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Russians can now travel to 89 countries visa-free

The number of states whose residents can travel to Russia visa-free increased to 57

© Vitaly Nevar/TASS

MOSCOW, December 30. /TASS/. The number of countries that do not require Russian passport holders to obtain their visas has increased from 82 to 89 in 2019, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a comment outlining foreign policy achievements of the year.

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The ministry revealed that bilateral agreements on visa-free entry using ordinary passports and 90-day stay have come into force this year with St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Costa Rica, Dominica, Suriname, the Maldives, Palau and the United Arab Emirates. "The overall number of visa-free countries for Russians reached 89," the ministry added.

Moreover, the number of states whose residents can travel to Russia visa-free increased to 57. The e-visa pilot project for foreigners to enter Russia through checkpoints in the Far Eastern Federal District was also expanded to now include the Kaliningrad Region, Leningrad Region and St. Petersburg.

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The comment concerns both the fate of Zelensky and the outcome of the Russian special military operation

Munition blast in Azerbaijan’s Nakhichevan kills two

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Musk travels to China — Reuters

He had not advertised the trip in advance

UNRWA Chief: Number of child lives lost in Gaza is staggering

Erdogan moves back from May 9 his trip to US — report

The report hasn’t been officially confirmed

Israeli police arrests seven people after protest in Tel Aviv

The demonstrators burned pyrotechnics and refused to obey police orders, the press service of the Israeli police said

Refinery in southern Russia partially suspends operations after Ukrainian drone attack

Ten unmanned aerial vehicles flew directly into the plant, causing a big fire

Istanbul accords could have stopped hostilities in Ukraine — German newspaper

The deal still looks advantageous even after two years of war, Welt am Sonntag said

No conditions for talks with Kiev at this time — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov stated that the position of Russian President Vladimir Putin "is well-known"

Russia’s Battlegroup East improves frontline positions — top brass

The adversary lost up to 85 troops, four pickup trucks, two self-propelled artillery systems, an electronic warfare station and a field munitions depot

Eight people wounded in Ukrainian drone attack on borderline Belgorod Region

Five people were hospitalized while three others received medical aid on site and are being treated on an outpatient basis

Russia delivers 35 precision strikes on Ukrainian military sites over week — top brass

Russian troops liberated the communities of Novomikhailovka and Bogdanovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic and advanced deep into the enemy defense

Air defenses down three drones near oil depot in Kaluga Region — governor

There are no casualties and no destruction

Checks on Russian-Kazakh border due to remaining terrorist threat — diplomat

Russian border guards are in direct contact with foreign partners, Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said

Hamas publishes another video with hostages — newspaper

The video showed hostages Keith Siegel, 64, and Omri Miran, 46, who were kidnapped from their hometowns during the October 7 Hamas attack

West to attempt to ‘play chicken’ with Russia — Kremlin

It is important not to succumb, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said

Top security official advises West to keep door open for joint research work with Russia

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Russian GDP gain 5.4% in Q1 2024 — Economy Ministry

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Russia strikes major thermal power plant in western Ukraine — underground resistance

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UNRWA chief believes Israel preparing large-scale military operation in Rafah

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Russian troops wipe out military train with Western armaments in DPR over past day

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Russian cutting-edge missile frigate holds artillery firings in Arctic drills

"The combat exercises were conducted in the Barents Sea waters closed for shipping," the Russian Defense Ministry reported

Medicine for Bekhterev’s disease may cause medical tourism to Russia — Health Minister

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Ukrainian troops shell church premises in Donetsk

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Serial production of missiles for S-500 air defense systems begins in Russia — source

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Russia provides UNRWA with platform to explain Gaza situation to BRICS — agency chief

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Ukraine’s army chief reports deteriorating battlefield situation to Western allies

The Ramstein group meeting also discussed the state of the Ukrainian energy infrastructure, Alexander Syrsky said

One of 12 dismissed from UNRWA over October 7 massacre reinstated — agency chief

This person has been completely cleared, Philippe Lazzarin said

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The Russian Investigative Committee added that measures are underway to locate their whereabouts and bring them to criminal liability

Russia’s response to West’s seizure of Russian frozen assets to be tough — diplomat

Maria Zakharova drew attention to The Wall Street Journal’s report that Germany allegedly wants to leave Russia’s frozen assets intact to used them as a tool during the conflict settlement talks to force Russia cede part of the Ukrainian territory it has taken control of

Russian Interior Ministry puts Ukrainian lawmakers, TV anchors on wanted list

In addition, former Ukrainian Prosecutor General Vitaliy Yarema and businessman Seyar Kurshutov were included in the database

Israeli troops conduct night raids in West Bank

The military used sting grenades and tear gas, the news agency noted

Southern neighbors of US to regain stolen lands — Russian Security Council’s secretary

Nikolay Patrushev speculates that country may split into the North and the South again to get back to its original shape

Russia’s Tasoyev wins 2024 European Judo Championship in over-100kg weight category

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Settlement proposal on Gaza to Hamas provides for release of 20-40 hostages — TV

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The Russian top defense official added that in order to achieve its goals, Washington is exerting unprecedented pressure, including on its partners

US intel finds no proof of Russian leadership’s involvement in Navalny’s death — newspaper

"Some European intelligence agencies have been told of the US view," The Wall Street Journal added

Russia warns US, NATO against harming its security — diplomat

Maria Zakharova stressed that "the level of nuclear risks have risen dramatically as a result of the West’s destructive policy, which is fraught with a direct military confrontation between nuclear powers"

Russian upper house speaker slams PACE as vacuous, worthless structure

Valentina Matviyenko stressed that Russia is a sovereign and mighty state, which pursues an open, clear and independent foreign policy

Russian investment in India’s strategic sectors of economy reaches $1.26 bln

India plans to step up cooperation with Russia in the area of oil and gas, metals, strategic natural resources and industrial equipment related to railways, ports and shipping industry

Alrosa may leave Catoca project in Angola — Finance Ministry

Alrosa is working in Angola since 1992

Ukraine’s frontlines may collapse, if Russia decides to focus its offensive — paper

Ukraine is at a great risk of its frontline collapsing wherever Russian generals decide to focus their offensive

Belgium’s rejection of exchange of assets in Russia to impede process — Kremlin

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West prepares puppet structures in case of coup in Belarus — KGB

Ivan Tertel said various methods were being considered, up to "instigating a forceful seizure by illegal armed groups" being trained in the West and Ukraine

Moscow court orders arrest of 12th suspect in Crocus City Hall terror attack

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Hezbollah shells Israeli Air Force base, neighboring settlements

Al Mayadeen TV reported that at least 30 projectiles were fired at the facility from several rocket launchers

Ukrainian forces trapped on outskirts of Berdychi near Avdeyevka, says DPR official

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Associated Press says its journalist detained in Russia’s Murmansk Region

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Third of Ukrainian troops surrender near Lisichansk, LPR’s envoy to Russia says

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Palestinian president thinks Israeli operation in Rafah imminent

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Ukraine’s army leaves first defensive line in Berdychi near Avdeyevka, says DPR

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Kiev recognizes difficulties, losses on battlefield over six months of waiting for US aid

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Polish general expects Russia to continue wiping out Abrams tanks in Ukraine

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UNRWA urges to stop artificially provoked famine in Gaza — chief

Philippe Lazzarini noted that the agency alone "cannot provide food to everybody in the Gaza Strip"

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Russia proposes new rules for foreigners buying sim cards, requires biometric data

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Panic on frontline growing on Ukrainian side — Kremlin

Russia must support the current dynamics in the special military operation zone, Dmitry Peskov said

Some want to dismantle UNRWA to prevent creation of Palestinian state — agency chief

According to Philippe Lazzarini, more than 80% of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza believe that if UNRWA is dissolved, it will not be possible to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli issue through the creation of two states

UNRWA chief considers involving ICC in investigation into deaths of his staff in Gaza

It also could be the Board of Inquiry or the Commission of Inquiry, Philippe Lazzarini said

China to send two pandas to American zoo in ten-year loan program

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Medvedev vows Moscow's response to US law on seizing Russia's frozen assets will sting

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Israel reports another airstrike on Hezbollah facilities in south Lebanon

Military infrastructure in the area of Markaba in south Lebanon was attacked

Regulators close US’ Republic First Bank — FDIC

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Shoigu talks about ties with NATO, attacks on Zaporozhye NPP as he attends SCO meeting

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