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Biden exposes himself by pardoning his son — Foreign Ministry

On December 1, US President Joe Biden announced that he had issued a pardon for his son Hunter on two separate criminal charges

MOSCOW, December 3. /TASS/. Outgoing President Joe Biden’s pardon of his own son is self-incriminating, as he has known from the start that he would not allow the sentence to come into force, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told the Solovyov Live TV show.

"I see Biden’s announcement of pardoning his son Hunter Biden as self-incriminating for a person holding the position of president for one simple reason: he had repeatedly claimed that he would never interfere in the legal proceedings against his son and his sentence," the diplomat said.

"Therefore, when he was making those statements, he already knew his strategy, <…> that he would overturn any sentence anyway," the spokeswoman stated. "I believe that yesterday he admitted this," she added.

On December 1, US President Joe Biden announced that he had issued a pardon for his son Hunter on two separate criminal charges. This concerns the period from January 1, 2014, to December 1, 2024, and Hunter Biden’s federal gun charges in Delaware and federal tax evasion charges in California. US President-elect Donald Trump called Biden’s announcement an abuse of power and a denial of justice.

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Foreign policy Maria Zakharova

CSTO ex-Secretary General explains why Ukraine was never invited to CSTO

Even within the CIS Ukraine was in a semi-legal position because they had not ratified all of the CIS-related agreements, including the CIS founding acts, Nikolay Bordyuzha said

CSTO understood Ukraine was turned into anti-Russia — ex-secretary general

Nikolay Bordyuzha noted "that the Ukrainian population was actually fostered in the spirit of hatred of Russians, everything Russia, and Russia"

Slovak president hopes for beginning of talks on ending conflict in Ukraine soon

"However, looking at the situation realistically, it should be noted that no one in Europe who is sober-minded thinks now that it will be possible to reach peace without Ukraine’s territorial losses," Peter Pellegrini said

Press review: Dubai hosts nuclear powers' meeting as OSCE preps Ukraine for EU and NATO

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, December 12th

Ukrainian casualties in Kursk region amount to over 400 in past day

Also, seven Ukrainian motor vehicles, three artillery mounts and 10 mortars were destroyed

Dozens of Ukrainian soldiers encircled in Kurakhovo, the Russian military says

According to them, the Ukrainian battlegroup is being "ground down" gradually so that it cannot flee the town

Russian assets worth around 3.5 bln euro blocked in Germany — ministry

The German Finance Ministry’s spokesman said at the end of December 2023 that the authorities had frozen Russian assets totaling about 4.1 bln euro

Russian commandos redeploy to Uzbekistan for drills on Afghan border

In the course of joint practical measures, the troops will accomplish the combat training tasks of ensuring the state’s territorial integrity

Another anti-government rally being held in Tbilisi

The protesters demand the resignation of the government and a new parliamentary election

Putin lauds participation of lawmakers in special op as courageous move

The Russian president also said that the veterans who returned with injuries must receive special attention and full support

IN BRIEF: Ex-Ukrainian intel officer’s car blown up in northern Moscow

The explosion occurred in a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado off-road vehicle parked on Korovinskoye highway in the north of Moscow, when the driver started the SUV

Su-35S fighter jets providing air coverage in border areas of Kursk Region

"When performing combat missions, crews of Su-35S multirole fighters practiced the air coverage in the designated area for operations of bombers and assault aircraft and army aviation helicopters when delivering air strikes against armored vehicles and personnel of the Ukrainian army," the ministry informed

Israel, Jordan held secret talks on Syria — Axios

The topic of the growing threat of weapons smuggling to the West Bank was discussed at the meeting, which may lead to aggravation of the situation in the Palestinian territory

CSTO ex-Secretary General explains why Ukraine was never invited to CSTO

Even within the CIS Ukraine was in a semi-legal position because they had not ratified all of the CIS-related agreements, including the CIS founding acts, Nikolay Bordyuzha said

US to continue efforts to impair Russian oil revenues — Treasury Secretary

Washington and its allies also could consider lowering the oil price cap on Russian oil, , US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said

Ukraine to lose third of territory, get no invitation to NATO — Slovak PM

Robert Fico also emphasized that the conflict's repercussions would significantly impact Ukraine's internal stability

Ukrainian army to soon run out of soldiers to continue fighting — media

The report highlights that, in addition to a manpower deficit, Kiev may also face critical shortages of ammunition and weapons

Putin praises T-90 tank as the best in world

The president noted that any hardware got outdated with time

Turkey ready to be mediator between US, Syria’s new authorities — top diplomat

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also said that Ankara "is coordinating actions on the situation in Syria with Saudi Arabia at the highest level"

Third of Ukrainian troops surrender near Lisichansk, LPR’s envoy to Russia says

According to Rodion Miroshnik, the operation to liberate the LPR would be brought to an end as soon as the operation in Lisichansk was finished

Putin orders Russian forces pullout from Syria

Russia is ready to deal a new blow to terrorists if they again try to break peace in Syria, the president said

Medvedev says US wants Taiwan to be its outpost in East Asia

According to the official, the plan is "quite in line with Washington's aspirations to bring the Asia-Pacific region into NATO's orbit and pit states against each other"

Damaged Russian cargo ships in Kerch Strait cause oil spill emergency

Two rescue tugboats and two helicopters have been dispatched, the Federal Agency for Sea and Inland Water Transport reported

Putin orders rescue efforts after two oil tankers run aground off Crimea — Kremlin

The Russian leader also ordered to set up a governmental working group led by Deputy Prime Minister Davelyev, Dmitry Peskov said

Su-57 fifth-generation fighter may get flat nozzle for stealth purposes — pilot

The flat nozzle technology is a breakthrough in modern aircraft-building, Major-General Vladimir Popov noted

Seoul calls on Moscow not to discuss improvement of bilateral ties amid Yoon’s impeachment

On Saturday, Russian Ambassador to Seoul Georgy Zinovyev said that as long as the ROK has not crossed the "red line" of sending weapons to Ukraine the potential for restoring bilateral ties remain

Moscow’s special op exposed Pentagon’s biolab scheme in Ukraine, says key Russian MP

It is reported that the task of the commission is to "set forth all the evidence that has been investigated in a reasoned, consistent and systematic way"

Putin to present state awards to winners, medalists of 2024 Paris Paralympics

Nine athletes will be awarded the Order of Honor, eight will receive the Order of Friendship, and another 22 will receive the Order for Merit to the Fatherland of the 1st or 2nd degree

Damascus, Aleppo airports resume operations, but so far only under special permits

The restriction period is set from 8:00 p.m. GMT on December 12 to 3:00 p.m. GMT on December 18

11 people taken to hospital after oil tanker wreck in Black Sea — health ministry

Two of them are in grave conditions, Alexey Kuznetsov, an aide to the Russian health minister, said

Russian developer unveils heavyweight, all-weather drone

It is reported that the drone can also be operated in subzero temperatures

EU foreign ministers to gather in Brussels for their last meeting this year

As the EU representative said, the foreign ministers will approve the 15th package of sanctions against Russia over the conflict in Ukraine, as well as a "new blacklist" for Moscow's alleged "hybrid actions"

Russian oil tanker in distress in Kerch Strait with 13 people on board

No information about casualties or a possible oil spill is available at this point

Israel hits Hamas, Islamic Jihad radicals in Nuseirat camp in Gaza

"Among the terrorists eliminated in the strike was the Islamic Jihad terrorist Ahmed Bakr al-Lawh, who previously served as a Platoon commander in the Islamic Jihad's Central Camps Brigade," IDF said

Georgia’s president-elect suggests incumbent president resign if she is against govt

Incumbent President Salome Zourabichvili has been in open opposition to the ruling party over the past two to three years

Moscow shooter identified as European boxing champion Nikita Ivanov

This was reported by a representative of law enforcement agencies

Putin meets with former President of Kazakhstan Nazarbayev

Vladimir Putin met with first President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev in Novo-Ogaryovo

Russian forces down Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet — top brass

Air defenses downed a MiG-29 fighter jet belonging to the Ukrainian air force, eight US-made HIMARS multiple rocket launchers and 116 unmanned aerial vehicles

All 13 crew members evacuated from tanker aground in Kerch Strait, one dies

According to the Crimean department of the Russian Emergencies Ministry, two oil tankers were damaged in a storm in the waters of the Black Sea

Many US partners asking Russia `not to stop halfway’ on Ukraine — SVR chief

The global prestige of Washington is steadily declining, Sergey Naryshkin emphasized

Ukrainian losses exceed 40,260 troops: situation in Russia’s Kursk Region

According to the report, Russian operational/tactical and army aircraft, missile forces hit enemy manpower and equipment in the Kursk and Sumy regions

Lithuania to continue training Ukrainian military instructors — top brass

Raimundas Vaiksnoras, Lithuania's Chief of Defense Staff, had trained military specialists for Ukraine even before the current hostilities began

West is hypocritical in discussing troop deployment to Ukraine, expert says

"Although Europeans have been involved in the conflict from the very beginning by supplying ammunition, weapons, advisors, and intelligence, they refuse to acknowledge that they are at war," Guillaume Ancel said

Unidentified drones disrupt airport operations in State of New York — governor

The US administration has not yet established the origin of unmanned aerial vehicles spotted in skies over the State of New Jersey and New York, a FBI official said earlier at the online briefing

Russian forces liberate Vesyoly Gai, Pushkino in Donbass region

Russian forces also destroyed four US-made Patriot missile launchers, Russia’s Defense Ministry said

Ukraine loses its population, Ukrainians choose Russia, politician says

According to Viktor Medvedchuk, even some representatives of the current government acknowledge that the state policy regarding the support of internally displaced persons has actually failed

Leader of new Syrian authorities meets UN envoy in Damascus — Al Jazeera

Al-Sharaa pointed out the importance of creating safe conditions for the return of refugees, as well as economic and political support for these refugees

Press review: Russia's role in Syria questioned and UN hints at a possible SC summit

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, December 10th

Russia expects continued meetings on Syria with Turkey, Iran — senior diplomat

The Astana talks were founded in 2017, with 21 meetings held to date

Distrust in political parties grows among Donbass residents — DPR leader

The DPR residents believe that Ukraine's former ruling party, The Party of Regions, abandoned them, Denis Pushilin noted

Smart drone return technology created in Russia — developer

Astron-Aero plans to test the technology in September

Large Ukrainian stronghold wiped out near Konstantinovka — Russian military officials

According to them, more than 10 Ukrainian troops were killed in the attack

Results of Russian cancer vaccine’s preclinical studies due in late 2024 — minister

The research "is financed by the state as part of the governmental order," Mikhail Murashko said

Next year unlikely to be easy, Russia hopes for victory — Medvedev

Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said it at the 22nd United Russia party congress.

Press review: Medvedev talks Ukraine with Xi and Houthis intensify attacks on Israel

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, December 13th

Vega missions to Venus mark triumph of space science — Roscosmos

Vega 1 spacecraft and its twin Vega 2 were launched on December 15 and 21, 1984, respectively

IN BRIEF: Assad in Moscow, security of Russian bases: what Kremlin source said

According to the source in the Kremlin, Russia has granted asylum for Syria’s former President Bashar Assad and his family members

Russian economy growing despite unprecedented sanctions — Putin

The Russian leader added that all objectives set forth for Russia in the near future and the long-term perspective will be fulfilled

Russian cancer vaccine to be free of charge — top oncologist

It is planned to launch it in general circulation in early 2025

Yantar shipyard builds state-of-the-art ships for Russia, India

Project 11356 ships boast advanced combat capabilities to fight above-water, surface, underwater and aerial targets while having a relatively small displacement

New Syrian leader gives Russia chance to review relations with Syria

Ahmed al-Sharaa also said that the country's new authorities will not enter into a conflict with Israel

Israel announces closure of embassy in Ireland

The Israeli side motivated this step by recalling that last week Ireland supported South Africa’s legal motion against Israel with the International Court of Justice, accusing Israel of genocide

Ukrainian command prohibits soldiers to retreat from Velikaya Novosyolka in Donbass region

The Ukrainians at this sector of the line of engagement have been surrendering

Scholz politically isolated in EU, German politician says

"Regrettably, it should be said so: the majority of European politicians simply do not want to meet anymore the German Chancellor that either sits silent for hours or lectures the world," said Friedrich Merz

Russia’s Ufa submarine, Malaysian Navy ships complete drills in South China Sea

The vessels from both countries practiced joint maneuvering, communication, and other forms of cooperation

Thousands of Moldovans will use migration amnesty in Russia — Moldovan president

Moldovan President Igor Dodon said about 500,000 Moldovan labor migrants are currently staying in Russia

Slovakia negotiating continued gas supplies through Ukraine — PM

The situation with gas supplies will be solved in coming days "at various levels in various countries", the republic’s Prime Minister Robert Fico said

Ukraine refuses to allow Russian gas to transit through its territory — Moldovan Deputy PM

"Ukraine will not agree to preserve transit for Hungary and the Republic of Moldova only," Oleg Serebrian noted

Russia in talks with Syrian authorities on keeping its military bases — source

On December 9, a TASS source said that on the previous day armed groups of Bashar al-Assad's opponents had established full control of the provinces of Latakia and Tartus, where Russian military bases are located

US authorities not yet finding causes of drones appearing in skies

FBI official thinks "there has been a slight overreaction” to the situation

China harvested 652.29 mln tons of grain in 2024, breaking record once again

According to the published statistics, 100.4 mln hectares were used for grain in China this year, up 0.5% from last year, while 119.3 mln hectares are used for major crops (up 0.3%)

Russia begins mass production of heavy-duty UAV Privet-82XL

According to the company’s representative, the drone with an increased payload will allow unexpected strikes to be carried out on the enemy deep within the frontlines.

Storm-beaten oil tankers were carrying nearly 9,000 tons of mazut — emergencies service

Both tankers were seriously damaged, with the foreship of one of them being torn off by a wave

Russian lawmaker lauds Russian swimmers’ results at World Swimming Championship

Russian swimmer won ten medals, including six gold and four silver ones

Mikhail Kavelashvili elected as 6th president of Georgia

A total of 224 members of the 300-member electoral college cast their votes in favor of Kavelashvili

Russia hits Ukraine's power grid after Kiev attacks airfield in Taganrog with ATACMS

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the attack was carried out with the help of high-precision long-range airborne and sea-based weapons, as well as strike drones

Russian troops strike Kiev airport used to train F-16 pilots — politician

"The Russian army hit hangars and warehouses at the site, with secondary detonations continuing for up to two hours," Vladimir Rogov said

Russian forces repel Ukraine’s attempted counterattacks in Krasnoarmeisk area

According to DPR’s head, Denis Pushilin, Russian forces continue their advance in this section of the combat engagement line

Putin to present state awards to winners, medalists of 2024 Paris Paralympics on Dec 16

Russian athletes won 64 medals (20 gold, 21 silver and 23 bronze medals) and took the eighth place in the unofficial overall standings

Kremlin says it approves of Trump’s criticism of strikes inside Russia

Earlier, Trump slammed the decision which he said had been approved by the Biden administration to allow Ukraine to use US-made weapons for strikes deep into Russian territory as "crazy"

Russia’s coal production in 2024 expected to be 1% less than in 2023 — deputy PM

Domestic consumption will go up, Alexander Novak said

Poland imposes sanctions on Russian billionaire Oleg Boiko

Boiko also faces sanctions in Ukraine and Australia

Protest rally in downtown Tbilisi ends peacefully

By now, almost all the protesters have left the area, a TASS correspondent said

Air raid alert issued in six regions of Ukraine

The air raid sirens went off in the Dnepropetrovsk, Kirovograd, Nikolayev, Sumy, Poltava and Kharkov regions

Ukraine loses over 200 troops in Kursk area over past day — top brass

Over the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian army’s losses also one tank, one US-made Bradley infantry fighting vehicle, one armored combat vehicle, seven motor vehicles

Nicaragua offers Russia to build new canal together — special envoy

The construction of a new Carribean port is already underway, Laureano Ortega Murillo said

Some 700 Ukrainian troops trapped near Kurakhovo, Russian official reveals

According to the Russian official, the remaining Ukrainian troops in Kurakhovo itself can find themselves trapped, and very soon, too

Israel not interested in confrontation with Syria — Netanyahu

Israel will build its policy toward Damascus based on the situation on the ground, Israeli Prime Minister said

TOS-1A Solntsepyok-1A ammunition creates long-lived shock wave — Rostec

The state corporation specified that the Solntsepyok munition creates a very high temperature, burning everything that can burn

No sense for Georgia to join EU at expense of rejecting its values — president-elect

Mikhail Kavelashvili said that Georgia’s authorities are open to a discussion on any topic, but the West shows no willingness to do that, being limited to criticism only

Pope Francis prays for peace for Russia, Ukrainian peoples

He also called for peace in the Holy Land, namely in Palestine, Israel, as well as in Lebanon, Syria, and the entire Middle East

NYT predicts Ukraine conflict will end in 2025

The article points out that Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election will serve to expedite the peace talks

French president names Francois Bayrou as new prime minister

Bayrou, aged 73, takes over from Michel Barnier, who also shares the same age and stepped down after France’s lower house passed a successful no-confidence motion against his cabinet on December 4

Calling all residents of Ukraine 'Ukrainians' not accurate, Medvedev says

The Russian senior official pointed out that the very word "Ukrainians" did not take on its modern ethnic meaning until the mid-19th century

Zambia interested in fuel supplies from Russia — Russian ambassador

Azim Yarakhmedov also noted that Zambia is very interested in attracting Russian business and investment

Russia, Dominican Republic discussing introduction of direct flights — ambassador

When asked whether he expects the flow of tourists from Russia to increase next year, Alejandro Arias Zarzuela replied in the affirmative

Georgian president declares she will not give up presidency

Georgia will hold its presidential election on December 14 and the new president will be inaugurated on December 29

New regions may join Russia, Medvedev says

"This is quite possible," Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman said

Israeli military raiding West Bank — news agency

The military made searches using stun grenades and tear gas against local residents

Russian Aerospace Force radars able to detect any aerial threats

Distinctive features of new equipment of radio-technical troops are the modern element base and the high level of automation for all process of radar information processing and output

British mercenary Burke killed in Ukraine by fellow mercenary, coroner says

The main suspect in the case is Abdelfetah Nourine, a dual citizen of Australia and Algeria