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Five servicemen hit by snow avalanche in South Ossetia, two still missing

First responders are working at the scene

TSKHINVAL, December 21. /TASS/. Five servicemen of Russia’s Southern Military District were hit by an avalanche on the Transcaucasian Highway in South Ossetia, and two of them are still missing, the district’s press service said.

Three servicemen received first aid, and are believed to have suffered light injuries, the press service said. Two of them have been hospitalized. A search for the other two men is still underway.

South Ossetia’s Emergency Situations Ministry said only two of the servicemen have been retrieved from under the snow while the whereabouts of another one have been established and he’s able to maintain contact.

First responders are working at the scene.

Traffic on the Transcaucasian highway, the only motorway connecting South Ossetia and Russia, has been prohibited since Monday morning due to avalanche risk.

Blast occurs at Udmurtia facility, preliminarily due to drone

The blast did not cause serious damage, the staff have been evacuated

New doctrine means Russia can use nuclear weapons in Ukrainian conflict — analyst

"This document means a lot for the Ukrainian conflict," Vladimir Zharikhin noted

US-made projectile strikes to destroy ties between Moscow, Washington — Duma speaker

Vyacheslav Volodin added that these weapons "may cause damage but it will not change the situation on the battlefield"

Russia to seek after transparent investigation of Nord Stream terrorist act — Lavrov

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Colombia agrees with Russia to establish group on mercenaries situation — Foreign Minister

Luis Gilberto Murillo underscored that the Colombian authorities want their compatriots not to be involved in any conflicts in the world

West’s decision on missile strikes gives Russia free hand to attack NATO bases — expert

According to Dmitry Suslov, retaliatory measures may include the handover of more advanced weapons to the forces "that are directly fighting against the US, particularly, in the Middle East"

Ukraine admits responsibility for Odessa missile incident where civilians injured

Ukrainian blogger Anatoly Shary commented on the statement by saying that Ukraine’s air force officials only agreed to recognize this because "the media started posting photos of Patriot wreckage"

US State Department doesn’t confirm permission for deeper ATACMS strikes inside Russia

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US authorization of strikes inside Russia unlikely to change course of conflict — media

"The Ukrainian military has a limited supply of the missiles and firing a small number at targets in Russia would not make much of a difference," the analysts say

Case against Georgian mercenary, prisoners, Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

Twenty-four Ukrainian servicemen surrendered as prisoners of war over the past day

Kiev won’t benefit from permission to strike Russia due to manpower shortage — expert

According to Jennifer Kavanagh, the decision to allow attacks on Russian territory won’t change the course of hostilities in the special military operation zone as Ukraine has no significant stockpiles of ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles

Russia monitors situation in Kursk Region after reports of ATACMS missiles — Kremlin

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Russia could deploy new weapons if Ukraine hits Russia with US missiles, warns senior MP

"It is not out of the question that new weapons systems, which have not yet been used against Ukraine, could be employed," Vyacheslav Volodin said

Russia adapts its nuclear doctrine to modern realities — Kremlin

Earlier on Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree approving the Foundations of State Policy in the Field of Nuclear Deterrence, the country’s updated nuclear doctrine

Zelensky asserts intention to use long-range ATACMS for strikes on Russia

Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry said that on Monday night into Tuesday, Ukraine attacked Russia’s borderline Bryansk Region with six ATACMS missiles

Trump may review Biden’s decision on strikes inside Russia with US missiles

"I suspect most everything will be under review," a member of Trump’s transition team said

Top Iranian diplomat urges to 'prepare for war'

"We have announced that the recent Israeli operation against Iran is nothing but another aggression," Abbas Araghchi pointed out

Press review: Russian air defenses can down Western missiles as EU conducts live exercise

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, November 19th

Russia’s revised nuclear doctrine contains 'very important messages' — Kremlin

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Biden’s decision to allow strikes on Russia fails to unite allies around Kiev — Bloomberg

The German leadership declined to follow the US’ example on long-range missiles, the news agency recalled

Russian medical institutions receive first homemade osteosynthesis implants

A trial batch of Russia's first bioresorbable rods was sent to hospitals in St. Petersburg, Moscow and Novosibirsk

G20 leaders adopt Rio de Janeiro Summit Declaration

The declaration does not contain any remarks that the statement was not approved by all countries

Potential adversaries, criteria for use: Russia’s revised nuclear doctrine

Russia will also engage in nuclear deterrence against those countries that offer their territory, maritime zones, airspace, and resources for aggression against it

US Congressman urges to impeach Biden for allowing strikes deep into Russia

"By authorizing long range missiles to strike inside Russia, Biden is committing an unconstitutional Act of War that endangers the lives of all US citizens," Thomas Massie said

UN’s Guterres calls to avoid escalation amid reports of US greenlighting strikes at Russia

The White House declined to confirm that permission for such strikes had been granted

US military industrial complex seeks to unleash World War III — Donald Trump Jr.

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Lavrov arrives at G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro

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Biden’s missile strike decision complicates Trump’s Russia policy amid growing tensions

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Russian troops liberate Novoalekseyevka community in Donbass region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup Dnepr inflicted roughly 70 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed a US-made counterbattery radar station in its area of responsibility over the past day

German defense minister says wrong time to discuss peace in Ukraine

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Abkhazian parliament accepts resignation of republic’s president

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Borrell condemns Russia’s decision to update nuclear doctrine

Earlier on Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree approving the Foundations of State Policy in the Field of Nuclear Deterrence, the country’s updated nuclear doctrine

Russian president to visit India — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov noted that preparations for the visit which is of a great significance for Moscow will kick off soon

Borrell confirms US greenlit deeper strikes inside Russia

According to the diplomat, EU foreign ministers discussed the issue at their meeting

Lavrov says EU goes through deep crisis as more countries refuse to support US policies

The minister mentioned the import duties that the EU imposed on cheaper and higher-quality electric cars from China, as well as the purchases of low-quality Ukrainian grain to the detriment of its own farmers and consumers

Russian army traps Ukrainian troops in Chasov Yar — intelligence center

The official reported that fighters from the 98th Airborne Division were engaged in fierce battles

Giving Kiev Taurus missiles tantamount to declaring war on Russia — German politician

Sahra Wagenknecht pointed out that the US decision to strike deep into Russia is another step towards a major war

President of Abkhazia Bzhania resigns

Aslan Bzhania filed a resignation "for the purpose of preservation of stability and constitutional order in the country"

US approving strikes inside Russia not to alter outcome of conflict — Polish minister

Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz added that this decision needed to be made much earlier to have any impact on the battlefield situation

Netherlands regrets leak of Biden’s decision on strikes inside Russia

Meanwhile, the Netherlands has repeatedly stated that it imposes no restrictions on the use or range of weapons, including F-16 fighter jets, the country is supplying to Kiev

China ready to boost cooperation with Russia within SCO — top diplomat

"China has taken over the SCO presidency and is ready to closely cooperate with Russia in order to take its activities to a new level," Wang Yi pointed out

Up to allies to decide whether or not to authorize strikes inside Russia — NATO chief

"I would generally say let’s not communicate too much and not make our adversaries more wise than is necessary," Mark Rutte added

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TASS compiled main facts about the situation in the country

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Russian air defenses destroy seven Ukrainian drones over Bryansk Region

There were no reported casualties or destruction and emergency response services are working at the scene, Alexander Bogomaz said

Russia may retaliate with nuclear weapons if Kiev uses Western-made missiles — Kremlin

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Lavrov hopes West will read Russia's updated nuclear doctrine 'in its entirety'

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US approval of strikes on Russia derails hopes for peace talks — Slovak PM

"Those who support US President [Joe] Biden's decision are in favor of the start of World War III," Robert Fico noted

Strikes on Ukrainian military sites to prevent launch of missiles — Russian lawmaker

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Russia says its forces downed 5 ATACMS missiles that Ukraine fired into Bryansk Region

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The office of Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said earlier that the Energy Ministry saw it as prudent to ban the mining of digital currency in areas facing critical regulatory and fiscal parameters

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Russia’s special military operation to continue — Kremlin

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Georgian president calls for new parliamentary elections

Salome Zourabichvili has also called on citizens to continue protesting the results of the October 26 parliamentary elections

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Georgian opposition leaders have been demonstrating against the results of the parliamentary election since November 4

Russian troops liberate Novoselidovka community in Donbass region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicted more than 310 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed two enemy armored vehicles over the past day, the ministry reported

Russia must be able to defend itself — Erdogan on revised nuclear doctrine

The Turkish leader reiterated that "both Russia and Ukraine are Turkey’s neighbors"

US is now at war with Russia, Ritter says

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Russia’s updated nuclear doctrine released on schedule, says Kremlin

Earlier today, President Vladimir Putin signed a decree ratifying the updated nuclear doctrine, Basic Principles of State Policy of the Russian Federation on Nuclear Deterrence

Putin sends message to those seeking to 'add fuel to fire' before Trump’s return — expert

The likelihood of a direct armed conflict with NATO is increasing because some individuals in the alliance are ready to raise the stakes ahead of Trump’s inauguration, Andrey Bystritsky emphasized

US State Department confirms US president authorized strikes deep inside Russia

Earlier, US Department of State Spokesperson Matthew Miller declined to comment on reports that Washington had authorized the use of US-made ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles for strikes inside Russia

China’s new microwave weapon can scorch low-orbit satellites — expert

Engineers from China have surmounted obstacles and built a system consisting of seven emitting devices and their experimental firings have confirmed that it can effectively suppress signals of the US GPS and other satellites," Alexander Stepanov said

Xi Jinping, Putin lay foundation for next level of strategic partnership — top diplomat

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German defense minister says Ukraine reached parity in shells with Russia

Boris Pistorius noted that just a few months ago, Russia held an advantage in artillery shell stocks

Ukraine’s allies doubt impact of US approval of strikes against Russia on conflict balance

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Lavrov lauds Scholz’s refusal to supply Taurus missiles to Ukraine as responsible choice

The Russian foreign minister noted that the German chancellor's stance "differs from the position of the British and the French"

Russian UAVs strike Zaporozhye infrastructure — official

The Russian Armed Forces carried out the attack at night

US Department of State not commenting on other states’ decisions on strikes inside Russia

Earlier, Matthew Miller confirmed that the United States has authorized the use of US-made ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles

FACTBOX: What is known about Russian nuclear deterrence policy

The first Russian nuclear doctrine was ratified and published by decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin on April 21, 2000

Netanyahu arrives in Gaza, offers $5 mln for each released hostage

"The choice is in your hands, but the result will be the same," the prime minister said

G20 leaders call for reform of UN Security Council

The leaders also called to increase the role of the Economic and Social Council

Russian forces advance 1.5 km in Novoselka area of DPR — official

Vladimir Rogov added that Velikaya Novoselka is a major logistics hub for the Ukrainian armed forces

Kremlin says decision to launch ATACMS missiles deep into Russia 'escalation of tensions'

Moscow's position should be absolutely clear to everyone, Dmitry Peskov pointed out

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The spacecraft will engage its engines, which will allow it to leave the ISS orbit and enter the Earth atmosphere after a while

Amendments to Russia’s nuclear doctrine practically formulated, Kremlin Spokesman says

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Putin proclaims Odessa Russian city, challenges Ukraine's historical narrative

At the same time, the president noted that once upon a time "Vladimir Lenin gave away the whole of Ukraine when he created the Soviet Union"

Lebanon, Hezbollah endorse US-backed ceasefire proposal with Israel

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Cable rupture in Baltic Sea caused by sabotage, German defense minister believes

Boris Pistorius is not "inclined to accept the explanation that the damage was caused by an anchor hitting the cable"

ATACMS strikes on Bryansk Region sign West wants escalation — Lavrov

The top Russian diplomat recalled that the Russian leader had warned Western countries how Russia’s position would change if "this range of weapons that we are now talking about, i.e. up to 300 kilometers, is approved"

Training Ukrainian troops makes France direct participant in combat — top Russian diplomat

"The same goes for talk about using French-made SCALP missiles [in Ukraine] which are identical to the UK’s Storm Shadow," Sergey Lavrov noted

Kremlin spokesman highlights need for ‘two-way process’ of sanctions lifting

US Senator Marco Rubio, who has been nominated for secretary of state by President-elect Donald Trump, was put on a Russian sanctions list in May 2022 and on China’s list in August 2020

FACTBOX: Central Bank chief’s statement in State Duma

The national economy is in the "breaking point" and inflation slowdown can be expected in coming months

Biden administration tries to prevent Trump from ending war in Ukraine — expert

Wang Wen called the next few months a "high-risk period" in the conflict

Ukraine will not compromise on territorial rights, Zelensky tells Rada

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Lukashenko tells Putin situation is "starting to get tense with Wagner"

The Belarusian leader noted that they want to go to Warsaw

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The New York Times reported on November 17 that US President Joe Biden had authorized the use of US-supplied ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles for strikes inside Russia

Ukrainian losses, captives, aid to civilians: situation in Kursk Region

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Six European countries accuse Russia of allegedly attacking security architecture

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Kremlin highlights need for in-depth analysis of Russia’s nuclear deterrence policy

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