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Price of gold futures hits fresh all-time high, surpasses $4,450 per troy ounce

As of 9:55 a.m. Moscow time the gold price was up by 1.46% at $4,451.3 per troy ounce

MOSCOW, December 22. /TASS/. The price of gold futures contracts for February 2026 delivery hit a fresh all-time high during Monday trading on the Comex exchange (a division of the New York Mercantile Exchange) as it surpassed $4,450 per troy ounce, according to trading data.

As of 9:55 a.m. Moscow time (6:55 a.m. GMT) the gold price was up by 1.46% at $4,451.3 per troy ounce. By 10:13 a.m. Moscow time (7:13 a.m. GMT) the price of gold had narrowed gains to 1.28% as it traded at $4,443.6 per troy ounce.

Meanwhile the price of silver futures for delivery in March 2026 on the Comex exchange rose by 2.1% to $68.9 per troy ounce.

Uganda does not rule out opening direct air service with Russia — MFA

John Leonard Mugerwa noted that this must be a commercially viable decision

Kiev loses nearly 4,300 troops, mercenaries in fighting near the LPR over week — expert

Russian servicemen also destroyed more than 300 various enemy combat vehicles

European Commission becomes ‘Titanic’ dragging EU down with it — magazine

According to journalist Rafael Pinto Borges, Brussels has experienced institutional decline, which the European Commission prefers to ignore

WSJ names five key obstacles to peace between Russia, Ukraine

These include territorial issues, Ukraine's accession to NATO, the size of the Ukrainian armed forces, the status of the Russian language, and control over the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant

Ukraine must be prepared for continuation of conflict in 2026 — US envoy to NATO

The reason is that a peace agreement may not yet be concluded by the end of this year, said US Permanent Representative to NATO Matthew Whitaker

Greece joined EU initiative to buy US weapons for Ukraine — Russian Foreign Ministry

According to Yury Pilipson, there is no doubt about involvement of ‘senior comrades’ in Greece's accession to the announced initiative

Three Ukrainian drones downed in Russian regions

Two of them were destroyed over the territory of the Volgograd Region

Trump says Zelensky not ready for peace

"He can come back when he is ready for peace," the US president said

Ukrainian drone attack damages two piers, two vessels in Krasnodar Region

According to the regional operational headquarters, specialists are extinguishing fires that broke out at the piers and are covering an area of 1,000 to 1,500 square meters

Lavrov holds over 20 meetings during two days of Russia-Africa Forum in Cairo

According to the Foreign Ministry, the top Russian diplomat held bilateral talks with his African counterparts from the Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Tanzania, Botswana, Gambia, Namibia, Equatorial Guinea and others

Conflict with Thailand leaves 525,000 Cambodians dispaced — ministry

The number includes 274,800 women and 167,100 children

Drone strikes damage moorings, vessels in Russia’s southern Krasnodar Region

There were no casualties

Maduro condemns attacks on tankers carrying Venezuelan oil

He noted that the Venezuelan people and all social strata of society remain steadfast in defending peace and national stability

US tanker with Venezuelan oil left for US — official

Vice President and Hydrocarbons Minister Delcy Rodriguez also posted a video of the tanker leaving port

Putin’s words about Europe echo position of Trump with his supporters — Die Welt

This position will significantly complicate the already tense relations between European elites and the Trump administration

Participation in EAEU brings serious dividends to its participants — Putin

However, the Russian leader said that "every state should carefully look at all aspects related" to the joint work of the EAEU countries

Putin sees EU's Russian asset grab as daylight 'robbery'

The Russian leader emphasized that the European Union is trying to do it overtly

Kiev counterattacks near Krasnoarmeysk, trying to slow Russian advance — expert

The Russian Defense Ministry announced the liberation of Krasnoarmeysk on December 1

US department confirms detention of tanker near Venezuelan coast

"The United States will continue to pursue the illicit movement of sanctioned oil," the Head of the Department of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said

Leaders of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan receive this year’s Leo Tolstoy Award

Valery Gergiev, general director of the Bolshoi Theatre and artistic and general director of the Mariinsky Theatre, presented the medal and diploma to the presidents

Continuation of Ukraine conflict beneficial to politicians, arms dealers, bankers — Orban

Hungarian Prime Minister emphasized that Europeans deserve better, because Europe needs peace

Merz finds himself in isolation in Europe due to position on Russian assets — newspaper

German Chancellor attempted till the last "to praise advantages of the de facto expropriation of Russian assets, downplaying risks at the same time," the newspaper said

Integration into EAEU should be based on development declaration until 2045 — Putin

The head of state also mentioned a draft decree on further steps to form a common financial market in the Eurasian Economic Union

Warmongers fail to interfere with talks between Russia, US on Ukraine in Miami — Dmitriev

The day before, Dmitriev told Russian journalists the talks were constructive

Dmitriev calls for acknowledging existence of warmonger campaigns in Western media

UK/EU politicians push the "let’s go to war with Russia"—covering up migration blunders/cashing in on weapons sales via "friendly" contractors, noted Dmitriev

The Wire actor dies at 36

Law enforcement officers filed a report on the death of a person, finding no signs of foul play

Macron betrays Merz on expropriation of frozen Russian assets — FT

"He knows that there will be a price to pay for that", also said a senior EU diplomat

India ready to step up work on trade agreement with EAEU — Putin

The first round of consultations on the text of the agreements was held a month ago, noted Russian President

Russia to adhere to Alaska agreements in all versions of Trump’s plan — Kremlin aide

The Kremlin representative said Russia would work out its position from which it would go further, including with the Americans

Trump administration recalls heads of nearly 30 foreign diplomatic missions — news agency

According to its information, the heads of US missions abroad have been notified that their terms in their current positions will expire in January

Deep State wants military conflict between the US and Russia, Gabbard says

US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said that every time Donald Trump makes progress and moves closer and closer to that hope for peace, the warmongers in the deep state step up and try to do everything they can to stop it

London court may hold hearings on Ukraine’s debt to Russia this spring

Russia was forced to take the case to the international court in London because Ukraine breached the debt payment deadline

UK Chancellor of the Exchequer barred from her local pub due to tax hikes — newspaper

Minister will only be able to return to the pub after taxes are cut, noted the owner of the Marsh Inn, Martin Knowles

Putin says 3I/ATLAS comet poses no threat to Earth, it can be 'sent to Jupiter' anytime

According to the president, Russian scientists keep this issue under control and "are well aware of ongoing developments regarding this comet"

Russia interested in intensifying development of ties with EAEU nations — Putin

Putin is sure that all the colleagues share this attitude

Cancer-stricken Serbian sues NATO for use of depleted uranium in 1999 attack on Yugoslavia

His lawyer Srdan Aleksic disclosed that the Serbian officer’s grievance is fully identical to the 500 lawsuits, filed by Italian soldiers who were deployed in Kosovo in 1999

INTERVIEW: Russia says relations with Slovenia fall to lowest level in history

Political dialogue has been frozen, diplomatic contacts have been reduced to a minimum, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian ties are gradually deteriorating, said Yury Pilipson

Russia and US can implement many mutually beneficial projects — Kremlin

But this should not be tied to the settlement in Ukraine, despite Washington's desire to consider these topics in a single package, noted Dmitry Peskov

Witkoff calls Russia-US consultations on Ukraine ‘productive, constructive’

Moscow highly values Washington's efforts to settle the conflict and strengthen global security, he added

Putin to have no quiet schedule in January — Kremlin

The Russian leader works on holidays every year, however, not all of Putin's meetings during this period are public, noted Dmitry Peskov

Russian troops expanding buffer zone near Seversk in DPR — Pushilin

According to the DPR head, the evacuation of civilians from the city is underway

Copper price on LME hits new all-time high

As of 8:32 a.m. Moscow time, the copper price stood at $11,993 per ton

European leaders tend to delay decision making, Romanian president says

Nicusor Dan stressed that EU politics was a democratic process, but "the debates are a little bit too long"

EAEU establishes itself as self-sufficient center of multipolar world — Putin

The Russian leader noted the expansion of mutual trade exchanges and the deepening of cooperative ties between the members of the union

Ukrainian authorities evacuate almost 147,000 civilians from frontline areas

More than 16,500 of those evacuated are children

Volvo files application to register three trademarks in Russia

Two of them are for Volvo, and the third is for Volvo Penta

Ukraine steps up its activities in Kharkov Region, initiative remains with Russia — expert

Andrey Marochko recalled that last week, Russian servicemen liberated the village of Novoplatonovka

Russia’s Su-57 fighter with fifth-generation engine begins flight tests — Rostec

The state corporation added that UAC is currently implementing a program to expand production capacity, which will allow it to increase the volume of Su-57 aircraft deliveries to the military

Special unit of Ukrainian International Legion neutralized — security forces

The Ukrainian command continues to use elite special forces as assault troops

US National Intelligence confident Russia not planning to control entire Ukraine

US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard called such information about Russia's plans "a lie and propaganda"

Longest night of year coming to Northern Hemisphere — Planetarium

It will last for seventeen hours

Captain of the sunken Russian ship arrested in Japan has not faced charges as of yet

Captain of the Russian "Tanya Karpinskaya" freighter Alexander Zaika, who was arrested in Japan on Thursday, has not faced official charges yet

Drones entering Romania’s airspace pose no threat, president says

Nicusor Dan believes the drones that have been recorded in the country’s airspace have not intentionally been sent on its territory

EU loan to Kiev funds continuation of conflict — political director for Hungarian PM

Viktor Orban argued that the move would ultimately lead to cuts in other areas of European countries’ budgets, emphasizing that Hungary will not participate in the loan

New French missile could form basis of European 'nuclear umbrella,' expert says

Alexander Stepanov pointed out that the ASMPA-R has successfully completed tests with the Rafale M carrier-based aircraft, confirming its operational compatibility

Critical infrastructure facility damaged in Ukrainian city of Odessa

One of the city districts was partially left without electricity

Putin thanks Lukashenko for his high assessment of Russian-Belarusian relations

The president also said that he was very glad to see Lukashenko

Dmitriev arrives at negotiating platform on Ukraine in Miami

The day before Dmitriev told Russian journalists that the talks were constructive

Europe will sooner or later have to repay what it steals from Russian assets — Putin

The EU and G7 countries froze approximately 300 billion euros in Russian assets

Defense Ministry stops buying Kalashnikov AK-47 submachine guns

The weapon does not meet the Ministry’s needs, General Staff Chief Gen. Nikolai Makarov said

Russia to think about peace plan proposals based on contacts in Miami — Kremlin aide

Ushakov added that, most likely, the bulk of the peace plan proposals would not suit Russia

Deep State attempts to provoke third world war — Dmitriev

Kirill Dmitriev pointed out that "US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard is great for exposing the deep-state warmonger machinery trying to incite WW3 by fueling anti-Russian paranoia across the UK and EU"

Russia is capable of building orbital station on its own, deputy prime minister says

According to Yuri Borisov, the new Russian space station could be located higher than the International Space Station and this meant that it would be high orbital

Ukraine employs 30 drones to attack Belgorod Region over past day

In particular, in the Grayvoronsky district, the Ukrainian army launched nine munitions and 20 UAVs, damaging two vehicles

Senior Russian general killed in bomb blast in Moscow — Investigative Committee

"According to an investigation, on the morning of December 22, an explosive device planted under a car was activated on Yasenevaya Street in Moscow," Svetlana Petrenko said

Russia says fakes about contacts with S. Korea aim to sow distrust between it, North Korea

These information fakes have no basis in fact, noted Maria Zakharova

Republika Srpska’s new president maintains course of friendship with Russia — MFA

Yury Pilipson recalled that "the early presidential elections in the Republika Srpska held on November 23 were the result of a campaign launched under pressure from Western countries to illegally remove Milorad Dodik, the leader of the Serbs in Bosnia and Herzegovina, from power"

Brussels promised that sanctions would crush Russia, but they destroyed Europe — Orban

Hungarian Prime Minister emphasized that this is the price of poor decision-making and that negotiations are needed

Putin baffled by NATO Secretary General Rutte's war-with-Russia talk

The Russian president advised that Mark Rutte read the national security strategy of the United States, which is a key player, creator and main sponsor of NATO

US Air Force fighter jet intercepts aircraft for approaching Trump's residence

F‑16 intercepted an aircraft that entered restricted airspace over Palm Beach, NORAD reported

US, Ukraine discuss sequence of next steps during consultations — Witkoff

According to the Special Representative of the US president, the parties, in particular, held "a separate constructive meeting"

Putin satisfied with work of Medvedev government

It is an enormous responsibility, a colossal experience, and I am sure Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev will use it at his new post

Russian defense technologies unmatched by Western military-industrial complex — expert

Alexander Stepanov noted that established industrial production would make it possible to make tens and even hundreds of items per year to provide strategic coverage for all critical areas and facilities in the Russian border regions

Negotiations on Ukraine in Miami constructive, Dmitriev says

Talks on the settlement in Ukraine will continue in Miami on Saturday and Sunday local time, the Russian envoy continued

Georgian president calls EU decision to allocate €90 billion to Ukraine bluff

"Ukraine has simply been sold out," Mikhail Kavelashvili said

Dmitriev hints that next Russia-US meeting on Ukraine could take place in Moscow

Special presidential envoy accompanied the post with a photo of himself wearing a T-shirt with the words "Next time in Moscow" and the signature of Russian President Vladimir Putin

FACTBOX: What we know about terror attack on senior Russian general in Moscow

A parked car exploded at 12, Yasenevaya Street at around 7:00 a.m. Moscow time

Moon not interfering with star fall observation in longest night of 2025

About 10 meteors per hour are expected, the press service of the Moscow Planetarium said

Central African army well equipped, steadily developing — Russian envoy

Alexander Bikantov stressed that prospects for cooperation between Russia and the CAR in the defense industry are very promising

Putin sends major message to West by his statement on Ukraine — portal

L’AntiDiplomatico also recalled that during his year-end press conference, the Russian leader noted that US President Donald Trump "is making serious efforts" to end the Ukrainian crisis and is doing this "absolutely sincerely"

Blast that killed teenager in Moscow Region caused by mishandling of explosive object

An investigation is underway

Battlegroup South destroy five Ukrainian land robots over day

Drone system troops also destroyed six communication aerials and five land robotic systems

Ukrainian journalists say took pictures of Mindich in Israel

The details are promised to be released later

Putin has no events scheduled for holidays, but some may take place — Kremlin

The president always has things on his agenda, said Dmitry Peskov

US in pursuit of third tanker off coast of Venezuela — Bloomberg

The reason is Donald Trump's tightening of the oil blockade against the government of Nicolas Maduro, noted Bloomberg

Putin goes to St. Petersburg for informal CIS summit

The head of state will also have bilateral meetings with leaders of certain countries

Spain annually loses 2 billion euros of potential revenues from Russian tourists

Russian Ambassador in Madrid Yury Klimenko stressed that the EU decision to further toughen the visa regime for Russian nationals will undoubtedly lead to a further dip of Russian tourism to Spain to minimal indicators

Russian citizen wins Just Dance competition at Games of Future

Ivan Vlasov previously won the Games of the Future in Kazan, making him one of the main favorites at the tournament in the UAE

Lavrov calls Kallas’ words about EU aid to Armenia 'confession'

The Russian foreign minister recalled, as an example, that in the case with Moldova, there was "blatant EU interference in the parliamentary elections"

Zelensky contradicts himself about elections in Ukraine — Kremlin spokesman

According to Dmitry Peskov, this discussion is a reaction to the Russian leader’s latest statements

Share of settlements in national currencies within EAEU at 93% — Putin

The president also said that the association had implemented a 5-year strategy for Eurasian economic integration

EAEU prepares agreement with Uzbekistan on exchange of information on goods — Putin

This is a completely natural step, because all the EAEU states maintain the closest good-neighborly relations and intensive trade and economic contacts with their Uzbek friends, said Vladimir Putin

PREVIEW: Putin to continue two-day informal CIS summit in St. Petersburg

While the first day of the summit was filled with protocol events, the second day is devoted more to informal communication

Russia downs 41 Ukrainian drones over past eleven hours — top brass

Three drones were intercepted over the Krasnodar Region

Dmitriev goes to second day of negotiations with United States with positive attitude

Dmitriev, accompanied by security guards, got into a car and went to the meeting area

Another 25 children added to Ukraine’s database of unwanted persons

All of them were born between 2015 and 2021

No new Russia-US meeting on irritants planned yet — embassy in Moscow

At the same time, US diplomats noted that Washington considers "the channel of bilateral operations as a constructive and permanent platform for negotiations to stabilize the work of the missions"

Kiev’s attempting to disrupt peace talks with drone attacks on ships in Black Sea — MFA

Commenting on Turkey's resolute statement to Ukrainian security services regarding the unacceptability of attacks on vessels in the Black Sea, the diplomat noted that Ankara attaches great importance to ensuring the security of civilian shipping as such

Trump names Louisiana governor as US special envoy to Greenland

The American leader has repeatedly said that Greenland should become a part of the United States

Currency exchange office cashier escapes with 24 mln rbls

The grand fraud was committed at the currency exchange office located in Prospekt Mira (Avenue), 70

Introduction of visas for Russians will have severe impact on Montenegro's economy — MFA

The diplomat clarified that this "painful effect" is due to the priority Montenegro's tourism sector places on the country's budget