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This week in photos: Atom-style Tabakov statue, Moon samples on Earth and Santa underwater

Take a look at the world in pictures from a TASS photo gallery

Photo {{sliderIndex+1}} from 12

A live broadcast of the 16th annual year-end press conference by Russia's President Vladimir Putin on a huge screen installed on the facade of the Salyut Hotel, Moscow, December 17

© Anton Novoderezhkin/TASS, archive

The unveiling of a monument to Russian actor Oleg Tabakov at Malaya Sukharevskaya Square, Moscow, December 14. Designed by Alexander Rukavishnikov, the monument is known as "An Atom of Oleg Tabakov's Star". The statue group depicts Oleg Tabakov and Matroskin the Cat (a cartoon character voiced by Tabakov) sitting on a raft, leaning against a bronze sphere

© Vyacheslav Prokofyev/TASS

Workers from the cultural sector participating in a protest against government closure measures during the COVID-19 outbreak in Paris, December 15. The cultural sector, which includes theatres, cinemas and museums, is dubbed non-essential and must remain closed to the public as part of the French government's protocol to curb the rise in COVID-19 cases

© EPA-EFE/IAN LANGSDON

Police officers surrounding a suspect who was shooting outside the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, December 13

© REUTERS/Jeenah Moon

Installing a Soyuz-2.1b rocket booster with 36 OneWeb satellites on a launch pad at the Vostochny Cosmodrome, December 15. The launch is scheduled for December 18. This will be the first commercial launch from the cosmodrome

© Yuri Smityuk/TASS

Lit giant statues of polar bears in Akveduk Park in Rostokino, Moscow, in the run-up to Christmas and New Year, December 15

© Gavriil Grigorov/TASS

The moon covering the sun during a solar eclipse in Piedra del Aguila, December 14. The total solar eclipse was visible from the northern Patagonia region of Argentina and from Araucania in Chile

© AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko

People working at the landing site of the China's Chang'e-5 probe after it landed in Siziwang Banner, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China, December 17. China's Chang'e-5 probe's return capsule brought back the country's first Moon samples. The samples are the first lunar samples in over 40 years

© EPA-EFE/REN JUNCHUAN/XINHUA

104-year-old Elena wished for “good health”, with medical staff applauding her as she exited the hospital in Madrid, December 14. A centenarian has been discharged from a hospital in Spain after recovering from coronavirus

© Hospital Gregorio Maranon/Handout via REUTERS

Artists performing in a gala concert as part of the 2020 Dance Open International Ballet Festival at the Oktyabrsky Grand Concert Hall, Saint Petersburg, December 16

© Peter Kovalev/TASS

A scuba diver dressed as Santa Claus swimming with fish during a performance at the Delfinia oceanography and marine biology centre, Novosibirsk, December 17

© Kirill Kukhmar/TASS

Christmas tree is decorated in central Kazan ahead of the holiday season, December 14

© Yegor Aleyev/TASS

Atom-style monument to Russian actor Oleg Tabakov, China's Chang'e-5 mission bringing back the country's first Moon samples, and Santa Claus swimming with fish are among some of the developments captured in this week's photos.

Most Russians believe survey results — pollster

According to VCIOM Director General Valery Fyodorov, 83% of respondents think public opinion polls are fairly necessary

Over 7,400 attacks on healthcare facilities registered worldwide since 2018 — WHO

Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that over the past three years frequency, scale and impact of attacks on healthcare has increased

Israel achieves its goals in conflict with Hamas, time to 'end the war' — Blinken

"Israel, by the standards it set itself, has accomplished the goals that it set for itself," the US Secretary of State noted

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

Trump to nominate North Dakota governor Burgum as interior secretary

The official announcement will be made on Friday

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

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

Ukraine aims to call up 1 mln people in eastern areas by end of 2024 — official

According to the plan, 360,000 people are to be mobilized in October; 325,000 and 300,000 in November and December, respectively

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

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

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

The Belarusian leader noted that they want to go to Warsaw

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

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

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

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

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'

What is known about Sevastopol car blast

Sevastopol Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev did not rule out the possibility that the incident was the result of sabotage

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

At least ten Ukrainian troops were killed

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'

No plans for major government reshuffle after parliamentary election — Georgian PM

According to Irakli Kobakhidze, increasing national GDP by some $14.6 bln will be the Georgian Dream - Democratic Georgia ruling party’s goal for the next four years

Israeli strike on southern Lebanese village leaves at least six dead

Four of the victims were rescue workers

Lavrov arrives in UAE to take part in Sir Bani Yas Forum

The forum kicks off on November 15

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

Press review: US to maintain aid to Israel while Kiev regime faces challenge to retain it

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, November 14th

Two injured in bridge collapse in Crimea

"A car and a truck were on the bridge at the moment of collapse. Russian Emergencies Ministry rescuers retrieved two injured people," the ministry said

Grossi oversteps authority by talking about freeze of Ukraine conflict — Russian MFA

The Russian diplomats also said that IAEA experts will stay at the ZNPP as long as Russia deems their presence there necessary

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

India increases imports of goods from Russia by 8.8% in April — October

Russia has become India's fourth largest trading partner after the US, China and the UAE

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

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

Ukraine and Germany also discussed further defense cooperation

Most Russians believe survey results — pollster

According to VCIOM Director General Valery Fyodorov, 83% of respondents think public opinion polls are fairly necessary

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

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

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

Trump picks ex-congressman Collins for veterans’ affairs secretary

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

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

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

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

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

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"

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

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

Russian air defenses down multiple aerial targets over Belgorod, with one injury reported

Vyacheslav Gladkov noted that the windows of 11 apartments in six apartment buildings were damaged in Belgorod

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

Hamas ready for immediate ceasefire in Gaza, official says

According to Basem Naim, the last "well-defined, brokered deal was the deal of July 2"

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

Attempts being made to drag Syria into armed confrontation in Middle East — diplomat

According to Alexander Lavrentyev, the top priority today is to prevent such attempts

Israeli military vows to keep Syrian-made weapons out of Hezbollah’s hands by any means

IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said that Israeli troops have detected the movement's use of Syrian-produced weapons in its attacks on Israel

Presidential election in Abkhazia to be held within legal period — president

The country’s opposition said the election may take place in January 2024

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

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

Explosion heard in Damascus suburb

The circumstances of the incident are being established at the moment

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"

US-led coalition's aircraft violate Syrian airspace nine times in past day

In a separate development, a total of 3,516 people crossed into Syria from the territory of Lebanon in the reported period

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

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

Iran will never try to build nuclear weapons, president tells IAEA chief

Masoud Pezeshkian accused the US of derailing the agreements around Iran's nuclear program

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

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

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

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

Israel carries out airstrikes on three Hezbollah targets on southern outskirts of Beirut

According to the report, about an hour prior to the attack, an Israeli military command spokesperson posted a warning in Arabic about the upcoming strikes on social media

Trump’s return to power unlikely to change US approach to Ukraine crisis — Lavrov

Washington will always seek to control everything that is happening within NATO’s orbit, especially on NATO territory, the Russian foreign minister said

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

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"

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

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

PREVIEW: Russia’s national football team to play its first-ever game against Brunei

Based on the FIFA rankings, the team of Brunei will be Russia’s weakest opposent ever

France wraps up training of new Ukrainian brigade — minister

The brigade is equipped with French weapons

Most Russians say special op doesn't bleed into their daily life

While public anxiety remains high, the percentage of Russians who view the situation as catastrophic or as a crisis has noticeably decreased, and the share of citizens who accept the current circumstances as a new normal is rising

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

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

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"

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"

Baltic Sea will never turn into 'NATO lake' — Russian MFA

Maria Zakharova emphasized that the Baltic Sea "will always be a common space for all of the region’s countries without exception"

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

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

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

Zelensky announces work on new action plan

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

Russian troops secure ground near Novodarovka, Rovnopol in Zaporozhye Region — official

On November 13, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that the Russian Armed Forces had liberated the settlement of Rovnopol in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), located near the administrative border with the Zaporozhye Region

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

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

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

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

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

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

Authorities of southeastern Ukrainian region report ‘infrastructure damage’

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

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

Kamala Harris’s campaign team continues fundraising efforts after election defeat — TV

Republican candidate Donald Trump defeated current US Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic Party’s contender, in the November 5 presidential election

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"

Bloodshed in Ukraine to end soon, Musk says

The Axios portal reported earlier that Musk took part in a phone call between Trump and Vladimir Zelensky

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

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

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

Erdogan praises Russia, China for backing arms embargo on Israel

According to the Turkish leader, Israel "will become more and more aggressive if arms and ammunition supplies continue"

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

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

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

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

Putin discussed Ukraine with Saudi crown prince — Kremlin

"The sides indeed touched upon the topic of the conflict. We have nothing more to say," Dmitry Peskov said

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

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'

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