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Military operation in Ukraine

Updated at:

Air defenses shoot down another two drones heading towards Moscow

A total of five unmanned aerial vehicles have been destroyed on their way to Moscow in the past few hours

Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin Alexey Maishev/POOL/TASS

Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin

© Alexey Maishev/POOL/TASS

MOSCOW, October 25. /TASS/. Air defenses have shot down another two drones heading towards the Russian capital, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said.

"Two more enemy drones heading towards Moscow have been shot down. Emergency teams are working at the site where debris came down," he wrote on Russia’s national messenger Max.

A total of five unmanned aerial vehicles have been destroyed on their way to Moscow in the past few hours.

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Military operation in Ukraine

Military operation in Ukraine

Drone attack in Russia’s Saratov Region kills one — governor

There is damage to civilian infrastructure

Casualties in Tver, 90 drones: aftermath of overnight attack on Russian Regions

As a result of a drone attack on a house in Tver, seven people were injured, including a child

US hindering Venezuela to sell its oil, supply it to Cuba — Cuban foreign ministry

This step is part of escalation staged by the United States to bar Venezuela from realizing its legitimate right to the free use of and trade in its natural resources, the Cuban foreign ministry emphasized

Platform for protecting regions from drones successfully tested in Russia

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NATO, EU preparing for large-scale conflict with Russia — Russian embassy in Belgium

The embassy emphasized that the war party in Brussels is seeking "to sell the uncontrolled increase in military spending and the militarization of economies to the population at the expense of socio-economic well-being"

EU politicians attempt to alter public consciousness by falsifying facts — historian

Head of the National Center for Historical Memory under the Russian president Yelena Malysheva noted that the purpose of these statements was to embed new theses into public consciousness which, through repeated exposure, would no longer require any confirmation and would be perceived in the public space as truth

Silver prices all-time high on Comex today

The precious metal prices gained 0.72% to $65.06 per Troy ounce

Zelensky using referendum on territories as pretext to slow down talks — Medvedev

Vladimir Zelensky "straight up gave the White House the finger," Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman said

Russia ready to welcome Iraqi leader 'at any time' — Putin

At the talks in Ashgabat, Abdul Latif Rashid remarked that he would like to visit Russia and meet with Vladimir Putin

House of Representatives rejects attempt to impeach Trump over death penalty remarks

US Congressman Al Green accused Donald Trump of abusing his presidential power and of attempts to "undermine democracy"

Zelensky set to disrupt elections in Ukraine as he cannot win — expert

According to Vladimir Karasev, if presidential elections are held in Ukraine, candidates endorsed by either the UK or the US will make it to the final round

Sixty-eight ionizing radiation sources lost in Ukraine — Russia’s top brass

According to the report, the loss of control over ionizing radiation sources was qualified as a radiation accident

RTS Index plunging after publication of official currency rates — market data

The RTS index moved downward by 0.57% to 1,085.23 points

Versatility of Russian-Turkish relations helps to cope with difficulties — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov noted that it also allows to resist the pressure from third countries

Bank of Russia files a lawsuit against Euroclear in Moscow Arbitration Court

The amount of the claim against the depository was not specified in the statement

Russian ambassador rejects German accusations of state involvement in cyberattack on DFS

Sergey Nechayev called the German government's accusations unfounded, unjustified, and absurd

Polls in Ukraine, scientist detained, Brit soldier: what Foreign Ministry said

Vladimir Zelensky "has no chance of being legally re-elected" for a new term, Maria Zakharova stated

US forces conduct operation on ship traveling from China to Iran — WSJ

After the goods were confiscated, the ship continued on its way, the newspaper said

Russian GDP reach $680.8 bln in Q3 2025 — statistics

The physical volume of GDP gained 0.6% in annual terms

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The Russian leader noted that the promise to liberate the town by December 15 was fulfilled

Ukrainian losses in conflict have exceeded 1 million — Lavrov

"The Kiev regime, originally established as a fiercely ideological military entity, has now devolved into a criminal gang," the Russian foreign minister said

EU wants to freeze Russian assets for at least two years more — Barrot

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Trump says only Zelensky dislikes his peace plan

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Many Russian companies show interest in working with Iraq — Putin

Relations between Russia and Iraq are diversifying and becoming more versatile by their nature, the Russian leader said

Kremlin aide says all of Donbass is Russian territory

Yury Ushakov cited a provision in the Russian Constitution

EU Council decided to perpetually block Russian sovereign assets

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Russian assets seizure could trigger crisis in EU comparable to Great Depression — expert

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Three Ukrainian soldiers surrender in Dimitrov — Russia’s top brass

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Drone attack in Russia’s Saratov Region kills one — governor

There is damage to civilian infrastructure

British, Belgian PMs agree that latest peace talks are 'pivotal' for Ukraine’s future

Keir Starmer and Bart De Wever agreed that keeping up the economic pressure on Russia and putting Ukraine in the strongest possible position would remain the only way to achieve a just and lasting peace

Don State Technical University completes first stage of testing unmanned Dontech tractor

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Euroclear ready to lawsuits in Russian courts due to assets blocking

The European Commission and the Belgian government made no comments on such news so far

Greece to allocate 20 million euros to purchase weapons for Ukraine from US — newspaper

The news report pointed out that Greece's financial participation in the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List program at this stage is primarily symbolic and emphasizes Athens' desire not to deviate from Washington's position

Ukraine conflict could lead to World War III, Trump warns

The US president said the conflict in Ukraine "doesn’t really affect the United States, unless it got out of control"

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According to Alexander Voloshin, for Vladimir Zelensky, as well as for his patrons, the continuation of the conflict is the only chance for "political survival and further enrichment at the expense of the lives of ordinary Ukrainians"

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Russia urged the German side to stop stirring up hysteria over Russia's alleged preparations to attack one or more NATO countries

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This point is reportedly included in a new 20-point version of a peace plan developed by Kiev with the support of Great Britain, France, and Germany, which Ukraine recently handed to the United States

EU to rue indefinite freezing of Russian assets — RDIF CEO

The EU Council is expected to officially enshrine the decision on the indefinite freezing of Russian assets in Europe today

Zelensky, E3 to hold talks in Berlin on December 15 — media

No decision has been made on whether the US side will be represented in person or participate remotely

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Regarding whether Russia is interested in such a platform at all, Dmitry Peskov stated that "it remains to be seen what it means"

Bulgarian government resigns — PM

Rosen Zhelyazkov said that the government must "give in" to the demands of citizens

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Russia has been operating on Spitsbergen for more than 90 years

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Belgium supported long-term freeze of Russian assets — Reuters

Belgium, Bulgaria, Italy and Malta also said that the EU summit should make the decision on the use of Russian assets for Ukraine

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All the children were born between 2018 and 2022

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Russian boxer Gassiev captures World Boxing Association heavyweight title

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According to the institute, thanks to the work of the Myrmekion archaeological expedition led by Butyagin, the main stages of the ancient city's history were identified and documented in detail, and unique archaeological material was collected, which gained worldwide fame

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Denis Niezgoda, chief commercial officer at Locus Robotics, a US company that creates robotic assistants, called the described scenario unrealistic within the next ten years

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The Ministry called on the involved parties to return to dialogue and adhere to their prior commitments within existing negotiation frameworks, advocating for a peace settlement

Putin concludes his visit to Turkmenistan

The Russian leader held a series of bilateral meetings, including with the leaders of Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Pakistan

UK to stop relying on US for security — under-secretary

Alistair Carns expressed disagreement with provisions of the new US National Security Strategy that criticize European countries for uncontrolled migration

Ukrainian ex-premier says it’s impossible to negotiate on Zelensky’s peace plan version

Nikolay Azarov added that there was no chances of resolving the conflict by Christmas "first of all because of the stance taken by Western countries and Vladimir Zelensky"

EU may lose 1 trillion euros over sanctions against Russia — Kremlin advisor

The Eurasian integration may become a good alternative for economic cooperation with Europe, the Russian president’s economic advisor, Sergey Glazyev, said at an economic conference in Kyrgyzstan

Zelensky will not hold any elections in Ukraine, former prime minister tells TASS

Nikolay Azarov said that if elections are held under the current circumstances, they would not bring about any meaningful change

EU considers Ukraine's accession by 2027 'absolutely impossible' — Reuters

A European diplomat briefed on the plan noted that it was not clear whether the EU leadership backed Ukrainian accession, the news agency said

Russian forces holding their positions near Kupyansk, despite Ukraine’s counterattacks

According to Andrey Marochko, high-intensity counterattacks have been going on for a long time

Russian government drafting plan to introduce AI across key sectors

Mikhail Mishustin recalled that the president earlier emphasized that Russia must possess a full suite of its own solutions and products in the field of AI

Indefinite freezing of Russian assets will undermine euro's positions, warns Russian MP

According to Leonid Slutsky, the decision to freeze the assets for their subsequent use in a reparations loan to the Kiev regime will mean "crossing the Rubicon," a step that will be followed by a wave of response measures from Russia

Ukraine's admission to EU by 2027 not agreed upon with Europeans — newspaper

It is noted that Kiev is willing to forgo some economic benefits, such as EU agricultural subsidies, to expedite the process

Press review: NATO divided over Ukraine’s status and US-Venezuela conflict escalates

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

FBI officials held secret meetings with Kiev's top negotiator in US — media

According to the report, the meetings have caused alarm among Western officials who remain in the dark about their intent and purpose

Zelensky regime cannot be removed via election — lawmaker

"There will be the regime’s capitulation, either political or military," Artyom Dmitruk said

Decision to permanently freeze Russian assets would cause irreparable damage to EU — Orban

The Hungarian Prime Minister affirmed that Budapest will "do everything possible to restore the legal order"

Roscosmos to increase share of civilian, dual-use products output to 50% by 2030

"This decision is intended to play a key role in ensuring high-quality and technologically advanced medical rehabilitation," Dmitry Bakanov said

Kiev’s nuke blackmail, suppression of sabotage: statements by Russia’s NBC Defense chief

According to the report, Western countries’ aggressive policy in the field of biological security and the expansion of NATO’s military-biological programs create additional threats to the non-proliferation of biological weapons

Putin conveys best wishes to Iran’s supreme leader

The Russian president pointed out that meetings with Iranian officials take place on a regular basis

Moscow may not like new version of US peace plan — Kremlin aide

Yury Ushakov said that Russia has to see what the Americans agree on with the Europeans and Ukrainians

Nearly 1,500 people evacuated from Moscow’s VTB Arena due to bomb threat

Firefighters and ambulances have arrived on the scene

Russian stock market indices in the red this Friday — market data

The MOEX Russia Index lost 0.34% to 2,739.49 points, while the RTS Index dropped by 0.83% to 1,082.41 points

EU rejects US interference while itself violating Georgia's sovereignty, PM says

The US administration correctly evaluates developments within the EU, Irakli Kobakhidze said

Russia-Italy relations at their worst since WWII — MFA

Maria Zakharova pointed out that Italy has been swept up in anti-Russian narratives and is facing "pressure from NATO, the Anglo-Saxon world, and this ultraliberal dictatorship"

Bank of Russia sets official dollar rate at 79.73 rubles for December 13-15

The official euro rate was increased by 62 kopecks to 93.5626 rubles

Irresponsible politicians, not Russia, threaten Europe — embassy

Diplomats commented on NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte's statement that the alliance would allegedly become Moscow's "next target"

Russian assets in EU to be blocked until end of conflict — Kosta

The next step will be "securing Ukraine’s financial needs for 2026-27," the president of the EU Council added

Japan, Turkey, Canada, South Korea keen to join EU’s scheme to fund defense investment

EC Spokesperson Thomas Regnier said the commission will "now look into this request"

Russia seeks answers from US on seizure of tanker off Venezuelan coast

The Russian foreign minister also said that Moscow wants discussions on the fight against drug trafficking and ensuring maritime security to be collective, so that no nation would be staring down unilateral actions

Ukraine hands over new 20-point peace plan to US — ABC News

According to the source, the proposals contain some new points on territories

Liberation of Seversk opens road to Slavyansk — DPR official

"Slavyansk is another major hub of the Ukrainian armed forces in the north of the republic," Igor Kimakovsky said

Some 11,270 diamonds hidden in hand luggage seized at Frankfurt Airport — DPA

Law enforcement officers detained a 53-year-old man who had flown to Frankfurt from Angola, and placed him in custody

EU intends won’t return Russian assets as long as Europe experiences economic problems

Commenting on this decision, EU leaders did not go into these legal details, but simply called the freeze on Russian assets "indefinite"

No dark spots in history of Russia-Iraq relations, says Putin

The Russian president added that Russia and Iraq have always had very good relations

Zelensky is Europe’s 'shield' against US, not Russia — Ukrainian opposition politician

According to Viktor Medvedchuk, the European bureaucracy no longer views Europeans’ national identity as a value and simply doesn’t recognize their sovereignty

Japan moves to allocate record $58 billion for defense in 2026 fiscal year — Kyodo

The budget draft is expected to be adopted at a cabinet meeting in late December