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Military operation in Ukraine

France's delivery of SCALP missiles to Ukraine marks escalation of conflict — diplomat

"Despite Russia’s evident ability to counter this threat, such actions constitute an evident and deliberate step towards further escalation of the Ukrainian conflict," Maria Zakharova said

MOSCOW, July 14. /TASS/. France’s decision to deliver SCALP long-range missiles to Ukraine is a yet another step towards escalation of the conflict in the country, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in response to questions from the International Affairs journal.

"Despite Russia’s evident ability to counter this threat, such actions constitute an evident and deliberate step towards further escalation of the Ukrainian conflict," she said, commenting on the French government’s decision.

"This piece of armament is the French counterpart of UK Storm Shadow cruise missiles, which are being successfully shot down by Russia’s missile defenses and are already being examined by Russian defense experts," the diplomat added.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced upon his arrival to the NATO summit in Vilnius on July 11 that his country would provide Ukraine with longer-range weapons, without specifying their type. Later, AFP reported that the first ones of these missiles were arrived in Ukraine as the French leader was making the announcement.

According to Reuters, France intends to provide Ukraine with 50 SCALP missiles in total. They will be adjusted for use by Soviet-made aircraft.

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Military operation in Ukraine

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Putin approves purchase of Russian Elevator Company from French grain trader Louis Dreyfus

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Putin slams election mudslinging against Trump’s family as 'vile'

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Russian diplomat says US won’t stop Russia from accomplishing special operation goals

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Serbia lauds development of bilateral ties with Russia — Serbian parliament

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Iran’s Revolutionary Guards eyes big response to Israel's latest attack

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Russia-North Korea partnership pact reaffirms their interest in developing ties — Belousov

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Belarusian President Lukashenko points to 'NATOfication' of Europe, entire world

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Press review: CSTO discusses Russian weapons as US and Russia continue prisoner talks

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Unidentified UAVs continue to appear over US Air Force bases in UK — newspaper

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Russian Embassy in Argentina monitors situation with malfunctioning ocean liner

The diplomatic mission said that they are in touch with the company organizing the cruise as well as with the Russian citizens onboard the vessel

Ukrainian servicemen abandon military units due to fear of Russian army — official

Kiev is constantly losing control over populated areas because "tens of thousands of tired and desperate Ukrainian servicemen are leaving their positions to flee in an unknown direction," the agency reported

Syrian army eliminates hundreds of terrorists, repelling their attack on Aleppo, Idlib

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NATO growing more inclined to freeze Ukraine conflict — Russia’s SVR

"NATO has been unfolding training centers in Ukraine in an effort to train at least 1 million mobilized Ukrainians," the SVR highlighted

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Zelensky reshuffles Ukrainian military command

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Russia works on transforming '3+3' platform into organization — senior diplomat

Mikhail Galuzin stressed that the '3+3' regional cooperation platform is important for harmonizing the interests of all countries of the region

Russia sees no need to downgrade relations with Poland, ambassador says

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Kiev troops attempted to kill British mercenary who surrendered to Russians — officer

In his words, they fired conventional 120mm mortar rounds, silent munitions and at least one FPV drone with a fragmentation charge

Oreshnik becomes serious problem for Ukraine — Polish general

According to Waldemar Skrzypczak, satellite reconnaissance failed to detect the launch and flight of this missile

Ukrainian army says desertion main reason for loss of Ugledar

The Ukrainian officer said that each company in his battalion was supposed to have 120 men, but "due to deaths, injuries and desertions," some companies had as few as 10 soldiers

FACTBOX: What to know about attacks of militants on Syria’s government forces

Ukrainians flee from Kiev regime to regions reunited with Russia — politician

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Kremlin considers militants' attack on Aleppo encroachment on Syria's sovereignty

"We urge Syria’s authorities to reassert control and restore constitutional order as soon as possible," Dmitry Peskov stressed

Putin signs law on taxation of digital currencies

According to the law, digital currency is recognized as property

Russia against sending OPCW reps to probe into chemical incidents in Ukraine — diplomat

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Russia weighs resumption of nuclear tests — senior diplomat

"The situation is quite complicated," Sergey Ryabkov said

Design of super-heavy rocket to be finalized based on new technologies — Roscosmos

"The development of a super-heavy class rocket exposed a need for introducing innovative solutions, including new materials and engines," the press service said

Scholz shares details of talks with Putin, Zelensky says

The conversation between the Russian president and the German chancellor took place on November 15

Russia ready for talks with Ukraine on conditions proposed in June — Putin

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Russian aerospace forces eliminate at least 20 militants in Syria’s Aleppo, Idlib

Russia’s aerospace forces are backing the Syrian government army and deliver missile strikes on positions of illegal armed groups, their weapons, control centers, and weapons depots, Oleg Ignasyuk, deputy chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria said

Russia designs Titan rifle for commandos

The rifle is reliable with precise and dense fire

Russia’s top diplomat slams NATO for discussions of preemptive strikes on Russia

"These claims were made by some admiral. Absolutely reckless. They have a lot of high-ranking military officials who have never even seen real battle," Sergey Lavrov stated

West deploying troops to Ukraine to up ante in fight with Russia — senior diplomat

Mikhail Galuzin described such plans as provocative and noted that they "confirm the West’s intention to continue its profound engagement in a direct standoff with Russia"

UK continuing arms supplies to Kiev fraught with conflict of nuclear powers — diplomat

Andrey Kelin noted that "the British have utterly ignored all our warnings and opted for escalatory actions to further worsen the Ukrainian crisis"

Russia to pour over OPCW report on use of toxins in Ukraine — diplomat

"After careful analysis of the report, Russian specialists will issue their expert opinion on this matter," Vladimir Tarabrin noted

Rosneft produced 193.4 mln tons of hydrocarbons in 9M 2024 — company

Oil refining stood at 62.6 mln metric tons in nine months of this year

Syrian government army hits militants’ positions in southern Idlib — newspaper

According to Al-Watan, Syrian forces targeted militants’ positions in the al-Ruweiha, Khan al-Sabil, and Maardabsa, as well as in the Jebel al-Zawiya mountainous area in southern Idlib and the city of Mareya north of Aleppo

Debt burden of Russian stands at 11% of total households income — Central Bank

"This is a comfortable level, so we do not see any risks at large," Deputy Governor of the Bank of Russia Philipp Gabuniya said

Russian football chief disappointed national team left off 2026 World Cup draw list

"Until the decision is reversed, our team will have no chance to participate in international competitions," Alexander Dyukov said

Decision-making centers in Kiev could be targeted in Oreshnik strikes — Putin

The Russian leader also mentioned military facilities and defense industry enterprises as possible targets

Riot police fully clears square in front of Georgian parliament from protesters

The protesters moved up Rustaveli Avenue

Hungary greenlights pouring of first concrete in Paks-2 NPP foundation — MFA

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto noted that in order to approve the construction of Paks-2, some not-so-simple safety measures had to be taken

Syrian government forces attacking terrorist headquarters in Idlib, Al-Dana — media

The Syrian army command reported on November 28 that units of the Jabhat al-Nusra extremist group had staged a large-scale attack on Syria’s northern governorates the day prior

North Korean leader sees missile strikes inside Russia as Western involvement in conflict

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Hungarian PM sounds alarm over presence of US, French troops in Ukraine

Additionally, the news that Russia used its latest Oreshnik high-precision ballistic missile, which has significant destructive power, to destroy Yuzhmash, a Ukrainian defense plant in Dnipro (previously known as Dnepropetrovsk), is alarming, Viktor Orban stressed

Strike on NATO bases possible in case of escalation, Medvedev says

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Defense Minister notes active expansion of Russia-North Korea military cooperation

"We look forward to close and fruitful cooperation with our Korean comrades," Andrey Belousov said

Niger receives delivery of military equipment from Russia — TV

The report also stated that this delivery highlights the strengthening of military-technical cooperation between Russia and Niger

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meets with Russian defense minister — KCNA

"Kim Jong Un said that Korea-Russia relations are a strong security mechanism that facilitates the prosperity of the peoples in the two countries, alleviates the situation in the region and guarantees international strategic stability," the news agency said

IN BRIEF: How Russia responded to Kiev’s strikes deep into its territory

Here are the key points about the strikes on Ukrainian military-industrial facilities

Russian troops liberate four communities in Donetsk area, Kharkov Region over week

Russian forces delivered one massive and 32 combined strikes by air-launched, seaborne and ground-based precision weapons, hitting Ukrainian military airfields and power facilities of defense enterprises over the past week, the ministry reported

Russia winning in Ukrainian conflict, Polish national security chief says

"The Russian side unquestionably holds both the initiative and the advantage on the battlefield," Head of the Polish National Security Bureau Jacek Siewiera said

Paris grants Netanyahu immunity for Lebanon ceasefire role, French magazine says

The report indicates that shortly after the ICC issued its warrant, Macron had a phone conversation with Netanyahu, in which he acknowledged that Paris was obliged to respect the ICC and cooperate fully

Closure of Russian consulates general in Poland possible, ambassador says

"Anything is possible, so we have long been prepared for any eventuality," Sergey Andreyev noted

Romania, Poland, Germany, UK plan to divide Ukraine — Russia's foreign intel

"A total of 100,000 so-called peacekeepers are planned to be sent to Ukraine," the SVR noted

Police use water cannons against protesters at Tbilisi rally

The protesters were throwing eggs and firecrackers at the policemen

Elite units of Syrian troops deployed to Aleppo to defeat gangs — newspaper

Earlier, Syrian servicemen eliminated dozens of Jabhat al-Nusra militants during clashes in northern Aleppo

Putin apologizes to Merkel over labrador incident

The president said that he "wanted to create a casual, friendly atmosphere" and did not know that the former German chancellor was afraid of dogs