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Launch of Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket from Plesetsk proceeded normally — Russian top brass

Spacecraft was inserted into the target orbit at the calculated time and taken over for control by the ground assets of the Aerospace forces

MOSCOW, December 26. /TASS/. The launch of the Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome proceeded in normal mode, and the spacecraft was inserted into its target orbit at the calculated time, the Russian defense ministry reported.

"The launch of the carrier rocket and the insertion of the spacecraft into the designated orbit proceeded normally. After liftoff, the medium-class Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket was taken over for tracking by the ground-based automated control system of the Main Test Space Center named after German Stepanovich Titov," the ministry stated. It added that the spacecraft was inserted into the target orbit at the calculated time and taken over for control by the ground assets of the Aerospace forces’ space troops.

Two Aist-2T satellites scheduled for launch on December 28 — Roscosmos

Unlike their predecessor, the new satellites are equipped with orbital correction propulsion systems, have a longer service life, and transmit data faster

Su-57 fighter jet successfully evades enemy radars and electronic warfare — Chemezov

Rostec CEO noted that the corporation received feedback on all equipment deployed in the zone of the special military operation

Trump administration recalls heads of nearly 30 foreign diplomatic missions — news agency

According to its information, the heads of US missions abroad have been notified that their terms in their current positions will expire in January

Casualties among Knyaz Vandal drone operators minimal — Ushkuynik

The head of Ushkuynik named the factors that contribute to this phenomenon

Russian troops liberate Zarechnoye in Zaporozhye Region over past day — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup East inflicted roughly 245 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed two enemy artillery guns in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Moscow understands grounds for Azerbaijani leader's absence from CIS summit — MFA

Maria Zakharova said that Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier congratulated the Azerbaijani president on his birthday during a phone call

Gas supplies to China to exceed contractual volumes by almost 800 mcm in 2025 — Gazprom

CEO Alexey Miller expressed confidence that Gazprom will annually supply China with volumes in excess of its contractual obligations

Zelensky's new peace plan not to work for Russia, says expert

The expert focused on the political points of the plan and on the security guarantees demanded by Kiev

Sweden better apologize for detaining Russia's Adler vessel — Foreign Ministry

According to Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Swedish customs and law enforcement agencies, including security services, continued their so-called inspection

Ukraine’s ex-premier describes Zelensky’s plan as attempt to stall talks

According to Nikolay Azarov, the plan does not resolve a number of important issues

Beijing opposes US maritime blockade of Venezuela

According to He Yongqian, Beijing believes that a US blockade "could not only disrupt the normal functioning of international energy markets, but also pose additional security risks"

Ukraine extends ban on Russian goods imports for year

The prohibited products include meat, fish, coffee, tea, chocolate and other confectionery, baby food, animal feed, alcohol and cigarettes

Russian MFA spokeswoman says her briefings in 2025 add up to 5 days

Maria Zakharova added that the ministry’s calculations were inspired by a TASS report that counted the number of briefings and their duration

French politician sides with Telegram founder, accuses Macron of creating 'digital gulag'

Florian Philippot also called for France to leave the European Union as soon as possible in order to protect freedom of speech

Launch of Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket from Plesetsk proceeded normally — Russian top brass

Spacecraft was inserted into the target orbit at the calculated time and taken over for control by the ground assets of the Aerospace forces

Two militant bases dismantled in CAR, plans to disrupt presidential elections thwarted

One base housing about 30 militants was uncovered 50 km south of the Auk settlement, they retreated into Chad

AI breakthrough, personnel training, low unemployment: Putin’s statements

According to the head of state, the next 10 to 15 years will bring an unprecedented technological breakthrough in world history

Press review: Zelensky peace plan is no-go for Russia and Trump puts on peacemaker hat

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, December 25th

Iranian special forces officer eliminated in Lebanon — IDF

Spokesman Avichay Adraee said Hussein al-Jawhari had led operations against Israel in Syria and Lebanon in recent years

Bank of Russia lowers dollar exchange rate for December 26 to 77.88 rubles

The official euro exchange rate was lowered by 58 kopecks to 91.8902 rubles

Russian MFA claps back at West over Kaliningrad comments

Maria Zakharova said that a certain stupidity and audacity shine through in these statements

KVN drones destroy Ukrainian equipment worth two German armies — Ushkuynik

According to CEO Alexey Chadayev, after the invasion of the Kursk Region, the Ukrainian armed forces "were unable to carry out a single successful attack with the mass use of mechanized military equipment"

Uraldronzavod supplies first batch of Berdysh heavy combat drones to special op zone

During field testing, the drones have proven their reliability, Vladimir Tkachuk said

Moscow calls detention of Russia’s Adler vessel by Sweden 'farce majeure'

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Sweden should apologize for the incident

EU needs to understand Kiev never to repay its loans — Russian Foreign Ministry

"Any sane person understands that no reparations in the form that Zelensky talks about, calling it reparations, some kind of ‘duty’ of Russia, nothing like that will happen," Maria Zakharova stated

Moscow, New Delhi favor production of spare parts for Russian weapons in India

The joint statement also emphasizes that Vladimir Putin and Narendra Modi welcomed the results of the 22nd meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Military and Military Technical Cooperation held in New Delhi on December 4

Rosatom sees signs of US readiness to cooperate with Zaporozhye NPP in future — CEO

Alexey Likhachev recalled, this will only be possible after "peace comes and we reach a consensus on resolving all the tasks of the special military operation"

Black Sea Fleet rejects submarine surfacing reports near French coast

The fleet pointed out that "the submarine crew is currently conducting a routine inter-fleet transfer after performing missions as part of the Russian Navy’s standing task force stationed in the Mediterranean Sea"

Germany seeks €500 mln fund to address social isolation

Andre Berghegger, head of the Association of German Towns and Municipalities, argued that community meeting spaces should remain open as much as possible, "without long breaks, holidays, sick days or early closures"

Almost all Ukrainian brigade deserts — Russia’s security forces

The source said there are quite a lot of units in the Ukrainian army that did not meet expectations of the command

Death toll in Mexican Navy plane crash in Texas rises to five

One crew member has not yet been found

No Hong Kong flu in Russia — academic

Deputy President of the Russian Academy of Education Gennady Onishchenko noted that H3N2 flu changed since 1973

India wants to develop ties with Russia in agricultural, light, food industries

There is a steady interest from Indian companies in expanding their presence in the Russian market, Andrey Sobolev noted

Humanitarian aid convoy from Dagestan comes under attack in border area

"Magomednabi Gadzhiyev, head of the Shamilsky District from where the convoy departed, and two members of the Self-Defense public organization, were killed," Sergey Melikov, leader of the North Caucasus region, said

Kiev to conduct de facto general mobilization in 2026, Russian MFA explains

"There are reports that Ukrainian law enforcement agencies have been tasked with tightening the screws as much as possible and handing out about two million draft notices as early as at the beginning of 2026," Maria Zakharova said

Ukraine has no money to hold elections — Zelensky's office

According to Mikhail Podolyak, Ukraine’s budget has other priority expenditures, including militarization

EU had chance to prevent Russia conflict in 2022 — Hungarian PM

Viktor Orban said that Europe could have sent a peace mission to Moscow and Kiev instead of declaring their conflict its own war

Lavrov discusses preparations for CSTO summit in Moscow in November — Foreign Ministry

The meeting was attended by representatives of the presidential administration, federal executive authorities and organizations involved in this work

Bundestag believes German army has opportunity to ensure peace in Ukraine

head of the Bundestag defense committee Thomas Rowekamp said that the German army "has capabilities that it can use, including in Ukraine"

Moldovan border guards cut off channel for transfer of draft dodgers from Ukraine

The police said the suspects charged each evader $10,000

Russia rescued Ukrainians abandoned by Kiev in Sumy Region — human rights commissioner

Russian troops brought them to a safe place in Belgorod

West 'understands nothing about Russians,' Rostec says in response to Reuters report

The Russian defense industry is currently focused on solving state problems, not on generating more profit

Maximal interest rate on ruble deposits down to 15.38% in early November

The rate was at the level of 15.63% early this month and 15.62% from November 20 to 30

Russia approves treaty with Myanmar on protection of citizens in international justice

It was signed in St. Petersburg on May 20, 2025

Russian diplomat refutes Bloomberg article on Russia's intentions to amend Ukraine plan

"This media outlet does not have any reliable sources close to the Kremlin," Maria Zakharova said

Niger bans issuing visas to US citizens — agency

According to the sources, the measure is based on the principle of reciprocity

Knyaz Vandal drone is used by Russian troops as ambush drone — Ushkuynik

According to Alexey Chadayev, the drone has been significantly upgraded since its introduction in August 2024

Roscosmos plans to launch 52 satellites from Vostochny spaceport

Two of these satellites will be able to create digital terrain models and monitor emergency situations

Foreign brands vacate 81% more retail space in Russia in 2025 than they occupied

According to analysts, 60 new international brands have entered the Russian market since the beginning of 2023

Fire area in Temryuk port reach 4,000 sq m

Two tanks with oil products are on fire

AZAL plane presumably damaged by warhead elements — Kazakh authorities

The commission concluded its examination of the GPS cassettes recovered from avionics modules No. 1 and No. 3

Putin’s state of the nation address to take place 'in due time' — spokesman

Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov noted that the address will be delivered "when the president sees fit, first of all in terms of contents"

Zelensky says he spoke with Witkoff and Kushner by telephone

Vladimir Zelensky did not disclose the content of the conversation

Red Cross receives 182,000 appeals about missing persons in Ukrainian conflict

According to spokeswoman Galina Balzamova, the actual number of families unaware of their relatives’ fate is higher, as not everyone contacts the ICRC directly

German customs involved in legal arbitrariness against Russians — Foreign Ministry

According to Maria Zakharova, Germany has de facto been turned into a territory of lawlessness for people of a certain nationality, in this case, citizens of Russia

Macron tries to turn EU into 'digital gulag' — Durov

The sanctioned architect of the EU’s censorship law is a close ally and appointee of Emmanuel Macron, Telegram co-founder Pavel Durov said

US ready to facilitate peace talks between Cambodia, Thailand — Rubio

US Secretary of State spoke with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet to "express concern about the ongoing violence between Cambodia and Thailand"

Over 1,300 restaurants, hotels in UAE will begin using Russian software

The collaboration is expected to generate approximately $1.2 million in annual revenue

Putin already sent Trump telegram wishing him a Merry Christmas — Kremlin

Kremlin Aide Yury Ushakov previously announced Moscow's plans to congratulate the US president on the winter holidays

Kiev has no resources to feed 800,000-strong army mentioned by Zelensky — Russian envoy

Rodion Miroshnik added that it remains unclear what the first point of Zelensky’s plan, intended to affirm Ukraine’s sovereignty, actually means

Russian strategic bombers fly over neutral waters of Barents, Norwegian seas

Su-33 fighter jets of the Russian Navy escorted the long-range bombers

Parallel imports down to $2 bln monthly in 2025 — ministry

According to the statement, such dynamics reflects in particular the successful adaptation of the economy to the sanction pressure, growth of domestic production

Russian Post suspends overland delivery to Baltic States

Delivery by air to these countries continues

French rush to resell Christmas gifts floods online marketplaces

According to Ouest-France, eBay had already recorded 500,000 listings by the morning of December 25 and expects the total number of posts to rise by 400%

Russia’s gas supplies to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan up by 20% in 2025 — Gazprom

According to CEO Alexey Miller, Gazprom will continue to increase gas volumes supplied to these countries

Gazprom to supply Russian consumers with 386 bcm of gas in 2025 — CEO

It will be close to a record, the company’s CEO Alexey Miller said

About 417,000 Russians have signed military service contracts — Medvedev

Additionally, more than 36,000 have voluntarily joined units dispatched to the zone of the special military operation, the politician stated

Russian presidential administration ready to make public Putin-Barroso conversation

In a telephone conversation with EC President Jose Manuel Barroso, Russian President Vladimir Putin allegedly said that Russian troops would be able to "take Kiev in two weeks" if necessary

Russian fish, seafood exports to China up 10% in January-November to $3 bln

Russian fish and seafood exports to China in January-November 2025 decreased year-on-year by 6% in weight

Cancer-stricken Serbian sues NATO for use of depleted uranium in 1999 attack on Yugoslavia

His lawyer Srdan Aleksic disclosed that the Serbian officer’s grievance is fully identical to the 500 lawsuits, filed by Italian soldiers who were deployed in Kosovo in 1999

Putin meets with businessmen in Kremlin — spokesman

The Russian government’s officials in charge of economy and social affairs, presidential administration officials, and Russian Central Bank chief Elvira Nabiullina attended the meeting

US has mostly resolved security issues with Ukrainians — NATO envoy

"It’s going to come down to, ultimately, the territory, and how that territory is divided up," Matthew Whitaker said

Refusal to take path of peace is Ukraine’s tragedy — German general

Harald Kujat opined that the West’s massive support created an illusion for Kiev that "it can turn the strategic situation into its favor"

Russian army destroys Ukraine's underground bunkers in Zaporozhye Region

Zaporozhye Region Governor Yevgeny Balitsky stressed that the seizure of Gulyaipole would pave the way for the liberation of the entire Zaporozhye Region

Putin expects next decade to bring unprecedented breakthrough in technology

The Russian leader drew attention of regional and federal officials, and businessmen across all industries to the fact that actually the time of breakthrough was "already here for us"

IN BRIEF: Victims in Bryansk Region, fire in port: consequences of Ukrainian drone attack

A civilian in the village of Glinishchevo in the Bryansk Region was injured in a drone attack, Governor Alexander Bogomaz said

Russia says supports de-escalation around Venezuela, pins hopes on Trump's pragmatism

Maria Zakharova reiterated Moscow's support for "the efforts of the government of Nicolas Maduro aimed at protecting sovereignty and national interests and maintaining the stable and secure development of his country"

Russian embassy warns of danger of Ukrainization of Italian politics

The embassy expressed its full solidarity with the Italians who became victims of the Ukrainian Nazis and the irresponsible Italian politicians who condoned them

Two Aist-2T satellites scheduled for launch on December 28 — Roscosmos

Unlike their predecessor, the new satellites are equipped with orbital correction propulsion systems, have a longer service life, and transmit data faster

Russia hopes Kazakh commission completes investigation into AZAL plane crash soon — MFA

Maria Zakharova recalled that December 25 marks exactly one year since the incident

Switzerland should respect Russia and do business with it — Swiss businessman

Tito Tettamanti said the West made a mistake by intervening too much in Ukraine's affairs to weaken Russia

EU, UK hurt most by Washington’s Russia policy turn — expert

According to Andrey Sushentsov, the US was the first to realize that it’s impossible to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia

Ruble becomes strongest-performing currency in 2025 — Bloomberg

As Bloomberg noted, the ruble’s rise has been influenced by reduced demand for foreign currency in Russia.

Russian stock indices show mixed dynamics as Thursday's main trading session closes

The yuan-to-ruble rate fell 10 kopecks to 11.03 rubles

IMF raises outlook for Russia’s GDP growth this year to 1.5% — report

At the same time, experts lowered their forecast for Russian economic growth in 2026 by 0.3 pp, to 0.9%

First meeting of working group on elections to be held in Ukraine

First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, head of the "Servant of the People" party, Alexander Korniyenko announced it

Talks with US on Ukraine produce slow but steady progress — Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova noted that negotiations between Washington and Moscow are accompanied by "extremely harmful and even malicious attempts by a group of countries, primarily Western European ones, to torpedo and derail all diplomatic progress"

Russia has developed new unmanned watercraft — Ushkuynik Center

According to Alexey Chadayev, CEO of the Ushkuynik Research and Production Center, Ushkuynik’s residents have also developed new unmanned aerial vehicles

Press review: Ukraine mulls elections and Trump plans laser fleet as gold prices soar

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

Polish officials not allowed to enter Russian consulate’s former building

Poland’s last operating Russian Consulate General located in the city of Gdansk closed down earlier this week

Plotter of terrorist attack on oil pipeline neutralized in Tyumen Region — FSB

According to the FSB’s Public Relations Center, the suspect, a Russian citizen originally from Vinnitsa in Ukraine, resisted arrest and was subsequently neutralized during the operation

Russian troops liberate Svyato-Pokrovskoye community in Donetsk region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted more than 215 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed an enemy tank and six armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Russia ready to discuss form of document on absence of plans to attack NATO — diplomat

Maria Zakharova stressed that Russia remains open for serious talks

Germany to have to return to compulsory military draft — paper

Head of the Bundestag defense committee Thomas Rowekamp said that 20,000-30,000 servicemen leave the active army every year

EU twists law of sea by pushing Russian 'shadow fleet' narrative — diplomat

Maria Zakharova added that another EU's declaration shows no sign of a serious analysis of the law of the sea or its applications in specific circumstances

Oreshnik system in Belarus is just first stage of its deployment on EU border — expert

According to Alexander Stepanov, the next stage could be the deployment of strategic instruments, including the Oreshnik missile system, in the Kaliningrad Region

Mobilization in Ukraine, NATO near Kaliningrad: Foreign Ministry statements

TASS has compiled the key statements by the official representative of the Foreign Ministry

Russia has plan in place in case frozen assets are seized — Novak

It will be implemented if such cases arise, the Russian deputy prime minister added

Kiev loses about 20 battalions in fighting near Vilcha — expert

Vitaly Kiselev added that, despite heavy losses and massive, combined attacks by the Russian army, the Ukrainian army brigades have "a very large number of soldiers that go AWOL"

NYPD offers $10,000 reward for help in catching Grinch

The post on social media was designed as a real wanted poster, featuring a sketch of the Grinch and a phone number to contact the police

Foreign intelligence services monitoring Oreshnik missile deployment in Belarus — KGB

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko earlier stated that a maximum of 10 Russian-made Oreshnik systems would be deployed in the republic