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Baltic countries’ disconnection from BRELL system not affecting Kaliningrad Region

The drill for independent disconnection of the region from the BRELL took place in September and was not noticed by residents, Alexey Besprozvannykh said

KALININGRAD, December 12. /TASS/. Final disconnection of Baltic countries from the united energy system of Belarus, Russia, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania (BRELL) slated for February 8 will not affect the stability and reliability of power supplies in the Kaliningrad Region, Governor Alexey Besprozvannykh said during a regional Q&A session.

"Speaking about the energy system, we were actually preparing for that and new power plants were built in the region owing to decisions of the Russian President, and the CHP-2 plant is functioning," the governor said.

The drill for independent disconnection of the region from the BRELL took place in September and was not noticed by residents, the official said, "I think you will not notice [the disconnection] in February," the governor noted, adding that the region is ready for disconnection of Baltic states.

Russia may partially continue gas supplies to Europe via Ukraine without contract — expert

If the transit through Ukraine is completely stopped, Gazprom's pipeline exports in 2025 may decrease by only 5-7 bln cubic meters, the expert noted

Egypt promises new air terminal for Russian tourists

Earlier, Russian Transport Minister Maxim Sokolov also spoke about the prospects of opening a new terminal for Russian tourists, noting that "it all depends on the Egyptian colleagues."

Russian forces liberate Novoivanovka: situation in Russia’s Kursk Region

Over the day, Ukraine lost more than 200 troops, a tank, an infantry fighting vehicle, two armored combat vehicles, four motor vehicles and three mortars

Russia to help its nationals if they want to leave Syria — diplomat

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova earlier said the safety of Russian citizens in Syria is an absolute priority for Russia

Texas, California decolonization reflects global shifts, says Russian intel chief

"We are currently witnessing the true decolonization of the Global South, which has come to see itself as a full-fledged political actor rather than a subordinate ‘backyard,’" Sergey Naryshkin noted

Slovak PM vows not to support Ukraine joining NATO

Robert Fico pledged to support Ukraine’s move to join the European Union upon resolving the conflict

Russia to retaliate to Kiev’s ATACMS missile attack on Taganrog airfield — top brass

The ATACMS missile fragments that fell on the Taganrog military airfield caused injuries among the personnel and no destruction on the ground, the Russian Defense Ministry said

Nine people killed in residential building collapse in Cairo

Several people were rescued from the collapsed structures

Nuclear disarmament cooperation with unfriendly nations unacceptable — diplomat

These countries pursue anti-Russian policies, act aggressively, and supply our enemies with weapons, Sergey Ryabkov said

United Shipbuilding Corporation to build at least 1,000 ships in next decade

The cutting-edge technologies should be used to solve this task and the complete import phase-out needs to be ensured for the national technological independence, Konstantin Golubev stressed

Zelensky rejected ceasefire proposal, says top Hungarian diplomat

The Russian Foreign Ministry reiterated the Russian side’s commitment to a realistic resolution to the conflict, as outlined by Russian President Vladimir Putin on June 14

Time names US President-elect Donald Trump person of the year

By claiming Time’s person of the year title, Trump left behind such other contenders as billionaire Elon Musk, Vice President Kamala Harris, the Princess of Wales Kate Middleton, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Meta Corporation (banned in Russia as an extremist organization)

Slovakia, Hungary intrigued by idea of new security architecture for Eurasia — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister underscored that, to the West’s displeasure, the process of building a new architecture of security in Eurasia has already started

Erdogan says he and Putin are the only two leaders in world

Turkish President also said that he respects Germany’s former Chancellor Gerhard Schroder

Many US partners asking Russia `not to stop halfway’ on Ukraine — SVR chief

The global prestige of Washington is steadily declining, Sergey Naryshkin emphasized

EU anti-Russia sanctions package includes extension for Prague to import oil products

Slovnaft, one of the largest oil refineries in Central European countries, is located in Bratislava

Ukrainian troops near Novosyolka surrender rather than counterattack

According to the captives, they were tasked with entering the outskirts of the settlement, gaining a foothold, and awaiting assault groups

Oreshnik launch serves as warning to certain political figures overseas — Ryabkov

"It was also a signal to their European clients, who have completely lost it as well, that Russia means business," the Russian deputy foreign minister added

Russia, Ukraine agree on exchanging packages for POWs for New Year’s Eve

"This exchange is expected to take place in December on the Russian-Belarusian border or elsewhere," Russian Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova said

Russia ready for talks with Ukraine if Kiev grasps situation on battlefield — Medvedev

The politician went on to say that the topics of Ukraine and Syria were raised during his recent meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping

Ukrainian commander acknowledges 'incredibly brutal' situation near Krasnoarmeysk

The Ukrainian General Staff also reported that the "situation on the frontline remains challenging," highlighting the Krasnoarmeysk, Kurakhovo, and Vremevsky areas

DSTU develops Russia's first unmanned tractor of traction class 1.4 with hybrid drive

It can be used in most types of field work

Russia may partially continue gas supplies to Europe via Ukraine without contract — expert

If the transit through Ukraine is completely stopped, Gazprom's pipeline exports in 2025 may decrease by only 5-7 bln cubic meters, the expert noted

Kremlin vows retaliation after Ukraine’s ATACMS missile attack on Taganrog airfield

According to Spokesman Dmitry Peskov, the response will come when and how Russia thinks fit

Kiev’s attempts to expand IAEA mandate hurt agency’s reputation — Russian diplomat

Ukraine "misuses" the agency which seeks to provide technical support to member countries, so the agency also gets engaged in issues that are outside its expertise, Mikhail Ulyanov said

Israel to maintain presence in Golan Heights buffer zone until it gets security guarantees

The prime minister’s office stressed that Israel’s actions in the Golan Heights area were defensive in nature and stemmed from a government change in Syria

CIS governments agree to allocate funds for joint air defense project

They also agreed to direct some of these funds toward projects to build and enhance individual air defense systems in 2025

Bank of Russia postpones release of upgraded notes

New banknotes will not appear immediately in the turnover and the time for equipment adaptation will be needed, the press service informed

Revenues from West’s frozen assets allocated for support of Russian regions — ministry

The US Department of the Treasury said earlier that a $20 bln loan would be provided to Ukraine and paid in tranches

Ukraine to lose third of territory, get no invitation to NATO — Slovak PM

Robert Fico also emphasized that the conflict's repercussions would significantly impact Ukraine's internal stability

Indian teen prodigy Gukesh Dommaraju wins Chess World Championship

Ding Liren, 32, was crowned the world chess champion in 2023, when he defeated Russian Grandmaster Ian Nepomniachtchi

Hostilities in Syria should stop, UN Resolution 2254 should be implemented — Lavrov

"We have clearly reaffirmed our commitment to UNSC Resolution 2254, first of all in the context of preserving the unity and territorial integrity of Syria, and with regard to the need to establish political dialogue," he said

US commercial satellites surveyed Russia’s Engels airstrip ahead of Kiev’s strike attempt

Earlier, it was reported that, on Monday morning, Kiev attempted to strike the two airstrips with Soviet-made jet drones in order to disable Russian long-range aviation planes

US could facilitate peace by ordering Ukraine out of Donbass, says Russian diplomat

"Those who expect Russia to make concessions are either poorly informed or have a short memory," Maria Zakharova noted

Russian troops gradually eliminate Ukrainian forces in Kharkov frontline area — official

Vitaly Ganchev added that Russian troops were conducting active operations across the entire Kharkov frontline

Trump criticizes Kiev over strikes inside Russia with US-provided missiles

According to the US president-elect, such actions just escalate the conflict

Kiev fails to hand over Soviet-era assets although Russia repaid Soviet debts — Putin

Russian President recalled that Russia asked other states to hand over those assets explaining that it had repaid the debts of the former Soviet Union but heard in response that it was its own problem

US not to 'abandon' Ukraine, Trump says

The US president-elect added that if he had been still in office in 2022, the special military operation would not have started "for numerous reasons"

Putin to award state decorations to outstanding Russians in Kremlin

More than 30 people were invited to the ceremony

Biden approves another military aid package to Ukraine — White House

72nd aid package will include additional air defense, artillery, drones and armored vehicle

'The United States of America is our enemy,' says Medvedev

"What I can’t understand is the position of European leaders who are unable to make decisions that benefit Europeans. All of their decisions benefit either certain rival political groups or the Americans," the politician said

Russia open to honest dialogue with US, not sure if Trump will seize chance — diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov pointed out that "by throwing shade at the current [US] administration, Trump and his camp send mixed signals, adhering to the principles of 'America first' and ‘peace through strength'"

Dam failure in Orsk happened due to maintenance errors — prosecutor's office

The partial collapse of a dam in Orsk, Orenburg region, occurred in two places on Saturday night

Russian forces strike Ukrainian army, equipment in 141 areas over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted roughly 515 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed an enemy ammunition depot in its area of responsibility over the past day

Ukrainian army to draft all men soon, officer warns

It is reported that employees of recruitment centers are being reassigned to army positions at the home front

Press review: Dubai hosts nuclear powers' meeting as OSCE preps Ukraine for EU and NATO

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, December 12th

New Syrian government to decide on fate of Russia’s military bases — opposition

"The issue of military bases is a sovereign decision of the Syrian state," Mohammed Alloush stated

Norilsk Nickel starts new development strategy in 2024 — VP

The fifth medical center will be opened in the near time as part of corporate medicine system development, Andrey Grachev noted

Russian foreign trade surplus growing to $118.6 bln in 11M 2024

The current account surplus grew to $57.4 bln as of the end of January - November 2024 against $49.5 bln a year earlier

Russian troops liberate Zarya community in Donbass region over past day — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted roughly 410 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed an enemy tank and six artillery guns in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported

Western sanctions outlived their usefulness, it's just grandstanding — senior diplomat

"There is nothing left in the foreign policy arsenal of this group except sanctions," Sergey Ryabkov noted

US must choose between ‘feeding gods of war’ in Ukraine and peace — Medvedev

According to Dmitry Medvedev, Trump’s pledges to resolve the Ukraine crisis "in a day" should be taken as election rhetoric, given the complexity of the given crisis

Russian ombudswoman asks Kiev for secure corridor for Kursk region residents

Tatyana Moskalkova noted that the weather is cold, while many residents in the occupied territories have no heat

Russian forces occupy several high-rise buildings in Donbass region's Kurakhovo — official

"There is fighting near the town hall building but Ukrainian forces still control it," the official said

Hainan International Fashion Week wraps up in Sanya

Leading designers, critics and other experts in high fashion, as well as representatives of luxury brands visited the event in Sanya, according to the organizers

Syrian opposition controls city of Tartus hosting Russian base — source

The opposition's armed forces did not and have no plans to penetrate the Russian military bases, which continue to operate normally, the local source noted

Situation near Russia’s Hmeymim airbase in Syria remains calm — witnesses

On December 9, the agency's source said that the armed opposition was in full control of the Syrian province of Latakia, where Russian military bases are located

Lavrov envisions inclusive, polycentric Eurasian architecture

The Russian foreign minister expressed regret that "the OSCE leadership and those who manipulate it deliberately keep this organization from doing constructive work and outside the objective course of history"

Ukrainian authorities started preparing for elections, ex-minister says

It is indicated by Vladimir Zelensky’s presentation of the so-called "plan of resilience" in the Verkhovna Rada, by the establishment of the Ministry of Unity and a number of other measures, says Andrey Reva, ex-Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine

Putin orders Russian forces pullout from Syria

Russia is ready to deal a new blow to terrorists if they again try to break peace in Syria, the president said

Ex-Ukrainian officer shocked by high number of foiled terror attacks in Russia

Ukraine developed a major multi-phase operation to carry out the attack, Vasily Prozorov went on to say

EU Council grants full Schengen membership to Bulgaria, Romania from January 1

In March, Bulgaria and Romania joined the Schengen area partially, as passport control was lifted at air and sea borders

Analysts upgrade Russia’s key rate, inflation forecasts — Central Bank

Inflation outlook has been upgraded to 9.2% (+1.5 pp compared to October) for 2024, to 6% (+0.7 pp) for 2025, and to 4.5% (+0.4 pp) for 2026

Moscow establishes interaction with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s political committee — diplomat

On November 27, members of armed opposition groups launched a large-scale offensive against government forces' positions in Aleppo and Idlib governorates

Zelensky wrong to think that Biden corruption link gives him impunity to do what he wants

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova pointed out that the scale of corruption between the US and Ukraine is truly astonishing

Syrian ex-president Assad now in safety in Russia — deputy foreign minister

The Russian diplomat added that it "would be very wrong for me to elaborate on what happened and how it was resolved."

Iran not to allow increased inspections of nuclear facilities under sanctions — diplomat

According to Kazem Gharibabadi, if IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi finds any deviations during inspections, it is best to document them "instead of relaying his assumptions and speculations to the media"

Russian troops close in on Ukrainian combat group at Kurakhovo power station in DPR

According to the source, the Ukrainian battlegroup is unsuccessfully trying to leave the power station’s premises

Turbine installation completed at Akkuyu nuclear power plant

The Akkuyu NPP is the first nuclear power plant under construction in Turkey

Bashar Assad's son graduates with honors from Moscow State University — newspaper

Hafez Assad was handed his diploma by the rector of the university, Viktor Sadovnichy, along with other Syrian students who also graduated from MSU

Turkey continues facing challenges due to sanctions in nuclear plant project

Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar expressed gratitude to all counterparts and partners engaged in implementation of the Akkuyu NPP project, national nuclear regulation authorities and Russian agencies

OPEC+ output up by 80,000 bpd in November, 680,000 bpd above deal’s target — IEA

Among the countries whose production exceeded the target most of all in November were the UAE, Iraq and Russia, according to the International Energy Agency

OSCE special envoy for Ukraine plans to prepare Kiev for NATO, EU accession

Petr Maresh is to "maintain close contact with the Ukrainian authorities"

US withdrawal from Afghanistan helped rededicate resources for Ukraine — Blinken

Blinken was then asked whether he saw any connection between the US withdrawal from Afghanistan and the start of Russia’s special military operation

Russian stock indices plunging on Thursday — market data

The ruble-denominated MOEX Russia Index lost 0.79% to 2,492.63 points

Talk of Moscow-Kiev dialogue 'absurd' given Ukraine’s negotiation ban — diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov referred "not only to the authorities in Ukraine but also to those located thousands of kilometers away who are heavily involved in shaping Kiev's political agenda"

US citizen who entered Syria few months ago released from prison in Damascus — TV

Travis Timmerman said that he came to Syria "for spiritual purposes" as a pilgrim

Russian missile cruiser Varyag enters Mediterranean Sea

The ship's crew continues to fulfill the mission it was given for the long-range voyage

Trump suggests that European troops monitor potential ceasefire in Ukraine — report

It is noted that Europe should play the main role in defending and supporting Ukraine

Russia to retaliate immediately if Kiev gets ATACMS missiles — diplomat

Konstantin Gavrilov also noted that the "manic efforts" of some Western OSCE member countries to isolate Russia "are futile and will backfire on their initiators"

OSCE special envoy for Ukraine intends to deepen split in Europe — Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova compared Maresh to an environmentalist who "claimed he would pour oil refinery waste into the sea" and to a firefighter who "promised not to stop setting fires"

Trump did not invite Putin to his inauguration in January — Kremlin

The ceremony will take place on January 20, 2025

OMV announces termination of contract with Gazprom Export due to suspension of supplies

Prior, OMV received approximately 7,400 MWh per hour, corresponding to approximately 5 TWh per month, at the Austrian Slovakian border, the company added

Syrian army for first time liberates town from Islamic State in airborne operation

Russian helicopters hit a force of the Islamic State near the village of Al-Kadir before the landing of a Syrian assault force

India interested in Russia’s Podsolnukh coastal radar station — defense cooperation agency

The export version, the Podsolnukh-E radar, stands out for its ability to simultaneously track more than 300 surface and air targets over an area of around 150,000 square kilometers, around the clock and in all weather conditions

FACTBOX: Aftermath of UAV attack in Chechen Republic

Air defenses destroyed 16 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones overnight across Russian regions, the Defense Ministry reported

The origins of Russia’s traditional New Year’s celebration

US House of Representatives approves $884-billion defense budget

The Senate is expected to approve the budget next week, and the document will go to US President Joe Biden for signing

Russia completed its mission in Syria some time ago — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov added that "now, we need to proceed based on the realities on the ground"

Russia’s oil export down 120,000 bpd in November, revenues lose $1.1 bln

Oil deliveries lost 100,000 barrels per day in November, while export of petroleum products went down by 20,000 barrels per day

Oreshnik missiles to eliminate need for nuclear weapons, Putin says

This is why, in President Putin’s words, Russia behaves with caution and even restraint in all areas

After Oreshnik launch, NATO fears Moscow’s resolute response to aggression — intel agency

Moscow has solid evidence of the West’s aggression against Russia, which is "an extremely disturbing sign for NATO," the SVR said

Russian Cabinet keeps beef, poultry import quota for 2025 flat in annual terms

The poultry import quota remains at the level of 364,000 metric tons just as in prior years

New Russian combat equipment in 2024

Press review: Russia's role in Syria questioned and UN hints at a possible SC summit

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, December 10th

Minsk blasts Warsaw for attempting to compromise Belarusian diplomat

According to the ministry, the Polish envoy was warned that "Belarus reserves the right to take any response measures it deems necessary."

Israeli drone strikes al-Khiyam after Lebanese units enter town — report

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned the attack as another Israeli violation of the 60-day ceasefire agreement brokered by the US and France

Medvedev delivers personal message from Putin to Xi Jinping

The politician is currently having a two-day working visit to China

Russia's top senator announces progress on BRICS digital payment system

Amid endless sanctions and Russia’s disconnection from SWIFT, the Bank of Russia has developed its own payment system, which many countries have already joined, Valentina Matviyenko noted

Russia’s naval nuclear forces fully modernized, says Navy Chief

Admiral Alexander Moiseyev emphasized that the condition and combat readiness of Russia's modernized naval strategic nuclear forces are at an exceptional level

Putin has already voiced his position strikes inside Russia with US weapons — diplomat

Earlier The New York Times reported that US President Joe Biden has allowed to use US-supplied long-range missiles, known as the Army Tactical Missile Systems, or ATACMS, to strike inside Russia