Russian stock market closed with leading indices down

The MOEX index fell by 2.61% to 2,420.3 points, while the RTS index fell by 2.12% to 740.87 points

MOSCOW, December 16. /TASS/. The MOEX index closed Monday’s trading session falling by more than 2.5%, while the yuan also fell slightly.

By the end of the day, the MOEX index fell by 2.61% to 2,420.3 points, the RTS index fell by 2.12% to 740.87 points.

The yuan exchange rate fell by 0.08% over the day to 13.859 rubles.

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"

Nicaragua offers Russia to build new canal together — special envoy

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

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

Russian stock market closed with leading indices down

The MOEX index fell by 2.61% to 2,420.3 points, while the RTS index fell by 2.12% to 740.87 points

EU Council adopts 15th package of sanctions against Russia — statement

The EU Council also extended the deadlines for sale of assets and divestments by European companies from Russia

BRICS ready to explain to Trump it doesn’t seek to undercut dollar — Russian diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov also commented on Donald Trump's threat by saying that Russia is used to the situation when the US, regardless of whose party’s representative sits in the White House, "uses nothing but threats"

Swiss lawmakers receive threatening letters over death of children in Gaza

The Bern Cantonal Police are investigating the incident

Taiwanese plans for independence are destined to fail, Chinese MFA asserts

Lin Jian stressed that Beijing's position on military relations between Washington and Taipei, as well as the sale of American arms to the island, is unequivocal and clear

EU imposes sanctions on three Chinese companies

The companies Juhang Aviation Technology, Redlepus TSK Vektor Industrial, Xiamen Limbach Aviation Engine were added to the sanctions list

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"

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"

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"

At least four people killed in US school shooting, police say

CNN reported that the police declined to say whether the victims were teachers or students

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

Putin congratulates large Russian companies on good results

Therefore, he continued, all of Russia is interested in the success of local companies

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

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 troops liberate seven communities in Kursk Region, Donbass area over week

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted more than 3,350 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed five enemy tanks in its area of responsibility over the week, the Defense Ministry reported

Russian Paralympians demonstrate resilience in Paris — athlete

Andrey Vdovin expressed gratitude to Russian President Vladimir Putin for his support and attention to the development of Paralympic sports in Russia

Syria’s new leader seeks to ‘gain voice’ in UN Security Council

Ahmad al-Sharaa didn’t say exactly what role the new Syrian government sees for itself in the UNSC

Russia’s Aerospace Force builds up combat potential with air defense systems, new aircraft

The Russian Aerospace Force is outfitting its units and formations with advanced and upgraded aircraft, surface-to-air missile systems, radar stations and complexes of various designation

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

Erdogan maintained dialogue with Putin from first moments Syrian crisis — ruling party

The spokesman for Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party noted that Ankara will continue consultations on the Syrian issue with all countries in the region

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.

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

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

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

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"

Trump says Zelensky should be ready to agree to end Ukraine conflict

Trump said Moscow should be the other side of the deal

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

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

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

Germany’s Chancellor Scholz asks President Steinmeier to dissolve Bundestag — DPA

Support for the current head of the Cabinet was expressed by 207 members of the Bundestag out of the 717 present, while 116 abstained

The oppression of the Internet is global

The Western media have been predictably uniform and hypocritical in their outcry over Russia's string of new Internet compliance regulations and legislation

Russia plans to test US food stamp program to help its poor

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

Gazprom set to team up with Italy, Greece in Europe-bound natural gas deliveries

Russian energy giant has signed a memorandum of understanding with Italian energy firm Edison and Greek gas company DEPA on natural gas deliveries from Russia to the future gas pipeline ITGI

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

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

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

It is reported that the US military will shift its priorities to the Asia Pacific Region in order to counter the growing influence of China under the Trump Administration

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

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

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

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

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

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"

Arkady Novikov: I’ll continue to be a Slave of the Lamp

The founder and owner of the Novikov Group in a TASS special project Top Business Officials

Russia now flies direct to 40 countries — ATOR

Use of several Oreshnik missiles comparable to nuclear weapons — Putin

It is reported that the Oreshnik system, which has already proven itself well, is very powerful

Press review: Has Pakistan entered the Karabakh conflict and why Pompeo is touring S. Asia

Putin orders rescue efforts after two oil tankers run aground off Crimea — Kremlin

The Russian leader also ordered to set up a governmental working group led by Deputy Prime Minister Davelyev, Dmitry Peskov said

EU won’t talk to Damascus unless Russian bases scrapped — Kallas

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Some 700 Ukrainian troops trapped near Kurakhovo, Russian official reveals

According to the Russian official, the remaining Ukrainian troops in Kurakhovo itself can find themselves trapped, and very soon, too

German politician calls for heeding Putin's initiative for Ukraine

Ukraine's long-term nuclear-free status and renunciation of NATO membership ambitions, Sahra Wagenknecht said, are Russia’s demands that are easy to understand

Gas supply by Gazprom for Europe through Ukraine to Sudzha totals 42.4 mcm

The volume of supplies has not changed despite the statements on suspended flows of Russian gas to Austria’s OMV

European Union unable to shape common migration policy

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

Paris Olympics, Paralympics lacked sporting spirit, Putin says

"The atmosphere of the Paris Paralympics was far removed from the essence of a true sports festival, one that embodies the values of equality, friendship, mutual respect for cultures and traditions, honest competition," the head of state noted

Trump once again refuses to say if he spoke with Putin after elections

On December 11, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Moscow is ready for contacts with Washington on the Ukrainian settlement

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

According to the source, the target of the strike was outside the city of Tartus

Serial production of Oreshnik missiles to begin shortly — Putin

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"

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

Russia approves pact on peaceful space exploration with Algeria

The agreement encompasses various areas of cooperation, including space science, astrophysical phenomena studies, planetary research, and remote Earth sensing

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

Israeli air force, navy attack Syrian air defenses

Additionally, air raids were carried out on the Syrian army’s munitions depots to the east of Tartus (220 kilometers from Damascus)

Russia spends 2.5% of GDP more on its army than before — Putin

Social security for servicemen and their families must be strengthened, the head of state emphasized

Slovakia negotiating continued gas supplies through Ukraine — PM

The situation with gas supplies will be solved in coming days "at various levels in various countries", the republic’s Prime Minister Robert Fico 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

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

Artur Plombirus was conscripted from prison, where he was serving a sentence under Article 186 of the Ukrainian Criminal Code (robbery)

Fall of Damascus and hopes for free Syria: Assad makes first statement after stepping down

Bashar Assad insists that he remained in Damascus until the early hours of December 8 and did not leave the country until late on that day

Putin praises T-90 tank as the best in world

The president noted that any hardware got outdated with time

Russia-US truce plan for Syria promises no push-button solutions

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"

Moldova will not allow Russia organize presidential election vote in Transnistria

Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu said the government may also prohibit the vote on the territory of the Russian Embassy in Chisinau

Russia’s Lifintsev wins gold in 100m backstroke at 2024 World Swimming Championship

The junior world record holder in the 100-meter backstroke clocked the distance in 48.76 seconds to win the gold

Court sentences Jehovah’s Witness to five years behind bars for funding organization

During the searches, foreign passports, electronic devices, flash drives, hard disks, laptops and other material evidence relevant to the preliminary investigation were seized

Houthis say they attacked target NEAR Tel Aviv with hypersonic missile

The Israel Defense Forces said earlier in the day that sirens sounded in a number of areas in the central part of the country following missile launches from Yemen

Russia expects continued meetings on Syria with Turkey, Iran — senior diplomat

The Astana talks were founded in 2017, with 21 meetings held to date

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

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

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

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

On Saturday, Russian Ambassador to Seoul Georgy Zinovyev said that as long as the ROK has not crossed the "red line" of sending weapons to Ukraine the potential for restoring bilateral ties remain

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

Trump announces ‘a little progress’ in efforts to settle Ukraine conflict

He didn’t elaborate

Four settlements in Krasnodar Region face high alert mode due to oil spill

According to the Emergencies Ministry department in Crimea, the tankers Volgoneft-212 and Volgoneft-239 collided during a storm on December 15

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

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

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"

Syria truce plan crushes Turkish president’s aggressive intentions

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a live broadcast of Turkey’s national television on Wednesday that the Syria truce deal was a "dishonest" step as it ignored Ankara’s position

Russian stocks down as Monday trading opens

As of 10:20 a.m. Moscow time, the yuan was down by 8.7 kopecks at 13.78 rubles

Russian stock market accelerates decline, yuan grows

By 14:30 Moscow time, the MOEX index accelerated its decline and reached 2,428.69 points (-2.27%), while the RTS index amounted to 738.71 points (-2.27%)

Russian cancer vaccine to be free of charge — top oncologist

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

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

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

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