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Voting on accession to Russia

DPR starts second day of voting at referendum to join Russia as scheduled — official

"All polling stations opened as scheduled at eight o'clock in the morning, all mobile field teams went out," Vladimir Vysotsky said

DONETSK, September 24. /TASS/. The Donetsk People’s Republic started the second day of voting at the referendum to join Russia as scheduled, Vladimir Vysotsky, chairman of the DPR’s elections commission, said on Saturday.

"All polling stations opened as scheduled at eight o'clock in the morning, all mobile field teams went out," he said.

Referendums to join Russia as a federation constituent kicked off on September 23 in the Donetsk and Lugansk people's republics, as well as in the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions. They will last through September 27.

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Foreign policy Voting on accession to Russia

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29 people had been hospitalized

Russian troops liberate Novy Trud community in Donbass region over past day

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Armored vehicle with Israeli commanding officers blown up in West Bank

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Russian fighters control about 40% of Terny in Donetsk region, military expert says

Andrey Marochko added that Russian servicemen have advanced east of Yampolovka, bringing the distance between that village and Russia’s frontline positions to less than 1.2 miles

Oreshnik missile systems still few, but they are enough — Putin

According to the head of state, the system's serial production has begun

Putin says Biden in 2021 proposed to postpone Ukraine's admission to NATO

The Russian leader recalled that the US President spoke about Ukraine's unreadiness to join the alliance

Lukashenko says he discussed gas supplies to Europe with Putin, Russia ready to sell them

The Belarusian leader believes that Germany should restore relations with Russia for the sake of its own economy

Kazakhstan’s Aktau Airport was aware of oxygen cylinder blast before plane’s crash

KazAeroNavigation’s flight director immediately notified all emergency services

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The authorities of Chechnya handed over 200 "Jihad mobile"

Russia to press for progress on line of engagement — Putin

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Russian prime minister approves list of countries imposing destructive attitudes

It includes the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan and other states

Dutch citizen remanded in custody in Moscow on charges of assaulting police officer

Harry Johannes van Wurden should be taken into custody for two months, until December 3

France made several requests to Russia on Ukraine topic through private channels — Lavrov

According to the Russian foreign minister, Paris proposed "to assist and facilitate dialogue on the Ukrainian issue"

Putin congratulates Emergencies Ministry’s staff on professional holiday

"Employees of the Ministry of Emergencies rightfully enjoy the deserved recognition and respect in our society," the president said

Gazprom to supply record 390 bcm of gas to consumers via gas transportation system in 2024

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

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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"

Zelensky defines essence of next summit on Ukraine in four-letter explicit word — Lavrov

The first Kiev-initiated conference on Ukraine was held in Burgenstock, Switzerland, on June 15-16

Over 25 countries want to take part in Intervision Song Contest, Lavrov says

Russia is ready to welcome tourists from Latin American countries in every possible way, to show them Moscow and St. Petersburg, Lake Baikal, Kamchatka, Sochi, Suzdal, and Altai, the top Russian diplomat said

Russian MFA says West could try to pull off some military 'scheme' in Belarus

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Putin calls EAEU one of self-sufficient pillars of multipolar world

Opening the meeting, the Russian president invited participants to discuss pressing issues and outline plans for the future

No panic aboard crashed Azerbaijan Airlines plane, eyewitness says

The Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190, en route from Baku to Grozny, crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, on December 25

Biden tasks Pentagon with boosting military aid to Kiev

In recent months, the United States has provided Ukraine with hundreds of air defense missiles, and more are on the way, the White House’s press service released

Israeli jets pummel cities of Sanaa, Hodeidah in Yemen — source

According to the source, the attack targeted Sanaa International Airport, with at least seven strikes

Israel says strikes on Yemen serve to retaliate for earlier Houthi attacks

The country’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called the Houthi rebels "the centerpiece of Iran's axis of evil"

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According to the IDF, Hamas has been using this tunnel as a shelter for a long time

Lukashenko, Putin discuss regional security, bilateral relations

The presidents also talked about cooperation between the countries in a variety of areas, including economy

Russia ready for talks on Ukraine, only if those discuss essential topics — Lavrov

"We are open to any negotiations, provided they essentially discuss the core causes [behind the Ukraine crisis] and the key principles put forward by Russian President Vladimir Putin in June," the top diplomat said

No politics behind current absence of Russian ambassador in US — Lavrov

The top diplomat stressed that it was not a demarche

Ex-Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh died at age of 92

"He was being treated for age-related medical conditions," the All-India Institute of Medical Studies informed

Russia’s economic growth will be almost 4% in 2024, Putin says

The Russian leader noted that the volume of trade between Moscow and Yerevan had doubled compared to 2023, and by the end of the current year it would amount to more than $ 10 billion

Russian emergencies minister expects more natural disasters due to climate change

The Russian emergencies minister, Alexander Kurenkov, added, that weather anomalies are becoming more and more frequent

Russian forces break through Ukrainian defense lines in Kharkov Region — expert

Marochko added that the operation allowed Russian troops to "expand their zone of control" in the area

Two families with children return to Russia from Syria — commissioner

An aircraft landed in the Moscow Region, Maria Lvova-Belova said

At least four Syrian law enforcement employees killed in operation near Homs

According to Al Watan, the Department of military operations in Damascus sent major reinforcements to the Homs Province in order to eliminate the remaining supporters of former president Bashar Assad

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

South Korean opposition launches impeachment proceedings against acting president

According to the law, an impeachment vote can take place no earlier than 24 hours after the initiative is introduced at a plenary session

Azerbaijan Airlines says its ill-fated jet underwent full examination in October

The aircraft’s crew chief, Igor Kshnyakin, clocked more than 15,000 hours of flight time

IN BRIEF: Putin talks to reporters about Oreshnik missile, natural gas transit

Russia could use Oreshnik again if need be, but the country is seeking to end the conflict in Ukraine, the Russian president said

Three communication cables between Estonia, Finland damaged — media

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Putin says he receives information about frontline situation round the clock

There is always something new at certain sections of the front, the head of state emphasized

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Israel only starting to retaliate to Yemen’s Houthis — Netanyahu

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Georgian president demands appointing snap elections within week

Salome Zourabichvili also promised to announce her further plans on Monday

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Thailand accepts invitation to become BRICS partner state — MFA

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Pumping also continues through the Sudzha station, where military activities are ongoing

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Maulen Ashimbayev warned against premature conclusions concerning an external impact on the plane based on photographs, noting that certain forces were trying to derive dividends

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Dmitry Peskov recalled that the day before during the informal summit of the CIS, Russian President Vladimir Putin offered deep condolences to the families and friends of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the injured

IN BRIEF: What is known about passenger plane crash in Kazakhstan

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

Russian gas is most profitable for Europe in terms of price and logistics — Novak

In conditions of competing China, Europeans pay significantly more for US LNG than for Russian gas, the official noted

Turkey to help new Syrian authorities create regular Armed Forces — Defense Ministry

The defense ministry also noted that the experience of Turkey, which has an "exemplary army" and a powerful defense industry infrastructure, will significantly contribute to strengthening Syria’s security and defense capability

Cuba ready for more active involvement in EAEU mechanisms — president

Miguel Diaz-Canel thanked the association of the invitation and noted that the participation in such events has become a usual event for Cuba

EAEU leaders approve 17 documents following summit in Leningrad region

These include an agreement on the single customs transit system, a decision on the entry into force of the free trade agreement with Iran, and an order on the functioning of the single services market within the EAEU

More than 20 countries show interest in BRICS — Kremlin aide

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

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

According to Alexander Stepanov, strikes are systematic efforts to gradually wipe out the military capabilities of Ukraine

Russian-Iranian partnership agreement to be inked on January 17 — ambassador

The comprehensive strategic partnership treaty is expected to mark a significant step forward in the development of relations between Russia and Iran, which are growing rapidly

Finnish police detain oil tanker on suspicion of damaging communication cables

It is also reported that the Eagle S "noticeably slowed down" presumably at the moment when the cable between Finland and Estonia was damaged

US disrupts payment of Russian contribution to ICRC budget — Foreign Ministry

This is another example of a harmful impact of unlawful restrictive measures, the ministry said

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

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

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

Russia not setting preconditions for talks on Ukraine — Lavrov

The foreign minister stressed that Russia was deceived "when they stated that NATO would not expand eastwards and when they emphasized their commitment to resolve [the conflict] based on the UN Charter"

Bosphorus traffic resumes after broken tanker is towed away

The 274-meter Cordelia Moon tanker, which suffered an equipment failure, was safely towed and anchored at the Ahirkapi anchorage

Zelensky as commander-in-chief loses trust of army, population — MP

Aleksandr Dubinsky recalled the unsuccessful financing of Ukraine in the middle of the year

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

WHO chief says unhurt in Israeli air attack on Yemen airport

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus explained that he had arrived in the Yemeni capital to negotiate the release of UN staff and to assess the humanitarian situation in the country

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

Russia shortens temporary stay term for foreigners to 90 days — Foreign Ministry

In some cases, the temporary stay term is being prolonged in accordance with the abovementioned federal law

Azerbaijan Airlines plane tried to land twice at Aktau airport before crash

The Aktau air traffic controller promptly performed all necessary measures for the aircraft’s landing

Buildup of Russian presence in Arctic region critical amid West’s statements

"The buildup of presence in the Arctic Region is extremely important because the collective West is already carrying propaganda under slogans that ‘the Arctic is not Russian only," Executive Director of the RGS Artyom Manukyan said

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

Bosphorus transit suspended due to malfunction of tanker en route to Russia

The Cordelia Moon is 274 meters long and 50 meters wide

Russia practically eliminates remnants of Ukraine’s Air Force — source

The source said that attempts to recruit more pilots in Poland and other Eastern European countries were not particularly successful

Termination of transit of Russian gas to kill Ukraine’s gas transport system — experts

Moreover, Ukraine will have to reorganize the flows of gas on the domestic market and resolve respective issues with keeping pressure in the eastern and central parts of the gas transport system, experts added

Launch of Russia’s Bion-M biosatellite scheduled for March 25 — manufacturer

The spacecraft, taking 75 mice and 1,500 drosophila flies, as well as plants and microorganisms to space, was initially planned to blast off on September 1, 2024

Israel intends to ‘cut off tentacle’ of Iran's ‘axis of evil’ in Yemen — Netanyahu

Earlier, the Israel Defense Forces’ press office said that Israeli Air Force fighter jets struck military targets of the Houthi regime on the west coast and in the interior regions of Yemen

FSB foils series of assassination attempts on senior Russian defense officials

The bombs intended for killing high-placed Russian Defense Ministry officials were disguised as a power bank and a document folder, the FSB press office specified

Russia imposes state of federal-level emergency due to fuel oil spill in Black Sea

Alexander Kurenkov noted that "this classification will enable the deployment of additional resources and personnel from federal executive authorities and state corporations, as well as provide necessary financial assistance to the affected entities from the Russian government’s reserve fund"

US may face bankruptcy if situation with national debt does not change — Musk

The US national debt for the first time climbed above $36 trillion on November 15

Crew of plane that crashed in Kazakhstan lost control due to system failure

Kazakh Transport Minister Marat Karabayev noted that the information was also received that "after providing data on the weather in Makhachkala and Baku, the crew decided to fly to Aktau"