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Coronavirus pandemic

Russia’s COVID-19 case tally grows by 56,751 - crisis center

As many as 2,232 people were hospitalized

MOSCOW, September 18./TASS/. Russia’s COVID-19 case tally rose by 56,751 over the past day to 20,439,095, the anti-coronavirus crisis center reported on Sunday.

As many as 2,232 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 in Russia over the past day against 4,216 the day earlier (47.1-percent decline). The number of hospitalized patients rose in seven regions and declined in another 76, while in two regions the figure remained the same.

Moscow’s COVID-19 cases surged by 5,884 against 7,077 a day earlier, reaching 3,147,063, according to the anti-coronavirus crisis center. St. Petersburg’s COVID-19 cases increased by 3,973 over the past day against 4,152 a day earlier, totaling 1,719,636.

Meanwhile, Russia’s COVID-19 recoveries rose by 42,198 over the past day, reaching 19,387,036, the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters. A day earlier 49,962 patients recovered.

Russia’s COVID-19 death toll increased by 107 over the past day, and reached 386,045, the crisis center announced.

New Year & Christmas

Russia's main New Year's tree ready for upcoming holidays

A total of 150 LED elements, including icicles with a running light and shimmering pendants, illuminate the spruce

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Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said that the Borisovsky district was attacked by a UAV, with the roof of a private house being damaged

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

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

Kiev to face more destruction after its UAV attack on Kazan, Putin warns

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Russian forces control more than half of Chasov Yar in DPR — expert

Andrey Marochko noted that Russian forces had "slightly advanced" in the northern and southern parts of Chasov Yar

Russian cancer vaccine to be free of charge — top oncologist

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

Russia considers launching direct flights with Brazil, Malaysia, Pakistan — Minister

Roman Starovoyt noted that Russia is holding negotiations with many airlines from friendly countries

Father of conscript who killed 8 in Siberia asks son to cooperate with investigators

The father said that his son would like the unit where he had served to be disbanded

Hungary wants to preserve relations with Russia as part of economic neutrality — Orban

The prime minister underscored that, "the more serious the problems in Europe are, the more decisively the economic relations in all other markets should be promoted"

Topic of Russian gas transit expected to be discussed by Putin, Slovak PM

"We’d better wait for the meeting to end to learn what they discussed," he Dmitry Peskov said

Arkhangelsk nuclear submarine ready to join Russian Navy — Sevmash Shipyard CEO

Project 885M nuclear-powered submarines carry Oniks and Kalibr-PL cruise missiles as their basic strike weapons

Hungary wants to maintain ties with Russia under its economic neutrality policy — PM

Victor Orban also said that hopes for the development of economic cooperation with the United States after President-elect Donald Trump takes office

Oil supplies to Hungary via Druzhba pipeline resume — top Hungarian diplomat

Reuters reported earlier that oil supplies to Belarus and EU countries via Druzhba had been suspended on December 19 due to technical problems

Air raid alert issued in six Ukrainian regions

Earlier, an air raid alert was declared in the Kiev, Sumy and Chernigov Regions

Ukraine’s General Staff admits tense situation along entire frontline

The Ukrainian military also admitted the Russian army’s supremacy in terms of military equipment and the size of personnel

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The Arkhangelsk submarine was rolled out from the slipway of the Sevmash Shipyard on November 29, 2023 for completing its construction afloat

Putin agrees 'Russian world' now faces war

The Russian leader also agreed with Sergey Mironov, head of the "A Just Russia - For Truth" faction in the Duma, who said that "the birth rate is insufficient, because the matter concerns extinction"

Drone attack triggers fire at fuel infrastructure facility in Russia’s Oryol Region

Currently, the Oryol Region is yet again under a massive enemy UAV attack

Envoy blasts Berlin’s move to declare Russian TV reporters security threat as politicized

According to Sergey Nechayev, several other Russian reporters officially accredited by Germany are also encountering issues

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

Ukraine's refusal to transit Russian gas will hit EU economies hard — French expert

According to Jacques Sapir, the decision not to extend transit contracts was no surprise given the political landscape

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The Bank of Russia has taken a pause in raising the key rate, though a long period of tough monetary policy will be required to bring inflation back to the target

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According to the latest data, two people were killed

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

Ukraine may cease to exist by 2034 — Russian security official

Dmitry Medvedev noted that Ukraine will never join NATO

Ukrainian army launches long-range missiles at Donetsk

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

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

Putin’s talks with visiting Slovak PM over — Kremlin spokesman

Dmitry Peskov added that it is not planned to issue any joint statements

Kiev takes out its anger for military defeats on Russian people — diplomat

Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also emphasized that Moscow is outraged by the hypocritical silence of the West and its media on the terrorist attacks in Russia

US Navy cruiser mistakenly downs F/A-18 fighter over Red Sea

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Russian missile cruiser Admiral Nakhimov to become world’s strongest warship after upgrade

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Massacre staged by retreating Ukrainian troops in Selidovo — report

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Ten dead dolphins found in Russia’s Krasnodar region following oil spill

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Ukraine loses over 300 troops, two Bradley vehicles in Kursk Region in past day

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Turkish president calls on West to stop Israel in Syria before it’s too late

"All international mechanisms need to be effectively employed in order to prevent Israel from exploiting the situation in Syria," Recep Tayyip Erdogan said

Putin holding talks with visiting Slovak PM

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Zelensky actually flips the bird to Trump by insulting Putin, Medvedev says

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Abkhazia’s state-run energy company Chernomorenergo said that there will be just two two-hour shutdowns

Russia ready to normalize relations with US without detriment to its interests — Putin

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Putin responds to question about Russia's weakness by quoting Mark Twain

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"How much longer it will last remains to be seen," Sergey Nechaev noted

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Alexander Stepanov emphasized that both Kiev and its Western allies are closely scrutinizing the consequences of the strike on the plant

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Ukrainian troops attempt counterattacks on Vasilyevka direction in Zaporozhye Region

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Dmitry Peskov remarked that Russian-Slovak bilateral relations had significantly deteriorated due to actions taken by the previous Slovak leadership

Trump appoints TV producer Burnett as special envoy to UK

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Russian Defense Ministry Spokesman Igor Konashenkov also informed of the death of the deputy commander of the army corps for military-political work, Colonel Yevgeny Brovko, who led the efforts of the personnel

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Syrian development help prevent regional war — Syria’s new leader

Ahmed аl-Sharaa expressed hope for building strategic relations with Lebanon

Moldovan president plans military operation in Transnistria — Russian intel agency

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ISS orbit raised ahead of launching Soyuz manned spacecraft

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Russian troops liberate two communities in Donbass area, Kharkov Region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicts 480 casualties on Ukrainian army over past day

Press review: South Korean president impeached as Ukraine turns to foreign mercenaries

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Putin to extend New Year greetings to peoples of several unfriendly countries — Kremlin

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Press review: Israel and Hamas near a truce while Zelensky drafts a new negotiation plan

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, December 19th

Baltic states threaten mass deportation of Russians, take lead in Russophobia — statement

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Georgian president demands appointing snap elections within week

Salome Zourabichvili also promised to announce her further plans on Monday

Putin opens new transport infrastructure sites in Russian regions via video link

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Russian 'soldier of the future' combat gear tested in Syria

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Magdeburg attacker may be charged with murder of 5, attempted murder of 205 — prosecutor

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Crew, passenger of An-2 plane crashed in Kamchatka satisfactory — medics

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AI can help generate personalized cancer vaccines in an hour — Russia’s vaccine chief

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Damage to Portuguese Embassy in Kiev caused by Ukrainian air defense — Russian diplomats

Reporters are ramping up Russophobia, distorting the facts while writing on this matter, the Russian Embassy in Portugal said

Slovak PM thanks Putin in Russian for meeting with him

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Two freight trains collide at Trans-Baikal Railways, traffic suspended

Both freight trains loaded with coal collided at the Bushulei-Zhireken railway section

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

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Russia declassifies intel about France’s plans to send 2,000 troops to Ukraine

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Trump nominates billionaire Feinberg as US Deputy Secretary of Defense

The president-elect called Feinberg an "extremely successful businessman"

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Ukraine to halt Russian gas transit on January 1, 2025 — Ukrainian PM

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Russia has confidence in its weapons, senior diplomat says

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov also stressed that the recent developments had shown that the US policy of establishing a system of increasingly layered missile defenses was wrong