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Twelve POWs from Lugansk released from Ukrainian captivity — LPR ombudswoman

Earlier on Saturday, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that as a result of complicated negotiations, 63 soldiers of the Russian Armed Forces had been returned from the Kiev-controlled territory of Ukraine

LUGANSK, February 4. /TASS/. Twelve service members from the Lugansk People’s Republic (LPR) have been released from Ukrainian captivity, LPR Human Rights Ombudswoman Viktoria Serdyukova told TASS on Saturday.

"Today, in a regular prisoner swap with Ukraine, 63 Russian service members were freed. Twelve of them are our fellowmen, fighters of the Lugansk People’s Republic," she said.

Earlier on Saturday, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that as a result of complicated negotiations, 63 soldiers of the Russian Armed Forces had been returned from the Kiev-controlled territory of Ukraine. Among them were individuals of "a sensitive category," whose exchange was made possible thanks to the mediation efforts of the United Arab Emirates.

Andrey Yermak, head of the Ukrainian president’s office, said that Kiev received 116 Ukrainian service members in the prisoner swap. Two of them are officers, and the rest are privates and sergeants.

Osamu Suzuki, who headed Japanese carmaker for 40 years, dies at 94

Osamu Suzuki joined the company in 1958, when he married the daughter of one of its founders and took her last name

Russia prepared to respond to Western missile strikes on its territory — Serbian leader

According to Aleksandar Vucic, "anyone who believes that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin will refrain from using these powerful weapons is mistaken"

Aleppo taken by 350 militants while 30,000 gov’t troops retreated without fight — Putin

The Russian president recalled that no Russian land troops had been deployed to Syria, with Russia having only an airbase and a naval base

IN BRIEF: Putin talks to reporters about Oreshnik missile, natural gas transit

The president noted that the most important thing in the coming year is "the well-being of the Russian people, standard of living, stability"

German president dissolves parliament, schedules early elections for February 23

Frank-Walter Steinmeier also said that he had consulted with the leaders of all the parties represented in the Bundestag before making the decision and concluded that neither the current nor the new government, in any composition, would win a majority in the current parliament

FSB foils series of assassination attempts on senior Russian defense officials

The bombs intended for killing high-placed Russian Defense Ministry officials were disguised as a power bank and a document folder, the FSB press office specified

Houthis report attacking Santa Ursula vessel in Arabian Sea

The container ship Santa Ursula, sailing under the flag of Denmark, is bound from Spain’s Algerciras to the Omani port of Salalah, Marine Traffic data showed

Armored vehicle with Israeli commanding officers blown up in West Bank

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

Contract for gas transit to EU cannot be renewed before New Year — Putin

According to the Russian President, an option of concluding contracts for delivery through third parties - Turkish, Hungarian, Slovak, Azerbaijani companies - is possible

Russia to convene UNSC meeting in January to discuss Ukraine’s crimes against civilians

The report on Ukrainian atrocities in Selidovo will be presented

Russian prime minister approves list of countries imposing destructive attitudes

It includes the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan and other states

Russia persuades most states it is essential to address causes of Ukrainian crisis — MFA

"This position was conveyed to the leadership of a number of NATO and EU countries, including Austria, Hungary, Malta, Slovakia, the United States, Turkey, and Germany, as well as the Vatican and Switzerland in direct contacts with them at the highest and highest levels," the commentary says

Norwegians who refused to rescue sailors from Ursa Major acted like non-humans — senator

Konstantin Kosachev noted that the West was in the habit of discussing values, but the true Western values are not about legalizing same-sex marriage or overthrowing unwanted regimes or supporting Ukraine

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

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

Serbia’s Vucic suggests Trump may bring ceasefire in Ukraine closer

Aleksandar Vucic also believes that, under Trump, the White House "will not provide as much financial support to Ukraine as the current administration" of outgoing US President Joe Biden

Russia, Argentina interacting at working level — Russian Ambassador

"But the political dialog at a summit and high level is actually frozen to date," Dmitry Feoktistov added

No politics behind current absence of Russian ambassador in US — Lavrov

The top diplomat stressed that it was not a demarche

Scholz could make unexpected steps in relations with Russia amid German crisis — analyst

According to the analyst, Scholz's recent phone talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin came out of left field for the German political community

US requires a large fleet of drones for future wars, Musk says

Earlier, the US businessman predicted "drone swarm" battles in the future

Scholz says he would like to hold phone talks with Putin again

The German chancellor emphasized that he didn’t plan to "send German servicemen to this war"

Trump's words on Greenland escalate tensions in the Arctic — Russian ambassador to Norway

Nikolay Korchunov pointed out that Greenland and Denmark are not the only Arctic Council members feeling pressure on their sovereignty, and are in a difficult position in light of possible moves by the incoming Trump administration

Thailand accepts invitation to become BRICS partner state — MFA

As a BRICS partner state, Thailand hopes to raise the level of relations with the group’s members in order to gain better opportunities for the development of its economy

Zelensky as commander-in-chief loses trust of army, population — MP

Aleksandr Dubinsky recalled the unsuccessful financing of Ukraine in the middle of the year

Russia to press for progress on line of engagement — Putin

The President stressed that Moscow would move on in accordance with the plans it had outlined

Ukraine’s army reports forced retreat to ‘last defensive line’ in Donbass area

Ukraine’s General Staff admitted earlier that the frontline situation remained tense for the Ukrainian army

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"

Grozny airport was closed due to Ukrainian UAVs when AZAL plane crashed in Aktau

Dmitry Yadrov stressed that the plane’s commander tried to land in Grozny twice

Kazakhstan’s Aktau Airport was aware of oxygen cylinder blast before plane’s crash

KazAeroNavigation’s flight director immediately notified all emergency services

Pentagon mum on F-16 fighter jet downed in Zaporozhye Region

The US Department of Defense "has no statement or information to provide," a department’s spokesperson said

Lavrov sees ceasefire in Ukraine as road to nowhere, calls for reliable agreements

The top Russian diplomat pointed out that those accords should first and foremost address the root causes of the Ukraine crisis

Foreign powers seek to provoke mass riots in Syria — source

On December 27, security forces formed by the new Syrian government blocked districts of the city of Tartus, where Alawites organized riots

Russian MFA denies reports of talks with Baku, Astana on plane crash near Aktau

It also indicated that specialized agencies are investigating the causes of the crash

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

US-made Abrams tanks in Taiwan won’t help island — China’s defense ministry

The Chinese People's Liberation Army will comprehensively strengthen military training to prevent a separatist plot by supporters of Taiwan independence and interference by outside forces, according to Spokesman Zhang Xiaogang

Investigative Committee opens case against US mercenary who invaded Kursk Region

In August 2024, armed with automatic firearms, large-caliber weapons, explosive devices, and military equipment, Ryan O'Leary illegally crossed Russia's state border

Project 885M latest nuclear-powered submarine Arkhangelsk joins Russian Navy

During the ceremony, the Russian Navy chief handed in the St. Andrew’s naval flag to the submarine commander, Captain First Rank Alexander Gladkov

Azerbaijan Airlines passenger jet returns back to Baku shortly after takeoff

"The passenger aircraft landed at the Heydar Aliyev International Airport at 10:13 a.m. local time [6:13 a.m. GMT]," the statement noted

Emigration of 5.3 million Ukrainians a serious blow, Ukrainian expert says

According to Alexey Poznyak, problems are to be expected in the labor market

FSB eliminates extremists who were plotting bomb blast outside police station in Moscow

The FSB stressed it had suppressed the activity of a cell of an international terrorist organization whose members, "Natives of Central Asia, were planning to commit a terrorist act against one of the police stations

Spanish coordination center orders Norwegian captain not to take Ursa Major sailors

Maritime Rescue Coordinating Center in Cartagena ordered not to take crew from vessel in distress on board as their rescue boat was on the way to the scene

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

Buildup of Russian presence in Arctic region critical amid West’s statements

"The buildup of presence in the Arctic Region is extremely important because the collective West is already carrying propaganda under slogans that ‘the Arctic is not Russian only," Executive Director of the RGS Artyom Manukyan said

China imposes sanctions on seven US military-industrial companies over Taiwan — MFA

US President Joe Biden on Monday approved the country's $895 billion defense budget for the fiscal year 2025 (starting October 1), which mentions China 107 times

Plane crash in Kazakhstan claims 38 lives

29 people had been hospitalized

Ukraine’s General Staff admits tense situation along entire frontline

The Ukrainian army reported earlier on Friday that its forces were retreating to the border of the Dnepropetrovsk Region from the Kiev-controlled territory of the Donetsk People’s Republic "to the last defensive line" in that area

Voting on acting president’s impeachment expected in South Korea

The voting is expected to take place on December 27

Russian MFA lists nine countries set to become BRICS partners from January 1

It is reported that Brazil’s BRICS chairmanship will announce the countries’ acquisition of the partner status as soon as it receives their confirmation

Russian-Iranian partnership agreement to be inked on January 17 — ambassador

The comprehensive strategic partnership treaty is expected to mark a significant step forward in the development of relations between Russia and Iran, which are growing rapidly

Russia shortens temporary stay term for foreigners to 90 days — Foreign Ministry

In some cases, the temporary stay term is being prolonged in accordance with the abovementioned federal law

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

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

Canadian ministers going to US for consultations with Trump’s administration — TV

Canada’s Foreign Minister Melanie Joly and Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc intend to continue consultations on issues discussed by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with US president-elect

Syrian army’s weapons seized by terrorists — Iraq’s PM

Mohammed Al Sudani stressed that Baghdad respects the will of the Syrian people, hoping for progress toward a comprehensive political process

New Syrian authorities do not intend to annul agreements on Russian military bases

On December 9, a TASS source said that Russia has commenced the negotiations with the new Syrian authorities on the continued presence of its military bases

Kremlin says no comment on 'highly specialized' issue of Finland’s seizure of oil tanker

On December 25, Reuters reported that Finland’s police and border guards have detained an oil tanker, which flies under the flag of the Cook Islands, suspecting that an anchor of the vessel may have damaged the EstLink 2 cable

Israel’s army intercepts missile fired from Yemen

"Following the sirens that sounded in several areas in central Israel, one missile that was launched from Yemen was intercepted before crossing into Israeli territory," the press service says

NATO considers use of ATACMS missiles in Ukraine reckless, indiscriminate — NYT

The newspaper notes that, since Ukraine received an authorization from the UK and the US, Kiev carried out at least six missile strikes, using 31 ATACMS and 14 Storm Shadow missiles

EU to impose new sanctions on ‘Russian shadow fleet’ over Baltic Sea incident

In addition, the European Union is strengthening protection of the bloc's undersea cables

Expert offers to use navy ships to escort tankers after Eagle S incident

Alexander Stepanov believes that NATO intends to lock the Kaliningrad enclave, to lock the Russian trade fleet in Neva estuary and to simultaneously block the Leningrad naval base

Azerbaijan Airlines states its passenger jet crashed due to external mechanical damage

Azerbaijan Airlines earlier announced the suspension of flights to several Russian cities

Putin says he receives information about frontline situation round the clock

There is always something new at certain sections of the front, the head of state emphasized

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

The authorities of Chechnya handed over 200 "Jihad mobile"

Bosphorus transit suspended due to malfunction of tanker en route to Russia

The Cordelia Moon is 274 meters long and 50 meters wide

Europe must be punished, US ignored after hybrid war between West, Russia — Medvedev

According to the politician, Europe "became the primary stronghold of Russophobia globally," undermined the Istanbul agreements, initiated the sanctions campaign, and fueled the most extreme war factions without considering the losses suffered by both sides of the conflict

Russia says it carried out 38 strikes with high-precision weapons over past week

Russia’s Battlegroup West has repelled 25 Ukrainian counterattacks over the past week, wiping out over 3,080 enemy servicemen and destroying a German-made Leopard tank

US disrupts payment of Russian contribution to ICRC budget — Foreign Ministry

This is another example of a harmful impact of unlawful restrictive measures, the ministry said

Oreshnik missile systems still few, but they are enough — Putin

According to the head of state, the system's serial production has begun

Crew of plane that crashed in Kazakhstan lost control due to system failure

Kazakh Transport Minister Marat Karabayev noted that the information was also received that "after providing data on the weather in Makhachkala and Baku, the crew decided to fly to Aktau"

NATO to boost military presence in Baltic Sea following cable incidents — Rutte

Earlier, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas attributed responsibility for the Baltic Sea incidents to the tanker fleet transporting Russian oil, even before the investigation concluded

Russia’s still paying for gas transit through Ukraine — Putin

Pumping also continues through the Sudzha station, where military activities are ongoing

Two families with children return to Russia from Syria — commissioner

An aircraft landed in the Moscow Region, Maria Lvova-Belova said

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

Azerbaijan Airlines plane tried to land twice at Aktau airport before crash

The Aktau air traffic controller promptly performed all necessary measures for the aircraft’s landing

Decision-making centers in Kiev may be targets of Russia’s strikes, says Lavrov

Moscow selects targets for strikes on the territory of Ukraine, proceeding solely from threats to Russia, the foreign minister stressed

Lukashenko, Putin discuss regional security, bilateral relations

The presidents also talked about cooperation between the countries in a variety of areas, including economy

Russian security official says Poland gave Ukraine unusable helicopters

It is reported that corrupt Ukrainian officials will probably get their kickback from Poland, in another move that helps Ukraine’s downfall

Press review: Putin discusses EU gas supplies and Russia open to Ukraine talks with Trump

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, December 27th

UN Secretary-General condemns escalation between Israel, Yemen

Guterres calls "for all parties concerned to cease all military actions and exercise utmost restraint"

Parliament impeaches South Korean acting president

The impeachment was supported by 192 delegates with at least 151 votes required

France made several requests to Russia on Ukraine topic through private channels — Lavrov

According to the Russian foreign minister, Paris proposed "to assist and facilitate dialogue on the Ukrainian issue"

Osamu Suzuki, who headed Japanese carmaker for 40 years, dies at 94

Osamu Suzuki joined the company in 1958, when he married the daughter of one of its founders and took her last name

Israel only starting to retaliate to Yemen’s Houthis — Netanyahu

"We will beat them to the bone until they understand, too," the minister said

Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency investigates passenger jet’s crash near Aktau

The Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190, en route from Baku to Grozny, crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, on December 25

Finnish police detain oil tanker on suspicion of damaging communication cables

It is also reported that the Eagle S "noticeably slowed down" presumably at the moment when the cable between Finland and Estonia was damaged

Putin says Biden in 2021 proposed to postpone Ukraine's admission to NATO

The Russian leader recalled that the US President spoke about Ukraine's unreadiness to join the alliance

Russian cancer vaccine to be free of charge — top oncologist

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

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

US may face bankruptcy if situation with national debt does not change — Musk

The US national debt for the first time climbed above $36 trillion on November 15

Lukashenko says he discussed gas supplies to Europe with Putin, Russia ready to sell them

The Belarusian leader believes that Germany should restore relations with Russia for the sake of its own economy

Russian fighters advance in Volchansk in Kharkov Region, force Volchya River — expert

Andrey Marochko added that Russian servicemen "start preparing the way for further advancement southwest of this locality"

El Al suspends Tel Aviv - Moscow flights

The airline will assess the situation in the upcoming weeks and will decide whether the flights will resume depending on the assessment

No confidence vote, Bundestag's dissolution, early elections: political crisis in Germany

Germany faces an acute crisis after the ruling coalition clashed on budgetary and economic policies, including aid to Kiev and easing the "debt brake" rule

Egypt lost more than 60% of Suez Canal revenues in 2024 — administration

This stood at about $7 bln, in the outgoing year

Press review: Middle East may host Putin-Trump talks as experts probe Kazakhstan crash

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, December 26th

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

Yemen’s Houthis launch missile attack on Israel's Ben Gurion Airport — spokesman

Yahya Saria also said the group's drone strike destroyed a "critical target of the Israeli enemy" near Tel Aviv

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

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

Astana, Moscow, Baku will not hide information on plane crash — Senate speaker

Maulen Ashimbayev warned against premature conclusions concerning an external impact on the plane based on photographs, noting that certain forces were trying to derive dividends

Russia, Abkhazia, South Ossetia fail to agree on moving Geneva talks — Russian MFA

Since 2008, international discussions on security and stability in the South Caucasus have been held in Geneva, with the participation of Abkhazia, Georgia, Russia, the United States, and South Ossetia, mediated by special representatives from the UN, the EU, and the OSCE

Termination of transit of Russian gas to kill Ukraine’s gas transport system — experts

Moreover, Ukraine will have to reorganize the flows of gas on the domestic market and resolve respective issues with keeping pressure in the eastern and central parts of the gas transport system, experts added