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Three communication cables between Estonia, Finland damaged — media

The cause of the damage is still unknown, with operators currently investigating it and conducting repair operations

VILNIUS, December 26. /TASS/. Estonian companies have reported damage to three telecommunication cables, connecting Estonia and Finland through the Gulf of Finland, according to the Estonian Postimees newspaper.

Estonia’s Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority was informed of two cables owned by the Elisa Group and one cable belonging to CITIC Telecom being damaged, the news outlet reported. The article notes that the incident is not affecting consumers, and they are still receiving communication services.

The cause of the damage is still unknown, with operators currently investigating it and conducting repair operations. As of now, the time required to restore the cables to working order is yet to be determined. On Thursday evening, the Estonian government intends to hold an emergency session on the incident.

On December 25, the EstLink 2 power cable, which connects Finland’s energy grid with Estonia through the bottom of the Gulf of Finland, was disconnected due to an emergency. Finland’s Fingrid power grid company reported that its repairs would take several months. Finnish police and Border Guard are investigating whether a foreign vessel was involved in the incident.

Fire in Russian military hospital brought under control

The work required 22 fire vehicles and 65 firefighters, according to the statement

Attack on TurkStream threatens sovereignty of European countries — top Hungarian diplomat

Brussels also expressed concern over reports about the Ukrainian attack on the compressor station ensuring the operations of the TurkStream pipeline

Trump to intensify economic deglobalization — Chinese expert

Airplanes assembled in the US cannot be used by the whole world, Yan Xuetong said

Russian stock indices in the green on Monday — market data

The ruble-denominated MOEX Russia Index edged up by 1.47% to 2,886.11 points, while the dollar-denominated RTS Index gained 0.69% to 879.08 points

Russian Foreign Ministry notes US hypocrisy in regard to California wildfires

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova pointed out that in recent years, US officials have repeatedly criticized China for allegedly using forced labor, and at the same time US authorities had sent 395 prisoners to fight forest fires

FACTBOX: International status of the Arctic

Russia to launch mass production of world’s heaviest transport helicopter in 2022

There are a few flights remaining to wrap up the Mi-26T2V’s flight tests, CEO of the Russian Helicopters rotorcraft manufacturer Andrei Boginsky revealed

Ukrainian captive confesses to killing civilians near DPR’s Selidovo

Mikhail Dyachenko surrendered two days ago in the Selidovo direction

Foreign car brands could return to Russian market, says AEB

The situation today could change, and the Association has lines of communication open with the majority of foreign vehicle brands, Alexey Kalitsev stressed

Russian First Deputy PM discusses cooperation with Slovak parliament’s vice-speaker

"We remain open to a meaningful and equal dialog with our foreign partners," Denis Manturov said

Trump plans to turn Greenland into militarized zone — expert

"Danish politicians have already said in a statement that they have sent a message to Trump, in which they offered to shake hands on a security deal, in fact, on the placement of American weapons," Alexander Mikhailov said

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

After Trump's call for greater defense spending Scholz wonders where to get money from

The chancellor vowed that Germany would continue to spend no less than the NATO target of 2% of GDP on defense

Russian military starts evacuation of civilians from liberated Kurakhovo in Donbass region

"Motor rifle units from the Battlegroup South have started evacuating residents from the town of Kurakhovo that was liberated by Russian troops last week," the ministry said

Russian cancer vaccine to be free of charge — top oncologist

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

Ukraine plunges into terrorism facing military defeat — politician

Unable to succeed on the battlefield, Zelensky's Ukraine is becoming the center of world terrorism, Viktor Medvedchuk pointed out

Israel prepared to receive potential released hostages — prime minister’s office

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said earlier in the day that progress had been reached at the hostage release talks

PREVIEW: Lavrov to sum up Russia’s foreign policy during big press conference

The event’s format implies answers to a wide array of question from Russian and foreign reporters

NATO base in Romania to be used for war against Russia — presidential candidate

"We don’t need war; this is my point," Calin Georgescu said

US tries to gain foothold in CAR using PMCs, replace France, expert says

Alexander Ivanov clarified what goals Washington and Paris are pursuing in the African country

China Southern cancels flights from Moscow to Beijing from late January

According to information on the air carrier’s website and in booking systems, this airline has no direct flights from January 20 to March 30

Thousands of recruits join Hamas in recent months — WSJ

Sinwar advocates for a lasting ceasefire in the Gaza Strip instead of short-term truces, the newspaper highlighted

EU Council approves inviting Switzerland to ‘Military Schengen’

This decision will make it possible to invite Switzerland to this project, for the participation in which it applied in September 2024

Russian troops liberate Peschanoye community in Donbass region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted roughly 515 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed 12 enemy artillery guns in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

China’s coal imports up 14.4% in 2024 to 542.69 mln tons

In December, China purchased 52.34 mln tons of coal, down by 4.8% month-on-month

Musk accuses British PM of trying to interfere in US election

The entrepreneur suggested that Keir Starmer had sent operatives to America

Putin to meet with Iranian president on January 17

According to the Kremlin, the plan is "to discuss the prospects for further expansion of bilateral cooperation, including in trade, investment, transport, logistics, and culture"

Gas price in Europe up slightly on TurkStream pipeline attack news

The price of February futures at the TTF hub in the Netherlands rose to around $500 per 1,000 cubic meters or 47.375 euro per MWh

Kiev loses over 350 troops in Russia’s borderline Kursk area over past day — top brass

In addition, the Ukrainian armed forces also lost 92 electronic warfare stations, 13 counterbattery radars, four air defense radars

North Korea launches ‘unidentified missile’ towards Sea of Japan — Yonhap

According to News1, the missile might be a ballistic one

Turkish intelligence chief, Hamas leaders discuss Gaza ceasefire talks

According to the A haber, the sides agreed to continue efforts on this track

Six EU countries call for partially lifting Syria sanctions now that Assad out — Reuters

If Brussels’ expectations about respecting human rights and minorities "are not met," the EU will reinstitute the sanctions, the paper signed by the six European nations said.

Russia’s Malka heavy artillery gun can wipe out enemy armor with one shot — Rostec

"Each projectile scatters a mass of fragments over a considerable radius," the state tech corporation added

Targeted attacks on war correspondents reveal Kiev's fear of truth — Russian top senator

Targeted attacks against Russian war correspondents in the special military operation zone occur with the endorsement of Western countries and their tacit approval, Valentina Matviyenko emphasized

Press review: Trump plans Putin meeting while Israel-Hamas eye ceasefire

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, January 13th

Ukrainian drone attack in borderline Kursk Region injures retired couple

Acting head Alexander Khinshtein clarified that the victims were treated at the scene, and are now being transported to the Kursk Regional Clinical Hospital for further medical treatment

6.9-magnitude earthquake rocks Japan, tsunami warning issued

The epicenter was located at a depth of 30 kilometers near the southeastern coast of Kyushu

Russia’s Energy System of East sets power consumption record

The power consumption reached 7,891 MW, which is 8 MW higher than the previous record high indicator of December 2023

Flights between Russia, China sufficient to meet demand — aviation authority

According to Russian Federal Air Transport Agency, during the season of transportation with the relatively low demand, such frequency is sufficient to meet needs of citizens

Russian Railways reports record number of transported containers in 2024

According to Russian Railways, 82.6 million tons of various goods (+8.5%) were transported in containers in 202

Record $1.3 trillion invested in defense sector in US in past four years — Biden

"That's more than America did in any four-year period, during the Cold War," he stressed

Fire in Russian military hospital brought under control

The work required 22 fire vehicles and 65 firefighters, according to the statement

Slovakia notes development of Russian economy — lawmaker

The Slovak parliamentary delegation arrived in Moscow on January 12 and will spend three days here

Pentagon acknowledges Russia’s 'incremental gains' in combat operations in Ukraine

The Russian Defense Ministry reported on January 6 that Russian forces had liberated the city of Kurakhovo in the Donetsk People’s Republic

Kiev puts thought of recovering lost territory 'on indefinite hold' — media

According to the analytical article, Kiev "waits and watches the signals from Moscow and Washington and reiterates almost daily its desire for a 'just peace'"

Biden says he sought to avoid war between two nuclear powers as he speaks about Ukraine

Biden spoke a week before transferring power to his successor Donald Trump

Fire in military hospital in Tula causes partial roof collapse

According to the governor of the Tula Region, Dmitry Milyayev, vehicles and 65 personnel of the Emergencies Ministry are involved in extinguishing the fire

Liberating Chasov Yar to deliver blow on Ukrainian logistics in nearby DPR towns — expert

Vitaly Kiselev said that in that area, Ukrainian troops ended up in a serious encirclement

Yemen’s Houthis say they fired ‘hypersonic ballistic missile’ at site in Tel Aviv

Earlier on Monday, the Israeli military said it intercepted a missile, which was launched from Yemen, before it entered Israeli airspace

Kiev fails to disrupt gas supplies: attack on Russkaya station

On January 11, 2025, the Kiev regime attempted to attack the infrastructure of the Russkaya compressor station in the village of Gaikodzor in Russia's Krasnodar Region, which supplies gas to the TurkStream gas pipeline in order to cut off gas supplies to European countries, using nine fixed-wing UAVs

Russia bans entry to Estonian foreign ministry’s undersecretary for global affairs

The 31st meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council, the organization’s decision-making and governing body, was held in Malta on December 5 and 6, 2024

Russian forces liberate two communities in DPR, Kharkov Region over past day — top brass

According to Defense Ministry, Russian forces struck Ukrainian military airfields, amassed enemy manpower and military hardware in up to 140 areas over the past day

PREVIEW: Russian PM Mishustin begins two-day visit to Vietnam

During the visit, the prime minister will meet with President of Vietnam Luong Cuong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and Secretary General of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam

Kherson Region prepared to take in fire-hit refugees from California — governor

Vladimir Saldo noted that "this applies only to those who have not financed the Ukrainian army or supported the current Kiev regime"

Europe risks failing to meet gas storage targets for next winter — Bloomberg

It is reported that while Europe has enough gas reserves to get through this winter and prices have eased since the start of the year, inventories are being eroded by cold weather

Russian forces wipe out Ukrainian equipment in Kursk Region using FPV drones

Means of objective control recorded a direct strike on an enemy motor vehicle, as well as two strikes on armored vehicles

No big change in Croatia’s attitude to Russia after election — expert

Alexander Pivovarenko noted that Croatia’s parliament was controlled by a party that supported the idea of Euro-Atlantic loyalism, and it would be unreasonable for the president to spoil relations with the legislators

South Korea registers launch of several short-range missiles from DPRK

Previously, the news agency reported a launch of an "unidentified missile" towards the Sea of Japan

Infrastructure facilities suffer damage in Kiev-controlled areas of Zaporozhye Region

Air raid sirens went off in the Kiev-controlled part of the Zaporozhye Region in the early hours of Monday

Opponents of Russian, Iranian influence on Syria seek control themselves — Turkish party

According to Omer Celik, it is necessary to continue the process of lifting sanctions on Syria

Press review: Russia notes Japan's militarization while allies expect Ukrainian assault

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, January 9th

Russian MFA says Biden knew his support of Ukraine nudged world toward nuclear conflict

Biden's statement today is an admission of a deliberate provocation, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said

Russian Guardsmen destroy Ukrainian army radar in borderline Kursk area

It is specified that the radar destroyed by the Russian National Guard was a US-made portable counterbattery radar station designed to detect, identify and determine the location of enemy artillery guns, mainly mortars and rocket launchers

Russia not going to attack NATO countries, senior diplomat says

"Russia has never sought to sour relations with NATO," Vladislav Maslennikov said

Russia concerned about Trump's statement on Greenland — Russian top senator

"The international law exists, as the Arctic states do, and there are rules of the game," Valentina Matviyenko stressed

Ukraine will not halt Russian oil transit — PM

Transit of Russian oil is also in line with the regime of EU sanctions against Russia, which has a carveout for oil supplies to Hungary and Slovakia, Denis Shmygal said

Bitcoin rate drops below $90,000 but regains decline — Binance

By 02:50 p.m. GMT, the cryptocurrency was trading at $91,566

Liberation of Peschanoye kills off another Ukrainian supply line — security services

The Dnepropetrovsk - Krasnoarmeysk highway is a major route for supplying Ukrainian forces in this area

Congress Republicans prepare bill on purchase of Greenland

The bill has reportedly been dubbed Make Greenland Great Again Act

Over half of Greenlanders support joining the US — survey

US President-elect Donald Trump said on January 7 that Greenland should join the United States in order to ensure national security and protection against the Chinese and Russian threats

Russian Foreign Ministry vows response to new US sanctions

"Of course, Washington’s hostile actions will not be left without response and will be taken into consideration during the calculation of our external economic strategy," the ministry said

Expert questions Trump's ability to convince Russia to side with US against China

Wang Jisi did not rule out that Trump could introduce certain changes in relations between the US and Russia

Mohammed Sinwar becomes new Hamas leader in Gaza Strip — WSJ

He "is working to build the militant group back up," because its combat ability has been severely crippled since the onset of Israel’s military operation in the Palestinian enclave

Ukraine's manpower issues could precipitate ceasefire request — Polish general

Waldemar Skrzypczak warned against believing Ukrainian propaganda outlets’ reports of Russia’s alleged troop losses, which, in his words, were highly exaggerated

No room for revolution in country, says Georgian ruling party official

Kakha Kaladze stressed that his party won the parliamentary elections on October 26, 2024 and called on the opposition to accept its defeat

Sullivan sees Ukraine reducing military mobilization age to 18 in future

According to the US national security advisor, the outgoing administration briefed the team of President-elect Donald Trump on the manpower issue in Ukraine

Ukrainian army recognizes it failed in attempts to counterattack Kursk Region — media

The sources reported incessant attacks by Russian drones, noting that the country's army has started using new fiber-optic controlled FPV drones with a range of over 16 kilometers

Switzerland ready to serve as host for Putin-Trump meeting on Ukraine

According to Le Temps, the confederation is just one the countries on the list that are ready to host the meeting of the Russian and US leaders

Humanity has fed AI with all its knowledge — Musk

The businessman believes there’s a good chance that artificial intelligence will surpass human capabilities as early as by the end of this year

India considers impact of US sanctions on Vostok Oil project

On January 10, US introduced sanctions against the Russian fuel and energy sector, the tanker fleet and the financial sector

Russian athletes win 82 medals at Russia-China Youth Winter Games

The 2025 Russia-China Youth Winter Games were held in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk between January 9 and 13

Expert does not see Putin, Trump meeting in Europe, but developing country possible

According to Oleg Barabanov, the meeting between the leaders of Russia and the United States will be a good start to ending the conflict in Ukraine, but people shouldn't expect it to be the end-all-be-all

Censoring alternative points of view new norm in West — top senator

As Valentina Matviyenko stressed, this can be described as "an aggressive special operation by Western regimes to maintain their hegemony"

Russia’s upper house drafting bills to protect citizens against financial fraud — speaker

"It’s a robust and serious initiative that we plan to push forward to ensure the safety of our citizens in the financial sector," Valentina Matviyenko stressed

Attempted attack of TurkStream pipeline very dangerous for European consumers — Kremlin

Kiev attacked the Russkaya compressor station in the Krasnodar Region, which provides for gas supply along the TurkStream gas pipeline, by nine fixed-wing type drones, the Russian Defense Ministry said earlier

Russian PM arrives on a visit in Vietnam

Mikhail Mishustin is expected to meet President of Vietnam Luong Kuong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Chairman of National Assembly Tran Thanh Man and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam

Russian oil transit via Ukraine declines to its minimum — news outlet

According to the report, transit volumes declined by 16% against 2023, which is the lowest figure since 2014 at the least

NATO, countries, Ukraine plan to ramp up joint production of weapons — Polish minister

he five NATO member countries are going to set up large-scale military exercises in 2026

Lavrov, Gazprom CEO discuss attack against Russkaya station with Turkish counterparts

The compressor station continues normal supplies of gas to the gas pipeline

Biden claims he laid foundation for Trump’s support for Ukraine

Biden delivered his farewell speech on foreign policy in the US State Department

Temporary restrictions imposed in several Russian airports — agency

Temporary restrictions have also been imposed in the airport of Izhevsk

'German scenario' implausible for Ukraine settlement — Medvedev

In the historical sense, the "Germanic scenario" of settlement is only feasible in terms of integrating the territories of Malorossiya into Russia, the politician noted

Attack of Russkaya Station is energy terrorism — Kremlin

Kiev attacked the Russkaya compressor station in the Krasnodar Region, which provides for gas supply over the TurkStream gas pipeline, by nine fixed-wing type drones in order to stop gas deliveries to Europe, the Russian Defense Ministry said earlier

Russia to take measures to minimize risks of new Western sanctions — Kremlin

Earlier, a high-ranking representative of the outgoing US administration said that on January 10 Joe Biden imposed the most significant sanctions to date against the Russian energy sector, specifying that they are aimed, in particular, at the oil sector and the liquefied natural gas production and transportation industry

Iran-Russia partnership agreement covers all areas, Tehran’s envoy says

The accord includes a preamble and 47 articles

Ukraine's Kursk counteroffensives flounder as losses mount — expert

According to Alexander Mikhailov, Vladimir Zelensky is currently pouring all available resources into Kursk

US diplomats can't take unlimited short-term business trips to Russia anymore, says Lavrov

Lavrov explained that in addition to its regular diplomatic employees stationed in Russia, the US sends several hundred people annually "for short-term business trips"

Russian forces broaden bridgehead for advancing towards Krasny Liman, expert says

Russian forces are also advancing in the Kupyansk area, approaching the city of Kupyansk

Hamas makes no notes to draft ceasefire deal for Gaza — report

Hamas reportedly gave the mediators its final response to the deal that had been passed along to its representatives earlier

Fire erupts in military hospital in Russian city of Tula — officials

According to the statement, no fatalities or injuries were reported

Expert rules out anti-Russian sentiments in Transnistria because of energy crisis

According to Igor Shornikov, the energy crisis that has emerged in the country now is the result of the unfriendly policies of Moldova and Ukraine towards Russia