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Middle East conflict

Russia continues efforts to release three Russian citizens held by Hamas — chief rabbi

In February, Berel Lazar said that Russia’s Jewish community had helped release two women with Russian passports, Elena Trufanova and her mother Irina Tatti, as well as Sapir Cohen of Italy from Hamas’ captivity

MOSCOW, May 8. /TASS/. Russia is still working to release three Russian nationals from Hamas captivity, but so far to no avail, Russia’s Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar said.

"The latest meeting (with Russian President Vladimir Putin - TASS) was dedicated to the current situation with Israeli hostages, including three young male Russian citizens still being kept there. Naturally, Russia feels it has a responsibility to them. And the president promised that he will do his best (to release them - TASS)," he said. "Regrettably, there is no result as of yet, but I <…> hope we will see it soon."

In February, Lazar said that Russia’s Jewish community had helped release two women with Russian passports, Elena Trufanova and her mother Irina Tatti, as well as Sapir Cohen of Italy from Hamas’ captivity. He also said that he hoped that Trufanova’s only son, Alexander, also a Russian national, would finally be released.

Tensions flared up again in the Middle East on October 7 after militants from the Gaza Strip-based radical Palestinian group Hamas launched a surprise incursion on Israeli territory, killing many Israeli kibbutz residents living near the Gaza border and abducting more than 240 Israelis, including women, children and the elderly. Israel declared a total blockade of the Gaza Strip and launched bombardments of the enclave and some areas in Lebanon and Syria, as well as a ground operation against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

As of today, according to the Israeli side, some 110 hostages have been released.

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Russia’s top diplomat says ‘still a long way to go’ to diplomatic solution in Ukraine

According to Sergey Lavrov, 'carrying out strikes deep inside Russian territory contributed to this escalation'

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UK ambassador to Russia gets note of protest over false info on embassy’s officer

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Ukraine launches second strike on Novaya Kakhovka after emergency services arrive

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Ukraine requests UN Security Council meeting on November 27 — Russian mission

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Oreshnik becomes serious problem for Ukraine — Polish general

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

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Russian diplomat doesn’t rule out missile deployment in Asia as response to US’ actions

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Participants in the meeting highlighted importance of keeping stability and balance in global oil markets

Putin has high hopes for cancer vaccine being developed in Russia

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British mercenary claims he was sent to Russia’s Kursk Region against his will

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A spokesman for the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also said that London refutes the allegations against a British diplomat

UN secretary-general welcomes ceasefire between Israel, Lebanon

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Serbian film director Kusturica announces plans to get Russian citizenship

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Russian Agriculture Ministry weighs idea of growing bananas domestically

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Russia’s top diplomat says ‘still a long way to go’ to diplomatic solution in Ukraine

According to Sergey Lavrov, 'carrying out strikes deep inside Russian territory contributed to this escalation'

Russia fails to get seat at OPCW Executive Council — vote outcome

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Alexander Sternik noted that Moscow was closely watching how relations among NATO, the European Union and the states directly adjacent to Russian territory were developing

Ukrainian officer says 90% of fellow servicemen have no desire to fight

According to Vyacheslav Khomenko, soldiers in his platoon don’t have required combat experience

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Putin publishes article on Russian-Kazakh relations ahead of visit to Astana

Simultaneously, Russia’s Izvestia newspaper published an article by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev

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"Our forces continue their coordinated efforts to liberate the Kharkov Region from the enemy," Vitaly Ganchev said

US no longer objects to use of S-400 air defense systems by Turkey, Defense Minister says

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US continues to plunder Afghanistan with impunity, says Shoigu

"In my opinion, the United States should invest in the reconstruction of Afghanistan after everything it has done and abandoned there," the top security official emphasized

Lithuania open to sending European troops to Ukraine — foreign minister

"It may become necessary for European soldiers to be deployed on Ukrainian soil, and Lithuania is always ready to consider such options," Gabrielius Landsbergis stated

Ukraine is a failed state, Russian foreign intelligence chief says

Sergey Naryshkin stressed that Moldova is "following in its footsteps"

Austria ready to host Ukraine talks — chancellor

According to reports, US president-elect Donald Trump mentioned Nehammer's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which took place shortly after the start of the special military operation in Ukraine

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Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, November 26th

Russian forces entrap Ukrainian troops near Svatovo in LPR — military expert

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Retreating Ukrainian troops leave dozens of bodies behind in Chasov Yar

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Key energy facility in Ternopol Region almost completely destroyed

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Potential handover of nuclear arms by US to Kiev ‘act of treason’ — US congresswoman

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The Ukrainian armed forces used various modified Western-made mines and improvised explosive devices during the process

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Ukraine supplies terrorists in Mali with white phosphorus munitions — website

The news portal pointed out that its source was an anti-government militiaman captured in the southern part of the country by the national armed forces

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Erik Prince noted that it was necessary to end the Ukrainian conflict as soon as possible

Proposal to give Kiev nuclear arms highly extremist — Kremlin

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Ukrainian forces attempt to assassinate Novaya Kakhovka head, his deputy with drones

Ukraine tracked two service cars and dropped munitions on them after the vehicles approached the administration building

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

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UK delivered dozens of Storm Shadow missiles to Kiev weeks ago — news agency

Bloomberg pointed out that the missiles were sent before the US and UK authorization to use long-range precision-guided weapons to launch strikes from Ukrainian territory deep into Russia

British mercenary taken into custody and Ukraine's losses: situation in Kursk Region

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US needs Ukraine's rare earth metals, including lithium — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister noted that American companies had already bought up most of the fertile land

Turkey to investigate causes of Russian Superjet emergency at Antalya airport

The Turkish side will also provide information on the progress of the investigation

No existing missile defense system can counter Oreshnik — US expert

Theodore Postol also vehemently rejected suggestions that the Oreshnik system represents previous outdated developments of Moscow

West beginning to realize only part of Ukraine will remain — Lavrov

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Russia’s Medvedev warns Europe could face 'catastrophic damage' from Oreshnik missile

The Russian Security Council deputy chairman also commented on Vladimir Zelensky’s "resilience plan"

Talk of halting Ukraine conflict related to Russia’s initiative on battlefield — SVR

Sergey Naryshkin added that the Western capitals "stopped thinking about strategically defeating Russia and shifted to thinking about how to avoid such a defeat themselves"

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Ukrainian front collapsing due to lack of willing soldiers, Russian offensive — magazine

Additionally, Ukraine "does not have enough weapons, munitions or hardware," the news outlet said

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US gives Ukrainian servicemen guidance on selecting targets for ATACMS — White House

The Ukrainian servicemen "are able to use ATACMS to defend themselves on an immediate need basis," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said

Press review: Russia to mass-produce Oreshnik missiles and EU gas prices reach record high

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, November 25th

'Western vector' leaves Ukraine poorest country in Europe — politician

Ukrainians have never seen the promised freedom, Viktor Medvedchuk noted

Blinken says hopes US support for Ukraine will continue under Trump

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Anglo-Saxon special services involved in Nord Stream blasts, SVR chief says

Sergey Naryshkin recalled that Nord Stream was a joint Russian-European project "aimed at ensuring the uninterrupted supply of inexpensive Russian gas to Europe"

Russian forces strike Ukrainian drone control centers near ZNPP

According to Vladimir Rogov, the ZNPP personnel continues working routinely

Europe resumes talks of troop deployment to Ukraine — newspaper

According to the sources, this is driven by the fact that Washington may scale back support for Ukraine after Donald Trump returns to office as US president on January 20, 2025

Moscow concerned with outgoing US President Biden’s escalation strategy — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov’s statement comes in the wake of US National Security Council Spokesman John Kirby who said earlier that the American administration had provided the Ukrainian armed forces with instructions on selecting targets for strikes using American ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles

Press review: Russia fires missile at Ukraine plant and Biden forgives Kiev $4.65 bln debt

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, November 22nd

US, other countries to step up effort for ceasefire in Gaza

In Joe Biden's words, a truce will be possible with the release of hostages and on the condition that Hamas members will not be allowed to participate in the post-conflict government

Kremlin spokesman advises those fearing nuclear escalation to review Russia’s doctrine

"You should listen to President Putin’s statements attentively and carefully assess the actions by the authorities of this or that country of the collective West that is directly involved in these conflicts," Dmitry Peskov stressed

Chinese brands hold around 70% share of new car market — expert

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Netanyahu plans to submit plan for Lebanon ceasefire to war cabinet

The duration of a potential ceasefire will depend on how events will unfold, the Israeli Prime Minister said

At least 15 Palestinians killed in Israeli strike on Gaza school — TV

According to the report, the attacked building had earlier been turned into a shelter for internally displaced person

West seeks to destabilize global order, Russia’s intelligence chief says

"Euro-Atlantic elites are trying to convince the rest of the world that the only alternative to Western power is chaos, and for this purpose, they deliberately seek destabilization in key regions of the planet," Sergey Naryshkin said

Public tribunal releases more testimonies exposing Kiev forces' atrocities in Selidovo

According to the report, Ukrainian forces are known to have killed at least a hundred civilians

Israel’s national security minister calls ceasefire in Lebanon ‘historic mistake’

Itamar Ben-Gvir said that the agreement fails to fulfill the goal of this war - the safe return of northern dwellers to their homes

US base in Syria’s Dei ez-Zor governorate comes under missile attack — TV

No further details were provided

Kremlin explains why Oreshnik missile came as surprise

"I am sure that neither of us is even aware right now of any new future developments," Dmitry Peskov said

British military instructor captured, Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

In total, the enemy has lost more than 35,510 troops since the fighting began in the region

North Korea dismantles power lines in Kaesong on border with South Korea

The South Korean servicemen speculate that the transmission line supports, which have been out of service since June 2020 when the power supply was cut after the bombing of the inter-Korean liaison office in Kaesong, will also be dismantled soon

NATO pledges to continue supporting Ukraine following Russia’s launch of Oreshnik missile

NATO said in the statement that Russia’s deployment of the missile called the Oreshnik will not change the course of the conflict

No int’l restrictions on deployment of Oreshnik systems — senior Russian diplomat

When asked if the 1998 Russian-US memorandum of understanding on notifications of missile launches remained in effect, Sergey Ryabkov answered in the affirmative