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Putin notes need for further anti-terror efforts in Syria in phone call with Erdogan

The Russian and Turkish presidents had a phone conversation on Tuesday

Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a meeting, October 22, 2019 Mikhail Mettsel/TASS

Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a meeting, October 22, 2019

© Mikhail Mettsel/TASS

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Residents returning to their homes in central Syria

MOSCOW, December 17. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin, who had a telephone conversation with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday, stressed the importance of further joint efforts to fight terrorist groups in Syria, the Kremlin press service said.

"The leaders exchanged views on the situation in Syria, including in the context of the Russian-Turkish agreements on the stabilization of the situation in Idlib and in northeastern Syria," the Kremlin commented. "A special focus was on the necessity of further joint efforts to fight against terrorist groups."

Intra-Libyan contacts

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The Russian president also expressed readiness to offer assistance in establishing intra-Libyan contacts, the Kremlin press service informed.

"The presidents discussed issues linked with the ongoing escalation of the armed confrontation in Libya. Support was voiced for the United Nations’ and Germany’s mediatory efforts to cease hostilities and establish peaceful dialogue in that country. Readiness was expressed to help establish intra-Libyan contacts," the Kremlin stated.

The two presidents agreed to invigorate Russia-Turkish contacts in various formats.

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Taiwan records approach of eight Chinese PLA aircraft, five vessels in past day

"We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly," the Ministry of National Defense reported

Ebola virus samples were smuggled from Africa to US — Russian Defense Ministry

"According to a report by an international panel of experts involved in fighting the 2014 Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone, company personnel concealed the fact that Pentagon employees were involved in the work," Major General Alexey Rtischev said

Trump’s election victory changed Western approach to Ukrainian conflict, adviser says

According to Mike Waltz, Trump has made it clear that the war must end

Skoda, Volkswagen to recall over 55,000 cars in Russia — regulator

All owners of vehicles subject to the recall will be informed of the need to bring the vehicle to the nearest dealership for repairs, Rosstandart said

Biden refuses to commute Boston Marathon terrorist's death sentence — media

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US engages Pentagon contractors who worked in Ukraine in Senegal — top brass

According to Major General Alexey Rtishchev, Washington is using African countries' economic problems in the health sector to build up its military and biological research

Germany's new chancellor may lead the West in standoff with Moscow — expert

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

Biden signs $895 bln US defense budget for 2025

The US House of Representatives approved the project on December 11, the Senate - on December 18

Situation with gas supplies from Russia to Europe difficult — Kremlin

"You have heard the Ukrainian side’s statement and you know the position of the European countries that continue purchasing Russian gas and that consider it necessary for normal operation of their economy," Dmitry Peskov said

Russia and Pakistan to be connected by direct railway line — minister

"By the end of March, we are planning the first train - the first cargo train to leave Russia for Pakistan," Awais Leghari said

Russian forces take control of Severny neighborhood in Chasov Yar — Donbass region head

According to Denis Pushilin, Russian forces have been advancing almost along the entire line of engagement in the region

Ukrainian attacks kill 11 Russian civilians, leave over 60 injured in past week — MFA

According to Rodion Miroshnik, the enemy fired some 1,500 projectiles at residential areas in Russia over the past week, including rockets, 152 mm and 155 mm artillery shells, mines and grenades

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The MEP said that Fico stands for Slovak interests in Russia, "even in spite of the warmongers in Brussels"

Russia evacuates 4,000 Iranian fighters from Syria at their request — Putin

Russian forces evacuated them from the Hmeimim base to Tehran

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

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Israeli Defense Minister admits his country's involvement in assassination of Hamas Leader

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Ukrainian army launches long-range missiles at Donetsk

Air defenses are in operation, and at least six aerial targets have been shot down

Russian citizen may face death penalty for drug distribution in Bali

Indonesian authorities suspect that the detainee was involved in drug distribution and received payment in cryptocurrency

Russia considers launching direct flights with Brazil, Malaysia, Pakistan — Minister

Roman Starovoyt noted that Russia is holding negotiations with many airlines from friendly countries

Russian drone operators use air ramming to down 4 Ukrainian copters in Kharkov Region

UAV operators of the battle group North continue to be on round-the-clock duty in the sky over Kharkov Region and identify reconnaissance and strike drones of the Ukrainian militants

Twelve people killed in blast at explosives manufacturing plant in Turkey — TV channel

In turn, the governor’s press service reported that the incident occurred along the line of primers

Russian Olympic champ Nagorny welcomes ISU’s decision to clear Russian athletes

"It's great when athletes, who devoted their lives to what they chose to do, get the chance once again of competing internationally, to win medals that they can bring home," he said

France announces new cabinet, with foreign and defense ministers keeping their jobs

Bruno Retailleau also stayed on as interior minister

Kremlin sums up Russia’s presidency in BRICS

According to Kremlin Aide Yury Ushakov, what is special about the Russian presidency is that Moscow had to support the work of BRICS in a new, expanded format, "to make sure that the new members of the group harmoniously fit into the customary arrangements, customary ways of interaction"

Russian cancer vaccine to be free of charge — top oncologist

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

Ukraine shells city hosting Zaporozhye NPP — politician

No reports of casualties and damage have come in yet

Russia bans cryptocurrency mining in 10 regions until 2031, restricts in three more

The purpose of such restrictions is to maintain the balance of energy consumption taking into account the needs of industry

Israel attacks Kamal Adwan hospital in Gaza with suicide robots

There are about 400 civilians in the medical facility, including newborn babies Al Jazeera reported

Russia to continue helping Sahel countries boost their armies’ combat capacities

According to Russian Ambassador to Mali Igor Gromyko, Moscow considers the establishment of the Alliance of Sahel States as a major step toward consolidating efforts against Islamist groups in the Sahara-Sahel zone

Group of foreign mercenaries taken out in Velikaya Novosyolka in Donbass region

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

Trump wants to rename North America's tallest mountain Denali

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Putin agrees 'Russian world' now faces war

The Russian leader also agreed with Sergey Mironov, head of the "A Just Russia - For Truth" faction in the Duma, who said that "the birth rate is insufficient, because the matter concerns extinction"

Around 4,400 Russian injured by Ukrainian strikes since January, around 800 killed

Russian Ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik said that the enemy has fired nearly 82,700 various types of ammunition at Russian regions

Russian cargo ship sinks between Spain, Algeria — newspaper

According to the report, the cargo ship left St. Petersburg about two weeks ago and headed for the port of Vladivostok, where it was scheduled to arrive on January 22

Two-thirds of Russians dissatisfied with 2024, survey reveals

Russians most often attribute their negative emotions regarding the past year to economic hardships and rising prices, while citing family events as positive highlights

Georgian president demands appointing snap elections within week

Salome Zourabichvili also promised to announce her further plans on Monday

Kiev considers negotiations with Russia inevitable, Ukrainian official says

At the same time, Sergey Leshchenko clarified that "there will be no repeat of Minsk or Istanbul agreements," meaning there would be no agreements resembling the Minsk accords of 2015 or the Istanbul talks of spring 2022

50,000-year-old mammoth calf carcass revealed in Yakutsk

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Contracts worth over $286 million signed at Vietnam Defense Expo 2024

The exhibition attracted more than 260,000 visitors, while more than 1,800 bilateral meetings and negotiations were held on the sidelines

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

Pakistan discusses creating free trade zone with EAEU — minister

"The work is going well, but it is not year ready enough for us to disclose it," Awais Leghari noted

Houthis say they attacked targets in Israel with drones

The movement struck military targets in Ashkelon and near Jaffa

Shelling on Donetsk decreases as frontline shifts — DPR head

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

Netanyahu says ordered IDF to attack Houthi strategic targets

Israel, according to Netanyahu, adheres to a "very simple principle" that "those seeking to do harm to Israel receives harm in response

Russia, Iran talk four points for Rasht-Astara project implementation — Deputy PM

According to Vitaly Savelyev, the Iranian side has taken on commitments to provide a land buyout schedule

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

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

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Meeting of Putin with Slovakia’s Fico lasted for two hours — presidential aide

According to Yuri Ushakov, the meeting was substantial

Russia no threat to Finland, Sweden, but ready to counter threats from them — diplomat

Addressing a news conference after the BRICS summit in Kazan earlier this year, Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the West of seeking to expand unfairly and warned that Russia would spare no effort to reverse the situation

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

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Proposal to duel with West response to claims of Oreshnik missile vulnerability — Kremlin

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin thus meant that the Oreshnik missile is a generation ahead of all existing weapons, while not being a nuclear weapon itself

Moldovan president plans military operation in Transnistria — Russian intel agency

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

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Ukrainian conflict will end when Kiev’s sponsors see need for peace — Russian diplomat

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Serious conflict between Israel, Turkey possible — Russian expert

"It’s important to note that the primary development in this context is the markedly increased role of non-Arab states in the region, particularly two key players," Vitaly Naumkin said

Direct flights between Pakistan and Russia expected soon — Energy Minister

First such flights could start in 2025, Pakistani Energy Minister Awais Leghari said

Russian Defense Ministry identifies over 30 more people connected to US biolabs in Africa

The Major General noted that among these individuals are: servicemen of the US Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, employees of regional branches of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, disease control and prevention centers in Africa, as well as members of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria

IDF eliminates chief of Hamas Security Mechanism directorate

Prior to the strike measures had been taken to mitigate risks for civilians, the IDF said

Putin holding talks with visiting Slovak PM

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Berlin’s any aggressive action will not remain unanswered — Russian ambassador

"This concerns both the potential use of Taurus and plans for stationing US mid-range and short-range missiles on German soil," Sergey Nechayev stressed

Russia’s Ursa Major ship sinks in Mediterranean with 14 out of 16 crew members rescued

According to the Crisis Management Center, on-duty personnel at the center, as well as at the Russian Transport Ministry and overseas diplomatic missions, are monitoring the situation

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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

Ukraine’s military attempts six UAV attacks on Melitopol in Zaporozhye Region overnight

Falling debris from one UAV damaged the roof of the central marketplace building

Ukraine may cease to exist by 2034 — Russian security official

Dmitry Medvedev noted that Ukraine will never join NATO

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Major General Alexey Rtishchev said that relevant comments were posted in the European and American media, as well as on information portals in the Middle East region

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US system on biological risks tested in Ukraine works in Africa — Russian ministry

According to Major General Alexey Rtishchev, this system has been successfully tested in Ukraine and Georgia

Russian forces liberate one more settlement in Donetsk People’s Republic

According to the report, battlegroup Center made Ukraine suffer roughly 610 casualties and lose two tanks in the Donetsk People’s Republic

Putin travels to St. Petersburg for informal CIS summit

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Roscosmos, NASA synchronize timeframes for completion of ISS — CEO

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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

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

Russia ready to normalize relations with US without detriment to its interests — Putin

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South Korea’s opposition threatens to impeach acting president on December 24

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Russian Defense Ministry names those who worked on bioweapons in Ukraine

The chief of Russia’s radiation, chemical and biological protection force, Igor Kirillov, told a news briefing that one of the key figures was Robert Pope, the Director of the US Defense Department's Cooperative Threat Reduction Program at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency

Lukashenko announces upcoming meeting with Putin and official visit to China

The Belarusian president pointed out that the coming year is expected to be difficult for a number of reasons

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

Lavrov reaffirms Moscow’s unity with Belgrade in protecting rights of Serbs — Russian MFA

Another issue discussed was cooperation in the oil sector amid illegal Western sanctions, the ministry said

Kiev to face more destruction after its UAV attack on Kazan, Putin warns

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Russia has every right to protect its interests in Ukraine — Republika Srpska leader

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Countries involved in US bio-control system become dependent on US — Russian military

"The result of this selective support is the transition to American personnel training standards, transfer and generalization of information on the biological situation, the degradation of national health care systems," the statement reads

Trump's plan to seize Panama Canal to cause migration, poverty — Colombian president

Gustavo Petro emphasized Colombia's backing for Panama in defending its sovereignty

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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

Strike on SBU control center response to Russian general’s assassination, expert says

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Kremlin announces countries to become BRICS partners from January 1

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