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Russian senate speaker sees strengthening relations with Cuba as foreign policy priority

According to Matviyenko, active political dialogue facilitates Russian-Cuban ties in all areas

MOSCOW, January 1. /TASS/. Strengthening relations with Havana is an unconditional foreign policy priority for Moscow, Russian Federation Council (the upper house of parliament) Speaker Valentina Matviyenko said.

"Long-term close cooperation between our countries is based on good and trust-based bilateral relations. Ensuring their steady expansion and strengthening is Russia’s unconditional foreign policy," she pointed out in a message to Cuban National Assembly President Juan Esteban Lazo Hernandez on Cuba’s Liberation Day.

The Russian senate speaker emphasized the importance of consolidating the efforts of those supporting the formation of a fair world order to resolve pressing issues, respond to emerging threats and challenges and ensure regional and global stability.

According to Matviyenko, active political dialogue facilitates Russian-Cuban ties in all areas.

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Cuba Valentina Matviyenko

Airshow China exhibition opens in Zhuhai

In total, representatives from 47 countries and regions of the world

Amount of Russian assets frozen in Switzerland unchanged since August — agency

"The total amount of the Russian central bank’s assets immobilized in Switzerland is CHF 7.24 billion," said a spokeswoman for the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs

Press review: Trump forms foreign policy team and Europe sets course for militarization

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FSB foils attempted terrorist attack on power station in Nizhny Tagil

It was revealed that the detainee had materials for producing an improvised explosive device and had been communicating with Ukrainian security services via Telegram

Russian forces strike Ukrainian military airfields, energy sites over past day

It is reported that the Ukrainian army’s losses in that frontline area over the past 24 hours amounted to 765 personnel, an armored personnel carrier, a motor vehicle and two 122mm D-30 howitzers

Russia supports Mali's appeal to UN Security Council on Kiev's actions — MFA

In August, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger sent a letter to the chairman of the UN Security Council condemning Ukraine's open support of international terrorism, particularly in the Sahel region

Russia to ensure parity in response to US missile defense system in Poland — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov emphasized that by placing the missile defense system in Poland, the United States is bringing its military infrastructure closer to Russia in an attempt to curb its potential

Trump 'demonstrates affinity' for Russian President Vladimir Putin — newspaper

Former Trump advisers have already backed his idea of cutting aid to Ukraine to force Kiev into talks with Russia, according to The Hill

US delivers strikes on infrastructure of pro-Iranian militants in Syria — CENTCOM

According to the statement, the "strikes were in response to a rocket attack on US personnel at Patrol Base Shaddadi"

Houthis say they attacked US aircraft carrier in Arabian Sea

According to the movement’s military spokesperson, the Houthis place responsibility for "turning the Red Sea into a zone of military tension" and the impact on navigation in the area on Washington and London

Russia says its FPV drones disrupted Ukrainian troops rotation in Sumy Region

The ministry provided live-recording footage showing direct hits on Ukrainian military vehicles

Musk doubles down on his opinion about 'endless war' in Ukraine

Earlier, the entrepreneur opined that the bloodshed in Ukraine would end soon

Ukraine's Kurakhovo Reservoir dam blast to help, not hurt Russian troops — expert

At least ten Ukrainian troops were killed

Climate policy should be based on common sense, not ideology — Orban

The Hungarian prime minister noted that the problem of climate preservation held a prominent place in the Budapest Declaration on the New European Competitiveness

Russia set to deepen cooperation with China in law enforcement — top security official

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Lavrov to lead Russia’s delegation to G20 summit in Brazil

Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with heads of BRICS media outlets that he will not be attending the G20 summit in Brazil, scheduled for November 18 and 19

Musk helping Trump choose top officials — media

According to the source, Donald Trump is tapping the best and brightest people to work with him, and he will encourage them to speak their mind

US State Department insists DPRK troops engaged in Russia’s borderline Kursk Region

Patel also insisted that "Russian forces have trained the DPRK soldiers in artillery, in UAV, and basic infantry operations, including trench clearing, which are critical skills for frontline operations"

FACTBOX: What we know about night-time drone attacks on Russian regions

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Ukraine offers up to 750,000 dollars to Russian pilot for hijacking helicopter — TV

The correspondent also reported that the Ukrainian intelligence officer obtained the phone number of the pilot's wife and persuaded her to leave Russia before the helicopter was hijacked

DPR head Pushilin visits Ugledar, says town badly destroyed

Denis Pushilin added that "it is almost impossible to find an undamaged building"

Freezing conflict will only allow Ukraine to rearm itself, fight Russia anew, says expert

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Over 1,000 dead seals found on Caspian coast in Kazakhstan

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Ukraine aims to call up 1 mln people in eastern areas by end of 2024 — official

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Russian troops secure supply route to Plekhovo in Kursk Region — commander

It is reported that fighting in the settlement itself is taking place at the moment

Trump to rely on forces that brought him to power — Russian presidential aide

Nikolay Patrushev agreed that Trump, when he was still a candidate, "made many statements critical of the destructive foreign and domestic policies pursued by the current administration"

Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

Over the day, the enemy lost more than 450 troops, two tanks, three IFVs, two M113 armored personnel carriers, 33 armored combat vehicles, five artillery pieces, including a Krab self-propelled howitzer, a Crotale multiple rocket launcher, and 49 motor vehicles

Russian advances, Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

Units of Russia’s Battlegroup North have continued their offensive, defeating Ukrainian formations near several settlements in the Kursk Region

Hezbollah reports over 100 Israeli troops eliminated in south Lebanon since October 1

According to the Lebanon-based Shiite party, 1 000 more were wounded

Russian forces gain foothold near Kupyansk as Kiev begins to retreat

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin noted two significant blockages of Ukrainian troops near Kupyansk, involving more than 15,000 military personnel

Europeans seek Russia’s help in securing release of hostages held by Hamas — envoy

According to the latest updates from Israel, the Palestinian militant group is still holding 101 people hostage in Gaza

Africa goes through second 'awakening,' now from neocolonial oppression — Lavrov

"Africa no longer agrees to remain a source of raw materials that are bought and exported mainly to the West," he said

Press review: UK and French leaders discuss Ukraine as the dollar continues to climb

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Africa to become advanced continent, Russian diplomat says

The continent’s development processes are gaining momentum, Mikhail Bogdanov noted

China puts army on alert in South China Sea

On November 10, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs lodged a protest with the Philippines after Manila implemented a maritime law asserting its exclusive right to tap resources in a 370-kilometer zone off the country’s coast

Ukrainian forces ready to withdraw from Kurakhovo, but no order yet — serviceman

According to the report, the Russian army is "attacking from three sides"

German president approves date for snap parliamentary election

"Based on a current assessment," Steinmeier "considered February 23 as a realistic date for new elections," a presidential spokeswoman told journalists

Russia keeps building defense capacity despite conflict in Ukraine — Polish general

According to Wieslaw Kukula, if the conflict in Ukraine ends soon, Russia will be able to build up its defense capacity to the point that it could take on all of NATO

Mi-171A3 helicopter draws interest from partners in China — Russian Helicopters

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Explosion of Kurakhovo reservoir dam disrupts water supply

Roman Pukalov noted that the blast killed many fish in the reservoir, washed away fertile soil, and inundated potentially hazardous sites, including cemeteries, cattle burial grounds, and fertilizer depots

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Ukraine’s troops south of Kurakhovo caught in pincers — military sources

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Russia’s Rubikon unmanned technology center team destroys Ukrainian armor in Kursk area

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Ukraine imposes sanctions on maintenance services of two Moscow airports

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54 countries vote against resolution on combating ne-Nazism

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African countries realized that "this pressure contradicts their own national interests", Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said

Russian PM to attend UN Climate Change Conference in Baku

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Hezbollah says it attacked Israeli airbases near Haifa, Tel Aviv

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Russian troops liberate Rovnopol community in Donbass region over past day

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Russia to open embassies in several African countries — MFA

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Japan remains ready to sign peace treaty with Russia — top diplomat

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Trump's planned key appointments

Trump appointed Congressman Michael Waltz (Republican, Florida) as national security adviser

Not all Republicans support Trump in refusing further military aid to Kiev — newspaper

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Combat experience distinguishes Su-57 among fifth-generation fighters

The Russian Defense Ministry said it excellently performed in combat

West to face 'devastating' response if it allows Kiev to strike deep into Russia — MFA

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Senior Russian diplomat doubts Trump knows exactly how to end war in Middle East

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Russian engine maker unveils cutting-edge aircraft engine

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Moldova expresses displeasure about Georgian prime minister’s comments

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Breakthrough near Krasnoarmeysk could enable Russian push toward the Dnieper — expert

Markus Reisner noted that many of the Ukrainian units on this section of the frontline are understaffed by 50%

Houthis attack two US destroyers — Pentagon

Earlier, the Houthi movement’s military spokesman Yahya Saree said that the rebels had delivered rocket and drone strikes on the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea

Czech intelligence warns of crime surge after Ukraine conflict ends

More than 380,000 people, mostly women and children, have fled Ukraine to the Czech Republic since February 24, 2022

Ukrainian losses, Sudzhansky district head retirement: situation in Kursk Region

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France to hand over six Mirage 2000-5 jets to Ukraine — lawmaker

Frank Giletti asked to speed up the commissioning of previously ordered Rafale planes to the armed forces

Erdogan praises Russia, China for backing arms embargo on Israel

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Russian Security Council secretary meets with senior Chinese official

The meeting involves consultations on security, justice and public order

Countries will line up for Russian gas when US stops exporting LNG — Serbian president

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African countries interested in joining work in BRICS format — Russian MFA

The first ministerial conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum was held on November 9-10 in the Sirius Federal Territory on Russia’s Black Sea coast

Russia supports new UNSC draft resolution on Gaza — envoy

Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya noted that Resolution 2735 was only a tool to gain time for Israel

Kiev should sign peace treaty, but this will spell end of grift for many, billionaire says

"The longer the war goes on, the more territory Ukraine will lose," David Sacks added

Medvedev characterizes Great Britain as eternal adversary of Russia

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Ukraine issue gets more attention at UN after Trump’s election win — Russian diplomat

"People started actively commenting behind the scenes, making forecasts about where things could go now," Dmitry Polyansky noted

Russian emergencies chief visits Cuba

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Medvedev warns that EU behavior in struggle with Russia fraught with 'bad scenario'

According to the Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman, European leaders are experiencing "autumn blues" after Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election