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State Duma to consider projects to support fighters of special op at first autumn meeting

The State Duma will also consider in the first reading a bill that clarifies the taxation rules when a participant leaves a limited liability company that uses a simplified taxation system

MOSCOW, September 16. /TASS/. Russia’s State Duma (lower house of the parliament) will hold the first plenary session of this year’s autumn session. The speech of its chairman Vyacheslav Volodin and faction leaders is planned. Moreover, the deputies intend to consider several initiatives aimed at supporting fighters of the special military operation and their families.

The State Duma will also consider in the first reading a bill that clarifies the taxation rules when a participant leaves a limited liability company that uses a simplified taxation system. The document was initiated by the Russian government.

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Russia's domestic policy

NATO’s activity at borders of Russia, Belarus fraught with direct military clash — envoy

This situation persists because many in Europe exploit the false factor of the Russian threat to consolidate the NATO/EU ranks around the continued military support for Ukraine, Head of the Russian delegation at talks in Vienna on military security and arms control Yulia Zhdanova said

Zohran Mamdani sworn in as New York city mayor

The ceremony was administered by New York Attorney General Letitia James

Ukraine’s elite drone unit could be behind terror attack on Kherson Region — governor

According to operational reconnaissance data, the Kiev regime deployed Birds of Madyar militants to the right bank of the Kherson Region, Vladimir Saldo said

Venezuela ready to discuss fight against drug trade, investments with the US — Maduro

Nicolas Maduro pointed out that US allegations against Caracas regarding insufficient struggle against production of drugs are groundless

Ukraine’s 201 UAVs shot down over Russian regions in 7 hours

51 of them were neutralized over the territory of the Belgorod Region

Zelensky will have to hide for rest of life, Medvedev predicts

"The stinking Kiev bastard is trying to derail the settlement of the conflict", Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman said

Air defenses intercept 64 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions overnight

Twenty of them were destroyed in the Samara Region

Kiev spends Western funds on civilian killings, Russian diplomat says

Earlier, Kherson Region Governor said that a drone attack on a cafe and a hotel had killed 24 people and left another 50 injured

Photos, videos point to firework sparkers as cause of fire in Crans-Montana

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Ukraine to face inevitable retaliation for attack on Kherson Region — Medvedev

In his view, Banderites must be eliminated wherever they are, be it Ukraine or Europe

Kim Jong Un wishes Happy New Year to soldiers serving in Russia

The North Korean leader called on the KPA soldiers to remain brave

Number of people hospitalized to Crimea after Kiev’s attack on Kherson Region rises to 14

Two patients are in severe condition, Crimea’s Health Ministry reported

Russia to provide decoded data from Ukrainian drone to US — Defense Ministry

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Trump criticizes George Clooney's acquisition of French citizenship

The US leader pointed out that France is "in the midst of a major crime problem because of its absolutely horrendous handling of immigration"

IN BRIEF: Ukrainian army carries out drone strike on civilians in Kherson Region

According to preliminary reports, over 24 people, including a child, were killed, and another 29 people, among them five kids, suffered injuries

British, EU intelligence behind attack on Kherson Region — Akhmat commandoes' chief says

Lieutenant-General Apty Alaudinov noted that Ukraine is reporting to US President Donald Trump its readiness to sign a peace agreement, while simultaneously taking actions that provoke the Russian side to retaliate

More than twenty survivors in Crans-Montana fire had severe burns — TV

The case in point is "very severe injuries" requiring treatment over a long period, Medical Director at the Morges Hospital Wassim Raffoul added

Russia-EU relations may change under new European Commission — diplomat

"I don’t think that the Russia-EU dialogue is lost forever," Vladislav Maslennikov said

Bulgaria should support efforts to achieve peace in Ukraine — president

Rumen Radev noted that 2025 brought the first hopes for ending the conflict

Magnitude 6.5 earthquake strikes off Mexico’s coast

According to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Center, the quake’s epicenter was 42 kilometers southeast of the city of Chilpancingo with a population of 187,000

Russian army destroys Ukraine's underground bunkers in Zaporozhye Region

Zaporozhye Region Governor Yevgeny Balitsky stressed that the seizure of Gulyaipole would pave the way for the liberation of the entire Zaporozhye Region

FACTBOX: Major aviation disasters of 2025

At least 12 such incidents were recorded during the year, including two involving big passenger jets

Over 100,000 consumers left without power in Ukraine’s western Volyn Region

Air raid sirens went off in the region last night; local media outlets reported explosions in the town of Lutsk

FIB Executive to study IOC recommendations on Russians’ access to tournaments

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Six children listed on Ukraine’s database of unwanted persons on New Year’s Eve

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Russian government extends parallel import mechanism through 2026

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Russia’s Battlegroup West repels three Ukrainian attacks on Kupyansk direction — top brass

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FACTBOX: Celebrities who passed away in 2025

In 2025, a great many well-known politicians, statesmen, scientists and cultural figures passed away

Russian diplomat slams Kiev’s attack on civilians in Kherson Region as act of terrorism

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FACTBOX: New Year holidays in Russia

According to a government decree, the New Year holidays in 2025–2026 will last 12 days — from Wednesday, December 31, 2025, to Sunday, January 11, 2026

Ukraine takes part in NATO Article 5 response drills for first time ever

Around 1,500 civil and military specialists took part in maneuvers all over Europe

Fire destroys 150-year-old church building in Amsterdam

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Hotel, cafe in Khorly were attacked by large UAVs capable of carrying 15 kg of explosives

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Kiev did not make suspect in Trump assassination mercenary, deeming him 'off' — newspaper

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Five children taken to hospital following Ukrainian attack on Kherson Region

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Ukrainian army launches over 80 drones at Russia’s Belgorod Region in past day

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Russia to maintain continuity in key areas of cooperation within CSTO — Lavrov

"Given geopolitical tensions, we set ourselves the goals of further consolidating CSTO member states, strengthening allied ties, and deepening coordination on key international issues," the minister noted

Putin believes rumors of his 'palace' were used in scheme to brainwash Russians

Putin says the palace he allegedly owns doesn’t belong to him or his relatives

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Ukrainian intel chief says he accepts Zelensky’s offer to lead his office

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Russia’s Aerospace Forces down Ukraine’s Su-27 fighter jet

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The US President didn't answer questions about the CIA's role in the attack on Venezuela or whether American troops would put boots on the ground in Ukraine

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The governor pointed out that the attack had come right about midnight

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Russian Permanent to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations in Geneva Gennady Gatilov emphasized that "concealing this tragedy would be tantamount to open complicity and participation"

Ukraine under Zelensky has no right to exist as a state — Medvedchuk

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Ukraine is playing Russian roulette by attacking Putin's residence — magazine

Valeurs Actuelles notes the complete lack of response from Kiev's European allies

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Kirill Dmitriev wrote this on the X, making a repost of a blogger that wrote about the terrorist attack in Khorly

Russian gas exports to Europe via TurkStream pipeline reach record levels in 2025

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According to the paper, at least 100 people have suffered injuries

Russian troops liberate nine communities in Ukraine operation over week — top brass

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IN BRIEF: Key takeaways from Vladimir Putin's New Year's address to Russian people

TASS has compiled the head of state's key statements from his New Year’s address

Africa to become world leader in economic growth in 2026 — IMF

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AccoSuch Kiev’s actions would be "reckless or not helpful," Matthew Whittaker said

Putin orders to expand security belt on border with Ukraine in 2026

"This is a very important task," the Russian president said

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Kiss traffic jams goodbye: Siberian mathematicians solve rush-hour gridlock mystery

Siberian researchers have put together a mathematical model of the Russian city of Krasnoyarsk’s transport network and used it to analyze the city’s traffic

Trump says US ready to come to rescue of ‘peaceful protesters’ in Iran

"We are locked and loaded and ready to go," the US president said

Russian forces destroy two Ukrainian assault groups in Sumy Region

The enemy tried to counterattack near the settlement of Grabovskoye

Russia to retaliate Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia’s actions against Russian embassies — MFA

On December 30, the charges d'affaires of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia were summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry, where they were presented with a strong protest

Press review: Russia may revise Ukraine talks post attack and China launches Taiwan drills

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, December 30th

FACTBOX: Cities awarded Russia’s New Year’s capital title

Ryazan has taken on the title of the New Year’s capital for the second time during the project’s existence

TASS publishes footage from scene of Ukrainian attack on hotel, cafe in Khorly

Footage from the tragedy’s aftermath has been released by the agency, depicting the extent of the destruction

Netherlands set course for militarization in 2025 — Russian Ambassador

The case in point is not only the sharp rise in defense spending but also the systemic integration of the country with strategic and operational planning of NATO, Russian Ambassador to the kingdom Vladimir Tarabrin said

Over thousand soldiers desert from Ukrainian army daily — reporter

Accoridng to Ukrainian journalist Vladimir Boyko, this number means the army is gone, and it can no longer be rebuilt

Ukraine lost about twenty fighter jets in 2025

Kiev also lost at least eight Su-27 and ten MiG-29 airplanes over the last year

Actual death toll in Gaza is ten times as high as officially reported — UN

According to special rapporteur Francesca Albanese, if this figure is verified, some 380,000 of them are children under five

FACTBOX: Cities awarded Russia’s New Year’s capital title

TASS has prepared this factbox on the project dubbed The New Year’s Capital of Russia

Battlegroup South downed eight Ukrainian drones over day — spokesman

Battlegroup Spokesman Vadim Astafyev added that 26 dugouts and shelters of the Ukrainian army were also destroyed

FACTBOX: Kremlin’s New Year magic begins with century-old fir

On December 23, Russia’s main New Year tree was set up in the Kremlin’s Cathedral Square, fully decorated and ready for the holidays

Death toll in Ukraine’s attack on Khorly in Kherson Region rises to 27 people

Thirty-one people, among them five minors were taken to medical institutions with injuries of various severity, Russian Investigative Committee Spokeswoman Svetlana Petrenko said

NATO’s activity at borders of Russia, Belarus fraught with direct military clash — envoy

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Cyprus takes over six-month presidency of EU Council from Denmark

Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides noted that his country was assuming the EU Council presidency “against the backdrop of acute geopolitical upheaval and unpredictability”

Head of Russian delegation in Vienna talks about obscenity of Europeans at OSCE site

Head of the Russian delegation to the Vienna talks on military security and arms control Yulia Zhdanova also noted that "there is a total degradation of the negotiating culture among the Europeans"

Zelensky, in impotent rage, decided to take it out on civilians — Russian MFA

The Russian Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case over a terrorist act

34 drones downed when approaching Moscow at New Year night, January 1

This was reported by Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin

Attempts continue to expand Ukraine conflict to entire Europe — newspaper

Selvi believes that the forces supporting Ukraine are plotting to set Turkey and Russia against each other

Battlegroup West destroyed 46 heavy quadcopters — spokesman

Battlegroup servicemen also destroyed twelve unmanned surface vehicles

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

Kiev prepared for attack on cafe in Khorly in advance — expert

Military expert Vitaly Kiselev condemned the attack, describing it as "not just a terrorist act but a tragic reflection of the 21st century’s brutal realities"

US interference in Iran’s affairs may destabilize entire region — security official

US President Donald Trump wrote earlier on January 2 on his Truth Social media platform that "If Iran shots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue"

Attack on Putin's residence was guided by NATO systems, expert says

Andrey Marochko believes that disrupting negotiations on a peace settlement of the conflict was Kiev's primary aim in the attack

Dmitriev calls Europeans 'poor' after von der Leyen’s promise

"President of the European Commission promises to work even harder on Western civilization’s suicide in 2026," Russian Direct Investment Fund Kirill Dmitriev said

FACTBOX: New Year’s key traditions reviewed

The custom of decorating Christmas trees dates back to biblical myths

Russian Su-34 bomber strikes Ukrainian manpower, equipment by glide bombs

After receiving a confirmation from reconnaissance about the target destruction, the crew safely returned to its airfield of departure, the Russian Defense Ministry said

Turkey continues to be top supplier of tangerines to Russian market

Top suppliers of tangerines to Russia also include South Africa, China, Egypt, and Morocco

The ones 'doubting' victims in Ukrainian drone attack in Khorly have no conscience

"If there are doubts, these are only in respect of clean habits of the doubters," Official Spokeswoman of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova said

Lukashenko says Slovakia’s PM to visit Belarus

According to the press service of the head of Belarus, Lukashenko noted that he would be glad to see Fico on Belarusian soil to discuss strategic issues of interstate cooperation

Trump sees diminishing leverage for Kiev as settlement stalls — expert

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Putin hears report on Ukrainian strike on Khorly — Kremlin spokesman

According to Dmitry Peskov, "the regional governor briefed the head of state on the investigative actions and also announced that as the investigative team's work progresses and the bodies of the dead are being identified, and information and names will be published on the regional administration's website"

Putin's New Year's address lasted 3 minutes 20 seconds

It became one of the shortest New Year's addresses of the president

Fourteen drones destroyed in Tula Region — governor

Nobody was injured, Governor Dmitry Milyaev said