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Finland to sharply cut number of tourist visas issued to Russians, says top diplomat

To date, Finland receives about 1,000 visa applications in Russia every day

Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto EPA-EFE/Radek Pietruszka

Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto

© EPA-EFE/Radek Pietruszka

STOCKHOLM, August 16. /TASS/. Finland will reduce the number of Schengen visas issued to Russian tourists by 80%-90% Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto said on the Yle TV channel on Tuesday.

"The Foreign Ministry suggests limiting the number of accepted visa applications from Russian citizens to one-fifth or one-tenth of the current level," he said.

Finland currently receives about 1,000 visa applications in Russia every day. In the future, the number will shrink to 100-200.

The entry restrictions, imposed in connection with the coronavirus pandemic, were lifted in Finland starting from July 1, 2022. On the same day, Finland began to accept applications for visas from Russian citizens. According to the Finnish border service, over 236,000 travelers from Russia crossed the border last month.

Federation Council approves law restricting adoption of Russian children

The law also specifies that individuals who are not citizens but hold permanent residence permits in such countries are similarly restricted from the aforementioned actions

Russian forces strike ammo plant in Ukraine’s Sumy Region in drone attack

The Impulse plant is Ukraine’s sole enterprise producing explosive devices: detonation primers, electric detonators, detonating cords, cartridges and ammunition for automatic and under-barrel grenade launchers

US Embassy in Kiev to be closed on November 20

"The US Embassy recommends that US citizens be prepared to immediately shelter in the event an air alert is announced," the statement on the official embassy website said

More desperation in Zelensky's appeals, ex-NATO commander says

According to Stavridis, the Ukrainian armed forces are facing "mounting personnel losses," while Kiev is growing concerned about the possibility of the incoming US administration

West fails to bring Ukrainian issue to forefront of G20 summit agenda — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister stressed that "no one from the countries of the world majority, the Global South, supported it"

Strikes inside Russia to escalate conflict instead of changing its course, says expert

"The US is making it clear that as the main sponsor of the war, it intends to continue military activities, using Ukraine as a proxy and seeking to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia," Mauricio Estevez pointed out

Decision on strikes inside Russia seals US puppet Zelensky’s fate — commentator

The New York Times reported earlier, citing sources, that US President Joe Biden had authorized the use of US-made ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles for strikes inside Russia

Russian army traps Ukrainian troops in Chasov Yar — intelligence center

The official reported that fighters from the 98th Airborne Division were engaged in fierce battles

Freezing Ukrainian conflict unacceptable for Russia, says Kremlin

"It is important for us to achieve our goals, which are well known to everyone," Dmitry Peskov emphasized

West’s decision on missile strikes gives Russia free hand to attack NATO bases — expert

According to Dmitry Suslov, retaliatory measures may include the handover of more advanced weapons to the forces "that are directly fighting against the US, particularly, in the Middle East"

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"

Training Ukrainian troops makes France direct participant in combat — top Russian diplomat

"The same goes for talk about using French-made SCALP missiles [in Ukraine] which are identical to the UK’s Storm Shadow," Sergey Lavrov noted

German defense minister says Ukraine reached parity in shells with Russia

Boris Pistorius noted that just a few months ago, Russia held an advantage in artillery shell stocks

Netherlands regrets leak of Biden’s decision on strikes inside Russia

Meanwhile, the Netherlands has repeatedly stated that it imposes no restrictions on the use or range of weapons, including F-16 fighter jets, the country is supplying to Kiev

Zelensky asserts intention to use long-range ATACMS for strikes on Russia

Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry said that on Monday night into Tuesday, Ukraine attacked Russia’s borderline Bryansk Region with six ATACMS missiles

Russia delivers strong response to US by revising nuclear doctrine — Chinese expert

Wang Yiwei suggested that outgoing US President Joe Biden and the American "deep state" are trying to intensify the situation in Ukraine because President-elect Donald Trump "is unwilling to support Kiev"

Ukraine admits responsibility for Odessa missile incident where civilians injured

Ukrainian blogger Anatoly Shary commented on the statement by saying that Ukraine’s air force officials only agreed to recognize this because "the media started posting photos of Patriot wreckage"

No laymen in Western intel agencies despite decline of ruling class — Russian spy chief

Sergey Naryshkin emphasized that irrationality had particularly affected leading European countries, where presidents, prime ministers, and chancellors unfailingly served the interests of globalist capital

Progress MS-27 fragments that survived re-entry land in Pacific — Roscosmos

The spaceship undocked from the ISS at 3:53 p.m. Moscow time (12:53 a.m. GMT) on Tuesday, brought its engines to a halt and switched to a free flight

Trump plans to counter China 'all over the world' — transition team

When discussing Donald Trump's use of US import taxes, the representative noted that this is "one of the favorite [foreign policy] tools" of the incoming US leader

Pentagon to hand over $275 mln in military aid to Kiev — media

The package is said to include air defense systems, HIMARS multiple rocket launchers, 105mm and 155mm shells, Javelin anti-tank systems and other equipment and spare parts

Putin approves Russia’s revised nuclear doctrine

The fundamental principle of the doctrine is that the use of nuclear weapons is a measure of last resort to protect the country’s sovereignty

Top Iranian diplomat urges to 'prepare for war'

"We have announced that the recent Israeli operation against Iran is nothing but another aggression," Abbas Araghchi pointed out

US Congressman urges to impeach Biden for allowing strikes deep into Russia

"By authorizing long range missiles to strike inside Russia, Biden is committing an unconstitutional Act of War that endangers the lives of all US citizens," Thomas Massie said

FACTBOX: Abkhazian President Aslan Bzhania resigns

The president’s resignation was supported by 28 out of 31 lawmakers who took part in the vote

Borrell condemns Russia’s decision to update nuclear doctrine

Earlier on Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree approving the Foundations of State Policy in the Field of Nuclear Deterrence, the country’s updated nuclear doctrine

Lawmaker suggest scrapping post of president in Ukraine

Alexander Dubinsky outlined a number of other initiatives as well, including the adoption of the law on foreign agents, similar to the ones currently in force in the European Union and the United States

Pentagon refrains from commenting on Ukraine’s missile attack on Bryansk region

Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh also declined a request to comment on the US permission to use ATACMS missiles for deep strikes on Russia

Turkey ready to continue mediatory efforts toward settling Ukrainian crisis — Erdogan

"Ukraine is our neighbor. Russia is our neighbor too," the Turkish leader noted

Houthis report striking commercial ship in Red Sea

The rebel forces had registered a direct strike on the ship’s hull, the group's military spokesman Yahya Saria said

Six European countries accuse Russia of allegedly attacking security architecture

"Moscow's escalating hybrid activities against NATO and EU countries are unprecedented in their variety and scale," the statement reads

Current escalation of Ukrainian conflict not seen as world war harbinger — Pentagon

Russia’s special military operation to continue — Kremlin

According to Dmitry Peskov, the special military operation is taking longer because it started against the Kiev regime and is continuing as a war between Russia and NATO

Moscow-Washington hotline not in use now — Kremlin spokesman

Dmitry Peskov added that there have been no contacts via this new channel lately

Pentagon official admits US arsenals shrinking amid Ukraine, Mideast crises

Сommander of United States Indo-Pacific Command Samuel Paparo emphasized he was speaking about "the stocks of the United States of America, and the high end capabilities of the United States of America"

Up to allies to decide whether or not to authorize strikes inside Russia — NATO chief

"I would generally say let’s not communicate too much and not make our adversaries more wise than is necessary," Mark Rutte added

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"

Russia may retaliate with nuclear weapons if Kiev uses Western-made missiles — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov highlighted the nuclear doctrine’s provisions that "aggression against the Russian Federation by any non-nuclear state with the participation or support of a nuclear state is viewed as their joint attack"

Washington refrains from naming those responsible for Baltic Sea cable rupture — DoS

Two underwater cables were damaged in the Baltic Sea on November 17 and 18

Putin orders protection of critical infrastructure, including Crimean Bridge — Kremlin

Kiev has not accepted the legitimate results of the 2014 referendum, in which the people of Crimea and Sevastopol voted to become part of Russia, and is displeased by the operation of the Crimean Bridge, which connects the Kerch Strait with the Krasnodar Region

UN concerned about possible escalation amid Ukrainian strike on Bryansk

"The UN has always expressed our concern about the escalation and <…> the fact that this conflict is even continuing, let alone escalating," UN secretary-general’s spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said

Ukraine’s allies doubt impact of US approval of strikes against Russia on conflict balance

According to the media, the Ukrainian army has been losing ground in recent months "amid heavy pressure from more numerous and better-equipped Russian troops"

ATACMS strikes on Bryansk Region sign West wants escalation — Lavrov

The top Russian diplomat recalled that the Russian leader had warned Western countries how Russia’s position would change if "this range of weapons that we are now talking about, i.e. up to 300 kilometers, is approved"

US is now at war with Russia, Ritter says

According to former US intelligence officer Scott Ritter, the United States "is a direct party to the invasion and occupation of Russian soil," because it helped Kiev plan its incursion into the Kursk Region

Iran ready to stop enriching uranium — Reuters

Tehran has also agreed to consider allowing four more IAEA inspectors to work in Iran, the news agency noted

Admiral Nakhimov cruiser to sail out on auxiliary engines in November

The physical launch of the two nuclear reactors will take place after the return to Sevmash, the source said

Sweden detected ship movements when cable damage occurred, minister says

According to the police, the situation is currently being monitored and work is underway to determine measures that need to be taken

Russian president to visit India — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov noted that preparations for the visit which is of a great significance for Moscow will kick off soon

US senator labels Biden’s approval for ATACMS strikes on Russia as unconstitutional

The New York Times reported on November 17 that US President Joe Biden had authorized the use of US-supplied ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles for strikes inside Russia

Strikes on Ukrainian military sites to prevent launch of missiles — Russian lawmaker

According to Andrey Kartapolov, Russia "will definitely" respond to such a decision by Western countries

Moscow’s response to strikes with Western arms on Russian soil to be felt — diplomat

The New York Times reported on November 17 that US President Joe Biden had authorized the use of US-supplied ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles for strikes inside Russia

Rubicon center drones hit Ukrainian equipment in Russia's Kursk Region

The Russian Defense Ministry released footage showing the destruction of the enemy equipment

Putin sends message to those seeking to 'add fuel to fire' before Trump’s return — expert

The likelihood of a direct armed conflict with NATO is increasing because some individuals in the alliance are ready to raise the stakes ahead of Trump’s inauguration, Andrey Bystritsky emphasized

Russia, DPRK discuss cooperation in tourism, agriculture, science

The 11th session of the commission was held in Pyongyang on November 1

New doctrine means Russia can use nuclear weapons in Ukrainian conflict — analyst

"This document means a lot for the Ukrainian conflict," Vladimir Zharikhin noted

Putin, Trump have ways to get in contact with each other, Kremlin says

Trump said in an interview with NBC on November 8 that he had not yet spoken to the Russian president after his election win, but allowed for such a possibility

Russian troops liberate Novoselidovka community in Donbass region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicted more than 310 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed two enemy armored vehicles over the past day, the ministry reported

New German government should focus on repairing and reactivating Nord Stream 2 — lawmaker

Sahra Wagenknecht underscored that the pipeline explosions were "a devastating blow to the [German] economy and an act of sabotage targeting German and European infrastructure"

Netanyahu arrives in Gaza, offers $5 mln for each released hostage

"The choice is in your hands, but the result will be the same," the prime minister said

OPCW technical secretariat involved in Kiev’s chemical provocation against Russia — Moscow

The OPCW report will be reviewed during the 29th Session of the Conference of the States Parties, due in The Hague on November 25-29, 2024

US sees no preconditions for Russia to use nuclear weapons — news agency

According to the report, the updated nuclear doctrine did not come as a surprise for Washington

Russian forces gain foothold in central Chasov Yar in DPR — expert

While Ukrainian commanders have been making every effort to stabilize the situation in Chasov Yar, Kiev does not have enough soldiers, weapons or military hardware for that, Andrey Marochko said

Kremlin spokesman says not acquainted with US counterpart, but ready for dialogue

Donald Trump announced that his campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt will be the new White House press secretary

Russia’s revised nuclear doctrine makes defeat over its army impossible — SVR chief

According to the latest version of the document, the core principle is that nuclear weapons are a last resort to ensure the protection of the country’s sovereignty

Ukraine has around 50 ATACMS missiles — The Times

According to the report, the Ukrainian military has sufficient launchers that are capable of firing them

Lavrov says Von der Leyen's logic about 'cheaper' US gas doesn't hold water

The Russian foreign minister noted that the European Commission president "believes that buying Russian gas is politically expensive because you are not earning the right political reputation for yourself"

Potential adversaries, criteria for use: Russia’s revised nuclear doctrine

Russia will also engage in nuclear deterrence against those countries that offer their territory, maritime zones, airspace, and resources for aggression against it

Starship completes its sixth test flight

The spacecraft spend about an hour in flight before splashing down in the Gulf of Mexico

UK police say no video evidence of Russians’ involvement in Salisbury case

According to the report, CCTV cams were not installed on Christie Miller road in Salisbury

Serbian president calls for talks on Ukraine amid nuclear escalation threats

He warned that further escalation is fraught with a "full-scale nuclear conflict"

More than 5 drones attack industrial enterprise in Russia’s Voronezh Region — governor

According to Alexander Gusev, firefighters and other emergency management services are working at the scene

Press review: Biden OKs long-range missile use as backlash to Scholz’s Putin call grows

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, November 18th

Ukrainian losses, captives, aid to civilians: situation in Kursk Region

Russian tactical and operational/tactical aircraft, missile forces hit enemy manpower and equipment in the Kursk and Sumy regions, the Defense Ministry reported

US to keep sharing intel with Ukraine for operations against Russia — official

US State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller was commenting on Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks about direct American involvement in strikes on Russian territory

Area near US base in northeastern Syria comes under shelling attack — TV

The Sham FM radio station reported earlier that explosions were heard in the area, which could be a missile strike

Swedish armed forces to help investigate Baltic Sea cable ruptures

Earlier, the Swedish Prosecution Authority launched a preliminary investigation into the cable rupture on suspicion of a sabotage act

Russia could deploy new weapons if Ukraine hits Russia with US missiles, warns senior MP

"It is not out of the question that new weapons systems, which have not yet been used against Ukraine, could be employed," Vyacheslav Volodin said

Russian, US presidential spokespersons not contacted since Obama presidency — Peskov

At the same time, the Kremlin spokesman said he did not have a chance to communicate with Donald Trump and Joe Biden’s press secretaries

Pentagon doesn’t see any signs that Russia prepares to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine

The US Department of Defense wasn’t surprised by Russia's update to its nuclear doctrine, according to the spokeswoman

Biden administration tries to prevent Trump from ending war in Ukraine — expert

Wang Wen called the next few months a "high-risk period" in the conflict

NATO enters conflict, Russia has every right to attack its targets now — expert

Col. (Ret.) Lawrence Wilkerson confirmed to TASS that the launch of ATACMS missiles would be impossible without "US/NATO satellite feeds and/or personnel"

US-made projectile strikes to destroy ties between Moscow, Washington — Duma speaker

Vyacheslav Volodin added that these weapons "may cause damage but it will not change the situation on the battlefield"

Russia monitors situation in Kursk Region after reports of ATACMS missiles — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov pointed out that "it is hardly possible to be guided by the reports of a TV channel"

Russia’s foreign intelligence agency successfully adapting to new challenges — SVR chief

Russia has no need for its "Foreign Intelligence Service to act similarly to the CIA and MI6 and disclose secrets of its everyday activity," Sergey Naryshkin said

Russia’s renewed nuclear doctrine unlikely to alter special mil-op’s nature — senator

The fundamental principle of the doctrine is that the use of nuclear weapons is a measure of last resort to protect the country’s sovereignty

Russia to address NATO’s engagement in strikes deep inside country — SVR

Sergey Naryshkin observed that the military and political elites in the West are increasingly recognizing the gravity of Russia's intentions and the need for greater caution in their actions

Russian UAVs strike Zaporozhye infrastructure — official

The Russian Armed Forces carried out the attack at night

Biden’s ATACMS decision aimed at tying his successor’s hands — expert

In his opinion, Russia "should not fall for this gambit," and "just keep on winning"

Russia, North Korea agree to increase number of charter flights

Russia introduced e-visas for North Korean tourists last year

FACTBOX: Central Bank chief’s statement in State Duma

The national economy is in the "breaking point" and inflation slowdown can be expected in coming months

Lavrov says EU goes through deep crisis as more countries refuse to support US policies

The minister mentioned the import duties that the EU imposed on cheaper and higher-quality electric cars from China, as well as the purchases of low-quality Ukrainian grain to the detriment of its own farmers and consumers

Pentagon confirms that US authorized use of antipersonnel landmines in Ukraine

Ukrainian side had committed to not using the mines in areas populated by civilians

Iran claims to have disabled Israel’s Iron Dome air defense in past strikes

Major-General Gholamreza Soleimani stressed it was essential to inform the world that Israel had failed and now survives solely relying on support from the United States

FSB arrests German citizen who arrived from Poland to sabotage Russian energy facility

According to the FSB, "Nikolai Gaiduk, born in 1967, a resident of Hamburg, was detained upon arrival in the Kaliningrad Region from the Republic of Poland"

Trump nominates Linda McMahon as US education secretary

She served as US Administrator of the Small Business Administration during his previous tenure, to the post of the education secretary

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

The Belarusian leader noted that they want to go to Warsaw

Russian embassy warns UK about dangers of calling for Moscow’s ‘defeat’

According to th statement, London is promoting new rounds of escalation

FACTBOX: What is known about Russian nuclear deterrence policy

The first Russian nuclear doctrine was ratified and published by decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin on April 21, 2000

Press review: Russian air defenses can down Western missiles as EU conducts live exercise

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, November 19th

Russia says its forces downed 5 ATACMS missiles that Ukraine fired into Bryansk Region

According to the report, the missiles fell on the technical territory of a military site in the Bryansk Region, causing a fire, which was extinguished

Russia must be able to defend itself — Erdogan on revised nuclear doctrine

The Turkish leader reiterated that "both Russia and Ukraine are Turkey’s neighbors"