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Results of the Year with Vladimir Putin

Putin to question Assad about US journalist missing in Syria

The Russian leader clarified that he had not yet met with the Syrian ex-president after his arrival in Moscow but planned to speak with him

MOSCOW, December 19. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin stated at his annual press conference and Q&A session that Syrian ex-President Bashar Assad knows little about the long-missing US journalist Austin Tice but promised to ask him about the case.

"We are all adults and understand the situation. A man went missing in Syria 12 years ago. We know what was happening in the country at that time - there was active fighting on both sides," Putin responded to a question from an NBC reporter about an appeal from a woman asking for help in bringing her son home from Syria. "Does Assad himself actually know what happened to this American citizen, who, as far as I understand, was carrying out his journalistic duties in the war zone? Nevertheless, I promise that I will ask him that question. Just as I can ask those who control the situation on the ground in Syria today," the Russian president said.

Putin clarified that he has not yet met with the Syrian ex-president after his arrival in Moscow but plans to speak with him.

NBC reported that the mother of the missing Austin Tice pleaded with Putin for his help in locating her son in Syria, where he is allegedly being held.

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Results of the Year with Vladimir Putin

Russian public may one day decide to bury Lenin proper, Putin speculates

The Russian president still noted that "today, especially in today’s Russia, we must not do anything that could divide the country"

BRICS not against West, Putin recalls

"We are not working against anyone; we are working in favor of our own interests and those of the member states," the Russian leader emphasized

Russian troops advance towards Neskuchnoye in Donbass region

Vladimir Rogov told TASS on December 17 that Russian troops had approached the outskirts of Storozhevoye from the side of the liberated settlements of Makarovka and Blagodatnoye and engaged in battles for that community

Moscow sees no reason to exclude Hungary, Slovakia from list of unfriendly nations

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

Zelensky’s rudeness towards Orban shows lack of culture in Kiev regime — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov noted that the Kiev regime refused to support Viktor Orban’s efforts, while Russian President Vladimir Putin, on the contrary, did support them

Massacre staged by retreating Ukrainian troops in Selidovo — report

According to Maxim Grigoryev, videos of interviews with witnesses and preliminary forensic examination of the bodies indicate that most of the victims are elderly women

Ukrainian lithium deposits unlikely to attract interest — expert

The global market dynamics suggest that a player like Ukraine "will struggle to compete," Egor Perelygin explained

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

Hungary's Orban presses Zelensky to take stance on Christmas ceasefire: yes or no

The Hungarian Prime Minister stressed that he would not "succumb to provocations" in regards to Zelensky’s attempts to mock his peacemaking initiative

Putin calls politics 'art of compromise,' says Russia ready for talks, unlike Ukraine

The Russian president reiterated that the relevant agreements between the parties, in fact, were reached in Istanbul in 2022

Over 30 drones, three projectiles target Russia’s Rostov region last night — governor

According to Yury Slyusar, a man was injured by the falling debris of an unmanned aerial vehicle

FACTBOX: What we know about missing An-2 plane in Russia’s Kamchatka

The An-2 airplane with two crew members and one passenger was transporting 800 kg of commercial cargo on the Milkovo - Ossora route

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

On Tuesday, Marochko told TASS that Russian forces had expanded their patrol zone near Kremennaya in the past few days, clearing some seven hectares of Kremennaya Forest of fighters

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

Kremlin spokesman highlights need for Russia to clarify its position globally

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

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

Ukrainian forces try leaving positions southwest of DPR’s Krasnoarmeysk — security service

It is reported that Ukrainian positions in the settlement are under intense artillery fire by the Russian Armed Forces

London’s opposition to Washington aimed at preserving Zelensky, politician says

According to Viktor Medvedchuk, Britain does not hide its intention to "ruin the European Union with the Ukrainian conflict, and then traditionally hide behind the US as soon as things get tense"

Few journalists from unfriendly countries to attend Putin’s press conference — Kremlin

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

Putin begins his Q&A session combined with major press conference

According to Alexandra Suvorova, the number of appeals exceeded 2.2 million by the start of the program

Russian troops complete mop-up operation in Novy Komar, push north — official

On December 16, the official told TASS that Russian forces repelled several Ukrainian counterattacks towards Novy Komar, inflicting significant casualties on the enemy

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

Trump’s call to Putin may put an end to Ukrainian conflict – US expert

In his opinion, the core reason behind the conflict needs to be addressed in order to resolve it

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

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

Anti-Russian sanctions should not be an end in themselves — Austrian foreign minister

Restrictions can be used as a lever in future negotiations with Moscow, Alexander Schallenberg said

West should have paid more attention to Russia's red lines — German politician

Sahra Wagenknecht will be her party's candidate for chancellor in the upcoming snap Bundestag elections, which are expected to be held in February 2025

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

Russia’s Battlegroup North inflicted roughly 50 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed four enemy howitzers in its area of responsibility in the Kharkov Region over the past day, the ministry reported

Russian troops advance deep into northern Chasov Yar neighborhood

It is reported that the neighborhood is mainly composed of private residences, most of which have been burned or destroyed

Russia being placed first in Europe by economic volume — Putin

"International financial and economic institutions put Russia to the first place in Europe by the economic volume and to the fourth place globally by the purchasing power parity," the president said

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

Kremlin sees Putin’s end-of-year presser as chance to speak to world

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

West pushing Kiev to continue conflict — France’s Le Pen

Marine Le Pen told the newspaper that she believes US President-elect Donald Trump can get Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Vladimir Zelensky to hold talks and a diplomatic solution will be found

At least nine killed in Israeli air raids on Yemen — TV

Earlier, the same television said two central power plants in Sanaa had come under attack

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

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"

Russian cancer vaccine to be free of charge — top oncologist

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

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

Press review: Who benefits from Russian general's murder as Trump lacks Kremlin strategy

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, December 18th

Putin challenges West to try to intercept Oreshnik missile in Kiev

"Let them choose a target, say, in Kiev, and amass their air and missile defense systems there, while we will launch an Oreshnik missile at the target," the Russian leader said

Russian nuclear defense chief's aide Ilya Polikarpov killed in Moscow explosion

Ilya Polikarpov had been involved in humanitarian activities with TASS and the Russian Heritage Foundation

Russia achieves key objective in Syria — Putin

According to head of state, the groups that fought against Syrian government forces have gone through major internal changes

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

Moscow identifies masterminds behind terror attack on Russian general — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov refrained from responding to a question regarding potential involvement of third countries in Kirillov’s assassination

Trump's special envoy on Ukraine due to visit Kiev early January — Zelensky

Earlier, Bloomberg reported that Keith Kellogg was planning a visit to Kiev in January

Two Ukrainian border guards desert their posts, flee country

The incident occurred in September

Putin shrugs off potential deployment of US THAAD missile defense systems in Ukraine

According to the Russian president, there are a lot of "our men" in Ukraine who want to liberate their country from neo-Nazism and Russia is maintaining ties with them

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

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

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

Situation with inflation alarming — Putin

The situation in the economy in general is "stable and reliable," the Russian leader stressed

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

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

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

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

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

NATO’s intention to integrate Ukraine prevents long-term settlement — Russian diplomat

According to Sergey Ryabkov, this is an attempt by the world's largest military bloc to make one of the largest nuclear powers suffer a strategic defeat

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

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

Murmansk Region Governor Andrey Chibis stated earlier in the day that one of victims in the trains’ collision died in a hospital bringing the death toll to two people

Putin says he is always ready to talk to or meet with Trump

The Russian leader noted that he did not know when he would meet with the US president-elect

Western hysteria over North Korea-Russia cooperation proves success — Foreign Ministry

North Korea's Foreign Ministry has criticized the G7 and several Western countries, labeling them "a bunch of thugs," for their statements on cooperation between North Korea and Russia

Russia trusts Turkey committed to Syria’s sovereignty — MFA

"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

Russian troops liberate two communities in Donbass region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicted roughly 520 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed four enemy howitzers in its area of responsibility over the past day

Medvedev suggests that Elon Musk launch campaign to amend US Constitution

Article II of the US Constitution stipulates that: "No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President"

Use of several Oreshnik missiles comparable to nuclear weapons — Putin

It is reported that the Oreshnik system, which has already proven itself well, is very powerful

Special military op evolves, Russia liberates territory by kilometers — Putin

The Russian leader characterized what is happening on the line of engagement as "a classic of the development of combat operations"

Gerasimov says international security deteriorates as West wants to keep dominating

It is reported that the Russian forces keep the initiative and advance in the whole front despite colossal aid to Kiev from the West

Ukraine loses most of its forces while trying to break out of encirclement near Kurakhovo

According to the security services, Ukraine has been losing dozens of servicemen in this area every day for the past two weeks

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

The document was supported by 119 countries, 53 were against

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

According to Dmitry Peskov, artificial intelligence has been enlisted to process submissions this year

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

The call center for the program, located at the central headquarters of the Popular Front, has been open for 11 days to collect applications, so far, a total of 1,539,761 requests in various formats have been received and processed

Mother of missing US reporter asks Putin for help in bringing her son home from Syria — TV

Debra Tice noted that the Russian President had "profound ties" with the Syrian government

Venezuela’s Maduro reveals ultra-right plot to trigger civil war in South American nation

Plots and attempts to destabilize the situation in Venezuela had been "foiled by military and police units, as well as judicial and law enforcement forces," Nicolas Maduro stated

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

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

Aleppo taken by 350 militants while 30,000 gov’t troops retreated without fight — Putin

The Russian president recalled that no Russian land troops had been deployed to Syria, with Russia having only an airbase and a naval base

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

One passenger died on the way to the hospital

Ukrainian units in Kurakhovo ordered to hold ground until Trump’s inauguration — official

According to Vladimir Rogov, Russian assault teams in the city continue to advance westward

Half of YouTube traffic moved to Russian video hosting websites — minister

The YouTube started malfunctioning on August 1, which also affected Russian users of the video hosting app on iOS and Android

US actually turned into conflict participant after strikes against Russia

"The Ukrainian Armed Forces are unable to enter space intelligence data on their own and provide for preparation of flight tasks for missiles," Valery Gerasimov said

Air defenses down 84 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions

It is reported that 36 UAVs were downed over the Rostov Region

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

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

He also stressed that Ukraine’s accession to NATO would require a cessation of hostilities and a show of political will by the bloc’s members

US keeps silent its money turns Zelensky regime into terrorist cell — Russian MFA

According to Maria Zakharova, the State Department "did not hesitate to include blatant falsehoods in its report"

IN BRIEF: What is known about collision of freight, passenger trains near Murmansk

According to Russian Railways, their passenger train had 326 people on board

Putin responds to question about Russia's weakness by quoting Mark Twain

The president noted that Russia had become much stronger over the past two or three years as it became a truly sovereign country

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

According to the ambassador, a more active entry of Russian financial structures into the Nicaraguan market is on the agenda

What is known about apprehension of perpetrator of terror attack on Russian general

The suspect admitted to being recruited by Ukrainian intelligence services

FSB detains Uzbek national for carrying out terrorist attack that killed Russian general

It is reported that the security forces identified and detained a citizen of Uzbekistan, born in 1995, who detonated a homemade explosive device near a residential building on Ryazansky Avenue in Moscow

Uzbek citizen accused of killing Russian general previously resided in Kazan

Law enforcement officials indicated that additional suspects might surface as efforts continue to track Akhmad Kurbanov’s connections and analyze his mobile devices for evidence of potential accomplices

No military logic behind Ukraine’s attack on Kursk Region — Putin

Many experts have noted that Ukraine’s "operation" in the Kursk Region is ambiguous in its nature

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

Zelensky admits the impossibility of reclaiming Donbass, Crimea

Vladimir Zelensky responded negatively when asked whether Kiev could temporarily abandon its claims to Crimea or Donbass

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

Dmitry Peskov pointed to "stagnation in Europe and a fairly high rate of development in our economy"

Nuclear doctrine, special op, Oreshnik missile: what Putin said at Direct Line Q&A session

According to the head of state, the situation in the special military operation zone is "changing significantly"

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

Press review: Israel and Hamas near a truce while Zelensky drafts a new negotiation plan

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, December 19th

Orban ready to discuss Christmas ceasefire with Zelensky

The prime minister was asked about this during his speech to the Patriots for Europe faction of Members of the European Parliament, which took place before the EU leaders' meeting

Assad allegedly hands list of military targets over to Israel before leaving Syria — media

According to the Turkish newspaper, the former Syrian president did it to ensure his own safety

Ukraine’s army attacks Russia’s borderline Belgorod Region with 34 UAVs in past day

During the last 24-hour period, the Ukrainian military fired 13 munitions and launched six UAVs at five settlements in the Shebekinsky district

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

Ambulance crews continue to be available at the scene

Ukraine will soon run out of willing fighters, Putin says

The head of state pointed out that ex-British Prime Minister Boris Johnson had said at some point that Ukraine "needs to keep fighting until the last Ukrainian"