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Anti-Russian sanctions

EU’s blacklist for Russia expands to 2,386 entries

The 15th package of anti-Russian sanctions also includes businessmen, officials, and companies from China, Iran, North Korea, Serbia, Georgia, the United Arab Emirates, and several other countries

BRUSSELS, December 16. /TASS/. With the European Union’s 15th package of anti-Russian sanctions adopted, the blacklist now includes a total of 2,386 Russian individuals and entities, according to the Official Journal of the European Union.

To be precise, the list contains 1,879 individuals and 507 legal entities, with most of them operating in or linked with Russia’s liberated territories that once belonged to Ukraine.

The package also includes businessmen, officials, and companies from China, Iran, North Korea, Serbia, Georgia, the United Arab Emirates, and several other countries.

The EU’s primary sanctions list against Russia began in 2014 and has since grown to include more than ten specialized sub-lists targeting Russian individuals and companies. These sub-lists address issues such as "human rights violations," "hybrid activities," "chemical weapons proliferation," and others linked to specific regions, such as Africa or Iran.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on December 10 that "the notorious sanctions, which were designed by our opponents as a means to contain Russia," have actually worked in its favor, giving the country an impetus to develop its tech space.

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Sanctions vs. Russia

Eastern Economic Forum

Foreign organizations conclude 27 agreements with Russian firms at Eastern Economic Forum

According to the Roscongress Foundation, "the sheer scale of the agreements concluded at EEF 2024 - over 5.5 trillion rubles"

Russian Armed Forces to receive advanced systems, including those using AI — Putin

According to the Russian leader, these include reconnaissance and attack vehicles, unmanned boats, and multipurpose robotic platforms

Mikhail Kavelashvili elected as 6th president of Georgia

A total of 224 members of the 300-member electoral college cast their votes in favor of Kavelashvili

Patriarch Kirill, Russian UN envoy avoid EU sanctions thanks to Hungary

According to the top Hungarian diplomat, the proposals put forward in connection with this package were nothing short of "insane"

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

Russian oil tanker in distress in Kerch Strait with 13 people on board

No information about casualties or a possible oil spill is available at this point

EU launches diplomatic contacts with new Syrian government — foreign policy chief

According to Kaja Kallas, the EU foreign ministers will discuss how and "on what level" the EU will engage with the new Syrian authorities and what the EU can offer them if they move "to the right direction"

Ousted South Korean President to be questioned on December 18 — Yonhap

Yoon Suk Yeol is suspected of plotting a rebellion to overthrow the constitutional order

British mercenary Burke killed in Ukraine by fellow mercenary, coroner says

The main suspect in the case is Abdelfetah Nourine, a dual citizen of Australia and Algeria

Ukraine largely loses ability to produce weapons, ammunition — defense chief

Andrey Belousov added that this year, more than 58,000 pieces of various enemy weapons and equipment have been destroyed in the special military operation zone

Ukrainian troops often get surrounded in Kurakhovo area — report

On December 15, the Ukrainian General Staff described the Kurakhovo area as one of the hottest spots in the entire battlefield

Pro-Turkish, Kurdish forces clash could spark new civil war in Syria — newspaper

The newspaper suggests that there is a risk the Syrian opposition could collapse, prompting interventions by Israel, Turkey, and the US in Syria’s internal affairs

Large Ukrainian stronghold wiped out near Konstantinovka — Russian military officials

According to them, more than 10 Ukrainian troops were killed in the attack

AfG leader says supplying Kiev with Taurus to turn FRG into target in case of nuclear war

"The historical experience of the 20th century should be a warning that Germany and Europe should never again get involved in a war," Alice Weidel said

CSTO understood Ukraine was turned into anti-Russia — ex-secretary general

Nikolay Bordyuzha noted "that the Ukrainian population was actually fostered in the spirit of hatred of Russians, everything Russia, and Russia"

FACTBOX: EU’s 15th package of sanctions against Russia

The EU Council also imposed separate restrictions on 52 tankers from third countries carrying Russian oil, despite the so-called "price caps" that the G7 tried to introduce

Ukrainian army forced to switch to defensive, tap reserves — Russian defense chief

"The staffing level of its frontline units does not exceed 45-50%," Andrey Belousov said

Another anti-government rally being held in Tbilisi

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Russian Aerospace Force radars able to detect any aerial threats

Distinctive features of new equipment of radio-technical troops are the modern element base and the high level of automation for all process of radar information processing and output

Russian forces liberate Vesyoly Gai, Pushkino in Donbass region

Russian forces also destroyed four US-made Patriot missile launchers, Russia’s Defense Ministry said

Putin praises T-90 tank as the best in world

The president noted that any hardware got outdated with time

Russian troops liberate Yelizavetovka community in Donbass area over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted more than 500 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed four enemy howitzers in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported

US plans for medium-range high accuracy weapons cause concern — Putin

The Russian leader noted that "the relocation and deployment of these missile systems in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region is already being practiced"

Nearly 100% of wounded Russian troops good for service after treatment — defense chief

"This is one of the best indicators in the world," Andrey Belousov stressed

West should not link support for Syria with Russian bases — Turkey's ruling party

Spokesman Omer Celik added that it was the kind of stance that other countries eager to help Syria rebuild itself should demonstrate

West continues to try to rule the world — Putin

According to the Russian leader, Washington and its allies "continue imposing on the world their so-called rules, which they change time and again as it suits them"

Ukrainian casualties in Kursk region amount to over 400 in past day

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Trump will never provide US security guarantees to Ukraine — The New York Times

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Vega missions to Venus mark triumph of space science — Roscosmos

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Slovak president hopes for beginning of talks on ending conflict in Ukraine soon

"However, looking at the situation realistically, it should be noted that no one in Europe who is sober-minded thinks now that it will be possible to reach peace without Ukraine’s territorial losses," Peter Pellegrini said

Trump blasts Biden’s permission to use US weapons for strikes inside Russia as 'stupid'

The US President-elect said that nobody asked him to weigh in on the decision

Lessons learned in military op should be integrated into training of new troops — Putin

The Russian leader stressed that the special military operation "should be taken into account while outlining priorities for the development of domestic weapons and hardware, as well as the tactics of their use"

Hungary vetoes 6.5 bln euro in EU military funding for Ukraine — Szijjarto

This is not the first time that Hungary has blocked the allocation of funds from the European Peace Facility that are meant to fund arms supplies to Ukraine

West seeks to open 'second front' against Russia in Central Asia — Russian diplomat

According to Mikhail Galuzin, this policy from the West is marked by "attempts to get Central Asian nations join sanctions and isolate Russia once and for all," and "restore their military and intelligence presence in the region"

Putin highlights need for more innovation in defense sector

The President specifically highlighted information exchanges between the units directly involved in Russia’s special military operation and defense companies

Assad says he did not consider resignation, evacuation at any point during recent events

"As terrorist forces infiltrated Damascus, I moved to Latakia in coordination with our Russian allies to oversee combat operations," Bashar Assad stressed

Scholz politically isolated in EU, German politician says

"Regrettably, it should be said so: the majority of European politicians simply do not want to meet anymore the German Chancellor that either sits silent for hours or lectures the world," said Friedrich Merz

Oil products no longer discharged from wrecked tankers in Kerch Strait

"The remaining tanks are well sealed," Sergey Stranichny said, commenting on the satellite monitoring data

IN BRIEF: Russian defense minister speaks out on confrontation with West, Ukrainian losses

According to the minister, Ukrainian losses exceeded 560,000 servicemen killed and wounded in 2024

CSTO ex-Secretary General explains why Ukraine was never invited to CSTO

Even within the CIS Ukraine was in a semi-legal position because they had not ratified all of the CIS-related agreements, including the CIS founding acts, Nikolay Bordyuzha said

Some 700 Ukrainian troops trapped near Kurakhovo, Russian official reveals

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Russian cancer vaccine to be free of charge — top oncologist

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

CIS must enhance anti-terror measures amid Syrian developments — senior Russian lawmaker

According to Leonid Slutsky, the overthrow of former Syrian President Bashar Assad and the armed opposition's assumption of power could have repercussions far beyond the region

Storm-beaten oil tankers were carrying nearly 9,000 tons of mazut — emergencies service

Both tankers were seriously damaged, with the foreship of one of them being torn off by a wave

Rosatom gets Akkuyu project back on track after delivery failures by Siemens — CEO

The turbine that the Siemens company was supposed to deliver, was produced in Europe, Alexey Likhachev said

15-year-old girl killed in a stabbing attack in southwestern Japan — Kyodo news agency

All extracurricular activities and events in schools and kindergartens of Kitakyushu have been cancelled

Western aid to Ukraine ‘in increasingly short supply’ — Bloomberg

Pessimistic attitudes in the country are rising against the backdrop of the successful advance of Russian forces, the government’s failing mobilization attempts, and rolling blackouts

Special op's 'pivotal' year, nuclear deterrence: what Putin said at Defense Ministry

The Russian president stressed that the military and political situation in the world remains "uneasy and unstable"

Ukrainian command prohibits soldiers to retreat from Velikaya Novosyolka in Donbass region

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Israel launches heavy strike on Syria’s air defense systems in Tartus — source

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Poland imposes sanctions on Russian billionaire Oleg Boiko

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Use of several Oreshnik missiles comparable to nuclear weapons — Putin

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Russian envoy remains in Damascus, continues work — embassy

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West to prolong agony of Zelensky's regime in proxy war against Russia — Duma

Leonid Slutsky stressed that the Russian government had repeatedly expressed its willingness to resolve issues through political and diplomatic means

Damaged Russian cargo ships in Kerch Strait cause oil spill emergency

Two rescue tugboats and two helicopters have been dispatched, the Federal Agency for Sea and Inland Water Transport reported

New Syrian leader gives Russia chance to review relations with Syria

Ahmed al-Sharaa also said that the country's new authorities will not enter into a conflict with Israel

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The head of state recalled that Russia’s newest powerful weapon "was successfully used in November in response to the strikes on our country’s territory"

EU foreign ministers plan to allocate six billion euros for weapons to Ukraine — Szijjarto

"Despite the possibility of a Christmas ceasefire and a mass exchange of prisoners of war between Russia and Ukraine, today they want to waste over six billion euros on arms supplies," the Hungarian foreign minister said

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The EU High Representative for foreign affairs promised to convey this viewpoint to the new Syrian authorities during upcoming diplomatic meetings

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According to Olga Stefanishyna, she personally views these statements as "a desire on the part of the West to lift responsibility for all these arrangements that were previously in place"

Ukraine's losses, compensations to residents: situation in Russia's Kursk Region

Over the period of fighting in the Kursk frontline area, the Ukrainian army has lost over 41,400 troops, 242 tanks, 182 infantry fighting vehicles, 126 armored personnel carriers and 1,276 armored combat vehicles

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Situation in Krasnoarmeisk area improves after liberation of Shevchenko — DPR head

Denis Pushilin noted that Russian troops had also advanced in the Krasny Liman area

Georgia’s president-elect suggests incumbent president resign if she is against govt

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Ukrainian military fires 30 projectiles at Russia’s Belgorod Region in past day

Eight projectiles and an FPV drone were launched at the Graivoronsky District

Preparations underway to address oil spill in Kerch Strait

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Nicaragua offers Russia to build new canal together — special envoy

The construction of a new Carribean port is already underway, Laureano Ortega Murillo said

Russian forces repel Ukraine’s attempted counterattacks in Krasnoarmeisk area

According to DPR’s head, Denis Pushilin, Russian forces continue their advance in this section of the combat engagement line

BRICS will discuss Syria, common approaches to situation, diplomat says

"As the subject of an inclusive political process, which is expected to define the framework for Syria’s future governance structure and its political organization, gains more urgency, BRICS will undoubtedly address this," Sergey Ryabkov noted

Next year unlikely to be easy, Russia hopes for victory — Medvedev

Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said it at the 22nd United Russia party congress.

Too soon to discuss deployment of peacekeepers to Ukraine — Kremlin spokesman

According to Dmitry Peskov, talks on Ukraine could resume based on the Istanbul accords

Seoul calls on Moscow not to discuss improvement of bilateral ties amid Yoon’s impeachment

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Ukraine’s judiciary 'paralyzed' as Supreme, Constitutional courts face repression — Putin

The Russian president noted that "the Supreme Court’s powers include the annulment of illegitimate presidential decisions"

Survival rate of wounded in Russian army up significantly — defense minister

Andrey Belousov thanked all medical workers who were saving soldiers’ lives on the frontline and in district and central military-medical and civilian hospitals

Russian troops repel several Ukrainian counterattacks on Novy Komar in DPR

"In Novy Komar, half of the village is under the control of Russian troops," Vladimir Rogov, chairman of the Russian Civic Chamber’s commission on sovereignty, patriotic projects and veteran support, said

Dozens of Ukrainian soldiers encircled in Kurakhovo, the Russian military says

According to them, the Ukrainian battlegroup is being "ground down" gradually so that it cannot flee the town

Russian missile frigate wraps up Mediterranean deployment

The ship’s crew successfully practiced all the assigned missions as part of the Russian Navy’s standing Mediterranean taskforce, the Fleet’s press office reported

West turns Ukraine into impoverished, war-torn country — politician

Ukraine is a clear example of such actions of the West, Viktor Medvedchuk noted

Syria urges BRICS to aid reconstruction, Syrian politician tells TASS

In Mohammed Alloush’s opinion, there are "no objections" to Syria joining BRICS, however, he expressed doubt that its "presence in the bloc would be beneficial" at this stage

Captured Ukrainian soldier tells about orders to shoot civilians in Russia’s Kursk Region

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Drafting 14-year-olds won't help Kiev, Putin asserts

The Russian leader said that he has no doubt that the draft age in Ukraine will ultimately be lowered

Zelensky's rejection of ceasefire confirms Kiev has no interest in peace — diplomat

In a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on December 11, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban proposed a major prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine, along with a Christmas truce

No sense for Georgia to join EU at expense of rejecting its values — president-elect

Mikhail Kavelashvili said that Georgia’s authorities are open to a discussion on any topic, but the West shows no willingness to do that, being limited to criticism only

Loss of Krasnoarmeysk to mark 'largest setback' for Ukraine in months — TV channel

Krasnoarmeysk is a key logistical hub for the Ukrainian group in the Donetsk People’s Republic

Putin backs Orban’s peace initiatives rejected by Zelensky, Kremlin says

Commenting on reports that Viktor Orban’s proposals were endorsed by the team of US President-elect Donald Trump, Dmitry Peskov noted that at present, another president is in charge in the US

Press review: South Korean president impeached as Ukraine turns to foreign mercenaries

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, December 16th

Russia calls Israel’s annexation of Golan Heights unacceptable — MFA

"Israel must return to the full compliance with the well-known 1974 agreement with Syria," Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stressed

No decision yet on future of Russian bases in Syria as dialogue continues — Kremlin

Russia currently operates two military facilities in Syria: a logistics naval base in the port city of Tartus and the Hmeimim air base located near the city of Jableh in the Latakia Province

BRICS to review Syria’s membership application if new authorities confirm it — diplomat

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov noted that the association does not "pressure anyone towards anything," treating any choice with respect

New regions may join Russia, Medvedev says

"This is quite possible," Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman said

Senior Russian diplomat calls for stepping up efforts to explain causes of Ukraine crisis

Mikhail Galuzin noted that the diplomatic missions of Russia and Belarus "are intensifying work on this track with the countries of the Global South, operating in close partnership and coordination, and this work should be continued"

Hungary opposes sending EU military mission to Ukraine — top diplomat

According to Peter Szijjarto, the Hungarian authorities believe that dispatching EU military to Ukraine "on any mission, either training or coordination or reforms," is highly risky

Top Ukrainian diplomat rejects Christmas Day truce at EU meeting in Brussels

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said that "warlike rhetoric" prevailed during the meeting, with "desperate attempts" being made to "give an impetus" to continue the armed conflict in Ukraine

EU foreign ministers to gather in Brussels for their last meeting this year

As the EU representative said, the foreign ministers will approve the 15th package of sanctions against Russia over the conflict in Ukraine, as well as a "new blacklist" for Moscow's alleged "hybrid actions"

Russian forces down Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet — top brass

Air defenses downed a MiG-29 fighter jet belonging to the Ukrainian air force, eight US-made HIMARS multiple rocket launchers and 116 unmanned aerial vehicles