Russian consumer rights watchdog shuts a McDonald’s outlet in Astrakhan

The director of the closed McDonald’s outlet was not available for comment

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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

Roscosmos buys Earth observation satellite data from private company for first time

The Sputnix Group confirmed that the contract had been signed

Russian state arms seller reports record high orders portfolio of over $57 bln in 2024

Rosoboronexport clarified that the priority of the defense industry sector today is to meet the needs of the Russian armed forces

Russia substantially expands blacklist of EU officials in response to sanctions — MFA

"Any unfriendly actions on the part of the European Union will continue to be met with a timely and proportionate response," the ministry warned

Europe must be punished, US ignored after hybrid war between West, Russia — Medvedev

According to the politician, Europe "became the primary stronghold of Russophobia globally," undermined the Istanbul agreements, initiated the sanctions campaign, and fueled the most extreme war factions without considering the losses suffered by both sides of the conflict

Russian policy paper says foreign NGOs step up extremist activity aimed against Russia

Russia views the support of such activities by unfriendly countries, including the initiation of "color revolutions," as an extremist threat

Syria may take four years to organize elections — new authorities

"Before any real elections, we need to hold a general census," Ahmed Sharaa pointed out

Recruitment for unauthorized rallies aims to destabilize Russia — strategy

It is specified that to this end, various ways of manipulating public opinion and spreading unreliable information are being increasingly used

NATO considers use of ATACMS missiles in Ukraine reckless, indiscriminate — NYT

The newspaper notes that, since Ukraine received an authorization from the UK and the US, Kiev carried out at least six missile strikes, using 31 ATACMS and 14 Storm Shadow missiles

Russian units attack Ukrainian troops near Kurakhovo power plant in DPR — republic’s head

"Russian units are also storming the industrial zone and we are also seeing combat in the vicinity of the thermal power plant," he said in a video address published on his Telegram channel

Expert offers to use navy ships to escort tankers after Eagle S incident

Alexander Stepanov believes that NATO intends to lock the Kaliningrad enclave, to lock the Russian trade fleet in Neva estuary and to simultaneously block the Leningrad naval base

Plane that crashed in Kazakhstan suffered damage outside of country — deputy PM

It is reported that the law enforcement agencies of Kazakhstan will conduct ballistic and explosive ordnance examinations

Press review: EU preps for gas cuts via Ukraine as China boosts naval and air power

Top stories from the Russian press on Saturday, December 28th

Salome Zourabichvili leaves Georgia's presidential palace, meets with protesters

After speaking with the demonstrators, Zourabichvili got into a car accompanied by security guards and left the area adjacent to the presidential palace

Azerbaijan toughens rules of stay for Russian citizens

Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov has signed a decree on the matter

Fall conscription concluded with 133,000 individuals drafted — Russian Defense Ministry

As in previous conscription campaigns, conscripts had the right to choose service branches based on their health status and the results of psychological testing

German lawmaker slams Ukrainian diplomat for demanding more weapons

According to Sevim Dagdelen, Friedrich Merz, Economic Minister Robert Habeck and current Chancellor Olaf Scholz 'will probably continue to burn German taxpayer money in Ukraine'

Germany seen defenseless against Russia’s Oreshnik missile system — report

Bild said the German Foreign Ministry commissioned an internal government analysis on defense from ballistic missiles

Scholz polling increasingly worse as German chancellor candidate — Bild

For comparison, ahead of the 2021 election, the CDU/CSU bloc enjoyed the support of 27% voters in opinion polls and came ahead of Scholz’s party by just a 9.5% margin

Press review: US, Israel aim to curb Turkey’s gains while Moscow, Tehran strengthen ties

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, December 24th

Baku demands Moscow admit guilt, punish those responsible for AZAL plane crash

Russian, Azerbaijani presidents hold telephone conversation on Aktau plane crash

Georgia's new president promises to focus on uniting society

"Every citizen of Georgia is dear to me, regardless of their views or political affiliation. I will be everyone’s president, of my supporters and opponents. My future efforts will be aimed at consolidating and uniting society," Kavelashvili stated

World Rapid Chess Championship in New York ends with triumph of Russian players

During the championship, Russian chess grandmaster Murzin scored 10 points in 13 rounds and secured his first place

Fighting erupts on border between Afghanistan, Pakistan — report

According to sources, light and heavy weapons were employed in the skirmishes

Mobilization campaign makes Ukrainians see state as enemy — retired colonel

According to Oleg Starikov, common citizens increasingly seek to stay away from people in military uniform

Russian forces liberate DPR’s Novotroitskoye — top brass

The battlegroup East has eliminated up to 170 Ukrainian servicemen over the past 24 hours, the military emphasized

Almost all passengers aboard plane that crashed in South Korea presumably dead

There were 175 passengers and six crew members on board the plane

Russian Guardsmen destroy Ukrainian UAV team in Chernigov Region

The Guard’s press office said that images transmitted live from a drone confirmed the destruction of the enemy team

Inauguration of new president to take place in Georgia

Invitations have been sent to the 300 members of the country’s electoral college

Ukrainian troops leave their positions in Shevchenko near Krasnoarmeysk

"The Ukrainian military has abandoned its positions in Shevchenko. They could not withstand the onslaught of our troops and combined strikes," the sources told TASS

US may face bankruptcy if situation with national debt does not change — Musk

The US national debt for the first time climbed above $36 trillion on November 15

Ukraine opens second front in Africa — envoy

Igor Gromyko noted that in August, Mali's transitional government announced the termination of diplomatic relations with Ukraine

US, UK special services plotting terror attacks on Russia’s bases in Syria — intel agency

"Washington and London presume that in such conditions they will be able to achieve more quickly their geopolitical goal of ensuring their long-term dominance in the region on the basis of a repulsive concept of the rules-based order," the statement reads

Houthis say they shot down US MQ-9 Reaper drone over Yemen

According to the group’s military spokesman Yahya Saree, the rebels have destroyed 13 such US drones since the escalation began in the Middle East

Transnistria must become part of negotiations on Ukraine — Foreign Minister of Moldova

The authorities of Transnistria call on the Moldovan leadership to intensify the negotiations on all platforms

German post-conflict presence in Ukraine should be coordinated with Russia — politician

Friedrich Merz did not provide a clear response to a question about security guarantees for Ukraine, stating that "a ceasefire is still a long way off"

Kiev loses nearly 400,000 soldiers on Lugansk’s frontline in 2024

Andrey Marochko noted that over the year the Russian army did not just manage to withstand the onslaught of the Ukrainian armed forces and mercenaries, but also "successfully advanced" deep into the enemy’s defense

Project 885M latest nuclear-powered submarine Arkhangelsk joins Russian Navy

During the ceremony, the Russian Navy chief handed in the St. Andrew’s naval flag to the submarine commander, Captain First Rank Alexander Gladkov

Press review: Putin discusses EU gas supplies and Russia open to Ukraine talks with Trump

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, December 27th

Russian chess grandmaster comes third at FIDE World Rapid Championship 2024

Yekaterina Lagno scored eight points in 11 rounds

Over 340 military officials’ cars set on fire in Ukraine over year

According to the report, the majority of these crimes occurred between Spring and Summer this year

Russia concerned over escalation of tensions on Pakistani-Afghan border — diplomat

Earlier, Afghanistan's Ariana News reported clashes on the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan

Musk calls idea of Russian NPP on Moon ‘interesting’

US entrepreneur and founder of the SpaceX space technology company Elon Musk has called the prospect of delivering a Russian nuclear power plant to the Moon in 2033-2035 "interesting."

Oreshnik missile systems still few, but they are enough — Putin

According to the head of state, the system's serial production has begun

Moldova can go to court over Gazprom's decision to suspend supplies — Prime Minister

Dorin Recean confirmed that his government does not recognize the debt to Gazprom for supplied gas, which representatives of the Russian gas holding estimate at $709 million

US must make first step to restore ties with Russia — Lavrov

"So we’ll see. If the Americans begin to take our interests into account, dialogue will gradually recover. If not - then everything will remain the way it is," the top Russian diplomat said

Kazakh president warns against misinformation, provocations about plane crash near Aktau

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev instructed the General Prosecutor's Office and the government commission to conduct an impartial investigation of the plane crash near Aktau

At least 85 people killed in plane crash in South Korea — agency

There were 175 passengers and six crew members on board the plane

Fox News includes Biden’s Putin slip-up in top political gaffes of 2024

The list also concludes Biden calling Donald Trump’s supporters "garbage" during the US presidential campaign

Ukraine loses over 250 servicemen over past day in Kursk Region, another surrenders as POW

Russia's army continues to defeat Ukrainian formations in the Kursk Region

Russia practically eliminates remnants of Ukraine’s Air Force — source

The source said that attempts to recruit more pilots in Poland and other Eastern European countries were not particularly successful

Colorectal cancer vaccine to be able in Russia in 2025

Veronika Skvortsova noted that research is currently ongoing on drugs targeting glioblastomas and melanomas - malignant brain tumors and skin cancers

Russian cancer vaccine to be free of charge — top oncologist

It is planned to launch it in general circulation in early 2025

Russia sees elimination of threats in Ukraine as critical condition for fighting extremism

According to the strategy, the widespread occurrence of neo-Nazi ideas and the increasing strength of radical nationalist armed formations in such countries as Ukraine create "most serious extremist threats"

Kiev loses nearly 32,000 troops at Lugansk region borders in December —military expert

In December, Russian forces also destroyed 48 Ukrainian tanks, 2 Croatian-made RAK-SA-12 multiple rocket launchers, 31 electronic warfare and counterbattery radar stations, 49 field ammunition depots, 317 field artillery guns and more than 700 enemy combat vehicles, Andrey Marochko specified

179 of 181 people killed in South Korea plane crash — news agency

Earlier, the authorities admitted that all those on board had died, except for two surviving crew members who were in the rear of the plane

At least 17 killed in Israeli strike on munitions depot in Damascus Governorate — TV

According to the TV channel, a drone likely belonging to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) attacked a munitions depot near Adra about 25 kilometers away from the Syrian capital

Russian chess grandmaster Volodar Murzin wins FIDE World Rapid Championship

Norway’s Magnus Carlsen, the winner of last year’s championship, was earlier disqualified for breaching the dress code

Number of homeless people in US up to record 770,000

The surge in homelessness came amid a shortage of affordable housing, inflation, as well as a stagnating salary growth, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development said

No countries interfere in Kazakhstan’s airplane crash probe — deputy prime minister

Kanat Bozumbayev recalled that Kazakhstan had been a member of the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation since 1992

Russia not satisfied with Trump team’s proposals on Ukraine — Lavrov

At the same time, Lavrov noted that Moscow has not received any official signals from the United States on the Ukrainian settlement at the moment

Air defenses destroy two Ukrainian drones over Crimea overnight — top brass

"Over the past 24 hours, air defenses on duty destroyed two Ukrainian drones over Crimea," the statement said

New Syrian authorities do not intend to annul agreements on Russian military bases

On December 9, a TASS source said that Russia has commenced the negotiations with the new Syrian authorities on the continued presence of its military bases

Russian Su-35S jets cover combat aircraft in air strikes on Ukrainian troops in Kursk area

It is highlighted that the Su-35S fighters practiced aerial cover in the designated area for sorties by bombers and attack aircraft and army aviation helicopters in delivering air strikes at Ukrainian armor and manpower

External forces to prevent Syria’s collapse — expert

Israel "does not need this territory, as the Israelis have already taken the Golan Heights," Vitaly Naumkin said

What is known about plane crash in South Korea

Expert sees the collective West behind Ursa Major terrorist attack

Alexander Stepanov emphasized that "the goal of the enemy’s terrorist campaign on international shipping routes was to disrupt trade and economic cooperation"

Ukraine receives first 100 mcb of LNG from United States

It was noted that this delivery was aimed at ensuring Ukraine's energy security and took place several days before the end of Russian gas transit through the country's territory

Yemen’s Houthis claim strikes on Israeli Nevatim airbase

The missile successfully hit its target, the organization’s military spokesperson Yahya Saree said

Syrian ports of Latakia, Tartus fully resume operations — official

Both ports are now serving ships and handling cargo normally

Russia says battlegroups North, Dnepr cause Ukraine to lose up to 160 troops over past day

"Units of the battlegroup North struck manpower and equipment of Ukraine’s mechanized and motorized infantry brigades, a territorial defense brigade and formations of foreign mercenaries near Volchansk, Liptsy, Slatino and Neskuchnoye in the Kharkov Region," the ministry said

Baku creates international group to investigate plane crash — president

"President Ilham Aliyev announced that, at Azerbaijan's initiative, a team of international experts has been formed to investigate the causes of the accident in detail, and this team has already begun its work," the press service said

Russian strategy points to extremists’ attempt to fuel ethnic tensions

According to the document, in order to achieve their goals, extremists "assist destructive forces in infiltrating government agencies and local government bodies" to promote the ideas of separatism

Russia withdraws from agreement on multilateral nuclear environmental program

The agreement also involved Belgium, Denmark, the European Union, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the UK, as well as EURATOM and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

Ukraine’s army reports forced retreat to ‘last defensive line’ in Donbass area

Ukraine’s General Staff admitted earlier that the frontline situation remained tense for the Ukrainian army

Kazakh, Russian specialists jointly investigate Azerbaijani plane crash — president

"Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized that the Government Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan continues the investigation with the involvement of specialists from Azerbaijan, Russia, and Brazil," the Kazakh presidential press service said

WHO head says he escaped death narrowly as Israeli missile hit Yemen

"It’s a matter of luck, otherwise, if the missile deviated just slightly, it could have been on our head," Tedros Ghebreyesus told the British radio station

Russian, Azerbaijani presidents discuss details of passenger plane crash in Kazakhstan

According to the latest updates, 38 people, including seven Russians, lost their lives, while 29 others survived

Russian flag hoisted on nuclear-powered icebreaker Yakutia in St. Petersburg

It is reported that the vessel is equipped with a twin-reactor nuclear power plant RITM-200

Russia open to talks on Ukraine, agreement must be ironclad — Lavrov

"I would like to particularly emphasize that this can only be about reliable, legally binding agreements which must remove the root causes of the conflict and enshrine the mechanism of the impossibility to violate them," he explained.

North Korea announces extremely tough US strategy

Kim Jong Un highlighted "landmark achievements" in building up the country’s defense capabilities

PREVIEW: Croatia to hold presidential election

The favorites in the race are current President Zoran Milanovic and independent candidate Dragan Primorac, physician, geneticist and forensic scientist

Lukashenko pardons 20 people convicted of extremism

The Belarusian president last granted pardon to more than 30 individuals convicted of extremist offenses in November of this year

Putin apologizes for AZAL airliner incident in Russia’s airspace — Kremlin

The Russian leader conveyed his deep and sincere condolences to the families of the plane crash victims

Moscow Exchange index tops 2,800 first time since October 16

The index climbed by 1.56% at 10:56 p.m.

Kremlin says no comment on 'highly specialized' issue of Finland’s seizure of oil tanker

On December 25, Reuters reported that Finland’s police and border guards have detained an oil tanker, which flies under the flag of the Cook Islands, suspecting that an anchor of the vessel may have damaged the EstLink 2 cable

Trump’s Greenland comments could be part of policy of countering Russia and China — media

Trump’s transition team did not respond to a TASS request for comment

Putin signs law on increased penalties for armed mutiny

According to the law, a participant in a mutiny may be exempted from criminal punishment if they voluntarily and promptly inform the authorities or otherwise contribute to "preventing further harm to the interests of Russia"

Finnish police detain oil tanker on suspicion of damaging communication cables

It is also reported that the Eagle S "noticeably slowed down" presumably at the moment when the cable between Finland and Estonia was damaged

Putin approves possibility of suspending ban on organization listed terrorist

The suspension is possible if there is verified evidence that the organization, following its inclusion in the list of terrorist organizations, has ceased carrying out activities aimed at the propaganda, justification, and support of terrorism or committing relevant crimes described in the Criminal Code

Russia to counter extremists’ attempts to recruit minors — strategy

The strategy suggests that in order to counter such activities, teenagers should be encouraged to take part in efforts to maintain war memorials

RuStore surpasses AppStore in terms of user audience in Russia — minister

Maksut Shadayev noted that Chinese developers have increased investments in promoting their applications in the store fivefold this year and spent 60 million rubles ($590,088)

US believes Ukrainian forces to be pushed out of Kursk Region in few months — Bloomberg

According to the report, Ukraine lacks personnel and Kiev has no confidence in further provision of military aid by the West

Russia’s FSB foils assassination attempts on defense officer, military blogger

The plotter allegedly contacted an employee of Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate via Telegram messenger

Russia employs over 16,000 former servicemen and personnel of Ukrainian armed forces

Drills have been organized for newly employed officers who are trained on programs of upgraded professional education at educational establishments of the Russian Defense Ministry

Embassies in Niger, Sierra Leone to serve as ‘windows to Russia’ — deputy PM

According to Alexey Overchuk, it is important to create comfortable conditions for the activation of business contacts

Kremlin points to a wide range of countries to host negotiations on Ukrainian conflict

Dmitry Peskov emphasized that Moscow respects the peacekeeping efforts of various countries

Russian Investigative Committee’s head office takes over plane incident investigation

Alexander Bastrykin held a situation meeting in Grozny

Gazprom to limit gas supplies to Moldova up to zero from January 1 over contract breach

The company notes that the restriction will remain in effect until Gazprom notifies Moldovagaz in writing otherwise

South Korean president fails to show up for questioning for third time

According to legal proceedings, the third summons is the last one before the issuance of an arrest warrant

About 70 former Syrian troops deported back after fleeing to Lebanon

According to Elnashra, they was detained on December 27 in the town of Byblos