{{dayPoint.date | date : 'd MMMM yyyy'}}

{{newsPoint.title}}

{{newsPoint.title+ ' '}}

{{newsPoint.subtitle}}

Russian diplomats declared personae non grata leaving Bulgaria — embassy

Due to the lack of personnel, the embassy’s consular service and Russia’s consulate general in Varna suspend their operation

SOFIA, July 3. /TASS/. Russian diplomats and employees of Russian missions, who were declared personae non grata in Bulgaria, are leaving the country on Sunday, an embassy spokesman told TASS.

"The passport and customs control procedures are over. They are boarding two planes. About 160 people - diplomats, technical personnel and their family members - are leaving Sofia for Moscow," said one of the embassy employees, who continues to work in Bulgaria.

On June 28, Bulgaria’s authorities announced a decision to expel 70 Russian diplomats and technical personnel of Russian diplomatic missions. Minister-counsellor of the Russian embassy Filipp Voskresensky, Consuls General in Varna and Rusa, Vladimir Klimanov and Andrey Gromov, director of the Russian Information and Culture Center Yury Makushin are amonf them.

Due to the lack of personnel, the embassy’s consular service and Russia’s consulate general in Varna suspend their operation.

The Russian embassy demanded this illegal and ungrounded decision be revoked and warned that Bulgarian diplomatic missions in Russia could be closed too. But the warning was ignored by the Bulgarian foreign ministry. Meanwhile, Russian officials say that response measures are being planned.

Tags

Netanyahu discusses Iranian issue with Putin — PM’s office

According to the Kremlin press service, during the telephone conversation with Netanyahu, Putin emphasized Moscow’s willingness to engage in efforts to seek a negotiated resolution to the Iranian nuclear issue

Russian armed forces destroy Ukrainian forces’ equipment near Kupyansk — Defense Ministry

The ministry noted that specialists from the unmanned systems troops have reduced the reconnaissance-to-strike cycle to a minimum

Putin welcomes return of flag, anthem to Russian Paralympians at int'l competitions

The Russian president noted that throughout all these years, the Russian Paralympic Committee has been fulfilling an important, socially significant mission, uniting thousands of people with health limitations through its noble goals, introducing them to adaptive physical culture and sports, and helping them fully reveal their talents and demonstrate strong character and an indomitable will

Lula da Silva to discuss ways of keeping stability in Venezuela with Trump — newspaper

The Brazilian leader is also concerned of the situation on the border

Russia bans entry to 28 Canadian supporters of neo-Nazism, MFA announces

This was done in response to unlawful anti-Russian entry restrictions earlier announced by Ottawa

Russian says warning systems failed during US strikes on Caracas

According to Ivan Pavlov, there is still silence on television

White House says it is not involved in gunfire in Caracas — NBC News

Sounds of gunfire are heard near the presidential residence in Venezuela

Ukrainian forces lose around 1,290 troops over past day — Russian Defense Ministry

At the same time, Russian forces struck storage sites of long-range UAVs over the past day

About 200 US servicemen were in Caracas to capture Maduro — Hegseth

War Secretary Pete Hegseth stressed that not a single American soldier was killed

Ensuring Ukraine's future security may include military capabilities — Paris declaration

"These commitments may include the use of military capabilities, intelligence and logistical support, diplomatic initiatives, adoption of additional sanctions," the document reads

US operation in Venezuela is 'very bad news' for Zelensky — news outlet

Even in the West, some argue that the US violated international law, the news outlet pointed out

European leaders stress Greenland belongs to its people

On January 4, US President Donald Trump told The Atlantic in an interview that The United States needs to control Danish-owned Greenland "for defense"

Helicopter crashes in Arizona mountains — TV

There were four people on board, their conditions are not yet known

Battlegroup West air defenses downed 40 heavy drones

Russian servicemen also identified and destroyed 47 drone control stations and a Starlink terminal

UN Security Council should prevent collapse of international law — expert

American economist and public policy analyst Jeffrey Sachs noted that the UN Charter prohibits the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state

Foreign Ministry knows better how Truss’ geography blunder may affect talks — Kremlin

Earlier, Liz Truss said that the UK would never recognize Moscow’s sovereignty over the Voronezh and Rostov regions

EU issues statement on Venezuela not supported by Hungary — foreign policy service

According to the statement, the principles of international law must be upheld by Venezuela, as the EU argued that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro lacked "democratic legitimacy"

Professor Jeffrey Sachs is right: Ukraine risks losing Odessa, says Duma member

According to Alexey Chepa, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, Ukraine is losing ground every day

Spartak Moscow FC announces appointment of Spain’s Carcedo as head coach

Juan Carcedo will assume the position of head coach on January 8 under a contract valid until the summer of 2028

Scientists prove ‘feel-good’ hormone stimulates thyroid gland in Northern peoples

Such studies were conducted for the first time

US may subsidize energy infrastructure revamp in Venezuela — Trump

The US leader believes it can be rebuilt within the less than 18-month period

Kremlin says Russian special services have proofs of plot against Lukashenko

They also have confessions by some conspirators, according to the Kremlin spokesman

US, EU aim to finalize agreement on security guarantees for Ukraine in Paris — Bloomberg

According to one of the sources, Ukraine’s allies will push for Russian participation after an agreement on security is reached with the US

US is not at war with Venezuela, Trump says

Donald Trump also added that the White House believes new elections will not be held in Venezuela during the next thirty days

Burglars in Germany stole valuables worth 100 mln euros from Sparkasse Bank — Bild

Initially, the theft was estimated at approximately 30 million euros

First list of those killed by Kiev’s drone strike on seaside cafe published

Identification of all other victims will be possible only after a special genetic examination

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

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

ICC ruling on Putin to cause disastrous consequences for international law — Medvedev

Dmitry Medvedev said ICC judges shouldn’t have raised their hand against a major nuclear power

Switzerland freezes assets of Venezuela’s Maduro and his inner circle

The measure is said to ensure that "any illicitly acquired assets cannot be transferred out of Switzerland in the current situation", the Swiss government said

Russia calls for immediate release of Maduro and his wife — UN envoy

"We resolutely condemn the US military aggression against Venezuela in violation of all international law norms," Vasily Nebenzya emphasized

Situation in Caracas is calm, controlled by authorities — Russian ambassador

"There are no Russian nationals among those killed or injured," Sergey Melik-Bagdasarov said

Thirty-two Cubans killed during US operation to capture Maduro — president

A two-day mourning period was announced on the island

Europe to become dependent on expensive gas, lose its leadership — Kremlin

A permanent ban on Russian gas imports implies a gradual but permanent end of Russian gas imports to Europe, with LNG supplies phased out by December 31, 2026, and pipeline gas by September 30, 2027

Trump confesses his wife hates his dancing in public

The US President also recalled that his supporters enjoy it when he lightly dances to music at various public events

Gas reserves in European storage facilities have fallen below 60% — Gazprom

In total, since the start of the withdrawal season, 23.6 bln cubic meters of gas have already been withdrawn from Europe’s UGS facilities

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

Group of mercenaries from Ukrainian National Guard wiped out Kharkov Region

The battalion of Colombian mercenaries within the brigade was formed with the appointment of Cuban-born Daniel Vincentovich Kitone, as brigade commander, Russian security sources said

Medvedev comments on US aggression on Venezuela, double standards in use by Europe to TASS

According to the senior Russian security official, Washington no longer has the formal right to criticize Moscow for any actions

Trump makes no secret that true US purpose is to seize Venezuelan oil — Medvedev

According to him, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has repeatedly said that the current US administration’s true purpose is to grab their oil and other fossils

Russian business ready to expand ties with Vietnam

Areas of cooperation include cybersecurity, pharmaceuticals and healthcare

Trump confirms he is not setting deadlines for settlement in Ukraine

The US leader has repeatedly said that he is not trying to set a deadline for this issue

Press review: Florida talks ease Ukraine conflict and Cambodia-Thailand ceasefire at risk

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, December 29th

Trump says hardly possible that Kiev attacked Russian president's residence

According to the US President, "there is something that happened fairly nearby," but it had nothing to do with the attack on the Russian leader's official residence

Putin celebrates Christmas with military personnel in one of Moscow Region’s churches

Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday

Israel and Syria agree to speed up talks on security agreement — TV

The Trump administration is pressuring Israel and Syria to reach an agreement that would stabilize border security

At least 40 people die after US attack on Venezuela — media

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil Pinto said on January 3 that the United States had attacked civilian and military facilities in Caracas

What Solzhenitsyn said about Putin, and vice versa

The prominent writer and historian, who was exiled to GULAG camp, was born on December 11, 1918

UAV operators destroy up to 70 units of Ukrainian military equipment near Kupyansk

In addition, Russian FPV strike drone crews hit two Kvertus and Bukovel electronic warfare stations

Russia welcomes Venezuelan authorities' efforts to protect sovereignty

The ministry added that Russia is ready to continue providing the necessary support to Venezuela

Non-European countries may participate in ensuring Ukraine's security — Paris declaration

"Coordinated military planning has been conducted to prepare for reassurance measures in the air, at sea and on land and for the regeneration of the armed forces of Ukraine," the declaration states

FACTBOX: Cases of abductions of heads of state

Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro was captured by fighters of the elite Delta force unit of the US army оn January 3, 2026

Russia prepares response to potential deployment of European troops to Ukraine — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister added that the UK, the European Commission’s leadership, and the majority of NATO and EU member states took "a completely destructive position" on the Ukraine issue

FACTBOX: Orthodox feast of Christmas

Venezuela achieved victory at UN Security Council’s meeting — foreign minister

The international community officially recognized that the attack made on January 3 was the act contradicting the international law, Yvan Gil Pinto emphasized

Trump’s confident about taking Greenland due to Europe's weakness — Sky News reporter

Deborah Haynes stressed that European countries, including the UK, are heavily dependent on the US for defense

Press review: Zelensky peace plan is no-go for Russia and Trump puts on peacemaker hat

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, December 25th

FACTBOX: What we know about attack on Venezuela’s capital

US forces attacked civilian and military facilities in Caracas, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil Pinto said

Analysts expect Brent crude oil to average below $65 per barrel in 2026

At the same time, senior analyst at Euler Andrey Polischuk expects the average Brent price in 2026 to reach $61.7 per barrel

Zaporozhye nuclear plant to get two more licenses in 2026 — director

Yury Chernichuk noted that the nuclear plant has also obtained earlier the license for the use of radiation sources and for the dry storage facility of spent nuclear fuel

Macron voices his plans to hold conversation with Putin as soon as possible

Marcon was answering a question from the channel's journalist, who recalled the French president’s recent statement that it would be useful to talk with Putin and inquired about any progress in this regard

Europe to face collapse if it stops rearming — Polish PM

Donald Tusk’s remarks followed the recent US strike on Venezuela, as well as statements by US President Donald Trump about Washington’s territorial claims on Greenland, which is part of Denmark

US triumph in Venezuela could turn into disaster — Russian senator

Alexey Pushkov opined that by attacking Venezuela and capturing its president, the US violated all norms, "once again stirring up the whole world, returning it to the savage imperialism of the 19th century"

Zaporozhye NPP could supply Donbass, Novorossiya, Crimea, Caucasus

All six units, in theory, should be sufficient to cover the consumption needs of the new regions and Crimea

EU doesn’t recognize legitimacy of Venezuelan interim president — European Commission

The authorities in Venezuela derived their mandate from an electoral process that failed to respect the will of the people for democratic change

Press review: Ukraine aid dips in 2025 and US, Europe tussle over tech dispute

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, December 26th

Russia, Cuba to agree on supply of 1.64 mln tons of oil, oil products per year — Cuban PM

Manuel Marrero stressed the relevance and importance of this agreement for his country

Greenland’s PM urges Washington to halt pressure on island

Jens-Frederik Nielsen said Greenland remain open to dialogue

Air defenses down three Ukrainian drones over two Russian regions overnight — top brass

Two of them were destroyed over the Moscow Region

No progress on Russian naval base issue in Sudan, ambassador says

According to Andrey Chernovol, the information published on Monday by the US newspaper The Wall Street Journal, claiming that the Sudanese authorities had offered Russia to set up a naval base on the country’s territory, dates back to 2020

Nearly 60 Russians killed, over 300 injured by Ukraine’s actions in December

Miroshnik specified that compared with November, both the number of wounded and those killed increased

Medvedev bashes US general’s idiotic remarks about Kaliningrad’s air defenses

The Russian PM commented on media reports citing the commander of the US Air Forces in Europe on Pentagon's plans to ‘crack’ the air defenses in the Kaliningrad Region in case of Russia's aggression

Poland’s ex-President Walesa calls on West not to be limited by liberating Ukraine

According to Lech Walesa, it is necessary to push for changes in Russia’s political system

US Department of State drafting plans to reopen Embassy in Venezuela — AP

According to the news agency, resumption of operations would require several months

Tu-160 bombers outfitted with novel cruise missiles — top brass

Russia’s Long-Range Aviation Commander Sergey Kobylash said during a visit by Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to the Knevichi airfield in Russia’s Far East

Germany ready to deploy forces on NATO territory adjacent to Ukraine after ceasefire

Friedrich Merz added that the decision on Germany's contribution to providing security guarantees for Ukraine would be made by the German government and the Bundestag

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

In addition, Russian air defenses downed a smart bomb and 250 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles

Trump says US needs Greenland 'for defense'

The US President emphasized that the island is "surrounded by Russian and Chinese ships"

Russian nonprofit organization to sue FBI for spreading false claims about it

The Dialog ANO said it was ready to work with any countries and organizations

Russian stock indices decline as trading on Moscow Exchange closes

By the end of the day, the MOEX index fell 0.43% to 2,745.26 points

US Department of Energy allocate $2.7 bln for uranium enrichment in country

US authorities expect it will strengthen energy security and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers

Kaliningrad Region is well protected from US air attacks — top brass

The Russian Defense Ministry also said that the Pentagon had reasons to be concerned that the delivery of the Russian-made S-400 systems to Turkey might tarnish the image of the F-35 stealth aircraft

Use of phones is cause of tragedy in Makeyevka — Russian Defense Ministry

A commission investigating circumstances of the incident is working and required measures are being taken to exclude such tragedies in the future

Venezuela asks to reopen US embassy in Caracas — Trump

Washington is thinking about it, the US leader said

EU demands that Serbia betray Russia in exchange for European integration — Vulin

He expressed confidence that the true target of the EU’s policy is not Russia, but Serbia

Erdogan discussed Venezuela, Gaza, bilateral relations with Trump

The Turkish side communicated "the position on sensitive issues" for Turkey in the situation with Venezuela

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

Greenland will not be taken over night — Prime Minister

Jens-Frederik Nielsen made his statements amid developments in Venezuela and a potential threat for Greenland from the United States

IN BRIEF: What is known about mass fatal traffic accident in Rostov Region

TASS has compiled the key information about the incident

Russian stock market declines at start of main trading session

As of 10:00 a.m. Moscow time, the MOEX and RTS indices were down 0.08%, to 2,754.79 and 1,109.37 points, respectively

Attempts to revise history used to undermine Serbia and Russia — Vulin

According to Vulin, one of the key missions of the Russian Historical Society is to counter efforts to distort the past

Czech parliament Speaker may face resignation due to his critical statements on Ukraine

The parliamentary liberal opposition parties intend to submit to the Chamber of Deputies the question of stripping Okamura of his post as head of the lower house of the republic's highest legislative body

European Commission struggles to assess US actions in Venezuela

The European Commission also declined to comment on whether it condemns civilian deaths following US actions

Only Russian-made icebreakers to work on Northern Sea Route — minister

The Northern Sea Route is a shipping route in the Russian Arctic that runs along Russia's northern shores of the Arctic Ocean seas

Washington seeks to have Caracas halt oil supplies to ‘US adversaries’

The US side also expects Rodriguez to eventually facilitate free elections and step aside

Russia’s economy avoided recession and achieved lower inflation in 2025 — expert

According to him, the exit from overheating has been accompanied by a slowdown in investment activity and an uneven situation in industry

Trump praises Maduro's decision to surrender

US special forces acted "very violently", Donald Trump said

Trump may designate Ukraine as 'disposable' in wake of attack on Venezuela — US blogger

The White House "now treats control over the Western Hemisphere as a core strategic priority - not merely as foreign policy, but as regime preservation," Jozef Schutzman said

China backs emergency UN Security Council meeting on US operation in Venezuela

Lin Jian added that countries have the full right to choose their own partners for cooperation and external powers should not interfere in their internal affairs under any pretext

Ukrainian Security Service head submits his resignation letter — lawmaker

A number of Ukrainian military leaders expressed their dissatisfaction with such plans

Delcy Rodriguez swore in as acting president of Venezuela

She promised to abide by the constitution and laws of the country, defend its territory and work for prosperity of the nation

Kremlin stresses Chechen leader’s harsh statements taken out of context

Kadyrov’s words are taken out of context, the Kremlin spokesman stressed