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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.

Pope Francis prays for peace for Russia, Ukrainian peoples

He also called for peace in the Holy Land, namely in Palestine, Israel, as well as in Lebanon, Syria, and the entire Middle East

New Syrian authorities in touch with Western embassies, militant leader says

They are also "holding talks with the UK to reopen its mission in Damascus," Ahmed al-Sharaa said

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

CSTO ex-Secretary General explains why Ukraine was never invited to CSTO

Even within the CIS Ukraine was in a semi-legal position because they had not ratified all of the CIS-related agreements, including the CIS founding acts, Nikolay Bordyuzha said

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

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

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

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

New Syrian leader gives Russia chance to review relations with Syria

Ahmed al-Sharaa also said that the country's new authorities will not enter into a conflict with Israel

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

Access to Viber messenger restricted in Russia — media watchdog

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

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

Russian oil tanker in distress in Kerch Strait with 13 people on board

No information about casualties or a possible oil spill is available at this point

Next year unlikely to be easy, Russia hopes for victory — Medvedev

Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said it at the 22nd United Russia party congress.

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

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

Argentinian president Javier Milei granted Italy’s citizenship

The request was considered on a fast-track basis

Polish soldier Emil Czeczko who fled to Belarus found hanged in Minsk

A forensic examination will be held to establish the cause of the man’s death

Bolivarian Alliance summit participants approve declaration — Maduro

The plenary session of the summit took place for "four hours and forty minutes, and the work continued behind closed doors for two hours," the president said

No interaction with CIA on Syria, Russian intel chief says

Sergey Naryshkin also said that he had no information as to whether former Syrian President Bashar Assad had received state protection

Bolivarian Alliance countries support multipolar world — Maduro

The president called for "the unity of political trends" of the Latin American region

Air raid alert issued in six regions of Ukraine

The air raid sirens went off in the Dnepropetrovsk, Kirovograd, Nikolayev, Sumy, Poltava and Kharkov regions

7.5 mln Ukrainians remain abroad — Foreign Minister

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

Putin orders rescue efforts after two oil tankers run aground off Crimea — Kremlin

The Russian leader also ordered to set up a governmental working group led by Deputy Prime Minister Davelyev, Dmitry Peskov said

Vega missions to Venus mark triumph of space science — Roscosmos

Vega 1 spacecraft and its twin Vega 2 were launched on December 15 and 21, 1984, respectively

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

Shelter housing hostages in Gaza attacked by IDF, Hamas insists

According to the spokesman, Hamas fighters "tried to pull the hostages from under the rubble, and they managed to get one of them out, but their fate is unknown"

Moscow’s special op exposed Pentagon’s biolab scheme in Ukraine, says key Russian MP

It is reported that the task of the commission is to "set forth all the evidence that has been investigated in a reasoned, consistent and systematic way"

Russian forces liberate Vesyoly Gai, Pushkino in Donbass region

Russian forces also destroyed four US-made Patriot missile launchers, Russia’s Defense Ministry said

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

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

Some 700 Ukrainian troops trapped near Kurakhovo, Russian official reveals

According to the Russian official, the remaining Ukrainian troops in Kurakhovo itself can find themselves trapped, and very soon, too

Unidentified drones disrupt airport operations in State of New York — governor

The US administration has not yet established the origin of unmanned aerial vehicles spotted in skies over the State of New Jersey and New York, a FBI official said earlier at the online briefing

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"

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

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

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

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

All 13 crew members evacuated from tanker aground in Kerch Strait, one dies

According to the Crimean department of the Russian Emergencies Ministry, two oil tankers were damaged in a storm in the waters of the Black Sea

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

Ukrainian command prohibits soldiers to retreat from Velikaya Novosyolka in Donbass region

The Ukrainians at this sector of the line of engagement have been surrendering

New regions may join Russia, Medvedev says

"This is quite possible," Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman said

Another anti-government rally being held in Tbilisi

The protesters demand the resignation of the government and a new parliamentary election

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

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

Israeli military raiding West Bank — news agency

The military made searches using stun grenades and tear gas against local residents

ABC News to pay $15 mln to Trump in pre-trial settlement

According to the agreement reached, ABC News will pay $15 mln as a charitable contribution "to be made to a Presidential foundation and museum to be established by or for Plaintiff"

Israel announces closure of embassy in Ireland

The Israeli side motivated this step by recalling that last week Ireland supported South Africa’s legal motion against Israel with the International Court of Justice, accusing Israel of genocide

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"

Russian forces down Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet — top brass

Air defenses downed a MiG-29 fighter jet belonging to the Ukrainian air force, eight US-made HIMARS multiple rocket launchers and 116 unmanned aerial vehicles

Trump picks Grenell for special missions envoy’s position

Grenell served earlier as the US Ambassador to Germany and as the Presidential Envoy for Kosovo-Serbia Negotiations

Turkey’s embassy in Syria resumes operations — TV channel

It has been closed since March 2012

Russian economy growing despite unprecedented sanctions — Putin

The Russian leader added that all objectives set forth for Russia in the near future and the long-term perspective will be fulfilled

South Korean Parliament upholds impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol

The formal impeachment procedure regarding President Yoon Suk Yeol will now have to be approved by the Constitutional Court within 180 days

Hezbollah expects authorities in Damascus to choose in interests of Syria and Lebanon

"The Syrian people have the right to elect their government and approved the constitution," Secretary General of Hezbollah movement Sheikh Naim Qassem 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

Putin calls for increased attention to special military operation’s veterans

Russian President noted that their leadership qualities must be fully engaged in tackling national tasks, including within the framework of the Times of Heroes program

Seoul calls on Moscow not to discuss improvement of bilateral ties amid Yoon’s impeachment

On Saturday, Russian Ambassador to Seoul Georgy Zinovyev said that as long as the ROK has not crossed the "red line" of sending weapons to Ukraine the potential for restoring bilateral ties remain

Progress reached in Israel-Hamas talks on hostages — news outlet

Key details of the deal are now kept secret to avoid political interference that may disrupt it, the official said

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

11 people taken to hospital after oil tanker wreck in Black Sea — health ministry

Two of them are in grave conditions, Alexey Kuznetsov, an aide to the Russian health minister, said

Russian Aerospace Force radars able to detect any aerial threats

Distinctive features of new equipment of radio-technical troops are the modern element base and the high level of automation for all process of radar information processing and output

Mikhail Kavelashvili elected as 6th president of Georgia

A total of 224 members of the 300-member electoral college cast their votes in favor of Kavelashvili

Russia approves pact on peaceful space exploration with Algeria

The agreement encompasses various areas of cooperation, including space science, astrophysical phenomena studies, planetary research, and remote Earth sensing

Nicaragua offers Russia to build new canal together — special envoy

The construction of a new Carribean port is already underway, Laureano Ortega Murillo said

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

Large Ukrainian stronghold wiped out near Konstantinovka — Russian military officials

According to them, more than 10 Ukrainian troops were killed in the attack

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

CSTO understood Ukraine was turned into anti-Russia — ex-secretary general

Nikolay Bordyuzha noted "that the Ukrainian population was actually fostered in the spirit of hatred of Russians, everything Russia, and Russia"

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

Poland imposes sanctions on Russian billionaire Oleg Boiko

Boiko also faces sanctions in Ukraine and Australia

Putin meets with former President of Kazakhstan Nazarbayev

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

US authorities not yet finding causes of drones appearing in skies

FBI official thinks "there has been a slight overreaction” to the situation

Crowds of protesters gather at Georgian Parliament’s building amid presidential election

Georgia is holding the presidential election on Saturday

Kremlin refutes Trump’s remarks on losses in Ukrainian conflict

The Ukrainian army’s losses surpass those of Russia exponentially, Dmitry Peskov said

Ukraine loses over 200 troops in Kursk area over past day — top brass

Over the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian army’s losses also one tank, one US-made Bradley infantry fighting vehicle, one armored combat vehicle, seven motor vehicles

Storm-beaten oil tankers were carrying nearly 9,000 tons of mazut — emergencies service

Both tankers were seriously damaged, with the foreship of one of them being torn off by a wave

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

Israel, Jordan held secret talks on Syria — Axios

The topic of the growing threat of weapons smuggling to the West Bank was discussed at the meeting, which may lead to aggravation of the situation in the Palestinian territory

Person implicated in December 9 car blast in central Donetsk nabbed in Donbass region

The attack was ordered by Ukraine’s special services, the FSB added

Moscow shooter identified as European boxing champion Nikita Ivanov

This was reported by a representative of law enforcement agencies

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

Putin lauds participation of lawmakers in special op as courageous move

The Russian president also said that the veterans who returned with injuries must receive special attention and full support

Dozens of Ukrainian soldiers encircled in Kurakhovo, the Russian military says

According to them, the Ukrainian battlegroup is being "ground down" gradually so that it cannot flee the town

Scholz politically isolated in EU, German politician says

"Regrettably, it should be said so: the majority of European politicians simply do not want to meet anymore the German Chancellor that either sits silent for hours or lectures the world," said Friedrich Merz

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

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

Presidential election in Georgia is completed as over half of electoral college cast votes

Ioseliani added that the voting would continue until 2:00 p.m. local time (1:00 p.m. Moscow time), and then the Central Election Commission will begin calculating the votes

Su-35S fighter jets providing air coverage in border areas of Kursk Region

"When performing combat missions, crews of Su-35S multirole fighters practiced the air coverage in the designated area for operations of bombers and assault aircraft and army aviation helicopters when delivering air strikes against armored vehicles and personnel of the Ukrainian army," the ministry informed

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

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

Ukraine loses its population, Ukrainians choose Russia, politician says

According to Viktor Medvedchuk, even some representatives of the current government acknowledge that the state policy regarding the support of internally displaced persons has actually failed

All Russian parliamentary parties support measures to protect civilians in Donbass — Putin

The Russian president said it speaking at the session of the United Russia ruling political party

Russia expects continued meetings on Syria with Turkey, Iran — senior diplomat

The Astana talks were founded in 2017, with 21 meetings held to date

Russian cancer vaccine to be free of charge — top oncologist

It is planned to launch it in general circulation in early 2025

Top diplomats from eight Arab countries call to create UN mission on Syria

They also urged to halt all military actions in Syria

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

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

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

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

Damaged Russian cargo ships in Kerch Strait cause oil spill emergency

Two rescue tugboats and two helicopters have been dispatched, the Federal Agency for Sea and Inland Water Transport reported

Russia's Oreshnik missile test made Europe 'nervous,' ex-Pentagon official says

Jim Townsend suggested that with US President-elect Donald Trump soon to take office again, some in Europe would be "secretly pleased" to see a peace deal get done

Ukrainian casualties in Kursk region amount to over 400 in past day

Also, seven Ukrainian motor vehicles, three artillery mounts and 10 mortars were destroyed