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Repatriation of Paul Whelan, Trevor Reed remains priority for Washington — Blinken

US Secretary of State pointed out that Trevor Reed and Paul Whelan had been unjustly detained for far too long

STOCKHOLM, December 2. /TASS/. The repatriation of US citizens Paul Whelan and Trevor Reed, imprisoned in Russia, is a priority for Washington, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov Thursday.

"I will raise the cases of Trevor Reed and Paul Whelan, two Americans who have been unjustly detained for far too long in Russia," he said. "Their release is an absolute priority for the United States, one that President Biden raises on every occasion."

Paul Whelan was sentenced to 16 years in prison for espionage. Trevor Reed, who attacked police officers in Moscow, was sentenced to 9 years in prison and fined with 300,000 rubles (about $4,000) in favor of the victims.

Putin notes Hermitage director’s contribution to world culture, his civic stance

The head of state mentioned this when bestowing upon Mikhail Piotrovsky the Order for Merit to the Fatherland, first class

Ebola virus samples were smuggled from Africa to US — Russian Defense Ministry

"According to a report by an international panel of experts involved in fighting the 2014 Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone, company personnel concealed the fact that Pentagon employees were involved in the work," Major General Alexey Rtischev said

Trump wants to rename North America's tallest mountain Denali

Denali, standing at 6,168 meters, was once considered the highest point of the Russian Empire before the territory was sold to the United States

Top German officials pressured by Biden to strengthen anti-Russian coalition in EU — Dodik

"Now we see the outcome: a Europe burdened with numerous problems and struggling to determine how to establish relations with the Trump administration," the president of the Republika Srpska said

Israel attacks Kamal Adwan hospital in Gaza with suicide robots

There are about 400 civilians in the medical facility, including newborn babies Al Jazeera reported

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

Moldovan president plans military operation in Transnistria — Russian intel agency

According to the SVR, Maia Sandu recently convened a meeting on energy security issues with senior government officials

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

FACTBOX: What to know about Ursa Major shipwreck in Mediterranean Sea

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry's Situation and Crisis Center, the Ursa Major, built in 2009 and owned by a company called SK-Yug, sank after an explosion in the engine room

Ukraine intensifies shelling of Kremennaya fourfold due to Russian successes — expert

As Andrey Marochko noted, the enemy's indiscriminate attacks on Kremennaya's civilian targets are ruled out, since Ukraine is attacking the city with drones, and "drone operators see the target"

Russia evacuates 4,000 Iranian fighters from Syria at their request — Putin

Russian forces evacuated them from the Hmeimim base to Tehran

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

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

Russian expert suspects Ursa Major sank due to act of sabotage

Alexander Stepanov remarked that such attacks are virtually impossible to identify and track down

Russia to continue helping Sahel countries boost their armies’ combat capacities

According to Russian Ambassador to Mali Igor Gromyko, Moscow considers the establishment of the Alliance of Sahel States as a major step toward consolidating efforts against Islamist groups in the Sahara-Sahel zone

Lavrov reaffirms Moscow’s unity with Belgrade in protecting rights of Serbs — Russian MFA

Another issue discussed was cooperation in the oil sector amid illegal Western sanctions, the ministry said

Twelve people killed in blast at explosives manufacturing plant in Turkey — TV channel

In turn, the governor’s press service reported that the incident occurred along the line of primers

Assad allegedly hands list of military targets over to Israel before leaving Syria — media

According to the Turkish newspaper, the former Syrian president did it to ensure his own safety

Roscosmos, NASA synchronize timeframes for completion of ISS — CEO

There are plans to start conducting manned flights to the new Russian Orbital Station about the same time when Russia exits the ISS program, chief executive of the Russian state space corporation Yury Borisov noted

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

Houthis say attacked US aircraft carrier in Red Sea, shot down US fighter jet

According to the Houthi spokesman, the strike on US vessels was delivered with the use of "eight cruise missiles and 17 drones"

Two-thirds of Russians dissatisfied with 2024, survey reveals

Russians most often attribute their negative emotions regarding the past year to economic hardships and rising prices, while citing family events as positive highlights

Ukraine may cease to exist by 2034 — Russian security official

Dmitry Medvedev noted that Ukraine will never join NATO

Russian warship shoulders responsibility for rescue operation after cargo ship sinks

The Spanish Maritime Rescue Service is currently staying in the area of the accident in order to remove floating objects that can pose a danger to navigation and to check whether the marine environment might have been polluted

Israeli Defense Minister admits his country's involvement in assassination of Hamas Leader

Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran on July 31, Israel has previously denied any involvement in his assassination

Hostilities in Ukraine to end in 2025 — Hungary’s Orban predicts

The Hungarian prime minister recalled that America and Europe spent about 300 billion euros on the war in Ukraine

Ukrainian deserters abroad are hunted through Interpol — parliament member

"The percentage of those who have left their newly formed brigades is the highest," Ruslan Gorbenko said

Meeting of Putin with Slovakia’s Fico lasted for two hours — presidential aide

According to Yuri Ushakov, the meeting was substantial

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

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

Ukraine’s military attempts six UAV attacks on Melitopol in Zaporozhye Region overnight

Falling debris from one UAV damaged the roof of the central marketplace building

US system on biological risks tested in Ukraine works in Africa — Russian ministry

According to Major General Alexey Rtishchev, this system has been successfully tested in Ukraine and Georgia

Countries involved in US bio-control system become dependent on US — Russian military

"The result of this selective support is the transition to American personnel training standards, transfer and generalization of information on the biological situation, the degradation of national health care systems," the statement reads

Ukrainian army launches long-range missiles at Donetsk

Air defenses are in operation, and at least six aerial targets have been shot down

Press review: Putin outlines Russia's future goals and Tehran faces energy blackout riots

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, December 20th

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

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

US reconnaissance drone flies over Poland near Russian border

According to Polish radio station RMF FM, the flight was carried out as part of a NATO mission

Russia’s Ursa Major ship sinks in Mediterranean with 14 out of 16 crew members rescued

According to the Crisis Management Center, on-duty personnel at the center, as well as at the Russian Transport Ministry and overseas diplomatic missions, are monitoring the situation

Around 4,400 Russian injured by Ukrainian strikes since January, around 800 killed

Russian Ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik said that the enemy has fired nearly 82,700 various types of ammunition at Russian regions

Russia, Iran talk four points for Rasht-Astara project implementation — Deputy PM

According to Vitaly Savelyev, the Iranian side has taken on commitments to provide a land buyout schedule

Kremlin announces countries to become BRICS partners from January 1

According to Yuri Ushakov, the confirmations of readiness to become a BRICS partner country have been received from Belarus, Bolivia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda and Uzbekistan

Initiative along entire frontline in Russian forces’ hands — Polish general

According to Waldemar Skrzypczak, Russian troops' daily advances amount to 1-2 kilometers (0.6-1.2 miles)

Russia bans cryptocurrency mining in 10 regions until 2031, restricts in three more

The purpose of such restrictions is to maintain the balance of energy consumption taking into account the needs of industry

IN BRIEF: What is known about sinking of Ursa Major cargo ship in Mediterranean Sea

According to reports, fourteen crew members were rescued and two are missing

Biden signs $895 bln US defense budget for 2025

The US House of Representatives approved the project on December 11, the Senate - on December 18

IN BRIEF: What is known about blast at former plant in Russia’s Khakassia Region

According to the latest data, two people were killed

Greenland PM tells Trump island not for sale

Mute Egede stressed that Denmark should continue to be open to cooperation and trade with the whole world, especially with its neighbors

Russia not to deviate 'one bit' from its main conditions in talks on Ukraine — speaker

"Certainly, the negotiation process will begin next year, without any doubt, but in my opinion it will be very complex," Valentina Matviyenko stressed

Putin travels to St. Petersburg for informal CIS summit

On Tuesday, the Russian leader is scheduled to meet with President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon

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

Lukashenko announces upcoming meeting with Putin and official visit to China

The Belarusian president pointed out that the coming year is expected to be difficult for a number of reasons

Group of foreign mercenaries taken out in Velikaya Novosyolka in Donbass region

The military said that a conversation in a foreign language was intercepted by radio intelligence before visual control over the group was established

Russia’s FPV drone Gortenzia with fiber-optic cable control used in military operation

The design bureau added that the drone is also equipped with a universal payload attachment system

Skoda, Volkswagen to recall over 55,000 cars in Russia — regulator

All owners of vehicles subject to the recall will be informed of the need to bring the vehicle to the nearest dealership for repairs, Rosstandart said

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

Trump's plan to seize Panama Canal to cause migration, poverty — Colombian president

Gustavo Petro emphasized Colombia's backing for Panama in defending its sovereignty

Sandu takes office as Moldova’s president for her second term

Parliamentarians, members of the Constitutional Court, and foreign diplomats attended her inauguration

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

Strike on SBU control center response to Russian general’s assassination, expert says

The ministry clarified that Ukraine launched a missile strike against the Kamensky Integrated Plant in the Rostov Region using six US-made ATACMS missiles and four Storm Shadow cruise missiles

Russian Olympic champ Nagorny welcomes ISU’s decision to clear Russian athletes

"It's great when athletes, who devoted their lives to what they chose to do, get the chance once again of competing internationally, to win medals that they can bring home," he said

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"

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

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

Kremlin sums up Russia’s presidency in BRICS

According to Kremlin Aide Yury Ushakov, what is special about the Russian presidency is that Moscow had to support the work of BRICS in a new, expanded format, "to make sure that the new members of the group harmoniously fit into the customary arrangements, customary ways of interaction"

EU project is over, its integration potential depleted, expert says

"If any new country joins it, at maximum, it could be Montenegro somewhere around 2030," Oleg Bondarenko noted

Trump’s election victory changed Western approach to Ukrainian conflict, adviser says

According to Mike Waltz, Trump has made it clear that the war must end

Russian cancer vaccine to be free of charge — top oncologist

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

Biden considers new sanctions against Russian energy sector — The Washington Post

According to the newspaper’s sources, possible options also include revoking the license that allows banks to handle transactions with Russian energy resources

Germany's new chancellor may lead the West in standoff with Moscow — expert

At the same time, Oleg Bondarenko said, without affordable energy resources, the decline of the German economy will continue with no chance of stopping in the foreseeable future

Syria may see economic upturn, Russian expert says

Vitaly Naumkin is certain that Syria will be able to eliminate to some extent the failures that stemmed from the fact the previous regime was unable to use the resources, because the Americans would not let it

Kalashnikov improves combat capabilities of Vikhr-1 aviation missile

"I will not comment on that in any further detail, it is our client’s prerogative," Kalashnikov CEO Alan Lushnikov said

Russia not closing its border with Estonia — MFA

Russian border crossings near the Estonian border are functioning as usual, Maria Zakharova said

France announces new cabinet, with foreign and defense ministers keeping their jobs

Bruno Retailleau also stayed on as interior minister

Four GLONASS navigation satellites ready for launch — Roscosmos head

Yury Borisov added that over the past year, Roscosmos has expanded its Earth remote sensing constellation by introducing high-resolution observation satellites, including a Resurs-P satellite and a Kondor radar imaging satellite

Russian gas imports by Czech Republic soaring — news agency

The Czech Republic is receiving Russian pipe gas indirectly via Slovakia and Hungary

Information on US military-biological activities in Africa heard by foreign media

Major General Alexey Rtishchev said that relevant comments were posted in the European and American media, as well as on information portals in the Middle East region

US engages Pentagon contractors who worked in Ukraine in Senegal — top brass

According to Major General Alexey Rtishchev, Washington is using African countries' economic problems in the health sector to build up its military and biological research

IDF eliminates chief of Hamas Security Mechanism directorate

Prior to the strike measures had been taken to mitigate risks for civilians, the IDF said

Russia and Pakistan to be connected by direct railway line — minister

"By the end of March, we are planning the first train - the first cargo train to leave Russia for Pakistan," Awais Leghari said

Ukrainian attacks kill 11 Russian civilians, leave over 60 injured in past week — MFA

According to Rodion Miroshnik, the enemy fired some 1,500 projectiles at residential areas in Russia over the past week, including rockets, 152 mm and 155 mm artillery shells, mines and grenades

Mercenary from Norway faces criminal charges for incursion into Kursk Region

The investigation has found that Ocherkhadzhiyev personally participates in the armed conflict as a mercenary on Russian territory

Putin bestows order upon Hermitage director general

The head of the State Hermitage Museum now has the full set of Orders for Merit to the Fatherland

Kiev considers negotiations with Russia inevitable, Ukrainian official says

At the same time, Sergey Leshchenko clarified that "there will be no repeat of Minsk or Istanbul agreements," meaning there would be no agreements resembling the Minsk accords of 2015 or the Istanbul talks of spring 2022

Fico’s visit to Russia perfect slap in Zelensky’s face, Slovak politician says

The MEP said that Fico stands for Slovak interests in Russia, "even in spite of the warmongers in Brussels"

Over 250 Russian residents injured by Ukraine’s attacks in November

Over 40 were killed, Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Foreign Ministry Rodion Miroshnik said

South Korea’s opposition threatens to impeach acting president on December 24

If Democratic Party of Toburo supports the impeachment proposal later on Tuesday, the issue will be put to a vote at a plenary session on December 26

Deployment of Moldovan troops to Transnistria to violate settlement accords — expert

On April 15, 2013, two explosions, with 12 seconds in between, happened in Boston’s downtown, near the finish line of the traditional marathon

Berlin’s any aggressive action will not remain unanswered — Russian ambassador

"This concerns both the potential use of Taurus and plans for stationing US mid-range and short-range missiles on German soil," Sergey Nechayev stressed

Russian cargo ship sinks between Spain, Algeria — newspaper

According to the report, the cargo ship left St. Petersburg about two weeks ago and headed for the port of Vladivostok, where it was scheduled to arrive on January 22

Germany fails to admit its policy of support to Ukraine falters — Russian envoy

"The ambition to impose a ‘strategic defeat’ on Russia has fallen out of favor, even among hardline political figures, given the unfeasibility of such an outcome," Sergey Nechayev said

Kremlin releases Putin’s work agenda in St. Petersburg

Putin is scheduled to hold an informal CIS summit on Wednesday

Over 150 spontaneous graves found in Popasnaya in LPR

Around 250 people are still staying in the city

Russian forces take control of Severny neighborhood in Chasov Yar — Donbass region head

According to Denis Pushilin, Russian forces have been advancing almost along the entire line of engagement in the region

Russian citizen may face death penalty for drug distribution in Bali

Indonesian authorities suspect that the detainee was involved in drug distribution and received payment in cryptocurrency

Russia has every right to protect its interests in Ukraine — Republika Srpska leader

"Moscow has a legitimate right to defend its interests and the interests of the 15 million Russians who formerly lived in Ukraine and now reside in the four regions that have joined the Russian Federation," Milorad Dodik said

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

Almost 440,000 Russians sign up for military service this year — Medvedev

"The results of work over the year can already be assessed," the politician said

Situation with gas supplies from Russia to Europe difficult — Kremlin

"You have heard the Ukrainian side’s statement and you know the position of the European countries that continue purchasing Russian gas and that consider it necessary for normal operation of their economy," Dmitry Peskov said

Russian forces liberate one more settlement in Donetsk People’s Republic

According to the report, battlegroup Center made Ukraine suffer roughly 610 casualties and lose two tanks in the Donetsk People’s Republic

Syria’s Interior Ministry calls on members of former regime to hand over their arms

According to transitional Interior Minister Mohamed Abdel Rahman, the government has set a deadline for the handover of weapons held by members of the former regime and the public

Russian drone operators use air ramming to down 4 Ukrainian copters in Kharkov Region

UAV operators of the battle group North continue to be on round-the-clock duty in the sky over Kharkov Region and identify reconnaissance and strike drones of the Ukrainian militants

More than 20 countries show interest in BRICS — Kremlin aide

Yury Ushakov noted that uncontrolled expansion of the association would break its backbone

Russian Defense Ministry identifies over 30 more people connected to US biolabs in Africa

The Major General noted that among these individuals are: servicemen of the US Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, employees of regional branches of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, disease control and prevention centers in Africa, as well as members of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria