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Coronavirus pandemic

About 50,000 people inoculated against coronavirus in Moscow

Moscow is in the first place in Russia by the number of the coronavirus infections

© Pyotr Kovalyov/TASS

MOSCOW, December 29. /TASS/. About 50,000 people have already received a shot against the coronavirus in Moscow and 70,000 people registered for inoculation, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said in an interview with Channel One on Tuesday.

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"A huge number [of people] have already been vaccinated and all are in good health. To date, we have inoculated about 50,000 people, 70,000 signed up," he said.

The mayor added that Moscow has a double supply of inoculation stations and if the demand for vaccination increases, new stations will be opened.

Moscow is in the first place in Russia by the number of the coronavirus infections. In all, 798,098 cases of the infection have been detected in the city, 5,641 of them over the past 24 hours. Some 615,396 patients have recovered, 11,064 died.

FACTBOX: Orthodox feast of Christmas

Hungary rejects Coalition of the Willing’s decisions on Ukraine — top diplomat

According to the top Hungarian diplomat, this is in line with the current EU leaders’ policy toward unleashing an armed conflict with Moscow

Basketballer Kasatkin detained in France exchanged for French national Vinatier — FSB

Vinatier has been pardoned by Russian President’s decree, according to the Federal Security Service

Use of phones is cause of tragedy in Makeyevka — Russian Defense Ministry

A commission investigating circumstances of the incident is working and required measures are being taken to exclude such tragedies in the future

French politician describes EU response to Maduro’s detention as ‘hypocritical’

"The EU rushed to condemn Russia’s special military operation in February 2022, without taking into account the fact that Ukraine" have failed to comply with the Minsk 1 and 2 agreements and "ignored the genocide of the Russian-speaking people of Donbass" and at the same time, they stopped short of condemning the US actions in Venezuela, Fabrice Sorlin said

British troops to take part in ‘deterrence operations’ in Ukraine — PM

According to the prime minister, a "legal instrument’ will be needed to send troops to Ukraine

Sophia tanker with Venezuelan oil doesn’t belong to any country — White House

"This vessel was operating in international waters and conducting illicit activities in the Caribbean Sea," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said

Former US marine calls seizure of Russian ship in Atlantic ‘theft’ and ‘piracy’

"When the US Navy seizes oil tankers on the high seas, including one tied to Russia, and reroutes their cargo under the banner of ‘law enforcement,’ that isn’t diplomacy or peacekeeping," John Mark Dougan said

Medvedev bashes US general’s idiotic remarks about Kaliningrad’s air defenses

The Russian PM commented on media reports citing the commander of the US Air Forces in Europe on Pentagon's plans to ‘crack’ the air defenses in the Kaliningrad Region in case of Russia's aggression

Russian armed forces destroy Ukrainian forces’ equipment near Kupyansk — Defense Ministry

The ministry noted that specialists from the unmanned systems troops have reduced the reconnaissance-to-strike cycle to a minimum

Four Russian lawmakers invited to Washington this month — US MP

"I have received authorization from the State Department for four members from the Russian Duma to come meet with members of Congress regarding peace talks," said Anna Paulina Luna

Paris declaration on Ukraine brings world closer to third world war — Ukrainian politician

This declaration, in his words, "means that there will be no peace and the conflict will never end"

Russia ready to evacuate people from Israel, Palestine at any moment — Putin

The President called on all Russian nationals who wish to leave Israel and Palestine promptly to contact the Russian embassy

US demands from Venezuela to severe economic ties with Iran, Cuba, China, Russia — TV

According to the US-based television broadcaster, Washington put forward several demands to the acting President of Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez

Netanyahu tells ministers he has US support for another operation in Lebanon — radio

According to Kan, Israeli prime minister told the country’s government members that US President Donald Trump had greenlighted such an operation that would be geared to disarm Hezbollah units

Trump feared operation in Venezuela could turn into 'Carter's disaster' — media

The American leader noted that this operation “destroyed the entire Carter administration"

US conducts operation to seize Russian oil tanker Marinera — Reuters

It also said that US troops were also involved in the operation

Production rate of US defense companies too slow — Trump

Ameican leader said that US defense contractors "are currently issuing massive Dividends to their Shareholders and massive Stock Buybacks, at the expense and detriment of investing in Plants and Equipment"

Traders Vitol, Trafigura in talks with US to sell Venezuelan oil — Reuters

Representatives of those European companies will participate in a meeting at the White House scheduled for January 9, according to sources

Tokyo pushes for dialogue with Moscow to resolve existing issues — cabinet

According to Japanese Prime Minister Minoru Kihara, Japanese-Russian relations are currently in a difficult situation

US to continue seizing sanctioned, stateless tankers — Pentagon chief

"Stateless or sanctioned because the oil blockade, the quarantine of oil out of sanctioned or stateless vessels continues," Pete Hegseth said

Hungary rejects Coalition of the Willing’s decisions on Ukraine — top diplomat

According to the top Hungarian diplomat, this is in line with the current EU leaders’ policy toward unleashing an armed conflict with Moscow

Kremlin stresses Chechen leader’s harsh statements taken out of context

Kadyrov’s words are taken out of context, the Kremlin spokesman stressed

Trump pledges to press for construction of modern defense plants in US

The president added that he would not permit dividends or stock buybacks for defense companies until such time as these problems slow production and servicing of US weapons and military equipment are rectified

US counts on amnestying of Venezuelan opposition forces — Rubio

Washington does not want Venezuela "descending into chaos," Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted

Bones of possible common ancestor of Homo sapiens, Neanderthals unearthed in Morocco

The discovery dates back to the period between years 700,000 and 773,000 BC

US triumph in Venezuela could turn into disaster — Russian senator

Alexey Pushkov opined that by attacking Venezuela and capturing its president, the US violated all norms, "once again stirring up the whole world, returning it to the savage imperialism of the 19th century"

White House yet undecided on whether it will seek elections in Venezuela this year

"It's too premature and too early to dictate a timetable for elections in Venezuela," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said

US in close contacts with Venezuela’s interim authorities — White House

"We obviously have maximum leverage over the interim authorities in Venezuela right now," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said

Turkish party leader calls for forming alliance with Russia, Iran, China against US

Last October, Perincek already proposed the idea of creating an international alliance against the United States, describing this move as a historic need

US demands Venezuela expel advisors from Russia, China and Iran — NYT

Earlier, Rubio stated that Venezuela can no longer serve as a strategic base for opponents of the US

Ukraine loses nearly 1,280 servicemen along engagement line over past day

In the area of responsibility of Russia’s Battlegroup North, Ukraine’s losses amounted to up to 160 servicemen and 17 vehicles

INTERVIEW: ZNPP calls on Kiev to avoid provoking third nuclear accident in 100 years

According to Chernichuk, the Ukranian attacks pose a serious threat to nuclear safety

Kaliningrad Region is well protected from US air attacks — top brass

The Russian Defense Ministry also said that the Pentagon had reasons to be concerned that the delivery of the Russian-made S-400 systems to Turkey might tarnish the image of the F-35 stealth aircraft

US senator says Trump supports new anti-Russian sanctions

Lindsey Graham believes that the bill, if adopted, will give the US president "tremendous leverage" against Russian trade partners like China, India and Brazil to incentivize them to stop buying Russian oil

Ukraine loses 1,180 servicemen in all special op areas over past day

Also Russian air defense forces shot down 142 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones over the past day

Graivoronsky district head in moderately severe condition — governor

Dmitry Pankov went to the village of Golovchino to assess the damage from a drone strike on a commercial property

Russia calls on US to cease illegal activities against Marinera — MFA

The United States is required to ensure humane and dignified treatment of Russian citizens and not create obstacles to their speedy return to their homeland

Sixteen children added to Ukraine’s database of unwanted persons Mirotvorets

They were included in the database over an alleged attempt to undermine Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and "a deliberate violation of the state border"

Deployment of multinational forces for Ukraine impossible without Russia’s consent — Merz

Germany is ready to contribute to efforts to maintain a possible ceasefire in Ukraine, German Chancellor noted

Kremlin hits out at Biden’s insults against Putin

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was surprised that Biden, who was an enthusiastic proponent of bombing Yugoslavia in 1999, voiced such assertions against Putin

Operation in Venezuela shows that US is turning from republic into empire — Carlson

This means that "the power will vest in the executive and not the legislative branch, Congress will inevitably wither, the journalist predicted

Polish PM fears ‘something has changed’ in EU-US relations

The updated US National Security Strategy expresses concern that Europe will be unrecognizable and on the verge of destruction as a civilization in 20 years

Russia not to accept 'truce-and-see' approach on Ukraine, says Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister said that in Istanbul in 2022 Russia and Ukraine "initialed the settlement principles proposed by the Ukrainian delegation"

About 200 US servicemen were in Caracas to capture Maduro — Hegseth

War Secretary Pete Hegseth stressed that not a single American soldier was killed

Russia demands US ensure humane treatment of Russians onboard Marinera vessel

The Pentagon said earlier that the Russian-flagged oil tanker Marinera had been detained in the North Atlantic

Trumps says Russia, China would have no fear of NATO without US

According to the US leader, under his pressure, NATO countries have agreed to increase their defense spending up to 5% of the GDP, although "everyone said that couldn’t be done"

Greenland important for missile defense — US vice president

"The entire missile defense infrastructure is partially dependent on Greenland," JD Vance said

Tucker Carlson says Russia "essential" country for US

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EC leaves action against Russian tankers to discretion of EU countries

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EU doesn’t recognize legitimacy of Venezuelan interim president — European Commission

The authorities in Venezuela derived their mandate from an electoral process that failed to respect the will of the people for democratic change

Trump congratulates Zelensky on victory in Ukrainian presidential election

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West deliberately wages war against Russia, using Ukraine as a cover — ex-defense chief

According to Vulin, the West fully controls what is happening, and the opinion of the Ukrainians themselves does not interest anyone

Total blackout reported in Dnepropetrovsk — TV

Electricity and water supplies, central heating, mobile communications and internet services are currently not available to its residents

Parliament to vote on sending British troops to Ukraine — Starmer

British Prime Minister would put that matter to the House for a vote

Macron voices his plans to hold conversation with Putin as soon as possible

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Russia’s Su-35S jets disable US F-16s, French Mirages in Ukraine operation — Rostec chief

Sergey Chemezov said the Su-35S engages targets at distances of hundreds of kilometers

Trump’s confident about taking Greenland due to Europe's weakness — Sky News reporter

Deborah Haynes stressed that European countries, including the UK, are heavily dependent on the US for defense

What Solzhenitsyn said about Putin, and vice versa

The prominent writer and historian, who was exiled to GULAG camp, was born on December 11, 1918

Two people killed, six injured in Salt Lake City shooting — TV

Police have not yet arrested the suspect

"Coalition of the Willing" won’t send troops to Ukraine, French politician says

Russia opposes the presence of NATO troops in Ukraine

NATO is 'now done' — Tucker Carlson on Greenland

According to him, "the whole illusion has shattered in the past four days"

Pentagon chief links Russian tanker detention to embargo on Venezuelan oil

Earlier in the day, EUCOM confirmed the detention of the Russian Marinera oil tanker in the Atlantic

Russian diplomat slams US statement on ‘cracking’ Kaliningrad defense as irresponsible

Every step in the Persian Gulf should be legally justified, says Russian diplomat

Europe’s anti-Russian politicians doomed, they don’t trust their strategies — Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister emphasized that the key task of domestic diplomacy today is to support the efforts of fighters in the special military operation

Minneapolis protestor shot dead by US immigration control officer — AP

Describing the incident as "an act of domestic terrorism," the US Department of Homeland Security said the woman was trying to run over ICE officers with her vehicle, and the officers acted in self-defense

Bern sees no justification for US attack on Venezuela from point of view of int'l law

"Nicolas Maduro also violates international law. In particular, it is a violation of Venezuela's sovereignty, as well as a violation of Maduro's personal immunity," the Swiss foreign ministry said

UK assists US in seizing Marinera tanker — defense ministry

According to the ministry, the assistance was provided "in full compliance with international law"

Aggression condemnation, fallout: global reaction to US operation in Venezuela

In the statements of the leaders and foreign ministries of several countries, Washington's action is characterized as aggression and an attempt to change power in the country

At least five civilians killed, over 30 wounded in attack on Syria’s Aleppo — TV

According to the report, SDF units attacked a group of servicemen who escorted civilians evacuating from the Kurdish districts of Ashrafiya and Sheikh Maqsoud in the northern part of Aleppo city

EU should disclose size of its shares in defense companies — RDIF chief

"European warmongers suddenly want to deploy troops left and right", Kirill Dmitriev wrote on the X social network as he commented on a report by the European Politico edition

Hungary considers Ukraine's 20-point 'peace plan' unrealistic — Orban’s office

Gulyas warned that Budapest would not take part in implementing plans agreed upon by Kiev and Brussels under these conditions

EU considering possible response to Trump's threats against Greenland — Kallas

Denmark has always been a good ally of the United States, while US President Donald Trump's statements do not contribute to stability in the world

US no longer constitutional, Americans have no say in politics — expert

According to Sachs, Washington’s actions represent "a particularly egregious case"

US to file criminal charges against Marinera ship crew — attorney general

The ship’s crew members undertook "frantic efforts to avoid apprehension" of the tanker, which reportedly was "responsible for transporting sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran," Pam Bondi said

'Security guarantees' document by West, Kiev aims at militarization — MFA

The key provision of the document is "the deployment of certain ‘multinational forces’ on Ukrainian territory", noted Maria Zakharova

China slams US demand for exclusive access to Venezuelan oil as bullying

Mao Ning emphasized that such actions seriously violate international law and the rights of the Venezuelan people

White House thinks Trump will preserve good relations with Putin, Xi, despite Venezuela

According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, the US leader is going to "enforce our policy that’s best for the United States of America"

Press review: Russia may revise Ukraine talks post attack and China launches Taiwan drills

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, December 30th

Trump invited to deliver State of the Union address on February 24

In their annual addresses, US presidents outline their vision of the situation in the country and determine domestic and foreign policy priorities

US has no plans to turn Venezuela into its colony — senator Graham

Lindsey Graham said the US will not own it "forever"

Money from sale of Venezuelan oil to be used for benefits of its people — Rubio

"We have a lot of leverage to move on the stabilization front," US Secretary of State said

President Putin congratulates Russians with Orthodox Christmas holiday

This year, Russian President Putin attended an overnight Orthodox Christmas service at the Church of the Great Martyr George the Victorious in the Moscow Region

Russia wipes out group of foreign mercenaries in Kharkov Region

According to the source, IDs found at the scene confirmed the identities of the three men

US European Command confirms detention of Russian Marinera tanker

The vessel was seized in the North Atlantic pursuant to a warrant issued by a U.S. federal court

Chinese embassy denies FT reports about China’s role in cyberattack on US Congress

"China opposes and fights all forms of hacking in accordance with the law," Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the US, stressed

Military neutrality remains Serbia's constant choice — ex-defense chief

Therefore, military neutrality remains Serbia's constant political choice. For this to change, a lot must change, he noted

Utair aircraft flying from Dubai to Moscow lands at Al Maktoum Airport — Flightradar24

The passengers and crew on board the flight are safe

Austria’s ex-top diplomat slams US’ seizure of Marinera tanker as violation of int’l law

"The principle of innocent passage of merchant ships is key to all maritime shipping," Karin Kneissl said

INTERVIEW: CAR president calls Putin a great leader

In January 2025, Touadera, along with a delegation of several ministers, paid a visit to Russia, where he held talks with Russian leader Vladimir Putin

EU preparing for possible direct confrontation with Trump — newspaper

European governments now understand the seriousness of Trump's threats and are "desperately looking for a plan to stop him"

Trust in NATO, US sharply declines in Ukraine over past year

Survey conducted by the Kiev International Institute of Sociology

Russia prepares response to potential deployment of European troops to Ukraine — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister added that the UK, the European Commission’s leadership, and the majority of NATO and EU member states took "a completely destructive position" on the Ukraine issue

ICE officer shot woman dead in self-defense — Trump

In his opinion, such incidents are happening is because radical left activists are resisting and targeting US law enforcement officers on a daily basis

US actions in Venezuela nullified West’s criticism of Russia’s special op — Carlson

The journalist recalled that the collective West has described Russia’s decision as an unprovoked and unjustified

Nearly 60 Russians killed, over 300 injured by Ukraine’s actions in December

Miroshnik specified that compared with November, both the number of wounded and those killed increased

UAV operators destroy up to 70 units of Ukrainian military equipment near Kupyansk

In addition, Russian FPV strike drone crews hit two Kvertus and Bukovel electronic warfare stations

Trump expected to announce Gaza Board of Peace next week — portal

The board will be chaired by US pesident and "include around 15 world leaders," according to Axios

US energy secretary denies plans to steal Venezuelan oil

"We are just controlling the marketing and the flow of funds in Venezuela so those funds can be used to better the conditions of the Venezuelan people and reduce the risks to the American people," Chris Wright said

Venezuela to buy only US-made products with money from oil deal — Trump

"These purchases will include, among other things, American Agricultural Products, and American Made Medicines, Medical Devices, and Equipment to improve Venezuela’s Electric Grid and Energy Facilities," the ptresident said

Russian says warning systems failed during US strikes on Caracas

According to Ivan Pavlov, there is still silence on television