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PUTIN'S PRESS CONFERENCE

Putin’s approval rating up to 64%, poll says

Last week, on December 9-15, Putin’s approval rating was at 62.5%

© Mikhail Mettsel/TASS

MOSCOW, December 20. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin's approval rating has grown from 62.5% to 64% following his customary year-end news conference, as follows from opinion polls held by the Russia Public Opinion Research Center VTsIOM on December 9-15, 2019 and on December 19, 2019.

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"The approval rating of Putin’s presidency on December 19, 2019 grew to 64% in contrast to last week’s level," VTsIOM said. "Asked directly about trust towards Putin 71% of the respondents answered in the affirmative. Last week, on December 9-15, Putin’s approval rating was at 62.5%. Asked directly about trust towards the current head of state 69.3% of the respondents said "yes" (26.3% of the answers were negative).

VTsIOM held several focus group studies in different cities of Russia, the sociologists explained. The audience’s reaction to the news conference was gauged in the real time mode.

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The highest level of reactions was registered in relation to such topics as the situation in the health service and the outlook for resolving the problem of financing the health service, demographic situation and migrants, performance of the law enforcement system (the Ivan Golunov case), WADA resolution concerning Russian sports, struggle against heavy drinking, the situation in Ukraine and the outlook for normalization of relations between the two countries, calm discussion of the bill on domestic violence, the future of Russian-Japanese relations, the future of the volunteer movement and the indexing of pensions.

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PREVIEW: Putin to lay flowers at monument on Red Square to mark National Unity Day

Representatives of religious denominations, public and youth organizations will take part in the ceremon

Moldova’s opposition to challenge presidential election results with Constitutional Court

According to Sor, the opposition has evidence of massive ballot rigging in favor of the incumbent president during the presidential election

Russian diplomat says Ukraine took back just 279 POWs, although 935 were offered

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called such actions of the Kiev regime "political tourism on the blood of its own citizens, its own servicemen"

Sandu leads in Moldovan elections with 55%, Stoianoglo has 44% after 99% of votes counted

99.73% of the votes were processed

Ukraine fortifies Dnepropetrovsk Region amid fears of losing Krasnoarmeysk — official

According to Igor Kimakovsky, the entry and exit to Kranoarmeysk have been blocked while the Ukrainian armed forces prepare to defend the city

Moscow calls on Seoul to refrain from sending weapons to Ukraine — diplomat

"We call on our South Korean colleague to think twice and not to embark on this extremely dangerous path, which will lead Seoul to nothing good", Anna Yevstigneyeva said

US authorizes energy transactions for Russian banks

Energy-related transactions are understood as all the transactions related to production, refining, processing, transportation and purchase of oil

Over 78 mln US citizens vote early in presidential election — Florida State University

According to the report, more than 42.6 million people attended polling stations

Zelensky asks for peace talks, while US tries to keep Ukraine war going — congresswoman

The congresswoman commented on X on a recent report in The New York Times saying that Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky called for peace, but not for more weapons "for new offenses," in a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland

Ceasefire in region may affect Iran’s decision on strike on Israel – president

He held Israel responsible for escalating tensions in the region by

Russian forces liberate settlement of Vishnyovoye in Donetsk People’s Republic

Press review: US election set to shape politics while Kiev seeks 'energy deal' with Moscow

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, October 31st

PREVIEW: Second round of presidential elections to take place in Moldova

former Prosecutor General Alexandr Stoianoglo criticized President Maia Sandu’s policy of confrontation with Moscow

New Russian combat equipment in 2024

Israel informs UN of termination of cooperation with UNRWA

"The State of Israel will continue to cooperate with humanitarian organizations but not with organizations that promote terrorism against us," the diplomat wrote on the X social network

Russia ready to show what true de-communization means for Ukraine - Putin

Present-day Ukraine was wholly created by Communist Russia, Putin said

Russia’s latest Lotos artillery gun for paratroopers to receive counter-drone system

After successfully undergoing all preliminary trials, the new self-propelled artillery system was sent for state tests

Industrial facility suffers damage in Ukraine’s Dnepropetrovsk Region

Meanwhile, explosions have been reported in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev and the Kirovograd Region

Basics of new payment platforms founded under Russian presidency in BRICS — Lavrov

"Everybody wants to create alternative payment mechanisms, interbank settlements with the use of national currencies, and insurance mechanisms that will not be directed against the system evolved after World War II around the dollar as the linchpin," the Russian foreign minister said

Germany ‘shamefully resigned’ itself to destruction of Nord Stream — Lavrov

Lavrov also drew attention to the fact that "reckless proposals" are being made about strikes with Western long-range systems deep into Russian territory

Russian rights activist points to change in American people’s minds

Konstantin Yaroshenko noted that signs of the American people’s dissatisfaction with the country’s domestic and foreign policies had been clear for over ten years

Allowing Czech nationals to go to Ukraine can be seen as death sentence — Russian MP

Leonid Slutsky noted that 60 citizens combatants will not be able to change anything

Press review: Turkey to mediate in Russian-Ukrainian conflict while IDF strikes Gaza

Top stories from the Russian press on Saturday, November 2nd

Trump hints again he does not recognize results of 2020 presidential election

The US presidential election will be held on November 5

Russia is not going to attack Poland, Baltics, Ukraine through Belarus rule — Lukashenko

The Belarusian President called for building relations in a neighborly manner

Kursk region will be cleared of Ukrainian forces — Putin

He added that victory is impossible without volunteers who support the fighters at the front

US warns it won’t be able to restrain Israel if Iran attacks — report

An Israeli official said the message was passed from Washington to Tehran through the Swiss

Prosecutor's Office deems activities of US-based business society undesirable in Russia

The international company incorporated in the United States has been engaged in promoting the policies of unfriendly states regarding the Russian-Ukrainian conflict and actively supports the LGBT community, the Russian Prosecutor General's Office explained

OPEC+ countries extend voluntary oil production cuts until end of December

Initially, the production was supposed to be gradually restored beginning in October, but in September, the group decided to postpone the process for two months

West itself signed death warrant for dollar, turning it into punishment tool — Lavrov

At the same time, the volume of mutual settlements in national currencies in foreign trade between the BRICS member countries reaches around 65%

Ukrainian forces lose 11,800 soldiers on LPR borders in a week — military expert

During the mentioned period, the Russian military destroyed 196 vehicles, 89 various armored vehicles, five tanks, three multiple launch rocket system launchers

Former CIA, Pentagon chief describes incursion into Kursk as Kiev’s ‘strategic mistake’

In Robert Gates opinion, Russia is capable of continuing its special military operation in Ukraine until it decides that its goals are met, and underestimating its ability to carry on "is a huge mistake"

Trump will not dare challenge US 'deep state' — Medvedev

The deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council also pointed out that "it does not even matter how this or that candidate feels about Russia"

Brent oil surpasses $75 per barrel, first time since October 25

As of 12:33 Moscow time, the price of Brent rose by 2.71% to $75.08 per barrel

Ukraine admits number of deserted soldiers from Armed Forces of Ukraine surpasses 100,000

Earlier, military lawyer from the Center for Support of Veterans and Their Families Roman Likhachev said that more than 100,000 servicemen had voluntarily left their units

Three Moldovan polling stations abroad shut down following bomb threats

According to CEC Chairwoman Angelica Caraman, threats were received at six polling stations abroad: in Brasov, Bucharest, Frankfurt, Kaiserslautern, Northampton and Liverpool

Ukrainian Armed Forces fire around 80 rounds of ammunition at Belgorod Region

It was noted that during the day three apartment buildings, 17 private houses, 23 cars, 8 outbuildings, and five commercial facilities were damaged

Nord Stream 2 completed, Trump's statements about its destruction unclear — Kremlin

Earlier, in an interview with journalist Tucker Carlson, Donald Trump strongly denied Democrats' claims that he has ties with Russia, recalling that he blocked the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline

Final poll by NBC shows equal support for Harris, Trump in US presidential election

Both candidates are being supported by 49% of registered voters with merely 2% remaining undecided

Russian forces destroy US-made Stryker armored fighting vehicle in Kharkov Region

The target was attacked by an FPV drone, the Russian Defense Ministry said

Syrsky admits Ukraine faces one of strongest Russian offensives since 2022

"Active combat operations that continue in certain directions require constant renewal of resources," the Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief said

BRICS to consider expanding group in 2025 — Lavrov

"Criteria for the partner country category will be agreed upon," the Russian Foreign Minister said

Ukrainians do not want war with Russia, but US keeps them trapped — expert

According to Professor Ruhollah Modabber, Washington has effectively banned free elections in Ukraine

King of Bahrain meets Tatarstan’s head, notes progress in ties with Russia

Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa met in Manama with Rustam Minnikhanov, head of Russia's Republic of Tatarstan

Russian Ka-52M helicopter wipes out Ukrainian equipment in borderline Kursk Region

The forward air controller confirmed the target’s destruction

Serial production of missiles for S-500 air defense systems begins in Russia — source

State trials of S-500 are under way at a testing range in southern Russia

Russia’s Medvedev cautions next US leader against adding fuel to fire in Ukraine

The politician doubted the deep state in the United States wants another global war

Stoianoglo ahead in Moldovan election with 51.52% — CEC

Incumbent President Maia Sandu has garnered 48.48% after counting 81% of protocols

Ceasefire in region may affect Iran’s decision on strike on Israel — president

Masoud Pezeshkian held Israel responsible for escalating tensions in the region by "perpetuating its crimes and expanding the scale of its aggression"

Around 100 air attacks of Ukrainian Armed Forces in DPR were foiled in one week

In particular, a fixed-wing drone without a warhead or visual surveillance equipment was eliminated in the Kuibyshevsky district of Donetsk, near an energy facility

West unable to help Ukraine, it’s time for talks — Italian expert

According to Giampiero Massolo, many NATO members would not be happy to see Ukraine in the alliance as they don’t want to share collective defense commitments, while a security guarantees system alone might not be enough

Azerbaijan, Iran hold joint naval drills in Caspian Sea

The ministry said earlier that the drills involved two ships and more than 100 servicemen of the Azerbaijani Navy

Austria accepts terms of payment for Russian gas in rubles — Chancellor

On March 23, the Russian president ordered that unfriendly states must pay for Russian gas in rubles

PREVIEW: Putin to lay flowers at monument on Red Square to mark National Unity Day

Representatives of religious denominations, public and youth organizations will take part in the ceremon

Ukrainian ombudsman asks Russia to provide lists of Ukrainians POWs for exchange

Dmitry Lubinets contacted his Russian counterpart Tatyana Moskalkova

Moldova’s presidential runoff can be considered valid — CEC

Turnout in the second round has amounted to 54.18%

Hezbollah fires 105 rockets from Lebanon at Israel on November 3 — IFD

The army "will continue to protect Israel and its people from threats" from Hezbollah, the press service noted

Google’s fines in Russia reach stratospheric levels — lawyer

Google can return to the Russian market only if it complies with the court’s decision

OSCE observers say runoff presidential election in Moldova was efficiently administered

According to the statement, incumbent President Maia Sandu "continued to benefit from the misuse of public resources, albeit this was significantly less widespread than in the first round, and from unbalanced media coverage."

Press review: Lavrov embarks on EU visit and Russia permits individual crypto mining

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, November 1st

Malaysia rejects US call to 'stop being friendly' with Russia — PM

Anwar Ibrahim said the call came during a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the sidelines of the 19th East Asia Summit in Laos

Trump catches up with Harris in latest poll before election — The New York Post poll

Both candidates have received 49% support among likely voters, with 2% saying they would back another candidate

French tired of supporting Ukraine — war correspondent

Christelle Nahan noted that people were tired of the fact that there was not enough money for the development of infrastructure, hospitals and schools, for pensions and benefits for children

Total losses of Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Kursk Region reach over 29,600 servicemen

Meanwhile, over the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have lost over 350 servicemen

Attacks on reserves and Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

The Ukrainian armed forces lost over 150 troops in the Kursk area in the past day

First political refugee from United States John Robles thanks Putin for Russian passport

According to the media, he has been living in Russia since the 1990s

About 100 projectiles launched at Israel from Lebanon since daybreak — IDF

The Israel Defense Forces noted that it "will continue to defend the State of Israel and its people against the threat posed by the Hezbollah terrorist organization"

Southern sector of Ukrainian defense in DPR close to collapse — The Guardian

Kupiansk military-civilian mayor Andrey Besedin described the situation as "critical" and said that approximately 1,400 people were refusing to evacuate from their homes, awaiting the arrival of Russian troops

Putin meets with visiting North Korean foreign minister — Kremlin spokesman

On November 1, Choe Son Hui held talks with her Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov

Most residents forcibly evacuated from Kupyansk — local authorities

According to Head of the Kharkov Region military-civilian administration Vitaly Ganchev, the Russian soldiers have made serious advances in the Svatovo and Kupyansk areas recently

Australia ships JDAM-ER systems to Kiev — report

It is unknown when or how many of these weapons were handed over

Medvedev says any new uprising in Ukraine would seek to execute current leaders

The Russian politician said the goal of Zelensky and his team is to stay in power in the country as long as possible

Israel reports eliminating Hezbollah drone expert in Lebanon

Ali Barakat was "a significant source of knowledge for the unit, spending over a decade planning and carrying out UAV attacks on Israel," the IDF said

Economic sanctions against Russia not working — top Hungarian diplomat

As an example, he cited Europe’s continuing purchases of Russian liquified natural gas and Russian uranium supplies to the United States for the production of fuel for US nuclear plants

Collapse of Operation Citadel 2.0

Crowds throw mud at Spanish king during visit to flood zone

As a result, the king's visit to Paiporta was cut short

US citizen who shared data on Ukrainian military with Russian army wants to stay in Russia

Daniel Martindale noted that after peace is restored, he would like to go back to farming

Fencing installed around Harris’ residence in Washington ahead of election

Apart from that, additional fencing will be installed around the US Capitol and the US Department of the Treasury in Washington

Putin to accept letters of credentials from 28 new ambassadors on November 5

The ceremony will also be attended by representatives from Argentina, Italy, Spain, New Zealand, Ireland, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Finland

Polls close in Moldova’s runoff presidential vote

As of 9 p.m. local time, voter turnout amounted to 54%

Ukrainian lawmaker Bezuglaya calls out ‘catastrophic situation’ in country’s army

Maryana Bezuglaya accused Commander-in-Chief Alexander Syrsky for his alleged failure of the military operation in Russia’s borderline Kursk area and the complicated situation in the southern directions of the frontline

Medvedev warns against expecting too much from US presidential election

According to him, Donald Trump will not be able to end the war in Ukraine if he wins the US presidential election

Sandu wins Moldova's elections with 55.33% of votes, Stoianoglo gains 44.67%

In total, 1,699,025 people came to the polling stations in Moldova and abroad, which is more than 54.31% of the people included in the electoral lists. In the second round of the 2020 presidential elections, this figure reached 58.22%

NATO intends to fight ‘defensive battles’ thousands of miles from its territory — Lavrov

According to Lavrov, all reasonable observers understand "that this is a road to nowhere".

Ukraine lost 6,000 more fighters on LPR borders in one month than in September

During this period the Russian Armed Forces destroyed 746 vehicles, 365 various armored vehicles, 61 tanks, 12 launchers of multiple launch rocket systems

Iran has hundreds of missiles capable of inflicting severe damage Israel — WSJ

The article states that the Israeli attack has compromised the air defense systems protecting key Iranian facilities

Attempts to destroy Iran’s nuclear capacity may expand conflict — top Turkish diplomat

According to Fidan, Israel continues to put forward conditions in talks with the Palestinian movement Hamas

Russian Air Defense Forces shot down four HIMARS missiles, Hammer bomb, 42 Ukrainian UAVs

Russia’s East battlegroup improves its position, Ukraine loses up to 110 servicemen

Russian diplomat comments on voting machine fraud in early US voting

Maria Zakharova was commenting on reports that said a voting machine at a US polling station assigned a vote cast for Republican Donald Trump to Democrat Kamala Harris

US is ‘feeding war’, but this order will end — Medvedev

According to Dmitry Medvedev, the Americans are making money on arms supplies, on allocating money to their military-industrial complex

Turnout in Moldova’s runoff vote surpasses first round — CEC

It has reached 51.7% two and a half hours before polls close

Medvedev sees West waging real war on Russia in Ukraine

"Our current adversaries argue that they have a right to send any weapons to Ukraine or that they have a right to dispatch their advisors to consult on how to conduct hostilities," the Russian Security Council deputy chairman said

Israeli airstrike kills Hezbollah commander in southern Lebanon — IDF

According to Israeli military, the strike in the Jwaya area also eliminated the commander of the Nasser drone unit

Moldovan presidential candidate calls for balanced foreign policy

Alexandr Stoianoglo also pointed to the issue of ethnic and political discrimination in the country

As election nears, more Americans plan to emigrate — report

News reports said earlier that representatives of the Republican and Democratic parties in the US Congress fear the presidential election could be followed by an outburst of violence

Kiev's violation of agreements means less territory for Ukraine — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister also recalled the Istanbul agreements

Sandu is winning in 2nd round of Moldovan presidential elections with 55.04% — CEC

Votes at a number of polling stations abroad are yet to be counted

BRICS countries dominate world economy — official

He pointed to the improved quality of life in the BRICS countries, the birth rate among the key factors and noted other demographic and socio-economic reasons

Russian Pacific Fleet ships enter Indonesian port on eve of joint drills

In the waters of the Andaman Sea, a group of Russian warships participated in joint maritime drills with Myanmar dubbed Marumex-2024

Lavrov calls for West’s misconceptions about Ukrainian crisis to be exposed

According to the Russian Foreign Minister, there had been numerous initiatives regarding the Ukrainian crisis, but none of them mentioned that "the principles of the United Nations Charter should be applied not selectively but in their entirety"

Sandu declares her victory in Moldovan presidential election

Earlier, former President and leader of the Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova Igor Dodon said in a conversation with TASS that Sandu had received fewer votes within the country than her rival Alexander Stoianoglo