrahim Azizi also emphasized that Russia and Iran should cooperate to protect peace and security in their common region

Trump may exclude Zelensky from talks on Ukraine — US radio host

Steve Gill noted that many in Trump’s inner circle "are questioning whether Zelensky has either the power or the desire to actually end the conflict"

Infamous Ukrainian database Mirotvorets doxes RUSADA head

Veronika Loginova is accused of "attempting to undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine" and "supporting the special military operation"

Updated US National Security Strategy angers EU officials — newspaper

The Politico said that an unnamed European official on the sidelines of the Doha Forum called the strategy’s provisions regarding the European Union "very disturbing"

Ukraine can no longer depend on Western aid — opposition politician

Viktor Medvedchuk noted that the promised economic integration between Ukraine and the EU had never materialized

Russia, India seek ways to counter US hegemony — Chinese expert

An expert at the Center for Russian Studies at East China Normal University in Shanghai Zheng Runyu noted that high-level diplomacy between Russia and India demonstrates efforts by major powers to foster a multipolar world order

Russia’s military chief inspects Battlegroup Center in special military operation area

During the trip, Army General Valery Gerasimov handed state awards to the servicemen who had distinguished themselves in liberating Krasnoarmeysk in the DPR "and thanked them for their valor and courage displayed in accomplishing combat objectives"

Europe to come out of Ukraine conflict biggest loser — Republic Srpska leader

Milorad Dodik noted that Europe lacked an effective leader

Russia takes note of America's foreign policy turn in new National Security Strategy

Maria Zakharova drew special attention to America's about-face on hegemony

Only renewed cooperation with Russia can save Europe from collapse — Dodik

According to the Bosnian Serb leader, Europe’s economic success was largely based on access to Russian resources

EU prepares to admit Ukraine by 2030 and start war with Russia — Orban

As the Hungarian prime minister recalled, the treaty establishing the EU states that "in the event of an armed attack on the territory of one of its member states, the other member states are obliged to provide this state with all the assistance at their disposal"