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Crimea and Sevastopol

Formation of Ministry for Crimean Affairs ‘dictated by common sense’ — parliament official

This is determined by a wish to speed up the procedure of the accession of Crimea and the federal city of Sevastopol to our Russian political, legal, social and economic reality, says Sergei Mironov

Sergei Mironov ITAR-TASS/Mikhail Dzhaparidze

Sergei Mironov

© ITAR-TASS/Mikhail Dzhaparidze

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MOSCOW, March 31. /ITAR-TASS/. Sergei Mironov, the leader of A Just Russia parliamentary faction, says the formation of the Ministry for the Crimean Affairs is dictated by the present time and common sense.

Mironov told ITAR-TASS on Monday,“I suppose that considering the exclusiveness of the situation, we need such a ministry. It is necessary to coordinate our agencies’ actions to improve the living standards and the socio-economic well-being of citizens in two newly-adopted Russian regions.”

Mironov welcomed the decision to form the Ministry for the Crimean Affairs and said “this is an imperative of the time and is dictated by common sense”.

“This is determined by a wish to speed up the procedure of the accession of Crimea and the federal city of Sevastopol to our Russian political, legal, social and economic reality, both in terms of legislation and in terms of organization and functioning of government bodies in new constituent territories,” he said.

On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on the formation of the Ministry for the Crimean Affairs and appointed Oleg Savelyev as its head, the Kremlin press service said earlier.

The new agency “aims to enhance the effectiveness of the federal law enforcement authorities in regard to the integration of the Republic of Crimea and the federal city of Sevastopol in Russia’s economic, financial, lending, and legal systems”, the document says.

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Crimea and Sevastopol

Georgian foreign ministry condemns pressure on its diplomats abroad

According to earlier reports, Georgia’s ambassadors to Bulgaria, Italy, the Netherlands, the United States tendered their resignation amid protests in Tbilisi

Russia, Tajikistan to discuss cooperation in migration, economy and politics

"Certainly, acute issues in the migration sphere will also be discussed," Yury Ushakov said

West to criticise Fico's visit to Russia, but understands necessity for it — expert

Fyodor Lukyanov emphasized that Robert Fico, just like Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has also visited Russia, is driven by the interests of his country and first of all "is accountable to his own citizens, and not the European Commission"

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According to spokesman for Hamas’ armed wing Abu Ubaida, areas where these hostages are held allegedly come under regular Israeli bombardments

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TASS has gathered the main information about the incident

Iran informs Russia about ratification of free trade zone agreement with EAEU

Alexey Overchuk noted that the parties discussed Iran's participation in the Eurasian Economic Union as an observer

Russian, Turkish diplomats stress importance of ensuring Syria’s territorial integrity

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the meeting was initiated by the Turkish side

Ukrainian conflict will end when Kiev’s sponsors see need for peace — Russian diplomat

In a mid-June meeting with senior officials from Russia’s Foreign Ministry, Russian President Vladimir Putin outlined key prerequisites for resolving the situation in Ukraine

Russia considers launching direct flights with Brazil, Malaysia, Pakistan — Minister

Roman Starovoyt noted that Russia is holding negotiations with many airlines from friendly countries

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The mammoth calf is female, with a shoulder height of 120 cm and a total weight of approximately 180 kg

Ukrainian troops attempt counterattacks on Vasilyevka direction in Zaporozhye Region

According to the report, the Russian troops also improved their positions near Nesteryanka on the Orekhov direction

CIA station in Kiev targeted in recent Russian attack, military expert reveals

According to Alexander Stepanov, strikes are systematic efforts to gradually wipe out the military capabilities of Ukraine

NATO spies study damage from Oreshnik at Yuzhmash — expert

Alexander Stepanov emphasized that both Kiev and its Western allies are closely scrutinizing the consequences of the strike on the plant

Russian forces take control of Severny neighborhood in Chasov Yar — Donbass region head

According to Denis Pushilin, Russian forces have been advancing almost along the entire line of engagement in the region

Kiev considers negotiations with Russia inevitable, Ukrainian official says

At the same time, Sergey Leshchenko clarified that "there will be no repeat of Minsk or Istanbul agreements," meaning there would be no agreements resembling the Minsk accords of 2015 or the Istanbul talks of spring 2022

Trump wants to rename North America's tallest mountain Denali

Denali, standing at 6,168 meters, was once considered the highest point of the Russian Empire before the territory was sold to the United States

Kremlin sums up Russia’s presidency in BRICS

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IDF eliminates chief of Hamas Security Mechanism directorate

Prior to the strike measures had been taken to mitigate risks for civilians, the IDF said

Russia no threat to Finland, Sweden, but ready to counter threats from them — diplomat

Addressing a news conference after the BRICS summit in Kazan earlier this year, Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the West of seeking to expand unfairly and warned that Russia would spare no effort to reverse the situation

Houthis say they attacked targets in Israel with drones

The movement struck military targets in Ashkelon and near Jaffa

Russian drone operators use air ramming to down 4 Ukrainian copters in Kharkov Region

UAV operators of the battle group North continue to be on round-the-clock duty in the sky over Kharkov Region and identify reconnaissance and strike drones of the Ukrainian militants

Ukraine’s General Staff admits tense situation along entire frontline

The Ukrainian military also admitted the Russian army’s supremacy in terms of military equipment and the size of personnel

Skoda, Volkswagen to recall over 55,000 cars in Russia — regulator

All owners of vehicles subject to the recall will be informed of the need to bring the vehicle to the nearest dealership for repairs, Rosstandart said

Special services remove over 4,000 tons of contaminated soil in Krasnodar Region, Crimea

Russia's Maritime Rescue Service collected 25 tons of oil-water mixture in the Kerch Strait water area, surveying 170 square kilometers of water territory

Strike on SBU control center response to Russian general’s assassination, expert says

The ministry clarified that Ukraine launched a missile strike against the Kamensky Integrated Plant in the Rostov Region using six US-made ATACMS missiles and four Storm Shadow cruise missiles

Russian cancer vaccine to be free of charge — top oncologist

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Ukrainian army launches long-range missiles at Donetsk

Air defenses are in operation, and at least six aerial targets have been shot down

Ukraine shells city hosting Zaporozhye NPP — politician

No reports of casualties and damage have come in yet

Hungary wants to maintain ties with Russia under its economic neutrality policy — PM

Victor Orban also said that hopes for the development of economic cooperation with the United States after President-elect Donald Trump takes office

Ten dead dolphins found in Russia’s Krasnodar region following oil spill

Additionally, mass beaching of Azov Sea harbor porpoises has been reported in Novorossiysk, some 60-70 km (32-42 nautical miles) from Anapa, where the oil spill occurred, Tatyana Belei highlighted

Trump’s election victory changed Western approach to Ukrainian conflict, adviser says

According to Mike Waltz, Trump has made it clear that the war must end

Press review: Putin outlines Russia's future goals and Tehran faces energy blackout riots

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, December 20th

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"This concerns both the potential use of Taurus and plans for stationing US mid-range and short-range missiles on German soil," Sergey Nechayev stressed

Kremlin reviews Putin's international activity in outgoing year

The president participated in more than 220 events in 2024

Assad allegedly hands list of military targets over to Israel before leaving Syria — media

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Trump's plan to seize Panama Canal to cause migration, poverty — Colombian president

Gustavo Petro emphasized Colombia's backing for Panama in defending its sovereignty

Russian Olympic champ Nagorny welcomes ISU’s decision to clear Russian athletes

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Latest nuclear-powered sub Arkhangelsk to join Russian Navy by yearend

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US reconnaissance drone flies over Poland near Russian border

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Putin holding talks with visiting Slovak PM

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Finland plans to open three crossings on border with Russia — paper

The media reports that Prime Minister Petteri Orpo is expected to announce the government's decision on Tuesday

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According to Yuri Ushakov, the meeting was substantial

Situation with gas supplies from Russia to Europe difficult — Kremlin

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Greenland PM tells Trump island not for sale

Mute Egede stressed that Denmark should continue to be open to cooperation and trade with the whole world, especially with its neighbors

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Putin to attend meeting of Supreme Eurasian Economic Council on December 26 — Kremlin

As Yury Ushakov noted, Cuba's participation in the meeting will be in the format of a video address by the country's president, Miguel Diaz-Canel

Israeli Defense Minister admits his country's involvement in assassination of Hamas Leader

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Slovak PM thanks Putin in Russian for meeting with him

This was Putin’s first personal meeting with Fico since 2016

Russia ready to normalize relations with US without detriment to its interests — Putin

The previous generation of Russian politicians chose the course towards the country’s destruction for the sake of joining the so-called civilized world but this was what the West wanted, President Vladimir Putin

Mineral fertilizer export duty in Russia to be 7% by end of December

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Houthis say attacked US aircraft carrier in Red Sea, shot down US fighter jet

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Kiev takes out its anger for military defeats on Russian people — diplomat

Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also emphasized that Moscow is outraged by the hypocritical silence of the West and its media on the terrorist attacks in Russia

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Moldovan president plans military operation in Transnistria — Russian intel agency

According to the SVR, Maia Sandu recently convened a meeting on energy security issues with senior government officials

Russian Defense Ministry names those who worked on bioweapons in Ukraine

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Lavrov reaffirms Moscow’s unity with Belgrade in protecting rights of Serbs — Russian MFA

Another issue discussed was cooperation in the oil sector amid illegal Western sanctions, the ministry said

Germany does not keep substantive contacts with Russia on Nord Stream case — envoy

"How much longer it will last remains to be seen," Sergey Nechaev noted

Kiev’s shelling kills 61 civilians in Russia-controlled part of Kharkov Region in 2024

According to the report, 35 civilians suffered injuries

Iranian president invited to visit Russia in early 2025

The Russian delegation also included Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk, Minister of Sport Roman Starovoit, and RZD CEO Oleg Belozerov

Ukraine may cease to exist by 2034 — Russian security official

Dmitry Medvedev noted that Ukraine will never join NATO

Russian forces liberate one more settlement in Donetsk People’s Republic

According to the report, battlegroup Center made Ukraine suffer roughly 610 casualties and lose two tanks in the Donetsk People’s Republic

Ukraine's refusal to transit Russian gas will hit EU economies hard — French expert

According to Jacques Sapir, the decision not to extend transit contracts was no surprise given the political landscape

Eight more dead dolphins found in Krasnodar Region following tanker accident

Earlier, 10 dead harbor porpoises were found after the accident in Novorossiysk

Germany fails to admit its policy of support to Ukraine falters — Russian envoy

"The ambition to impose a ‘strategic defeat’ on Russia has fallen out of favor, even among hardline political figures, given the unfeasibility of such an outcome," Sergey Nechayev said

CIS must enhance anti-terror measures amid Syrian developments — senior Russian lawmaker

According to Leonid Slutsky, the overthrow of former Syrian President Bashar Assad and the armed opposition's assumption of power could have repercussions far beyond the region

Russia and Pakistan to be connected by direct railway line — minister

"By the end of March, we are planning the first train - the first cargo train to leave Russia for Pakistan," Awais Leghari said

Netanyahu says ordered IDF to attack Houthi strategic targets

Israel, according to Netanyahu, adheres to a "very simple principle" that "those seeking to do harm to Israel receives harm in response

Russia’s prominent figure skating coach Tarasova lauds ISU’s recent decision

Last week, the International Skating Union (ISU) announced a decision to clear Russian and Belarusian athletes for the Olympic qualifiers

Senior Russian MP hopes that Trump really wants peace in Ukraine

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Russia to continue helping Sahel countries boost their armies’ combat capacities

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Iraqi militias suspend military operations against Israel

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Fico’s visit to Russia perfect slap in Zelensky’s face, Slovak politician says

The MEP said that Fico stands for Slovak interests in Russia, "even in spite of the warmongers in Brussels"

Russian troops liberate two communities in Donbass area, Kharkov Region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicts 480 casualties on Ukrainian army over past day

Russian gas imports by Czech Republic soaring — news agency

The Czech Republic is receiving Russian pipe gas indirectly via Slovakia and Hungary

France announces new cabinet, with foreign and defense ministers keeping their jobs

Bruno Retailleau also stayed on as interior minister

Biden refuses to commute Boston Marathon terrorist's death sentence — media

Earlier, the head of the US administration commuted the sentence for 37 out of 40 people to life imprisonment without the possibility of release

No real impulses for organization of Putin-Trump meeting so far — Kremlin spokesman

The Russian leader said during the press conference that he is ready for a conversation with the US president-elect and is ready to meet with him at any moment

Lukashenko announces upcoming meeting with Putin and official visit to China

The Belarusian president pointed out that the coming year is expected to be difficult for a number of reasons

Putin travels to St. Petersburg for informal CIS summit

On Tuesday, russian leader is scheduled to meet with President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon

Contracts worth over $286 million signed at Vietnam Defense Expo 2024

The exhibition attracted more than 260,000 visitors, while more than 1,800 bilateral meetings and negotiations were held on the sidelines

Georgian president demands appointing snap elections within week

Salome Zourabichvili also promised to announce her further plans on Monday

Russia, Iran talk four points for Rasht-Astara project implementation — Deputy PM

According to Vitaly Savelyev, the Iranian side has taken on commitments to provide a land buyout schedule

Kalashnikov improves combat capabilities of Vikhr-1 aviation missile

"I will not comment on that in any further detail, it is our client’s prerogative," Kalashnikov CEO Alan Lushnikov said

Greenland's parliament reminds Trump that island not for sale

However, Greenlandic MP Aaja Chemnitz is not averse to enhanced cooperation with the US

Global mpox incidence exceeds 117,000 cases — WHO

A global public health emergency over mpox was effective from July 2022 through May 11, 2023

Is Gaddafi's gloom prophecy in regard to Europe bound to be fulfilled?

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Russia evacuates 4,000 Iranian fighters from Syria at their request — Putin

Russian forces evacuated them from the Hmeimim base to Tehran

Two-thirds of Russians dissatisfied with 2024, survey reveals

Russians most often attribute their negative emotions regarding the past year to economic hardships and rising prices, while citing family events as positive highlights

Russian 'soldier of the future' combat gear tested in Syria

The Ratnik is a system of advanced protective and communication equipment, weapons and ammunition

Zelensky actually flips the bird to Trump by insulting Putin, Medvedev says

The politician emphasized that "the president of a major country should be extremely polite and amiable"

Kremlin announces countries to become BRICS partners from January 1

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Russian Railways boost freight traffic via border crossings with China by 14.1% this year

The company carried 37.5 mln metric tons of goods in the export-import service via border crossings with China

More than 20 countries show interest in BRICS — Kremlin aide

Yury Ushakov noted that uncontrolled expansion of the association would break its backbone