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Six people killed in Israeli strikes near Damascus, reports say

MOSCOW, February 15. /TASS/. Six people have been killed in Israeli strikes on the outskirts of Damascus, the Al Arabiya TV channel informed on Monday.

According to the channel, the people killed were members of pro-Iranian armed formations active in Syria. It is reported that the attack had gone on for over an hour. The Israeli military struck targets located in the area of the motorway connecting Damascus and Beirut.

Earlier on Monday, Syria’s SANA news agency informed that the Syrian air defense systems had repelled a missile attack on the outskirts of Damascus. According to the agency, at 01:18 local time (02:18 Moscow time), the Israeli forces launched a number of missile strikes from the direction of the Golan Heights and the Galilee, reaching several targets on the outskirts of Damascus. It was reported that Syria’s air defense systems had managed to repel the majority of missiles.

Azerbaijan Airlines states its passenger jet crashed due to external mechanical damage

Azerbaijan Airlines earlier announced the suspension of flights to several Russian cities

At least 1,057 doctors killed in Gaza Strip since October 2023 — Health Ministry

The ministry reiterated its call to international human rights organizations to support Palestinian doctors and protect hospitals and health workers as they carry out their humanitarian duties

CIA station in Kiev targeted in recent Russian attack, military expert reveals

According to Alexander Stepanov, strikes are systematic efforts to gradually wipe out the military capabilities of Ukraine

Launch of Russia’s Bion-M biosatellite scheduled for March 25 — manufacturer

The spacecraft, taking 75 mice and 1,500 drosophila flies, as well as plants and microorganisms to space, was initially planned to blast off on September 1, 2024

Slovakia ready to host peace talks on Ukraine — Prime Minister

Robert Fico noted that Bratislava would be ready and hospitable

Russia, Abkhazia, South Ossetia fail to agree on moving Geneva talks — Russian MFA

Since 2008, international discussions on security and stability in the South Caucasus have been held in Geneva, with the participation of Abkhazia, Georgia, Russia, the United States, and South Ossetia, mediated by special representatives from the UN, the EU, and the OSCE

Pentagon mum on F-16 fighter jet downed in Zaporozhye Region

The US Department of Defense "has no statement or information to provide," a department’s spokesperson said

Ukrainian troops struggling to escape being trapped in Lozovaya in Kharkov region — expert

In general, "quite active hostilities" are taking place near Dvurechnaya and Lozovaya in the Kupyansk sector of the line of engagement, Andrey Marochko noted

Russia to press for progress on line of engagement — Putin

The President stressed that Moscow would move on in accordance with the plans it had outlined

Press review: Putin discusses EU gas supplies and Russia open to Ukraine talks with Trump

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, December 27th

What is known about Russia’s retaliatory strike on Ukraine after attack on Rostov Region

Kiev Mayor Vitaly Klitschko reported the fires in Solomensky and Shevchenkovsky districts

Russia to convene UNSC meeting in January to discuss Ukraine’s crimes against civilians

The report on Ukrainian atrocities in Selidovo will be presented

Russia’s 2,000th R-7 rocket delivers Resurs-P remote sensing satellite into orbit

Resurs-P satellites are designed for the Earth’s remote sensing and for regional and local monitoring of its surface

Expert offers to use navy ships to escort tankers after Eagle S incident

Alexander Stepanov believes that NATO intends to lock the Kaliningrad enclave, to lock the Russian trade fleet in Neva estuary and to simultaneously block the Leningrad naval base

Europe must be punished, US ignored after hybrid war between West, Russia — Medvedev

According to the politician, Europe "became the primary stronghold of Russophobia globally," undermined the Istanbul agreements, initiated the sanctions campaign, and fueled the most extreme war factions without considering the losses suffered by both sides of the conflict

Russia practically eliminates remnants of Ukraine’s Air Force — source

The source said that attempts to recruit more pilots in Poland and other Eastern European countries were not particularly successful

Kremlin says no comment on 'highly specialized' issue of Finland’s seizure of oil tanker

On December 25, Reuters reported that Finland’s police and border guards have detained an oil tanker, which flies under the flag of the Cook Islands, suspecting that an anchor of the vessel may have damaged the EstLink 2 cable

Russian MFA lists nine countries set to become BRICS partners from January 1

It is reported that Brazil’s BRICS chairmanship will announce the countries’ acquisition of the partner status as soon as it receives their confirmation

Germany seen defenseless against Russia’s Oreshnik missile system — report

Bild said the German Foreign Ministry commissioned an internal government analysis on defense from ballistic missiles

Parliament impeaches South Korean acting president

The impeachment was supported by 192 delegates with at least 151 votes required

West unable to ensure sustainable development of Arctic without Russia - diplomat

According to Russian Ambassador at Large and Chairman of the Committee of Senior Arctic Officials Nikolay Korchunov, the Council has been a key mechanism of multilateral cooperation in the Arctic for 25 years

Azerbaijan Airlines passenger jet returns back to Baku shortly after takeoff

"The passenger aircraft landed at the Heydar Aliyev International Airport at 10:13 a.m. local time [6:13 a.m. GMT]," the statement noted

Two crew members of Ursa Major yet to be located — vessel’s owner company

The Ursa Major bulk carrier sank in the Mediterranean Sea

Osamu Suzuki, who headed Japanese carmaker for 40 years, dies at 94

Osamu Suzuki joined the company in 1958, when he married the daughter of one of its founders and took her last name

Ukraine to exclude Russian, Belarusian from list of languages subject to support

The Ukrainian cabinet of ministers has approved the list of changes to some laws due to an updated official translation of the so-called European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages

Scholz says he would like to hold phone talks with Putin again

The German chancellor emphasized that he didn’t plan to "send German servicemen to this war"

New Syrian authorities do not intend to annul agreements on Russian military bases

On December 9, a TASS source said that Russia has commenced the negotiations with the new Syrian authorities on the continued presence of its military bases

IN BRIEF: Putin talks to reporters about Oreshnik missile, natural gas transit

The president noted that the most important thing in the coming year is "the well-being of the Russian people, standard of living, stability"

Georgian PM sees US sanctions on party founder as reward for protecting national interests

"This is just a reward for the defense of our country's national interests," Irakli Kobakhidze said

Russia ready to assist Syria in organizing elections, top diplomat says

The framework of the election campaign is yet to be agreed upon, Sergey Lavrov said

Press review: Putin outlines Russia's future goals and Tehran faces energy blackout riots

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, December 20th

Scholz could make unexpected steps in relations with Russia amid German crisis — analyst

According to the analyst, Scholz's recent phone talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin came out of left field for the German political community

Thailand accepts invitation to become BRICS partner state — MFA

As a BRICS partner state, Thailand hopes to raise the level of relations with the group’s members in order to gain better opportunities for the development of its economy

Azerbaijan Airlines plane tried to land twice at Aktau airport before crash

The Aktau air traffic controller promptly performed all necessary measures for the aircraft’s landing

NATO to boost military presence in Baltic Sea following cable incidents — Rutte

Earlier, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas attributed responsibility for the Baltic Sea incidents to the tanker fleet transporting Russian oil, even before the investigation concluded

Azerbaijan Airlines states its passenger jet crashed due to external mechanical damage

Azerbaijan Airlines earlier announced the suspension of flights to several Russian cities

NATO considers use of ATACMS missiles in Ukraine reckless, indiscriminate — NYT

The newspaper notes that, since Ukraine received an authorization from the UK and the US, Kiev carried out at least six missile strikes, using 31 ATACMS and 14 Storm Shadow missiles

Russia persuades most states it is essential to address causes of Ukrainian crisis — MFA

"This position was conveyed to the leadership of a number of NATO and EU countries, including Austria, Hungary, Malta, Slovakia, the United States, Turkey, and Germany, as well as the Vatican and Switzerland in direct contacts with them at the highest and highest levels," the commentary says

Russian PM to visit Vietnam in January 2025 — ambassador

Gennady Bezdetko recalled that Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited Russia in October 2024 to attend the BRICS Plus/Outreach meeting in Kazan

Russian forces break through Ukrainian defense lines in Kharkov Region — expert

Marochko added that the operation allowed Russian troops to "expand their zone of control" in the area

Lavrov sees ceasefire in Ukraine as road to nowhere, calls for reliable agreements

The top Russian diplomat pointed out that those accords should first and foremost address the root causes of the Ukraine crisis

Putin extends Russia’s anti-'oil price cap' measures until June 30, 2025 — decree

The decree on retaliatory measures against the oil price cap initially came into effect on February 1, 2023, and was originally intended to last until July 1, 2023, but has been extended multiple times since then

Press review: US, Israel aim to curb Turkey’s gains while Moscow, Tehran strengthen ties

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, December 24th

Ukraine's national debt reaches record $159.74 bln

In October, the national debt was $155.37 bln, which was also a record

Russian fighters control about 40% of Terny in Donetsk region, military expert says

Andrey Marochko added that Russian servicemen have advanced east of Yampolovka, bringing the distance between that village and Russia’s frontline positions to less than 1.2 miles

US ramping up biological warfare presence in Africa — Russia’s top brass

Major General Aleksey Rtishchev said that branches of the US National Naval Military Medical Center are stationed in Ghana and Djibouti where active work is carried out in natural disease foci, isolation and sequencing of pathogens

Russia’s still paying for gas transit through Ukraine — Putin

Pumping also continues through the Sudzha station, where military activities are ongoing

US disrupts payment of Russian contribution to ICRC budget — Foreign Ministry

This is another example of a harmful impact of unlawful restrictive measures, the ministry said

US may face bankruptcy if situation with national debt does not change — Musk

The US national debt for the first time climbed above $36 trillion on November 15

Press review: Middle East may host Putin-Trump talks as experts probe Kazakhstan crash

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, December 26th

Azerbaijan Airlines suspends flights from Baku to Grozny, Makhachkala

Flights to other destinations are being made as scheduled, the air carrier said

Russian forces create bridgehead near Kupyansk-Uzlovoy in Kharkov Region — expert

Ukrainian forces have been shifting significant reserves to this settlement, including fresh recruits with little to no training, to retain Kupyansk

Lavrov says Putin, Fico discussed possibilities of gas supplies from Russia to Europe

Earlier, Vladimir Putin confirmed Russia’s readiness to continue supplying gas to the west and to Slovakia, which will become next to impossible after January 1, 2025

Houthis say attacked US aircraft carrier in Red Sea, shot down US fighter jet

According to the Houthi spokesman, the strike on US vessels was delivered with the use of "eight cruise missiles and 17 drones"

Gazprom to supply record 390 bcm of gas to consumers via gas transportation system in 2024

This is a record for the entire history of observations

Two families with children return to Russia from Syria — commissioner

An aircraft landed in the Moscow Region, Maria Lvova-Belova said

Finnish police detain oil tanker on suspicion of damaging communication cables

It is also reported that the Eagle S "noticeably slowed down" presumably at the moment when the cable between Finland and Estonia was damaged

Russian MFA denies reports of talks with Baku, Astana on plane crash near Aktau

It also indicated that specialized agencies are investigating the causes of the crash

US believes Ukrainian forces to be pushed out of Kursk Region in few months — Bloomberg

According to the report, Ukraine lacks personnel and Kiev has no confidence in further provision of military aid by the West

Ukraine receives first 100 mcb of LNG from United States

It was noted that this delivery was aimed at ensuring Ukraine's energy security and took place several days before the end of Russian gas transit through the country's territory

Azerbaijan Airlines to continue flights to six Russian cities

Azerbaijan Airlines announced the suspension of flights to Mineralnye Vody, Sochi, Volgograd, Ufa, Samara, Grozny, and Makhachkala from December 28 following the crash of its plane near Aktau on December 25

Transnistria must become part of negotiations on Ukraine — Foreign Minister of Moldova

The authorities of Transnistria call on the Moldovan leadership to intensify the negotiations on all platforms

Ukraine’s army reports forced retreat to ‘last defensive line’ in Donbass area

Ukraine’s General Staff admitted earlier that the frontline situation remained tense for the Ukrainian army

Oreshnik missile systems still few, but they are enough — Putin

According to the head of state, the system's serial production has begun

Russia says it carried out 38 strikes with high-precision weapons over past week

Russia’s Battlegroup West has repelled 25 Ukrainian counterattacks over the past week, wiping out over 3,080 enemy servicemen and destroying a German-made Leopard tank

Airstrikes on Yemen’s capital target airport, Houthi military sites — source

Powerful explosions are going off in the city, a Houthi source told TASS

Turkey working on infrastructure of Istanbul gas hub — Energy Ministry

Earlier, Bayraktar announced plans to open a gas trading center in Istanbul in 2025 with the participation of the Turkish company Botas and Russia's Gazprom as part of the international gas hub project

Norwegians who refused to rescue sailors from Ursa Major acted like non-humans — senator

Konstantin Kosachev noted that the West was in the habit of discussing values, but the true Western values are not about legalizing same-sex marriage or overthrowing unwanted regimes or supporting Ukraine

Kazakhstan’s Aktau Airport was aware of oxygen cylinder blast before plane’s crash

KazAeroNavigation’s flight director immediately notified all emergency services

Decision-making centers in Kiev may be targets of Russia’s strikes, says Lavrov

Moscow selects targets for strikes on the territory of Ukraine, proceeding solely from threats to Russia, the foreign minister stressed

Russian troops liberate Novy Trud community in Donbass region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted roughly 245 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed six enemy howitzers in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Contract for gas transit to EU cannot be renewed before New Year — Putin

According to the Russian President, an option of concluding contracts for delivery through third parties - Turkish, Hungarian, Slovak, Azerbaijani companies - is possible

German president dissolves parliament, schedules early elections for February 23

Frank-Walter Steinmeier also said that he had consulted with the leaders of all the parties represented in the Bundestag before making the decision and concluded that neither the current nor the new government, in any composition, would win a majority in the current parliament

Armenia's opposition intends to prevent Pashinyan's participation in 2026 elections

Leader of the opposition Sacred Struggle movement Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan stated that the PM doesn't have the courage to run in the elections

Russian security official says Poland gave Ukraine unusable helicopters

It is reported that corrupt Ukrainian officials will probably get their kickback from Poland, in another move that helps Ukraine’s downfall

Project 885M latest nuclear-powered submarine Arkhangelsk joins Russian Navy

During the ceremony, the Russian Navy chief handed in the St. Andrew’s naval flag to the submarine commander, Captain First Rank Alexander Gladkov

Russian cancer vaccine to be free of charge — top oncologist

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

Russia’s capture of two DPR settlements paves way for liberation of Kurakhovo — official

Vladimir Rogov also noted that the liberation of Zelenovka and Novy Komar hastens the process of liberating major logistics hubs

FACTBOX: Shelling of Lgov in Russia’s Kursk Region

The attack resulted in the deaths of three individuals, with a fourth victim passing away from injuries at the hospital shortly afterward

France made several requests to Russia on Ukraine topic through private channels — Lavrov

According to the Russian foreign minister, Paris proposed "to assist and facilitate dialogue on the Ukrainian issue"

Politics discussed on board of ISS, but unlike on Earth crew members mingle — cosmonaut

According to Oleg Kononenko, there was no forbidden issues for the crew on board of the ISS

Russian fighters advance in Volchansk in Kharkov Region, force Volchya River — expert

Andrey Marochko added that Russian servicemen "start preparing the way for further advancement southwest of this locality"

Plane crash in Kazakhstan claims 38 lives

29 people had been hospitalized

Russian sailors from Ursa Major freighter departed from Spain to Russia

Earlier, the embassy’s consular department provided them with all necessary papers

Chinese defense ministry slams US for pushing Taiwan towards dangerous situation

US President Joe Biden earlier approved $571.3 mln in military assistance for Taiwan

Ukraine’s General Staff admits tense situation along entire frontline

The Ukrainian army reported earlier on Friday that its forces were retreating to the border of the Dnepropetrovsk Region from the Kiev-controlled territory of the Donetsk People’s Republic "to the last defensive line" in that area

Lukashenko, Putin discuss regional security, bilateral relations

The presidents also talked about cooperation between the countries in a variety of areas, including economy

Zelensky defines essence of next summit on Ukraine in four-letter explicit word — Lavrov

The first Kiev-initiated conference on Ukraine was held in Burgenstock, Switzerland, on June 15-16

Bosphorus transit suspended due to malfunction of tanker en route to Russia

The Cordelia Moon is 274 meters long and 50 meters wide

Russian troops destroy over 18,500 military drones in Ukraine operation — top brass

The Ukrainian military lost roughly 390 troops and 2 armored vehicles in battles with Russian forces in the Donetsk area over the past day, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported

Russian gas is most profitable for Europe in terms of price and logistics — Novak

In conditions of competing China, Europeans pay significantly more for US LNG than for Russian gas, the official noted

Undamaged leg of Nord Stream may be launched in year’s time, Serbia’s Vucic predicts

On September 26, 2022, Nord Stream AG reported unprecedented damage that occurred the day before on three strings of the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 offshore gas pipelines

FSB foils series of assassination attempts on senior Russian defense officials

The bombs intended for killing high-placed Russian Defense Ministry officials were disguised as a power bank and a document folder, the FSB press office specified

MOEX, RTS indices fall by 0.33-1.62% on Friday

The yuan exchange rate rose by 0.37% over the day to 13.45 rubles

Astana, Baku to closely cooperate in investigating plane crash in Kazakhstan

According to the statement, Tokayev assured the Azerbaijani president that the Kazakh side would make every effort to ensure a thorough and objective investigation of all circumstances of the incident, and briefed him on the progress of the work of the special state commission tasked with investigating the crash

Russia to donate 1 million euro to UN Climate Convention

The document says that the goal of the payment is to ensure the representation of Russian staffers in the convention’s secretariat

Biden tasks Pentagon with boosting military aid to Kiev

In recent months, the United States has provided Ukraine with hundreds of air defense missiles, and more are on the way, the White House’s press service released

Russia imposes state of federal-level emergency due to fuel oil spill in Black Sea

Alexander Kurenkov noted that "this classification will enable the deployment of additional resources and personnel from federal executive authorities and state corporations, as well as provide necessary financial assistance to the affected entities from the Russian government’s reserve fund"

Houthis report attacking Santa Ursula vessel in Arabian Sea

The container ship Santa Ursula, sailing under the flag of Denmark, is bound from Spain’s Algerciras to the Omani port of Salalah, Marine Traffic data showed

No real impulses for organization of Putin-Trump meeting so far — Kremlin spokesman

The Russian leader said during the press conference that he is ready for a conversation with the US president-elect and is ready to meet with him at any moment

Investigative Committee opens case against US mercenary who invaded Kursk Region

In August 2024, armed with automatic firearms, large-caliber weapons, explosive devices, and military equipment, Ryan O'Leary illegally crossed Russia's state border