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Results of the Year with Vladimir Putin

Russians submit over two million appeals for Q&A session with Putin — TV

More than 232,000 citizens appealed to the Russian leader through Odnoklassniki and VKontakte social networks

© Sergey Savostyanov/TASS

MOSCOW, December 19. /TASS/. The headquarters of the All-Russian People's Front has already received more than two million appeals from citizens to the Russian president ahead of Vladimir Putin's combined Direct Line Q&A session and year-end press conference.

According to the headquarters, a total of 2,003,165 appeals in various formats have been received and processed so far.

The Rossiya-24 TV channel said in its statistics that the most popular way to contact the president remains a phone call: the headquarters has received 1,107,549 calls. In addition, 477,272 SMS and MMS messages were received.

More than 232,000 citizens appealed to the Russian leader through Odnoklassniki and VKontakte social networks. A total of 53,304 letters were sent through the Moscow to Putin mobile app, and 132,154 appeals were received through the website of the same name.

In 2023, the headquarters of the All-Russian Popular Front received over 2,840,000 appeals to the Russian president in various formats. Citizens called the headquarters about 1.7 million times and sent about 800,000 SMS and MMS messages. The rest of the appeals were received traditionally through the mobile app and website, as well as through social networks.

About event

Vladimir Putin's combined Direct Line Q&A session and year-end press conference will be held for the third time in this format. This option was first tried in 2020, when a pandemic prevented the events from being held separately. This format was used again in 2023. It was called "The Results of the Year with Vladimir Putin."

Since 2001 (excluding the combined events), the Direct Line Q&A session has been held 18 times, and the year-end press conference 16 times. In addition, Putin held a Direct Line Q&A session with Russians not only as president, but also as prime minister.

Anti-Russian sanctions

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Ukrainian expert on defense technologies Sergey Zgurets explained that, according to his information, work in this field in Ukraine has remained at the level of scientific research

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Russian forces setting up fire pocket for Ukrainian troops in Kharkov area — expert

Andrey Marochko noted that if the Ukrainian command "does not react to these risks in time," up to a battalion of Ukrainian soldiers will be pushed against the Lozovaya River, cut off from any routes of retreat

US allegations on China’s support of Russian military-industrial complex are groundless

"Normal trade between China and Russia is aboveboard, in line with WTO [World Trade Organization] rules and market principles, and is not targeted at any third party," Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the United States said

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"The Commission does not support any discussions on the contract extension nor other solutions to maintain transit flows and has not been involved in any kind of negotiations on this," the statement reads

Russian troops liberate two communities in Donbass region over past day — top brass

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Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stressed that "general Igor Kirillov and his aide were killed in a planned manner"

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

Over 40 people killed in Israeli air strikes on Gaza Strip over past day — TV

The Israeli Defense Forces delivered air strikes targeting the districts in the center and north of the enclave, according to Al Jazeera

US games against Russia, China, DPRK could lead to nuclear catastrophe — Russian MFA

"The United States and its allies long ago began to trample on the principle of equal indivisible security and the fundamental security interests of other states," Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov emphasized

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UN General Assembly adopts resolution against glorification of Nazism

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Spain expands deliveries of lethal weapons to Ukraine — Russian ambassador

Yury Klimenko welcomed both the embargo imposed by Spain already after October 7, 2023 on arms shipments to the Middle East conflict zone, and the words of the Spanish prime minister to the international community with a call to follow the example of his country

Crimean air assault regiment destroys Abrams tank in Russia’s Kursk Region

The statement highlighted that advanced FPV drones, equipped with munitions and operated via fiber optics, take off for daily missions

US oil reserves fell by 0.9 mln barrels over week — Energy Ministry

The US department noted that the current volume of reserves is 6% lower than the five-year average for this time of year

Ukraine unlikely to be invited to join NATO under Biden, US security official says

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US needs rational approach to assessment of China’s strategic intentions — diplomat

Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the United States said he hopes US will "cease issuing irresponsible reports year after year, and take concrete actions to maintain the stable development of China-U.S. relations and military ties"

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Lebanese PM says Israel violating ceasefire 'several times a day, every day'

According to Mikati, the Lebanese people "have suffered much and continue to suffer from Israel’s aggression."

Russian cancer vaccine to be free of charge — top oncologist

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

Former Ukrainian president says frontline situation more difficult than ever

Pyotr Poroshenko specified that Ukrainian troops stationed in the Krasnoarmeisk and Kupyansk areas "are desperately calling out" about the lack of drones

Number of injured people in collision of trains near Murmansk rises to 31

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European nations discussing deployment of up to 100,000 troops to Ukraine — agency

The sources also point out that "the debate so far revealed confusion over whether a future European mission would undertake a traditional peacekeeping role, such as monitoring a ceasefire line, or provide a robust deterrent against" Russia

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Russia’s Medvedev threatens punishment over attack on senior general Kirillov

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West picks and chooses which terrorists are okay — senior Russian diplomat

"However, the perpetrators and masterminds must be identified and held accountable," Sergey Ryabkov stated

Italian couple appeals to Putin for Russian citizenship — TV

Italian war correspondent Andrea Lucidi also said that he had requested a Russian passport from the president

West continues losing influence in Africa — Russian General Staff

Valery Gerasimov reminded that Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger proclaimed the Alliance of Sahel countries to support regional security and strengthen control over the national territory and left the Economic Community of West African States because of its inability to help in fighting terrorism

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As Spokesman Dmitry Peskov added, there will be some foreign journalists who "expressed a wish to come specifically for the press conference"

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"We view these remarks as purely hypothetical and trust that the Republic of Turkey is committed to the principles of Syria's sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, and to the provisions of UN Security Council Resolution 2254," Maria Zakharova said

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Use of several Oreshnik missiles comparable to nuclear weapons — Putin

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Department of State denies US had hand in attack on Russian nuclear defense chief

Matthew Miller said that he don’t have any assessment

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However, it’s Russian journalists that are expected to ask the majority of questions, primarily members of the Kremlin pool, "who have been with the president for the entire year," the Kremlin spokesman pointed out

US creating NATO bases in Ukraine under guise of training centers — Belarusian president

"Unfortunately, the Ukrainian authorities don't care a bit about their own people and they don't hear our concerns," Alexander Lukashenko noted

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The Russian government approved the list of unfriendly countries in March 2022

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"Our country and our president are the focus of increased interest from the global media," Dmitry Peskov pointed out

Alrosa plans to produce 33 mln carats of diamonds by 2024 end — CEO

In addition, by the end of the year, Alrosa will perform a record volume of mining, having extracted almost 95 mln cubic meters of rock mass, the report noted

Press review: EU imposes new anti-Russian sanctions and Russia braces for NATO conflict

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, December 17th

Erdogan calls for preventing Syria from turning into hotbed of terrorism

"Turkey is the only country and ally that defeated both of these terrorist organizations," the Turkish leader stressed

Trump could try to resolve Ukraine conflict before year ends, envoy says

Trump said on numerous occasions during his election campaign that he would find a diplomatic way out of the Ukraine crisis even before his inauguration

Rutte announces launch of Command on Ukraine, calls to refrain from discussing peace

NATO secretary general claimed that Western states should focus on arms shipments to Ukraine

UN General Assembly adopts Russian-backed resolution on fight against neo-Nazism

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Russia seeks to reduce nuclear risks — deputy foreign minister

Sergey Ryabkov added that at the same time, the United States continues to exert increasing pressure on Russia and on some other nuclear-armed countries

Gerasimov says international security deteriorates as West wants to keep dominating

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Russia to cut electricity supplies to China by 2 bln kWh to 0.9 bln kWh in 2024

The decrease in supplies to China is due to restrictions in the Far Eastern energy system

Uzbek citizen accused of killing Russian general previously resided in Kazan

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Oreshnik test launch forces London to take a step back — Russian ambassador

According to Andrey Kelin, the UK’s official reaction to the launch of the Oreshnik missile was rather vague

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The suspect admitted to being recruited by Ukrainian intelligence services

Kiev redeploys troops from Kharkov area to Krasnoarmeysk — security forces

In addition, according to the security forces, the Ukrainian military is also transferring equipment and weapons to this section of the line of engagement

Two dead, 27 injured after collision of trains near Russia’s northern city of Murmansk

One passenger died on the way to the hospital

Medvedev takes The Times to task over story saying Kirillov murder 'legitimate act'

According to the official, by this logic all NATO officials who decided to provide military aid to Ukraine can and should be considered a legitimate military target for the Russian state

Many countries mull response to US’ withdrawal from arms control agreements — Gerasimov

"Overall, the issue of arms control is now a thing of the past, because the return to even a minimum level of trust is impossible due to the West’s double standard policy," Valery Gerasimov said

Russian authorities do everything to minimize consequences of sanctions — Kremlin

"These sanctions are aimed at containing our country, at suppressing economic, political and other interests," Dmitry Peskov stressed

Air defenses shoot down four missiles over Zaporozhye Region, governor says

"The fragments of one of the missiles fell into the Sea of Azov near Berdyansk, while the fragments of others fell in a field west of Tokmak," Yevgeny Balitsky said

Putin to hold question-and-answer session combined with press conference

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The source said the move is an attempt to safeguard the supply of armaments to Ukraine from a potential shift in sentiment in Washington under incoming President Donald Trump

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Russia condemns US decision to keep Cuba listed as state sponsor of terrorism — MFA

According to Maria Zakharova, this latest hostile move by Washington toward Cuba is nothing but an artificial reason for justifying the illegitimate policy to economically suffocate the independent nation

Accident in Russia’s Murmansk Region leaves 1 person dead, 17 injured — official

Ambulance crews continue to be available at the scene

Financial watchdog adds Aum Shinrikyo branch to list of terrorist organizations

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More than 1.7 mln submissions filed for Putin’s Q&A session — spokesman

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Massacre staged by retreating Ukrainian troops in Selidovo — report

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

First ATM servicing Russia’s Mir cards open in capital of Nicaragua — Ambassador

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Kiev deploying reserve troops toward Kremennaya in Lugansk region — military expert

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Russian monastery fire didn’t threaten Andrey Rublev’s Trinity icon, official says

The flames, which are suspected to have been set off by a short circuit, were put out and no casualties were reported

'Sanctions marathon' against Russia caused stagnation in EU economy — Kremlin spokesman

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Beach in Russian Black Sea village cleaned of spilled oil — officials

A total of 2 kilometers of the coastline was cleaned that day in the Krasnodar Region’s Temryuk District, with almost 5 tons of oil-soiled sand removed, according to the statement

Russian troops advance deep into northern Chasov Yar neighborhood

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Zelensky admits the impossibility of reclaiming Donbass, Crimea

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Ukrainian forces execute over 100 civilians in Selidovo

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