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Orthodox Epiphany celebrations in pictures

Orthodox Christians celebrate the religious holiday of Epiphany according to the Julian calendar on January 19

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Orthodox Christians celebrate the religious holiday of Epiphany according to the Julian calendar on January 19. Photo: Blessing of holy water in the Cathedral of the Dormition in the town of Kineshma, Ivanovo region, Russia

© Vladimir Smirnov/TASS

Believers traditionally plunge into cold water on Epiphany. Photo: Celebrations of the Orthodox Epiphany outside Zaslavl town, Minsk region, Belarus

© Viktor Drachev/TASS

On this day water becomes holy and churchgoers cut holes in the ice of lakes and rivers to bathe in the freezing water. Photo: A mass baptism ceremony on Epiphany day in Vladivostok, Russia

© Yuri Smityuk/TASS

Russian Orthodox believers take a dip in the icy waters of Amur Bay, Vladivostok

© Yuri Smityuk/TASS

A man gets ready to take a dip into a basin with ice water during celebrations of the Orthodox Epiphany in Moscow's Revolution Square

© Mikhail Japaridze/TASS

A mass baptism ceremony on Epiphany day in Moscow

© Mikhail Japaridze/TASS

Ice seen on a lake during celebrations of the Orthodox Epiphany in Ryazan region, Russia

© Kristina Kormilitsyna/TASS

People get ready to take a dip into the icy waters of Angarsky pond in Volgograd

© Dmitry Rogulin/TASS

A mass baptism ceremony in Volgograd

© Dmitry Rogulin/TASS

Russian Orthodox priests carrying crosses and icons ahead of the procession of the Cross marking the Orthodox Epiphany in Ivanovo region

© Vladimir Smirnov/TASS

A priest blesses an ice-hole during the celebrations of the Orthodox Epiphany in Ivanovo region

© Vladimir Smirnov/TASS

Georgian Orthodox believers pray during Epiphany celebrations at the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in Mtskheta, Georgia

© EPA/ZURAB KURTSIKIDZE

Religious ceremony of the Baptism of Jesus Christ, in Pamplona, northern Spain purify their health with blessed water.

© AP / Alvaro Barrientos

Christian Orthodox pilgrims bathe in the Jordan river during a baptism ceremony at Qasr-el Yahud near the West Bank town of Jericho

© AP / Oded Balilty

Orthodox Christians celebrate the religious holiday of Epiphany according to the Julian calendar on January 19. Believers traditionally plunge into cold water on Epiphany. More than 1.5 million people participated in Epiphany bathing in Russia this year, according to the Ministry of Emergency Situations. Orthodox Epiphany celebrations - in photo gallery by TASS

Elon Musk denies rumors that he uses drugs

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Russia to react to Ukrainian settlement proposals in line with national priorities — MFA

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov highlighted that Vladimir Putin's June 14 comments "by and large did not impose conditions"

Syria’s new authorities rename hospitals named after ex-president’s family members

Some of them were named after Bashar Assad’s brother Bassel, who died in a car crash in 1994

Biden considers new sanctions against Russian energy sector — The Washington Post

According to the newspaper’s sources, possible options also include revoking the license that allows banks to handle transactions with Russian energy resources

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Denis Pushilin noted that shelling in Donetsk’s Kirovsky and Petrovsky districts is expected to diminish further once Kurakhovo is liberated

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According to Waldemar Skrzypczak, Russian troops' daily advances amount to 1-2 kilometers (0.6-1.2 miles)

Putin's principles of Ukrainian settlement stem from international law — Lavrov

The top Russian diplomat drew attention to the fact that "the Kiev regime plays into the hands the West, which needs to remove such a strong competitor as Russia from the international scene"

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Media reports say that at least 28 people have survived

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Flights from Istanbul, Almaty, Tomsk heading to Kazan diverted to Samara

According to Russia’s Federal Agency for Air Transport, the temporary restrictions on the work of Kazan airport were introduced early in the morning of December 25

Top German officials pressured by Biden to strengthen anti-Russian coalition in EU — Dodik

"Now we see the outcome: a Europe burdened with numerous problems and struggling to determine how to establish relations with the Trump administration," the president of the Republika Srpska said

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Parliamentarians, members of the Constitutional Court, and foreign diplomats attended her inauguration

Deployment of Moldovan troops to Transnistria to violate settlement accords — expert

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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

Georgian court extends Saakashvili's arrest in border crossing case

Judge Mikhail Jinjolia explained that there remained a risk Saakashvili might escape or commit a new crime, so the motion to cancel the arrest was rejected

Twenty-eight people survive passenger plane crash in Kazakhstan — Emergencies Ministry

It is confirmed that two children were injured

Assad allegedly hands list of military targets over to Israel before leaving Syria — media

According to the Turkish newspaper, the former Syrian president did it to ensure his own safety

Azerbaijan Airlines operated passenger plane that crashed in Kazakhstan

According to the ministry, the circumstances of the crash are being established and a special investigation will be carried out

Russia’s Velikiye Luki submarine dives to depth of 100 meters as part of tests

Upon completion of the underwater part of the test, the crew of the Velikiye Luki took the submarine to the surface and continued to carry out operations in accordance with the plan

Trump doesn’t want repeat of Minsk agreements — Kellogg

He expressed hope that the US president-elect will be able to achieve a settlement of the conflict in Ukraine in a "relatively near term."

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

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

Is Gaddafi's gloom prophecy in regard to Europe bound to be fulfilled?

As Europe’s migrant crisis grows far and wide, many Russian media are recalling the late Libyan leader Muamar Gaddafi’s gloom prophecy made several months before his violent death

Russian expert suspects Ursa Major sank due to act of sabotage

Alexander Stepanov remarked that such attacks are virtually impossible to identify and track down

Putin, Rakhmon converse briefly ahead of bilateral talks

The leaders had a warm greeting, hugged each other, exchanged a couple of phrases and proceeded to the hall, where the bilateral negotiations started

Lavrov cautions against challenging Russia's resolve

The top Russian diplomat remarked that Russian President Vladimir Putin had extensively addressed this matter during his combined year-end press conference and Q&A session on December 19, among other instances

IN BRIEF: What is known about sinking of Ursa Major cargo ship in Mediterranean Sea

According to reports, fourteen crew members were rescued and two are missing

Over 100 people involved in extinguishing jet fire at drilling rig in southern Urals

The accident posed no threat to nearby settlements

Sunken tankers violated seasonal maritime traffic restrictions — authority

A number of tankers of the ships' owner Volgatransneft did not have a license for transporting dangerous cargoes in inland waters

Trump’s presidency could influence global economy — Russian finance chief

The Republican candidate secured sufficient Electoral College votes in the November 5 presidential election, according to state-by-state vote counts

Kremlin admits legal action over transfer of $1 bln from Russian assets to Ukraine

"Such illegal actions, including the transfer of this billion, may surely prompt legal action. And we will surely use all possibilities in the future to protect our rights and the rights to our property," Dmitry Peskov noted

Continued terror attacks by Kiev to be met with increasingly tougher response — Lavrov

The top Russian diplomat expressed disappointment that virtually none of the Western nations have joined Russia’s condemnation of these attacks, including the leaders of international organizations like the UN, OSCE, or UNESCO

Russian air defenses eliminate 59 Ukrainian drones over various regions overnight

According to the Tambov Region government, there were no casualties as a result of the destruction of the drones

Russian embassy refutes reports on Sudan’s refusal to host Russian base

Some Western media outlets reported earlier, citing anonymous Sudanese intelligence sources, that Khartoum had allegedly annulled an agreement with Moscow on placing a Russian naval logistics support base due to potential US sanctions

Over 150 spontaneous graves found in Popasnaya in LPR

Around 250 people are still staying in the city

IN BRIEF: What is known about shopping mall explosion in Russia’s Vladikavkaz

According to emergency services, the incident was caused by a household gas explosion

Pentagon has nothing to announce on possible talks between Russia, US defense chiefs

Belousov and Austin had a phone call on July 12

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Many regions of Tajikistan and constituent regions of the Russian Federation have direct relations with each other, the Russian President stressed

United Kingdom’s defense expenditures up by 14% in past decade — The Times

According to the article, Iran’s military budget grew by 57%, China’s - by 60% and Russia’s - by 34% in the reported period

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

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Russian forces pound Ukrainian military airfields, ammo depots over past day — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted roughly 380 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed six enemy artillery guns in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

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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

Ukraine’s army attacks Russia’s borderline Belgorod Region with over 50 UAVs in past day

"In the village of Borki, an FPV drone struck a moving vehicle and its driver sustained wounds," Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said

Pakistani forces attack Afghan province just across border

Taliban-controlled Afghan Defense Ministry condemned the attack, saying it violated international law and didn’t represent a solution to any issue

CSTO to keep boosting its military potential next year — chief

Joint exercises aimed are another important aspect of the effort to boost the organization’s defense potential, Imangali Tasmagambetov said

Former Austrian minister believes EU ignored message Russia sent with Oreshnik missile

According to Karin Kneissl, Russia doesn’t want to trigger any nuclear war

Damascus warns Iran against sowing chaos in Syria — foreign minister

Iran should not interfere in Syria's internal affairs, the minister of foreign affairs in Syria’s transitional government Asaad Hassan al-Shibani said

Shopping mall in Russia’s North Caucasus city of Vladikavkaz catches fire after explosion

Regional head Sergey Menyailo said that the blast had killed a woman inside the building

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Four GLONASS navigation satellites ready for launch — Roscosmos head

Yury Borisov added that over the past year, Roscosmos has expanded its Earth remote sensing constellation by introducing high-resolution observation satellites, including a Resurs-P satellite and a Kondor radar imaging satellite

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Syria’s Interior Ministry calls on members of former regime to hand over their arms

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Anton Siluanov said that that this year authorities have sold more property than it was initially planned

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The military said that a conversation in a foreign language was intercepted by radio intelligence before visual control over the group was established

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

Europe should support Sino-Brazilian initiative on Ukraine — Swiss newspaper

The article’s author believes that Russa’s absence during the peace conference in Burgenstock, Switzerland, was 'a crucial mistake'

Georgia became inconvenient for 'friends' after rejecting Ukrainian scenario — official

According to Kakha Kaladze, the country faced unprecedented pressure because of this

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According to the Kazakh Transport Ministry, the plane belonged to Azerbaijan Airlines

Twenty-five people survive passenger plane crash in Kazakhstan — Emergencies Ministry

According to the report, twenty-two people have been taken to a hospital

Plane crashed near Aktau was diverted to Makhachkala due to fog in Grozny

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Russia not closing its border with Estonia — MFA

Russian border crossings near the Estonian border are functioning as usual, Maria Zakharova said

Turkey’s, US defense chiefs discuss Syria, security issues

A conversation took place between National Defense Minister Yasar Guler and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin

Assassination attempt on defense executive thwarted near Moscow — FSB

The attackers’ activities were coordinated by Ukrainian special service agents through foreign internet messengers, as evidenced by data retrieved from seized communication devices, the FSB added

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Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, the foreign minister in Syria’s transitional government, promised that Damascus will take measures to ensure the safe return 'of each Syrian national who had to flee his land and his home'

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Earlier, the Israeli army press office reported that air-raid sirens sounded in several areas of central Israel following the launch of a missile from Yemen

Azerbaijani president on his way back home from Russia after AZAL plane crash

According to the press service, Ilham Aliyev has ordered the relevant government agencies to investigate the causes of the crash and take urgent action

Mercenary from Norway faces criminal charges for incursion into Kursk Region

The investigation has found that Ocherkhadzhiyev personally participates in the armed conflict as a mercenary on Russian territory

Ukraine’s General Staff reports tense frontline situation

The most difficult situation for Ukrainian troops is observed in the Krasnoarmeisk (Pokrovsk), Kurakhovo and Vremevka frontline areas

Greece continues to ship munitions to Ukraine en masse — website

According to the report, the people of Greece witnessed the passage of convoys of Greek and foreign-made trucks transporting containers, mainly with shells, to Balkan states and Poland, and eventually to Ukraine

Armored vehicle with Israeli commanding officers blown up in West Bank

The rest of the passengers in the vehicle did not get injured

Situation with gas supplies from Russia to Europe difficult — Kremlin

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

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No Russians killed in Magdeburg car attack, information on injured being updated — embassy

At least five people got killed and 235 were injured as a result of the attack

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

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At the same time, Oleg Bondarenko said, without affordable energy resources, the decline of the German economy will continue with no chance of stopping in the foreseeable future

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According to Karin Kneissl, in some households, people are already paying more for electricity and heating than for their rent

Passenger plane crashes near Kazakhstan's Aktau — Emergencies Ministry

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Scientists present Russia's first 50-qubit cold atom quantum computer — MSU

The experiment that allowed testing the supercomputer prototype took place on December 19, the Moscow State University said

Russian forces gain control over road between Gulyaypole, Velikaya Novosyolka — official

According to Vladimir Rogov, actions by the Russian Armed Forces will compel the garrison of the Ukrainian armed forces in Velikaya Novosyolka to face difficulties with supplies and reinforcements

Russia doesn’t need ceasefire in Ukraine, it needs legally binding guarantees — Lavrov

According to the foreign minister, these agreements should be aimed at eliminating the root causes of the Ukrainian conflict

Another US fighter jet narrowly avoided friendly fire in Red Sea — Fox News

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More than 20 countries show interest in BRICS — Kremlin aide

Yury Ushakov noted that uncontrolled expansion of the association would break its backbone

Putin offers condolences to Azerbaijani president over plane crash near Aktau

"Overall, we are expressing deepest condolences to those who lost their near and dear in this air disaster," Dmitry Peskov said

Trump’s son posts image showing father buying Canada, Greenland on Amazon

"We are so back," Eric wrote for a caption

Denmark to strengthen control over Greenland after Trump’s words — top defense official

Denmark plans to increase the number of personnel at the Joint Arctic Command in the Greenlandic capital of Nuuk

Ukrainian deserters abroad are hunted through Interpol — parliament member

"The percentage of those who have left their newly formed brigades is the highest," Ruslan Gorbenko said

Putin to hold informal CIS summit in St. Petersburg

An informal meeting before the New Year is a long-standing tradition of the Commonwealth

Russia continues special military op because Ukraine refuses talks — Kremlin

"It is important for us to achieve all the goals that we face in ensuring the security of our country," Dmitry Peskov emphasized

Serious conflict between Israel, Turkey possible — Russian expert

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At least 21 killed in post-election violence in Mozambique

Pascoal Ronda suggested that the opposition probably joined forces with Islamic terrorists

Russian scientists have lots of new ideas in nuclear sphere — researcher

Mikhail Kovalchuk also reiterated that for a long time, Russia has been and remains a guide for other countries in the sphere of developing technologies, including space

Almost 440,000 Russians sign up for military service this year — Medvedev

"The results of work over the year can already be assessed," the politician said

Armenian premier says will skip CIS meeting in St. Petersburg due to COVID-19

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Hostilities in Ukraine to end in 2025 — Hungary’s Orban predicts

The Hungarian prime minister recalled that America and Europe spent about 300 billion euros on the war in Ukraine

Russian forces increasing pressure on Ukrainian troops near Belogorovka in LPR — expert

Unfavorable weather has made things worse for the enemy in that sector of the line of engagement, Andrey Marochko said

Pope Francis opens Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica

The Holy Door, which is usually bricked up, is expected to remain open over the next 12 months

Online platform for sales of drones, spare parts launched in Russia in test mode

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Only Western countries present nuclear war scenarios, says Lavrov

The foreign minister stressed that "it was at Russia’s initiative that the Gorbachev-Reagan formula that there can be no winners in a nuclear war and it should never be unleashed was reinstated"