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Military operation in Ukraine

Plane with 103 Russian POWs lands near Moscow

They were swapped for 103 Ukrainian POWs

© TASS, archive

MOSCOW, September 15. /TASS/. A plane carrying 103 Russian servicemen, who were captured by Ukrainian troops during attack on the borderline Kursk Region, has landed near Moscow, the Zvezda television channel reported.

The Il-76 plane landed at the Chkalovsky airfield in the suburbs of Moscow. Zvezda published a video showing the servicemen leaving the plane. They will be taken to the Russian Defense Ministry’s healthcare facilities for treatment and rehabilitation.

Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry said Russia had brought back 103 servicemen captured by Ukraine in the borderline Kursk Region following talks mediated by the United Arab Emirates. They were swapped for 103 Ukrainian POWs.

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Military operation in Ukraine

Investigative Committee joins probe into circumstances of shooting near Wildberries office

According to the latest information, one person was killed and two were injured as a result of the shooting

Iranian ambassador has his eye maimed following pager attack in Lebanon — NYT

The diplomat’s injuries "were more serious than Iran initially reported," the Iranian representatives stressed

Exhibition of captured NATO military hardware kicks off in Moscow

In all, there are 32 items

Taiwan police investigate Gold Apollo over pager detonations in Lebanon

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IN BRIEF: Ex-Ukrainian intel officer’s car blown up in northern Moscow

The explosion occurred in a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado off-road vehicle parked on Korovinskoye highway in the north of Moscow, when the driver started the SUV

Rising number of dead foreigners in Ukraine proves West's involvement — envoy to UN

"We have warned from the beginning that those who help the Zelensky clique stay afloat will become our legitimate targets," Vasily Nebezya reminded

Mossad could have planted explosives into Taiwan-made pagers for Hezbollah — Reuters

According to one source, Hezbollah ordered 5,000 pagers from Taiwan-based Gold Apollo several months before the detonations that occurred in Lebanon on Tuesday

Russian units strike energy facilities of Ukrainian military-industrial complex

Russia’s battlegroup Center has continued to advance into enemy defenses and wiped out more than 500 Ukrainian servicemen over the past 24 hours, the Defense Ministry said

Ukrainian shelling cuts Energodar off from water, power

Eduard Senovoz added that there is still a threat of repeated attacks on the city

Musk points to absence of assassination attempts on Biden, Harris

The American billionaire responded to a subscriber's comment on X "Why do they want to kill Donald Trump?"

Top Israeli defense official contacted Pentagon chief before pagers blast — news outlet

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Kennedy Jr., Trump Jr. call for direct talks with Russia on Ukraine

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Ukrainian troops complain about poor fortifications, lack of men — report

According to the report, the 110th mechanized brigade numbered less than 40% of required staff as of July 2024

US uses sanctions to show off harsh stance toward strategic rival Russia — ambassador

Anatoly Antonov said sound-minded US analysts and journalists repeatedly questioned the effectiveness of sanctions against Russia

Ukrainian breakthrough attempts thwarted: developments in Kursk Region

According to the report, the Russian military repelled five attempts of the enemy to break through the border towards the settlements of Veseloye and Medvezhye

Ukraine's military intelligence is part of terrorist network in Middle East — expert

Alexander Stepanov noted that after the completion of the special military operation more hotbeds of destabilization would emerge around the world, "which will include ex-representatives of paramilitary groups and intelligence structures who escaped from Ukraine"

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According to Vyacheslav Volodin, it is crucial for the parliaments of the United States and European countries to "understand and realize what can happen"

Pager exploding near Iranian ambassador to Lebanon did not belong to him — TV

According to the television channel, the ambassador doesn’t have such a device

West is persuading Ukraine to give up claims to 1991 borders — legislator

Yegor Chernev shared a "feeling" that the Western world is ready to declare as a victory for Ukraine at least the fact that "Kiev has not fallen" and that it "has not lost its sovereignty"

Energodar mayor reports more than 10 drone attacks

Forces defending the city have shot down the bulk of those drones, the city's mayor said

Mexican president-elect refuses to visit Ukraine

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The flotilla consists of the destroyers Xining and Wuxi, the frigate Linyi, and the support vessel Taihu

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Apart from that, DPR head Denis Pushilin said that seven residential houses were damaged in Donetsk and Gorlovka

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West brings terrorism to Russia, Africa for its own benefit — Foreign Ministry

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The missile was launched eastward and it fell outside of Japan’s exclusive economic zone, NHK reported

FACTBOX: Ukrainian servicemen captured: developments in Kursk Region

Over the day, Ukraine lost up to 400 troops and 23 armored vehicles

International journalistic organization can be created based on BRICS

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Ukrainian military carry out at least five artillery strikes on Energodar — politician

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Untrained Ukrainian soldiers seen deserting `en masse’ near Kremennaya — expert

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North Korea launches several short-range ballistic missiles

According to the report, the missiles were launched at about 06:50 local time from the Kaechon area

Russian armed forces consolidating in settlement of Borki in Kursk region — army

Apty Alaudinov said that the Arbat unit worked there together with the 810th brigade

Operation with pagers in Lebanon approved by Netanyahu, his cabinet — media

According to Axios, citing to US officials that Israel had not informed the United States about its plans

Ukraine suffers major infantry losses in Sudzha area — Chechen commander

Major General Apty Alaudinov specified that the Akhmat fighters shot down several drones and eliminated one motor vehicle and one self-propelled artillery system

Russia is calling for investigation of pager explosions in Lebanon — MFA

Maria Zakharova noted that the collective West had been blocking investigations into international terrorist attacks in recent years

Air defense downs 2 missiles, 27 drones in Kursk Region overnight

The region's governor Alexey Smirnov warned people against approaching the fragments, as they may be harmful, and urged people to report them to emergency services

US lawmakers call for helium sanctions against Russia — Politico

According to the report, the aim is to limit Russia's ability to become a global supplier of the substance

NATO not to become conflict side if West authorizes Kiev to strike at Russia — Stoltenberg

According to the Secretary General, NATO closely monitors what Russia is doing in its nuclear posture

Russian units, advancing toward Seversk in DPR, force Ukrainian troops out — expert

North-west of Zolotarevka, an enemy stronghold located at a strategic high point was eliminated, Andrey Marochko said

Number of Hezbollah fighters killed by pager detonation reaches 10

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BRICS platforms alternative to dollar, euro attract increasing number of states — Lavrov

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Russia-Lao ‘Laros-2024’ drills kick off in Primorsky Region

During the exercise, servicemen of the Lao People's Army will work out all stages of practical operations in unified combat formation with units of the Eastern Military District

Iranian ambassador to Beirut receives minor injuries in pager blast — agency

According to earlier reports, pager explosions occurred practically at the same time across Lebanon

Russia's share in Armenia's foreign military-technical cooperation down to 10% from 96%

According to Armenian Security Council’s Secretary Armen Grigoryan, Yerevan also wants to buy up to 30% of weapons produced for its own needs from local manufacturers

Russian Chess Federation head urges not to turn world of chess into battlefield

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High technologies important for strengthening Russia’s industrial sovereignty — Putin

The Russian leader highlighted "the popularization of professions related to high technologies, which are especially in demand today"

Georgia should cancel its LGBT law ‘derailing the country from its EU path’ — Borrell

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Israel won’t dare to invade Lebanon for fear of heavy losses — parliament speaker

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"The CSTO cannot and does not pose any threat to Armenia’s sovereignty," Dmitry Peskov stressed

Russia calls to show US it is on wrong side of history — UN envoy

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Hamas puts responsibility for consequences of pager blasts in Lebanon on Israel

This action "is a challenge to all laws and rules" and will "only escalate tension" in the region, it added

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"Such an ostentatious wish not to take the Russian president's statements into consideration is a move that is absolutely shortsighted and unprofessional," Dmitry Peskov said

State Duma to review bill freeing special op participants of criminal prosecution

The Duma will also review a bill that will make it possible for defendants in certain categories of offenses to sign military service contracts during mobilization period, martial law or wartime

Snowden said exploding pagers in Lebanon likely to be stuffed with explosives

Former NSA employee and whistleblower blamed Israel for this, slamming its actions as reckless, bordering on terrorism

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"Our services have not informed us about increased levels of this or that isotope in the atmosphere. Nor have we received any notifications about threats to people's health," Dmitry Peskov said

US coalition's drones fly too close to Russian fighter jet in Syria — top brass

A pair of the coalition’s F-15, a pair of F-16, and a pair of Rafale fighter jets, as well as a pair of A-10 Thunderbolt attack bombers violated Syria’s airspace in the al-Tanf area, across which international air routes run, twelve times during the day

Russia strongly condemns unprecedented attack on Lebanon, its citizens — MFA

"In all likelihood the organizers of this high-tech attack purposefully sought to foment a large-scale armed confrontation with the aim to provoke a major war in the Middle East," Maria Zakharova said

FACTBOX: What is known about shooting at Wildberries office in central Moscow

The shooting took place at the entrance to the Wildberries office in the Romanov Dvor business center, the emergency services reported

Ukrainian leadership appointed from outside, as was Saakashvili in 2003 — Georgian PM

In Georgia, it resulted in total racketeering of businesses, murders of people in the streets, prisons, Irakli Kobakhidze said

Random regrouping of Ukraine’s troops stems from shortage of manpower, arms — opinion

According to Vladimir Rogov, the Kiev regime’s hasty actions along the combat engagement line can also be explained by Russia’s decision to increase the number of army personnel

At least 8 people killed, some 2,800 injured in pager explosions across Lebanon — official

Firas Abiad said that more than 170 injured people are in serious condition, and about 100 medical institutions are providing assistance to the wounded

Press review: Russia moves to boost its army and Zelensky to present victory plan to Biden

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, September 17th

Georgian parliament adopts in final reading bill banning LGBT propaganda

The bill, which will now be sent to the country’s president Salome Zourabichvili for signing, was approved by 84 lawmakers

Russia’s battlegroup West repels three Ukrainian counterattacks in past day

The Ukrainian army losses in the responsibility zone of the group include a tank, three armored combat vehicles, six vehicles, a Bogdana 155mm self-propelled artillery mount and roughly 600 servicemen

Georgia could reconsider US ties if Washington imposes more sanctions — prime minister

The previous sanctions brought the US to "a critical point," the prime minister’s office said in a statement following the meeting

Rwanda discusses NPP construction with Rosatom — Russian envoy

According to Alexander Polyakov, a Rosatom delegation will soon visit Rwanda

Lebanese Health Ministry reveals number of dead, injured in pager blasts

Acting Health Minister Firass Abiad denied earlier media reports that 4,000 people had been injured

Many Europeans 'on the right side of history' — Russian intel chief

Sergey Naryshkin expressed confidence that "the memory of the heroic participants of the Slovak Uprising unites Russians and Slovaks"

Trump believes US to benefit from cooperating with Russia, China

Republican presidential candidate reiterated that he had good relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping

NATO making plans of sending its troops to Ukraine — Russian deputy defense minister

According to Alexander Fomin, this may lead to a direct military confrontation of nuclear powers

Pager blasts in Lebanon may trigger conflict in region — Kremlin

"What happened - whatever it is - is certainly leading to an escalation of tensions. The region is in a volatile state," Dmitry Peskov said

400 people injured in mass pager detonation in Lebanon currently in severe condition

According to Health Minister Firass Abiad, a total of 4,000 people were injured in the incident, 11 of them died

Drug supplies to Ukrainian army come from US — POW

It is reported that under some psychotropics a person can stay awake for a week

Russian forces advance in Stepnogorsk area in Zaporozhye Region — politician

According to Vladimir Rogov, the advance was under constant strikes by Ukrainian tube artillery, drones and multiple launch rocket systems

Israel behind pager operation in Lebanon — media

The NYT noted that the devices were remodeled before they were brought to Lebanon

Musk believes US faces ‘fall to tyranny’ if Trump loses election

Earlier, the entrepreneur warned that there would no longer be real US elections if this year’s race was lost by Donald Trump

Medvedev allows use of nuclear weapons by Russia when ‘patience runs out’

The politician underscored that no one really needs a nuclear conflict - it is "a very bad story with a very difficult outcome."

Lebanese government puts blame for mass pager explosion on Israel

The press service also said that the Lebanese government contacted the United Nations and a number of countries to call on them to bring Israel to responsibility for its actions

NATO sets new tasks for Tallinn in event of conflict with Russia — Estonian General Staff

Major General Vahur Karus noted that, as opposed to a decade ago, Estonia can unequivocally count on allied units, stationed on its soil, to immediately participate in a conflict with Russia

Russia's successor to McDonald's prepares to enter foreign markets

The chain's owner Alexander Govor said in early September that Vkusno I Tochka was ready to open restaurants in the Chinese city of Heihe and is waiting for the US company's decision on this issue

Zaluzhny objected to attacking Russia’s Kursk Region — media

Russia’s tactical successes and ongoing offensive in Donbass cause big losses in the Ukrainian army, Politico said, citing the Ukrainian military

Press review: Hezbollah pagers attack threatens wider war and Russia ready to test nukes

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, September 18th

Top Russian, North Korean diplomats discuss developing ties, strategic partnership

According to the statement, Sergey Lavrov warmly congratulated Choe Son Hui on the traditional Chuseok harvest festival celebrated in the country today and wished her a fruitful and busy trip to St. Petersburg

Russia to study reasons for mass pager blasts in Lebanon to rule out such attack — Kremlin

On September 17, many pagers exploded practically simultaneously in several districts of Lebanon

Almost 30 injured in incident on leisure ship in Berlin — report

According to Bild, there were about 100 people aboard

Size of Russian army increased due to threats to country — Kremlin

"This is triggered by an extremely hostile situation on western borders and instability on eastern borders," Dmitry Peskov pointed out

Relations between Iran, Russia to develop on permanent basis — Iranian president

According to Masoud Pezeshkian, closer cooperation between the two countries will help them alleviate the sanction pressure from Western states

Belarus and Russia to determine details of new gas contract in 2025 — Energy Minister

In early February, the Ambassador of Belarus to Russia Dmitry Krutoy announced that Minsk and Moscow plan to reduce the cost of Russian natural gas for the Belarusian market after 2026

Israel planted explosives inside Hezbollah pagers fearing group was onto operation — Axios

A former Israeli official with knowledge of the operation said the country’s special services intended to use the booby-trapped pagers they had planted in Hezbollah ranks in a surprise attack "in an all-out war"

Kiev's allies discuss possible end to conflict in Ukraine — report

According to Bloomberg, as the conflict drags on without significant changes on the battlefield, some Western officials started to consider using diplomacy to break the stalemate

Austrian military analyst predicts Ugledar will likely fall as Russian forces gain ground

Colonel Markus Reisner said Russian troops are trying to strengthen their strikes on the flanks of Krasnoarmeysk