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FSB seizes 352 weapons in 38 regions, including 42 grenade launchers in August-September

It is reported that the homes of illegal weapons dealers were searched in August-September 2023

MOSCOW, October 20. /TASS/. Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has seized 352 weapons, including 42 grenade launchers, in 38 regions during large-scale detective measures in August-September.

In cooperation with the Interior Ministry and Rosgvardiya, the criminal activity of 119 residents of 38 territories involved in the illegal circulation of weapons and their sale was suppressed, the FSB said in a news release. In August-September 2023 the homes of illegal weapons dealers were searched and 352 firearms of domestic and foreign production were seized (42 grenade launchers, 6 machine guns, 67 automatic rifles, 12 submachine guns, 105 rifles, carbines and shotguns, 120 pistols and revolvers, as well as 607 grenades, shells and mines of various modifications, 33 kilograms of explosives - both gunpowder and TNT - and 138 thousand rounds of ammunition). The activity of 42 underground workshops for upgrading weapons and making ammunition was stopped, the FSB said.

Nearly half of Ukrainians hope Trump’s victory could expedite a truce

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

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

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

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

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

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Russian gas is most profitable for Europe in terms of price and logistics — Novak

In conditions of competing China, Europeans pay significantly more for US LNG than for Russian gas, the official noted

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

Biden tasks Pentagon with boosting military aid to Kiev

In recent months, the United States has provided Ukraine with hundreds of air defense missiles, and more are on the way, the White House’s press service released

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

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"

Armored vehicle with Israeli commanding officers blown up in West Bank

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

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

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

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

The authorities of Chechnya handed over 200 "Jihad mobile"

Denmark to strengthen control over Greenland after Trump’s words — top defense official

Denmark plans to increase the number of personnel at the Joint Arctic Command in the Greenlandic capital of Nuuk

Expert sees the collective West behind Ursa Major terrorist attack

Alexander Stepanov emphasized that "the goal of the enemy’s terrorist campaign on international shipping routes was to disrupt trade and economic cooperation"

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

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

Relations between Argentina, Russia developing at parliamentary level — Russian Ambassador

According to Dmitry Feoktistov, at the same time "a freeze is observed at political and economic level"

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

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

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

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Parliament impeaches South Korean acting president

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

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Russia is ready to welcome tourists from Latin American countries in every possible way, to show them Moscow and St. Petersburg, Lake Baikal, Kamchatka, Sochi, Suzdal, and Altai, the top Russian diplomat said

Press review: US, Israel aim to curb Turkey’s gains while Moscow, Tehran strengthen ties

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Taiwan records approach of five Chinese PLA warplanes, five vessels

According to the report, five aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern and southwestern air defense identification zone

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

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

Ukrainian agents attempted to deliver booby-trapped documents to Archangel Project head

The project's curator Vitaly Romanov noted that the bomb was defused, and no one was injured

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

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

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

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

Gazprom plans to produce gas at some fields for another 110 years — CEO

According to Alexey Miller, Gazprom is the world leader in terms of gas reserves

Putin congratulates Emergencies Ministry’s staff on professional holiday

"Employees of the Ministry of Emergencies rightfully enjoy the deserved recognition and respect in our society," the president said

At least four Syrian law enforcement employees killed in operation near Homs

According to Al Watan, the Department of military operations in Damascus sent major reinforcements to the Homs Province in order to eliminate the remaining supporters of former president Bashar Assad

Russian Cabinet to hold closing meeting in 2024

The agenda comprises issues pertaining to support of regions, road and transportation networks and other topics

Investigative Committee opens case against US mercenary who invaded Kursk Region

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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

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29 people had been hospitalized

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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

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

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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

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

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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

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

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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

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

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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

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KazAeroNavigation’s flight director immediately notified all emergency services

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Salome Zourabichvili also promised to announce her further plans on Monday

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

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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

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

UN Secretary-General condemns escalation between Israel, Yemen

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

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

Voting on acting president’s impeachment expected in South Korea

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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

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

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

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

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

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"

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

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

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

South Korean acting president accepts impeachment by parliament

Han Duck-soo vowed that he would step down "in accordance with the law so as not to add chaos" to the country’s politics

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"

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

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

The Cordelia Moon is 274 meters long and 50 meters wide

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

Russia not setting preconditions for talks on Ukraine — Lavrov

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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"

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

Oboronlogistics company blames loss of its ship Ursa Major on terrorist attack

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IN BRIEF: What is known about passenger plane crash in Kazakhstan

According to the Kazakh Transport Ministry, the plane belonged to Azerbaijan Airlines

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

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

Russian cancer vaccine to be free of charge — top oncologist

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

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

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

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

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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

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

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

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

Four injured in plane crash in Kazakhstan now in intensive care in Aktau hospital

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

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

Russia 10 years ahead of whole world with research into 4th generation nuclear power

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Two families with children return to Russia from Syria — commissioner

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

Lukashenko, Putin discuss regional security, bilateral relations

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