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Russians consider lifting of Crimea water blockade one of special op’s key events — poll

The accession of the four new regions (DPR, LPR, Zaporozhye and Kherson regions) was named a significant event by 76% of respondents

MOSCOW, January 1. /TASS/. Most Russians consider Crimea’s water supply getting unblocked to be the foremost event of Moscow’s special military operation in Ukraine, according to a poll conducted by the Russian Public Opinion Research Center.

The researchers point out that, while the settlement of the conflict will be a lengthy process, the people of Russia are already talking about the meaningful achievements of the special military operation.

"The special military operation’s most monumental events, as Russians see them, were Crimea’s water supply being unblocked (85%), the complete liberation of the Lugansk People’s Republic and a significant portion of the Donetsk People’s Republic (80%), and Russian society rallying around Russia’s service members (79%),” the poll revealed.

The respondents also noted the change of the status of the Sea of Azov (became an internal body of water of Russia), which prevented NATO from establishing naval bases on the coast (79%). In addition, 79% of respondents noted that the residents of the new territories are now able to live in accordance with their traditions and culture as well as communicate in their native language.

Meanwhile, 77% of respondents pointed out the increased sense of responsibility for their own future and the future of the country in general.

The accession of the four new regions (DPR, LPR, Zaporozhye and Kherson regions) was named a significant event by 76% of respondents.

The poll took place on December 27 and sampled 1,600 adult Russians.

Russia delivers 1,200 tons of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan over past year

Such work will continue, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu said

Rome plans to arrange Ukraine conference with Russia's participation

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga is set to attend the G7 foreign ministers' meeting on November 26, marking the end of Italy’s presidency of the informal group

Russian forces pound Ukrainian military airfields, energy sites over day — top brass

It is specified that the Ukrainian army’s losses in the area of responsibility of Russia’s Battlegroup North in the Kharkov Region over the past 24 hours amounted to 30 personnel, two armored combat vehicles and four motor vehicles

Three Ukrainians almost freeze to death trying to flee into Hungary across Tizsa

The border security service regularly reports about men of recruitment age risking their lives by trying to cross the border illegally in the woods or by swimming across the River Tisza, which separates Ukraine from Romania and Hungary

Large number of Ukrainians to lose mobilization exemption after February 28 — deputy

In recent months, the number of Ukrainian employees with exemptions from military service has increased from 900,000 to 1.6 million

Kremlin explains why Oreshnik missile came as surprise

"I am sure that neither of us is even aware right now of any new future developments," Dmitry Peskov said

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

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US, European officials suggest returning nukes to Ukraine — NYT

US officials believe that ramping up weapons supplies to Ukraine is unlikely to change the situation in the combat zone short term, but it may help Kiev strengthen its stance in case a truce is reached

No existing missile defense system can counter Oreshnik — US expert

Theodore Postol also vehemently rejected suggestions that the Oreshnik system represents previous outdated developments of Moscow

Putin appoints envoy for international criminal and legal cooperation

Ilya Rogachev is the first person to ever hold this office

Any escalation scenario possible in Ukraine conflict — Medvedev

According to the politician, Western nations need to understand that they are fighting on Ukraine’s side

FACTBOX: What is known about Russian flight incident at Antalya Airport

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Turkey to investigate causes of Russian Superjet emergency at Antalya airport

The Turkish side will also provide information on the progress of the investigation

Scholz vows to continue supporting Ukraine following his chancellor nomination

The German chancellor listed supporting Ukraine at the top of his priorities should the SPD win and form a government

US 'stains' reputation by vetoing UNSC resolution on Middle East — Russian diplomat

Russia "will continue insisting on the most resolute measures to stop the bloodshed in Gaza," Dmitry Polyansky added

Fire at Tupras oil refinery extinguished

No one was injured in the fire, the company said in a press release

FMBA plans to roll out new cancer vaccine in 2025

Veronika Skvortsova noted that parallel studies are being conducted on vaccines for various cancers, including melanoma, skin cancer, and glioblastoma, a malignant brain tumor

Netanyahu convenes security cabinet amid talks on Lebanon

Dmitry Gendelman, an adviser to the Prime Minister's Office, noted that "the agenda of the meeting will be announced at a later date"

US missile defense base in Poland long among Russian army’s targets — Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova stated that the US-NATO construction project, ongoing for nearly a decade with complete disregard to Russian security concerns, has consistently been a focus of Russia's attention

France, UK may deploy troops to Ukraine following ceasefire — expert

According to Elie Tenenbaum, European countries may send troops to east Ukraine to ensure the observation of a ceasefire regime and guarantee Kiev’s security

Kiev has ‘no chance’ of retaking lost territories — Blackwater founder

Erik Prince noted that it was necessary to end the Ukrainian conflict as soon as possible

Western countries to ignore ICC arrest warrant for Netanyahu — expert

Asked whether the ICC warrant might cause a rift among Western countries with different approaches to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Andrey Baklanov replied he was skeptical this might ever happen

Biden’s decision to use ATACMS against Russia may 'blow up in America’s face' — US expert

According to Daniel Davis authorizing US long-range weapons to be used against Russia is "foolhardy to the highest order," "especially because there is no military upside for doing so"

US gives Ukrainian servicemen guidance on selecting targets for ATACMS — White House

The Ukrainian servicemen "are able to use ATACMS to defend themselves on an immediate need basis," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said

Russian diplomat doesn’t rule out missile deployment in Asia as response to US’ actions

Sergey Ryabkov warned Russia’s adversaries against settling into a "false sense of security"

Putin has high hopes for cancer vaccine being developed in Russia

Head of the Federal Medical-Biological Agency Veronika Skvortskova briefed the Russian President on the vaccine's development

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

The Belarusian leader noted that they want to go to Warsaw

Europe's 'hotheads' for sending troops to Ukraine, but there is no unity — Kremlin

"Earlier, of course, such ideas were heard from different European capitals, but various counterarguments were also voiced not in favor of this idea," Dmitry Peskov noted

Russian national Nikita Zhuravel sentenced to 14 years in prison for high treason

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Russia acted responsibly in warning US about Oreshnik missile launch, Kremlin says

The US was notified automatically 30 minutes before the launch by Russia's Nuclear Risk Reduction Center

Western air defense systems unlikely to intercept Russian missiles — France’s Le Monde

According to the French military source, Russia's recent use of the Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile should be taken in the context of possible negotiations regarding the ongoing Ukrainian conflict

Ukraine abandons Selidovo, laying mines in wells — security services

The Ukrainian armed forces used various modified Western-made mines and improvised explosive devices during the process

London intensifies anti-Russian campaign in face of impending ‘Ukrainian project’ failure

The realization of the impending failure of the ‘Ukrainian project’ London has been staking on in hopes of capitalizing on plans to inflict a ‘strategic defeat’ on our country by proxy is now as clear as ever," the embassy said

Ukraine’s military loses nearly 10,000 troops at LPR borders over week — military expert

Over the reporting period, Russian forces also destroyed 11 tanks, 89 field artillery guns, 16 electronic warfare and counterbattery radar stations, 33 field ammunition depots and more than 230 combat vehicles of the Ukrainian army in those frontline areas, Andrey Marochko said

Netanyahu may accept ceasefire in Lebanon to stop Hezbollah bombings — diplomat

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Potential deployment of intermediate-range missiles depends on US moves — Russian diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov stressed that "any escalation scenarios, if they start to materialize, will be a direct consequence of the reckless" and "inhumane policy that is pursued by Washington and leading European countries"

NATO spies study damage from Oreshnik at Yuzhmash — expert

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

Russia encircles largest Ukrainian fortification in southern DPR — security services

"The enemy positioned in the fortified area in Velikaya Novoselka in the south of the DPR is already trapped in a kill zone," the source said

Ukrainian commander-in-chief reports threats to troops in Zaporozhye Region

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Kirill Lysogorsky noted that "the Kiev regime continues to systematically use toxic chemicals and chemical riot control agents"

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Maria Zakharova quoted the US Senator, who called the ICC a "Kangaroo court" and ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan a "deranged fanatic"

Russia’s Progress MS-28 cargo spacecraft diverts ISS from collision with space debris

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Citizens of Poland, Germany, Italy apply for residence permit in Lugansk Republic

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Twelve local residents have been evacuated from the scene

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Dmitry Peskov noted that Russia is well aware of Romania’s current government’s policy

Europe unable to wage war attrition on Russia — Ukraine’s ex-commander-in-chief

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Russian official describes OPCW note on use of chemicals in Ukraine as absurd

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Ukrainian officer says 90% of fellow servicemen have no desire to fight

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Emergence of new weapons changed canons of war, Medvedev says

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No int’l restrictions on deployment of Oreshnik systems — senior Russian diplomat

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Explosion occurs at oil refinery in western Turkey, cause being investigated — TV

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'Western vector' leaves Ukraine poorest country in Europe — politician

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Georgescu wins first round of Romania’s presidential vote as ballot tally ends

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Defense contractor delivers new batch of Su-34 bombers to Russia’s Aerospace Forces

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Russia’s launch of new missile illustrated assured retaliation capability, lawmaker says

Andrey Kartapolov also noted that the enemy currently has no defenses against the Oreshnik.

Moscow to announce new Russian ambassador to US after relevant decree is signed — Kremlin

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Zelensky shook up by Russia’s response to permission to attack it — Lavrov

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France, UK will have to pay for their helping Ukraine strike inside Russia — diplomat

Russia’s Permanent Representative to the Vienna-based international organizations Mikhail Ulyanov said that what has been done by the White House is very dangerous

Independent candidate Georgescu leading first round of presidential election in Romania

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Retreating Ukrainian troops leave dozens of bodies behind in Chasov Yar

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Russia may soon push Kiev troops out of Kursk Region — Ukrainian battalion commander

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US Justice Department drops federal cases against Trump — transition team

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Press review: Russia fires missile at Ukraine plant and Biden forgives Kiev $4.65 bln debt

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Ciolacu, Lasconi to face off in presidential runoff in Romania next month — exit polls

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Warehouse catches fire in southern Moscow, over 2,500 square meters on fire

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Russia to develop bilateral cooperation with Afghanistan — Shoigu

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Europe resumes talks of troop deployment to Ukraine — newspaper

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Ukrainian army mercenaries from Colombia linked to US-controlled drug cartels — expert

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Kremlin spokesman says missiles like Oreshnik are developed in secrecy

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British military instructor captured, Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

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Fire at warehouse in southern Moscow completely extinguished

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Denmark, its neighbors hold talks with China about damaged cables under Baltic Sea-report

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West beginning to realize only part of Ukraine will remain — Lavrov

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Russia will respond 'in every way' to Seoul’s arms supply to Kiev — MFA

Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Andrey Rudenko called on South Korean to soberly assess the situation and refrain from "reckless steps"

Senior envoy sees Putin’s statement as signal of Russia’s readiness for military responses

Sergey Ryabkov stressed that Russia has its underlying security interests "that will be ensured by every means that we have at our disposal"

UK mercenary taken prisoner in Russia’s Kursk area — source

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