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Uniper eyes opportunities to quickly complete Nord Stream 2 pipeline

Earlier, the Swiss company Allseas, which is laying pipes for Nord Stream 2, suspended operations and removed all vessels from the construction area in the Baltic Sea due to the threat of US sanctions

MOSCOW, December 23. German company Uniper, which is a partner of Gazprom in the Nord Stream 2 construction project, expressed confidence that opportunities would be found to quickly complete the construction of the pipeline.

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US sanctions against Nord Stream 2 demonstrate intimidation policy — Lavrov

"We are confident that ways will be found to quickly complete the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. This would be important for Europe, because the pipeline will strengthen the security of gas supplies and competition in our markets for the benefit of consumers," the company’s spokesman Georg Oppermann told TASS.

Earlier, the Swiss company Allseas, which is laying pipes for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, suspended operations and removed all vessels from the pipeline construction area in the Baltic Sea due to the threat of US sanctions.

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Kazan airport in Russia’s Tatarstan suspends service — regulator

"The air harbor is temporarily not accepting or sending flights," the statement reads

Expert offers to use navy ships to escort tankers after Eagle S incident

Alexander Stepanov believes that NATO intends to lock the Kaliningrad enclave, to lock the Russian trade fleet in Neva estuary and to simultaneously block the Leningrad naval base

Foreign powers seek to provoke mass riots in Syria — source

On December 27, security forces formed by the new Syrian government blocked districts of the city of Tartus, where Alawites organized riots

Kremlin says no comment on 'highly specialized' issue of Finland’s seizure of oil tanker

On December 25, Reuters reported that Finland’s police and border guards have detained an oil tanker, which flies under the flag of the Cook Islands, suspecting that an anchor of the vessel may have damaged the EstLink 2 cable

Russian security official says Poland gave Ukraine unusable helicopters

It is reported that corrupt Ukrainian officials will probably get their kickback from Poland, in another move that helps Ukraine’s downfall

Grozny airport was closed due to Ukrainian UAVs when AZAL plane crashed in Aktau

Dmitry Yadrov stressed that the plane’s commander tried to land in Grozny twice

Russia offers safe haven for people trying to escape Western liberal ideals

Under the document, such foreign nationals will have the right to apply for temporary residence in Russia "outside the quota approved by the Russian government and without providing documents confirming their knowledge of the Russian language, Russian history and basic laws"

Scholz says he would like to hold phone talks with Putin again

The German chancellor emphasized that he didn’t plan to "send German servicemen to this war"

Spanish coordination center orders Norwegian captain not to take Ursa Major sailors

Maritime Rescue Coordinating Center in Cartagena ordered not to take crew from vessel in distress on board as their rescue boat was on the way to the scene

Ukraine receives first 100 mcb of LNG from United States

It was noted that this delivery was aimed at ensuring Ukraine's energy security and took place several days before the end of Russian gas transit through the country's territory

Relative of former Syrian president detained in Lebanon airport — report

Arab news media earlier reported that Rifaat and his family moved to Lebanon after the transitional government took over in Damascus

Georgian PM sees US sanctions on party founder as reward for protecting national interests

"This is just a reward for the defense of our country's national interests," Irakli Kobakhidze said

Trump to rely on forces that brought him to power — Russian presidential aide

Nikolay Patrushev agreed that Trump, when he was still a candidate, "made many statements critical of the destructive foreign and domestic policies pursued by the current administration"

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

Bank of Russia raises dollar exchange rate for December 28 to 100.53 rubles

At the same time, the official yuan exchange rate was reduced by 3 kopecks to 13.4434 rubles

Astana, Baku to closely cooperate in investigating plane crash in Kazakhstan

According to the statement, Tokayev assured the Azerbaijani president that the Kazakh side would make every effort to ensure a thorough and objective investigation of all circumstances of the incident, and briefed him on the progress of the work of the special state commission tasked with investigating the crash

Taiwan records approach of seven Chinese PLA warplanes, five vessels

According to the statement, one of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern ADIZ air defense identification zone

Carbon quota diktat tantamount to attempt to limit Russia's progress — Kurchatov Institute

Russia's energy sector, Mikhail Kovalchuk said, is the "greenest" because "everybody uses coal or something else, while Russia burns gas"

Russian MFA lists nine countries set to become BRICS partners from January 1

It is reported that Brazil’s BRICS chairmanship will announce the countries’ acquisition of the partner status as soon as it receives their confirmation

Biden administration to send $1.25 bln in military assistance to Kiev — AP

The new package of aid to Kiev includes a significant amount of munitions, including for the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems and the HAWK air defense system, the agency said

Airstrikes on Yemen’s capital target airport, Houthi military sites — source

Powerful explosions are going off in the city, a Houthi source told TASS

Houthis report attacking Santa Ursula vessel in Arabian Sea

The container ship Santa Ursula, sailing under the flag of Denmark, is bound from Spain’s Algerciras to the Omani port of Salalah, Marine Traffic data showed

Project 885M latest nuclear-powered submarine Arkhangelsk joins Russian Navy

During the ceremony, the Russian Navy chief handed in the St. Andrew’s naval flag to the submarine commander, Captain First Rank Alexander Gladkov

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

Azerbaijan Airlines states its passenger jet crashed due to external mechanical damage

Azerbaijan Airlines earlier announced the suspension of flights to several Russian cities

Kazakhstan’s Aktau Airport was aware of oxygen cylinder blast before plane’s crash

KazAeroNavigation’s flight director immediately notified all emergency services

Press review: Middle East may host Putin-Trump talks as experts probe Kazakhstan crash

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, December 26th

Parliament impeaches South Korean acting president

The impeachment was supported by 192 delegates with at least 151 votes required

Oreshnik missile systems still few, but they are enough — Putin

According to the head of state, the system's serial production has begun

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

Mobilized Ukrainian troops poorly trained, army chief admits

In this regard, the Ukrainian military command considers extending the term of preparing recruits for warfare from six to eight weeks, Alexander Syrsky said

US debt to reach limit in mid-January, authorities to take extraordinary measures — Yellen

The national debt of the US currently stands at around $36.2 trillion

Ukraine’s General Staff admits tense situation along entire frontline

The Ukrainian army reported earlier on Friday that its forces were retreating to the border of the Dnepropetrovsk Region from the Kiev-controlled territory of the Donetsk People’s Republic "to the last defensive line" in that area

Train service resumes in Voronezh Region after attack by Ukrainian drones

Governor Alexander Gusev said earlier that the UAV wreckage had broken down the railway catenary system in one of the districts of the Voronezh Region, with trains delayed until elimination of the consequences

New Syrian authorities do not intend to annul agreements on Russian military bases

According to the source, the parties are holding negotiations to ensure that circumstances of force majeure, including military actions and regime changes in the republic, do not become a pretext for canceling the agreements

Russia to press for progress on line of engagement — Putin

The President stressed that Moscow would move on in accordance with the plans it had outlined

Syrian army’s weapons seized by terrorists — Iraq’s PM

Mohammed Al Sudani stressed that Baghdad respects the will of the Syrian people, hoping for progress toward a comprehensive political process

German president dissolves parliament, schedules early elections for February 23

Frank-Walter Steinmeier also said that he had consulted with the leaders of all the parties represented in the Bundestag before making the decision and concluded that neither the current nor the new government, in any composition, would win a majority in the current parliament

Armenia's opposition intends to prevent Pashinyan's participation in 2026 elections

Leader of the opposition Sacred Struggle movement Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan stated that the PM doesn't have the courage to run in the elections

Europe must be punished, US ignored after hybrid war between West, Russia — Medvedev

According to the politician, Europe "became the primary stronghold of Russophobia globally," undermined the Istanbul agreements, initiated the sanctions campaign, and fueled the most extreme war factions without considering the losses suffered by both sides of the conflict

Russia persuades most states it is essential to address causes of Ukrainian crisis — MFA

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Politics discussed on board of ISS, but unlike on Earth crew members mingle — cosmonaut

According to Oleg Kononenko, there was no forbidden issues for the crew on board of the ISS

NATO to boost military presence in Baltic Sea following cable incidents — Rutte

Earlier, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas attributed responsibility for the Baltic Sea incidents to the tanker fleet transporting Russian oil, even before the investigation concluded

Russian Railways tests robodogs for work on dangerous railway sections

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Norwegians who refused to rescue sailors from Ursa Major acted like non-humans — senator

Konstantin Kosachev noted that the West was in the habit of discussing values, but the true Western values are not about legalizing same-sex marriage or overthrowing unwanted regimes or supporting Ukraine

NATO considers use of ATACMS missiles in Ukraine reckless, indiscriminate — NYT

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Slovakia ready to host peace talks on Ukraine — Prime Minister

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FSB foils series of assassination attempts on senior Russian defense officials

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

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Kazan airport in Russia’s Tatarstan suspends service — regulator

"The air harbor is temporarily not accepting or sending flights," the statement reads

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Osamu Suzuki, who headed Japanese carmaker for 40 years, dies at 94

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Plane crash in Kazakhstan claims 38 lives

29 people had been hospitalized

Scholz could make unexpected steps in relations with Russia amid German crisis — analyst

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Vietnamese defense minister advocates for strengthening partnership with Russia

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Russia to convene UNSC meeting in January to discuss Ukraine’s crimes against civilians

The report on Ukrainian atrocities in Selidovo will be presented

Transnistria must become part of negotiations on Ukraine — Foreign Minister of Moldova

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Press review: Putin outlines Russia's future goals and Tehran faces energy blackout riots

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New Syrian authorities do not intend to annul agreements on Russian military bases

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Houthis say attacked US aircraft carrier in Red Sea, shot down US fighter jet

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

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Ukraine opens second front in Africa — envoy

Igor Gromyko noted that in August, Mali's transitional government announced the termination of diplomatic relations with Ukraine

IN BRIEF: Putin talks to reporters about Oreshnik missile, natural gas transit

The president noted that the most important thing in the coming year is "the well-being of the Russian people, standard of living, stability"

Russian fighters advance in Volchansk in Kharkov Region, force Volchya River — expert

Andrey Marochko added that Russian servicemen "start preparing the way for further advancement southwest of this locality"

Serbia’s Vucic suggests Trump may bring ceasefire in Ukraine closer

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Putin forms scientific advisory board under Russian Security Council

Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu will lead the board

Russian cancer vaccine to be free of charge — top oncologist

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

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

Resurs-P satellites are designed for the Earth’s remote sensing and for regional and local monitoring of its surface

Russia to build new aircraft carrier no sooner than 2030 — expert

No less than a decade will be required to build it, given favorable conditions, the expert said

Two families with children return to Russia from Syria — commissioner

An aircraft landed in the Moscow Region, Maria Lvova-Belova said

Russian-Iranian partnership agreement to be inked on January 17 — ambassador

The comprehensive strategic partnership treaty is expected to mark a significant step forward in the development of relations between Russia and Iran, which are growing rapidly

Azerbaijan Airlines to continue flights to six Russian cities

Azerbaijan Airlines announced the suspension of flights to Mineralnye Vody, Sochi, Volgograd, Ufa, Samara, Grozny, and Makhachkala from December 28 following the crash of its plane near Aktau on December 25

Azerbaijan Airlines passenger jet returns back to Baku shortly after takeoff

"The passenger aircraft landed at the Heydar Aliyev International Airport at 10:13 a.m. local time [6:13 a.m. GMT]," the statement noted

Flydubai cancels flights to Mineralnye Vody, Sochi until January 2 and 3, respectively

Flydubai advised passengers to contact the airline's contact center or relevant travel agents for information on rebooking or refund options for cancelled flights

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

Trump's words on Greenland escalate tensions in the Arctic — Russian ambassador to Norway

Nikolay Korchunov pointed out that Greenland and Denmark are not the only Arctic Council members feeling pressure on their sovereignty, and are in a difficult position in light of possible moves by the incoming Trump administration

Ukraine's national debt reaches record $159.74 bln

In October, the national debt was $155.37 bln, which was also a record

Finnish president says situation 'under control' after cables damage in Baltic Sea

According to Alexander Stubb, the cables were "significantly damaged"

Russia, Abkhazia, South Ossetia fail to agree on moving Geneva talks — Russian MFA

Since 2008, international discussions on security and stability in the South Caucasus have been held in Geneva, with the participation of Abkhazia, Georgia, Russia, the United States, and South Ossetia, mediated by special representatives from the UN, the EU, and the OSCE

Almost 37,000 tons of contaminated soil removed from Black Sea beaches

"Almost 8,000 people were employed in this work today," according to a statement by the region’s crisis center

What is known about Russia’s retaliatory strike on Ukraine after attack on Rostov Region

Kiev Mayor Vitaly Klitschko reported the fires in Solomensky and Shevchenkovsky districts

Archaeologists discover fossilized remains of palm-sized cat in China

The animal was similar in size to the smallest of its modern relatives, the black-footed cat

Germany seen defenseless against Russia’s Oreshnik missile system — report

Bild said the German Foreign Ministry commissioned an internal government analysis on defense from ballistic missiles