Crimea popular with Russian tourists — Kremlin chief of staff

According to Russia’s presidential chief of staff, authorities should also pay attention to the city of Kerch, the main transport gate to Crimea

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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

Slovakia negotiating continued gas supplies through Ukraine — PM

The situation with gas supplies will be solved in coming days "at various levels in various countries", the republic’s Prime Minister Robert Fico said

New Georgian president to be free from foreign influence — parliament speaker

According to Shalva Papuashvili, after the December 29 inauguration, Georgia will have a president focused on the country, its people, and respect for the constitution

Medvedev accuses West of seeking to eradicate Russian language in Ukraine

According to the politician, Kiev is being "hand-fed" by countries of the collective West

World heading towards major changes, says Hungarian PM

According to Viktor Orban, these changes will impact the entire Western civilization as they "will take a long time in historical terms, leading from war to peace"

Druze in Syrian border village opt for 'lesser evil,' seek Israeli rule

Early on December 8, Israel officially announced the deployment of its forces to the buffer zone on the border with Syria in the Golan Heights

Russian forces trap Ukrainian battlegroup near Kurakhovo in DPR — security official

The kill zone stretches for more than four kilometers (2.5 miles)

Russian troops strike Kiev airport used to train F-16 pilots — politician

"The Russian army hit hangars and warehouses at the site, with secondary detonations continuing for up to two hours," Vladimir Rogov said

FACTBOX: Explosions, blackouts ravage Ukraine

An air alert has been declared across the entire country

Putin meets with former President of Kazakhstan Nazarbayev

Vladimir Putin met with first President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev in Novo-Ogaryovo

Ukraine to lose third of territory, get no invitation to NATO — Slovak PM

Robert Fico also emphasized that the conflict's repercussions would significantly impact Ukraine's internal stability

Russia targets digital tech partnerships with EAEU, Asia — rating

Latin American and African countries make up the second and third groups

Press review: Dubai hosts nuclear powers' meeting as OSCE preps Ukraine for EU and NATO

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

Russia’s Lifintsev wins third gold at 2024 World Swimming Championship, sets amateur WR

This is Lifintsev’s third gold at the 2024 World Aquatics World Championship (25m), adding to his triumphs in the 100-meter men’s backstroke competition and 4x50 mixed medley relay

Many US partners asking Russia `not to stop halfway’ on Ukraine — SVR chief

The global prestige of Washington is steadily declining, Sergey Naryshkin emphasized

Press review: Medvedev talks Ukraine with Xi and Houthis intensify attacks on Israel

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, December 13th

US wants to supply Kiev with 'massive quantities of weapons' before Biden steps down

According to one of the TV channel's sources, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has been entrusted with the coordination of this work

Kremlin confirms recent strikes on Ukraine’s energy system part retaliation for Taganrog

Earlier on Friday, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that Russia’s Armed Forces had launched high-precision strikes on Ukraine’s fuel and energy infrastructure, which generates power for its defense sector, in response to the attack on the Taganrog airfield with ATACMS missiles earlier this week

IN BRIEF: Ex-Ukrainian intel officer’s car blown up in northern Moscow

The explosion occurred in a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado off-road vehicle parked on Korovinskoye highway in the north of Moscow, when the driver started the SUV

Russia seeks return of national flag, anthem at int’l competitions — new ROC chief

Mikhail Degtyarev replaces previous ROC chief Stanislav Pozdnyakov

Moscow establishes interaction with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s political committee — diplomat

On November 27, members of armed opposition groups launched a large-scale offensive against government forces' positions in Aleppo and Idlib governorates

Russia thwarts Ukrainian attempt to attack Donetsk with long-range missiles

Head of the Donetsk People’s Republic Denis Pushilin added that two civilian infrastructure objects were also damaged in two districts of Gorlovka on Friday

Several missile attacks on Donetsk attempted by Ukrainian troops

The local emergencies services said earlier that a Ukrainian missile had been shot down over central Donetsk. The shock wave broke windows in several houses

Moldova will not allow Russia organize presidential election vote in Transnistria

Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu said the government may also prohibit the vote on the territory of the Russian Embassy in Chisinau

Medvedev criticizes idea that Russian, Ukrainian languages inherently different

"And all the more obvious is the foolishness of the idea that the true Ukrainian language, which exists 'somewhere out there' in Western Ukraine is so far removed from Russian," Dmitry Medvedev said

Ukraine to attempt new offensive in late December on Zelensky’s initiative — blogger

He did not disclose in which direction the Ukrainian troops will attempt their advance

Swiss lawmakers receive threatening letters over death of children in Gaza

The Bern Cantonal Police are investigating the incident

Kremlin says it approves of Trump’s criticism of strikes inside Russia

Earlier, Trump slammed the decision which he said had been approved by the Biden administration to allow Ukraine to use US-made weapons for strikes deep into Russian territory as "crazy"

Distrust in political parties grows among Donbass residents — DPR leader

The DPR residents believe that Ukraine's former ruling party, The Party of Regions, abandoned them, Denis Pushilin noted

Any military presence in Syria should be decided by public referendum — Syrian politician

"This would occur only after achieving security and political stability in Syria, completing the political transition process, and establishing the political system that Syrians aspire to build," Mohammed Sabra added

Russia hits Ukraine's power grid after Kiev attacks airfield in Taganrog with ATACMS

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the attack was carried out with the help of high-precision long-range airborne and sea-based weapons, as well as strike drones

Future of Russian bases in Syria to depend on its new authorities - top Turkish diplomat

The issue of Russian bases in Syria is linked to the negotiating process between the Russians and Syria’s new authorities, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said

Georgia to hold presidential election on Saturday

The electoral college consists of 300 members, including 150 members of the Georgian Parliament, 21 and 20 representatives of the Supreme Councils of Adjara and Abkhazia, respectively, as well as deputies from local authorities

Israeli jets strike Syrian military sites in Latakia, Tartus — report

According to the report, the strikes hit command centers and military depots that were used by the Syrian armed forces

Ukraine instructs its troops to kill civilians in front-line areas, POW testifies

Valentin Zubreichuk cited his fellow soldiers who have long been in military service in Ukraine as saying that civilians have been taken out not only in the South Donetsk region but also in the village of Kleshcheyevka and in Artyomovsk

TOS-1A Solntsepyok-1A ammunition creates long-lived shock wave — Rostec

The state corporation specified that the Solntsepyok munition creates a very high temperature, burning everything that can burn

Georgian president declares she will not give up presidency

Georgia will hold its presidential election on December 14 and the new president will be inaugurated on December 29

Russia’s defense chief inspects Battlegroup East in special military operation area

Battlegroup East Commander Lieutenant General Andrey Ivanayev reported to the defense minister that the Battlegroup’s units had liberated seven communities over the month and gained control of an area of more than 300 square kilometers

Russia extends higher duties on goods from unfriendly countries until 2025 year-end

Renewal of measures was caused by continued effect of sanctions of unfriendly countries against Russia, the Ministry of Economic Development noted

NATO looking to divide up Western Ukraine among members — Russian diplomat

"No NATO ally would ever receive the copious amounts of [funds and weapons] that non-member Ukraine has," Maria Zakharova argued

Medvedev says US wants Taiwan to be its outpost in East Asia

According to the official, the plan is "quite in line with Washington's aspirations to bring the Asia-Pacific region into NATO's orbit and pit states against each other"

Ukrainian army loses 145 troops in 24 hours as result of actions by Battlegroup East

The enemy also lost an Maxxpro armored combat vehicle and one car, as well as Akatsiya and Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems, in 24 hours, Spokesman for the battlegroup Oleg Chekhov said

Ukrainian losses exceed 40,260 troops: situation in Russia’s Kursk Region

According to the report, Russian operational/tactical and army aircraft, missile forces hit enemy manpower and equipment in the Kursk and Sumy regions

West deliberately foments conflicts everywhere, Medvedev says

The Russian senior official noted that the West has always sought to prevent nations from cooperating and provoked rivalry and disagreements

Trump team in talks with US, Ukrainian officials about ending conflict - report

Trump’s advisers and cabinet nominees have yet to present a specific settlement plan, according to the report

IAF unleashes 1,800 bombs on 500 targets, crippling Syria's air defenses — media

Previously regarded as one of the strongest in the region, Syria's air defense system has now been significantly weakened

Ukraine refuses to allow Russian gas to transit through its territory — Moldovan Deputy PM

"Ukraine will not agree to preserve transit for Hungary and the Republic of Moldova only," Oleg Serebrian noted

Calling all residents of Ukraine 'Ukrainians' not accurate, Medvedev says

The Russian senior official pointed out that the very word "Ukrainians" did not take on its modern ethnic meaning until the mid-19th century

Tourist traffic to St. Petersburg will reach a record 11.6 mln people by year’s end

According to the results of 2024, tourists from Moscow, Novgorod and Murmansk regions showed the biggest interest in trips to St. Petersburg

Trump team could reject Ukraine’s aspirations to join NATO — report

According to the report, the move could prompt Russia to agree to talks on settling the Ukrainian conflict

Russia in talks with Syrian authorities on keeping its military bases — source

On December 9, a TASS source said that on the previous day armed groups of Bashar al-Assad's opponents had established full control of the provinces of Latakia and Tartus, where Russian military bases are located

Situation with payments for gas transit via Bulgaria to be settled — Szijjarto

Hungary and Bulgaria set the task for themselves "to find such legal and financial solution" of this problem that will enable making payments for the Russian gas and will be acceptable for all the parties, Peter Szijjarto said later on the air with M1 television

Syria truce plan crushes Turkish president’s aggressive intentions

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a live broadcast of Turkey’s national television on Wednesday that the Syria truce deal was a "dishonest" step as it ignored Ankara’s position

Ukrainian commander acknowledges 'incredibly brutal' situation near Krasnoarmeysk

The Ukrainian General Staff also reported that the "situation on the frontline remains challenging," highlighting the Krasnoarmeysk, Kurakhovo, and Vremevsky areas

Kiev approves attracting $15 bln of Russian-asset backed funds from IBRD

In early December, the Ukrainian government published the conditions for receiving funds using frozen Russian assets

Argentinian president Javier Milei granted Italy’s citizenship

The request was considered on a fast-track basis

Putin orders Russian forces pullout from Syria

Russia is ready to deal a new blow to terrorists if they again try to break peace in Syria, the president said

At least four countries provide assistance to Syria’s armed opposition — Iranian general

In late November, armed opposition units launched a large-scale offensive on positions held by Syrian government forces in the Aleppo and Idlib provinces

Russia to cut wheat export duty to $39.77 per ton from December 18

The export duty for wheat is calculated on the basis of the indicative price of $236.5 per ton, $197.8 per ton for barley, and $229 per ton for corn

West is hypocritical in discussing troop deployment to Ukraine, expert says

"Although Europeans have been involved in the conflict from the very beginning by supplying ammunition, weapons, advisors, and intelligence, they refuse to acknowledge that they are at war," Guillaume Ancel said

Fines to Viber messenger in Russia total more than $17,402 over past two years — official

Anton Nemkin noted that fraudsters most often choose Viber for their schemes due to its wide popularity among retired people

Washington does not rule out sanctions on Chinese banks for aiding Russian defense sector

Washington and Beijing have a channel "to discuss specific concerns", US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said

Cuba is interested in expansion of cooperation with Eurasian Union — Prime Minister

Manuel Marrero noted that such areas of cooperation as pharmaceuticals, tourism, metallurgy, transport, and the development of banking relations are of particular importance for Cuba

Lula da Silva says he is ready to get back to performing duties of head of state

Social media and outlets have also posted a video showing the Brazilian leader walking a hospital corridor with his neurosurgeon

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi calls on global community to back Syria’s sovereignty

Wang Yi highlighted that the international community could help alleviate Syria’s pressing humanitarian crisis

Kremlin vows retaliation after Ukraine’s ATACMS missile attack on Taganrog airfield

According to Spokesman Dmitry Peskov, the response will come when and how Russia thinks fit

Press review: Russia's role in Syria questioned and UN hints at a possible SC summit

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, December 10th

UNSC still paralyzed on Palestinian issue due to US’ veto — Russian foreign ministry

The ministry recalled that on December 11 the UN General Assembly adopted by the overwhelming majority of votes two resolutions

Belarus aims for good-neighborly relations, but will protect sovereignty at all costs

Alexander Volfovich noted that border security and other structures are ready to protect the sovereignty, territorial integrity and constitutional order of the republic

Russia sole heir to Ancient Rus — Security Council Deputy Chairman

Dmitry Medvedev criticized as "delusional" the so-called "Rus-Ukraine" paradigm, popularized by Ukrainian historian Mikhail Grushevsky "and his chauvinistic and xenophobic supporters" in the early twentieth century

Russian troops liberate seven communities in Kursk Region, Donbass area over week

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted more than 3,350 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed five enemy tanks in its area of responsibility over the week, the Defense Ministry reported

Fuel explosion likely behind destruction of European Intelsat satellite — scientist

Nathan Eismont added that all the satellite fragments recorded so far have been catalogued and their trajectories can be predicted

Su-57 fifth-generation fighter may get flat nozzle for stealth purposes — pilot

The flat nozzle technology is a breakthrough in modern aircraft-building, Major-General Vladimir Popov noted

7.5 mln Ukrainians remain abroad — Foreign Minister

He claimed that the newly-established Ministry of Unity will work on repatriation of these people

Medvedev compared Russians, Ukrainians to Han Chinese in different parts of China

The politician noted that Chinese historians considered all historical stages as an inseparable process of functioning of a single Chinese nation, "and only by historical accident" until 1949 it had been temporarily divided into two semi-independent state entities

Eurasian Economic Union falls short of 2014 founding vision — Belarusian PM

Member-countries of the association have not yet resolved all the issues they set for themselves, Roman Golovchenko said

Former FBI informant pleads guilty to fabricating charges against Biden family

Alexander Smirnov, who was arrested in February and is in custody, faces four to six years in prison

Russia’s naval nuclear forces fully modernized, says Navy Chief

Admiral Alexander Moiseyev emphasized that the condition and combat readiness of Russia's modernized naval strategic nuclear forces are at an exceptional level

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"

UNESCO chief’s report on journalist safety not approved amid heavy backlash

"In a first for the IPDC Intergovernmental Council, the report was not adopted but merely taken note of," he said

NYT predicts Ukraine conflict will end in 2025

The article points out that Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election will serve to expedite the peace talks

Russian stock market indices mixed on Friday — market data

The yuan rate gained 0.5% to 13.87 rubles

Damascus, Aleppo airports resume operations, but so far only under special permits

The restriction period is set from 8:00 p.m. GMT on December 12 to 3:00 p.m. GMT on December 18

Access to Viber messenger restricted in Russia — media watchdog

Viber is a messaging and voice communication app developed by Viber Media

Putin extends Russia’s anti-'oil price cap' measures until June 30, 2025 — decree

The decree on retaliatory measures against the oil price cap initially came into effect on February 1, 2023, and was originally intended to last until July 1, 2023, but has been extended multiple times since then

British mercenary Burke killed in Ukraine by fellow mercenary, coroner says

The main suspect in the case is Abdelfetah Nourine, a dual citizen of Australia and Algeria

Powerful explosions go off in Damascus — source

According to Al Manar television, the explosions were caused by Israeli shelling

Turkish embassy in Damascus to begin operation on December 14 — Foreign Ministry

Previously, the media reported that Turkey appointed Ambassador to Mauritania Burhan Koroglu as its charge d'affaires in Syria

Ankara’s strategic goal is to exterminate Kurdish forces in Syria — top Turkish diplomat

Turkey’s authorities said earlier that they plan to complete the establishment of a buffer zone in northern Syria

Medvedev likens Donbass’ return to Russia to reunification of Germany

The politician noted that by 1990 the economic conditions, mentality and language of people living in East and West Germany had diverged "even more than those of Taiwan and mainland China" or even the Smolensk Region and Donbass

Bashar Assad's son graduates with honors from Moscow State University — newspaper

Hafez Assad was handed his diploma by the rector of the university, Viktor Sadovnichy, along with other Syrian students who also graduated from MSU

French president names Francois Bayrou as new prime minister

Bayrou, aged 73, takes over from Michel Barnier, who also shares the same age and stepped down after France’s lower house passed a successful no-confidence motion against his cabinet on December 4

US to continue efforts to impair Russian oil revenues — Treasury Secretary

Washington and its allies also could consider lowering the oil price cap on Russian oil, , US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said

Russian forces liberate Novoivanovka: situation in Russia’s Kursk Region

Over the day, Ukraine lost more than 200 troops, a tank, an infantry fighting vehicle, two armored combat vehicles, four motor vehicles and three mortars

EU foreign ministers to approve new package of anti-Russian sanctions on December 16

On Wednesday, permanent representatives of 27 EU countries endorsed the 15th package of sanctions against Russia related to the conflict in Ukraine

Russian assets worth around 3.5 bln euro blocked in Germany — ministry

The German Finance Ministry’s spokesman said at the end of December 2023 that the authorities had frozen Russian assets totaling about 4.1 bln euro

Ukrainian army to soon run out of soldiers to continue fighting — media

The report highlights that, in addition to a manpower deficit, Kiev may also face critical shortages of ammunition and weapons

Hungary hopes Ukraine will agree to Christmas truce — foreign minister

Peter Szijjarto pointed out that during the main Christian holiday, "peace always comes first," but hostilities between Russia and Ukraine continue

Russia vows response to Austria's severing of gas partnership — ambassador

"It was Vienna that suddenly declared our long-standing gas partnership a historical mistake, thereby destroying one of the key pillars of our bilateral relations and business ties," Dmitry Lyubinsky recalled

Russian forces quickly break through Ukraine's weakened positions in Donbass — newspaper

The New York Times also said that the test of Russia's newest Oreshnik hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missile has increased pressure on Kiev and its allies

Trump suggests that European troops monitor potential ceasefire in Ukraine — report

It is noted that Europe should play the main role in defending and supporting Ukraine