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Military operation in Ukraine

Humanitarian corridors open from five Ukrainian cities — top brass

On February 24, the Russian president said that in response to a request by the leaders of the Donbass republics he had made a decision to carry out a special military operation

MOSCOW, March 8. /TASS/. Russia announced a ceasefire from 10:00 am Moscow time, humanitarian corridors from Kiev, Chernigov, Sumy, Kharkov and Mariupol have been opened, Defense Ministry Spokesman Igor Konashenkov said on Tuesday.

"For the purposes of the safety evacuation of civilians from settlements, a ceasefire regime is being introduced today from 10:00 am Moscow time and humanitarian corridors are open from Kiev, Chernigov, Sumy, Kharkov and Mariupol," Konashenkov noted.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a televised address on February 24 that in response to a request by the leaders of the Donbass republics he had made a decision to carry out a special military operation. The Russian head of state stressed that Moscow had no plans of occupying Ukrainian territories. Russia’s Defense Ministry reported that Russian troops were not delivering strikes against Ukrainian cities. It emphasized that Ukrainian military infrastructure was being destroyed through the use of precision weapons. Civilians are not threatened, the Russian military assured.

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Military operation in Ukraine

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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

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Russia not closing its border with Estonia — MFA

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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

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Only Western countries present nuclear war scenarios, says Lavrov

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No communication yet between Moscow, Trump team — Russian diplomat

Russian Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov said earlier that Washington had not contacted Moscow in order to discuss the possibility of a visit by Trump’s Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg and communication with him

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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

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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

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

CIS countries share common approaches to resolving global issues — Putin

Among other things, "members of the Commonwealth have been increasing cooperation in the fight against extremism, transborder crime, and drug trafficking, and everyday activities and contacts between security agencies have been established," the Russian president said

Without Ukrainian transit, gas to become much more expensive for Europe — expert

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

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

According to the report, the plane crew had to perform several maneuvers to dodge it

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

The accident posed no threat to nearby settlements

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 doesn’t want repeat of Minsk agreements — Kellogg

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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

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His participation in the upcoming meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council of the Eurasian Economic Union is unclear

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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

Russian cancer vaccine to be free of charge — top oncologist

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

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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

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One of two power cables between Estonia, Finland fails for an unknown reason

Two sets of underwater high-voltage direct current power cables connect Finland and Estonia

Former Austrian minister names 4 suspect countries in connection with Nord Stream sabotage

Asked what countries could be behind the attack, Karin Kneissl replied that, like in an Agatha Christie novel, "there are many suspects in this imaginary room"

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

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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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According to the statement, the information about the injured is being clarified

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

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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

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

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

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

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Russia continues special military op because Ukraine refuses talks — Kremlin

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

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Ukrainian deserters abroad are hunted through Interpol — parliament member

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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

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

Press review: Kiev escalates attacks as payments ease for Russian raw material buyers

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, December 23rd

Oboronlogistics company blames loss of its ship Ursa Major on terrorist attack

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

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

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

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Armored vehicle with Israeli commanding officers blown up in West Bank

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

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

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

Putin to hold informal CIS summit in St. Petersburg

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

Press review: Ukraine eyes missile programs as EU considers new sanctions on Russia

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, December 25th

Sandu regime may seize Moldavan power plant in Transnistria — Russian Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova noted that "under such a scenario, the Russian peacekeeping presence in the region will be jeopardized"

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

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

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

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

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 has no illusions that Ukraine conflict can be resolved easily — top diplomat

"We have never stated that the incoming administration of [US President-elect Donald] Trump will necessarily give a start to negotiations on global security, on Ukraine," Sergey Lavrov noted

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

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