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

{{newsPoint.title}}

{{newsPoint.title+ ' '}}

{{newsPoint.subtitle}}

Arianespace confirms Soyuz launch from Kourou on December 28

According to the company’s statement, it will be its tenth and last launch in 2020

Kourou launch facilities Sergei Savostyanov//TASS

Kourou launch facilities

© Sergei Savostyanov//TASS

PARIS, December 22. /TASS/. French launch services provider Arianespace confirmed on Tuesday that the launch of a Soyuz carrier rocket with a French defense satellite CSO-2will take place on December 28 from the Kourou space center in French Guiana .

According to the company’s statement, it will be its tenth and last launch in 2020.

"Arianespace will send the CSO-2 Earth observation satellite, intended for defense and security applications, into Sun-synchronous orbit," the statement reads.

According to the launch schedule, published by Arianespace, the blastoff will take place at 19:42 Moscow time.

Meanwhile, Roscosmos CEO Dmitry Rogozin said the rocket will be rolled out to the launch pad on Wednesday.

"At the launch center in Guiana, the commission decided to roll out the Soyuz carrier rocket to the launch pad on December 23," Rogozin wrote in a Twitter post.

CSO-2 is the second satellite of the Optical Space Component program, a constellation of three satellites dedicated to Earth observation for defense and security purposes. They are being placed into polar orbits at different altitudes, and will carry out two different missions: reconnaissance for CSO-1 and CSO-3; and identification for CSO-2. The SCO-1 satellite was launched aboard the Soyuz-ST-A carrier rocket from Kourou in December 2018.

Crimean amateur astronomer discovers new comet in solar system

In April, the astronomer said that he had discovered a large asteroid with a diameter of about 200 meters, potentially dangerous for the Earth

Court sentences ‘Russian Volunteer Corps’ members to life in prison in absentia

According to the investigation, the defendants, acting as part of a Ukrainian sabotage group, armed with firearms and explosives, illegally crossed the Russian border and infiltrated two settlements in the Bryansk Region, opening fire at civilian cars and people

Crimean amateur astronomer discovers new comet in solar system

In April, the astronomer said that he had discovered a large asteroid with a diameter of about 200 meters, potentially dangerous for the Earth

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

Trump picks ex-congressman Collins for veterans’ affairs secretary

Doug Collins is a former lawmaker representing Georgia in the House of Representatives

Scholz promises to transfer sixth IRIS-T system to Kiev by yearend

Ukraine and Germany also discussed further defense cooperation

Outgoing US administration should end military support for Ukraine — Hungary’s Orban

Viktor Orban believes it would be only fair and just for the outgoing Biden administration to reduce military support for Ukraine as power changes hands

Trump to end NATO’s obsession to get on Russian territory — White House ex-strategist

Steve Bannon noted that Trump’s MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement seeks to completely cut funding to Ukraine. According to Bannon, Europe, including Italy, will follow Trump’s lead, and, if "they [Europe and Italy] truly believe what they have been saying in recent years, they should be ready to pay"

Russian troops organizing logistics, ammo delivery in Kupyansk outskirts — military expert

"Logistics is being organized to enable our troops to retain their positions they are trying to secure," Andrey Marochko explained

Foreign mercenaries fighting on Ukraine’s side near Kupyansk, says military expert

Most of the intercepted talks deal with military issues, using a special talk chart, Andrey Marochko specified

Zelensky's new plan for Ukraine is just another effort to stay in media spotlight

In his video address on November 14, Zelensky announced 10 provisions of his new plan, including matters of security, energy, armaments, industrial development in Ukraine, and cooperation with partners

Russian forces liberate Voznesenka community in Donbass region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted roughly 655 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed three enemy tanks in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Putin proclaims Odessa Russian city, challenges Ukraine's historical narrative

At the same time, the president noted that once upon a time "Vladimir Lenin gave away the whole of Ukraine when he created the Soviet Union"

Russia inks first deals to deliver Su-57 fifth-generation fighter to foreign customers

Alexander Mikheyev also explained the expectations and effect of the demonstration of Russian military hardware at Airshow China in Zhuhai

Mass production of Lada Iskra cars planned to begin in spring 2025

In June, Avtovaz presented its new model Lada Iskra for the first time at SPIEF

Israeli practices ‘consistent with characteristics of genocide’ — UN committee

The document points out that 'civilians have been indiscriminately and disproportionally killed en masse in Gaza'

Trump plans to appoint special envoy on Ukraine to hold peace talks with Russia — TV

According to the source, the job is not expected to be a salaried role

Gazprom has the right to stop gas supplies to Moldova due to country’s debts — Moldovagaz

Chairman of the Board of the Russian-Moldovan gas distribution company Vadim Cheban noted that he was not aware of any plans by the Russian gas holding to take advantage of this opportunity

54 countries vote against resolution on combating ne-Nazism

116 countries, including Azerbaijan, Algeria, Armenia, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Cuba, Serbia, and Syria, supported the document

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

IN BRIEF: Protesters storm parliament building in Abkhazia

Opposition members made several attempts to break into the parliament building and managed to enter the square in front of parliament

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"

Russian troops storm into Kupyansk outskirts in Kharkov Region — military expert

Troops from various Russian army units are engaged in battles in the outskirts of Kupyansk, Andrey Marochko said

Lukashenko tells Putin situation is "starting to get tense with Wagner"

The Belarusian leader noted that they want to go to Warsaw

Zelensky announces work on new action plan

In terms of weapons, the plan will focus on production in Ukraine and cooperation with partners

Ukrainian army attacks Kharkov Military-Civil Administration car with drones

The car's chassis, body, and cabin were badly damaged in the attack

Hezbollah reports attack on Israeli military intelligence base near Tel Aviv

On Wednesday, Hezbollah reported attacks on Israel’s Glilot military base in the Ramat Hasharon

Su-57 fighter jet shows exceptional performance in Russia’s special op, senior official

A Su-57 multirole fifth-generation fighter jet (NATO codename Felon) was designed to eliminate all air, ground, and water surface targets

FBI arrests Texas man for plotting 9/11-style attack

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation was "researching how to conduct an attack on local military recruiting centers" and attempting to produce Islamic State propaganda

Kremlin comments on possible return of Japanese, European cars to Russia

No official statements have been received so far from European automakers regarding the return to the Russian market, Dmitry Peskov noted

Abkhazia’s opposition demands cancelation of investment agreement, president’s resignation

In case the authorities do not accept the opposition's demands, former lawmaker Natali Smyr called on the protesters not to leave the square around the complex of government buildings

Ukrainian intel officers in Syria to be eliminated as terrorists’ accomplices — diplomat

According to Alexander Lavrentyev, there are "in fact Russian troops stationed" in Syria

EU to overhaul anti-Russia sanctions — Orban

Industrial companies in EU countries pay for gas and electricity several times higher than their main competitors in the US and China, the Hungarian prime minister noted

Israeli anthem booed before start of football match in Paris

Prior to the event, leftist politicians and activists staged a protest at a square in Paris’ northern suburb of Saint-Denis

IN BRIEF: What is known about drone attack on Russia’s Krasnodar Region

Damage will be assessed, and local authorities will provide assistance with restoring the damaged buildings

Ukraine not holding talks on gas transit from Russia after December 31 — Energy Ministry

The agreement between Gazprom and Naftogaz on the transit of Russian gas to Europe expires on December 31

Security Service of Ukraine operated ‘concentration camp’ in Kiev in 2022, lawmaker says

"This concentration camp was organized by SBU Head Ivan Bakanov and his first deputy Vasily Malyuk," Alexander Dubinsky claims

European Commission upgrades outlook on Russian GDP growth for 2024, 2025

According to the report, private investment, supported by government-subsidized loans, increased as demand for domestic goods picked up, following the exit of foreign firms

Russian air defenses destroy 51 Ukrainian drones overnight

Krasnodar Region Governor Veniamin Kondratyev said two municipalities in the region - the town of Krymsk and the Krasnoarmeisky district - came under attack

Members of Abkhazian opposition throw stones, sticks at law enforcement officials

The parliamentary session was canceled because delegates were unable to approve its agenda

Gaza radicals post new video of hostage identifying himself as Russian national Trufanov

The man pointed out that the hostages' lives "are in grave danger every day," and recalled the country’s religious obligation to ransom the hostages

Most Ukrainian soldiers drafted against their will, from rural areas

According to Miroslav Borisenko, there are "almost no" residents of major cities among the forcibly mobilized, although in 2022 the "social composition was entirely different" in the Ukrainian armed forces

Western efforts to vilify Russia climax, Moscow fights back — MFA

"We are witnessing the culmination of the Anglo-Saxons' systematic efforts to vilify our country, exerted over decades, and maybe even centuries," Maria Zakharova said

Part of YouTube issues linked solely to Google’s position — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov emphasized that this situation stems from Google’s refusal to follow Russian laws, despite being legally obligated to do so

European Commission gives ‘positive assessment’ for payment of 4.1 bln euros to Kiev

The commission concluded that Ukraine had satisfactorily fulfilled the nine agreed reform indicators for this payment

Musk says Trump, himself have public mandate for change

US President-elect Donald Trump announced earlier that Musk and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy would lead the Department of Government Efficiency in his new administration

South Korea to support Ukraine in response to Russia-North Korea alliance — president

As Yoon Suk Yeol said, the reported dispatch of North Korean servicemen to participate in Russia’s special military operation "poses a serious security threat not only to the Korean Peninsula and Europe but also to the entire world"

Colombia would like to join BRICS — foreign minister

The top Colombian diplomat went on to say that his country has been following the BRICS expansion and activities carefully

Trump does not rule out he may run in next US presidential election

Trump's participation in the next US election would be against the Constitution

Trump nominates his lawyers to key Justice Department jobs

Emil Bove will be nominated to be principal associate deputy attorney general and Todd Blanche to the post of the US deputy attorney general

White House official sees possibility of DPRK nuclear test soon

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said that transition periods in the US 'have historically been time periods when the DPRK has taken provocative actions'

Russia's liberation of Stepanovka in DPR spells trouble for Ukrainian troops in Kurakhovo

Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that the Russian Armed Forces had liberated the settlement of Stepanovka in the DPR

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

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

Ukrainian troops surrender as Russian forces advance — captive

Alexander Rapolyuk noted that they had originally been sent to the Kursk Region under the pretext of replacing their comrades, but upon arrival, they found that the servicemen they were meant to replace had already been killed

Clear Zelensky won't be the one to decide about talks with Russia, says Lavrov

"Russian President Putin has repeatedly said that we have never refused to negotiate," the Russian foreign minister reiterated

US does not fulfill LNG contracts for Europe worth tens of billions of dollars — Gazprom

In addition, the United States is influencing the global gas market with its verbal interventions regarding the possible withholding of LNG supplies to China, as well as a temporary suspension of the issuance of export licenses, Deputy Head of the Department - Head of the Directorate at Gazprom Kirill Polous said

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

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, November 13th

Ukrainian battlegroup deprived of regular supplies in Kurakhovo in Donetsk area — expert

The Ukrainian battlegroup’s supplies have been impaired in the Kurakhovo area after Russian forces placed a road section west of that community under their gunfire control, Andrey Marochko clarified

France wraps up training of new Ukrainian brigade — minister

The brigade is equipped with French weapons

Swedish minister in charge of gender equality suffers from bananaphobia

The phobia is so strong that special precautions need to be taken before her meetings

Russia's newest Su-57 fighter jet superior to China's new J-35 — test pilot

Sergey Bogdan emphasized that the newest Russian fighter was a "magnificent platform for a future generation of configurations, just as the Su-27 aircraft in its heyday"

Hundreds of people participate in protest rally near Abkhazian parliament

Members of the opposition broke onto the parliament’s premises, having rammed a metal fence with a motor vehicle

All weapons pledged by Biden to Kiev to be delivered before he leaves office — Pentagon

Department’s Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh expects that for the 'next coming months of this administration'

US missile defense site to defend Poland from Russia too — Polish minister

At the same time, the official evaded a direct question of whether the facility is capable of protecting country from missiles

APEC leaders to discuss digitalization, sustainable economic growth in Peru

The official part of the summit will be held, resulting in the adoption of the final declaration

Politician slams Western elites for behaving like 'collective Hitler' on Ukraine issue

Viktor Medvedchuk added that there was no unified position in the West regarding the situation in Ukraine

Trump to nominate North Dakota governor Burgum as interior secretary

The official announcement will be made on Friday

Russian Rubicon drones strike Ukrainian trench shelters

"Upon detecting enemy positions and equipment, the data was immediately relayed to the strike force," the Russian Defense Ministry reported

Press review: Switzerland open to hosting Putin-Trump talks as NATO and EU back Ukraine

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, November 15th

Israeli army attacks Hezbollah special forces command centers in Nabatieh — press service

In total, the Israeli Air Force attacked more than 120 Hezbollah targets across Lebanon in the past 24 hours, the press service pointed out

Chechen leader reports eliminating Ukrainian troops in Sumy Region

According to Ramzan Kadyrov, fighters from the 34th Akhmat-Russia motorized rifle regiment conducted reconnaissance using unmanned aerial vehicles

Russian forces capture 10 km of LPR border — military expert

On October 16, Andrey Marochko informed TASS that Ukrainian forces were still operating near three key towns in the LPR’s west: Svatovo, Kremennaya, and Lisichansk

Israeli strike on southern Lebanese village leaves at least six dead

Four of the victims were rescue workers

Russian authorities monitor consequences of credit rates rise — Kremlin

The Bank of Russia sharply raised the key rate by 2 percentage points to a record level of 21% per annum at a meeting of the board of directors on October 25

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

At least ten Ukrainian troops were killed

Russia, US have many annoyances, it is hard to pick worst one — Kremlin spokesman

Earlier, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Baku

Trump to fundamentally rethink US policy on Ukraine conflict, says Iranian expert

Serious differences of opinion may arise between Washington and other NATO members regarding support for the Kiev regime, Mehdi Seif Tabrizi noted

Demographic crisis threatens Ukraine’s viability as state — think tank

Ukraine’s "overall population had declined to 29 million people in 2023 - compared to 48.5 million in 2001," Responsible Statecraft writes

Trump suggests Kennedy Jr. as US secretary of health and human services

He assured that Kennedy Jr. will "end the Chronic Disease epidemic"

US views Russia as present-day threat, Trump may prioritize containing China — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister stressed that reputation matters the most to the United States which does not care about the real fates of peoples, in particular the Ukrainian one

Xi Jinping advocates for child-centric China

"It is essential to place great importance on traditional family values," the Chinese leader stressed

Authorities of southeastern Ukrainian region report ‘infrastructure damage’

In addition, a power transmission line was reportedly damaged in the Dnepropetrovsk Region

Russian Marines destroy Challenger 2 tank with FPV drone in Kursk Region

Previously, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that the enemy lost 10 tanks in the Kursk region in the past 24 hours

Trump to pursue dialogue with Tehran before escalating pressure, says Iranian expert

Heshmatollah Falahatpishe believes Tehran should have made more efforts to advance Oman-based negotiations in order to prevent an escalation of tensions in the Middle East and continue Iran’s rapprochement with Arab countries

Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

Over the day, the enemy lost more than 430 troops, ten tanks, two infantry fighting vehicles, 19 armored combat vehicles, 33 motor vehicles, one Anklav-N electronic warfare station

RFK Jr. calls for immediate US-Russia talks on Ukraine

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin put forward his latest peace proposal for the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict, which envisages the recognition of the status of Crimea, the Donetsk and Lugansk people's republics, the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions as Russian constituencies

Musk, Iran’s UN envoy discuss ways to ease tensions between Iran, US — NYT

According to the report, the meeting took place in New York on Monday and lasted for more than an hour

Top diplomats from UK, France, Germany to discuss Ukraine’s future

Reuters wrote with reference to anonymous sources that the sides would also discuss what Trump’s return to the Oval Office could mean for the world

One third of Mariupol residents, who fled to Ukraine, already returned

Lack of due support, and accommodation issues, are the reason

Gagauzian public figure sees possibility of early parliamentary polls in Moldova

Mihail Vlah told TASS in an interview that the ruling Party of Action and Solidarity 'has started urgent preparations'

Kennedy Jr. added to Mirotvorets list after Trump’s appointment

Tulsi Gabbard, whom Trump previously nominated to head the U.S. National Intelligence Agency, is also still on the list

Pilot lauds thrust, aerodynamics of smooth-flying Su-57 fighter jet

According to Sergey Bogdan, this fighter jet flies smoother than anything out there today

Russia does not interfere in US affairs, says Kremlin spokesman about Trump's appointments

Earlier, Trump announced the nomination of Florida Senator Marco Rubio for the secretary of state

Russia to collaborate with Arab nations for Middle East de-escalation — diplomat

"A call was made to the international community to contribute to the achievement of this goal," Maria Zakharova added

Trump to zero in on fragmenting BRICS, Ukraine to take back seat — expert

According to the political scientist Boris Mezhuyev, in all likelihood attempts to replace the presidents of Brazil and Venezuela, and pit India, Russia and China against each other are coming

Kalashnikov concern trains first group of operators for Bars-Sarmat UAV unit

The soldiers studied the hardware, including the drones’ electronics, internal systems and rules of operation

Violence against Kupyansk residents refusing to evacuate reported in Kharkov Region

The press service of the Military-Civil Administration of the Kharkov Region clarified that the Ukrainian militants view such people as traitors, "waiting for the Russians," so they are not entitled to either humanitarian aid or human dignity

US denies possession of extraterrestrial technologies

According to Sue Gough, the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office, an office at the US Department of Defense that investigates unidentified anomalous phenomena, "is continuing its review of the historical record of US government UAP programs"

Biden to discuss support to Kiev with EU colleagues before Trump’s inauguration

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that European support to Ukraine should continue and that should intensify

Gazprom says EU artificially destroys gas demand to the detriment of its own economy

As for global gas demand, gas consumption in January-October increased by 80 bln cubic meters year-on-year, the company noted

Football fans clash during France vs Israel football match in Paris

The match is taking place a week after a Europa League match involving Maccabi Tel Aviv football club wreaked havoc in Amsterdam