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Putin, Syria’s interim leader conclude two-and-a-half-hour talks

The meeting took place at the Kremlin

MOSCOW, October 15. /TASS/. The talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Syria’s interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa concluded after two and a half hours, a TASS correspondent reported.

The meeting took place at the Kremlin. It is the Syrian leader’s first high-level face-to-face contact with Russian authorities since the change in power in Damascus in late 2024.

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Putin’s state of the nation address to take place 'in due time' — spokesman

Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov noted that the address will be delivered "when the president sees fit, first of all in terms of contents"

Ukraine lost 1-2 GW of power grid capacity as a result of December 23 explosions

The Russian Ministry of Defense reported earlier that Russian troops struck Ukrainian military-industrial complex facilities and energy facilities with Kinzhal missiles on the morning of December 23

Kiev deploying most combat-fit UAV units, assault groups to Gulyaipole — defense source

Russia’s Battlegroup East forces continue steadily advancing in Gulyaipole, a source in Russian defense circles said

Emergence of BRICS payment system quite possible — ambassador to Moscow

The diplomat called this topic one of the most important on the BRICS agenda

Ukraine’s major oil producer Ukrnafta sustains critical damage

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US LNG exports hit an all-time high in October

In the reporting period, LNG exports were up 11.4% month-on-month and 33.7% up year-on-year

Ukrainian media outlet releases Kiev’s 20-point peace plan

Ukraine presented this plan to the American side at recent talks in the United States

Electricity generation in Russia down 1.5% in first 11 months to 1.079 trillion kWh

In November this year, electricity generation decreased by 2.5% compared with November 2024 to 105 blnkWh

Kiev loses about 20 battalions in fighting near Vilcha — expert

Vitaly Kiselev added that, despite heavy losses and massive, combined attacks by the Russian army, the Ukrainian army brigades have "a very large number of soldiers that go AWOL"

US Department of Justice gets more documents as part of Epstein case files

Their release may take a few more weeks

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10 of them were destroyed over the Belgorod Region

Hungarian PM gives hot take on biggest threat of war facing Europe

"The military tensions Europe is seeing now stem from the decline of Western Europe and the European Union," Viktor Orban said

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No reason was given as to why Hussein al-Sheikh was denied entry to Bethlehem

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"Separatism is a gamble that can be played by two," the politician noted

Russia developing scenarios for using net guns against drones

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Vitaly Ignatiev said that the European Peace Fund is providing weapons and military equipment

Ukraine unable to keep 800,000-strong army — German general

Harald Kujat noted that the 800,000-strong Ukrainian army, as required by the Europeans, would constitute a significant increase from the pre-conflict number

Moldovan border guards cut off channel for transfer of draft dodgers from Ukraine

The police said the suspects charged each evader $10,000

Ruble becomes strongest-performing currency in 2025 — Bloomberg

As Bloomberg noted, the ruble’s rise has been influenced by reduced demand for foreign currency in Russia.

Russian stock market closes with major indices down

The yuan exchange rate rose by 3 kopecks to 11.14 rubles

US has mostly resolved security issues with Ukrainians — NATO envoy

"It’s going to come down to, ultimately, the territory, and how that territory is divided up," Matthew Whitaker said

Putin-Trump call can be arranged quickly if needed — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov pointed out that everything slows down during Christmas time

FIS extends int’l neutral-status participation list by five more Russian skiers

The athletes at the issue are free-style skiers Daria Melchakova, Lana Prusakova, Polina Ryabova, Natalia Sherina and alpine skier Yekaterina Tkachenko

West needs Zelensky's peace plan to pump resources out of Ukraine — expert

The clause on creating special funds to attract $800 billion for Ukraine's reconstruction was introduced "because money can be made on creating these funds," Alexander Dudchak said

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The expert focused on the political points of the plan and on the security guarantees demanded by Kiev

Europe has 'epiphany' on Ukraine negotiations — opposition figure

Viktor Medvedchuk said that Europe had previously acted as a "bridge between Russia and the United States," but today's attempts by Europeans to build a wall between Moscow and Washington "are a joke"

Cancer-stricken Serbian sues NATO for use of depleted uranium in 1999 attack on Yugoslavia

His lawyer Srdan Aleksic disclosed that the Serbian officer’s grievance is fully identical to the 500 lawsuits, filed by Italian soldiers who were deployed in Kosovo in 1999

Russia to formulate its position following Miami meeting, to soon continue talks — Kremlin

Negotiations on the Ukrainian settlement took place in Miami on December 20 and 21

IN BRIEF: Putin's key statements on economy at cabinet meeting

The president said that Russia and its economy are in a good place, "despite numerous challenges"

Passenger car output in Russia down 12.6% in first 11 months to 591,000 — Rosstat

In November, passenger car output fell by 34.1% year-on-year but increased by 8.2% compared with this October

Plotter of terrorist attack on oil pipeline neutralized in Tyumen Region — FSB

According to the FSB’s Public Relations Center, the suspect, a Russian citizen originally from Vinnitsa in Ukraine, resisted arrest and was subsequently neutralized during the operation

US to maintain naval blockade of Venezuela for at least two months — Reuters

The White House has ordered American forces in the region to focus almost exclusively "on the quarantine of Venezuelan oil"

Peace in Europe unattainable without review of West's anti-Russian policy — Medvedev

"It is crucial to recognize that the root cause of the conflict in Ukraine stems from the aggressive ‘Eastern policy’ pursued by Anglo-Saxon nations along with NATO and the European Union," the politician stated

Putin presents state awards to outstanding Russians in Kremlin

Among the award recipients are renowned musicians and artists, as well as representatives of science and education

Hamas informs Turkey about Israel's violations of Gaza agreement

Head of the group Khalil al-Hayy also drew attention to the "deteriorating humanitarian crisis" in the Gaza Strip

Belarusian KGB sniffs out foreign spy ring eavesdropping on pilots — report

The network was assisted by several individuals residing in Belarus

EU loan will not lead to improvement in Ukrainian military’s situation — Guardian

The Guardian draws attention to the low level of recruitment into the Ukrainian armed forces

Volume of household funds in Russian banks edges down by 0.04% in November — regulator

There was a small shift from ruble current accounts to term deposits

FACTBOX: Two traffic police officers killed in explosion in southern Moscow

The suspect is also dead

FACTBOX: How Catholics celebrate Christmas

The first records of Christmas being celebrated as an independent holiday date back to the 4th century

EU had chance to prevent Russia conflict in 2022 — Hungarian PM

Viktor Orban said that Europe could have sent a peace mission to Moscow and Kiev instead of declaring their conflict its own war

Some 20,000 Muscovites voluntarily sign contracts for military service annually — mayor

Sergey Sobyanin said that Moscow is one of the largest centers for the recruitment of military personnel for the special military operation

West accuses Russia of Bucha killings just as it did with Holodomor — Medvedev

According to the politician, the groundwork laid by predecessors in creating false ideologies is now actively exploited by the "regime of the bloody Kiev comedian"

Russia no enemy of Europe — State Duma speaker

Russia has helped Europe grow by supplying affordable energy, making its economy more competitive, Vyacheslav Volodin added

Dutch B4Ukraine, tracking Russian oil exports registered undesirable — Prosecutor’s office

According to the statement, programs and projects are being implemented in the Russian direction to discredit the leadership of the Russian Federation

BRICS has developed criteria for admitting new members — ambassador to Moscow

A candidate country must have good relations with its neighbors and be opposed to unilateral sanctions, Sergio Rodrigues dos Santos noted

Chinese military stepping up its potential makes US more ‘vulnerable’ — Pentagon

According to the Pentagon, China continues to increase its nuclear potential and plans to acquire over 1,000 nuclear warheads by 2030

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Social unity around grand goals is key to Russia's achievements, Putin says

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At the same time, platinum futures with delivery in January 2026 were down 1.73%

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Over January-November, gold production rose by 5.7% compared with the same period of 2024

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Harald Kujat opined that the West’s massive support created an illusion for Kiev that "it can turn the strategic situation into its favor"

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European Union disintegrating before our eyes — Orban

The Hungarian PM noted that "EU decision-makers are constantly forced to backtrack"

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The drones were destroyed between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. GMT

Loading of fertilizers up 4.5% in 11M 2025 — Russian Railways

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Taking Gulyaipole to expand bridgehead along Gaichur River — Russian defense source

According to the report, the enemy's resistance is complicated by harsh weather conditions

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According to Alexander Cheremin, "it appears that the Anglo-Saxons became the direct successors of the German secret services that had originally established this anti-Soviet foundation"

US military reports Santa Claus flying over Russia

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Belgium shocked by US sanctions against five EU citizens — foreign minister

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Exports of Russian goods to the EU amounted to 21.7 bln euro, while imports of goods from the EU into Russia totaled 22.2 bln euro

Europe's biggest nightmare is Ukraine deal on Russia's terms — senior diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov said that nobody can rewrite history

EU got involved in conflict in Ukraine to rev up economy — Orban

The prime minister believes the decision is wrong

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Putin sends New Year greetings to Kim Jong Un

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Tourism to Moscow booms in 2025, to set new all-time record for visits — mayor

Sergey Sobyanin emphasized that the tourist economy is growing year after year

FSB thwarts hostage-taking, prisoner escape from penal colony in Kurgan Region

A prisoner concealed a shiv in his punishment cell, where he was placed for violating prison rules

US believes sides approaching settlement on Ukraine — NATO envoy

US Permanent Representative to NATO Matthew Whitaker emphasized that there are still matters that need to be resolved in a way that both sides can agree

Foreign intelligence services monitoring Oreshnik missile deployment in Belarus — KGB

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko earlier stated that a maximum of 10 Russian-made Oreshnik systems would be deployed in the republic

Putin’s state of the nation address to take place 'in due time' — spokesman

Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov noted that the address will be delivered "when the president sees fit, first of all in terms of contents"

Putin warned Bush that admitting Ukraine to NATO will lead to Russia-US confrontation

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Vasily Nebenzya pointed out that US policy represents "an unambiguous signal to all countries in the region seeking to pursue a sovereign course and independently determine their economic, political, and cultural systems"

Medvedev curious about reasons for unexpectedly conciliatory statements from EU

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Russian troops liberate Zarechnoye in Zaporozhye Region over past day — top brass

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Moscow becomes major center producing UAVs for Russian army — Sobyanin

Moscow's mayor added that another important aspect is extensive support for the air defense forces which provide protection not only to the capital but also, to a significant extent, to other regions of Russia

IN BRIEF: Fire at enterprise in Tula Region, 172 UAVs, aftermath of overnight attack

In particular, 110 Ukrainian drones were shot down over the Bryansk Region

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