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Ukrainian Orthodox Church building being demolished in Ukraine’s Lvov

It is noted that the church being demolished was built without proper authorization

MOSCOW, April 6. /TASS/. Adherents of the breakaway Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) in Lvov began to take apart a wooden place of worship belonging to the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), Ukraine’s Zaxid.Net reported on Thursday.

According to the media outlet, earlier, the local UOC community voted for switching to the OCU and the city council transferred to the schismatic OCU the last land plot for the construction of a cathedral.

Additionally, according to Zaxid.Net, the church being demolished was built without proper authorization.

Court sentences Jehovah’s Witness to five years behind bars for funding organization

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Russian forces advance southwest of Kurakhovo, start liberation of Zelenovka — politician

Earlier, Vladimir Rogov told TASS that Russian troops were mopping up the settlements of Sukhiye Yaly and Konstantinopolskoye southeast of Zelenovka

Captured Ukrainian soldier tells about orders to shoot civilians in Russia’s Kursk Region

Artur Plombirus was conscripted from prison, where he was serving a sentence under Article 186 of the Ukrainian Criminal Code (robbery)

EU launches diplomatic contacts with new Syrian government — foreign policy chief

According to Kaja Kallas, the EU foreign ministers will discuss how and "on what level" the EU will engage with the new Syrian authorities and what the EU can offer them if they move "to the right direction"

West should not link support for Syria with Russian bases — Turkey's ruling party

Spokesman Omer Celik added that it was the kind of stance that other countries eager to help Syria rebuild itself should demonstrate

EU Council adopts 15th package of sanctions against Russia — statement

The EU Council also extended the deadlines for sale of assets and divestments by European companies from Russia

Over 430,000 people signed contracts with Russian Armed Forces this year — Putin

"In fact, this is a turning point on the line of combat contact and our combat activity, a complete interception of the strategic initiative," the Russian leader described the situation

Hungary vetoes 6.5 bln euro in EU military funding for Ukraine — Szijjarto

This is not the first time that Hungary has blocked the allocation of funds from the European Peace Facility that are meant to fund arms supplies to Ukraine

Putin praises T-90 tank as the best in world

The president noted that any hardware got outdated with time

No place out of Russia’s ICBMs’ reach – Strategic Missile Forces commander

Colonel General Sergey Karakayev, the commander of Russia's Strategic Missile Forces also announced that missile launches at maximum range are planned as part of state flight tests of advanced missile systems

UNSC meeting on Western weapons supplies to Ukraine to be held on December 20

It is requested by the West

Russian oil tanker in distress in Kerch Strait with 13 people on board

No information about casualties or a possible oil spill is available at this point

Trump says Zelensky should be ready to agree to end Ukraine conflict

Trump said Moscow should be the other side of the deal

Erdogan maintained dialogue with Putin from first moments Syrian crisis — ruling party

The spokesman for Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party noted that Ankara will continue consultations on the Syrian issue with all countries in the region

Press review: Medvedev talks Ukraine with Xi and Houthis intensify attacks on Israel

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, December 13th

Germany’s Chancellor Scholz asks President Steinmeier to dissolve Bundestag — DPA

Support for the current head of the Cabinet was expressed by 207 members of the Bundestag out of the 717 present, while 116 abstained

Russian troops liberate Yelizavetovka community in Donbass area over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted more than 500 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed four enemy howitzers in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported

Russian stock market closed with leading indices down

The MOEX index fell by 2.61% to 2,420.3 points, while the RTS index fell by 2.12% to 740.87 points

IN BRIEF: Russian defense minister speaks out on confrontation with West, Ukrainian losses

According to the minister, Ukrainian losses exceeded 560,000 servicemen killed and wounded in 2024

Survival rate of wounded in Russian army up significantly — defense minister

Andrey Belousov thanked all medical workers who were saving soldiers’ lives on the frontline and in district and central military-medical and civilian hospitals

AfG leader says supplying Kiev with Taurus to turn FRG into target in case of nuclear war

"The historical experience of the 20th century should be a warning that Germany and Europe should never again get involved in a war," Alice Weidel said

Foreign organizations conclude 27 agreements with Russian firms at Eastern Economic Forum

According to the Roscongress Foundation, "the sheer scale of the agreements concluded at EEF 2024 - over 5.5 trillion rubles"

Some 700 Ukrainian troops trapped near Kurakhovo, Russian official reveals

According to the Russian official, the remaining Ukrainian troops in Kurakhovo itself can find themselves trapped, and very soon, too

West seeks to open 'second front' against Russia in Central Asia — Russian diplomat

According to Mikhail Galuzin, this policy from the West is marked by "attempts to get Central Asian nations join sanctions and isolate Russia once and for all," and "restore their military and intelligence presence in the region"

Damaged Russian cargo ships in Kerch Strait cause oil spill emergency

Two rescue tugboats and two helicopters have been dispatched, the Federal Agency for Sea and Inland Water Transport reported

Hungary opposes sending EU military mission to Ukraine — top diplomat

According to Peter Szijjarto, the Hungarian authorities believe that dispatching EU military to Ukraine "on any mission, either training or coordination or reforms," is highly risky

EU won’t talk to Damascus unless Russian bases scrapped — Kallas

The EU High Representative for foreign affairs promised to convey this viewpoint to the new Syrian authorities during upcoming diplomatic meetings

US plans for medium-range high accuracy weapons cause concern — Putin

The Russian leader noted that "the relocation and deployment of these missile systems in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region is already being practiced"

Strategic Missile Forces’ mobile group’s missile systems fully modernized — commander

The planned rearmament of the Strategic Missile Forces' military compounds and units has led to an 88% share of modern missile weapons, Colonel General Sergey Karakayev, the commander of the Russian Armed Forces’ branch said

US seeks to exaggerate its role in Middle East events — newspaper

According to the report, many analysts also believe that any claims of credit by the US administration may be "premature" and that it is far too early to make optimistic predictions about the future of the Middle East

Trump once again refuses to say if he spoke with Putin after elections

On December 11, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Moscow is ready for contacts with Washington on the Ukrainian settlement

Normalization in Syria can be achieved via inclusive intra-Syrian dialogue — ministry

Russian foreign ministry said in a statement that that Muslims and Christians have been living side by side in Syria for centuries

BRICS to review Syria’s membership application if new authorities confirm it — diplomat

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov noted that the association does not "pressure anyone towards anything," treating any choice with respect

Russian forces repel Ukraine’s attempted counterattacks in Krasnoarmeisk area

According to DPR’s head, Denis Pushilin, Russian forces continue their advance in this section of the combat engagement line

Loss of Krasnoarmeysk to mark 'largest setback' for Ukraine in months — TV channel

Krasnoarmeysk is a key logistical hub for the Ukrainian group in the Donetsk People’s Republic

Dozens of Ukrainian soldiers encircled in Kurakhovo, the Russian military says

According to them, the Ukrainian battlegroup is being "ground down" gradually so that it cannot flee the town

Putin highlights need for more innovation in defense sector

The President specifically highlighted information exchanges between the units directly involved in Russia’s special military operation and defense companies

Oil products no longer discharged from wrecked tankers in Kerch Strait

"The remaining tanks are well sealed," Sergey Stranichny said, commenting on the satellite monitoring data

Syria urges BRICS to aid reconstruction, Syrian politician tells TASS

In Mohammed Alloush’s opinion, there are "no objections" to Syria joining BRICS, however, he expressed doubt that its "presence in the bloc would be beneficial" at this stage

Lessons learned in military op should be integrated into training of new troops — Putin

The Russian leader stressed that the special military operation "should be taken into account while outlining priorities for the development of domestic weapons and hardware, as well as the tactics of their use"

Slovakia negotiating continued gas supplies through Ukraine — PM

The situation with gas supplies will be solved in coming days "at various levels in various countries", the republic’s Prime Minister Robert Fico said

Special op's 'pivotal' year, nuclear deterrence: what Putin said at Defense Ministry

The Russian president stressed that the military and political situation in the world remains "uneasy and unstable"

More than 50 cases of terrorism financing uncovered in Russia from January to October

Andrey Kurnosenko emphasized that extremist and terrorist actions by nationalist, religious, ethnic, and other groups aimed at undermining Russia’s unity and territorial integrity and destabilizing the political and socio-economic landscape remain among the primary threats to national security

West continues to try to rule the world — Putin

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Rosatom gets Akkuyu project back on track after delivery failures by Siemens — CEO

The turbine that the Siemens company was supposed to deliver, was produced in Europe, Alexey Likhachev said

Russian Armed Forces to receive advanced systems, including those using AI — Putin

According to the Russian leader, these include reconnaissance and attack vehicles, unmanned boats, and multipurpose robotic platforms

Ukraine largely loses ability to produce weapons, ammunition — defense chief

Andrey Belousov added that this year, more than 58,000 pieces of various enemy weapons and equipment have been destroyed in the special military operation zone

New authorities in Syria to avoid escalating tensions with Russia — expert

Vitaly Naumkin underscored that the new Syrian authorities are not "friends of the collective West, or the United States or Israel"

Drafting 14-year-olds won't help Kiev, Putin asserts

The Russian leader said that he has no doubt that the draft age in Ukraine will ultimately be lowered

Patriarch Kirill, Russian UN envoy avoid EU sanctions thanks to Hungary

According to the top Hungarian diplomat, the proposals put forward in connection with this package were nothing short of "insane"

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Ahmad al-Sharaa didn’t say exactly what role the new Syrian government sees for itself in the UNSC

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"This is quite possible," Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman said

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He didn’t elaborate

Israel not interested in confrontation with Syria — Netanyahu

Israel will build its policy toward Damascus based on the situation on the ground, Israeli Prime Minister said

Use of several Oreshnik missiles comparable to nuclear weapons — Putin

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Trump blasts Biden’s permission to use US weapons for strikes inside Russia as 'stupid'

The US President-elect said that nobody asked him to weigh in on the decision

Situation in Krasnoarmeisk area improves after liberation of Shevchenko — DPR head

Denis Pushilin noted that Russian troops had also advanced in the Krasny Liman area

CSTO understood Ukraine was turned into anti-Russia — ex-secretary general

Nikolay Bordyuzha noted "that the Ukrainian population was actually fostered in the spirit of hatred of Russians, everything Russia, and Russia"

At least 7 people injured in Israeli shelling of Syria’s Tartus province — report

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Ukrainian army forced to switch to defensive, tap reserves — Russian defense chief

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Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said it at the 22nd United Russia party congress.

Russian cancer vaccine to be free of charge — top oncologist

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West turns Ukraine into impoverished, war-torn country — politician

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Ukraine’s judiciary 'paralyzed' as Supreme, Constitutional courts face repression — Putin

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Putin orders Russian forces pullout from Syria

Russia is ready to deal a new blow to terrorists if they again try to break peace in Syria, the president said

Russian forces down Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet — top brass

Air defenses downed a MiG-29 fighter jet belonging to the Ukrainian air force, eight US-made HIMARS multiple rocket launchers and 116 unmanned aerial vehicles

Putin lauds Paralympians as heroes, inspiration to entire country

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

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, December 16th

Trump will never provide US security guarantees to Ukraine — The New York Times

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Top Ukrainian diplomat rejects Christmas Day truce at EU meeting in Brussels

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Russia’s upgraded T-80BV tank to feature capability of firing depleted uranium shells

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Sergey Ryabkov also commented on Donald Trump's threat by saying that Russia is used to the situation when the US, regardless of whose party’s representative sits in the White House, "uses nothing but threats"

US strikes Houthi government's Defense Ministry building — TV channel

The large-scale attack hit the movement's military facilities

Electoral College to hold voting to elect US president

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Nearly 100% of wounded Russian troops good for service after treatment — defense chief

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Four settlements in Krasnodar Region face high alert mode due to oil spill

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Russian forces liberate Vesyoly Gai, Pushkino in Donbass region

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Russia to continue its military operation, as West only offers fake peace plans – UN envoy

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Court sentences Jehovah’s Witness to five years behind bars for funding organization

During the searches, foreign passports, electronic devices, flash drives, hard disks, laptops and other material evidence relevant to the preliminary investigation were seized

Putin backs Orban’s peace initiatives rejected by Zelensky, Kremlin says

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Russia calls Israel’s annexation of Golan Heights unacceptable — MFA

"Israel must return to the full compliance with the well-known 1974 agreement with Syria," Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stressed

Ukraine to lose third of territory, get no invitation to NATO — Slovak PM

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Russia spends 2.5% of GDP more on its army than before — Putin

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Assad says he did not consider resignation, evacuation at any point during recent events

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Nicaragua offers Russia to build new canal together — special envoy

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Ukrainian troops often get surrounded in Kurakhovo area — report

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Ukrainian command prohibits soldiers to retreat from Velikaya Novosyolka in Donbass region

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Houthis say they attacked target NEAR Tel Aviv with hypersonic missile

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Putin congratulates large Russian companies on good results

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