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Middle East conflict

Some mistakes by Israel partly to blame for Hamas attack — ambassador to Moscow

Alexander Ben Zvi added that all Israeli forces were now focused on removing the Hamas threat from the agenda

MOSCOW, October 9. /TASS/. Israel's ambassador to Russia, Alexander Ben Zvi, has admitted that the Hamas attack was made possible to an extent by some mistakes his country had made.

"No doubt, there was some mistake there. It's necessary to say outright that there was something like that involved. I'm sure that when this is all over, a special inquiry will investigate what really happened," the ambassador said on the Rossiya-24 TV channel in reply to a related question.

Ben Zvi added that all Israeli forces were now focused on removing the Hamas threat from the agenda.

"That is, first, we are to ensure that there are no more terrorists on our territory. Secondly, as I said, we are to wipe out the entire Hamas infrastructure. How long [it will take] is anyone’s guess. Any means that should be used will be used," he stressed.

Israel came under missile attack from the Gaza Strip on the morning of October 7. Simultaneously, several groups of Palestinian militants from the Hamas movement infiltrated the Jewish state, engaging in fighting with Israeli forces. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) declared a state of readiness for war and launched retaliatory actions dubbed Operation Iron Swords.

Hamas Politburo Head Ismail Haniyeh described the Palestinian operation as a response to aggressive actions by the Israeli authorities against the Al-Aqsa Mosque in the Old City of Jerusalem.

For his part, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country was at war and would win victory. He vowed that Hamas would pay an unprecedented price for the attack.

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Lavrov clarifies Russia's position on Ukraine crisis to foreign diplomats — MFA

"Participants in the roundtable exchanged views on the conflict and other pressing international topics," the ministry stated

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Oreshnik’s massive strike comparable to nuclear weapons — Putin

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

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Kiev opposes Washington's demand for lowering draft age — media

A representative of US President Joe Biden's administration had earlier stated that the Ukrainian military is facing a critical manpower shortage

Russia weighs resumption of nuclear tests — senior diplomat

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Russia to continue gathering evidence about Kiev’s chemical crimes — diplomat

According to Vladimir Tarabrin, Russia’s mission to the OPCW has submitted more than 30 notes to the organization, and they are available to the general public

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

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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

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Serbia lauds development of bilateral ties with Russia — Serbian parliament

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

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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

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

Iran’s Operation True Promise was carried out in April in response to the Israeli bombing of the Islamic republic’s embassy in Damascus

Russia, North Korea remain good neighbors, longtime friends — Russian defense minister

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

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Leonardo booking system’s functionality restored — Rostec

Aeroflot airline said earlier that the issue and the return of tickets and provision of extra services in all sales channels were temporarily complicated due to the system’s failure

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

Biden unlikely to dare to seriously increase military aid to Kiev — expert

"The potential future use of Oreshnik will render ATACMS and Storm Shadow as battle-losing capabilities," a retired British diplomat and former economic counsellor at the British Embassy in Moscow Ian Proud 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

Hungarian PM’s office rules out his trip to Moscow for 80th anniversary of Victory

Gergely Gulyas was commenting on the decision of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico to go to the Russian capital to celebrate the anniversary of Victory at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin

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

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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

Root causes need to be addressed to settle Ukrainian conflict — Kremlin spokesman

"Everything here is much deeper than a decision to send a peacekeeper mission," Dmitry Peskov said

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

The head of state held a meeting with the leadership of the Russian Foreign Ministry in June, where he listed the conditions for talks with Ukraine

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's opponents see Finland as springboard in case of open conflict — politician

Leonid Slutsky noted that the current and previous leadership of Finland has been and remains engaged "on the lower turn of the sine wave, which is now marked by a sharp cooling of bilateral relations"

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

Russia designs Titan rifle for commandos

The rifle is reliable with precise and dense fire

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"

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

On Tuesday, about 60 British military experts were stationed at US airbases across the UK to operate a counter-UAV system to operate a counter-UAV system designed to detect, track and destroy them

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

According to Vladimir Tarabrin, Russia doesn’t want to "expose to danger the lives and health of international experts amid the extensive use of various weapons" along the engagement line

Russian passengers on Antarctica cruise liner with engine failure go on hunger strike

The liner left Cape Town on November 13 for a 20-day cruise, and passengers say they paid between $9,000 and $12,000 for the trip

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

Bilateral exchanges between Russia, North Korea their own business — Chinese MFA

Mao Ning also stated that she was not aware of the details of Belousov's visit and reiterated that China's position on the Ukrainian crisis remains consistent

NATO spies study damage from Oreshnik at Yuzhmash — expert

Alexander Stepanov emphasized that both Kiev and its Western allies are closely scrutinizing the consequences of the strike on the plant

Ukraine demolishes buildings with soldiers inside as Russian forces advance — DPR leader

Amid the successful advance of Russian forces, Ukrainian troops have been indiscriminately attacking civilian neighborhoods in Gorlovka, which is adjacent to Dzerzhinsk, Denis Pushilin said

Takeaways from Putin’s Q&A session in Kazakhstan: Oreshnik missile, inflation, ruble

The Russian president also spoke about inflation and the ruble exchange rate, noting that the situation is under control

Presidential aide blames West for attempts to harm Russia at sea

Nikolay Patrushev said that in a situation like this Russia should firmly defend its position and prepare tools for the "comprehensive management of maritime activities aimed at ensuring national interests"

Western analysts describe Russia's Oreshnik as longest-range weapon ever used in Europe

The recent strike on the Yuzhmash missile-producing plant in Ukraine demonstrated Russia’s "real military capability", a nuclear nonproliferation expert at the Middlebury Institute for International Studies said

Putin signs law on taxation of digital currencies

According to the law, digital currency is recognized as property

Putting Oreshnik's in Eastern Russia strategic play to help allies, counter US

According to Alexander Stepanov, the deployment makes sense in a situation where the Pentagon continues to project its military presence on Russia's eastern borders

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

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

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

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

Police use water cannons against protesters at Tbilisi rally

The protesters were throwing eggs and firecrackers at the policemen

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

Kim Jong Un, Russian defense minister discuss development of partnership — KCNA

"The talks featured a broad exchange of views on issues related to further deepening and development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, the DPRK and the Russian Federation, in such fields as defense, protection of sovereignty," the news agency said

Japan's PM reiterates desire to sign peace treaty with Russia

Moscow and Tokyo have been negotiating a peace treaty to mark the end of World War II since the mid-20th century

US funds 'Nazis, maniacs' in Ukraine, Israel — American journalist

Jackson Hinkle also pointed out that the US authorities are no friend of "freedom-loving American patriots"

Welcome to Russia project helps to find spiritual, moral refuge — State Duma deputy

People want to move to Russia to preserve traditional values and maintain their own history, Maria Butina noted