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Coronavirus pandemic

Russia imposes two-week quarantine for arrivals from South Africa — sanitary watchdog

On November 26, the WHO designated the B.1.1.529 variant identified in South Africa as a "Variant of Concern" and assigned it the Greek letter Omicron

Sanitary Watchdog Chief Anna Popova Alexander Astafyev/POOL/TASS

Sanitary Watchdog Chief Anna Popova

© Alexander Astafyev/POOL/TASS

MOSCOW, December 2./TASS/. Russia has imposed a 14-day quarantine for those who arrive from South Africa and the countries bordering it, sanitary watchdog chief Anna Popova said on Thursday.

"Today, Russia has imposed a two-week quarantine, but only for those who are returning from South Africa and the countries sharing the border with South Africa, and that’s all. This affects just a few people, according to Rostourism (Federal Agency for Tourism) and our Foreign Ministry, it’s several hundred people staying in South Africa," she told Komsomolskaya Pravda radio station.

Popova specified that Russia and South Africa currently have no direct flights, and there are no tourists on package tours there. "These are the people who have traveled there independently. All of them will have to go through a 14-day quarantine upon their return to Russia, whatever way, <…> since the risks connected with the new strain are seen as very high for now," said Popova, who is head of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing.

No quarantine or restrictions, even for several days, will be required in all other cases when the border is crossed into Russia. "The PCR test is not required for Russian nationals who have a vaccination certificate or can show being previously infected. For those who have no such data, the coronavirus test is compulsory," she added.

"Foreign nationals who cross the border into Russia will have to present the document about having taken a PCR test within the past two days and testing negative, irrespective of whether they have some other medical documents," the watchdog chief said.

On November 26, the World Health Organization (WHO) designated the B.1.1.529 variant identified in South Africa as a "Variant of Concern" and assigned it the Greek letter Omicron. In its statement, the WHO noted that "this variant has a large number of mutations, some of which are concerning." Several changes at once in the spike protein can potentially hinder the neutralization of the pathogen by antibodies which may impact the effectiveness of vaccines.

Ukrainian intel agent plotted to plant bomb under car of Russian defense official — FSB

The Ukrainian intelligence services planned to detonate the explosive device remotely from the territory of Ukraine, the press office said

Russia’s 2,000th R-7 rocket delivers Resurs-P remote sensing satellite into orbit

Resurs-P satellites are designed for the Earth’s remote sensing and for regional and local monitoring of its surface

Mine removal at Donetsk airport to start in 2025 — official

In 2014, the Donetsk airport was one of the hottest spots of the confrontation between Ukrainian forces and Donbass militias

Russia continues special military op because Ukraine refuses talks — Kremlin

"It is important for us to achieve all the goals that we face in ensuring the security of our country," Dmitry Peskov emphasized

Scientists present Russia's first 50-qubit cold atom quantum computer — MSU

The experiment that allowed testing the supercomputer prototype took place on December 19, the Moscow State University said

Biden tasks Pentagon with boosting military aid to Kiev

In recent months, the United States has provided Ukraine with hundreds of air defense missiles, and more are on the way, the White House’s press service released

Russian forces break through Ukrainian defense lines in Kharkov Region — expert

Marochko added that the operation allowed Russian troops to "expand their zone of control" in the area

IN BRIEF: What is known about passenger plane crash in Kazakhstan

According to the Kazakh Transport Ministry, the plane belonged to Azerbaijan Airlines

Russian investigators initiate criminal case into terror attack on borderline town

The Ukrainian armed forces carried out a strike on the town of Lgov in the Kursk Region on December 25

Houthis strike military facility near Tel Aviv with hypersonic missile

Earlier, the Israeli army press office reported that air-raid sirens sounded in several areas of central Israel following the launch of a missile from Yemen

Oil slick monitoring zone in south Russia expanded

As of December 25, a total of 4,100 people have been taking part in the cleanup effort

Georgia became inconvenient for 'friends' after rejecting Ukrainian scenario — official

According to Kakha Kaladze, the country faced unprecedented pressure because of this

Former Austrian minister believes EU ignored message Russia sent with Oreshnik missile

According to Karin Kneissl, Russia doesn’t want to trigger any nuclear war

Zelensky defines essence of next summit on Ukraine in four-letter explicit word — Lavrov

The first Kiev-initiated conference on Ukraine was held in Burgenstock, Switzerland, on June 15-16

Russia’s Chechnya ships 200 ‘Jihad mobile’ vehicles for special military operation

The authorities of Chechnya handed over 200 "Jihad mobile"

Russian cancer vaccine to be free of charge — top oncologist

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

Russia practically eliminates remnants of Ukraine’s Air Force — source

The source said that attempts to recruit more pilots in Poland and other Eastern European countries were not particularly successful

Denmark to strengthen control over Greenland after Trump’s words — top defense official

Denmark plans to increase the number of personnel at the Joint Arctic Command in the Greenlandic capital of Nuuk

Trump’s presidency could influence global economy — Russian finance chief

The Republican candidate secured sufficient Electoral College votes in the November 5 presidential election, according to state-by-state vote counts

Russia has no illusions that Ukraine conflict can be resolved easily — top diplomat

"We have never stated that the incoming administration of [US President-elect Donald] Trump will necessarily give a start to negotiations on global security, on Ukraine," Sergey Lavrov noted

Launch of Russia’s Bion-M biosatellite scheduled for March 25 — manufacturer

The spacecraft, taking 75 mice and 1,500 drosophila flies, as well as plants and microorganisms to space, was initially planned to blast off on September 1, 2024

Azerbaijan Airlines plane made 2 circles near Kazakh airport before crashing — official

According to Kazakh Deputy Transport Minister Talgat Lastayev, data will be retrieved from flight recorders during the investigation, and interviews will be conducted with eyewitnesses and air controllers

Armored vehicle with Israeli commanding officers blown up in West Bank

The rest of the passengers in the vehicle did not get injured

Trump’s son posts image showing father buying Canada, Greenland on Amazon

"We are so back," Eric wrote for a caption

Ukraine’s General Staff reports tense frontline situation

The most difficult situation for Ukrainian troops is observed in the Krasnoarmeisk (Pokrovsk), Kurakhovo and Vremevka frontline areas

Azerbaijan Airlines says its ill-fated jet underwent full examination in October

The aircraft’s crew chief, Igor Kshnyakin, clocked more than 15,000 hours of flight time

CIS countries share common approaches to resolving global issues — Putin

Among other things, "members of the Commonwealth have been increasing cooperation in the fight against extremism, transborder crime, and drug trafficking, and everyday activities and contacts between security agencies have been established," the Russian president said

Over 30 killed during mass escape of prisoners from Mozambique jail — authorities

A total of 1,534 prisoners, including 29 terrorism convicts, escaped

Breakup of Syria to trigger regional problems, must be prevented — Russian diplomat

Maria Zakharova also highlighted the fact that the Middle East turned into "the concentration of a large amount of corrupt interests and ambitions" of Western countries with their negative consequences being "hard to even compare to anything"

Former Austrian minister names 4 suspect countries in connection with Nord Stream sabotage

Asked what countries could be behind the attack, Karin Kneissl replied that, like in an Agatha Christie novel, "there are many suspects in this imaginary room"

Armenian premier says will skip CIS meeting in St. Petersburg due to COVID-19

His participation in the upcoming meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council of the Eurasian Economic Union is unclear

Russia says Su-35S fighter jets provide cover to Aerospace Forces in Kursk Region

Also, one aircraft used onboard weapons systems to detect enemy air defense sites, according to the ministry

Almost 90 children reunited with relatives in Ukraine - commissioner

In most of the cases, a child came to Russia with one of the parents, while the other remained abroad, the office of the Russian children’s right commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova said

Five Palestinian journalists killed in Israeli strike on central Gaza — TV

According to the report, the Israeli military struck a vehicle of the Quds News Network, parked outside the al-Awda hospital in the Nuseirat refugee camp

Russian emergencies minister expects more natural disasters due to climate change

The Russian emergencies minister, Alexander Kurenkov, added, that weather anomalies are becoming more and more frequent

Press review: US, Israel aim to curb Turkey’s gains while Moscow, Tehran strengthen ties

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

Nine killed in shootout with law enforcers in Syria’s Tartus — TV

According to the report Al Hadath, the operation was aimed at detaining a high-ranking former officer of the previous government

PREVIEW: Putin to participate in Eurasian Economic Union summit near St. Petersburg

The meeting’s participants are expected to discuss guidelines for future integration processes and efforts to develop the union’s free trade zone

Press review: Kiev escalates attacks as payments ease for Russian raw material buyers

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, December 23rd

Taxi ploughs into crowd of pedestrians in New York, six wounded — Fox News

Six people were hospitalized with injuries of varying degrees

Production of passenger cars in Russia up 25% in November to 80,400 units — Rosstat

11M 2024 production totaled 679,000 passenger cars

Russian troops liberate Novy Trud community in Donbass region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted roughly 245 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed six enemy howitzers in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Russia’s oil industry to be 90% independent of technology import in 2-3 years — Deputy PM

Alexander Novak noted that Russia will achieve leadership in a number of areas, including the extraction of hard-to-recover gas deposits

Russian fighters control about 40% of Terny in Donetsk region, military expert says

Andrey Marochko added that Russian servicemen have advanced east of Yampolovka, bringing the distance between that village and Russia’s frontline positions to less than 1.2 miles

Is Gaddafi's gloom prophecy in regard to Europe bound to be fulfilled?

As Europe’s migrant crisis grows far and wide, many Russian media are recalling the late Libyan leader Muamar Gaddafi’s gloom prophecy made several months before his violent death

Russia 10 years ahead of whole world with research into 4th generation nuclear power

The BREST-300 fast neutron reactor is due to be launched in 2026-2027 and to go on stream in 2028

Sunken tankers violated seasonal maritime traffic restrictions — authority

A number of tankers of the ships' owner Volgatransneft did not have a license for transporting dangerous cargoes in inland waters

Baku, Yerevan can jointly initiate dissolution of OSCE Minsk Group — diplomat

The spokeswoman went on to say that the stalemate began when Western countries de-facto blocked the work in this format

Russia doesn’t need ceasefire in Ukraine, it needs legally binding guarantees — Lavrov

According to the foreign minister, these agreements should be aimed at eliminating the root causes of the Ukrainian conflict

Israeli premier threatens Houthis with HAMAS, Hezbollah’s fate

Benjamin Netanyahu promised that "this lesson would be learned throughout the Middle East"

Nine Russian nationals survive, seven killed in plane crash in Kazakhstan

According to Kazakh Transportation Minister Marat Karabayev, in total, 67 people were onboard the plane

Russia to donate 1 million euro to UN Climate Convention

The document says that the goal of the payment is to ensure the representation of Russian staffers in the convention’s secretariat

Oboronlogistics company blames loss of its ship Ursa Major on terrorist attack

The Ursa Major dry cargo ship wrecked in the Mediterranean Sea

Biden’s last aid package to Kiev won’t contribute to Ukraine’s security — Russian diplomat

According to Maria Zakharova, this speaks of the fact that the West continues to do everything to escalate the conflict with Russia, not sparing effort or anyone in Ukraine

Putin offers condolences to Azerbaijani president over plane crash near Aktau

"Overall, we are expressing deepest condolences to those who lost their near and dear in this air disaster," Dmitry Peskov said

Continued terror attacks by Kiev to be met with increasingly tougher response — Lavrov

The top Russian diplomat expressed disappointment that virtually none of the Western nations have joined Russia’s condemnation of these attacks, including the leaders of international organizations like the UN, OSCE, or UNESCO

One of two power cables between Estonia, Finland fails for an unknown reason

Two sets of underwater high-voltage direct current power cables connect Finland and Estonia

Russian embassy refutes reports on Sudan’s refusal to host Russian base

Some Western media outlets reported earlier, citing anonymous Sudanese intelligence sources, that Khartoum had allegedly annulled an agreement with Moscow on placing a Russian naval logistics support base due to potential US sanctions

Greece continues to ship munitions to Ukraine en masse — website

According to the report, the people of Greece witnessed the passage of convoys of Greek and foreign-made trucks transporting containers, mainly with shells, to Balkan states and Poland, and eventually to Ukraine

Soyuz-5 to be dispatched to Baikonur in October 2025, launch due late December

The launch vehicle blasted off at 10:45 am Moscow time (7:45 am GMT)

Plane crash in Kazakhstan claims 38 lives

29 people had been hospitalized

Kremlin admits legal action over transfer of $1 bln from Russian assets to Ukraine

"Such illegal actions, including the transfer of this billion, may surely prompt legal action. And we will surely use all possibilities in the future to protect our rights and the rights to our property," Dmitry Peskov noted

CIA station in Kiev targeted in recent Russian attack, military expert reveals

According to Alexander Stepanov, strikes are systematic efforts to gradually wipe out the military capabilities of Ukraine

Russian commissioner hopes for resumption of effort to bring children from Syria

The effort has been under way since 2018, with almost 600 children brought from Syrian refugee camps to their relatives in Russia

Finnish company says power cable’s emergency shutdown due to sabotage

Finland and Estonia are connected by two sets of high-voltage submarine cables

Azerbaijani president on his way back home from Russia after AZAL plane crash

According to the press service, Ilham Aliyev has ordered the relevant government agencies to investigate the causes of the crash and take urgent action

IN BRIEF: What is known about shopping mall explosion in Russia’s Vladikavkaz

According to emergency services, the incident was caused by a household gas explosion

Shelling on Donetsk decreases as frontline shifts — DPR head

Denis Pushilin noted that shelling in Donetsk’s Kirovsky and Petrovsky districts is expected to diminish further once Kurakhovo is liberated

Russia sees US recommendation for its citizens to leave Belarus as provocation — MFA

According to Maria Zakharova, this is not the first statement of its kind from the US Department of State

Russian MFA sees reports of potential deployment of EU troops in Ukraine as provocation

According to Maria Zakharova, for a peacekeeping force to participate in any conflict it requires the consent of all participants and a decision of the UN Security Council

Annual inflation in Russia gearing up to 9.7% over week — Economy Ministry

In the food sector, prices growth rates declined to 0.76% during the reporting week

Serious conflict between Israel, Turkey possible — Russian expert

"It’s important to note that the primary development in this context is the markedly increased role of non-Arab states in the region, particularly two key players," Vitaly Naumkin said

Australia contacts Russia regarding captured mercenary — diplomat

Maria Zakharova emphasized that "Canberra obediently follows in the footsteps of the collective West, which pursues a Russophobic policy"

Russian MFA says West could try to pull off some military 'scheme' in Belarus

A presidential election campaign is starting in Belarus on January 1, with the election scheduled for January 26

West plans to destabilize situation in Serbia — Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman

According to Maria Zakharova, the interim self-governance bodies in Pristina, enabled by the United States and the EU, make steps to create intolerable conditions for the Serb population of Kosovo, effectively trying to drive it out of the region

Group of Syrian law enforcement officers ambushed in Tartus, 14 killed — minister

Previously, nine law enforcement officers were killed by gunfire during an operation to detain a high-ranking former officer of the previous government

Syrian authorities introduce curfew in Latakia, Homs after Alawite protests

Previously, a curfew was imposed in another large Syrian city, Homs, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. local time

Russian forces increasing pressure on Ukrainian troops near Belogorovka in LPR — expert

Unfavorable weather has made things worse for the enemy in that sector of the line of engagement, Andrey Marochko said

Russian forces gain control over road between Gulyaypole, Velikaya Novosyolka — official

According to Vladimir Rogov, actions by the Russian Armed Forces will compel the garrison of the Ukrainian armed forces in Velikaya Novosyolka to face difficulties with supplies and reinforcements

Nothing new in US statements on strategic stability dialogue — MFA

"By declaring on the one hand the intention to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia, and on the other hand, the readiness to discuss ways of maintaining stability, Washington deprives the hypothetical dialogue of a meaningful basis," Maria Zakharova said

Sandu regime may seize Moldavan power plant in Transnistria — Russian Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova noted that "under such a scenario, the Russian peacekeeping presence in the region will be jeopardized"

Russia, China to be represented each by some 112 athletes at 2025 Winter Youth Games

The 2025 Winter Youth Games are scheduled to run between January 8 and 14 and the tournament’s program includes nine Olympic competitions

Putin's principles of Ukrainian settlement stem from international law — Lavrov

The top Russian diplomat drew attention to the fact that "the Kiev regime plays into the hands the West, which needs to remove such a strong competitor as Russia from the international scene"

Russian MFA says West plots campaign to stoke protest sentiment in Belarus

According to Maria Zakharova, Russia regards the social, political and economic situation in Belarus as stable

Middle East in for ‘chaotic and violent’ time after change of power in Syria – analyst

According to Joost Niemoller, Israel is the main winner from the changes in Syria, while Iran seems the biggest loser

FACTBOX: Shelling of Lgov in Russia’s Kursk Region

The attack resulted in the deaths of three individuals, with a fourth victim passing away from injuries at the hospital shortly afterward

Mother, her 11-year-old son among victims of Kazakhstan plane crash — authorities

The emergencies ministry has published the official list of Kazakh citizens who perished in the crash

Drone launched from Yemen falls in south Israel

No reports of damage or casualties have been received so far

Development of gas pipeline route from Russia to China via Kazakhstan launched — Deputy PM

The capacity of the new gas pipeline should be 45 billion cubic meters per year, Alexander Novak said

Trump doesn’t want repeat of Minsk agreements — Kellogg

He expressed hope that the US president-elect will be able to achieve a settlement of the conflict in Ukraine in a "relatively near term."

US ramping up biological warfare presence in Africa — Russia’s top brass

Major General Aleksey Rtishchev said that branches of the US National Naval Military Medical Center are stationed in Ghana and Djibouti where active work is carried out in natural disease foci, isolation and sequencing of pathogens

Russia hopes for IAEA’s impartiality in monitoring Iranian facilities — diplomat

Maria Zakharova was commenting on remarks by IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi who claimed that Iran may develop nuclear weapons

No communication yet between Moscow, Trump team — Russian diplomat

Russian Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov said earlier that Washington had not contacted Moscow in order to discuss the possibility of a visit by Trump’s Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg and communication with him

Russian forces pound Ukrainian military airfields, ammo depots over past day — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted roughly 380 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed six enemy artillery guns in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Press review: Ukraine eyes missile programs as EU considers new sanctions on Russia

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

Ursa Major freighter was not overloaded, owner says

The vessel carried 2 portal cranes, 2 crane kibbles, 2 ship bilge covers, one 20-foot container with spare parts for the covers and 129 empty containers

Russia expects from Abkhazia to honor obligations on Russian investments

"And we hope that in conclusion of early presidential election, and it is set in Abkhazia for February 15, 2025, a leader will be elected that will continue working on progressive development of Abkhazia and bilateral relations with close ties with our country," Zakharova added

Around 29,400 square meters of Kerch Strait waters treated with sorbent after oil leak

Some 4,950 square meters of shoreline have been cleared from oil pollution in the seaport of Anapa

Rescuers evacuate 510 people due to fire at Haval plant in Tula Region

Cardboard boxes caught fire at the plant

Azerbaijan Airlines suspends flights from Baku to Grozny, Makhachkala

Flights to other destinations are being made as scheduled, the air carrier said